This headline launched the "2022 Scottish Single Malt Whisky Gift Guide (1)" a few days ago, which caused heated discussions. In fact, it is a gift guide, but also a purchase guide. The original intention of the article is to open everyone's horizons and make everyone's choices more diverse and unique.
Today launches its sister chapter, which focuses on peat whisky.
Peat-flavored whisky isn't for every beginner enthusiast. But after getting started, drinking peat is a must-go. As the saying goes, peat is the temple of every whisky lover. The peat flavor is the soul of Scotch whisky, and the complex flavor derived from peat makes whisky addicts fascinated.
Scotland is home to many of the most classic peat whiskies, and it's worth tasting for everyone. The purpose of this article is not to restate those classics, but to recommend their replacements. They may not get as much attention, but they are no less classic.
- Send: Le Gavelin 16 years or Lafergue 10 years? Might as well send: Benliak Peat Season or Dilin Black Phoenix!
Lagavulin 16 YO and Laphroaig 10 YO are both Islay heavy peat grade whiskies, with the former having a peat value of 35PPM and the latter reaching 45PPM. They are all must-drink. But why not try something else? For example, the following two:
1.Benriach Smoke Season
Alcohol content: 52.8% ABV, international average price: $75
Located in the Spshire region of Scotland, Benleak Distillery is one of the few Scotch whisky distilleries that produces both peat and non-peat whisky. The peat season is a small batch release, named after the short period during which the distillery used peat barley each year. Whiskey is made using highland peat, so there is smoke on the smell and taste buds, but it is closer to grilling than smoke. The wine is matured in bourbon and virgin barrels with the sweetness of dark chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
2.Teeling Blackpitts Peated Single Malt
Alcohol content: 46% ABV, international average price: 70 US dollars
The wine is launched by Teeling Distillery in Dublin, Ireland, and the name "Blackpitts" comes from the old Blackpitts district near the Dilin Distillery. In the past, Blackpitts was home to Ireland's largest wheat mill. This wine is also the embodiment of Dilin's respect for tradition and revival of traditional values. After three distillations, 2/3 is ripened in bourbon barrels and 1/3 is aged in Sauternes ICON barrels, with a rounded taste, rich fruit flavor, and a soft peat smoke.
The wine won the third place in the 2021 Whisky Advocate TOP20, with a score of 94 points. This year, Di Lin also launched a barrel strong version of the black phoenix, and interested friends can skip the level to taste.
- Send: 10 years for Teska or 12 years for Highland Knights? Might as well send: Qihoumen 100% Islay or Genting for 10 years!
Talisker 10 YO or Highland Park 12 YO come from the Isle of Skye and Orkney Islands, respectively, and are characterized by moderate peat levels (both 15-25 ppm) and sea salt. These two whiskies are really classics, and it is a bit difficult to find the right replacement, but it is worth the effort. Take a look at these two:
Kilchoman 100% Islay 12th Edition
Alcohol content: 50% ABV, international average price: 116 US dollars
Made from barley grown in Islay in 2011, 2012 and 2013, with a peat value of about 30 ppm, it is distilled and matured for at least 8 years in 29 bourbon barrels and 6 Oloroso sherry barrels. The wine has sweet aromas of peat smoke, honey-dripped orange slices, vanilla and salted caramel, with a long aftertaste with notes of apple and pear, ginger spice, raisins, toffee, peat smoke and caramel.
4. 10 years of Genting (Springbank 10 YO)
Alcohol content: 46% ABV, international average price: 102 US dollars
Genting whisky is now a hot mess. The wines are matured in bourbon and sherry barrels, non-condensing filtered, and bottled in natural color. At first smell there is a smell of salt water, with notes of damp earth, citrus fruits, grains and light smoky oak; On the palate, it has notes of vanilla toffee, cedarwood, hazelnut and more brine; The spicy aftertaste creates a coconut and a hint of dry peat.
- Send: Oben 14 years or Johnnie Walker Black Card? Might as well send: Bunahaben Peat Sequel or Badshaydn Microsmoked!
Oban 14 YO and Johnnie Walker Black Label are both premium entry-level peat whiskies. Both novices and foodies love it. However, the following two paragraphs may replace them.
5. Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Da
Alcohol content: 46.3% ABV, international average price: $50
Toiteach A Dah means "Smoky Two" in Scottish Gaelic, and it is the sequel to Bunahaben's first peat malt whisky Toiteach. The wines are aged in bourbon and sherry barrels. Aromatic notes of smoked and brine, red berries, caramel, nutmeg and cloves; The palate has notes of Jaffa orange, pipe tobacco, nougat, cloves, black pepper and smoked fish, as well as oak, pepper, salt and dark chocolate.
6.Basil Hayden's 'Subtle Smoke' Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Alcohol content: 40% ABV, international average price: $59
Part of Penn Suntory's American bourbon brand, it is a one-off limited edition whisky. The wine is based on pure bourbon from Buzz Haydn and is finished in a special finishing barrel for 6 months. The finishing barrels are roasted until slightly charred, then lit with hickory oak chips to produce smoke and inside the barrels, the final result is a soft smoke paired with sweet vanilla and barrel spices from bourbon.
Great Sue: WSET (International Foundation for Wine and Spirits Education) Advanced Certification, SMWA (Scottish Single Malt College) Advanced Certification, dedicated to the educational promotion of wine and spirits. Welcome to follow.