Let’s talk about peat. It’s essentially swamp mud made of old, dead plants. Specifically, it’s a spongy material of decayed moss and other vegetation that, when dried, can be used as fuel. Sounds delicious, right? For centuries, distillers in Scotland have used this boggy briquette to dry barley, which is a key step in making Scotch whisky. This process infuses the grain with a distinct smoky, earthy, and sometimes medicinal flavor that people either love or think tastes like a tire fire.

Definition

Peat is decayed plant matter used as a fuel source in Scotland to dry malted barley. As the peat smoke billows around the barley, it imparts compounds called phenols. These phenols are responsible for the smoky, campfire, and sometimes briny or iodine-like flavors found in many Islay Scotches. Think of it as the original barbecue, but for grain instead of ribs. The more peat used, the more aggressively smoky the final whisky tastes.

Why does it matter?

Here’s the punchline for you, the bourbon drinker: it doesn’t. At all. Peat has about as much to do with bourbon as pineapple does with pizza… a hotly debated topic, but ultimately not a traditional ingredient. Bourbon, by law, must be made from a mash bill of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. The signature sweet, caramelly, and vanilla notes of bourbon come from the corn and the new oak. There’s no smoky, peaty bog mud involved. So, if you’re exploring the whiskey aisle and see “heavily peated” on a label, you can confidently know you’re looking at a Scotch, not a bourbon. You won’t find that campfire flavor in your Old Fashioned unless your glass is literally on fire.

How OAKR helps

Worried you’ll accidentally buy a bottle that tastes like a hospital floor? Relax. While everyone’s palate is different, OAKR helps you navigate the world of whiskey flavors before you buy. Our app aggregates tasting data from blind tasting panelists to give you a clear picture of what’s inside the bottle. We’ll show you the dominant flavors, from corn and caramel to rye spice and fruit. Download the OAKR app to explore in-depth flavor profiles and get personalized recommendations that match what you actually enjoy.