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Whisky Glossary : Peat

Whisky Glossary and Definitions

Unlike wine, for example, whisky is not really about mystification, but it does bring its own jargon. Any unusual terms you are likely to come across are described and defined in this section.

 
 

Issue 111 Out Now

Whisky Magazine Issue 111

Kentucky, Louisville, Benromach

 

Peat

Compressed, decayed vegetable matter Cut from Peat bogs and used as fuel. The pungent smoke it gives off when burnt is used in the Malting of barley intended for certain Scottish Malt whiskies, especially on Islay.


While oak ageing is an historic tradition, wood management is a far more recent discipline. The benefits of oak ageing have long been appreciated, rather than understood, but it's only since the 1970s...

August 2002, Issue 25, page 59


Apple wrapped in pastry with Aberlour bourbon cask butter - Aberlour chocolate pralines - Aberlour ice cream

June 2003, Issue 31, page 46

100 Greatest Distilleries to Visit
Our team of writers around the world give you the distilleries you should visit.

December 2011, Issue 100, page 30

A book with a central Flaws
Guttered is a decadent and bawdy drinking romp. Perfect terrain for Jefferson Chase, then

June 2004, Issue 40, page 37

A brave new world
The world of whisky may well still be dominated by the big five traditional producers,but they're no longer having it all their own way.Dominic Roskrow looks at the new wave of world whisky

September 2007, Issue 66, page 18

A Bridge Further
Whisky chef Martine Nouet looks at some extreme pairings

March 2012, Issue 102, page 57

A Canadian Feast
Martine Nouet heads north for a challenging pairing

March 2011, Issue 94, page 52

A case of Norwegian wood
Martin Moodle conducts his annual survey on what's hot - and good value - in the duty free shops of the world

August 2002, Issue 25, page 56

A country beyond kentucky
Think American whiskey and you think Kentucky. But across the United States there are other options – including the biggest of them all

April 2008, Issue 71, page 38

A day in the life... (Richard Paterson)
Dave Broom follows JBB's Richard Paterson on a typical working day and learns much about blending, showbiz and living life at full pelt

July 2001, Issue 17, page 20

A Decade of Challenges
Martine Nouetheads to Sweden to find out what has been happening at the country's foremost distillery

February 2012, Issue 101, page 34

A decade of words
To mark our 10th anniversary we decided to dig into our archives and bring some of the wittiest, incisive and often poignant words from our two columnists, starting the late, great Michael Jackson.

November 2008, Issue 76, page 14

A distillery seeped in history (Clynelish)
Ian Buxton travels North of Inverness to the remote distillery at Clynelish

July 2005, Issue 49, page 34

A drop of the soft stuff
Ian Wisniewski assesses the effect of the water used in whisky production and as mixer on the drink we love

October 2002, Issue 26, page 52

A family affair
John Lamond examines the history of this independent distillery

July 2002, Issue 24, page 52

A Fine Fino
Bowmore recently looked back at their collection of vintage casks and have released an extremely limited edition bottling from 1964, considered by many as the golden age in the distillery's history. ...

July 2012, Issue 105, page 7

A Flirtatious Spirit
Ian Buxton heads north to find a Distillery in a basement

September 2012, Issue 106, page 40

A forgotten gem (Deanston)
Deanston is the least-known of Perthshire's six remaining distilleries. Ian Buxton visited it

March 2006, Issue 54, page 30

A frosty reception
Classic malt distillery Dalwhinnie is revamping its visitor experience. Dominic Roskrow spoke to the man charged with ringing the changes.

February 2010, Issue 86, page 44

A future classic from a modern distillery
John Lamond visits the Isle of Arran Distilleryy, a modern distillery that produces a whisky that may well have enthusiasts challenging their own perception of what is their favourite malt

April 2001, Issue 15, page 28

A gem in the eye of a storm (Cardhu)
Say the word ‘Cardhu' and it stirs up images of underhand dealings. But the distillery intrinsically linked to last year's scandal is charming and impressive, and its staff outstanding. Ian Buxton r...

January 2005, Issue 45, page 30

A great vintage
The fourth Whisky Live Paris saw an incredible gathering of rare and exciting drams,we find out more

November 2007, Issue 67, page 10

A Greener Future
We asked two of our writers to look at the issues affecting Scottish and American producers. The problems may be pressing but there is plenty of innovation out there to keep the industry green

March 2012, Issue 102, page 21

A Kaleidoscope of Aromas
Joel Harrison takes a pilgrimage to the isle of peat and wonder

September 2012, Issue 106, page 36

A Locavore's Tipple
Liza Weisstuch goes in search of slow food whiskey

February 2013, Issue 109, page 34

A matter of duty
Eighty-five bottles of Scotch are sold every minute in duty-free shops around the world. Martin Moodie looks at where the best ranges can be found, and where it's worth missing your fight for a specia...

May 1999, Issue 3, page 50

A Maverick State
Can an area steeped in as much tradition as Speyside produce a few true modern mavericks? Neil Ridley catches up with the free thinkers, and the liquid, that have changed the course of thinking in the...

March 2013, Issue 110, page 34

A Meeting of Minds
Joel Harrison heads to Leeds to check out an excellent food and whisky menu.

October 2011, Issue 99, page 56

A new flame (Kilchorman)
Gavin Smith takes a stroll by Kilchorman, the first new distillery of the millennium-and the first on Islay since 1883

February 2002, Issue 21, page 22

A new relationship
Beer guru Roger Protz looks at some oak aged beers on the market

December 2010, Issue 92, page 58

A pioneer of the spirit
Stewart Mcbain praises the contribution of Charles Cree Doig an unsung hero of the Scotch whisky industry

December 2000, Issue 13, page 26

A potted history
Justifiably famous for its range of Irish whiskies, the Pot Still in Gloucester is also a haven for lovers of single malts, unusual spirits, liqueurs and bottled beers. Richard Jones reports

June 2006, Issue 56, page 33

A question of choice
Michael Jacksonponders the age old question of what's your favourite

August 2006, Issue 58, page 11

A question of soul
Edradour may be small but it's perfectly formed and as it starts to bottle malt distilled under its current owners, it looks set to continue to punch above its weight. Dominic Roskrow visited it.

February 2009, Issue 78, page 42

A Quiet Confidence
Seáneen Sullivan explores the myths and magic of this iconic Islay distillery

December 2012, Issue 108, page 32

 

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society 9 Years Old, Millennium Malt
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.10%
9 Frighteningly good. Godzilla is alive and well and living in Campbeltown.

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Glengoyne 2000 AD
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
9 Delicious example of maltiness in a whisky. I always enjoy Glengoynes very much, but they invariably leave me wanting a little more.

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Highland Park 1970, 4.73
Single Malt - Scotland - 52.50%
9 Not as sophisticated as the distillery bottlings, but robustly salty, earthy and peaty. Good characteristics, but in this bottling they mask the maltiness and sherry character. I wonder whether all is...

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BenRiach 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.70%
8 Reveals a rich profile by a succession of aromatic layers. Alcohol is perfectly tamed.

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BenRiach Heredotus Famosus Pedro Ximinez Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
8 Fantastic balance and richness of character.

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Yamazaki, 10 Years Old, 119.3
Single Malt - Japan - 56.20%
8 A surprising amount of peat in this usually very delicate malt.

Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
8 An appetising islander. On the sweet side. Bring the langoustines and the scallops.

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society 26.7 An Absolute Cracker
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.50%
8 Tastes old.Superb. Refined and complex. Still so lively and fresh. Hard to leave…

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Old Fettercairn, 37 Years Old, 94.3
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.10%
8 An elegant, elderly chatelaine.

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BenRiach Authenticus Peated Single Malt 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
8 Another region-buster and a good one too.

BenRiach Solstice 15 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
8 A somewhat lurid colour, but this is an extremely sound and stylish BenRiach with an integration not often seen in finished whiskies.

Bunnahabhain 1963
Single Malt - Scotland - 42.90%
8 The Islay origins become more obvious the more mature Bunnahabhain is. This one would be comfortable in distant Cathay or in Tokyo or even 42nd Street.

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Yoichi, 116.1
Single Malt - Japan - 56.60%
8 A whole sequence of flavours emerges in this vintage. These are flavours I have found before in Nikka whiskies, but they have not been especially evident elsewhere in this flight.

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Yoichi, 116.4
Single Malt - Japan - 64.90%
8 Lots happening. Nice interplay of elements.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Caol Ila 7 Years Old, 53.50
Single Malt - Scotland - 62.10%
8 Young and hot. If that sounds flirtatiously sexy, you have the right idea.

BenRiach Curiositas peated malt, 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00%
7 A Speyside? The most Islayish of all the Speysides I have ever tasted. Interesting as a freak even if wood toughens the whole profile a little.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society The Macallan 11 Years Old, 24.48
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7 It is always interesting to taste a Macallan that is less sherried than usual. This one could have been rounder.

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society 33.70 Ardbeg Keith Richards meets Socrates 1998 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.30%
7 An effusively phenolic smouldering hulk. Recommended.

BenRiach Curiositas 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 Quite a nice dram but a bit edgy.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 93.33 Glen Scotia Pine sap and black pepper 1992 16 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 64.30%
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Lagavulin 16 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
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Lagavulin Distillers Edition, Pedro Ximenez Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
9 What it loses in character it gains in a different dimension of distinctiveness.

The Macallan 1948, 51 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 0.00%
9 Drink it and travel back in time. It is one of the finest malts I have ever tasted.

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The Macallan 1949, 50 Years Old, Millennium
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
9 A beautifully composed, luxurious whisky.

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Ardbeg Provenance, 1974, 24 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.60%
9 Rich and creamy, with huge flavour development.

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The Macallan Special Reserve
Single Malt - Scotland - 0.00%
9 This is true of several of the older Macallans, suggesting that the sherry casks had contained styles other than dry Oloroso.

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Ardbeg 1976, Distillery Manager's Choice
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.00%
9 Real Ardbeg peatiness and smokiness.

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Highland Park 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
9 If I smoked I would have a cigar with this one.

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Highland Park 40 Years Old
- Scotland - 48.30%
9 A stunningly great whisky. One of the finest I've had for a considerable time.

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Lagavulin 1979 Distillers Edition, Pedro Ximenez Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
9 The wrestling match between distillery character and Pedro Ximinez finish ends, at length, in a draw.

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Talisker 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 45.80%
9 Always a classic, though I still miss the 8 Years Old.

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The Macallan 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00%
9 A lovely whisky in its own right, but not quite as layered as the best vintages.

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The Macallan 1946, 52 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 0.00%
9 A whisky of seductive charm.

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The Macallan 1961 Vintage
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.70%
9 This one I loved. The flavours have melded beautifully, in what must have been an excellent cask.

 

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