Why Scotch tastes like a BURNING hospital

In this video, we explore the meaning of peated and smoky whisky and why/how whisky gets smoky. We also look at what the best peated Islay Scotch whisky brands are and which ones are smoky.
0:00 Intro
0:47 What is peat?
1:34 Peat & whisky
2:44 Steeping the barley
3:32 How peat makes whisky smoky (kilning)
4:50 Smoky taste preferences
5:18 Islay - smoky peaty whisky
5:59 Islay smoky whisky you should know
8:08 Island smoky whiskies you should know
9:07 Terroir & Peat
10:40 New Zealand peated whisky
11:49 What is PPM?
12:53 Whisky brand PPM levels compared
14:02 The flaws of using PPM
15:41 Other ways to make whisky peaty/smoky
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[@FirstPhilWhisky]

These unique whisky videos take a long time to make, however that are made possible by my incredible Patreon supporters. To become a supporter, be featured in the credits, and get exclusive content, head to www.patreon.com/firstphilwhisky

[@abrahamtomahawk]

Hi, I've just discovered your channel. The interesting thing for me is that I used to work at a malting plant in Inverness (during university holidays). Certain batches of barley would be peated during the drying process by passing smoke from a peat fire over the malt box round the clock (we'd also have to fire some sulfur through it to get rid of oxygen in the smoke). Randomly, while in Auckland, I was in a bar that had a malt sack from the maltings I worked at! Also, I spent a month on Waiheke Island, so might have to get myself some of that whisky!

[@cianoc8211]

Traditionally - like everything whisky, except blending - peating was an Irish thing. Both countries have extensive peat bog regions, but Scotland had a tiny population compared to Ireland pre famine, when this practice flowered, so while Scotland’s peat regions had small populations and little whisky and poitín making, Irelands peat regions were massively populated and poitín and whisky production a huge element of societal practice. In fact the column still itself was invented by Aenaus Coffey, a tax man in these peat heavy regions of central Ireland who’s job it was to break up illicit poitín stills. And over the years he documented the more sophisticated stills he encountered and arrived at his invention of the continuous still or column still (then called a Coffey Still). Fortunately for us whisky lovers when Irelands whisky industry collapsed in the 1920s - owing to its war of independence and knock on exclusion from British empire markets, coupled with US prohibition- it’s little brother in Scotland was there to pick up the slack.

[@danieljp9694]

Just started drinking/learning about scotch. I started with the Speyside ones and fell in love with them. Just bought my first smoky/peaty bottle, Talisker10 and it’s one of the most interesting things I’ve ever had. I love that salty/briny nature of it. Can’t wait to try some of these others with a higher ppm

[@JeffWhisky]

Talisker 10 was also my first bottle that pushed me down the peat rabbit hole and is such a fantastic whisky. My next step was Lagavulin 16 and would 100% recommend that as long you can find it at a good price. Enjoy!

[@ricklence3308]

Try Ardberg 10 or Laphroaig 10! Very smoky ,Islay Single Malts and delicious.

[@xSintex]

I second lagavulin 16 as your next bottle. Or if you want to head down the medicine/hospital tasting route, try Laphroaig 10.

[@crystalmethshrimp]

Go towards the cambletown side! Try the glen scotias/killerran if you can find it.

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

Talisker Storm and Lagavulin 16. Trust me

[@ChemistryTalkwithDan]

A couple of weeks ago I bought my first bottle of Islay whisky, Ardbeg 10. Fantastic stuff! But what really surprised me was how similar the smoky aspect was to certain mezcals. In particular the flavor reminded me of Montelobos Espadin in that there was a great campfire and even BBQ smoke throughout the whole experience. Of course the rest of the flavors are wildly different from each other, but it was fun to to pick that out and make comparisons between two completely different kinds of spirits.

[@lightercollector9666]

Great comparason! Of course Mezcal and Whisky are 90% different but that 10% that is similar makes you courius to find ot more!

[@GogiRegion]

You can almost get a smoked green pepper taste in both of them from my experience.

[@frenesia]

I love peated whisky, even the heavily peated ones, yet my favorite one is the Talisker 10. It is just so well balanced and the maritime notes are glorious. If I want to go down the peaty road, I really enjoy Ardbeg Uigeadail for its strength and for more of campfire-like experience I enjoy Laphroig 16 a lot.

[@Coffeendonuts]

uigeadail is great. I love the wee beastie as well. Ardbeg makes great whiskey

[@carlj176]

Thank you for making this video. I found this to be incredibly informative!

[@timoleinonen6819]

Very nicely presented, thanks Phil!

[@GolfingNovice]

Phenomenally high quality video & great editing. Well done pal! 👌🥃

[@mizzard1]

Great video Phil, you’re great at explaining things in a clear and concise manner.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching

[@dougalbert9831]

Wonderfully informative video. The quality of your filming/editing is fantastic.Don't laugh but I'm actually much of a whisky drinker. I simply enjoy learning. Keep up the good work!

[@joophunt5569]

Great video I learned a lot I’m just finding how much I like this stuff

[@wowodine]

the Lagavulin 12 Special Release Cask Strength !!!!!!! is Addictive !! and one below that level.. the Ardbeg Corryvreckan

[@emmanuelorupabo3891]

I love this channel. It was Glenlivet 12 and Lagavulin 16 that also go me hooked on whisky. I even did my first whisky taste for someone’s birthday…. But peated whisky is my favorite. Side note…. My wife and I love New Zealand. We go there every 5 years.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Emmanuel! Glenlivet 12 and the Laga 16 are great for hooking people. Oh nice, where are you normally based?

[@emmanuelorupabo3891]

@@FirstPhilWhisky We live in Hawaii. I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan and we went there for our honeymoon, so we’ve gone back every 5 years ever since.

[@crgaillee]

Thank you for answering my burning question, It took three videos to get the answer. Cheers, skol and salute!

[@edwinschroeten1308]

Nice reviews and good explaining just stumbled on your KZbin channel. Drink whisky for a long time now love the Ardbeg oogie and Corry and laphroaig lore and best sherry whisky aberlour a'bunadh and Glendronach 18. Greatings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 hope to see more of you video to come !!

[@johnsmith4301]

Excellent video!!

[@gatdellobregat]

Laphroaig 10 got me into whisky, so it is only natural for me to have a soft spot for peated expressions. But when it comes to choosing a favourite, things tend to get complicated. Basically any of the Ardbeg core range will do, but Finlaggan CS is the most replaceable one in my cabinet so far (I'm at my fourth bottle). Thanks for another entertaining video and cheers from Romania!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh I need to get my hands on a Finlaggan CS. Thanks Bogdan!

[@Alcoholocaustia]

Ah, so you're the reason why I can't get hold of a bottle of Finlaggan CS? Haha. Seems to be sold out everywhere in Romania. Just found a bottle for sale, but after placing the order they told me they didn't have it. Any hints where to find one?

[@JeffWhisky]

Great video to show people when they say all scotch is too smokey. Whisky is such a fantastic world where the pest flavour started as a byproduct only to become such a sort after part of the whisky world! Going to be looking into that Waiheke whisky. Cheers

[@MikeK02048]

I thought I didn't like smokey whisky until I was given a taste recently of some Aran 10 and some Ardbeg. I liked them both, and bought a bottlle of Ardbeg for my own. I don't understand how you don't have more than 20k subscribers. I watch a lot of scotch KZbin channels, and yours is by far the best! Keep it up Phil!! Well done!!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Mike! That means a lot and I'm glad you are enjoying my videos! Yeah it's fascinating how our tastes change. I wasn't a huge fan of really sweet sherried whiskies to begin with, but now love them.

Great video! I could recommend Machrie Moor Fingal's Cut Quarter Cask (I bought my bottle when visiting Arran Distillery in Lochranza this summer).

[@CasterLeonne]

New whisky drinker and absolutely loving your channel. Unique content style that stands out. I'd love to hear you talk about the history and lineups of some of the more famous distillerys

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks so much! Great idea

[@ravishankarbhatt5090]

Nice video, I am fan of Port Charlotte and would want to try an Octomore whenever I can lay my hands on it.

[@WhiskyRiffs]

Great video, Phil. I’m so glad you explained how PPM isn’t an absolute measure of the intensity of the peated the taste of a whisky. As you stated, peat is different in various parts of Scotland, and around the world, so it’s more about flavor. The real question is: What peat flavors do you like best? Instead of what level of PPM. For me, the campfire flavors of Ardbeg peat are glorious and mix well with a sweeter finishing process like in their Uigeadail - a favorite expression of mine. Also the Port Charlotte and Octomore peat flavors top my list. Recently, I’ve also added Talisker to my peated Scotch favorites. The stats on a whisky are all well and good, but when it comes down to it… we need to just drink what we like. Cheers!

[@jootzman]

Nice! Thank you for this video! :) I'm a newbie whisky drinker and I do prefer the smoky flavour over other kinds that are smoother and lighter (in flavour) and this video has definitely broadened my knowledge and appreciation of whisky. Thanks! :)

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks, that's great to hear and exactly why I make these kind of videos. Cheers!

[@grumpyguss]

Excellent video in every way. Subscribed.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Eric!

[@aitoriri1]

Great video Phil. My favorite smoky whisky has to be Lahproaig 10, it was the one that made me fall in love with smoky whisky and other bottles may come and go but there is always a Laphroaig of some sort in my shelf

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

It’s such a unique whisky. Cheers!

[@GC2112]

Great video, just started exploring the smoky peaty styles, so thanks for the lesson 👍👍

[@GC2112]

Just trying the Kilchoman Sanaig, very nice

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

my pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@stephanorlik78]

Laphroaig Quarter Cask is the one that started me on my whisky journey. A friend introduced me to it after I had mentioned I liked smoky wines, and preferred mezcal over tequila. I'd have to say I'm definitely an Islay whisky lover. I've tried others from Islay and haven't hated one yet

[@LL_Cool_Jon]

I’m glad I found this channel. Thanks

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great to have you here!

[@NZDave]

Firstly, congratulations on your video production its genuinely top notch. After a terrifying Talisker experience as a younger man I vowed heated whiskies weren't for me. in 2019 however, Kilchoman enticed me back at a blind tasting but still very much finding my way.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Dave! Great to have you watching. Yeah, the Kilchoman expressions do seem to be getting better

[@caseyweber4947]

I’m very new to scotch, and just started trying some of the smoky/peaty ones. Your video was an excellent way for me to familiarize myself with the production methods and gain a few recommendations. Thank you! Additionally, I am wondering if any American or Canadian distilleries use local peat because I’d love to see how the flavor differs.

[@nvdlboy]

Interesting explanation of how whisky gets its peaty flavors. I am not a big fan of peaty smoky whisky but I have had a couple that I enjoyed like Mackrie Moor from Arran. Thanks for your insights.

[@martinjones2889]

Really interesting video. I actually live on Islay and work in the whisky industry but in the warehouse not production so there was still plenty to learn. Will be asking the master distiller tomorrow about the terroir of the peats we use. Personal recommendations is the American distillery Westland. They do a peated whisky and it is one of my favourites.

[@leojanuszewski1019]

I would LOVE to live & work on Islay! Lucky you! 👍

[@holidayknife]

As always great content, Phil! My favourite Peated Whisky is probably Kilkerran 12, followed by Talisker 10&18. Just finished Port Charlotte Islay Barley which is also a very nice one. My best whisky pal owned a Ledaig 10 which he enjoyed so much he drank it all before I came to visit. So... This one's still left to discover for me :)

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

You have great taste! That’s an excellent line up

[@CraftWhiskeyBoys]

Fun, informative with a great edit to match 👏🏻

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Cheers boys! You guys back to making content? What the haps?

[@exploring_the_dram]

Another enjoyable video Phil! Keep them up. As for my favourite at the moment it’s the Port Charlotte 10, followed closely by Caol Ila Moch. Give the Caol Ila a try if you haven’t it’s delicious 😀

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks John! Yeah it’s a great dram 👍

[@bognes5103]

The one we all have been waiting for ❤❤❤

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Hope it was helpful!

[@bognes5103]

Absolutely fantastic episode. Well done Phil. I'm a huuuuuge fan of Talisker 10 still can't overcome the label change ( love that you used a bottle in the video with the old classy label) However I'd strongly recommend Laphroaig quareter cask. No age statement there, just brilliant smokey taste. Share and enjoy 😉

[@steeno1985]

Another great video Phil. Always well researched, structured and great production value. I'm a new comer to whisky and still haven't got a peat bomb in the collection, but looking at Caol Ila or Ledchaig as a good value for money brand.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Simon! You can't go wrong with either of those.

[@DayKlight]

id go with the Ledaig, since it hits the 46% ABV. Other than that, i can reccomend Port charlotte, heavy smokey but also more on the fruity side

[@nickwebb9290]

I started off with Aberlour 12 year old. That Glenlivet Nadurra sounds interesting 🤔 Super video, many thanks 🙏

[@prems28]

Phil you are becoming my favorite whiskey reviewer. excellent video series. I have Got to try the NZ whiskey.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Grateful to have ya watching! Cheers

[@samuraisoul2]

I became a fan of peated whisky after I was introducted to Lagavulin 15 on a Caribbean cruise, by a bartender to whom I will always be indebted! I absolutely loved the experience and am plannng to try other peated whiskys in the future. I’ve added several to my wishlist.

[@GipettoCuda4891]

Great video Phil, really enjoyed it. I recently have been drinking Ardbeg 10, which is great. I’m a peat lover.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Love the 10! Cheers Neil!

[@GipettoCuda4891]

No problem Phil, love your content, keep it coming 🥃

[@lightplays2181]

Good job Phil , i liked your review ! Cheers )

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks!

[@linsimone8145]

Bruichladdich golf series brought me into whisky aspects, with subtle and grace peaty flavor. Over decades, the taste, with a hint of sea breeze, is vibrant.

[@spykerf1545]

Great video as always! For me its the Port Charlotte Heavily Peated, the BenRiach Smokey 12 and the Kilchoman Loch Gorm. As outliers, but amazing - The Legendary Dark Silkie (Irish) and for an affordable but wonderful dram - the McClelland Islay (NAS) (rumored to be 3YO Bowmore)

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great picks!

[@peterslonsky]

Phil just nerded out on peaty whiskey and that was AWESOME! Ardbeg Ugidal, Ledaig 10, and Laphroaig quarter cask Gotta try more though!

[@magicsteve5523]

Terroir can also have an effect on aging with different weather in different areas of Scotland effecting how much whisky is absorbed into the wood during shifting temperatures.

[@oguzhan0007]

Thanks for the great content! My ultimate fav is Ardbeg Uigeadail and there isn't any competitor so far :)

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Such a great punchy whisky. Big fan of it as well

[@keithl7700]

Hey Phil, I'm subscribed and I have "ALL" notifications enabled and didn't get a push notification about this video just fyi (video has been up for 3 hours).

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh weird! Grateful to hear you have notifications set to all though!

[@tanujjoshi8014]

Thanks for a great video Phil. Very informative. I've been getting into peated whisky quite recently and just cannot go back to unpeated ones any more. There are some very nice peated whiskies happening in India nowadays. Paul John - Bold is one of my go to Indian peated whisky. Then there is a fairly new whisky called Woodburns if you want a peated whisky on a budget. But my all time favourite has to be the Lagavulin 16, it's the first peated whisky I ever had and it was love at first sip. Looking forward to an Islay trip in the next few years to visit the smokiest distilleries. Cheers! 🥃

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Tanuj! Lagavulin 16 is great - I haven't had a peated Paul John before though. I have had the peated Amrut though. Cheers!

[@Backyardfitnessdad]

Very nice video. I love peated whiskys, Lagavulin 16 is my favorite so far. I like peated whisky because it taste similar to a good crafted mezcal. Once you try a good crafted mezcal, you wont want to drink another spirit. The problem in Canada is that you don't find crafted mezcales. That's why I drink peated whisky and I really like it!

[@loitran8737]

Thanks for the very informative video Phil. My favourite Whiskey is Ardbeg and I highly recommend Arrrrrrrrdbeg and AR10 from Elements of Islay. You are not gonna regret it my friend 😁😁😁

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh great suggestions!

[@Jeremy-sf2xf]

I just started with whiskeys and scotch. I had a cpl others but I then bought something called a whiskey expedition that had about 5 small bottles in it. One was the taliskers 10(old version I believe) and God I fell in love with that smokey flavor. Now it's what I am seeking out.

[@El_Whiskero]

I just love the Port Charlotte and the Talisker 10. I agree with you on what the second tastes!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Cheers Vicente! So good right!

[@micongerthold1508]

I just tasted the Ledaig 10 and it is awesome. 😁 Thank you so much for this tip.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Glad you liked it!

[@adamlynch4122]

Another awesome video. Forwarding this to my buddies that think all Scotch is smoky.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Adam!

[@wind-inmy-face7949]

I’m sipping some Lagavulin 16 right now but really enjoy the Ardbeg line. Still have several to try there. But really REALLY enjoying my Scotch journey so far.

[@laurentsteck6086]

Very good video with great information. I wasn't supposed to get a peated whisky tonight, but I will definitely take a dram of one of my peated whisky. My favourite one is the octomore 6.03. It's such a fantastic whisky. I have still a lot of unopened bottles I have to try. I have the octomore even horizon that I have to try! Will see if it's as good as we say it is!. Thanks for the video. Cheers

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Nice! Did you try the Octomore?

[@laurentsteck6086]

not yet. I will get some friends to try it with me

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great idea 🥃

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Phil, a good put over slick and educational video.👍. My step in the peat side of whisky was Laphraiog 10. My favourite core range though is port Charlotte 10, but mostly I like a young,CS, heavily peated whisky ( not octomore, its too expensive).Slàinte Mhath Phil.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Good choice! I'm a big fan of PC10 too. Thanks David!

[@MichaelC-qy4my]

Thanks Phil, another great video. Ardbeg Uigeadail I still my favorite. The Sherry finish gives it a nice smoky savoury BBQ smell, taste and finish that keeps me coming back. The Port Charlotte is a close second. Cheers Phil

[@trombonegamer14]

I still need to try the Uigeadail. It's like 100 where I'm at, hard to justify for me.

[@MichaelC-qy4my]

@@trombonegamer14 I here you Jack, in Quebec, a bottle goes for 165$ cdn. The Corrywreckan topped 200$ cdn this year. Just mad

[@trombonegamer14]

@@MichaelC-qy4my oooof. I'll pour one out for y'all tonight

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Good choice! Big fan too. Thanks Michael!

[@jsswizard]

Thanks for this entertaining and informative video. I was under the impression that some of the smokey (not peaty) flavor came from aging the whiskey in barrels that had been charred on the inside. You touched on the notion at 15:41 but I'm unclear on the process.

[@dalmomelo]

Hi John. There are many ways of adding smoky character to a whisky that does not involve actual peat kilning. First Phil mentioned aging a whisky in casks that previously held peated whisky and that will impart a little smoky flavor to the aging whisky. There are distilleries that are using different fuels for kilning and those will add a different kind of smoky note to the spirit that is not like peat smoke. And of course you can also char, or toast, the inside of a cask to add various notes to the spirit - but this may end up not actually adding smoky notes to it. American whisky usually uses four different levels of charring of casks and since this has to do with how much of the wood sugars are caramelized this will most likely end up adding different notes to a whisky like vanilla, toffee, caramel, créme brûlée etc, rather than smoke. Cheers!

[@jsswizard]

@@dalmomelo This is fascinating. Many, many thanks for the reply.

[@dribsanddrams]

My gateway was Lagavulin 16, so I'm pretty solidly in Camp Peat, but the Lag is priced as a premium whisky now; way better stuff out there for the same price point. I also like the Laphroaig 10, but I recently tried the quarter cask and was like 'Whoa! Bandaid!' For me, the challenge is in finding peaty beasts without too much iodine; I prefer brine. Actually, I LOVE brine. I have a bottle of the English Smoky that I never touch because the iodine is just too present. That was an expensive mistake, so I'm really shy about trying new peated expressions.

[@SmokeM2D6]

Sounds like you would like Ardbeg

[@dribsanddrams]

@@SmokeM2D6 You're so right. Love the 10 and the Uigeadail. I even like the Wee Beasty a lot. I have an An Oa that I haven't opened yet, but looking for ward to getting to know it.

[@kevh7941]

Elaborate on the better stuff out there other than the lag?

[@mickmac8182]

Great content. Just enjoying a Wheat beer and a Big Peat. 🥃

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Fantastic! Cheers!

[@Ediranii]

I tried the Octomore 10.1 and I can easily say it's one of my favorites.

[@joshuadixon3261]

Great video, would be interesting to know the future of peated whisky in Scotland. Given the fact that peatlands are now a conservation priority in the UK and seen as a vital component in the fight against climate change.

[@McGururu]

Lagavulin 16 and the Distillers ed are always on my shelf... I have tried Lagavulin 2020 Feis Ile and oh my word that was even better

[@yourdrinkingbuddy]

Very informative!

[@trombonegamer14]

I've tried the Ardbeg 4 pack thing, came with the Wee Beastie and the 10, don't remember the other two but it was interesting to try a few expressions from the same distiller. Recently picked up the PC 10, and it's delicious, but I'm not surprised since I loved the Laddie. Also have the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, and thought it was tasty as well.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

PC10 is great right! It's so good to be able to side-by-side whiskies.

[@patriciocalzada757]

Hi Phil, great video! What is the current situation of the amount of peat in Scotland? Could it run out soon?

[@TheJacob1985]

My introduction to peated whisky was the Lagavaulin 8 yr old. I’m a fan of any peated whisky but this will always be my favourite.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Great whisky that one. Especially being at 48%

[@richardkilley6838]

Ledaig 10 was my first peaty whisky thanks to Ralfy's recommendation and I wasn't disappointed! Port Charlotte is next on the to buy list!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Those are two incredible whiskies to start with. Nice!

[@ianwise7591]

Love the Ardbeg 10 as that feel of full peaty flavour but to tone it down the Talisker 10 with less peat but nice flavours of smoke , maritime and a touch of sweet notes.

[@HoseyBoy79]

My favorite Scotch is Octomore, but for a daily drinker my go to is Port Charlotte 10 then Laphroaig 10. I’ve had pretty much every peated scotch in the video except for the Ledaig. I almost bought it two weeks ago at a shop by me, but they had one bottle of the Port Charlotte PAC 01 so I had to get it. I’ll have to go back for the Ladaig since you spoke highly about it.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

The PAC is an incredible bottling

[@tomskovgaard2103]

Great video - in the moment its Caol Ila 12 year. Ardbeg Uigedail is another great one, this do need a couple drops of water to really open up, i think. Did you ever made a video of whisky you prefer drops of water in, if any? Would like to see one, if you never made one 😃

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Tom, I’ve only touched on the importance of water in my how to drink whisky video. But I’m keen to touch on it again. Love the Uigedail!

[@takisdoukas1829]

Peated whisky, cigar and Jazz music. Absolutely fantastic. Ardbeg 10, Lagavulin 16, Laphroaig 10, Port Asgaig 8, Talisker 10.

[@2alexandervideo]

Love my peaty Whiskey, sadly it’s very expensive in Thailand so I purchase Ardbeg and blend it with 12 year old Dewars to get a blend of Lagavulin which is my favorite!

[@marcfarranmarin5684]

Really great video and hardwork behind it. i had some questions about as a novice, do exist any smoked whiskey from different grains than barley? Rye or wheat? Do Ireland or the States distills something similar? Thanks so much

[@ianstobie]

In Scotland, single malt whisky must be made exclusively from barley by law. This is the type of Scotch most likely to have a peated taste. Blended Scotch whisky by contrast can be made mostly from some other grain - wheat, maize or rye, but then has to have some barley-based single malt whisky added. I think but I'm not sure that at least 10 percent of the blend has to be of the barley single malt type by law before you can label the product as Scotch whisky. But it's usually this barley component that is giving most of the flavour, with the other grain being used to provide a more neutral alcoholic base. Outside of Scotland all bets are off. This is an area of major whisky growth, as is experimentation with using different grains to get different flavours. Unfortunately I haven't tried any of these exotic foreign hooches produced from beyond the reach of Scottish law! But I believe American maize (aka corn) based whiskey is often given a smoky taste by maturing it in oak barrels that have been charred with fire.

[@marcfarranmarin5684]

@@ianstobie great, thanks so much Ian for such an exceptional reply.

[@DayKlight]

My fav smoky whisky´s: Laphroaig 10 CS Kilchoman Loch Gorm / Sanaig Machrie Moore CS Edradour Ballechin Cuvee 8 Paul John Edited Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013 Ledaig 10 Ardbeg Corryvreckan id guess the list can go on for ever^^

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Fantastic list!

[@BillMcGirr]

My favorite Isla whiskey isn’t peated at all… Bunnahabhain is an amazing whiskey. Glad one of the Isla distilleries is just kind of doing it’s own thing. My favorite peated whiskey has to be Lagavulin 16… Talisker is also a whiskey of a different character. Cool video.👍🥃

[@kaweah]

Great title. For me it’s a time machine back to a peat fire in an Irish cottage.

[@markchenny0187]

My Favoriate one is Kilchoman Comraich

[@andrewbutler7681]

Well, I've had Laphroaig 10 in stock continually since July 1982 and been a registered Friend of Laphroaig since 1996, so... However, I enjoy the full range of peated whiskies from anCnoc Rutter and Tushkar up to Octomore 6.3. Sometimes, though, people seem to sell a peated expression just for the sake of ticking the box and it doesn't always work (Tomintoul With A Peaty Tang, for example, though I do like Old Ballantruan, or anCnoc Cutter & Flaughter).

[@dtac_10_29]

Except for Port Charlotte & Kilchoman, which they are still sitting on my shelf, I have tried the other bottles Phil brought out. My fav is still the Laphroaig

[@ianstopher9111]

There are fairly strict rules around making whisky in Scotland so there are only so many legitimate ways of getting those phenols into the finished product. You described the kilning and also maturation in previously-peated whisky barrels (very commonly Laphroaig). There is another method that Glen Keith pioneered in the 70s: adding concentrated peaty water to the wash charge. Glen Keith did a lot of pioneering work years ago: this approach of adding peat ultimately did not last, but the resulting product is quite a strange 'peat', which most people who have tried really did not like. To quote Serge: probably more of historical interest than organoleptically appealing.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Fascinating! Thanks for the great nugget of knowledge there. Didn't know that.

[@exoroxx]

It doesn't matter if you give me a Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Talisker, Caol Ila or the smoky ones from Bruichladdich. I love it! My greatest love goes to Lagavulin and Talisker - that's where I started my journey. There is always at least one bottle of them in my house. The Lagavulin D.E. is just magnificent. And if I need more proof, then it should be the Ardbeg Uigeadail.

[@theorb]

You should try the Floki whisky from Eimverk Distillery in Iceland. Very interesting smoky flavor since they use sheep dung instead of peat!

[@gareth630]

I enjoyed that Phil hope those starting their trip with the peat took it all in. One gripe please leave Ledaig out of you're reviews ;-) just got a bottle of indi bottlers House of Macduff golden cask !2 yr Ledaig, UCF, NC at 59.6%, bottle 47 of 258. As I said to the Malt actavist its a beast but three pours in starting to love it Take care down there .

[@kimilecate]

I love Isle of Jura so much .

[@Keno45]

Niclely informative for the beginner.. Smoke or not.. whisky is the water of life

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Ken!

[@eatsmokedrink]

I find it a shame when people say 'i dont do peated' or 'i dont do smoky' whisky. I think that some people love it straight away and some need time but i think that when you open your mind to this flavour profile you start to embrace it and see there is more to peated whisky than just smoke. Great vid once again, awesome.

[@cfhollister8766]

One of my go-to peated whiskies that I use in my home bar (often for cocktails) is Bowmore 12. I like it quite a bit but don't hear it being talked about very much and I'm wondering why that's the case. Is it a lesser whisky and I'm just not educated enough to recognize it? Is it really a good whisky which isn't really getting the recognition it deserves? Phil, I'd really like to hear your take on Bowmore whiskies.

[@Vodafone16v]

Of those that I have not heard you mention... Bowmore 12. Is subtly-peaty and smooth. But of course, the best I've tried so far: Lagavulin 16. Cheers!

[@Valera_Scotland]

My favourite so far is Ledaig 10, Laphroaig 10 cask strength/ Lore and the hint of peat in Springbank 10 ❤️‍🔥

[@tdog3742]

I suggest trying Hinch triple distilled Irish peated single malt

[@kevh7941]

My favourite has always been Glanfiddich but I realised after a whisky tour in Edinburgh that I loved Islay smoked whisky the most. Now I love Laphroaig, and my next bottle will be bunnahabhain bit the smokey version as this brand is notoriously un-peaty considering where its from. I love smoked whisky BTW lol

[@stuartchantler5333]

Bunnahabhain is one of my favourites

[@011humphrey]

My first peated scotch was the Arran heavily peated pinot noir small batch 56%. They only bottled 1179 bottles, i am still trying to get hold on one

[@Murlock2000]

Im a whiskey lover. I travel the world for work and everytime i visit a new place i try to find a local whiskey. My question is, have you ever tried some of the small unknown brands - say Belgian Owl ? Its one of my favourites. Also what is your opinion about whiskey liquor - like the Drambuie ? ( My favorite whiskey liquor: ) ) Best regards

[@haroldjohnson3057]

How do you determine the ppm values of a peated scotch? Is it listed on the label or somewhere else? Thanks

[@crouisk]

started my journey with Laphroaig 10 back in the 80s when it was way more iodine than it has been recently. have tried most of them now many many times from all the regions and through years- for peated expressions at the moment its hard to beat Ledaig

[@davidchorbadzhiev8440]

Awesome! Got me thinking, why not burn wood from old cherry casks to dry the barley and give it even deeper cherry flavour?