Peated Whisky: 5 Things You Need to Know

Whisky actually means “water of life” in Gaelic. And no truer statement has ever been spoken as this timeless drink is one that has gripped generations. When it comes to drinking spirits, peated whisky has a reputation for being a spirit for those with an acquired taste, as something reserved for the connoisseurs, but it’s so much more than a measure of pretentiousness, in fact, it’s the direct opposite of that. Here are five things you need to know about peated whisky, or at the very least, five reasons to give it a try.

The rich history

From its humble beginnings as a low-brow Scottish drink, to its status as one of Scotland’s best-known exports, whisky has a rich history. This is especially true of peated Scottish whisky. Peat is only found in a limited number of regions across the globe; The Islay region of Scotland, for example, is world-famous for its peatlands. Peat was traditionally used for cooking and domestic heating in rural areas in Ireland and Scotland, so it’s now-instrumental role in Scotch-making is truly a tale of rags to riches. When you sip a peated whisky, you can practically taste the rugged hillsides of its origin.

The distinctive flavour

The distinctive peaty flavour is unmistakable. A peated whisky like Laphroaig is loved by many, disliked by some, but remembered by everyone. Its uncompromising flavour is what gives this spirit such a unique personality. It’s rugged and smoky yet surprisingly sweet. It’s subtle, yet bold and honest in a way that will draw you in. It doesn’t ask for attention, it demands it. To some, it tastes like “drinking dragon’s breath” but to others it really nails it. You either love it or you hate it, there is no mysterious grey area. Maybe that’s the secret.

The timelessness

Since the dawn of time, whisky has graced the lips of history’s most notable. From Winston Churchill to Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Mister Frank Sinatra. When we drink whisky, we join the ranks of the great, the not-so-great, and the legendary figures from the past. It’s a welcoming club that cements your part in the legacy, bestowing you with the same honour and stature as the men and women who came before us. Drinking peated whisky takes this timelessness to the next level.

The investment opportunity

From whole casks to valuable bottles, whisky has become a popular investment option over the past decade. One of the many reasons we drink whisky is because of its shelf life. You can buy a bottle, enjoy its grandeur and take it off the shelf a year later, dust it off and experience the splendour once again. But the actual monetary value of whisky is what appeals to many collectors. Rare bottles of whisky can fetch a jaw-dropping price when resold, and peated whisky is no different. So what’s a whiskey collector to do? Buy two bottles – one for drinking and one to put away for a rainy day. You never know which willing buyer will be keen on purchasing that exact year’s distil in five years.

The experience

Drinking peated whisky is an experience. It’s something you want to savour, next to a wood fire with a cigar, listening to some jazz or some old-school rock and roll. Or in a cocktail before that al fresco lunch with friends. Or in a flask up a mountain. It’s something that turns any event into a special occasion, something you want to share with friends. It binds us through our senses, intertwining into a singular memory over time that we can fondly look back on in years to come.

Go on, pour yourself a peated whisky.