FIELD GUIDE · 5 min
What is peat?
The source of whisky’s famous—and divisive—smoke.
Peat is compacted plant material
In wet landscapes, partially decayed vegetation accumulates over thousands of years. When cut, dried and burned, peat produces an aromatic smoke.
How smoke reaches the whisky
Some distilleries dry malted barley over peat fires. Smoke compounds attach to the grain and survive fermentation and distillation, later appearing as bonfire, earth, medicine, seaweed or savoury aromas.
Smoky is not one flavour
Peat can be gentle and heathery or intensely medicinal. Coastal associations often come from the whole sensory combination rather than literal seawater entering the spirit.