An Exciting New Chapter in Bellemara Whisky: The Launch of Peated Whisky
Here at Bellemara, we love all things malted barley, especially our Single Malt Whiskies. We’re excited to be expanding our whisky portfolio to include our first ever Peated Single Malt Whisky, a classic smokey expression of our signature American Single Malt Whisky and the first peated whisky made by a New Jersey craft distillery.
What is Peated Whisky?
Before diving into the specifics of this new launch, let's quickly touch on what makes peated whisky so unique. The term "peated" refers to whisky that has been made using malted barley dried over peat fires. Peat, a type of soil made up of partially decayed organic matter, imparts a smoky, earthy flavor to the whisky. The process of drying the barley over a peat fire infuses the grains with these characteristic flavors, which are then carried through the distillation process and into the final spirit.
Peated whiskies, many of which are famously made by Islay distilleries in Scotland, are known for their intense, robust flavors, often evoking smoky, medicinal, and earthy notes, with variations depending on the region and distillery producing the whisky. For some, the smokiness is an acquired taste, while for others, it’s a bold, irresistible allure.
Why did we make peated whisky?
When we first started Bellemara Distillery, part of the inspiration was to produce high quality single malt spirits, using American innovations combined with Scottish traditions.
Peated whisky is a long-standing tradition. Distilleries in the early 1800s in Scotland and Ireland originally used peat to malt their barley as there was no other ready source of flammable material. As time went on, other methods of making malted barely not using peat were used, allowing whiskies to have either a peated flavor or not. Owner and Head Distiller Camden loves Scottish peated whisky. (Ever wonder why Islay, our distillery dog, is named Islay?). We’re incredibly excited to release Bellemara’s first peated whisky.
How we make our Bellemara Peated American Single Malt Whisky
Our Peated American Single Malt Whisky is made grain to glass at our distillery in Hillsborough, NJ.
Ingredients: We started with high quality peated malted barley that we imported from Scotland.
Mashing: Next we mixed the milled malted barley with hot water to release enzymes that convert the starches in the grain to sugar. We then transferred the sugary liquid to our fermenter, leaving the spent grain behind for the cows.
Fermentation: We then cooled the “wort” and combined it with yeast to ferment over about 5 days. This produces the alcoholic “wash” at roughly 8% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Distillation: We then double distilled the wash from fermentation in our custom copper pot stills. The first distillation is the “stripping run”, where the goal is to get all the alcohol out of the wash and produces a liquid called “low wines” with roughly 40% ABV. The second distillation is the “spirit run”, where we isolate the good tasting alcohol (the “hearts”) from the bad tasting alcohols (known as the “heads” at the beginning of the run and the “tails” at the end of the run). The result of the spirit run is what we call “new make spirit” which is the base of our whisky.
Aging: Once we had our new make spirit, we put the spirit in a mix of 15 and 30 gallon barrels. Unlike in Scotland, in the US we are required to put the new make spirit into NEW charred, oak barrels as opposed to in Scotland where they use USED, charred oak barrels (most often from bourbon distilleries). The whisky aged for over two years in our distillery in Hillsborough, imparting delightful oak, char, and vanilla notes to the whisky and allowing the flavors to mesh together.
Bottling: As the barrel aged, we would occasionally pull samples and taste its progress (tough job, right?). When it started tasting how we wanted it we harvested the barrel and bottled. For this inaugural limited release, we only bottled one barrel, leaving the rest to keep on aging. This whisky was bottled at full cask strength, a whopping 123 proof.
Tasting Notes and What to Expect
While each of our whiskies are unique, there are a few things you can expect from this new release.
Smoky Intensity: The signature characteristic of peated whiskies is, of course, their smoky flavor. This whisky leans into that bold, smoky profile with layers of charred wood, embers, and the distinct taste of peat smoke. However, the distillery has focused on crafting a more nuanced smokiness—rich but not overpowering, allowing the spirit’s complexity to shine through.
Fruit and Spice: To complement the deep smokiness, hints of dried fruit, honey, and vanilla are woven throughout, along with a subtle spice from the oak casks in which the whisky has matured. The interplay of smoke and sweetness will provide a satisfying experience for your palate.
Long Finish: Peated whiskies are known for their lingering finishes, and this one is no different. The aftertaste will leave you with the taste of smoke and spice that lingers pleasantly on your tongue.
Peated Whisky for New and Experienced Drinkers
For those who are new to the world of peat, this peated whisky offers an excellent entry point. With a balanced flavor, it won’t overwhelm your senses, making it an ideal choice for someone looking to dip their toes into the smokier side of whisky.
For seasoned peat lovers, this release will be a fascinating new expression to explore, with layers of complexity that unfold with each sip. Whether you enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or with a dash of water, this whisky promises to be one to savor.
How to Drink Peated Whisky
Peated whisky is most often drunk on its own, whether neat or on the rocks. We always recommend tasting the whisky neat first then if you’d like, you can add a few drops of water. Adding water to whisky is one way to release different aromas and flavors from the whisky as the water changes the ratios of the different flavor elements in the whisky.
Where to Find It
While supplies last, this new peated whisky is available for purchase in our tasting room only. It can be sampled as part of a tasting flight and purchased in 200ml bottles. You can make a reservation for the tasting room here.
Conclusion: A Toast to Peated Whisky
We’re excited to bring you a peated whisky. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, tradition, and bold flavor that will likely inspire both seasoned whisky drinkers and newcomers alike to explore the smoky depths of peat. Whether you’re savoring the whisky alone in front of a roaring fire or sharing a bottle with friends, our Peated Whisky is a great way to enjoy one of the oldest whisky techniques with an American twist.
Cheers.