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Waterford Distillery launches most heavily-peated Irish whiskies of all time

15 September 2023 By Madeleine Pollard

The Irish distiller says its record-breaking two new releases are more peated than “most of the famous Islay” expressions.

Waterford Whisky, the world’s largest producer of organic and biodynamic whiskies, claims its two new releases are the most “heavily- peated” whiskies to ever be created in Ireland.

Measuring in at 57 and 74 PPM (phenol parts per million) respectively, the two whiskies — called Peated: Lacken and Peated: Woodbrook — use Irish peat to create smoky flavours, which occur when compounds released by the peat fires are used to dry malted barley.

To give an idea of just how peated these whiskies are, Whisky magazine defines a peating level of around 10ppm as “light”, producing a subtle smoky flavour. Around 25ppm is considered a “medium” level and 40-50ppm and higher is considered “heavily peated”, leading to a prominent smoke flavour.

“Our ongoing exploration into the old ways of whisky-making have taken us, once again, to forgotten flavours of Irish peat, the original taste of Irish whisky,” said Mark Reynier, founder and CEO of Waterford Distillery.”

“Having demonstrated the unique flavours from our first peated Single Farm Origins, and that terroir trumps peat, we decided to dial up the smoke.”

“This new brace of Single Farm Origins – using Irish peat and Irish barley – have been peated to levels higher than most of the famous Islay whiskies, and certainly the most for an Irish whisky. And guess what? Those terroir flavours are still distinct and still apparent.”

Both Peated: Lacken and Peated: Woodbrook will be available to purchase at waterfordwhisky.com, for an RRP of £90 each.

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