Peanut butter whiskey is an emerging liquor, first spotted in the ’60s. Despite the relatively recent entry into the liquor space, peanut butter whiskey has gained popularity globally, and brands are curating their versions of the whiskey. Are you looking to imbibe this lovely blend of booze and a desert? Read on to learn the 12 best peanut butter whiskey brands.
Difference Between Peanut Butter Whiskey and Normal Whiskey
Whiskey, a drink with a rich history, has delighted enthusiasts globally for centuries. As the whiskey landscape continues to evolve, new and distinct expressions develop, and butternut whiskey is one such invention.
Although regular whiskey has its perks, with distinct characteristics and complexities, peanut butter whiskey adds an exciting punch of nutty flavor. This section explores the key differences between peanut butter whiskey and regular whiskey.
1. Flavor Profile
Traditional whiskey has a broad spectrum of tastes impacted by factors like aging, distillation techniques employed, and the choice of grain, including corn, wheat, rye, and barley. Also, depending on the distiller, regular whiskey may feature fruity undertones, notes of vanilla and caramel, or oak and cinnamon influence.
Conversely, as the name suggests, peanut butter whiskey is traditionally infused with peanut butter flavor. It captures the nutty sweetness of creamy peanut butter, giving the liquor a rich and distinct taste that sets it apart from normal whiskey.
Alongside the sweet finish, peanut butter whiskey may feature subtle roasted undertones. These flavors may mimic roasted peanuts or traces of caramelization, adding to the whiskey’s richness.
2. Ingredients
Regular whiskey is typically made from fermented grain mash. The grains utilized, the quantities, and the distillation technique may vary, but grains like barley, corn, rye, or wheat are primary staples. These grains give rise to the various types of traditional whiskey, for instance:
- Barley: It’s an essential component in Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, and many other forms of whiskey. Barley helps to create the particular tastes associated with these whiskey styles.
- Corn: It’s a fundamental component in bourbon whiskey, contributing to its sweet and strong flavor.
- Rye: It’s a vital component of rye whiskey, which is noted for having a spicier and drier flavor than other forms of whiskey.
- Wheat: It’s utilized in some whiskies, especially those with a softer and smoother flavor profile. Wheated bourbons, for example, have significant wheat amounts in their mash bill.
Conversely, peanut butter whiskey is essentially flavored traditional whiskey that infuses peanut butter extract or natural flavor. It combines regular whiskey manufacturing aspects with the incorporation of peanut butter taste and sweeteners to spruce the overall taste and balance flavors. The type and proportion of sweeteners vary depending on the brand.
3. Drinking Experience
Regular whiskey is frequently served neat, on the rocks, or as a component in traditional cocktails such as the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Whiskey Sour. Classic whiskey’s complexity and broad flavor profile offer an array of drinking choices and preferences.
On the other hand, peanut butter whiskey is typically enjoyed as a flavored shot or in cocktails in which its nutty and sweet features can go well with other components such as chocolate or coffee. It provides a quirky edge and a one-of-a-kind aspect to cocktails, especially those influenced by desserts or sweet taste profiles.
4. Market Appeal
Regular whiskey boasts a stellar history, a broad commercial appeal, and a massive loyal following among whiskey fans. It appeals to connoisseurs who appreciate the spirit’s richness and traditional quality.
In contrast, peanut butter whiskey is a recent whiskey rendition, but it has attracted appeal as a fan-favorite flavored whiskey option in the last few decades. It caters to people who love sweeter and more exotic flavor combinations. Although peanut butter whiskey has established a niche market, its appeal may be narrower than regular whiskey’s.
Peanut Butter Whiskey vs. Normal Whiskey Comparison Table
| Feature | Peanut Butter Whiskey | Traditional Whiskey |
| Flavor Profile | Creamy smoothness with peanut butter undertones | Various flavors, including oak, caramel, vanilla, spice, and fruit |
| Drinking Experience | Frequently enjoyed as a flavored shot or dessert-like cocktails | Consumed neat, with ice cubes, or in typical whiskey cocktails |
| Ingredients | Regular whiskey base, peanut butter extract or flavor, and sweeteners | Fermented grain mash |
| Market Appeal | Increasingly popular and attracting fans of sweeter flavors | Well-established market, drawing interest from a plethora of whiskey connoisseurs |
| Key Characteristics | Distinct, unusual flavor character | Distinguished complexity and craftsmanship |
| Pairing Recommendations | Chocolate, coffee, and dessert tastes | Smoked meats, cheese, dark chocolate, and cigars |
Our Top 12 Peanut Butter Whiskey Brands
Here is an overview of the top select peanut butter whiskey brands.
1. Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
Skrewball debuted the peanut butter craze, launching their peanut butter-flavor rendition of the classic whiskey in 2018. Since its launch, the brand has taken the world by storm, popularizing the whiskey flavor globally. This brand skips the overly sweet aspect of flavored whiskies by providing an inventive blend of classic whiskey with somewhat sweet peanut butter notes.
2. Skatterbrain Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
Skatterbrain is another top peanut butter whiskey with a Canadian spirit base that launched in 2020. This whiskey is a must-try if you enjoy a lot of peanut butter flavor. The distiller doesn’t shun adding a flavor punch, with vanilla notes, caramel, and butterscotch taste accompanying the dominant peanut butter flavor in every sip.
3. Sqrrl Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
The makers of Jim Beam, Beam Suntory, added a new flavor to their whiskey collection with Sqrrl Peanut Butter Whiskey, which hit the market in 2020. The extra nutty whiskey greets your nose with a savory peanut scent, complementing a sweet yet subtle peanut butter flavor.
4. Ole Smoky Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 30%
Ole Smoky Peanut Butter Whiskey is a befitting drink if you love your whiskey sweet and seek to enjoy peanut flavor. The whiskey is curated from a 2-year-old corn whiskey as a base. Besides its sweet undertones, this whiskey boasts a silky texture with buttered popcorn, vanilla, and caramel bursts.
5. Hard Truth Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
Hard Truth is a dark-gold colored straight bourbon created by Hard Truth Distilling Company. It provides a distinct and decadent flavor experience, thanks to peanut butter’s nuttiness flavor matching the base whiskey’s distinctive taste. You can enjoy the whiskey neat, on the rocks, or inventive cocktails with a twist.
6. Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
Sheep Dog Whiskey is Sazerac’s flagship in the flavored whiskeys market. Sheep Dog stands out from the peanut-butter-flavored whiskeys in the market because it uses natural peanuts rather than an extract. Caramel, butterscotch, and vanilla tastes greet the palate before the peanut butter rush. The result is a distinct, delightful spirit with a creamy, decadent flavor profile.
7. Coastal Creek Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 30%
Coastal Creek is created from a six-month barrel-aged Kentucky bourbon base, incorporating a peanut flavoring. The aroma is accurate, with a subtle flavor that is easy to adore and enjoy. Also, this flavored whiskey features a substantial amount of natural taste, enhanced by vanilla and caramel flavors with cane sugar undertones.
8. Two Trees Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
Two Trees Peanut Butter whiskey adds to Two Trees Distilling Company’s extensive selection of flavored whiskies. This bottle opens with the full flavor of a standard velvety whiskey and advances to brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel flavors before ending with hints of roasted peanut butter flavor in every sip.
9. PB&W Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
The Old Elk distillery’s PB&W is a flavored whiskey with a “premium whiskey” base. The whiskey has a thick and syrupy consistency packed with caramel and vanilla overtones, a strong salted roasted peanut butter flavor, and a touch of apple undertones. If you enjoy sweet overtones but not an excessive sugar appeal, this bottle can be a befitting option.
10. Bird Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 40%
Bird Dog Whiskey is velvety, with a Bourbon base distilled from fermented barley, corn, and rye mash. The whiskey is aged in white oak barrels, which retains the traditional whiskey burn, but it’s enhanced with peanut butter and other sweet flavorings. Layers of nutty, salty, and rich tastes combine in this award-winning peanut butter whiskey, with a beautiful ribbon of sweetness bringing everything together.
11. Shepherd’s P Nutty Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
This bottle from K.D. Distilling is a good choice if you prefer a sweeter and more mellow whiskey with a little peanut butter flavor. This whiskey is the star of the show, with its well-balanced combination of butterscotch and peanut notes, followed by caramel flavors that balance each sip so that it doesn’t overpower your palate.
12. Blind Squirrel Peanut Butter Whiskey
Alcohol Content: 35%
Blind Squirrel, created in Minnesota by Universal Brands, is one of the more pocket-friendly peanut butter whiskey alternatives – an excellent entry-level bottle with the envisaged flavors that won’t break the bank. The whiskey has a rich texture with hints of caramel and vanilla, complimenting roasted peanuts. It suits those with a sweet tooth and goes well with cocktails and dessert-inspired drinks.
Final Thoughts
Adding flavor to such exquisite liquor may sound repugnant to enthusiastic whiskey drinkers, especially when the flavor is as strong and rich as peanut butter. Fortunately, you can always find a befitting peanut butter whiskey whether you want salty, tasty peanut butter accents in your liquor or a sweeter punch!
