Dining

Salt air and seaweed shape second series of smoky single malts from Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Peat Plants II whisky collection

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has released the second instalment of its Peat Plants collection, a set of four limited-edition smoky single malts designed to showcase the most intense expressions of Scotland’s island peat. 

The new quartet, part of the Society’s premium Creators Collection series, shifts focus toward the more medicinal, sea-lashed character of the Western Isles, including Islay and Mull, where salt air, seaweed and lichen shape the spirit’s personality. 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, established in 1983 and known for its single cask bottlings, describes Peat Plants II as a study in maritime peat influence; the expressions draw on mature casks ranging from 19 to 31 years old. Count us intrigued…

The expressions draw on mature casks ranging from 19 to 31 years old…

SMWS Peat Plants II Showcases medicinal smoke

The four whiskies in the SMWS Peat Plants II collection each highlight a distinct facet of coastal peat.

Tarred and Heathered is a 21-year-old Islay single malt, combining tropical fruit notes with honey-cured, peat-smoked salmon tones, presented with a pronounced smoky core.

Ocean Blossom, a 19-year-old Highland expression, is described as maritime and briny, with flavours of barnacle-scraped wood and steamed samphire, evoking the shoreline at low tide.

Maritime Drift is a 31-year-old Islay bottling, likened to a boat builder’s workshop, rich with smoky pears, butterscotch and honey-glazed lobster, combining age-softened smoke with coastal sweetness.

Finally, Beachside Smokehouse is a 26-year-old Islay release offering notes of smoked dates, habanero bacon and liquorice root tea, finishing with a firm medicinal peat kick.

Euan Campbell, Head of Whisky Creation at the SMWS, said the series was designed to explore the “powerful and medicinal nature of West Coast peat,” selecting casks that deliver both intensity and flavour range. While the original Peat Plants collection charted peat’s diversity, this second edition leans into its most elemental, uncompromising character.

The SMWS Peat Plants II set is priced at £1200, with individual bottles available from £135 to £455. As with all Society releases, these are single cask bottlings and strictly limited.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK