Peat and Whisky: The Unbreakable Bond

by Mike Billett, Dave Broom (Introduction)

BRINGING TOGETHER LANDSCAPES, geology, history, people and their whisky, and addressing the key role of peatlands in mitigating climate change, Peat and The Unbreakable Bond is a love letter to Scotland and the unique substance that forms part of the DNA of Scotch whisky.

Through epic journeys around Scotland and back in time, Mike Billett dives deep into the science and stories of ancient peatlands and bogs, capturing the spirit of places where whisky has been distilled for centuries. He sheds light on how peat imparts its distinctive aroma and flavour to the world’s finest single malts. He looks back to tradition and heritage, as well as forward to a future in which the dark matter will remain part of the recipe for liquid gold, while at the same time becoming an increasingly precious living sponge for atmospheric carbon. He takes us to places where the bond between peat and whisky is growing around the world.

Whether you’re a whisky connoisseur, a lover of Scotland’s environment and beautiful landscapes, an armchair traveller or a history buff, this unforgettable book will deepen your appreciation for the land itself and help you to understand the profound connection between peat and the unmistakable character of uisge beatha, the water of life.

Genres: Scotland

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2023

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uisge beatha, or the water of life as whisky is sometimes known, is a glorious drink, though too much of it can have the opposite effect. This drink is intrinsically linked to the peat bogs of Scotland and Ireland and the subtle flavours that it imbues to the raw spirit is intensified with the dual magic of oak and time.

There is a lot of myths behind the symbiose of peat and whisky and in those swirling myths are facts, if you know where to look. Mike Billett is one of those people who know where to look and more importantly what to look for and where to find it. He is ideally qualified too, he is a peatland scientist deeply embedded in the way that the lifecycle of the peat bog.

This book is a mix of travelogue, science, natural history and the history of whisky. Billet is an engaging author whose knowledge of the subject fully understands how this brown fuel makes the drink what it is today. He gives a good insight into the distilling process too, he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the distilleries and their water sources and their maltings. He has a boundless enthusiasm for whisky in all its iterations.

I really liked this book. The mix of genres works well as a cohesive narrative. It is a book to be read with a large dram of your favourite whisky and luxuriate in how a damp brown moss can have so much influence over this spirit. 3.5 stars

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Puts the importance of peat and whisky together. After travelling Scotland for the last six months and seeing many of the distilleries and places discussed it was a joy to read. Highly recommended if you are interested in whisky or the importance of preserving peat.

[DARREN AGER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t know what I got myself into at first with all the technical chemistry but I soon found the whole subject fascinating . The history of particular distilleries was really interesting .

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and well written book, I wish I knew more about Whisky beforehand as I feel I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more, however there was still enough on Scottish History, Chemistry, Geology, and Hikes to keep it an entertaining read. It’s got me curious about Whisky so maybe will have to revisit this book in the future. 3.5 stars if I could give it.