BC Businesses Collaborate to Create World's First Sugar-Kelp Infused Peat-Smoked Whisky

Published
07/03/2024 by

Macaloney's Island Distillery launched the world's first sugar kelp infused peat-smoked whisky. Crafted in limited quantities, this groundbreaking whisky merges Vancouver Island's terroir with the merroir of sustainable seaweed cultivation.

The foundation of this extraordinary spirit lies in its newmake spirit, already celebrated globally for claiming the coveted title of 'World's Best' at the prestigious World Whisky Awards in London. This accolade underscores Macaloney's Island Distillery's commitment to unparalleled quality and craftsmanship. Marking the expansion of Macaloney's 'The Peat Project', this historic release invites whisky enthusiasts to explore this innovative expression alongside existing Peat Project whiskies.

Available exclusively from the distillery at $109.99 per bottle, this limited-edition whisky can be purchased online here.

The infusion of sugar kelp, sustainably farmed off the British Columbia coast by Cascadia Seaweed in partnership with coastal First Nations, adds fresh maritime aromas and sweet smoke. Cascadia Seaweed's dedication to sustainable cultivation enhances local ocean ecosystems, utilizing only sea and sunlight to nurture their crops.

Dr. Graeme Macaloney, drawing on traditional peat-smoking techniques learned in his ancestral Islay, Scotland, sourced the peat from Washington State, reflecting a unique Canada-USA collaboration.

Matured in Dr. Jim Swan's Portuguese red wine Shave-Toast-Rechar barriques, the whisky unfolds with layers of red berry, caramel-toffee sweetness, and deep oak notes, complementing its creamy mouth-feel, juicy malted barley, and tropical fruit profile. The infusion of peat and sugar kelp introduces bonfire smoke, heather, and maritime notes, finishing with a hint of salt.

This whisky embodies both the terroir of Macaloney's Island whisky and the Pacific Northwest's merroir of Cascadia Seaweed. Terroir, encompassing soil, topography, and climate, imparts a distinct taste and flavour, while merroir, rooted in seaweed's local conditions, enriches the spirit's unique character.