Peanut Butter Whiskey: A Comprehensive Review

Peanut butter whiskey: an unexpected yet delightful fusion of two cherished flavours that have made a splash in the world of spirits. This intriguing blend has captured the attention and palates of whiskey aficionados and adventurous drinkers in an industry fueled by creativity.

As its name suggests, peanut butter whiskey combines the rich, nutty essence of a beloved spread with the timeless charm of whiskey. 

In this article, we will embark on a deep dive into the captivating world of peanut butter whiskey, exploring its origins, distinctive production process, and the irresistible melding of flavours that has propelled it to stardom in the realm of the spirits.

So, pour yourself a glass and join us on a journey through peanut butter whiskey’s surprising and delightful universe.

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What is peanut butter whiskey?

Peanut butter whiskey is a flavoured whiskey infused with peanut butter’s taste. It combines the rich, nutty flavour of peanuts with the warmth and complexity of whiskey. This flavoured whiskey has gained popularity in recent years, particularly as an ingredient in cocktails or a unique sipping spirit.

Peanut butter whiskey is typically made by infusing roasted peanuts or peanut butter into a whiskey base. The result is a spirit with a sweet and nutty flavour profile, often with hints of caramel and vanilla from the whiskey itself. Some brands may also add additional sweeteners or flavourings to enhance the peanut butter taste.

It’s important to note that peanut butter whiskey is a flavoured spirit and is distinct from traditional, unflavored whiskeys like bourbon, Scotch, or rye.

It’s often enjoyed on its own, over ice, or in cocktails, such as the “Peanut Butter Old Fashioned” or “Peanut Butter and Jelly Shot.” It’s known for its dessert-like qualities and is popular among those who enjoy sweet and nutty flavours in their drinks.

Origin and Evolution of Peanut Butter Whiskey

Over the years, many condiments have developed a cult following. Their flock liberally apply the sacramental sauce, seasoning or spread to unsolicited foods with reckless abandon.

There are ranch dressing fanatics who take French fries and pizza on a stroll through Hidden Valley and ketchup devotees who find eggs unpalatable without the help of Heinz. For restaurateur Steven Yeng, peanut butter is the condiment at the altar of obsession.
 

Yeng put his obsession into practice when he began adding peanut butter to hot wings over a decade ago at his Ocean Beach restaurant, OB Noodle House.

His affinity for the spread even led him to create the peanut butter whiskey shot, which became a surprising hit and established a legion of devotees. The unexpected success of that drink inspired Yeng and his wife Brittany to bottle it up for the masses.

Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is made using real peanuts and is as crazy as it sounds. It’s the answer of “Why not” when someone asks, “Why?” With its surprising sweetness, smooth finish, and obvious peanut butter flavour, this American whiskey proudly bucks convention as the black sheep of the whiskey aisle.

“Why combine peanut butter and Whiskey?”

We like to think that there’s nothing more American than peanut butter and whiskey. There is that initial shock value that most people think they won’t combine well. But I think that’s really what makes them work together so well— they are very different. Peanut butter is a wonderful flavour that has such a great combination of sweet, creamy, and savoury.

All of those flavours that can make you addicted to food are all there, and you have that punch of whiskey. Your mom doesn’t have to cut the crust off of this one.

The result is Skrewball: An unconventional ode to different backgrounds, exotic flavours, and the seemingly disparate qualities that make us all unique and united. 

READ ALSO: Lemon Drop Shot Recipe

Production Process of Peanut Whiskey

Step 1

Gather the Ingredients:

Peanut butter whiskey is a new trend, and although some might think combining peanut butter and whiskey sounds unexciting, it’s actually a delightful pairing.

To make your own peanut butter whiskey, gather these ingredients:

• 750ml of your preferred whiskey, preferably a bourbon that pairs nicely with peanut butter.
• Two cups of raw peanuts.
• Optional: Two teaspoons of brown sugar.

Step 2

Roast the Peanuts

Peeling peanuts can be quite a task, but you can make it easier by lightly roasting them. Roasting helps remove the skin and enhances its flavour, texture, and aroma.

Here’s how to do it:

• Take a pan and roast the raw peanuts for at least two minutes. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent them from burning.
• The aim is to lightly roast the raw peanuts to enhance their taste.
• Alternatively, you can roast them in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Step 3

Crush the Peanuts

Let the roasted peanuts cool down before roughly chopping them. You can add sugar to taste if you prefer a sweeter and smoother blend.

To enhance the infusion, it’s a good idea to crush the peanuts until they reach a peanut butter-like texture. This can be easily achieved using a food processor or a blender.

Step 4

De-fat the Peanut Butter Taste

Removing excess oil from the peanut butter paste might seem challenging, but it’s essential because it contains too much oil, which can affect the mixture and create an oil layer on top.

A method to achieve this is by placing the peanut butter paste in a pan and covering it with a paper towel. This towel will absorb the excess oil.

After this process, the peanut butter will appear chunkier and less smooth, which is what we want for this recipe.

Step 5

Mix the Paste and Whiskey

Once you’ve removed the excess oil from the peanut butter paste, it’s time to combine it with your whiskey.

Place the peanut butter paste in a mason jar and pour in your chosen whiskey. Thoroughly stir the mixture until the peanut butter paste completely dissolves into the whiskey.

Removing the excess oil in the peanut butter paste is crucial because if you skip this step, the oil will remain separate in the mixture and won’t blend with the whiskey.

Step 6

Allow the mixture to sit for a few days.

Now that you’ve thoroughly blended the peanut butter and whiskey allow the mixture to sit for a few days.

The whiskey won’t age in the glass but will gradually absorb the delicious peanut butter flavour.

Store the mixture in a cool, dark pantry and remember to give it an occasional shake during its resting period, which could be around seven days.

Feel free to taste-test the concoction and let it sit longer if you prefer a stronger flavour. You can let it rest for a month for an even richer taste.

Step 7

Separate the peanut butter from the whiskey.

There are various methods to separate peanut butter from whiskey. You can strain the mixture using a double cheesecloth, a nut milk bag, or a coffee filter.

For optimal results, 

• We suggest using a coffee filter, even though it takes a bit longer. Coffee filter straining might require about 25 minutes for every half cup. 
• To speed up the process, consider using a fresh coffee filter once it’s halfway through the straining.

Step 8

Pour and Serve

Now that you have successfully separated the peanut butter and whiskey, you can store it in a bottle, pour, serve and enjoy. 

It has a colour and texture similar to whiskey but has an aroma and added peanut butter taste. 

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Top Peanut Butter Whiskey Brands

1. Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey

Skrewball is another one that avoids the “too sweet” territory by balancing decadent whiskey with slightly sweet peanut butter undertones. It also has a subtle saltiness, giving the liquor depth and flavour. It’s whiskey for the discerning peanut butter lover. The finish is smooth and slightly sweet, with a long-lasting peanut butter aftertaste.

2. Skatterbrain Peanut Butter Whiskey

If you love tons of peanut butter flavour, get your mitts on Skatterbrain. The distillers certainly don’t skimp on the flavour with this one, and you’ll taste roasted peanuts in every sip. Then, pair it with raspberry liqueur for the ultimate grown-up PB&J.

3. Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey

This whiskey is packed with a peanutty flavour, but it’s somewhat sweeter than other options. Expect a dessert-like flavour with tons of caramel and vanilla in every sip and a luxurious mouthfeel.

4. Ole Smokey Peanut Butter Whiskey

If you like your whiskey on the sweeter side and you love peanut butter, try Ole Smokey’s. It’s easily one of the sweetest varieties on our list, more like a cookie or cake than a whiskey. This one is so smooth and decadent that you can enjoy it straight.

5. Sqrrl Peanut Butter Whiskey

Sqrrl balances whiskey’s sweetness and savoury flavours without getting too cloyingly sugary. While other products on our list tend toward the dessert side, this whiskey embraces the rich nuttiness of peanuts and truly sings.

6. Two Trees Peanut Butter Whiskey

Two Trees packs in plenty of gorgeous peanutty taste in every drop, but it also has something else that very few, if any, of our other picks have: woodiness. Infused with Appalachian white oak, this peanut butter whiskey offers some fascinating taste notes that make it distinct and memorable.

7. Hard Truth Peanut Butter Whiskey

Hard Truth, Peanut Butter Whiskey, has a touch of saltiness that keeps things interesting as you sip away. It’s also a tad bit sweet with a creamy and velvety texture that falls somewhere between appetizer and dessert.

8. Bird Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey

This award-winning peanut butter whiskey has layers of nutty, salty, and rich flavours, with a lovely ribbon of sweetness tying everything all together.  If you think peanut butter is one-note for the kiddos, we dare you to try this liquor and not change your mind.

8. PB&W Peanut Butter Whiskey

This whiskey might do the trick if you like sweet notes but not an overpowering sugar appeal. The distillery managed to create a genuinely delightful, nostalgic drink that reminds me of my childhood. 

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Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktails

1. Peanut Butter Whiskey Moscow Mule

This concoction stands out from the others on this list by bringing together peanut butter whiskey, ginger beer, orange juice, and vodka.

The resulting flavour is bold and intricate, a delightful blend that’s hard to put into words. It’s simultaneously earthy, zesty, and boozy, with subtle nuances that make it a refreshing departure from the ordinary.

2. Apple Cider Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail

If you are a fan of autumnal drinks, you absolutely can not pass up this recipe. However, be warned that regular hot apple cider might not satisfy your taste buds after just one sip.

This delightful beverage captures all the spiced apple goodness of traditional cider but adds a comforting layer of richness with peanut butter whiskey. If you are the type who enjoys peanut butter on apple slices, this drink is bound to become your new favourite.

3. Peanut Butter Whiskey Milkshake

When it comes to indulgence, this peanut butter whiskey boozy milkshake takes the cake. It’s sinfully delicious, with such sweetness and decadence that you might forget there’s any liquor involved.

This milkshake is a dream come true for milkshake enthusiasts, featuring ice cream, chocolate sauce, peanut butter, whipped cream, and more. And yes, it even includes real peanut butter! The peanut butter whiskey harmonizes so perfectly with the other ingredients that you might not even notice its presence.

4. Peanut Butter Irish Coffee

This recipe is absolutely worthwhile just for the whipped cream. The good news is that the cocktail itself is equally fantastic. Coffee and peanut butter make quite the dynamic duo, nearly as perfect as chocolate and peanut butter.

That’s why I’m confident that you’ll enjoy this beverage as much as we do. Whip up a batch for your next brunch and prepare for some well-deserved compliments.

5. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail

This recipe serves up a delightful combination of chocolate, peanut butter, cream, and sugar, all expertly blended for your enjoyment. It incorporates chocolate in three delectable ways, thanks to crème de cacao, chocolate liqueur, and chocolate bitters.

Furthermore, each serving boasts the smoky sweetness of peanut butter whiskey, complemented by a generous spoonful of creamy peanut butter.

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Pairing Peanut Butter Whiskey With Culinary Delights

1. Chicken Wings: The smoky, rich flavour notes of grilled chicken bring out some of the complex flavours in peanut butter whiskey. It’s great with either a honey glaze or barbecue sauce.
2. Melons: On a hot night in August, there’s nothing like pairing peanut butter whiskey with the quintessential summer flavour of watermelon. Try it with cantaloupe, honeydew, and other favourite melons too.
3. Pasta: Whiskey and Italian food may seem unlikely, but this non-traditional pairing works very well. The dry whiskey base counterbalances and enhances the flavour profile of most pasta and meat dishes.
4. Bananas: Bananas and peanut butter are a classic flavour pairing. Plus, the creaminess of the banana pairs well with the vanilla and caramel tones of whiskey.
5. Pork: Pork’s relatively mild flavour pairs well with peanut butter whiskey’s good-natured, complex taste. Try it with pulled pork, pork ribs, slow-cooked pork belly, or pork chops with plenty of caramelised flavours on the plate.
6. Chilli: Chili is a hearty meal with a ton of flavour, so a smooth and refreshing glass of peanut butter whiskey is the perfect way to wash it down.
7. Apples: Peanut butter whiskey is a great complement if you like snacking on plain apples or enjoying a slice of apple pie or crumble.
8. Strawberries: The sweetness of strawberries pairs delightfully with the notes of vanilla in whiskey, and the creaminess of peanut butter brings it all together.

Conclusion

Peanut butter whiskey serves as a remarkable example of the endless potential for flavour innovation within the spirits industry. What began as a daring experiment has transformed into a beloved and highly sought-after beverage, catering to those who yearn for a distinctive and indulgent experience with each sip.

Its fusion of the familiar and the unexpected has broadened the horizons of whiskey enthusiasts and introduced a new generation to the realm of distilled spirits.

As we’ve delved into its history, production techniques, and diverse applications, it’s evident that peanut butter whiskey is more than just a passing trend; it symbolizes the ingenuity of craftsmanship and the ever-evolving landscape of the beverage sector.

Whether enjoyed straight, incorporated into cocktails, or used in culinary endeavours, this exceptional spirit has rightfully earned its position as a versatile and unforgettable addition to the whiskey world.

So, when you seek an unconventional yet delightful libation, consider reaching for a bottle of peanut butter whiskey. With its unique blend of flavours and its knack for surprise and delight, it pays homage to the innovative spirit of those who create and relish the finest beverages in the world.

Here’s to the bold and unexpected – may they continue to inspire and tantalize our taste buds for years to come. Cheers!

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