Peanut butter whiskey is a flavored whiskey that contains the taste of peanut butter. It is made by infusing traditional whiskey with peanut flavoring and often has a sweet, nutty flavor profile. Some of the most popular peanut butter whiskey brands include Screwball Whiskey, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, and Jim Beam Peanut Butter Whiskey. While “peanut butter whiskey” is the most common name for this style of flavored whiskey, it may also sometimes be called “peanut whiskey” or “peanut butter flavored whiskey”.
Origins of Peanut Butter Whiskey
The origins of peanut butter whiskey can be traced back to the rise in popularity of flavored whiskeys in the 1990s and early 2000s. As flavored vodkas and rums grew popular, some distilleries began experimenting with infusing new flavors into whiskey as well. The combination of peanut butter and whiskey was found to complement each other nicely, with the sweet nuttiness of peanut butter tempering the spiciness of the whiskey.
One of the first peanut butter whiskies to hit the market was Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey, which was launched in 2010. Its unique peanut butter flavor profile combined with an affordable price point made it popular. Other distilleries soon followed suit and began releasing their own takes on peanut butter whiskey to capitalize on the public interest. Now it can be commonly found in liquor stores, bars, and restaurants as one of the standard “flavored whiskey” options.
How Peanut Butter Whiskey is Made
Peanut butter whiskey starts off with a base whiskey, often a moderately priced bourbon or rye. The base spirit is then infused with natural peanut flavoring to give it the distinctive peanut butter taste. Two of the most commonly used peanut flavorings are roasted peanut extract and peanut oil.
The process of infusing the peanut flavoring involves carefully mixing it into the whiskey and letting the combination marry. This allows the peanut flavor to fully integrate into the whiskey. The length of time needed for this marrying process can vary depending on the specific brand and formula. Some infuse for just a few days, while some take weeks.
After the flavor integration process, some brands will use additives like sugar or caramel coloring to tweak the flavor profile and color of the final product. Once the desired taste is achieved, the peanut butter whiskey is filtered, bottled, and ready for sale.
Popular Brands of Peanut Butter Whiskey
Here are some of the major brands and varieties of peanut butter whiskey currently on the market:
Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey
– One of the first and most popular peanut butter whiskey brands
– Made with a blend of Canadian whiskies infused with natural peanut flavors
– Sweet and creamy peanut butter taste with caramel and vanilla notes
– Bright reddish-orange hue from added caramel color
– Around 70 proof (35% ABV)
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
– Contains whiskey distilled in Indiana and flavored with peanut extract
– Thicker, more natural peanut butter flavor profile compared to Screwball
– No caramel coloring added, has a clear golden hue
– Bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV)
Jim Beam Peanut Butter Whiskey
– Made using Jim Beam Bourbon infused with a peanut butter flavoring
– Has a heavier bourbon taste with strong peanut overtones
– Contains caramel coloring giving it an amber color
– 70 proof (35% ABV)
Tipsy Scoop Peanut Butter Whiskey
– Craft distillery version made in New York
– Starts with a rye whiskey base aged 3 years
– Infused with dry roasted peanuts and peanut butter
– Has a darker, more roasted peanut flavor
– 80 proof (40% ABV)
Cocktails and Drinks Made with Peanut Butter Whiskey
Peanut butter whiskey has a flexible flavor profile that works nicely in a variety of cocktails and mixed drinks. Here are some popular cocktails made using peanut butter whiskey:
Peanut Butter and Jelly
– Peanut butter whiskey
– Chambord raspberry liqueur
– Lemon juice
– Simple syrup
– Club soda
Peanut Butter Cup
– Peanut butter whiskey
– Creme de cacao
– Chocolate syrup
– Cream or milk
Peanut Butter Old Fashioned
– Peanut butter whiskey
– Simple syrup
– Bitters
– Orange slice
– Maraschino cherry
Peanut Butter Candy Cane
– Peanut butter whiskey
– Peppermint schnapps
– Cream soda
– Candy cane for garnish
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
– Peanut butter whiskey
– Grape vodka
– Lemon-lime soda
Nutritional Info and Calories in Peanut Butter Whiskey
Like regular whiskey, peanut butter whiskey does not contain any fat, carbs, protein, or other nutrients. The calorie content comes almost entirely from the alcohol itself.
A typical 1.5 ounce (44 ml) shot of peanut butter whiskey contains around:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 105 |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
So peanut butter whiskey contains roughly 70 calories per standard shot. The caramel coloring and peanut butter flavorings add minimal additional calories and nutrients.
Where to Buy Peanut Butter Whiskey
Here are some of the places where you can find and purchase peanut butter whiskey:
– Liquor stores – Most general liquor stores will carry at least one major brand like Screwball or Jim Beam. Larger stores may have an entire flavored whiskey section.
– Large supermarkets – Many supermarket liquor departments, especially at national chains, will stock peanut butter whiskey. Selection may be limited to only the most popular brands.
– Convenience stores – Some convenience store chains will carry smaller sizes of popular peanut butter whiskies. Selection is more limited.
– Online liquor stores – A wide variety of peanut butter whiskies can be purchased online and shipped to many states. Allows you to access niche craft brands.
– Distillery tasting rooms – Craft distilleries making peanut butter whiskey will sell bottles at their distillery tasting room or shop. Lets you taste first.
– Bars/restaurants – Peanut butter whiskey cocktails may be served at bars focused on craft cocktails or with large whiskey menus.
So check your local liquor store first, and then expand your search to larger stores, online options, or specialty bars if looking for a particular brand.
Conclusion
Peanut butter whiskey combines the bold flavor of whiskey with the sweet, nutty taste of peanut butter. While its exact origins are unclear, it rose to popularity alongside the flavored whiskey trend in the 2000s. Major brands like Screwball first marketed it to the masses, but now many distilleries make their own artisanal versions as well. The peanut butter flavor comes from infusing real roasted peanut extract into bourbon or rye whiskies during the production process. It has a flexible flavor profile that works great in cocktails like the Peanut Butter Cup or Peanut Butter Old Fashioned. You can find it at most liquor stores, bars, and restaurants that carry a good whiskey selection. Peanut butter whiskey provides an indulgent, dessert-like flair to any whiskey drink.
