Lancaster Spirits Co. Ventures into Peated Single Malt Whisky with an Experimental 2026 Series

Photo: Chris Pateman Lancaster Spirits Co

Lancaster Spirits Co. is thrilled to announce another landmark step in its journey as a distillery: the launch of a limited experimental peated single malt whisky programme, marking the first time the distillery has ventured into the world of smoky, phenolic spirit.

Still in its early years and with its first aged single malt not expected to reach the market until 2027 at the earliest, Lancaster Spirits Co is already looking to the future. The distillery will embark on a four-week peated whisky trial in 2026, producing an exclusive series of peated spirits at varying levels of peat influence, a bold move that demonstrates the ambition and forward-thinking approach at the heart of the Lancaster Spirits Co story. The programme is designed to explore the full spectrum of smoke-driven flavour and expand the distillery's creative range before its first whisky even reaches the shelf.

Peated malt is measured in parts per million (PPM), a unit that quantifies the level of phenol, or smoke flavour, present in the barley following the peat-smoking process. For this trial, Lancaster Spirits Co will work with peated malt sourced from Crisp Maltings, starting at 50 PPM, producing a spirit with a notably robust and characterful smoky profile.

Over the course of the four-week trial, the distillery will fill five first-fill bourbon barrels per week, yielding a total of just 20 barrels of peated single malt for 2026. Each 200-litre bourbon barrel will be filled at 63.5% ABV, consistent with Lancaster Spirits Co's existing unpeated spirit, and will be laid down for a minimum of three years before it can be legally considered single malt whisky. The new-make spirit will not be released for bottling at this stage.

Should the trial prove successful, the distillery intends to introduce peated production as an annual fixture, potentially extending to a four or six-week run in future years.

The move into peated spirit is driven by a desire to push the boundaries of what Lancaster Spirits Co can offer its customers and the wider whisky community. Not only that, but the move also widens the spectrum of flavour profiles available to the distillery's master blender, Max McFarlane, enabling him to experiment with a wide variety of aromas, textures and tastes when creating future expressions.

By introducing peated spirit into the distillery's inventory, Lancaster Spirits Co gains an entirely new dimension of character to work with, from subtle earthy and smoky notes to richer, more intense peat influences. This added versatility provides greater creative freedom in both blending and maturation, allowing the team to craft more complex and distinctive whiskies that appeal to a broader range of whisky drinkers.

It also opens the door to innovative cask combinations and limited-edition releases, giving the distillery further opportunities to showcase its craftsmanship while continuing to evolve its house style. Ultimately, the introduction of peated spirit strengthens Lancaster Spirits Co's ability to create unique, flavour-led whiskies that stand out in an increasingly diverse and competitive market.

"This is a genuinely exciting milestone for us as a distillery. Producing a peated spirit opens up a whole new world of flavour, allowing us to create a wider spectrum of depth and character within our single malt range. We've been careful and deliberate in our approach, which is why we're starting with an experimental series rather than diving headfirst into full-scale production. We want to do this properly, learn from each barrel, and ultimately create something we, and our customers, are truly proud of." Chris Pateman, Commercial Manager, Lancaster Spirits Co.

A small allocation of the 20 barrels will be made available for purchase, with casks priced at £4,200 each, consistent with the distillery's existing first-fill bourbon barrel offering. Interest has already been significant: several casks have been pre-sold ahead of this announcement, and availability is expected to be limited.

Those interested in securing one of the remaining casks are encouraged to get in touch with the distillery directly as soon as possible.

Lancaster Spirits Co is an independent distillery based in Lancaster, England, dedicated to producing high-quality single malt spirit with a focus on craft, character, and transparency. The distillery's unpeated single malt has built a loyal following, and the 2026 peated trial represents an exciting new chapter in its ongoing story.

To secure a cask, explore Lancaster Spirits Co’s spirits, or book a distillery tour, visit https://lancasterspirits.co.uk