Is Peanut Butter Whiskey Suddenly A Thing? For Better Or Worse, The Answer’s Yes

Over the years here at The Whiskey Wash we’ve watched the evolution of the whiskey market across the world, highlighting for you what really is just a small sample of the wave of new bottlings distilleries pump out. Certain trends emerge as time goes along, particularly in the category of flavored whiskey. We don’t cover flavored expressions too much, but we’ve noticed now a couple of peanut butter whiskeys pop out on the market, so it seems worth at least mentioning one of them so you can draw your own conclusions.

The first peanut butter whiskey we saw emerge recently has surfaced in Southern California. Known as Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, this bottling is said to be an idea born from “the passion of a bartender and foodie who owned a local watering hole.” This individual, one Steven Yeng, combined two of his favorite classics, peanut butter and whiskey, to create a shot that later evolved, with help of his wife Brittany Merrill – said to have a chemistry background – to become the Skrewball expression.

As for the specifics of this bottling, information from what we see indicates this to be a “whiskey with natural flavors and caramel color” that’s been bottled at a very mild 70 proof, prices around $20 or so and has a corn base. It’s been produced by a company known as California Spirit Company, according to San Diego Reader, and boasts a special “proprietary formula” developed by Merrill that keeps the whiskey stable.

What else is there to say on Skrewball at face value? Not much, apart from some marketing information aiming to get you in the mood to try this (think shots and cocktails, though I suppose you could try sipping it if you are in the mood for a potential peanut butter buzz overtime):

On one side, you have good ol’ whiskey – a bold, loud, and strong partner-in-crime who exudes confidence. On the other, we have peanut butter – a rich, smooth, and irresistible spread that’s as dependable as they come for all your late night cravings. Little did you know, these two blend together quite phenomenally.  In fact, they go together so well, they make PB&J jealous. It’s nearly impossible to just have one of this delicious treat. But we have to warn you – a night with Skrewball is bound to get a little nutty.

We have yet to get a bottle of it ourselves here at The Whiskey Wash to try out, but early reviews seem to be understandably mixed (it did, however, just take home top honors at the recent New York World Wine & Spirits Competition in the flavored whiskey category). This isn’t likely a whiskey which will appeal to very serious whiskey drinkers, but for those looking for something easy on the palate and as a general entry point to spirits, it may not be a bad gateway liquor.

Looking beyond Skrewball, there are a few other peanut butter influenced expressions out there you can try, or you can make something like it yourself. Peanut butter and jelly whiskey seems to be something also. What will be interesting to see over time is if this passes as a fad, or perhaps someday we may see a peanut butter flavored Crown Royal from Diageo…