10th Street Peated Single Malt is the flagship peated expression from 10th Street Distillery in San Jose, California, founded by engineers Virag Saksena and Vishal Gauri to bring true Scottish style single malt production to the West Coast. Built from 100% peated malted barley sourced from Scotland's Islay region, the spirit is double distilled in all copper pot stills using mineral rich water from Sierra Nevada snowmelt, then matured in first fill bourbon casks under California's hot Mediterranean climate. The result is a uniquely Californian single malt that blends Old World peat character with New World aging dynamics. Bottled at 46% ABV and non chill filtered to preserve texture and complexity, this expression has earned a remarkable run of accolades including Best in Class Gold at Whiskies of the World 2018, Double Gold at the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition 2019, and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021, all proving that great peated whisky no longer has to come from Scotland.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
10th Street American Whisky Co. |
| Distillery |
10th Street Distillery, San Jose CA |
| Founders |
Virag Saksena and Vishal Gauri |
| Type |
American Single Malt Whisky, Peated |
| Mash Bill |
100% Peated Malted Barley (sourced from Scotland) |
| Water Source |
Sierra Nevada Snowmelt |
| Distillation |
Double Distilled, All Copper Pot Stills |
| Cask |
First Fill Bourbon Casks |
| ABV |
46% |
| Proof |
92 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Filtration |
Non Chill Filtered |
| Country |
USA |
| Awards |
Best in Class Gold (Whiskies of the World 2018), Double Gold (NY World Wine & Spirits 2019), Double Gold (SF World Spirits 2021) |
Tasting Notes
Color: Light golden with a soft amber shimmer.
Nose: Bright citrus, vanilla bean, orange peel, and ripe plum, layered with a defined peat smoke essence.
Palate: Creamy and full, with vanilla, dark red apple peel, butterscotch, and baked plums set against a prominent yet balanced smokiness.
Finish: Full bodied and buttery, with a long, peaty close and a touch of zippy char.
FAQ
How does this compare to a peated Islay scotch? The peated barley itself is sourced from Scotland, so the smoke profile reads familiar to Islay fans. What's different is the cask interaction: California's hot, dry climate pulls more bourbon barrel sweetness and vanilla into the spirit faster than Scotland's cool, damp warehouses, giving the whisky a creamier, more dessert leaning palate alongside the smoke.
How peated is it? The label graphic positions it between light and heavy, closer to medium peat. The smoke is prominent but doesn't completely dominate, leaving room for fruit, vanilla, and oak to express. Compare with the bolder 10th Street Distiller's Cut for a heavier smoke profile.
What makes 10th Street's approach unique? The distillery uses local microflora during fermentation, lending a San Francisco sourdough style funk, plus mineral rich Sierra snowmelt water and California climate aging. This combination produces flavors no Scottish distillery can replicate, making 10th Street one of the most distinctive American Single Malt producers in the country.
Where can I buy 10th Street Peated Single Malt online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
