What’s not to love about Single-Malt Whiskey?
COMMENT, Global — I went to a whiskey tasting the other day. I know some of us have all the luck…
Anyway an Italian friend of mine, Frank, and I headed over to a GlenLivet tasting. I had received an invite through some invitation or other. It was free, so this is unpaid comment (they always are unpaid).
As someone partial to the GlenLivet single malt in 12 and 15 yo, occasionally 18yo I RSVP-ed rapidly.
For those who don’t drink much whiskey, here are different types. Also in my experience whiskey tastes better with either ice or a dash of pure water. Depends on whether a cold or warming drink is required.
Many people say - arrgh whiskey, and are put off the experience forever after one nasty hangover. I had bad Jameson hangover that put me off whiskey for years.
Give whiskey another chance.
Whiskey is one of the better alcoholic drinks, which free the artistic mind…
Whiskey History & Regions
First of all, the taste of the whiskey you drink is dependent on the region and country. Generally I like Scottish whiskeys of the single malt. But Americans and Irish amongst others also make various drinks in the whiskey family.
Of course, I like GlenLivet, which is a Speyside single malt whiskey. Also I like Laphroaig an Islay single malt whiskey. Both are single source - ie. single malts, not blended malts.
Within a country, region (there are 4 broad Scottish regions) is only one determinant. My personal taste does not like GlenFiddich as much, which is also a Speyside single malt (from the same region as GlenLivet).
The whiskey is made from barley grain, yeast and pure water (generally from an underground well or source). All good whiskeys are made this way with very little else.
Whiskeys are then aged in barrels of various types for various periods, after the distillation, which is also unique to the brand of whiskey.
The spirit itself is clear, it is the color that is imparted from the barrels used, as well as much of the flavor. Making great consistent whiskey is an art form.
Many people like me prefer single malts. Most good single malt whiskeys are aged for 10 years minimum.
Some prefer blends (Johnny Walker Red/ Black/ Blue, Famous Grouse, Dewars and Jameson are blends.) Many of these are aged less, but it is up to the skill of the blender. Then there are relatives like bourbon.
It is really a matter of taste.
At the Tasting - the Highlight of Whiskeys
But at this tasting we enjoyed whiskey cocktails with lime. And also rather nice Lindt chocolate paired with whiskey’s.
Chocolate with whiskey was something of a revelatory experience in tastes, especially some of the 70-80% Cocoa chocolates.
But without a doubt the highlight was the cellar reserve 1983 whiskey. It was so smooth and complex that it was like liquid gold. Whilst we only had two tastes, the bottle is so rare it is not sold in Australia. The price mentioned was $2000 per bottle at auction.
The bottle is so rare it is not pictured. According to the presenter, there were only 2 in Australia.
The closest available whiskey was the 21yo, which is available on limited distribution. It was also immaculate and wonderfully complex.
However, in my personal taste I think the best everyday drinking whiskey is the 18yo GlenLivet whiskey, which is available in many better bottle shops world wide (and on some airplanes in the first class cabin or first class lounge).
The GlenLivet is the 12yo whiskey I prefer when I am not on someone else’s dime, and is affordable in Australia at around USD$32 per bottle if you know where.
Anyway I encourage you to try some single malt.
Not all single malts are the same, so you may need to try a few to find one that agrees with your palette.
The GlenLivet is a start. Boy it went down well. But add some ice at first and wait for it to dilute.
Take care and some ice with that.
It goes without saying you should drink responsibly.
Christopher
Speaker. Author. Editor-In-Chief. Executive Director of Innovation, 2thinknow.
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