Scotch whiskey inspires a cult-like devotion in some drinking circles. Known for its pungent and peaty aroma and its long-lasting and persistent aftertaste, it is a drink more suitable to be sipped than drunk in one gulp. While all types of whiskey can be drunk responsibly by liquor aficionados, it's best to drink scotch with a certain mindset. If you've poured yourself a nice glass and want to savor its silky texture in a new light, read on.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Getting Familiar with the Basics of Scotch Scotch
Step 1. Distinguish single-malt scotch from blend scotch
One of the most important differences between scotches is technical in nature. It may not seem important to you, but being able to recognize a single-malt from a blend will tell you a lot about whiskey, even before you sip it. So what's the difference between single malts and blends?
- A single-malt scotch is made only with water and 100% barley. Even though it is produced by a single distillery, it can contain whiskey from different barrels and productions. A single malt whiskey from the Bruichladdich distillery may therefore contain whiskey from different barrels, but will only contain whiskey from that distillery.
- A scotch blend is made with two or more single-malt whiskeys produced by different distilleries. Many distilleries sell their whiskeys to be used in blends. Some independent bottlers identify the distilleries that produced the different whiskeys used in their blends, while others prefer to report only the general geographical area.
Step 2. Don't always consider single-malts superior to blends
Although single malts can be considered more prestigious than blends - as you can understand from their price - there are some very good blends, in some cases even superior to single-malts. In general, you will likely find more quality in single malts, but they will be more expensive than blends and not always better. When you drink scotch, you should be judicious and agnostic. Don't be snobby.
Step 3. Remember that scotches generally get better with aging
Scotch whiskeys are aged for at least three years in oak barrels. In some cases, these barrels have previously been used to age sherry or bourbon. The provenance of the oak often varies: some distilleries use American oak barrels, while others prefer the European one. The aging process in these barrels, in some cases for several decades, often allows for the production of more refined whiskeys. As a wise man once said "Never be in a hurry to taste a whiskey!"
- Why does whiskey get better with age? Oak, like all types of wood, is porous. The scotch stored in these barrels seeps into the pores of the oak, gathering some of the unique flavor of the wood. As whiskey ages, some of the alcohol evaporates, softening its flavor. The whiskey that evaporates during the aging process is called "angel's share."
- Whiskey barrels in some cases are burned before the introduction of the liquor. This burn gives it a unique aroma. Charred wood also helps purify whiskey; the remaining charcoal filters out some of the liquor's impurities.
- Whiskeys are often given an aftertaste, so to speak. They are aged in a barrel for most of the aging process, and then transferred to another barrel for another 6-12 months. This gives the whiskey a richer flavor profile.
- It is generally believed that whiskey does not continue to age when it is bottled. It may lose some alcohol on evaporation and soften as a result, but most of its complex flavor formed during barrel aging.
Step 4. Look for all-natural whiskeys with no added dyes
Some whiskeys obtain their caramel color with dye injections prior to bottling, to always maintain the same color for each vintage. Avoid these whiskeys. If the drink tastes good, what does its color matter? Consider this: If the distiller or bottler is willing to lie about the color of the liquor, what else could they lie about?
Step 5. Note where the tape comes from
While whiskey can technically be produced anywhere in the world - fine whiskeys are produced in Canada, Australia and Japan - it starts with spirits produced in the windswept fields of Scotland. You can't go wrong. Here is a quick overview of the different regions of Scotland, some of their characteristics and some of their best known whiskeys:
| region | Distinctive aromas of the region | Representative brands |
|---|---|---|
| Lowland | Light, delicate, malty, grassy color | Glenkinchie, Blandoch, Auchentoshan |
| Highland | Strong, spicy, dry or sweet | Glenmorangie, Blair Athol, Talisker |
| Speyside | Sweet, soft, often fruity | Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan |
| Islay | Very peated, smoked, spindrift | Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich |
| Campbell | Medium intense or full color, peaty and briny | Springbank, Glen Gyle, Glen Scotia |
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Olfactory and Taste Analysis
Step 1. Get the right whiskey glass
While there is nothing wrong with drinking your whiskey in any old glass, choosing the right one will allow you to enjoy your liquor to the fullest. Experts agree that a tulip glass is best: it allows you to shake the whiskey without spilling it and to concentrate the aroma near the neck of the glass.
If you can't find a tulip glass, try using a wine or champagne glass
Step 2. Pour in a small amount of whiskey and gently shake the glass
Choose the amount you prefer, usually no more than an ounce. Gently shake the glass, coating the edges with a thin film of whiskey and letting the liqueur breathe. Appreciate the whiskey's color and texture as the caramel coating slides over the glass.
Step 3. Smell
Use your sense of smell to enjoy your whiskey. Bring the glass to your nose and inhale deeply. Remove your nose (the first breath you will feel is the alcohol) and then go back to the whiskey. Spend 20-30 seconds breathing in the whiskey, putting it down and taking it back, making free associations on the aromas and flavors that the liqueur reminds you of. When you smell whiskey, look for these smells:
- Smoked. This includes the peaty aroma, because malted barley is often put on a peat fire to smoke it.
- Savory. Can you feel the salty tip of Islay whiskeys? Many scotches have a distinctive maritime smell.
- Fruity. Can you smell dried currants, apricots or cherries in your whiskey?
- Sweet. Many scotches rely on flavors of caramel, toffee, vanilla or honey. What sweets can you hear?
- Wood. Since oak is a fundamental element of the aging process, the smell of wood is often very present in scotches. In some cases it interacts with the sweet smell.
Step 4. Take a very small sip
Ingest enough whiskey to completely coat your tongue, but not to the point where the taste buds are overwhelmed with the taste of alcohol. Shake the scotch in your mouth for a while and try to get a good idea of its flavor. What does whiskey taste like? What is its flavor?
Step 5. Savor the aftertaste
Swallow the whiskey and open your mouth slightly to be able to savor the lingering aftertaste of the liqueur. What flavors, if any, develop after you swallow the whiskey? These are called aftertaste. In the finest whiskeys the aftertaste will be different from the taste in the mouth, and will add another layer to the pleasant complexity of the tasting.
Step 6. Add a small amount of water to your whiskey
Many whiskey aficionados like to add water to their liqueur, enough to dilute the alcohol by volume up to around 30%. This usually takes less than a teaspoon. Some whiskeys will require more water, others less; as with all delicate things, it is better to add very little water than too much.
- Here is a tip for determining how much water to add to your whiskey. Add a couple of drops at a time until the stinging or burning sensation in the nose due to the smell of alcohol disappears.
- Why add water to your whiskey? The water serves to dilute it. Alcohol in higher alcohol whiskeys can mask some of the more unpleasant flavors and aromas. Once you have removed the overwhelming taste and smell of the alcohol, the true spirit of the whiskey will begin to take over. So to speak, adding water serves to distinguish men from boys.
- Try to cover the whiskey with a lid of some kind (try using a clean coaster, for example) and let it sit for 10-30 minutes. This will give the whiskey enough time to interact with the water, giving you a better tasting experience.
Step 7. Repeat the whole process, this time with the diluted whiskey
Shake, smell, taste and taste the liquor again. What is the flavor when diluted? Is the whiskey different from the previous time? What things can you notice now that wasn't evident before? Keep drinking and savoring the whiskey slowly, preferably with friends.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Enhancing Your Tasting Experience
Step 1. Prepare your blends
Who says you have to let the distilleries mix the whiskeys for you? You can easily prepare your own blends, and with a little practice you will get good results. Here are the basics to do it:
- Start with two whiskeys, preferably from the same distillery. Two different types of Bruichladdich might go well together, or two different varieties of Talisker. It is easier to mix whiskeys produced by the same distillery together.
- Mix a very small amount of two or three whiskeys and set it aside for a week or two. This is your test sample to help determine if the final product is to your liking. If, after two or three weeks, you like the blend, you can be reasonably sure that making more of it won't be a complete disaster.
- Grab an empty whiskey bottle and fill it almost to the brim with your new blend. You can mix two 50/50 or 45/55 whiskeys, or you can use 3 at 33/33/33. The choice is yours. Filling the bottle to the brim will help neutralize some of the oxidation that could change the flavor of your whiskey.
Step 2. When you open a bottle of whiskey, drink it within the year
As soon as you expose the precious liquor to oxygen, it begins to lose some of its characteristics. Oxygen starts converting alcohol into vinegar. So drink responsibly, but don't savor it so slowly that the whiskey becomes an undrinkable acid. Cheers!
Step 3. Experiment with barrel aging yourself
Whiskey is aged in oak barrels, but those who love it can also learn how to age it using a string and a toasted wooden sprig. Try experimenting with woods such as fir, cherry or oak for a strong flavor. Of course, he only uses this technique to enhance whiskeys that leave something to be desired; Very fine whiskeys will probably not benefit from further aging in wood.
- Make sure the sprig is small enough to fit into the bottle.
- Heat the sprig in the oven for several hours at a low temperature to remove all moisture from the inside.
- Lightly toast the sprig with a blowtorch. Your goal doesn't have to be to carbonize it; you just have to toast it to give it more aroma.
- Tie the sprig to a piece of string and dip it in the whiskey, tasting it every 30 minutes. You won't have to keep the wood in the liquor for long for it to have a big impact on the flavor. In some cases, 30 minutes or an hour may be enough to produce a nice improvement.
- Note: Make sure the type of wood can be safely used in whiskey. Some types of wood are poisonous to humans or do not produce a pleasant taste. Health First of all.
Step 4. Try to avoid adding ice to your whiskey
If of course you like a cold and very diluted whiskey, go for it. But most whiskey aficionados consider ice to be an element not to be used. Cold temperatures have a tendency to mask some flavors, and too diluted whiskey is more like water than the liqueur you want to taste.
If you really want to chill your whiskey, try using ice-cold whiskey cubes. They can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, and if made the right way, they do not alter the flavor in any way
Step 5. Try starting a whiskey collection
Of course, if you are a beginner, it may seem strange to you. But many people find whiskey collecting to be a fun and enlightening hobby. Here are some things you should consider when you want to start your collection:
- Buy liquor you love to drink, not ones you think will gain value over time. The whiskey market is quite unpredictable and prices can fluctuate a lot. The best choice when collecting whiskey is to only buy products that you like; this way, if the value of your bottles plummets over the next ten years, or doesn't exceed inflation, you can still enjoy drinking your whiskeys.
- Keep your receipts. Keep them directly inside the packages. They are useful expense reminders, and will help you enjoy the liquor more when you finally decide to open it.
- Store your collection in different places. If a curious child or fire hits your collection, you'll be glad you followed this advice. Don't keep all your eggs in one basket.
Advice
- While it is undoubtedly possible to enjoy a scotch in a cocktail, it is best to drink the finest whiskeys frankly.
- Be social when you drink scotch. A bottle enjoyed with friends will certainly taste better than a glass drunk alone.
