#To all the peated whisky lovers on Earth

[ineffablydelighted]

[Cute Omens #5]

[FYI: Aziraphale can be jealous too, he's just more subtle about it. Well, "subtle"... ]

Aziraphale: *gets out of the Bookshop to take his morning coffee even though he does not sleep*

[Noises of an old, noisy heavy-duty motorcycle happening]

Aziraphale: *looks at the Sky and starts praying**to himself* Please, do not be him...

Frankster: *stops his motorcycle abruptly next to Aziraphale* Az Fell! Oy! How are you doing, my mate?

[How to even describe Frankster who does not exist in the GO universe at all? Well, people have called him that since he was a teenager because he loves pranks and his name is Frank (I KNOW, what a shock?!), he's fifty-something, he's always riding his dear motorcycle he calls Bow (as an hommage to David Bowie, of course), pretty handsome, very tall, gay AF black man who always wears the brightest indigo blue leather jacket you've ever seen. Can make any guy his bro until... some drinks happen. To summarize.]

Aziraphale: *closes his eyes in disappointed**discreetly sighs before turning to him* Ummm, hi, Frank! I'm doing pretty well, thank you, how... how about you?

Frankster: *swiftly gets out of Bow**grunts for show* Heartbroken, but, y'know... life happens. So. Now is the time to shoot my shot... Have you seen dear old Anthony, recently?

Aziraphale: *turning red**reminds himself that Crowley is inside the Bookshop as they speak* Huh... I am... not... sure...?

Frankster: Come on! You, of all people, surely have an idea where I can find him!

Aziraphale: I-I...

Frankster: Don't be like that, mate! I have a bottle of the Talisker Expedition Oak. The 43-year-old one. We've sworn to each other we would drink it together if one of us ever laid a hand on this beauty! Time for me to invite him over and claim my prize.

Aziraphale: Your... prize...?

Frankster: *open laughter* Az, come on, those delicate ears of yours are not suited to hear whatever unholy thoughts I have kept in my mind for the past six years, so don't make me!

Aziraphale: Y-you... you mean that- I mean that- *gathers his thoughts* Is Crowley... aware of your... *clears his throat* intentions?

Frankster: *reassuring* Mahhh, He has to be! You know me, I'm not the subtle type, Angel! *aims for Aziraphale's hair to scrub them*

Aziraphale: *dodges skillfully in the-man-has-tried-to-do-that-for-years-and-occasionally-succeeded*[well, "skillfully", hum... he actually tripped in the process, but...] *also holds himself from sighing as he hates whenever Frank calls him that* D-Don't! *rearranges his clothes* do that, Frank, please! *unconsciously taps his feet onto the ground like a 5yo*

Frankster: *laughs* Too bad I'm more into the thin dark duke ones instead of the fluffy beige librarians, right, Az?

Aziraphale: *barely understands even though he knows every language there is, as or ever been**confused noise and eye contact*

Frankster: *super amused by his mannerisms, as always**leans in*

Aziraphale: *recoils a bit*

Frankster: *takes him by the arm to draw him closer*

Aziraphale: *uncomfortable AF**cannot yell for help because he knows that Crowley will appear out of nowhere in 0.1 millisecond**gasps instead* F-Frank!

Frankster: *whispers while releasing him* Az, you're not on my menu tonight... Anthony is. Are you sure you have no idea where I can find our favorite Gothic king?

Aziraphale: *cannot possibly restore the truth now**has started to worry Crowley might get outside because he is taking too long to come back compared to the last few days**embarassed laugh* I... have NO idea where Crowley is right now. *not-so-angelic-but-angelic-enough-for-most-humans face*

Frankster: *sighs* Bugger. Is he planning on visiting you any time soon? He talks about you a lot, you know? For a while, I really, really thought you were a twosome, haha! *taps Aziraphale's shoulder a bit too strongly*

Aziraphale: *unsteady**also startled**and blushy* Ahhh... you... you did?

Frankster: Yep, you two could have fooled the gayest man on Earth... Oh wait, that's me! *loudest laughter*

Aziraphale: *so stressed Crowley might have recognized that laugh**considers to present Gabriel to Frank for a second**wonders why would he ever do something like that?**confused ethereal entity**odd-yet-always-cute angelic smile*

Frankster: Az, can we be honest for a second?

Aziraphale: *raises an eyebrow**offended* Of course, we can! *has not been honest for the past five minutes or so but it is not as if someone was keeping scores up there, don't they?*

Frankster: You would save me a lot of trouble if you just told me you have a crush on him... *shows his super-expensive white teeth* Me, of all people would get it! Anthony might be the sexiest man alive besides us two, so that would only be fair.

Aziraphale: *taken by surprise**hiccups* Oh, oh... Um... Ahhh... *randomly balances his arms* I-I mean... Of... Of course not! *smiles in absolutely-not-suspicious*

Frankster: *tilts his head**smirks* Come onnnnn, Az, you can tell me! *leans closer**hands on both Aziraphale's shoulders* This will stay between us, I promise!

Aziraphale: *removes himself from the situation by running away a little* N-no! It is not like that! W-we are not like that, I swear!

Frankster: *stares in super doubtful**keeps the brightest smile* Az, my mate, you really should clear out those feelings of yours... *tilts his head again and adds some winking to it* before I get the man first, you know? Friendly competition, Angel, what do you say?

Aziraphale: *frowns for a second**does not realize*

Frankster: *eyes widen**playful* Wow, maybe you do not plan on playing it fair after all! Ahhhh... Always look out for the innocent ones, right? They are the real Dark Horses!

Aziraphale: I-I... I really don't- I really don't know what you mean, Frank! Really!

Frankster: Really? Really really? *laughs hysterically* Ahhhh, ANGEL, you are ADORABLE! So adorable that I don't have the heart to break yours! Wait a second... *opens Bow's rainbow truck**takes the bottle**considers to throw it at Aziraphale**remembers how clumsy he can be**crushes Aziraphale's bust with it instead*

Aziraphale: *out of breath*

Frankster: Let me have the honor of being the most generous Cupid this planet has ever encountered.

Aziraphale: Oh, n-n-n-no, I-I... I can't possibly accept th-

Frankster: Please. This is not for free, Angel! I do have a condition...

Aziraphale: *scared again* What... is it?

Frankster: *winks* I want the third sexiest man alive to spend the night with me, of course.

Aziraphale: *does. not. compute*

Frankster: *leans closer, actually close to Aziraphale's neck and ear**whispers more seductively* That means you, silly.

Aziraphale: *startles so much he actually jumps* AhhhAHH I...

Frankster: *laughs hysterically. Again.**wants to tap Aziraphale's back but reminds himself about the bottle right before the impact**gives him a softer, more serious smile* Easy, Az, I was messing with you! My only condition is to be invited to your wedding. No, actually, I want to officiate it. I still have my license I got online in the early 2000s, remember? I'd be happy to tell a large audience how I made you happen! In the meantime... *sits back on Bow* Take care of that dirty punk for me - and of the bottle. *starts the engine* SEE YOU AROUND, MISTER FELL, SAY HELLO TO ANTHONY FOR MEEEE!

Aziraphale: *waves from afar**still unsure what just happened**wants to scratch his neck**almost makes the bottle fall to the ground in the process**heart stops**hugs the bottle to make sure it does not happen twice*

[The Bookshop door opens abruptly]

Crowley: *looks at Aziraphale incredulously* Is it me or did I just hear Frankster's laughter? *looks at what Aziraphale has in his arms**eyes widens behind his glasses**runs in Christmassy* OH MY G- Screw it. OH MY GOD, IS THAT-

Aziraphale: *shyly* I-I think it is?

Crowley: *takes the bottle from Aziraphale without almost any care* [I say "almost" because this is still Aziraphale we're talking about, any other being would have been murdered in the process] THAT DIRTY BITCH! HE FOUND ONE! *looks around them, more and more confused* Wait. Has he left already?

Aziraphale: *hides his guilt behind his cute face* Ahhh, y-yes! *attempts to smile normally* He hummmm... He was in a rush and just came by to drop this, I have no idea why! *Quirinus Quirrell's laugh* [Admit it, you're getting used to it! This is my trademark, now, I guess 😂]

Crowley: *suspicious gaze**eventually shrugs his shoulders**looks at Aziraphale with pure joy* I know this is not your thing but you NEED to taste that beauty when I'll pop that cork of hers, Angel.

Aziraphale: Of... Of course! *smiles with a little more ease*

Crowley: *brightest smile**kinda giggles?**rushes back to the Bookshop in case the elements might attack the super rare Talisker bottle*

***

Navigation time!

[While needing you to consider that, most of the time, the scenes are randomized and do not necessarily follow one another at all]

Previous -Beginning - Next

[bounce-a-coin-off-your-witcher]

Dialogue prompt

“Because I knew you wouldn’t!”

Spicy or no

okay so this one got... weird on me. but this is the Bouncey Castle so you know the ending is soft as fuck

Also I got so into this that I forgot to use the prompt you sent me but... Here you go?

based on Tove Lo’s “Habits (Stay High)” - modern au ‘post mountain’

tw: party scene, alcohol mention, marijuana use for the wrong reasons, dumb boys having feelings in public, mild panic attack, hurt/comfort with a very fluffy ending

---

Jaskier slams the rest of his drink and delights in the crinkling sound of Solo’s signature red plastic crumpling in his fist. He’s got an elbow-length fingerless glove on the hand that crushed the cup; he looks good enough to fucking eat and he... he’s fucking lonely. 

“Want a hit?” a voice asks from his left, offering a lit joint. The tip glows a light orange in the dim of the basement room and for a moment the young musician understands how Eve felt as she stared down the snake in the Garden of Eden. He pushes the thought aside with a whoop of overacted excitement and takes a drag, letting the smoke swirl into his lungs and mask the taste of whisky that somehow refuses to abandon the back of his tongue. 

Notes of Geralt’s favorite brand, some stupidly expensive Scottish malt that, in Jaskier’s personal opinion, tasted like damp peat moss and smelled like shoe-shine, cling to his every breath. 

He feels trapped, suddenly claustrophobic in his seat on some beat-up leather couch. Who are these people? He stands and sways, eyes darting towards the staircase. I need some air. He lurches forward, unsteady, and does his level best to swim through the crush of bodies in the darkness. 

---

Jaskier loves the smell of damp earth. It reminds him of springtime and rain-showers. The almost primordial glee that fills his chest cavity when that familiar mustiness hangs in the air is indescribable. 

Now, leaning against the dank brick wall of an apartment building somewhere just south of the park, the cheer escapes him. He pounds his hands backwards into the jagged brick, momentarily grateful for the distraction of physical pain; his eyes are full of tears that simply refuse to fall despite his greatest efforts. 

The beer is wearing off and the one hit of weed hadn’t done much to begin with other than make him a little dizzy. He wishes he had something else on hand. He wishes he had grabbed something on the way out. He wishes...

Jaskier wishes Geralt hadn’t said all those terrible things in front of his best friend and ex-lover, effectively blaming his boyfriend for his problems and ending things for good.

He doesn’t want to think about-

“Jaskier?”

Geralt.

The musician glances up through his bangs and sees the blurred outline of a dark shape looming before him. Fuck my life. 

“Oh hey, Geralt,” he laughs humorlessly. Isn’t this just fucking perfect. Why does he still have the worst fucking timing on the Continent?

“Are you okay?” 

“What does it look like?” Jaskier laughs again. He wipes his eyes and nose on the sleeve of his denim jacket and the fishnets suddenly more childish than sexy... like he used to wear in middle school when he wanted nothing more than to marry Gerard Way and escape his life as a politician’s son. 

“Do you- Are you going-”

“I can walk myself home, Geralt. I’m a big boy. I can be responsible,” Jaskier snaps. The taller man flinches away and Jaskier is surprised. He thought his ex would have been over him far earlier than this. The musician was always the emotional one. Geralt doesn’t say anything for a moment and Jaskier shakes his head, turning away towards his own apartment. “Nice seeing you, I suppose.”

He takes three steps and then hallucinates. It has to be some kind of auditory hallucination because he thinks, he’s very sure that he’s made it up but he thinks he hears Geralt gasp his name. 

Like prayer. Like a desperate, heart-rending plea. 

Then there’s a large, familiar hand wrapping around his upper arm, jerking him to a stop. “Jaskier, please! I’m so sorry!”

He stops walking and glances back over his shoulder. The lamplight is haloed behind Geralt’s white hair, making his manbun look more like a heavenly crown than anything else. His golden eyes flash into view and Jaskier has to hold back a gasp when their gazes meet. 

Geralt looks like shit. 

His eyes are dull and tired, rimmed with purple bags. His skin is paler than usual and his scars stand out in stark contrast; Jaskier finds his hand wandering to Geralt’s shoulder of its own accord. Settling there. Steadying the other, stronger man. “Oh, Geralt...”

“I’m-” the man before him sobs openly beneath the obnoxious LED light. Jaskier watches in shock as Geralt falls to his knees on the pavement and clutches at his hands with such raw determination that it’s nearly frightening. “Gods, I’m so sorry. I should never have said those things, much less in front of Yennefer. I owe you so many apologies. I haven’t been able to- I haven’t been sleeping and I know it’s my own damn fault because I- You’re so bright and beautiful and I can’t seem to stop myself from dousing the lights in my life and you were too precious to lose so...”

“So you pushed me away before I could leave.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re a fucking idiot, Geralt deRiv.”

---

“What’s that whiskey called again?”

“Ardbegh.”

“Fuck off,” Jaskier laughs. He pours Geralt a glass and then pours a second for his brother, who’s visiting from across the Continent for summer vacation. “I still think it tastes awful.”

“I know. That’s why I buy you all that coffee flavored shit you love so much.”

“Don’t be mad at craft beer because it’s tasty!” Jaskier sticks his tongue out. He passes the boys their drinks before sinking gracefully into Geralt’s lap. “Tell me about school, Lambert! How are you liking your professors?”

Geralt’s hand squeezes his thigh gratefully beneath the table, never one for small talk himself, and Jaskier squeezes back. 

It had taken a lot of time, a lot of couple’s therapy, and some very nice dates... but things had worked out. Geralt had proven himself to be an idiot, sure, but even more importantly: he’d proved himself capable of growth and positive change. Jaskier could live with that. 

Growing and learning together was a much better option than growing old apart.

[perfectirishgifts]

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: The Top Peated Scotch Whiskies

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/holiday-gift-guide-2020-the-top-peated-scotch-whiskies/

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: The Top Peated Scotch Whiskies

Small tasting glasses with aged Scotch whisky

Peated whiskies are an indelible part of Scotland’s whisky universe. Although they have traditionally been associated with Islay and the Western Highlands, every region in Scotland currently produces peated whiskies. Below is a selection of some of the top peated whiskies currently available. Any one of them would make an excellent gift.

Peated whiskies are strongly associated with Islay, an island off the west coast of Scotland. Islay distillers produce a range of heavily peated whiskies. Not all whiskies from Islay are peated, however, and even among those that are the level of peatiness can vary considerably.

Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg all make peated whiskies that typically rate between 35 and 50 parts per million (ppm) phenol. That concentration gives those whiskies a pronounced smoky character with distinctive medicinal notes.

Ardbeg, Traigh Bhan, 19 YO, Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Their flavor and aroma profiles are all different, depending on a number of factors ranging from the length of their fermentation to the distillation protocol. For a peated whisky lover you can’t go wrong with any one of the three. Top choice would be the Ardbeg 10. The Average Retail Price (ARP) is $56. If you have the budget, go for the Ardbeg 19 YO Rare Traigh Bhan Batch Two (ARP: $301). Both whiskies have the cold smoke character that Ardbeg is famous for, but the Traigh Bhan is a more nuanced, layered whisky.

If you are looking for an even more intense peated whisky consider any of the Octomore or Port Charlotte expressions. Both are produced by Bruichladdich, another of the Islay whisky producers. Some of the original Octomore expressions were peated as high as 350 ppm phenol. These releases are hard to find. They have become collector’s items, although they still show up at auctions from time to time.

Bruichladdich has just released four new Octomore expressions. Try the Bruichladdich, Octomore 11.3, Islay Barley. It was aged in first fill ex-Bourbon barrels from Jim Beam, Heaven Hill and Jack Daniels. The whisky is peated to 194 ppm phenol. That’s more than five times the peating levels of a Lagavulin. The whisky has intense notes of smoke, char and medicinal flavors, followed by fruity notes of apple, pear, and citrus zest. There are also notes of vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate and sweet honey (ARP: $277).

In recent years, it has become fashionable among producers of peated Scotch whiskies to list the ppm phenol on the label. These should be taken with a grain of salt, however. The ppm measurement represents the level of phenols in the malted barley. Typically, between one-third and two-thirds of the phenol in the malt is lost during the distillation.

The final number depends on a number of factors, including the cut points where the spirit intended for maturation is collected, the length of the distillation and the amount of reflux, i.e., the condensation and redistillation of spirit within the pot still. Higher ppms do not necessarily produce a more intense, phenolic whisky.

Moreover, the phenolic strength of a Scotch whisky breaks down over time. A Lagavulin may start at 35 ppm phenol, but by the time it becomes a 25 YO expression, the actual ppm concentration of phenols would likely have dropped to the low teens.

If you are looking for something less peated, a whisky that has the cold smoke notes typical of peated whiskies but without the intense medicinal notes, then look to Islay distilleries like Bowmore, Bunnahabhain or Kilchoman. Also consider some of the peated whiskies from the Western Highlands and Islands: Oban, Ledaig or Talisker.

All of these distilleries have peated expressions that offer up the classic profile of cold smoke, think of a campfire on the following morning, but without the pronounced medicinal notes. The Oban 14 YO combines smoke, fruitiness with a hint of a savory, briny character (ARP: $88). The Kilchoman, Machir Bay offers up smoky, butterscotch flavors, along with fresh apple and pear notes (ARP: $63).

Talisker, 25 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The top choice, however, would be the Talisker 25 YO. It’s a little more peated than either the Oban or Kilchoman. It typically retails for around $500, but it can often be found for under $300—an outstanding price for a 25 YO Scotch whisky.

Talisker offers up a distinctive cracked black pepper aroma on the nose, along with notes of apple, pear and tropical fruits of melon and passion fruit. There are also notes of chocolate, sweet almond marzipan, vanilla and caramel, along with a notable marine influence. Think of the smell of a rocky beach at low tide.

Peated whiskies that have been matured or finished in sweet wine casks are particularly popular with Scotch whisky enthusiasts. The mix of smoke and sweetness, think barbecue sauce, makes an excellent combination. The additional sweetness contributed by the sweet wine cask gives the whisky an additional smoothness and roundness, as well as adding sweet dried fruit notes of raisin, fig and prune.

Lagavulin Distillers Edition Double Matured (ARP: $119) and Laphroaig PX Cask Triple Matured (ARP: $50) are two peated whiskies that are finished in casks that previously held Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry. This is a viscous, syrupy wine that is made from grapes that were partially dried in the sun before being crushed and fermented. PX cask maturation adds distinctive notes of sweet, dark raisin and fig.

Caol Ila has a peated whisky, Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition, Double Matured Moscatel Cask Wood that is finished in Moscatel casks (ARP: $133). Moscatel is a Portuguese sweet wine made, usually, from partially rasinated Muscat grapes. Moscatel casks add notes of golden raisin, sweet citrus zest and stone fruit notes of dried peach and apricot to a whisky.

Bowmore has a 23 YO that was matured in Port casks. It offers up notes of raisin, oranges and plums, along with subtle smoke notes. It retails for around $600, but has become increasingly hard to find. Bowmore, Darkest is a 15 YO peated whisky that is finished in Oloroso Sherry butts (ARP: $93). It’s a very fruit forward whisky, with notes of golden raisin, fig jam and dried dates, along with creamy chocolate and some slight espresso notes. It’s a little more smoky and medicinal than the 23 YO expression.

Kilchoman was Islay’s first single farm to bottle single malt Scotch whisky. It has several peated expressions that have been either matured or finished in wine casks. Try, in particular, the Kilchoman, Fino Sherry Cask Matured expression (ARP: $91). Fino Sherry is much drier than typical sherries. It adds notes of toasted almond, dried citrus zest, green apple and a savory saline quality without the overt sweetness of PX or Oloroso Cask finished whiskies.

Lagavulin, Distillers Edition, Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Top Choice would be the Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition. If you are looking for something less sweet, whose flavor profile is more golden raisin and apricot rather than dark raisin and fig, then opt for the Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition.

Eastern Scotland also offers up a broad selection of peated whiskies. The region is a lot drier than Western Scotland. Peated whiskies from Speyside and the Eastern Highlands have the same cold smoke character of other peated whiskies, but they typically lack the medicinal notes of peated whiskies from Islay and the Western Highlands. Instead, they offer up aromas of dried heather and floral potpourri, along with notes of dry earth and brush.

Highland Park’s whiskies usually have a component of peated whiskies. Peat from the Orkney Islands is made up primarily of heather, so it imparts distinctive floral aromas of dried heather. Try the Highland Park Full Volume (ARP: $109). The whisky doesn’t carry an age statement, although it was distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2017.

It’s matured entirely in first fill ex-Bourbon casks, producing a rich creamy whisky with notes of vanilla custard and chocolate fudge, along with citrus zest, lemon butter, coconut and tropical fruits. A top choice that offers excellent value.

Most Highland Park expressions have some portion that is either Sherry cask matured or Sherry cask finished. Like many whisky producers, Highland Park uses “Sherry seasoned casks.” These are new casks that have held Sherry for a period of two to five years before being utilized to mature whisky. Try, for example, Highland Park’s, Loyalty of the Wolf, 14 YO (ARP: $51).

Highland Park, 14 YO, Loyalty Of The Wolf, Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This whisky was matured in Sherry seasoned casks. It offers up notes of sweet marmalade, fresh apple, along with Christmas cake notes of cinnamon, raisin and candied fruit. There are noticeable dried flower aromas in the background, along with peat smoke and cooked cereal/toasted breads notes. This whisky is another Top Choice.

Speyside is the heart of Scotland’s whisky kingdom, with more than 50 functioning distilleries. Historically, most Speyside whiskies had a component of peated whisky in their final blends. Over the last thirty years, however, many Speyside whiskies have dropped the peated element in their blends. At the same time, some distilleries have introduced fully peated expressions.

For an example of how traditional Speyside whiskies would have tasted a half century ago, try the Benromach 10 YO (ARP: $56) or 15 YO expressions (ARP: $93). These whiskies have a blend of peated and unpeated malts. The peated character is obvious, but well integrated. This isn’t the in your face peat influence that you find in heavily peated Islay whiskies but more of an obvious, persistent background note.

Benromach, 15 YO, Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Both of the Benromach expressions are excellent, but the 15 YO is particularly so with a layered complex body that offers up typical Speyside apple and pear fruitiness, along with citrus notes, vanilla and caramel backed by a smoky and earthy background note. Top Choice is the Benromach 15 YO.

For a peated Speyside expression, try either of the BenRiach, The Smoky Ten, 10YO (ARP: $64) or The Smoky Twelve, 12 YO peated expressions (ARP: $72).

The Smoky Ten is the latest evolution of the BenRiach Curiositas. Its matured in first and second fill ex-Bourbon casks. A portion is also matured in medium charred new oak casks that previously held Jamaican rum.

It shows the distinctive but well integrated, heather infused cold smoke that is typical of Speyside peated whiskies, along with notes of fresh and grilled fruit, especially pineapple and peach.

The 12 YO, on the other hand, is matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon casks, along with a selection of Sherry and Marsala casks. The result is a whisky that offers the distinctive sweetness of Marsala, the nutty and dried citrus zest notes of Sherry and the spiciness and creaminess contributed by the ex-Bourbon casks.

Benriach The Smoky Twelve, 12 YO, Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The peat notes are a little more smoky and medicinal than in The Smoky Ten. The result is a complex, layered whisky that combines the traditional fruitiness of BenRiach with cooked cereal notes and a distinctive peat smoke influence. Top choice is BenRiach, The Smoky Twelve.

The selection of peated whiskies discussed above offer something for every palate, regardless of whether you are a “Peathead” looking for a blast of intense smoke and medicinal notes or you want an expression where the peat influence is subtler and better integrated into the whisky. If you are new to peated whiskies, or not sure they are for you, this list gives you a great starting point from which to begin your exploration.

Sláinte

More from Spirits in Perfectirishgifts

[greatdrams]

The GreatDrams Whisky Christmas Gift Guide 2017 Part 1

Ahoy joy GreatDrammers! It is that time of year again where we all open our wallets and decide what we should treat out loved ones to for Christmas, and this year owing to the amount of people who have been asking me for recommendations I have decided to write a multi-part GreatDrams Whisky Christmas Gift Guide, welcome to Part One; the bottles.

Buying a bottle for anyone at any time is hard; you need to know what flavours they like, need to set a budget that not only does not break the bank, but shows the person you’re giving the bottle to how much they mean to you. Yes, these are all factors.

Here are the top ten bottles I’m recommending in the GreatDrams Whisky Christmas Gift Guide 2017:

  1. For the smoky whisky lovers: Ardmore 8 Year Old Single Cask bottled exclusively for GreatDrams

Surely you saw this one coming? This bottling has been really well received by the throngs of folk who have bought it so far, a fruity, smoky, delightful dram that is all about enjoyment and a limited edition that does not cost the earth.

Limited to 299 bottles.

Cost: £50

Click here to buy

    2. For the peated whisky lovers: Ardbeg An Oa

The first new permanent addition to the Ardbeg range in around a decade, this is a good, solid Islay single malt that is surprisingly morish, leaving you wanting dram after dram each time. Brilliant, and already a whisky writers’ favourite. Robust, slightly fruity, solid peat levels but without breaking your tastebuds. You’ll love it.

Cost: £48.95

Link: Click here to buy

    3. For the fruity whisky lovers: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old

Oh yes, one of my absolute favourite Speyside classics, such a fantastic whisky that is one of my go-tos in the house, so fruity, that classic Glenfiddich character of the 12 and 15 year old releases but with a lot more refinement and silkiness about each sip. Truly wonderful.

Cost: £52.80

Link: Click here to buy

  4. For the premium blended whisky lovers: Chivas 25 Year Old

Oh go on then... a brilliant blended Scotch from Chivas, this dram - a descendent of what was dubbed the world’s first luxury whisky - this silky smooth number looks as stunning as it tastes, and is highly recommended in my book too, so it must be good.

Cost: £185.00

Link: Click here to buy

    5. For the budget conscious amongst you: Ballantine’s Finest

A classic blend that is light, highly drinkable and very reasonably priced considering how lovely it is. Fantastic dram with some great people behind it including brand ambassador Ken Lindsay, a diamond of a man.

Cost: £11.51

Link: Click here to buy

    6. For the international whisky lovers: Paul John Edited

I’m a huge fan of Paul John whiskies, and their brand ambassador Shilton Almeida; a lovely company full of lovely people, that produce lovely whiskies that will surprise you in their depth and how many flavours you can detect considering their relative youth.

Cost: £37.55

Link: Click here to buy

    7. For the Irish whiskey lovers: Midleton Very Rare 2017

I was fortunate enough to be at the launch of this stunner just recently and not only does it look beautiful after a full rethink of the design of the bottle, label and outer packaging. The whiskey itself is lovely; truly luxurious, silky, fruity, packed with flavour and depth. Fantastic.

Cost: £160

Click here to buy

  8. For cask strength whisky lovers: Aberlour A’Bunadh

What can I say? This is one of the best value whiskies for maximum flavour and power, a cult hero that is loved the world over by the whisky industry as much as consumers at large. Sold in limited batches, this is a great whisky for both starter and experienced whisky drinkers alike.

Cost: £55

Click here to buy

    9. For those looking for something special: Craigellachie 23 Year Old

A long-time favourite of mine and my wife’s, this whisky is stunning; meaty, thick, old school, a whisky drinker’s whisky not for the feint hearted straight from the heart of Speyside and only having been released as a range in its own right in 2014. One that I go back to time and time again, and happens to be one of only two bottles I keep next to the bed in case I need an evening dram.

Cost: £299.00

Link: Click here to buy

  10. For the people looking to push the budget right out: The Dalmore 25 Year Old

A truly luxurious whisky from the maestro that is Richard Paterson, a man who has spend over half a century in the whisky industry creating interesting flavours and pushing the boundaries of cask blending and finishing. Something very special indeed.

Cost: £706.60

Link: Click here to buy

So there you have it GreatDrammers, my top ten bottle recommendations for you this Christmas. What else would be in your Whisky Christmas Gift Guide?

The post The GreatDrams Whisky Christmas Gift Guide 2017 Part 1 appeared first on GreatDrams.

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Connoisseur highlights: 5 tantalising experiences to try in New Zealand

Whereas New Zealand supplies many a visitor an impressive vacation, it additionally supplies lovers of luxurious, connoisseurs of distinction and people of impeccable style an beautiful alternative to mix the finer issues in life. From wonderful eating, helicopter cruises, fly-fishing and impressed buying to attractive blue oceans, sea-food cruises and scrumptious wines, you are able to do all of it in New Zealand.

No matter your age, gender or desire for luxurious, there may be an incredible array of experiences that may be created and loved in New Zealand that vary from the adrenalin-fuelled to the mellow and dreamy.

Couture

For an expensive style hit, the most well liked new couturier and bespoke label, Dadelszen, has reached a sensational excessive notice inside the couture corridors of New Zealand’s style world. The extremely curated area for women and men to view premium labels has created a much-anticipated degree of design that’s testomony to personalisation and customisation. The appointment solely periods with the Dadelszen workforce attest to the truth that each element of your buying expertise is taken care of in refined type.

Dadelszen provide a variety of informal to extra formal fabrications, all sensible but elegant and easy. Superbly lower trousers, slacks and skirts create the proper associate to cashmere. Whereas flowing silk and cotton clothes hug the physique in luxurious type. From the valet parking as you arrive, to the welcome you obtain while you enter the beautiful area, this expertise is designed to entice your senses. Each need is certain to be met within the lavish area crammed with the best materials from all over the world.

Whisky

Assume whisky and also you have a tendency to consider Celtic mists swirling throughout the Scottish Highlands, or previous barrels sitting on peat flooring on the outskirts of Dublin. But, New Zealand has a thriving whisky commerce, with excursions and tastings to swimsuit essentially the most discerning palette.

There’s an attention-grabbing historical past to whisky, or water-of-life because it was referred to in days passed by. The commonest story is that the Irish monks introduced distilling perfumes again to Eire from their journeys to Mediterranean international locations and used these to distil a wonderful golden liquid, aromatic and fragrant.

Regardless of the reality, whisky has change into a foreign money of wonderful ingesting all over the world. And lest we under-estimate the event of whisky in New Zealand, a 1988 bottle of whisky made in Willowbank was lately awarded “southern hemisphere whisky of the 12 months” within the Whisky Bible.

The custom in New Zealand began means again within the 1830’s with the arrival of the Scottish settlers and has gone on to nice heights. Whisky excursions to the likes of the Cardrona Distillery with its wonderful custom of whisky craftsmanship is about to enlighten even the well-informed connoisseur. A tour that’s designed to supply insights into their water supply and the way the malt is milled, mashed, fermented, distilled and naturally, matured into the wonderful tasting spirits they’ve change into well-known for is a extremely rated expertise.

The Cardrona Distillery additionally presents a restricted variety of casks to a couple personal consumers to create a private buy of their very own mix. The cask is stuffed and left to mature; the style of a barrel is customized made with a touch of vanilla, floral or dried fruit flavours. The distinctive mix develops into an expression of the person; a take a look at of time and flavour for the whisky connoisseur.

Fishing the seas and the rivers

If fishing is your factor, then a heli-fishing expertise is certain to set your spirit hovering. Think about flying over the Hauraki Gulf and the encircling islands, watching whales and dolphins gliding by the ocean. Observe the sting rays of their marine habitat, all from the consolation of your chartered helicopter. Depart from Auckland and head out to one of many idyllic fishing spots alongside the Hauraki Gulf and the encircling islands. Among the greatest fishing on the earth might be discovered alongside the sub-tidal reefs of the North-East shoreline.

A visit out with Heletranz, the pioneers of heli-fishing who’ve a repute for making fishermen very completely satisfied, is certain to get anybody excited. And with all of your gear wants taken care of together with rods, reels, deal with and bait you don’t have anything to fret about besides catching the massive one.

In case your go to takes you to the South Island then a fly-fishing expertise on the Lindis shall be a triumph. The Lindis is completely located for fly-fishing on one of many biggest stretches of water for fly-fishing on the earth, the Ahuriri River. This river is internationally famend, and has been rated high 5 on the earth.

The river runs straight in entrance of the Lindis lodge so friends can stroll right down to the water’s edge to see the trout, glistening as they go speeding by the clear waters. What might be higher than a day spent within the quiet panorama swishing a silken line out over the river?

Not solely does the Lindis provide a spectacular vary of actions however it is usually one among New Zealand’s latest luxurious lodges, created with modern structure that flows into the panorama, mixing superbly into the terrain. Every of the suites presents an uninterrupted view of the encircling Ahuriri Valley, and is designed for luxurious and luxury. With personal sitting space, each inside and outside, this lodge lends itself to indulgent rest in chic type.

Hand in hand with the luxurious suites is refined delicacies that pays its deepest respects to native produce. The top chef and his workforce put together seasonally contemporary substances in a uniquely New Zealand type, all paired with the best wines, for a eating expertise that’s designed to be savoured.

Luxurious seafood cruise

One other nice method to dine in type is to go on a privately chartered seafood cruise, the place being served the freshest seafood is only one a part of the general fine-dining expertise. Beautiful contemporary platters containing King salmon, Cloudy Bay clams, and scrumptious Greenshell mussels are simply a number of the delights to be tasted. The ocean-food is accompanied by well-paired wines to create an indulgent and unforgettable luncheon out at sea

If like most, you might be involved concerning the dietary high quality and sustainability of the salmon, then relaxation assured, Marlborough Sound King salmon is raised in one of many cleanest environments on the earth. The ocean farms begin on the Springs close to Takaka, and prolong all the best way right down to the cool deep waters of the Sounds. And that’s why a declare to one of the best salmon on the earth hails from the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand is one made in confidence.

Actions to unwind

There are golf packages that embody journeys to {the golfing} capital, Queenstown, within the South Island at signature programs like Jacks Level, Millbrook and The Hills. A visit to the Bay of Islands on New Zealand’s North Island may embody a spherical on the magnificent Kauri cliffs, a world-class golf-club that has been ranked 18th greatest within the World by Golf Journal’s world high 100. These journeys are all dealt with by consultants and all of the transport, journey and logistics might be outsourced for a very stress-free vacation.

Understandably although, golf is just not for everybody. If adrenalin-sport is in your agenda, a day spent racing round a purpose-built racetrack at Highlands motorsport could be higher suited. Steering a 4-cylinder Radical SR3, just like the Le Mans autos, with aerodynamic bodywork for elevated downforce, lowered drag and slick tires for exhilarating corners is nice enjoyable.

Or take the slopes for a ski with Southern Lakes Heliski, who provide an incredible 17 mountain ranges and over 800 runs to select from. That ought to positively energise you as you intend among the best days of your life out on the slopes. There are quite a few packages to select from, relying in your temper and talent. The guides and pilots are extremely skilled and adept at offering world-class experiences for each skiers and snowboarders. You simply have to pitch up, head out with the workforce onto one of many pristine ranges and have enjoyable. Lunch is served on a snow desk amidst the breath-taking surroundings, and after just a few extra journeys you’ll be taken again to base.

Magnificence is within the eyes of the beholder, luxurious is totally different for everybody, and a connoisseur’s style is made up from a end result of experiences. Discover your magnificence, your private selection of defining luxurious and change into the connoisseur of your greatest life. Take your subsequent journey to New Zealand to fly, fish, ski, sleep, dive, eat and construct your individual foundation for judging the finer issues.

Veronika Vermeulen is Director of Aroha New Zealand Excursions Ltd. Aroha New Zealand Excursions Ltd. has been providing 100% tailor-made journeys and personal guided luxurious experiences in New Zealand since 2000.

If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog in an effort to elevate your profile, please contact us.

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The (Un)Significance of Scotch Whisky Areas

Scottish whisky areas are incessantly used as a tenet for style, by means of logo ambassadors and whisky lovers alike. We determined to take a better take a look at every of the areas, and read about their significance as a style indicator.

Probably the most present regional map of the Scotch Whisky Affiliation mentions 113 distilleries. An incomprehensible quantity, but one that’s actually already outdated. A large number of new Scottish distilleries have opened their doorways within the final three hundred and sixty five days. To create some order to this chaos, whisky areas are used so that you can categorize unmarried malts.

The normal 5 areas as we all know them lately, are safe by means of regulation within the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009. Which areas are there? With which flavors are they traditionally related? What are one of the crucial well known distilleries in every of them? And must you in the end care?

Highlands

Geographically the most important whisky area, it encompasses virtually the entire of Scotland above Glasgow and Edinburgh. Highland whiskies are deemed as rounded, tough and dry, occasionally with a touch of smoke.

Glenmorangie Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Wolf Gang

Within the north you’ve got vintage distilleries equivalent to Clynelish, Glenmorangie and Dalmore, whilst the western space counts such favorites as Oban and Ben Nevis. Within the east and south you’ll in finding Glen Garioch, Royal Lochnagar and Edradour. Then there are island distilleries like Arran, Highland Park and Talisker, which you’ll incessantly see discussed as a separate Island area, however they formally belong to the Highlands.

Speyside

Smaller in dimension than Rhode Island, the Speyside area is house to part of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries. Named after the River Spey, its whiskies are famous for his or her class and complexity. One of the vital maximum well known and best-selling whiskies hail from Speyside, equivalent to Glenfiddich and The Glenlivet. Any other Speyside logo, perhaps essentially the most sumptuous of all of them, is The Macallan. (Editor’s Word: Confusingly, regardless that The Macallan bottle labels state “Highland Unmarried Malt Scotch Whisky”, the logo prefers to be referred to as a Speyside whisky. As Speyside is technically a subregion of the Highlands, it’s allowed.)

Glenlivet Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Iain Hinchliffe

Lowland

An excessively modest area with lower than a dozen malt distilleries, the whiskies produced within the Lowland space of Scotland are historically related to triple distillation. This present day most effective Auchentoshan employs this manufacturing approach. Lowland whiskies are generally gentle, comfortable and mellow, and delicate at the palate.

Auchentoshan Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Auchentoshan

Campbeltown

At its height, Campbeltown used to be house to greater than 30 distilleries. Now there are most effective 3: Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle. The whiskies from this far flung the city on the southern finish of the Mull of Kintyre (famously celebrated in track by means of Paul McCartney) are tough and lift the salty tang of the ocean.

Springbank Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Springbank

Islay

A small island off the west coast of Scotland, Islay would possibly most effective be 25 miles lengthy, however it’s house to one of the crucial maximum iconic distilleries on the earth. Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig are all located inside a couple of miles of one another. The whiskies from Islay are stinky and strong, and characterised by means of their (medicinal) peat smoke.

Ardbeg Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Helen Clarke

The (non)sense of whisky areas

The 5 Scottish whisky areas are incessantly used to categorise and categorize other distilleries. In search of one thing smoky? Let’s visit Islay. Need one thing gentle and hyper-accessible? Try a Lowland whisky. Or perhaps one thing somewhat extra fruity, with delicate spices? Then Speyside might be your thing. However is that this actually true? Fact, as is all the time the case, is extra nuanced. Scottish whisky areas have been established over an overly lengthy time frame. And no longer essentially as a result of a perceived difference in taste profile.

Scottish Barley / Photograph Credit score: Harry McGregor

As an example, did you’ve got any concept that the regional classification of Scottish malt whiskies has its foundation in 18th century excise rules? The Wash Act of 1784 drew the notorious ‘Highland Line’, which divided Scotland into the Highlands and the Lowlands. It wasn’t till virtually a century later that different areas have been being known. Islay and Campbeltown as an example, as a result of the quantity of authorized distilleries in the ones puts.

Again then, many distilleries have been an extension of a farm. Homeowners grew and malted their very own barley. They minimize their very own peat, most likely from a close-by lavatory. Unmarried property distilleries have been the norm, no longer the exception. This used to be ahead of the sector was a smaller position. First during the business revolution, then as a result of the technological and virtual revolutions.

Whisky Manufacturing As of late

This present day barley for whisky manufacturing is grown in every single place the sector. Malting occurs in giant centralized amenities, as does the bottling. Chances are high that whiskies from other distilleries are diluted to bottling energy the use of the similar impartial water. All of that is the results of growth and potency.

Non-peated whisky is produced on Islay. By way of Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich as an example, but in addition by means of Caol Ila, who make unpeated spirit in particular for the Johnnie Walker blends. Conversely, in Speyside The Balvenie, The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich experiment with peated whiskies. Diageo’s fashionable Roseisle distillery has been specifically designed to supply a variety of various characters of spirit.

Possibly as soon as upon a time there used to be whisky that may be dubbed most often Speyside or most often Lowlands. However the whisky trade has handed that time a very long time in the past. Whisky areas are in the end not anything greater than an overly tough tenet for taste, however shouldn’t be checked out as gospel.

So did you drink a smoky, medicinal Islay whisky as soon as, didn’t find it irresistible, and feature since have shyed away from the entirety from Islay? That’s a mistake. There’s a whisky suited to you in (virtually) each and every probably the most 5 Scottish whisky areas. Glad exploring!

With Distiller, you’ll all the time know what’s within the bottle ahead of you spend a cent. Fee, Assessment and Uncover spirits! Head on over to Distiller, or obtain the app for iOS and Android lately!

The put up The (Un)Importance of Scotch Whisky Regions gave the impression first on The Distiller Blog.

The post The (Un)Significance of Scotch Whisky Areas appeared first on Liquor Gift Baskets.

from http://liquorgiftbaskets.net/2018/09/24/the-unimportance-of-scotch-whisky-regions/

[ellismorris0]

The (Un)Significance of Scotch Whisky Areas

Scottish whisky areas are incessantly used as a tenet for style, by means of logo ambassadors and whisky lovers alike. We determined to take a better take a look at every of the areas, and read about their significance as a style indicator.

Probably the most present regional map of the Scotch Whisky Affiliation mentions 113 distilleries. An incomprehensible quantity, but one that’s actually already outdated. A large number of new Scottish distilleries have opened their doorways within the final three hundred and sixty five days. To create some order to this chaos, whisky areas are used so that you can categorize unmarried malts.

The normal 5 areas as we all know them lately, are safe by means of regulation within the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009. Which areas are there? With which flavors are they traditionally related? What are one of the crucial well known distilleries in every of them? And must you in the end care?

Highlands

Geographically the most important whisky area, it encompasses virtually the entire of Scotland above Glasgow and Edinburgh. Highland whiskies are deemed as rounded, tough and dry, occasionally with a touch of smoke.

Glenmorangie Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Wolf Gang

Within the north you’ve got vintage distilleries equivalent to Clynelish, Glenmorangie and Dalmore, whilst the western space counts such favorites as Oban and Ben Nevis. Within the east and south you’ll in finding Glen Garioch, Royal Lochnagar and Edradour. Then there are island distilleries like Arran, Highland Park and Talisker, which you’ll incessantly see discussed as a separate Island area, however they formally belong to the Highlands.

Speyside

Smaller in dimension than Rhode Island, the Speyside area is house to part of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries. Named after the River Spey, its whiskies are famous for his or her class and complexity. One of the vital maximum well known and best-selling whiskies hail from Speyside, equivalent to Glenfiddich and The Glenlivet. Any other Speyside logo, perhaps essentially the most sumptuous of all of them, is The Macallan. (Editor’s Word: Confusingly, regardless that The Macallan bottle labels state “Highland Unmarried Malt Scotch Whisky”, the logo prefers to be referred to as a Speyside whisky. As Speyside is technically a subregion of the Highlands, it’s allowed.)

Glenlivet Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Iain Hinchliffe

Lowland

An excessively modest area with lower than a dozen malt distilleries, the whiskies produced within the Lowland space of Scotland are historically related to triple distillation. This present day most effective Auchentoshan employs this manufacturing approach. Lowland whiskies are generally gentle, comfortable and mellow, and delicate at the palate.

Auchentoshan Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Auchentoshan

Campbeltown

At its height, Campbeltown used to be house to greater than 30 distilleries. Now there are most effective 3: Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle. The whiskies from this far flung the city on the southern finish of the Mull of Kintyre (famously celebrated in track by means of Paul McCartney) are tough and lift the salty tang of the ocean.

Springbank Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Springbank

Islay

A small island off the west coast of Scotland, Islay would possibly most effective be 25 miles lengthy, however it’s house to one of the crucial maximum iconic distilleries on the earth. Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig are all located inside a couple of miles of one another. The whiskies from Islay are stinky and strong, and characterised by means of their (medicinal) peat smoke.

Ardbeg Distillery / Photograph Credit score: Helen Clarke

The (non)sense of whisky areas

The 5 Scottish whisky areas are incessantly used to categorise and categorize other distilleries. In search of one thing smoky? Let’s visit Islay. Need one thing gentle and hyper-accessible? Try a Lowland whisky. Or perhaps one thing somewhat extra fruity, with delicate spices? Then Speyside might be your thing. However is that this actually true? Fact, as is all the time the case, is extra nuanced. Scottish whisky areas have been established over an overly lengthy time frame. And no longer essentially as a result of a perceived difference in taste profile.

Scottish Barley / Photograph Credit score: Harry McGregor

As an example, did you’ve got any concept that the regional classification of Scottish malt whiskies has its foundation in 18th century excise rules? The Wash Act of 1784 drew the notorious ‘Highland Line’, which divided Scotland into the Highlands and the Lowlands. It wasn’t till virtually a century later that different areas have been being known. Islay and Campbeltown as an example, as a result of the quantity of authorized distilleries in the ones puts.

Again then, many distilleries have been an extension of a farm. Homeowners grew and malted their very own barley. They minimize their very own peat, most likely from a close-by lavatory. Unmarried property distilleries have been the norm, no longer the exception. This used to be ahead of the sector was a smaller position. First during the business revolution, then as a result of the technological and virtual revolutions.

Whisky Manufacturing As of late

This present day barley for whisky manufacturing is grown in every single place the sector. Malting occurs in giant centralized amenities, as does the bottling. Chances are high that whiskies from other distilleries are diluted to bottling energy the use of the similar impartial water. All of that is the results of growth and potency.

Non-peated whisky is produced on Islay. By way of Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich as an example, but in addition by means of Caol Ila, who make unpeated spirit in particular for the Johnnie Walker blends. Conversely, in Speyside The Balvenie, The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich experiment with peated whiskies. Diageo’s fashionable Roseisle distillery has been specifically designed to supply a variety of various characters of spirit.

Possibly as soon as upon a time there used to be whisky that may be dubbed most often Speyside or most often Lowlands. However the whisky trade has handed that time a very long time in the past. Whisky areas are in the end not anything greater than an overly tough tenet for taste, however shouldn’t be checked out as gospel.

So did you drink a smoky, medicinal Islay whisky as soon as, didn’t find it irresistible, and feature since have shyed away from the entirety from Islay? That’s a mistake. There’s a whisky suited to you in (virtually) each and every probably the most 5 Scottish whisky areas. Glad exploring!

With Distiller, you’ll all the time know what’s within the bottle ahead of you spend a cent. Fee, Assessment and Uncover spirits! Head on over to Distiller, or obtain the app for iOS and Android lately!

The put up The (Un)Importance of Scotch Whisky Regions gave the impression first on The Distiller Blog.

The post The (Un)Significance of Scotch Whisky Areas appeared first on Liquor Gift Baskets.

from http://liquorgiftbaskets.net/2018/09/24/the-unimportance-of-scotch-whisky-regions/

[thirdbasemarketandspirits-blog]

What is Whiskey?

Whiskey is a problem that unites people all around the world. If you might be thinking to make a new friend all you want to get started is check out the nearest bar ask for a whiskey you like and by the end of the twilight you would come up cooking a friend. The greatest thing about whiskey is the idea that it lets you become what type of person you are and not be uptight. There are individuals that have been drinking whiskey for quite some time however have very less idea about Whiskey. So today in this article we'll be discussing what whiskey is along with what things that people don't know about whiskey are.

Whiskey

Whiskey is largely a kind of distilled alcoholic beverage and that is constructed from fermented grain mash. There contrast grains used generate different whiskeys and the different grain makes different malts in whiskeys. Whiskey fabricated from of different ingredients like white oak, wheat, rye, corn,and barley. People all around the globe have different tastes and for that reason prefer different Whiskeys but few of the Whiskeys that are very much popular all world wide are listed here " Jack Daniels " Johnnie Walker " Jim Beam " Suntory " Macallan " Chivas Regal " Glen Fiddich " Dewar's

Every country has a really different taste in whiskeys. In Japan whiskey is mostly preferred light however the ironic thing is Yamazaki one of many strongest whiskeys on the earth arises from Japan. In terms of whiskey, there are different brands competing with individuals with their individual taste and unique shape of their own bottles. When you're getting a whiskey you will need to get to learn what how much it's a must to spend is and according to how much you must spend and taste what popular whiskey will suit you the best. It is extremely much it is usually recommended to realize price does not usually reflect the taste whatever the whiskey. It was actually seen that whiskeys with cheap prices often taste much so much better expensive whiskeys.

Advice you need to understand pricing of whiskeys

" Whiskey price does not change a lot. At occasions when the supply is low, all the rare whiskey prices go up. " Every whiskey has a unique price because of the malt and the way old it is. Generally, old whiskeys are from the reserve collection which happens to be the reason the prices go up. " When a whiskey can be an aging climate plays a very important role. Generally, Irish whiskeys are saved in a bottle for about 2 to five years whereas all of the whiskeys in the United States of America are stored for around 10 years. " Generally, single malt whisky whiskeys will cost over other whiskeys of a variety due to the smooth taste. " NAS basically stands for nonage statement which means that the whiskey is virtually another whiskey stored for 10 years. " The marketplace for whiskey isn't stagnant and is usually changing.

If you are into smooth whiskeys, then Irish whiskeys are only ideal for you. Irish whiskeys at different price points will be smooth in nature. These whiskeys are generally preferred by individuals who love cocktails or who wish to have gotten direct from the bottle. The famous Irish whiskeys which might be available within the market are Bushmills, Midleton,and Cooley. Here we have now listed down whiskeys at each and every price point. If you are thinking to purchase wonderful whiskey make sure to check out the list given below.

Whiskeys around $30

" 2 Ginger " Tullamore Dew " The Knot 100 Proof " Michael Collins Blended " Merry's " Kilbeggan " Kevanagh Single Grain " John L. Sullivan " Jameson " Finian's " Feckin

Whiskeys between $30 and $40

" Tyrconnell Single Malt " Tullamore Dew 12 years " The Irishman the Original Clan " Slieve Foy Single Malt 8 years " Michael Collins Single Malt ten years " Knappogue Castle Single Malt 12 years " Kavanagh Single Malt " Jameson 1780 12 years " Glendalough Double Barrel Single Grain " Connemara Peated Single Malt " Clontarf Single Malt " Black Bush

Whiskeys above $50

" The Irishman Single Malt 12 years " Teeling Single Malt " Teeling Single Grain " Red Breast 12 years " Powers John's Lane " Knappogue Castle Single Malt 12 years " Jameson Gold Reserve " Jameson 18 years " Jameson 12 years " Green Spot Pot Still " Greenore Single Grain 8 years " Glendalough Single Malt 13 years " Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt " Bushmills Single Malt 10 years

Whiskeys over $100

" Middleton Very Rare " Kilbeggan 18 years " Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve " Greenore Single Grain 18 years " Connemara Turf Mor " Bushmills 21 years " Bushmills 1608

What's Rye Whiskey?

Rye Whiskey is largely a whiskey that's further from United States of America and that's distilled for about 51 percent. There may be a different sort of rye whiskey. Basically, Canadian whiskey is known as Rye whiskey because it surely has something historic linked with it although there is no presence of rye in Canadian whiskeys.

Fantastic rye whiskeys include:

" Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey- This is top-of-the-line rye whiskeys available within the market right now. This whiskey is just not over priced and that's why it's preferred so much.

" Ritten House 100 Proof Bottled in Bond rye whiskey- The bottle whatever the whiskey really looks premium which certainly whiskey is legendary all around the world to its unique taste. There will be components of honey and floral taste in this whiskey which makes it a great deal interesting to drink.

" Templeton Rye whiskey- The name no matter the whiskey is new revolutionary and such is made up of 95 percent of rye mash. This whiskey has also a really fruity taste and is famous because it's one of those whiskeys which individuals chew when they drink.

There absolutely are a lot of types of whiskeys which can be available within the market right now. Not every kind of whiskeys will taste good. It is totally for that enable you to decide that what kind of whiskey you'll prefer. Assuming you might be a whiskey lover be sure to try all the whiskeys which are listed above. Each of them have a really different and unique taste and it is important to continue them all.

[spikeydog120-blog]

It’s that time of year when we all start looking back, thinking about what we’ve done and what we want to do next. It’s also that time when us whisky lovers, think about those drams that took us by surprise over the last twelve months. Now I’d normally think about doing a top three or five with a few honourable mentions etc but it didn’t seem right this time. So I’m going to do something a little different and hope you approve.

It’s been a very busy year for me, I started with the best of intentions to put more time into the blog. I’m affrad to say that didn’t work out how I thought it would, finding that I had even less time this year than I hoped for. Most of this was just down to my main job having a very busy year, some is because I’ve had great opportunities to help and work a little in the industry. Reducing the amount of free time I’ve had, hopefully something that will be better balanced this coming year.

Now I said I was going to do something a little different, I don’t want to just do a straight list of my favourite drams I’ve tried this year. I personally feel that my attitude changed again this year, for me it’s not just been about the whisky but about the memories that I’ve created while trying these drams. Most of my favourites have been ones I tried first at shows, having been to more shows/festivals this year than any other year. Mostly due to the fact I was working for Paul John single malt, manning the stand at the festivals or helping at tastings for them on my own or with Sorren Krebs. This has been such a great experience and one I found to be hard work and great fun in equal measure, it’s only right I say a huge thanks to Shilton Almeida for this opportunity.

So my first set of recommendations is what I’d call the extravagant range, most of these are outside of my price range but that doesn’t make them unattainable. I’ve tried all of these at shows and loved them all, not one of them was a disappointment. From the Tomatin 1972 warehouse 6 release  tried at the TWE show London, along with the 1975 Benriach & 1975 GlenGlassaugh tried at the Midlands whisky festival. All of these were sublime but the one that stands out the most for me, was the 1950 Glen Grant from Gordon & Macphail. This just took me to another place, it had everything going for it, flavours and a nose that just never seem to stop giving. It was quality and perfection from start to finish.

At the other end of the price range I’ve found some excellent malts, ones I feel the quality is far higher than the price point would suggest. This next lot is a mixture of drams I tried at shows and recommend drams from friends, with expressions from all around the globe. From Japan with the Nikka All malt, the Eagle Rare bourbon from the US, Brilliance from Paul John. That’s before you start to look towards Scotland, where I loved the 15yo Elgin Heritage from Glen Moray and the one that stole my taste buds the Spey Tenné. This expression set me off on a hunt to find more Port cask finished malts, for me it has the perfect balance between the rich fruit I want from a sherry cask and the sweetness I want from a bourbon cask, it has become a firm favourite for the family. 

Then there is the surprises, the ones I had no idea what to expect from them. These were generally drams that I got handed to me with know idea what they were. Some where completely new distilleries to me that I’d never tried anything from, while others were ones that I already liked just hadn’t tried this expression yet. All of them were excellent in there own way, like the two Glenfiddich expressions I got to try. The first was the 26 year-old Glenfiddich Excellence and the second being the latest Experimental Series expression Winter Storm, both of these were superb drams that delivered that glenfiddich experience on another level. The same could be said for my next two choices, the first is the Kilkerran 8 year-old cask strength from Glengyle distillery. For me this younger expression was like the 12 year-old turned up to 11, it had so much depth, character and attitude it was not what I was expecting in such a good way. Then there is the Ailsa Bay a lowland malt like no other I’ve tried I would have sworn blind it was an highland malt, so rich and meaty with a lovely balanced Peated taste profile. I guess the two that really stood out for me this year are from my favourite distilleries, one I first tried in March and have not shut up about since, the second I only tried a few months ago at the TWE show in London. I’m of course talking about Kanya from Paul John and Tomatin Earth from the Five Virtues range. 

Now Kanya I tried back in March and is a truly sublime expression but it’s not being released until January 2018, I’ve already placed my pre order I think it’s that good. Earth is the first Peated malt to be released under the Tomatin name in the UK, I’ve liked all the Five Virtues range so far but this Peated malt is amazing. So smooth, complex and rich, yet the peat doesn’t dominate the essence that is Tomatin. I for one wish this one could become a permanent member of the range, for now I’ll just have to get my hands on as many bottles as possible. 

Everyone of the malts I’ve mentioned above I feel that any whisky lover should be proud to have tried, they might not capture you like they did me but I’m sure one or two will and like I said at the beginning hopefully you’ll create some wonderful memories in trying them. I personally have some great memories from these drams I’ve mentioned, most are with new friends I made this year. People like Shilton Almeida, Paul Dempsey, Luke Todd-Wood, Jamie Harbour, Ben Bowers, James Macrae, Johnny Lawson, Jason Vaswani, Jim Irvine, Kenny Macdonald, Joe Holmes and many more that have all given me some great memories.  

So I will wish everyone a happy New year and I hope you have a great year ahead. I’m most definitely excited for this coming year and can’t wait to see where this wonderful world of Whisky will take me next.

Sláinte..

A year of fun work & whisky It's that time of year when we all start looking back, thinking about what we've done and what we want to do next.