• 14Oct

    An establishment that is spending the time and using funds to maintain after qualifications for a Doc certified scotch malt single bar that carries a distinction is definitely a wonderful place. Just how wonderful is it?

    It seems that the options are endless for novice malt drinkers right up to the aficionados to have the truest sample of what the Spirit Gods intended. A place to conjure for this treat is surely something to be revered and in all accounts worthy of an award of this stature.

    Every couple of weeks a new nectar seems to be hitting the market and this will definitely confuse the new malt sipper yet will send the old time connoisseurs into fits of glee all the while preserving single malts status as the true nobleman among spirits. Of course not all follow this robed king of beverage but it does have a strong standing.

    Oddly enough they say that the taste of fine single malt an be influenced by the environment you sip in that is subjective at best as the finest single malt will always taste like the finest single malt.

    It is extremely important that the tender at the bar know what he is talking about when it comes to giving you what you want or in many cases what he can suggest. Most aficionados are not unintelligent and have been around the malt block a few times. An award worthy bar would surely have someone at the helm whom knows the ins and outs of fine single malt and is ready, willing and able to give sound advice and help the newcomers feel at home.

    To these engaging individuals that enjoy this spirit, hearing of a malt pounding fest at the local frat house or biker bar is an arrow to the heart. This is not a drink to become inebriated on instead it is a testament to absolute fine distilling craftsmanship.

    To appreciate the subtle character differences in regional malts of Scotland is not for the impatient as there are many blends and malts to be had. If you have the time and are seeking the sheer enjoyment of this spirit you should find your own bar that is Doc certified to sell the select brands of fine scotch single malts; as an establishment such as this is worth its weight in gold.

  • 06Oct

    There is no true rule of thumb when drinking whisky but there are a few things to keep in mind to make the experience a lot more enjoyable. It should be pointed out that if the general rule of thumb is not observed there is still no reason not to enjoy this wonderful spirit.

    You should never put ice in a great dram as it kills the taste and aroma, however, some do prefer it this way. The glass that is originally designed to accept a fine malt whisky is very wide at the top and gently slopes in for the very reason of not comfortably accepting a bed of ice, as the intention is to steer away from this practice. This glass is by most called a tumbler.

    When purchasing great malt the price, like many things, will indeed reflect the quality you get since with scotch, you tend to get what you pay for. There are a variety of alcohols available for a cheap price in which you can get a buzz, however, fine scotch should be sipped and enjoyed.

    Good malt is not an appropriate mate for a mixing party and does not really take kindly to a soda. It tastes much better with simple bottled water. The best pairing with great malt would be of the mineral water variety bottled water is tolerated by malt without hesitation.

    At 40-60% alcohol, whisky is indeed a strong spirit and will definitely get the attention of the less than experienced in drinking it. Throwing in a dash of mineral water will soften the blow so to speak and calm its aggressive nature. The term the whisky will open itself is in reference to the aroma being released when water is added so a few drops will surely bring even the most experienced of malt drinkers to bliss.

    The wonderful thing about cask strength is that at approximately 60% alcohol per volume rate, this is one strong drink in turn allowing the drinker to tone it down to an appropriate alcohol level to suit personal taste making this an ideal drink to customize.

    The makers of these fine spirits advise that you take a small mouthful and hold it in your mouth swish it around your tongue giving it time to settle. Only then will you get the true nature of this fine malt.

    Finally on a closing note, after a swallow, it is said that you can get a good read on the maturity of the malt by how long it stays with you in you mouth.

  • 24Aug

    It is said that you can tell the quality of scotch by its age, this is in every count of the word maturity. Law states that all blends must indeed mature for a minimum of three years, however for a great many years, these blends have been idling for approximately eight years.

    The distillers have found the longer it sits and matures, the better the product. As this scotch sits in its casks, it is constantly changing. The alcohol level drops for every year that it sits in its cask, and what is know as Angels share is developed, where the alcohol is absorbed into the oak casks pours.

    The casks that we speak of are of the used variety, due to the fact that new casks would change the taste of the scotch dramatically, hence altering its character.

    A law in the US states that for the production of Bourbon, or Tennessee whiskey, only new casks are to be used. The use of these new casks introduces a vanilla taste into the blend. There are some blends as old as 30 years or more, happy hunting for that elusive and pricey item.