If you’re new to the world of Scotch, here’s what you need to know in order to start enjoying the most manly of spirits.
Put simply: If you’re drinking Scotch, it comes from Scotland.
Scotch is aged for at least three years in oak barrels.
Scotch is often identified by the region where it was produced: Islay, Speyside, Highlands, Lowland, or Campbeltown. Each region has its own characteristics. Whiskies from Islay, tend to have a strong peat flavor, while single malts from Speyside tend to be lighter and sweeter.
Today, the Scotch Whisky Regulations Guidance 2009 govern how Scotch is produced, bottled, and marketed.
Whiskey or Whisky?
Whiskey (with an “e”) is a broad category of spirits made with fermented grain mash. If the liquor comes from either Scotland or Canada, it’s generally spelled whisky (without the “e”). American and Irish whiskeys tend to keep the “e.”
Types of Scotch
Scotch is an umbrella term that includes several subtypes, including single malts and blends. The Scotch Whisky Association recognizes the following categories:
Single malt: A whisky made with water and malted barley and produced at a single distillery using pot stills.
Single grain: A whisky made with water, malted barley, and another type of grain. Like single malts, a single-grain Scotch is produced at just one distillery.
Blended malt: A combination of multiple single malt whiskies from different distilleries.
Blended grain: A combination of multiple single grain whiskies from different distilleries
Blended Scotch whisky: A combination of at least one single-malt Scotch with at least one single-grain Scotch.
Age
All Scotch must be aged for at least three years. When you see a number following the name on a bottle of Scotch, that tells you how long it was aged.
Many people assume that older is better when it comes to whisky, but age isn’t the only factor you should consider when choosing a bottle. If you’re new to Scotch, it’s fine to try several different types of whisky of different ages and from different distilleries to find out which is more to your taste.
How to drink it
If you’re drinking good Scotch, you’ll probably want to order it “neat” (no ice). When drinking Scotch neat, you may want to add a few drops of water, as this can help reveal the flavors of the liquor. Some people prefer to drink their Scotch “on the rocks” (with ice).
While there’s nothing wrong with using a standard tumbler, many scotch experts recommend using a tulip-shaped glass which allows the whisky to be swirled without spilling and, more importantly, concentrates the aromas at the neck of the glass. These glasses are sometimes a bit difficult to find. Click here for a great option for those not wanting to waste time searching high and low.
When drinking, take your time to savor the beverage. As far as choosing which Scotch to drink, it’s a matter of your personal preference. You can start with single-malts, but don’t overlook blends, the best varieties of which are carefully put together by master blenders and can be just as enjoyable as single malts.
Scotch Whisky selection are now available at The Oaks Cellars