The Pocket Guide to Whisky E-Book

Blair Bowman

• Herausgeber: Birlinn
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Birlinn Pocket Guides
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 160

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

New edition of the bestselling guide to whisky. The ever-expanding world of whisky can be a daunting one, with a deluge of new brands, distilleries and literature on the subject making it all but impossible for the amateur whisky drinker to find their way.  Blair Bowman provides a compact and accessible, easy-to-use guide to help budding whisky enthusiasts on their way. The Pocket Guide to Whisky explores every kind of whisky, from the well-known Scottish giants of Glenlivet, to the exotic Japanese Hibiki, and includes the ever-growing and hotly debated blended whiskies too! This little volume will tell you everything you need to know, from what to look for in whisky and what to avoid, to getting the best value for money to the perfect accompaniments to your dram and the ideal whisky for every occasion.

Leseprobe

First published in 2017 byBirlinn LimitedWest Newington House10 Newington RoadEdinburghEH9 1QS

www.birlinn.co.uk

Text copyright © Blair Bowman and Nikki Welch 2017Artwork copyright © Nikki Welch 2017

The WineTube Map™ is a registered trademarkcopyright © TubeMap Limited

The WhiskyTube Map™ copyright © Nikki WelchAll rights reserved

The moral right of Blair Bowman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted byhim in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the express written permission of the publisher.

eISBN 978 1 78027 432 4

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication DataA catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Designed and typeset by Mark BlackadderWhiskyTubeMap artwork by Go! Bang! Creative Ltd

Printed and bound by PNB Print Ltd, Latvia

Contents

Introduction

How to use the WhiskyTubeMapTM

Icons

Starting points

Making the most of whisky

1

Heart Line

2

Easy Loop

3

Coastal Line

4

Decadent Line

5

Intrepid Line

6

Amber Line

7

Outliers Line

Food

Cocktails

Buying, storing and investing

Troubleshooting

FAQ / Mythbusting

Advanced manoeuvres

Glossary

General index

Additional whiskies index

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Growing up in Scotland it’s hard to avoid whisky, it’s everywhere. But the taste for it is not a given, I hated my first dram, which my dad gave me whilst camping (sorry Dad!). But the taste began to grow on me and I was curious to understand what all the fuss was about. When I arrived at Aberdeen University there wasn’t a whisky society, so I decided to set one up with two post-grads. It was then that I started tasting a lot of different whiskies that I really began to develop an appreciation for the amber nectar.

Since then, my mission has been to show more people that there’s a whisky out there for everyone, you just need to work out which one! I set up World Whisky Day to do this, celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May, which helps people around the world share some whisky love whether they are already whisky enthusiasts or new to whisky.

When I met Nikki and saw the WineTubeMap, and she told me she wanted to develop more flavour maps, I knew that it could work brilliantly for whisky, and that it would be a great way for people to explore whiskies so they could discover their own taste.

The rest, as they say, is history!

Slàinte Mhath!Blair Bowman

How to use the WhiskyTubeMap™

The WhiskyTubeMap is a flavour map of whisky, organising styles, types and specific brands from around the world by taste and texture rather than by geography. This makes it easy to navigate around the entire world of whisky just by knowing what you (or someone else) like. It is designed for everyone, ‘frequent traveller’ or complete beginner, to help explore and decode the sometimes daunting whiskies available.

Taste is a completely subjective experience and the WhiskyTubeMap helps you explore your own taste preferences rather than judging a whisky to be better or worse than another. All the whiskies on the map are good examples; what you like is down to you.

How it works

Each line has a flavour theme linking the whiskies together. The flavours evolve as the line progresses, generally running from light to intense.

Each station represents a whisky or type of whisky. They are divided into: Single malt; Blended whisky; Wood finishes and Types, and each stop will mention a whisky available in shops or bars. There is more information on how the stations are divided in the icons section here.

Some stations are intersections where multiple lines meet. These tend to be world classics because they represent a number of styles.

Public service announcement

It is impossible to include every whisky out there on the map, so this is an overall representation of whisky. Each station description in the book discusses other related whiskies and particular expressions to expand on this. (See Glossary for more information on expressions.)

How to use it

If you already know what you like:

Find your favourite whisky on the map; if it isn’t there, check the index for extra whiskies, which will point you to the most similar starting station.

Try the stations that are closest to your favourite; these will be the most similar.

Continue to travel along the flavour line – if you reach a point that you are less fond of, head in another direction.

If you are feeling adventurous:

Find a whisky you know well on the map.

Head to the other end of the line that it is on for a more extreme version.

Or pick a completely different line and pick a whisky from there.

You may want to do this in a bar and try by ‘dram’ rather than paying for a new bottle every time!

If you are new to whisky:

Head to Starting Points, here

If you are buying a gift:

Find out the lucky person’s favourite whisky.

Select something from one of the surrounding stations.

For more suggestions head to the Advanced Manoeuvres chapter (here) but most importantly, enjoy yourself.

Icons

To help you navigate the WhiskyTubeMap, each station has an icon which indicates the style of whisky at that station based on the production methods: Blended whisky, Single Malt whisky, Type of whisky (i.e. other production method or grain) or Wood Finished whisky. Many of them refer to specific distilleries or brands; others may be a description you will see on the label, like Port Wood Finish.

Public service announcement

When a station is a brand or distillery (e.g. Johnnie Walker or Jura) the description of the whisky is based on the prevailing house style of that whisky, and specific ‘look out for’ whisky recommendations are given as well. If you like the sound of a certain station but can’t get hold of the recommended ‘look out for’ whisky, you won’t be disappointed if you try other whiskies from that station/distillery.

Blended whisky

The Blended Whisky icon refers, unsurprisingly, to whiskies made by blending a selection of different whiskies together, normally including both single malt whisky and single grain whisky. Single grain whisky usually makes up the bulk of a blend, as it is far cheaper to produce. This is then combined with various single malt whiskies, each adding their own unique flavour component. It is the job of a ‘master blender’ to create the recipe of whiskies that go into a specific blend, top-secret of course, and create one that tastes the same, batch after batch, and combines the ‘best’ elements of different styles of whisky into one smooth and easy-drinking dram. Whilst blends are often dismissed as being inferior to single malts, they hold a special place in the whisky industry, forming its backbone. Blended whisky is the basis on which Scotch whisky built its global reputation, thanks to the likes of Johnnie Walker and other grocers of the 1800s who created their own blends, which were then marketed to the world. It remains a key part of the international whisky economy: without it there would be no whisky industry.

Public service announcement

For the purpose of the WhiskyTubeMap, Monkey Shoulder, which is a blended malt, meaning a blend made solely from single malts, is indicated by the icons for both single malt whisky and blended whisky.

Wood finish

The Wood Finish icon refers to whiskies that go through a ‘finishing’ process using a specific cask type to influence the ultimate flavour of the whisky. Most whiskies are matured in ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks, or a combination of both. Some whiskies are then transferred to a different type of cask for a short while before being bottled, a process known as ‘finishing’. At this point the whisky takes on more of the flavour of what was originally matured in the cask, for example, using a rum cask can give a whisky more coconut and tropical flavours, while a port cask gives a richer finish with some red-fruit flavours. Although any oak cask can be used to finish, there are a number that are regularly used and these are marked as stations on the map: Port Wood Finish, Sherry Wood Finish, Rum Wood Finish and Virgin Wood Finish (see the relevant stations for descriptions). Some distilleries, such as Glenmorangie, produce a wide variety of finishes. However, the positioning of Glenmorangie on the WhiskyTubeMap is representative of the distillery’s house style.

Type of whisky

There are a variety of different types of whisky based on their production methods and base ingredients, all of which can rightfully be called whisky or whiskey (US and Irish spelling), depending on where they come from. The whiskies/whiskeys within any particular ‘Type’ share certain flavours and textural similarities, and the stations on the map give you an idea of the overarching style of the type of whisky. Within each of the types of whisky there will be dozens of individual distilleries or brands making them. Classic examples of each type are given to help you navigate these stations.

Public service announcement

For the purpose of the Pocket Guide to Whisky, to avoid overuse of brackets the term ‘whisky’ replaces ‘whisk(e)y’ – the correct usage appears at specific stations.

Single malt

Single malt whiskies make up the majority of the stations on the WhiskyTubeMap. Single malt means whisky that is distilled at one distillery and made from malted barley, hence the name. As you will discover on the WhiskyTubeMap, single malt whisky can be made anywhere in the world, it is not just from Scotland. Despite being made in other countries the process and techniques are the same as in Scotland and most so-called ‘New World’ whiskies follow the rules and regulations associated with Scotch whisky. For the purpose of the WhiskyTubeMap the single malt stations are positioned based on their ‘house style’; they may make more than one style of whisky, which will be highlighted in the station text.

Starting points

One of the hardest things about whisky is knowing where to start. It’s all well and good if you’ve tried a few and have a good idea of what you do (or don’t) like, but if you really aren’t sure, even a WhiskyTubeMap can’t help! Same goes for if you’re buying a whisky as a gift or to take somewhere: if you don’t know what your friends or hosts like it’s a tricky call.

To help with this situation there are three specially selected Starting Point Stations on the map, identified by this icon . These stations are a good place to begin, if you don’t know where to start.

Johnnie Walker (see here for more information)

A brilliant blended whisky which is a great starting point for anyone drinking whisky for the first time, or if you’re trying to get over a bad whisky experience. Better still, it’s readily available in pretty much every country, bar and supermarket in the world. An easy-drinking, smooth and not too in-your-face whisky to get you on the WhiskyTubeMap. Incredibly versatile if you don’t feel like drinking neat whisky, it works brilliantly in cocktails or, especially well, with mixers.

Start here ...

... if you want something well balanced, smooth and easy-going.

Where next?

After more of the same? Head north to Chivas and on to Bell’s for more robust flavours.

Want something softer and more delicate? Head west to Famous Grouse and Dewar’s.

Ready to taste something more complex and hit the single malts? Head south from Johnnie Walker to Benromach, Glenkinchie and Tamdhu, for a tour of fruity, sweet and easy-going single malts.

Glenfiddich (see here for more information)

A wise choice of starting place for anyone just getting started in whisky, or if you are returning to whisky after a long absence. For many, single malts are the epitome of Scotch whisky and this is a great introduction: it has won multiple awards and is readily available, with lots going on in the glass.

Start here …

... to get started on single malts. It will help familiarise you with the flavours and style of a single malt but without being overly in-your-face or powerful.

Where next?

After more of the same? Head south to Glenlivet.

Similar but lighter? Head south-east to Glenrothes.

Something sweeter? Head north to Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Highland Park (see here for more information)

A gateway whisky into the single malts which introduces the classic flavour of peat smoke. If the thought of a whiff of smoke in your whisky doesn’t put you off and intrigues you, then Highland Park is a great starting point. The delicate smoke is balanced with a lovely sweetness.

Start here …

... if you want to test your peat tolerance but don’t want to go too far, too soon.

Where next?

After more of the same? Head east to Jura along the Coastal Line.

Want more peat and smoke? Head north to Bruichladdich on the ferry to the Outliers Line.

Want more sweet flavours? Head south over the footbridge to Macallan.

Public service announcement

Since some names are notoriously difficult to pronounce, we have included some guidance at each entry. Remember that ‘ch’ is pronounced as in the Scottish word ‘loch’ (i.e. with a softened ‘ck’ sound), not ’tch’ as in ‘sandwich’ or ‘k’ as in ‘lock’. So ‘Glenfiddich’ and ‘Auchentoshan’ both have the soft Scottish ‘ch’, which we have represented as ‘c’: Glen-fidd-ic.

Making the most of whisky

The WhiskyTubeMap has been designed to help you take the next steps on your whisky journey without all the whisky chat that can feel a bit stuffy. Whether you are buying a late-night dram, a bottle for home or a gift for someone, the rows of whisky in a shop or bar can feel daunting, particularly when the labels, packaging and unpronounceable names don’t really give you a clue to the style or flavour of the whisky. By using the WhiskyTubeMap you can see how someone’s favourite whiskies relate to other whiskies, making it easy to discover something new, which is great whether it is for yourself or when you are buying a gift for someone else.

The WhiskyTubeMap is here to guide you on a journey of flavour and discovery so you can explore the entire world of whisky. It’s fun to know facts, trivia and history, but way more important than any of that is flavour. Probably the two most important things when deciding what whisky to try are your own taste preferences, and how much you have to spend.

For many, all whiskies seem to taste the same. Which is understandable, as whisky itself has a very distinctive flavour. However, line three whiskies up side by side, just for fun, and take your time tasting them: you’ll be able to pick out differences in aroma, flavour and texture, even if you aren’t a big whisky drinker. The more often you do this, the easier it will become and you will pick out things you do and don’t like in a whisky, making it easier to explore.

Early experiences of whisky often involve shots of (inappropriately powerful or peaty) whiskies and so people are put off, not realising that there are more gentle whiskies out there. Once you start trying more whiskies you will soon start to learn what kinds of flavours you enjoy, which will help you navigate the next step in your journey.

How whisky is made

Certain things that happen in the process of making whisky can influence its flavour; know this, and you can start sifting one from another. Despite how it might seem, whisky-making is, in essence, a very simple process involving only three ingredients. Here’s the process, in very simple terms, for a single malt whisky:

Barley is soaked in water and then laid out on a floor for the barley to start to germinate.

This germination is then stopped by gently heating and drying the barley (sometimes using peat smoke, if making a peaty whisky – see the Outliers Line here).

This is now malted barley, which is then mashed with warm water to form a kind of porridge-like mixture, the ‘mash’.

The liquid, known as ‘wort’, is drained off and yeast is added to it to create a beer-like alcohol, the ‘wash’.

The wash is then distilled to make ‘new make spirit’.

New make spirit is matured in oak casks (usually ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks or a combination of both, to impart different flavours) for a number of years (minimum three years).

The whisky is then bottled when it is considered ready. Once bottled the whisky will no longer mature, unlike wine. For more information see Storage section on here.

This is, of course, an extreme simplification of the process. The maturation stage is where the magic happens and most of the final flavour of a whisky is determined. It is believed that the wood imparts around 70 per cent of the flavour. If you put an excellently made new make spirit into a poor cask you’ll be left with a poor whisky. However, an average-quality new make spirit could be rescued by being put into a high-quality cask.

The three main influences on flavour are the grain used (single malt Scotch whisky is always made from malted barley, but other whiskies use different grains, like corn or rye); the way the grain is malted (with or without peat smoke); and the type of cask. If you can find this out, you can start to get a sense of what you like or dislike.

Use flavour to guide you, not age or colour

Does the age of a whisky matter? Is older whisky better? To put it bluntly, no, older whisky is not necessarily better. Remember that taste is a very subjective thing. For many years labelling a whisky with its age has been part of a marketing tactic to make aged whiskies seem more premium. Older whiskies do tend to be rarer, but that doesn’t make them better. Older whisky spends more time in casks, so it can have more flavour from the wood and it often has more layers of flavour or complexity, making it a good whisky to take your time over. However, today there are an increasing number of whiskies without their age on the label and these can be just as delicious. Happily, these whiskies are helping to shift the dusty myth that ‘older whisky is better’. What matters is flavour and what you like.