The Gentleman’s Guide To Single Malt Whisky
There is something delightfully decadent and luxurious about sipping on a dram of quality whisky. While the spirit is fast being reinvented in modern times as a dynamic drink that can incorporate mixers and flavours to act as a base for inventive cocktails, it is nonetheless a liquor with a very long history and origins that can be traced back to early Scottish and Irish distillers. Whisky, then, is often associated with gentleman’s clubs, cigars and leather chairs and carries a rather distinguished appeal.
In the world of spirits, enjoying a good whisky means appreciating its complex profile, smoky textures and layered flavourings that are a result of distillation processes perfected over long periods. A good single malt is then reminiscent of the smoky and peaty soils of the Scottish highlands where it originates. Enjoying Scotch or a quality single malt is a very personal and dignified experience. And for a true aficionado, knowing whisky variations is never enough, one has to dig deep into the Celtic origins of Scotch whisky, its fermentation and ageing processes and ways of relishing a single malt to truly appreciate the complex notes of the liquor.
How To Drink Single Malt
According to Gentleman’s Gazette, the vessel in which a Scotch whisky or a single malt is served is just as important as the beverage. While a rocks glass works well for a whisky dram, you can always opt for a copita nosing glass or a glencairn glass—both of which have an impact on a whisky tasting experience. The former would ensure that its tulip shape would retain alcohol vapours, while the latter comes in handy to warm up the spirit when you hold the glass in your hand.
While sipping on a single malt, you can enjoy it neat but with the increasing popularity of iced drinks, adding a cube or two of ice to a rocks glass is quite in vogue. However, one must be careful to avoid diluting the flavour of the single malt. Experts suggest that to enjoy a single malt, you can add a splash of water instead which would elevate the flavours and aromas of the spirit.
Say The Right Things
When you are tasting a single malt, it’s not enough to appreciate colour and flavour. There are other components like looks and smells involved and you must be able to express these subtle notes as you spot them in your drink.
Swirl the whisky when poured into a glass to assess its cloudiness because the cloudier the whisky, the more elevated its flavour. Another trick is to observe if there are fine beads forming on the sides of the glass when you swirl the whisky. Gentleman’s Gazette suggests that if the beads move thicker and slower, it is indicative of a bolder variant.
When you observe these subtle differences be sure to articulate them by describing Scottish whisky as a diverse blend with notes that range from peaty to smoky to even sea-like, given the proximity of certain distilleries to the open waters.
Making A Whisky Cocktail
For a modern gentleman’s guide to a single malt, making cocktails is an integral element because contemporary mixology is reinventing age-old spirits to blend them with interesting mixes and come up with creative concoctions. As a connoisseur, a handy hack is to first appreciate the notes of a single malt, its depth and flavour before deciphering what mixer would go well with the whisky.
Go for fruity or Speyside style whiskies if you want a less smokier version in your cocktails, says GQ. And you can always add plenty of citruses like a lemon wedge or orange juice that would elevate the intensity of these carefully crafted spirits. You can also use blends like sweet vermouth or cherry brandy while making cocktails that incorporate quality malts.
Next time you head out for a tasting journey, remember these notes and come out on top as a true aficionado of single malts. Knowing these handy tips will also enhance your overall experience of enjoying the spirit.
