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| How to Enjoy Scotch Whicky by Mangoloops.blogspot.com |
When I was asked to write a guide on how Scotch whisky
should be drunk, I was thrilled, to put it mildly. The feeling was akin to
swallowing a mouthful of smoky single malt. Pure delight. I have been blessed
with a few opportunities to sample some of Scotland’s finest offerings over the
years, and have come to appreciate the finer points and subtle nuances of this
magical elixir. Yep, I’m not afraid to announce, I’m a little bit of a whisky
snob.
Scotch Whisky in itself, is a symbol of man’s ever-lasting pursuit
of perfection, a representation of the finest that life can offer.
It has been a drink for all occasions. and there always will
be contrasting opinions on how Scotch is drunk best. Well, let’s settle it,
there’s no right or wrong way, it’s a matter of personal preference. But some
methods enhance and elevate tastes and flavours more than others.
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| Rocks Glass |
Let’s start with the glass. Most people, use a rocks glass
for Scotch. While this is not a bad choice, the ‘nosing glass’ allows for
greater retention of vapours, which enhance the multiple flavour layers in your
drink. Another fairly recent innovation is the Glencairn Glass. With its
tapered mouth and wide bowl, this design won the 2006 Queen's Award for
Innovation!
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| Glencairn Glass |
The next point that everyone seems to disagree on is whether
to add ice. While some people are dead against it, some experts recommend
adding a couple of ice balls, which melt slower than cubes and will thus water
down your Scotch less. Another innovation is ‘whisky stones’. These metal or soapstone
cubes retain cold temperatures for long periods of time. Chill in your freezer
and then use them to cool your drink without diluting it!
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| Reusable Steel Chilling Cubes |
You’re probably thinking, why are these so-called experts
dead against watering down your Scotch? Which brings us to a huge bone of
contention - mixers. Soda, cola, juices, and more. It begs the question - why
drink Scotch at all if you need to mask the taste?
I, for one, believe that a good Scotch needs just ice. I
prefer mine with a splash of cool water, or a single ice-cube, so i can savour
the myriad flavours.
A few drops of water melting into your drink helps unfurl
the proud battle flag that is the Scotch aroma array. If you sip Scotch neat, a
lot of the subtler notes may get shouted down, if you will, by the powerful
initial hit of alcohol.
The best way to make sure you don’t end up with too much
water in your Scotch, is to use LARGE
ice cubes. This way, you favourite Scotch will chill, with just that caress of
cool water, that will ensure that subtle flavour bouquet really blossoms.
Pure, soft spring water, is recommended to enhance the
distinctive aroma and flavour of a whisky. Tap water may contain high amounts
of chlorine and therefore would hinder the taste bouquet of the Scotch.
Well, that leaves us with the last, most controversial topic
yet. Scotch cocktails. Some purists would consider it blasphemous. They’d
compare it to mashing up Handel's ‘Hallelujah’ with metchul double-bass
blastbeats.
So should you ever mix Scotch?
At the risk of ruffling a few feathers, I say yes. A number
of well-crafted cocktails blend the rich flavour palette of various Scotch
whiskies with a whole lineup of other ingredients to create some pretty amazing
cocktails.
In conclusion, the general consensus regarding Scotch and
how it should be drunk is now shifting from an elitist, my-way-or-the-highway
attitude towards a more accommodating, open-minded vibe.
Try out a few of our suggestions, see how you enjoy your
Scotch best, and stick with that.
In the words of renowned Scottish historian and writer David
Daiches, “The proper drinking of Scotch whisky is more than indulgence: it is a
toast to civilization, a tribute to the continuity of culture, a manifesto of
man’s determination to use the resources of nature to refresh mind and body and
enjoy to the full the senses with which he has been endowed.”
So go ahead, indulge yourself with your favourite Scotch,
and raise a toast to all the good things in life.
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