The modern world offers countless drinks that people "stick" their noses into. Some of these passions go through phases and trends, just like fashion. Nevertheless, there are very few that gentlemen like to indulge in, but know almost nothing about them. And whiskey falls victim all too often. If you think that all the whiskeys of the world taste the same, read on. After immersing yourself in its wonderful world, you will quickly discover that whiskey tastes completely different from what the uninitiated think.
We at Alain Delon Journal love a good glass of whisky. We hope that by the end of this quick guide, you'll fall in love with the Gallic water of life just as much.
OK, let's get the basics straight first. Scotch whisky and American whisky have very little in common. That doesn't mean one is superior to the other, but to avoid boring you to death, let's stick with the largest producer of this magical drink, Scotland. In order for whisky to be labeled Scotch, it must be made and distilled in a specific way, from malted barley, and aged for at least three years in oak barrels. We're not kidding, it's Scottish law!
One of the biggest whiskey myths is that of age. Older whiskey doesn’t necessarily mean better whiskey. Yes, age plays a huge role in the final product, but saying that any twenty-year-old whiskey is better than a twelve-year-old would be like saying that being thirty is better than being twenty-five. Some producers don’t even list the age on their bottles.
Most of us have come across mainstream whiskies like Johnnie Walker or Chivas Regal. While these whiskies are delicious, there is a whole other universe of whiskies out there. As the name suggests, blended whiskies are a mix of whiskies from different distilleries across Scotland.
A level higher in the unknown, you will find the magical world of single malt whisky. It always comes from a single, often very old and unknown, distillery. However, if you think that these whiskies are only for those who like to spend three figures on alcohol, know that they are often the same price as the aforementioned blended whisky that you can find in your local supermarket.
Starting to explore the world of single malt whisky is like going back to geography class, plus drinking. Open the whisky map we're happy to embed here for you, and you'll immediately see that Scotland has four main whisky regions. Each of these parts produces whisky with flavors specific to its area, just like wine producers.
If you're not sure how to travel through Scottish whisky country, just follow us:
The Highlands is a region that offers a huge variety of whisky thanks to its beautiful, ever-changing landscape of moorland and mountains. If you like fruity, sweet and aromatic flavours, Highland whisky is for you.
If you picture a traditional Scottish meadow, you will find it in the Lowlands region. The area is known to many for its blended whisky. If you have ever tasted Scotch, it is almost certain that it contained whisky from the Lowlands. Smooth on the tongue and light as honey - these are the qualities you will find right here.
A region full of contrasts, just like its whisky. You can find everything from light whiskies that many Scots like to indulge in after lunch like Glenlivet, to rich, full of sweet flavors like Macallan. The choice is endless and it is impossible to miss out.
Islay whisky is the most controversial of all. When you taste a true Islay whisky, you feel the atmosphere of the whole island. The peat bogs, the rainy coasts and the hard-working Scottish fishing boats. You will be amazed by the unique smoky taste of peat, which will remind you of nothing you have tried before. Due to its uniqueness, it is love at first sight and our most popular region.
Smell, taste and most importantly, have fun. Don't judge a whisky based on just one sip, have more. Try different types and try to find the differences between them. We hope you fall in love with it as much as we do.
Health.
"Everything is made in China, so why not whiskey?"
"The older the whiskey I order, the better impression I make on others."
Anyway, here's a little tip for reading the label correctly: the age written on the whiskey is the age of the youngest whiskey used in that bottle.
"Wait, so there's more than one whiskey in the bottle?"
"But how do I know which one to choose?"
Highlands
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Lowlands
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Speyside
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Islay
Our top tips:
"So I have a bottle, what next?"
Like wine, whisky has its own glass, called a Glencairn glass. Any good whisky shop sells them and they are not expensive to get. However, if there is no such shop in your area, a glass that is wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, such as a cognac glass, will do.
Whiskey should always be at room temperature, so forget about ice. The temperature helps the aroma and flavor of the whiskey to come out in all its glory. If the alcohol is too strong for you, it is common to dilute the whiskey with a few drops of pure water.
