Here, we also look at specific tasting notes – does it align with the maker’s description? Is there anything interesting going on? We then pair each whisky with a touch of water, as well as its most common mixers to see if any new aromas or flavours are unlocked.Īfter testing our whisky solo and in a longer drink, we then undertake a cocktail taste-test. We first test each whisky on its own, if you’re considering spending out on a whisky, you want to ensure it’s the best quality before parting with your cash. On the surface, testing whisky might seem like a simple case of sipping and swilling but we have a rigorous testing process when selecting our recommended list. Bourbon, rye and Tennessee mash are all good party drinks, make excellent long drinks (JD and Coke being the best known), and are the basis of popular cocktails including the Manhattan and Old Fashioned. There’s nothing wrong with keeping a bottle in the back of your drinks cabinet for guests who prefer their whiskies mixed long.Īmerican-style grain whisky produced using corn has a sweeter, somewhat heavier flavour than either single malt or blended whisky. If you’re planning to mix your whisky with Coke or ginger ale the lighter, less-smoky flavour of a blended whisky will go much better with your mixer than a fine single malt. It’s wise to add a splash of water to bring out the flavour and aroma of your dram – a process affectionately known as “releasing the serpent”. It’s worth trying a few malts from different locations – if you don’t get on with a peaty Highland malt, perhaps a light Speyside with a touch of sweetness will suit your palate better. A peated malt (made by drying the barley over a peat fire) will have a smoky, almost chewy flavour that can be a bit of an acquired taste. The flavour notes of a single malt Scotch vary from astringent to almost caramel. Single or blended malt whisky in the Scotch style has a complex, full-bodied flavour ideal for sophisticated sipping. Cask-strength whiskies are typically around 60-65% alcohol by volume (compared to around 40% for a typical diluted whisky) and should always be drunk with water. You might encounter single or blended malts in cask strength, which means the whisky is bottled straight from the cask it was matured in without being diluted. Single pot whiskey refers to Irish whiskey from a single distillery produced using a blend of malted and unmalted barley (and sometimes other grains), giving a slightly more peppery flavour compared to single malt. READ NEXT: Celebrate in style with these scrumptious birthday cakes This typically creates a characterful blend that’s more complex than a malt-grain blend and usually cheaper than a single malt. Less commonly found are blended malt whiskies – these are produced using malted barley only, but may combine malts from two or more distilleries. The addition of the lighter grain whisky also creates a smoother, less complex flavour that some may prefer, and that can be good for use in cocktails and mixed drinks. Since single malt whisky is labour-intensive and expensive to produce, blending with a grain generally results in a cheaper product. The most commonly-produced is blended whisky, made from a mix of malt and grain spirits. READ NEXT: Our favourite sipping tequilas While the drink fell out of popularity for a short while in the late 20th century, whisky has recently overtaken vodka as the UK’s most popular spirit and most local pubs will offer a good selection of malts and blends.īut how do you find the best whisky? We’ve sipped our way through a selection to help you find the whisky (or whiskey) that will best suit you.
Empire and emigration took the spirit worldwide and whisky is now globally popular in three distinct types: peaty, double-distilled Scotch whisky lighter, triple-distilled Irish whiskey and the sweeter bourbon-style whiskies produced in the US. Whisky (or, in Ireland, whiskey) has long been a popular tipple in the British Isles and Ireland, with a history dating back to at least the 15th century.
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Are you looking for the best whisky to buy? Or do you want to know more about how to choose the finest whisky for your budget? We’ve got all the information you need to make an informed decision, whatever your preferences.
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