What do you want to see?

Now that I have covered several of the basics that is related to scotch, what do you, as the reader, want to see me touch upon?  Any and all suggestions will be taken into consideration, and much appreciated.

In the meantime, stay thirsty my friend. 

Top 10 most expensive Scotch in the world

Have you ever wondered, if you have some spare cash lying around, what would be the most expensive bottle of scotch you can buy?  Realistically speaking, it will probably be a bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold for my case.  But if you find yourself hanging in the company of Bill Gates and the likes, here are some ridiculously expensive bottles of scotch that might catch your fancy:

10) Chivas Regal Royal Salute, 50 years old. 
      Price: $10,000

The Chivas Regal 50-year Royal Salute is released in 2003 as a special edition to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II 50 years on the throne (coronation day in 1953).  Each bottle features a hand-engraved 24-carat gold plaque.  There were only 255 bottles in the world. 

9) The Macallan 1939, 40 years old. 
    Price $10,125

First bottled in 1979, this peaty and powerful whisky that comes with dried fruit and sweet toffee flavors was re-bottled in 2002, and added to McCallan's Fine and Rare line. 

8) Glenfarclas 1955, 50 years old. 
    Price: $10,878

This whisky, bottled in 2005 exactly fifty years to the day after it was distilled, was hand-picked by George S. Grant to celebrate the birth of his ancestor, John Grant, who bought the Glenfarclas distillery back in 1865.  The entire 110 bottles sold out even before this whisky was released. 

7) Dalmore 50 Year Old Decanter
    Price: $11,000

Bottled in 1978 into just sixty crystal decanters.  Reputably one of the best 50 year old whisky ever made, and a personal favorite of many rich families in the world. 

6) The Macallan 55 Year Old Lalique Crystal Decanter
    Price: $12,500

A celebration between two great nations and one of the finest creative collaborations between Scotland and France, The Macallan 55 Years old Lalique is bottled in 1910 in a perfume bottle designed by Rene Lalique.  Worldwide, only 420 decanters were released, with only one hundred available in the United States. 

5) Glenfiddich 1937
    Price: $20,000

64 year old Glenfiddich, widely regarded as the oldest bottle of whisky in the world.  This Glenfiddich's 1937 Rare Collection whisky had only one bottle ever produced, with the single bottle sold at a 2006 auction. 

4) The Dalmore 62 Single Hiland Malt Scotch
    Price: $58,000

One of the only twelve bottles produced in 1943.  The whisky was purchased for $58,000 at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, where the anonymous buyer reportedly share it with five of his lucky friends. 

3) The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare
    Price: $75,000

It is rumored that a South Korean businessman paid $75,000 in 2005 for the chance to own a bottle of this scotch, whose flavor is described as dry and concentrated.  The rumor is later confirmed by Macallan themselves.

2) Dalmore 64 Trinitas
    Price: $160,100

Trinitas is named because there are only three bottles of this whisky been made.  This whisky is a blend of rare stocks, containing spirits dating from 1868, 1878, 1926 and 1939.  This is the first scotch to sell for six figures. 

1) Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique
    Price: $460,000

And here it is, the most expensive scotch in the world: The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique!  The scotch was sold for $460,000 at an auction at Sotheby's, New York on November 2010, breaking the record for the most expensive whisky ever sold, and claiming the title of world's most expensive scotch. 

The special decanter was designed and created by famed French designer Lalique, and contains 1.5 litres of the rare "The Macallan" whisky.  The special decanter, itself, is crafted with a unique "cire perdue", or "lost wax" method. 

Pronunciation

How do you say "Laphroaig", "Glen Morangie" or even "Lagavulin".  I remember my first tasting of Laphroaig took placed in a bar.  I saw the bottle sitting on the shelf, and I knew I wanted to try it.  However, I had no clue on how to pronounce the name.  I pointed to the bottle and grunted to the bartender instead.  Not my smoothest moments.

To save you the embarrassment that I experienced, I came across this nifty website that contains the pronunciation of some of the most commonly used words in the world of scotch.  Now, you know how to ask for a glass of "Cragganmore" the next time you are in a bar.  For extra bonus points, throw in the Scottish accent too!

http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/pronounc.html

You stay classy, fellow readers.

Chilling your drinks without dillution

Continuing the topic on whether to add ice to your scotch, discussed early here.  In that post, I argued against adding ice to your drink, primarily because of two reasons.  Adding ice may potentially "freeze" your scotch, dulling the aroma.  More importantly, as the ice melts, the water will dilute the drink, and along it, its flavors. 

If someone prefers to drink their scotch chilled, but wants to avoid the risk of diluting their drink, what are their options?  Well, for starters, and one that I commonly do is to leave my tumbler in the freezer half an hour before I pour my drink, so I will be drinking my scotch from a nice chilled frosty glass. 

Another option that I am recently introduced to is the addition of "whisky stones".  What are whisky stones, you ask?  Well, whisky stones simply cubes of flavorless, odorless, non-porous soapstone
that can chill your liquor without diluting it or affecting its taste. 

These soapstone retains its temperature longer than ice, thus providing a more lasting chill.  What I especially like is that even though the chill from the whisky stones last longer, they do not chill your scotch so harshly that it is so cold that the flavor profile of the drink is sacrificed.  The stones are softer than granite, and are not supposed to scratch your beloved tumbler, or your teeth when you are drinking, for that matter!

Whisky stones are sold by a company called Terforma, and can be purchased from amazon by clicking here.  Prices are fair too, retailing at less than $20 for a set of nine stones, making them perfect as a gift as well. 

Finding the scotch that you like

From the "scotch flavor map" post, you now have a rough idea about what the different brands of scotch taste like.  But if you are a newcomer still discovering the various flavors, what is the best way to find out what you like before splashing some serious money on a bottle?

In my experience, the easiest way is to find a local bar that carries a nice selection of varieties.  Chat up with the bartender, give them feedback, and let them make suggestions till you find a few that you like. 

                                                                                   A well-stocked bar

Here's a pro-tip for you: don't simply ask for a "scotch".  If you do, they will usually just give you a glass of the cheapest scotch they have, and charge you full price for it.  Always specify.  Many places have a separate menu for scotch, or ask what they have on hand if you are not able to tell what they carry. 

Scotch Flavor Map

Here is a really cool chart showing the flavors you can expect from the various brands of scotch:

Looking at the flavor map, I myself, for the most part, find it hard to disagree with what the chart depict.  Of course, individual's palate differs.  Use this as a general guide, and don't be overly bothered if you find yourself tasting something that the map says otherwise.   

Bottoms-up, my friend.

Adding Water to Scotch?

We know by now that adding ice to scotch is not the recommended route to take if you truly want to appreciate the raw character of the whisky (read here), but what about adding water?  I have heard varying opinions on whether to add water to your scotch.  Some prefer to drink it neat, some with a splash of water, and even others who drink their scotch with an equal mix of water and whisky.

Generally, it is true that adding a few drops (literally, a few drops) of water can "open" the whisky.  What this means is that the water can help release the aroma (or "nose") and flavor from the drink.  Some also add water to their scotch if the flavor is too bold, and they desire to reduce the intensity a little. 

Overall, there is no hard and fast rule about adding water.  It all boils down to personal preference.  Personally, I seldom add water to my scotch with the exception of the real peaty ones. 

If you are undecided whether to add water, do not be afraid to experiment!  A big part of the appreciation of scotch is the never-ending journey of self-discovery.  Trying drinking the scotch neat first, then add a few drops of water (preferably at room temperature and filtered) to it and decide for yourself which one do you prefer.

SimplyScotches hit 150 followers!

SimplyScotches just attained a milestone by reaching 150 followers!  When I first started, I just wanted to share whatever knowledge I have on scotch, and hopefully spread the passion to someone out there.  To reach 150 followers is quite a remarkable feat, and one that cannot be attained with your support. 

In short, thank you so much, each one of you.  Please continue to check back for more scotch-related articles.  Bottoms-up, my friend.

A perfect scotch evening

Now that the chilling winter is here, I find myself reaching for a bottle of scotch more often than before.  For me, a nice dram of scotch is an intimate affair, not unlike the feeling when you reunite with an old friend.  There is a drink suitable for every occasion.  Nothing quite beats a tall cold glass of beer when you are just casually hanging out at the backyard while barbequeing, or watching a game of football with a group of friends.  Similarly, pairing a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with a perfectly grilled steak when you are out in a restaurant downtown with your wife on a Thursday evening just feels right. 

Scotch is a much more personal thing for me.  I almost always drink scotch in solitude, as I get the most enjoyment out of it this way.  

On a cold wintery night, when everyone else is asleep, I put on a warm comfortable robe and settle down in my favorite leather armchair by the fireplace, armed with a nice book and perhaps even a cigar, and poured myself a dram of scotch while listening to the voice of Sinatra and the crackling of wood from the fireplace. 

A perfect scotch evening. 

I love Scotch. Scotchy Scotch Scotch

Ron Burgundy said it best.