Hosting a Scotch Tasting Party

One of the things I think I would really enjoy doing is hosting a scotch tasting party.  Where I'm from, there are the occasional wine-tasting parties that bring like-minded individuals with similar passion together for an evening of indulgence.  Such an event not only creates a form of camaraderie with other enthusiast, it can also help to further develop and broaden your knowledge on the alcohol. 

A scotch tasting event combines sophisication and relation, the very traits which the drink itself represents.  It is a toast to civilization. 

When throwing a scotch tasting event, it is important to know your audience: are they novices or experts?  Cater to them and serve scotch that will capture their interest.  For instance, for beginners, consider something that is higher on drinkability, with a wider range of taste profiles, which will allow them to experiment and discover what type of scotch they like.  For the more seasoned scotch drinkers, it would be better to narrow the choices and focus on a more specific region (e.g. Islay) or taste. 

Unlike wine, scotch tastings should be limited to no more than 4 - 6 choices.  Why?  Firstly, scotch is alot stronger than wine proportionally.  You wouldn't want your guests to be passed out drunk at the end of the session.  In addition, the palate can become overwhelmed due to the strength of the scotch itself.

Another consideration to have when hosting a scotch tasting is what type of glass to use.  In my previous post, I explained the differences between the glasses most commonly used.  Although it is certainly fine to use any glass for personal enjoyment, it is more appropriate to use a "nosing glass" in a scotch-tasting event.  The tulip-shaped glass can help guests to better identify and appreciate the flavors and aromas of the scotch, and it adds another touch of sophisication to the party. 

Next, and quite importantly, is what scotches to offer?  Most hosts of scotch tastings stick with single malts, as they tend to have a more distinct and unique character, taste and smell.  These differences are more muddled in a blended scotch.  As to which sinle malt scotch to use, well, this goes back to the earlier passage on what your audience is.  Serve accordingly to what the majority prefers.  You can either serve one from each of the five scotch regions, or you can focus on a particular region and sample several scotches from different distillery. 

In addition to the scotch and the glasses, a pitcher of filtered water should also be available.  Most experts agree that adding a few drops of water can really bring out the flavors and aromas in the scotch.  Ice, however, is not neccessary, as true scotch enthusiast will never consider adding ice to their alcohol. 

Finally, a pad of paper and pen should be provided to each taster for making notes on what they did and not like about each bottle.  Consider handing out pre-printed sheets with areas to write in the label of the bottle, general thoughts, and taste categories (age, body, color, palette, smell and finish). 

Many hosts also have food available at the tasting, being careful not to choose food that will clash with the Scotch. Some suggestions are sharp or mild cheeses, unflavored crackers, dark chocolate, and various fruits.

The nice thing about scotch tastings is that you can try out very expensive bottles that you normally would not buy.  Also, if you live in a big enough city, you can invite one of the main scotch companies to bring one of their reps or ambassadors to host the tasting for you.  This way, you can get a specialist present to provide background information and answer any questions. 

I hope this post will encourage readers to consider trying out and attend a local scotch tasting party.  Who knows, you may just discover a bottle of scotch you like that you would have never come across by yourself.  Till the next time, you keep it classy SimplyScotches readers. 

Climbing the Scotch Ladder for Beginners

I have a friend, let's call him Pete.  Pete, like most people, occasionally drink blends like Johnnie Walker Black, and mostly on the rocks.  On one occasion at a bar, perhaps somewhat intrigued by my scotch obsession, he decided to try a single malt.  Unfortunately, he ordered from the bar-tender a dram of Laphroaig (very strong and smoky).  All it took was one sip from the glass, and Pete began coughing violently and choking.  He later told me that he cannot believe people actually enjoys scotch.  Pete never touched another glass of scotch since then.  

Unfortunately, I suspect Pete's case is more the norm rather than the exception.  Too many people often start off with too advance, and are immediately put off by the pungent taste.  Starting with an Islay (as in Pete's case) is like drinking a Guinness if all you ever had was Bud Lite. 

To help beginners out there still discovering the wonders of scotch, I developed this simple "scotch ladder" guide.  Start off at the bottom rung, and move on to the next step when you feel comfortable with the level you are on now.  This way, it allows your taste buds to develop and adapt, and in the process appreciating, the various flavors of scotch, without them being too overpowering right from the start. 

Your journey starts here.

1. Start with a smooth, light scotch.  Focus is on drinkability.
Recommendations: Cragganmore 12 yr, Glenfiddich 12, Dalwinnie 15 yr
Value selection: Cragganmore 12 yr
Premium selection: Glenlivet 18 yr

Cragganmore 12 Yr

2. Next, introduce some complexity and richness. 
Recommendations: Macallan 12 yr, Glenfarclas 17 yr, Longmorn 15 yr
Value selection: Arbelour 12 yr
Premium selection: Dalmore 21

Macallan 12 Yr


3. Add some light smoke. 
Recommendations: Oban 14 yr, Highland Park 15 yr
Value selection: Glen Garioch 10
Premium selection: Royal Lochnagar 12 yr

Oban 14 Yr

4. Dial up the smokiness.
Recommendations: Highland Park 18 yr, Bruichladdich 10 yr
Value selection: Highland Park 12 yr
Premium selection: Springbank 15 yr

Highland Park 18 Yr

5. Enter the peat man.
Recommendations: Talisker 10 yr, Bowmore 12 yr, Talisker 18 yr
Value selection: Talisker 10 yr
Premium selection: Ledaig 20 yr

Talisker 10 Yr

6. Final stop: Islay
Recommendations: Lagavulin 16 yr, Laphroaig 10 yr, Ardbeg 10 yr
Value selection: Caol Ila 12 yr
Premium selection: Lagavulin 12 yr

Lagavulin 16 Yr

Distillery Map

From this earlier post, I explained how the flavor profile of a scotch, even though it can be quite unique at different distilleries, do have some common characteristics that separate them from scotch from other regions.  In this post, I will share with you a map that I came across showing the location of the various scotch distilleries/brands spread around Scotland:

Because Speyside is the region where the most distilleries are concentrated, here's a closer snapshot of the area:

If you desire a more interractive map, check out this site: http://www.maltmadness.com/whisky/map/Scotland/ 
Here, you can select from a list your favorite distillery, and the map will auto-zoom to where the distillery is located in Scotland.  Pretty neat!

Have a great weekend everyone!  May your glasses stay full of scotch and pockets full of money.

Scotch Glasses

Most scotch aficianados agree that the indiviual pleasures of scotch appreciating were further enhanced by drinking from the right whisky glass. 

While I am personally not picky enough to insist on drinking from a specially designed whisky glass, I can appreciate the amount of work and thought put into creating the glass.  In this post, I will explore two of the most common type of glasses that people drink out from.

Whisky Tumbler:

One of the most common glass to drink scotch from is the whisky tumbler.  The whisky tumbler typically holds 8 to 10 ounces, and is the perfect glass to use if you are having your scotch with ice, or if you are adding a mixer such as coke or ginger ale (the horror!).  Of course, you can quite happily use the tumblers too if you are drinking your scotch neat, or with a bit of water. 

There isn't any inherently wrong with drinking from the tumbler, and do not let anyone make you feel bad for drinking from one.  Even though I find myself reaching for one quite often whenever I'm pouring myself a dram or two of scotch, the tumbler isn't really designed to facilitate the nosing and tasting of the aroma of the scotch, of which both elements are important to truly appreciate scotch. 

Tulip-shaped Glasses

The glass favored by most scotch aficianados is the tulip-shaped whisky glass.  These glasses come in two types: the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's tasting glass, and the Gelncairn glass.  Although differing slightly from each other in shape, both glasses have a slightly bulbous base tapering up to a narrow top. 

The bottom half of the glass encourages evaportation through its larger surface area and the contact to the warmth of your hand.  The narrow top focuses the smell, concentrating the aroma of the scotch at your nose.  All this comes together to enhance the aroma and this most certainly can enhances the drinking experience. 

Captain Planet

Came across this funny scotch-related picture, thought I would share with you guys.

Describing Scotch - Finish

Finish is a common and familiar term often used to describe the taste profile of a particular scotch.  To put it simply, the finish of a scotch can be described as the after-taste left in the mouth.

"Short" and "long" are two of the most common words to describe the finish of a scotch.  The scotch's finish is how long the flavor impression lasts in your mouth and on your tongue after it is swallowed.  This is where the scotch culminates, and the after-taste comes into play. 

To observe the finish of the drink, ask yourself these questions: did it last several questions?  Was it light-bodied (think the weight of water), medium-bodied (like the weight of milk) or full-bodied (with the consistency of cream)?  Can you taste the remnant of the scotch on the back of your mouth and throat?  What was your last flavor impression - fruity, smoky, oak?  Does the taste persist, or is it short-lived? 

New milestone - 400 followers!

A new milestone has been reached at Simplyscotches.blogspot.com, we have 400 readers following us!  This is a huge achievement.  When I started this blog, I thought I will be lucky if I have 20 followers.  Now, just a few months later, we hit the big 400. 

To everyone out there, this achivement cannot be possible without your support.  Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel.  Thank you everyone!

Scotch Snobs

If you are as interested in scotch as I am, there will be many times in your journey to quench the thirst of knowledge that you will come across other scotch enthusiast.  While the majority of them are usually pleasant to chat with, especially since you share the same hobby, I will occasionally come across a few that is known as scotch snobs.

A scotch snob is someone who only drinks a particular type of scotch.  They seem to enjoy giving some elitist opinion on why they like the drink, and often turning up their nose on other types of scotch. 

This phenomenon is unfortunately common enough in the scotch circle.  Perhaps, from the olden days where scotch has an elitist stigma attached to it, that association sort of stuck with certain individuals, and they bring it up to another level so as to differentiate themselves further from other scotch drinkers.

The scotch snobs can generally be divided into two types.  Those that only drink single malts, and those that only drink peaty, Islay scotches (like Laphroaig).  I have yet to hear of any scotch snobs that only drink blended malts. 

While I have absolutely zero problems with those two types of scotch (in fact, I enjoy them), I think it is silly to restrict yourself to it.  Personally, I feel the true appreciation of scotch is allowing yourself to have an open mind, and thoroughly immense yourself into the various works and efforts put in so that you can enjoy that in fine dram of scotch, blended or single malt. 

That's it for now.  Till the next time, bottoms up my friend.

Modern Age Scotch Ads

Some of my longer readers may recall that I did an earlier post on old school scotch ads.  Perhaps not too surprising, scotch was marketed almost exclusively to the male audience back then.  That, I would argue, still stands true today.  To be fair, I personally do not know of too many females liking scotch.

What had changed, though, was that men of means or wealth are often the ones depicted in the ads.  This created a elitist, almost snobbish, view on the drink.  As the years gone by, this aspect has certainly withered down a little, with the ads perhaps trying to target a wider audience.  The challenge they face here is how to escape that snobbish/elitist stigma that was attached to scotch in the past, yet not bringing down too far that it cheapens the drink.

Modern age scotch ads generally have a, well, modern feel to it.  More specifically, it usually involves a dark background, with the object of interest in bold gold colors.  Design is kept simple, minimalistic, with few distractions.  People are seldom depicit in the ads.  Instead, they are replaced with "actions".  Actions such as pouring the drink, clinking glasses, and stuff of that nature. 

Anyway, here are some of the ads that I gathered.  Feel free to compare the difference between the two generations of scotch ads:

Feeling better

After almost a full-day spent lying in bed, I am feeling much better.  Thanks for all the well-wishes out there, and god speed to everyone who has families in Japan or Hawaii.