There is no better time to try the world’s best whisky than right now. Here are some tips for you to enjoy the spirit. I’ll tell you about my favorite whiskies: Highland Park 12-year-old, Macallan 12 Year Double Cask, and Mortlach. In addition, I’ll tell you about some of my favourite food and drink pairings, from raw oysters to prawns so you can enjoy your spirit more fully.
Macallan 12 Year Double Cask
The age statement on the Macallan 12 Year Double Cask is back! This year’s release is a lovely number, and whisky geeks are muttering about its price point. A bottle of this single malt is an affordable way to get a taste of the Macallan’s high quality whisky. However, the age statement isn’t the only change to this whisky, either.
This sherry-aged whisky from Macallan uses two types of oak to develop its rich and mellow flavor. The European oak contributes hints of sherry and vanilla, while the American oak imparts dried fruit and wood spice. The finished whisky is very smooth and viscous. Its distinctive character was recognized by critics by winning two Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Review of Spirits Tasting.
Highland Park 12-year-old
The Highland Park 12 Year Old whisky is the core of the brand’s range and was introduced in 1979. This smooth blend offers smokey floral notes and rich malt tones. Its history dates back to 1798 and the company’s core values and quality standards still apply today. Highland Park was the first whisky to be distilled in Scotland. Here are some interesting facts about Highland Park 12 Year Old:
This whisky is produced on the Orkney Island, which was under Norwegian rule from 875 AD to 1472 AD. Many of the island’s place names are Nordic in origin. The distillery was founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson, a descendant of vikings. The bottle’s label is plain but has a Viking motif. It also features an embossed label and a solid cork.
Isle of Skye single malt whisky
You may not know this, but Scotland is home to the only distillery that makes single malt whisky: the Isle of Skye. This historic blend is an exquisite mix of Island and Speyside malts and a Talisker core. The blend is believed to have been developed by whisky blender Ian Macleod in the 1930s. Macleod, who came from the Isle of Skye, was a descendant of Clan Macleod, the clan that owned the Torgorm estate in Inverness-shire. You can find this whisky in many varieties, including 21-year-old, 50-year-old, and 18-year-old expressions.
The single malt from the Isle of Skye is characterized by a spicy, peppery flavor. While it has higher peat content than Islay malt, the character is not as intense as that of the Islay single malt. The flavor is described as “firey,” “salty,” or “salty”. The unique character comes from the malted barley, water, and barrels.
Mortlach distillery
One of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, the Mortlach distillery was founded in 1842. At first, the distillery served as a brewery and church, but in 1851 it resumed production under the brand name The Real John Gordon. In 1923, the distillery was bought by John Walker and Sons, who made several official releases, including Mortlach 12 Year Old Wee Witchie. In 1999, Mortlach was acquired by Diageo. Today, Mortlach distillery produces several official releases as well as an independent line of bottlings.
After Cowie’s father passed away, the distillery was run by his brother Alexander Mitchell. Cowie was a railway surveyor and the mayor of Dufftown. The distillery expanded in 1897, adding six stills to expand its production capacity. The distillery was also built on a railroad siding to connect the distillery with the railway station in Dufftown. Cowie also served as the chairman of the North of Scotland Malt Distiller’s Association.
