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A Dram Fyne Drink
with Ron Henfield
 What’s in a Name?
Let’s begin by knocking an enormous myth on the head! Face up to it all you whisky buffs, there is no such thing as a “Double Malt”...
...only a double measure of a single malt that has been double distilled or triple distilled! In Scotland, just two types of whisky are distilled, Single Malt and Single Grain. As a result, it is from these two different whiskies that blended Scotch, blended grain and vatted or pure malt is derived.
The Basics
Single malt whisky is made entirely from malted barley, yeast and water and is the product of a single distillery. The process of making a single malt whisky can be divided into four main stages: Malting, Mashing, Fermentation & Distillation.
The malted barley is ground into a flour called Grist which is mixed with hot water in a Mash Tun where the starch in the grist is converted into a sugery liquid called Wort. The wort is then held in a Wash Back where yeast is added and after fermentation is complete, the liquid is called Wash. The wash is distilled firstly in an onion-shaped copper pot still call a Wash Still. Then it is distilled for a second time in a similar shaped copper pot still called a Spirit Still. Hence, double distilled.
Single Grain is made from a combination of malted barley and unmalted cereals and is distilled in a “Patent” or “Coffey” still which is a continous production process unlike the production of single malt, which is a batch process. Single grain whiskies make a nice alternative drink to American Bourbons so if you fancy tasting a Single Grain, try the Cameron Brigg.
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Blended whiskies are often cheaper whiskies which are made from a mixture of single malts together with the addition of a single grain whisky. Now called Blended Scotch, they may contain between 15 to 60 different whiskies to achieve consistency and quality of taste. When the blender is happy, the whisky is re-casked in oak barrels for “Marrying” which can take upto six months. The age statement on the label referers to the age of the youngest whisky in the blend.
An exception to the idea that all blended whiskies are cheap and cheerful is the stunning Johnnie Walker Blue. What a fantastic whisky and at £160.00 on the shelf is worth every penny “delicious!” But, for an affordable, excellent blended whisky, try Pigs Nose. Absolutley jam packed with a range of delicious whiskies, it’s a cracking blend!
Finally we have Vatted or Pure Malt whisky which is a blend of single malt whiskies from different distilleries but without the addition of a single grain whisky. New legislation has recently been introduced to simplyfy the name of this whisky to make life easier and it’s now referred to as “Blended Malt” so no confusion there then! If you fancy a dram of the vatted, pure, blended variety then try Monkey Shoulder or Sheep Dip.
The Differences
Whatever style of whisky you find satisfying don’t forget that Scotland has six whisky regions with differing styles between them and within them, so treat your palate to something different from time to time. You might also try taking your dram slightly earlier than last thing at night as well as using whisky to cook with and to accompany a particular dish!! “What! (I hear you say) cooking with whisky and drinking it with a meal, you must be joking!!”
All you need to do folks is try it, and if you match the correct whisky with time of day and dish, you will be delighted!
As lowland whiskies tend to be the lightest and freshest of all the Scottish whiskies, these can be taken as a mid to late summers day afternoon nip or a formal aperitif without fear of spoiling the rest of the day. For a nice whisky around this time of day try a Bladnoch which is a fantastic dram if you are out enjoying a country picnic. Bladnoch has a fresh cut, grassy / hay in the air type tastes, delicious!!
Early evening and a nice AnCnoc (an-ock) from Speyside goes down well about this time of day. This dram is excellent when accompanying a fruit salad, and is an absolute winner for BBQ’s. For a comfortable whisky to compliment a main dinner course, try a Bowmore 15 yr old to really enhance a seafood dish or a 10yr old Edradour for roast dishes “yummy!”
Try adding Bruichladdich (brook-laddy) to a sweet honey sauce when glazing pork or to an orange sauce when preparing duck!! For the Christmas cake, adding a dram or two of Blair Athol in the cream sauce is gorgeous and instead of sherry, why not add an Auchentoshan (Ocken-toshen) Three Woods to the traditional sponge trifle.
Pop into the shop and get the recipe for Chicken Braveheart “what a treat!”
After dinner is where you can really appreciate the magic of single malt whisky. For a treat, try a Glenrothes from the Speyside region; nutty & spicy with heaps of chewy oak and vanilla. Like fine gravy, you just want to dunk your bread in it and mop up the drops, beautiful!
For later in the evening, try Uigeadail (Ooo-gi-darl) from Ardbeg. This is an excellent malt when snuggled up late in the evening during the winter in front of the fire with the curtains closed and its freezing weather outside, “pure comfort in a glass!”
So think on, if you fancy taking a wee sip before 9.00pm then take heart and lose all those guilt feelings whilst you consider that the sun will be up over the yard arm somewhere in the world and how popular you’ve become when inviting guests round for a meal! Happy exploring and experimenting.
“Slainte!”
All the whiskies mentioned above can be found at Mainly Malts in Bawtry, Tel. 01302 714 700 so why not call in for a whisky chat, say hello to Ron and find out more about your favourite dram.
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The Super Seven
Coming in at No.1
Goyenechea, a Merlot Rose from the vineyards of Argentina. A dry rose, with a fruity flavour and a fresh finish, it retails from Taste for £5.99.
Second place
Gran Feudo, a Spanish rose and said to be a perfect accompaniment to pasta, risotto, vegetables, fish and white meat. It retails at Taste for £5.79.
Runners Up
Chateau Carignan (£7.99) from the Bordeaux region of France, Echo Point Cabernet Sangiovese Rose (£6.99) from Australia, Pinot Grigio Ramato (£6.79) from Italy, Torreon de Parades (£6.79) from Chile and finally Willowood (£4.89) from California. |
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