by Eugen Beduhn What are the most legendary Scotch Single Malts Whiskies? This is the question we at Elegant-Lifestyle decided to research for this month’s Special Feature. A Scottish single malt whisky (spelled whiskey in the US) is the older, rarer and often more expensive relative to a blended whisky. Blended whiskies are not produced and matured from one single malt (and grain) only, but are blended from a number of different whiskies, hence the name ‘blended’. On the market blended whiskies are sold at quantities 20 times as much as the more exclusive single malt whiskies. Single malt whiskies originate in Scotland and there is the additional differentiation between Lowland, Highland and Island Whiskies. So single malt whiskies are produced in all regions in Scotland - from North to South. Regional origin also indicates the peatiness of a whisky. How is highly peated whisky produced? The peated taste of the whisky is a direct result of grain being roasted over peat. Peated whiskies are usually produced on the islands in the North of Scotland. Due to their peatiness, there is a burning sensation when drinking them. At least this is the case
with all peated whiskies that are younger than 17 years. The more a peated
whisky matures the softer the taste. Scotch whisky needs to be matured
for at least 3 years before it is legally allowed to called itself a ‘Scotch
Whisky’. Single malt Scotch whiskies are normally matured for a minimum
of 7 to 12 years - in wooden casks of various origin. However, the age
of a single malt can easily be 20, 30, 40 years or more. The process of
maturing does of course reduced the liquid. The part which evaporates over
the years is called ‘the Angels' Share’ and this can be up to more than
half of a very old vintage Scotch. The casks, which are made out of wood,
give the whisky the taste of the wood they are made of. Some whisky producers
also use old Sherry, Port or Madeira casks to give their single malts special
taste and character. Elegant-Lifestyle will give you an overview of the
most legendary Scotch single malt whiskies, that are still available these
days.
The Balvenie
The Balvenie is a unique
range of single malts created by David Stewart, the Balvenie Malt Master
for over 20 years. His expertise in maturation has enabled him to use different
types of oak cask, and the Balvenie Single Malt at different ages, to create
the Balvenie range of single malts. Each expression of the Balvenie has
a distinctively individual taste, but each is underpinned by a rich honeyed
character. The casks used to mature the Balvenie range of single malts
come from various parts of the world: bourbon barrels of American oak;
butts made of European oak brought from the bodegas of Spain, in which
rich Oloroso sherries have matured. Also port pipes originating from Portugal
are used, where they have spent years storing fine port wines. The Balvenie
Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a classic 10 Year Old single
malt which results from a marriage of the Balvenie matured in American
bourbon casks with that matured in Spanish sherry casks.
Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich Special
Reserve 12 Year Old is the world's most popular single malt. The quality
of Glenfiddich Special Reserve has been sustained by never compromising
the traditional standards of production. Glenfiddich is the only Highland
single malt to be distilled, matured and bottled at its own distillery.
In comparison, Glenfiddich 30 Year Old is a luxurious and rare single malt.
It has a complexity of fragrances and flavour. A refined pleasure, ideal
for celebrations and treating appreciative friends, it is best enjoyed
later in the evening. Glenfiddich Thirty Year Old appeals to malt whisky
drinkers who appreciate excellent quality and the finer things in life.
One of the most prestigious and expensive whiskies, it is only available
in limited quantities.
Glengoyne
Glengoyne dries its barley using only air as opposed to a pungent peat smoke like all other single malt whiskies. This results in a subtle, complex whisky in which all the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves. Glengoyne is a clear bright, exceptionally smooth malt whisky characterized by hints of oak and apple with a long, clean finish. One third of the production is matured in sherry casks. There are the Glengoyne 10 Years Old (medium golden tones, clear and bright colour, a nose of rich malt aroma with hints of oak, apple and sherry), the Glengoyne 12 Years Old for export only and the Glengoyne 21 Years Old (dark golden colour and mature oak with rich apple fruitiness nose). The Glenlivet
Whenever George IV was in Scotland, he insisted on calling for the Glenlivet whisky from the Lowlands. The kings preference brought high approval of the Glenlivet whisky, already established as the most treasured of all Highland whiskies. After 8122, the Duke of Gordon’s first licence was granted to George Smith for the Glenlivet - the only whisky entitled to call itself The Glenlivet. By 1834, the Government troops had cleared the illegal distillers out of the Glenlivet and Smith was the only distiller left in the glen most renowned for whisky production, for many the the benchmark of fine malt whisky. The pioneering spirit runs through the history of the Glenlivet and is as true today as it was then, epitomized by the recent introductions of the unique French Oak Finish, the award winning the Glenlivet 18 year old and the Glenlivet Cellar Collection. The Glenlivet 12 Year Old exhibits the delicacy and softness that typifies the region's whiskies. A perfectly rich balance of sweetness, floral fragrance and fruitiness that the Glenlivet develops through more than 12 years of patient ageing in oak casks. The essential ingredients - pure soft, natural water from Josies's Well and the finest barley and yeast is all you'll find in the Glenlivet. The Glenlivet Archive Aged 21 years is the distilleries most exceptional casks are set aside over the years by each Distillery manager in the 'Archive'. There the chosen casks mature to perfection, achieving an elegance that only a privileged few have the opportunity to appreciate. All aged for a minimum 21 years, some for many more. Glenmorangie
In all that time, despite the occasional temptation to shed age-old customs in favour of fashionable or more cost-effective practices, the processes used to create Glenmorangie have altered hardly at all. Glenmorangie Ten Years Old is matured for ten years in oak barrels in the warehouses of the distillery up at Tain this malt gives you an overall impression that's both refined and fresh. The fragrance light and delicate, the flavour well balanced with traces of honeywood and nuts. Glenmorangie 18 Years Old is a superb after dinner dram and the feel is smooth and silky. The taste is fine, fully flavoured and subtle. There are different varieties of Glenmorangies matured in old Sherry, Port or Madeira casks. Glenturret
Glenturret has a broad range of year to offer from 8, 12, 15, 21, 25 years old as well as many vintage bottling, most of which you can directly order on their website. The 12 Years Old Glenturret has got a pale, slightly green tinge appearance and a dry, malty aroma, which has hints of wood. The flavour is malty with a hinge of nuts and vanilla and has a dry finish. This is opposed to the 25 Years Old Glenturret, which has a much more golden and amber colour, from the two and a half decades of maturing. This also lead to a much more richer and scented, with a hint of sherry in the aftertaste from the maturation in sherry casks. Highland Park
Highland Park continues to
malt its own barley using the traditional floor malting method and to kiln
dry the 'green' malt using peat cut from its own moorlands. That's why,
at Highland Park, you can still see and smell smoke wafting from its pagoda-style
chimneys. Highland Park 25 Years Old is an outstanding cask strength malt
whisky: here, the very essence of Orkney is distilled - the peat, the sea
breezes, the heather-honey. These are allowed to mature until it has reached
an unqualified perfection. There's an exceptional finesse to the 25 year
old with additional dimensions of malty toffee, fudge and chocolate enriching
the heather-honey sweetness and aromatic smoky peatiness.
Laphroaig
The award winning family of Laphroaig Whiskies ranges from the rich, pungent 10 Years Old to the smooth and exceptionally rare 30 Years Old. You can sense 200 years of loving care distilled into every bottle, for at Laphroaig there are no half measures. And there is the Laphroaig 40 Years Old, made on the 14th March 1960, this piece of Laphroaig history was then laid to rest in the No 1 Warehouse for its 40 year sleep and it remained there, undisturbed, until now. Generally, Laphroaig has a smoky, seaweady and peaty nose, an medium and oily body and a dry and lingering finish – it is said to be nothing for the faint-hearted, but for people who can stand rough waters, such as the people living on Laphroaig. The Macallan
The Macallan 7 Years Old is widely available in Italy and is typically consumed as a mixed drink. The preference in Italy is for younger, fragrant and vibrant malts for regular consumption. For the rest of the continent and Britain the 12 Years old is the best bet to start to get to know the Macallan, which has a deep amber colour and a nose of sherry and butterscotch. The taste is fruits and sherry with a hint of wood. Quintessentially of classic Macallan pedigree, The Macallan 30 Years Old reveals hints of citrus orange and aromatic resin drawn from the enveloping depths of The Macallan's bespoke oak sherry casks from Spain. In these casks the luscious spirit has quietly matured, sheltered from the tumultuous events of the passing decades. It has a deep mahogany colour and a nose of sherry with aromatic cloves, hints of orange, nutmeg and subtle wood. © 2005 Elegant-Lifestyle
Ltd. All rights reserved.
|