I like to think that the cause of the historically established whisky bubble/bust cycle is twofold. One, the law of supply and demand coupled with the lengthy aging process of whisky. Two, the capriciousness of public opinion and global taste trends.
Around this time of year I get a lot of emails from people asking for gift suggestions. So, I’ve worked up a handy little chart for anyone who wants to gift something “slightly better” than last year’s gift.
…that makes it my “desert island” whisky book, and the one I would recommend anchor any whisky lover’s library. If Dave Broom’s World Atlas of Whisky were a dram, I would definitely award it with a “Must Have” rating.
Whisky enthusiasts are easy to buy for. Most of us are happy to try a new and unfamiliar Scotch, and will be enthused to drain the bottle even if it doesn’t become a new favorite. Here are my top 10 suggestions for giving whisky gifts in 2012.
There are a slew a wine-rating apps on the iOS App Store, but not so many whisky-rating apps. WhiskyMe provides a whisky tasting notebook in your pocket with several very nice features, and room to grow.
Some discussion of white dog / new make / moonshine, comparison to aged whisky, and a tasting of Buffalo Trace White Dog (wheated mash), and Onyx Moonshine.
Bourbon, although on the face of it a simple drink made only of corn, grains, water, yeast, oak, and time, it still has more capacity confuse than the ancient and (to some) arcane system of nomenclature used in Scotch distribution.
A Liqueur is a spirit base (whether vodka, rum, whisky, neutral grain spirit, or whatever else) flavored with natural (or unnatural?) flavorings like nuts, herbs, spices, and especially sugar. Liqueurs form the sweetener of a great many classic cocktails, and add interesting flavors to new, inventive drinks. A whisky liqueur is, simply, any sweetened or flavored spirit that starts with a whisky (or whiskey) base. Whisky liqueurs are really meant for mixing, and I doubt anyone would recommend drinking them neat at room temperature.
Pretension is a big part of the luxury spirits industry. A lot of money is made on pretension. I think if we all drank our fine whiskies with more attention to the enjoyment of the drink, instead of the pretension attached to it, we’d all be a little less stressed-out.
Some ramblings about my early drinking days and the path that led me to scotch.