Welcome to this weeks edition of Scotch Tips

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This is your host Dr. Scotch welcoming you to this weeks Scotch Tip.

This week we are talking about 5 Misconceptions About Scotch Whisky.

I found an interesting post about this subject on http://www.the-feedbag.com. The five misconceptions they mentioned are:

1) Blends are inferior to single-malts. Blends can be incredibly consistent year after year and have the same qualities of your favorite “purebred” single-malts. I prefer single malts to the blends but that is just my preference. Some of the blends are really good and I do enjoy tasting them.

2) Scotch is an after-dinner drink only. I am glad I never heard this because I enjoy a Scotch at any time of the day.

3) You have to love smoky, peaty flavors to appreciate Scotch. Each Scotch has its own taste. If you don't like one try another. You are bound to find a number of them to like. One taste does not fit all.

4) You don't want to dilute the flavors of the better bottles with water or ice. Adding a little water can open up the flavor of the Scotch. I usually don't add water but again that is my own preference. There is noting wrong with adding a little water to your Scotch.

5) The color can tell you a lot about the drink. 95% of all Scotch contains artificial coloring, regardless of quality. Many Scotch drinks have the same color but very different tastes. You are drinking Scotch for its taste not its color.

There are no right or wrong ways to enjoy Scotch. Find out what works for you and enjoy it.

Thanks for listening.
Your comments are always welcome.
And remember A Dram For Life!
Until the next time, this is your host Dr. Scotch saying good bye!

Welcome to this weeks edition of Scotch Tips

Show Notes:

This is Dr. Scotch. I would like to wish you and yours a very happy and safe holiday and New Years. I have decided to take the month of December off. So I am saying good bye until next year. Please enjoy the holidays and be safe.

Until next year,

Good Bye

Thanks for listening.
Your comments are always welcome.
And remember A Dram For Life!
Until the next time, this is your host Dr. Scotch saying good bye!

Welcome to this weeks edition of Scotch Tips

Show Notes:

How to make Scotch. The process of making Scotch has not changed much in the past 100 years. There are 5 basic steps to producing Scotch. And three basic secrets to making Scotch - water, barley and the still shape.

1. Malting. Barley is spread on the malting floor, moistened and allowed to germinate. Once germinated it is dried with forced air or peat. This affects the final taste of the Scotch.

2. Mashing. Now the dry malt is placed into the mash tun and hot water is added. This produces a mixture called the wort. The wort is transferred to the washback made of pine to begin fermentation.

3. Fermentation. This is a mixed fermentation - yeast and bacteria. This creates a unique flavor. Each distillery will have a different mixture of bacteria and therefore different tastes. This creates the "wash".

4. Distillation. The wash is transferred to the spirit still where it is heated to remove impurities. The clear liquid that remains is transferred to casks for maturation.

5. Maturation. Each spirit must be maturation for at least 3 years. The casks also exert an influence on the final taste of the Scotch.

Thanks for listening.
Your comments are always welcome.
And remember A Dram For Life!
Until the next time, this is your host Dr. Scotch saying good bye!