Welcome to this weeks edition of the Scotch Whisky Tips.  I am discussing the Signatory Vintage, an independent bottler of Scotch Whisky.

Signatory Vintage is a product of one of the independent bottlers in Scotland.  Signatory started in 1988 and is a family owned and managed company.

They purchase a single cask of Single Malt Scotch not bottled by the distiller and then bottle it.  The majority of their Scotch bottlings come from single casks.  They do not add color to change the presentation.  Each bottle is labeled with the distillers name, cask number and the bottle number.

They offer collections of cask strength, un-chillfiltered, 86 proof and regional single malts.

In July of 2002 they purchased the smallest distillery in Scotland – Edradour.

I had a chance to try a Signatory Vintage 1989 distilled at Linkwood Distillery on May 30th 1989.  It was aged in sherry cask for not less than 14 years.  Bottled on June 9th 2003.  Cask #3175 and Bottle #624 or 679.

Color:  caramel – gold
Nose:   tart with some peat
Body:  smooth
Palate:  very slight bite, some peat
Finish:  slight bite, smooth and sustained

I find this bottle of scotch to be delightful and easily can be enjoyed after a hard days work.

A Dram For Life!
Dr. Scotch

Listen to the Podcast:

Welcome to Dr. Scotch.

I recently had the opportunity to try 14 year old Clynelish single malt Scotch Whisky. I had to go to New Hampshire to get it but it was worth the trip. Actually I had family business there at the time. But you always want to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.

Clynelish is distilled by the Clynelish Distillery in Brora Sutherland Scotland. It is a coastal highland scotch whisky.

Well I really liked it. It is smooth and only a mild bite. It is slightly fruity with a mild amount of smoke.

As I said, I really like it. If you are looking for a single malt scotch that is easy on the palate but still tasty, try Clynelish 14 year old Scotch. You will like it.

Listen to this Podcast.

A Dram for Life!
Dr. Scotch

 Welcome to the Scotch Whisky News.

 Scotch Whisky has found a new and growing market – the Far East.  Exports are up 17% to this market.  China is one of the largest markets in the Far East.  Their favorite Scotch's are:

    * Chivas Regal
    * Jonnie Walker Black
    * Ballantine's
    * Jonnie Walker Red
    * Old Matisse

This and other factors has lead Jonnie Walker to set a goal of quadrupling sales in three years.  That would make them the largest premium spirits offerings in the world.

Bruichladdich distillery announced the new Lochindaal single malt whisky.  This is a peated whisky.  Here are some representative peating levels for comparison:

    * Bruichladdich – unpeated
    * Port Charlotte – 40ppm
    * Lochindaal – 50+ppm
    * Octomore – 80+ppm

Octomore is the highest peated Scotch Whisky today.

Chivas Regal announced a new premium Scotch Whisky – Chivas Regal 25 Year Old.  They consider this to be the pinnacle of its brand.

Diageo has received permission to build the first new Scotch distillery in 30 years.  It will be located in Roseisle next to an existing Diageo malting plant.  No name as yet.

Remember:

    * Whisky Fest San Francisco – October 23
    * Whisky Fest New York – October 30

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held on March 18th and 19th in San Francisco. There were over 700 spirits entered from 51 countries. Highland Park won the distiller of the year award. The 'best in show whisky' won by the Bowmore Distillery. Here are some of the other awards: Bowmore: Best in show whisky Double Gold, Bowmore 25 years old Double gold, Bowmore darkest 15 years old Silver, Bowmore 16 years old Silver, Bowmore 12 years old Silver, Bowmore Legend Lagavulin Distillery: Double Gold Medal, Lagavulin 16 Year Old Silver Medal, Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Distiller's Edition Caol Ila Distillery: Gold Medal, Caol Ila 18 Year Old Silver Medal, Caol Ila 12 Year Old Silver Medal, Caol Ila 25 Year Old Laphroaig Distillery: Gold Medal, Laphroaig 10 Year Old Gold Medal, Laphroaig 10 Year Old Gold Medal, Laphroaig 30 Year Old Silver Medal, Laphroaig 15 Year Old Silver Medal, Laphroaig 10 Year Old Ardbeg Distillery: Silver Medal, Ardbeg 10 Year Old Silver Medal, Ardbeg 12 Year Old Silver Medal, Ardbeg 17 Year Old Some excellent scotch whiskys won some very high awards. It would really be great to be one of the judges, don't you think? I now have a new shopping list for my scotch store. A Dram for Life! Dr. Scotch

It is said that the art of distilling was discovered somewhere in Asia in approximately 800 B.C. The assumption was that this technique was merely used to make perfumes, however this has been refuted. The method by which the processes found its way to the British Isles is uncertain; however we do know that the Moors brought the art of distilling to Europe. It is believed that the art was then refined in monasteries throughout central Europe. Apparently the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, carried this trade into the monasteries in 432 AD on a Christian mission. Regardless, the Celts did attain the secret eventually and made their water of life that in Gaelic is pronounced “Uisge Beatha”. This simple yet not well-known name is how the scotch whiskey came to be, as Uisge means whiskey. The millstone year for whiskey in history would have to be 1494 as a Sir Friar John Cor of Scotland ordered eight bolls of malt. It was reportedly to be used for aqua vitae which is the first accountable proof of production of whiskey in Scotland. The skill of distilling soon left the monasteries for the farms where just about everyone was making whiskey up until about 1820 this is when the government decided they were going to shut down personal and private distilleries making them illegal. The rough and sometimes brutal taste differs greatly from today. It was not until the eighteenth century that it was discovered that with aging came a mellower brew. The findings of the aging process was practically tripped upon when an old cask long forgotten was found full of the good stuff. The uniting of the two parliaments one from England and one from Scotland in the year 1707 is what drew into effect the Union Act. Realizing that it would pay off for both sides, they came up with an unheard of plan for making the malt. By the year 1725 the English malt tax was forged however not without bloodshed. At this time every second bottle of malt distilled in Scotland was of the illegal kind due to roving excise men, illicit distilleries, and the fashion of smuggling. In 1820’s much trouble arose in the form of crime and tough taxing policies which eventually became completely unmanageable. To solve the problem, the government ordered the Excise Act which allowed the government to track which distilleries were legal and those which were not by using labels. Whisky started out as a product for the British market in the 1820s, but today it has become a drink that is appreciated and loved around the world. Much of this incredible development is the result of the introduction of blended whisky. Even today approximately 90 percent of all whisky that is produced in Scotland is used in blended whisky. However the interest of single malt whisky has increased in recent years and this development is likely to continue. A Dram for Life! Dr. Scotch

There is no true rule of thumb when drinking scotch whisky but there are a few things to keep in mind to make the experience a lot more enjoyable. It should be pointed out that if the general rule of thumb is not observed there is still no reason not to enjoy this wonderful spirit.

You should never put ice in a great dram as it kills the taste and aroma, however, some do prefer it this way.

When purchasing great malt the price, like many things, will indeed reflect the quality you get since with scotch, you tend to get what you pay for. There are a variety of alcohols available for a cheap price in which you can get a buzz, however, fine scotch should be sipped and enjoyed.

Good malt is not an appropriate mate for a mixing party and does not really take kindly to a soda. It tastes much better with simple bottled water. The best pairing with great malt would be of the mineral water variety bottled water is tolerated by malt without hesitation.

At 40-60% alcohol, whisky is indeed a strong spirit and will definitely get the attention of the less than experienced in drinking it. Throwing in a dash of mineral water will soften the blow so to speak and calm its aggressive nature. The term “the whisky will open itself” is in reference to the aroma being released when water is added so a few drops will surely bring even the most experienced of malt drinkers to bliss.

The wonderful thing about cask strength is that at approximately 60% alcohol per volume rate, this is one strong drink in turn allowing the drinker to tone it down to an appropriate alcohol level to suit personal taste making this an ideal drink to customize.

The makers of these fine spirits advise that you take a small mouthful and hold it in your mouth swish it around your tongue giving it time to settle. Only then will you get the true nature of this fine malt.

Finally, after a swallow, it is said that you can get a good read on the maturity of the malt by how long it stays with you in you mouth.

A Dram for Life!
Dr. Scotch