Patrick announced recently that he would like me to acquire a taste for Scotch and whisky. Although I can appreciate a great drink to be savored, I have always had a hard time even getting the best Scotches down without a shiver.
To start our project, we headed to one of our favorite Wine and Spirit stores, Lincolnwood Wine and Spirits. I chose a nice dry rose for the night and Patrick started chatting up the clerk for a recommendation. The clerk was great, he knew his stuff and he pulled out a case full of unfinished Scotches and whiskies for us to sample before we bought (I love the try before you buy mentality!). We tried a few, and finally settled with...
#1 Tamdhu
Tamdhu is a single malt Scotch whisky and a Spayside whisky distillery located in Knockando, in Banffshire, Scotland. It is appropriate that our first Scotch be a true single malt Scotch I think, since my new name Stiff, is Scottish. The distillery was founded in 1897 and sadly, was due to close in April 2010. We tried Tamdhu on the rocks the first night and straight up the second night. It was not a very peaty Scotch, just had a yummy, cozy smokiness to it. We really enjoyed it.
After Tamdhu, I definitely started warming up to Scotch and was ready to try more! From here on out, here are the others we added to our repertoire:
#2 The MacPhail's Collection Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bunnahabhain Distillery
This Scotch comes from Gordon and MacPhail, a business that was originally established as a grocery store and has existed in Elgin, in the Spayside region in Scotland since 1895. The Spayside region has the largest number of distilleries in Scotland. Gordon and MacPhail buy their Scotch from distilleries in other regions of Scotland and then age them themselves in barrels of their choosing until they are at their absolute peak and best. This particular Scotch comes from the Bunnahabhain Distillery on the north side of the island of Islay, off of the West coast of Scotland. Distilleries on the Northeast side of the island tend to be more mild and less "peaty" or smoky, than those from the Southeastern side of the island. The Bunnahabhain Distillery is on that Northeast side, and is therefore less smoky. I was really excited about this one because the story surrounding it was so interesting. It has a yummy caramel flavor and includes a light smokiness. We loved it.
#3 Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Two experienced distillers in the ancient town of Forres in the Speyside region of Scotland craft Benromach using only the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water. It is ensured that the highest quality spirit is filled into oak casks to mature to perfection. Benromach is golden in color and mellow, with a slight peat and saltiness.
