What if I told you that so much of what you might think is “Japanese whisky” is outright fake? And for what’s actually legitimate, why is it worth so much? How did we get here? I do my best to give you a solid primer.
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Spirit Education
You might have heard me mention this from time to time in other reviews. After some thought, I figured the term deserved some additional explanation and examination.
You wouldn’t believe how unforgiving a three-ingredient cocktail can be to make. However, the sidecar is worth experimenting with: not only is it tasty, but it’s a great teacher. Let’s learn from my mistakes.
You might’ve seen a tasting note on the side of a bottle (or even here on this site) and thought, “Boy, that’s weird.” I’ll make the case for why weird stuff can be enjoyable.
Ever been at a point where the more you try, the less you seem to know? If you’re bored with what you’re drinking, I might have some insight. (Bourbon drinkers, click here.)
Standardization often results in beloved products no stranger to the shelf. That said, it’s not all sunshine and roses.
A lesser-known scotch distillery that's got a bona-fide "thing." Let's learn what makes it more interesting than most!
Scotch, bourbon, and cognac all have their place on the pedestal. Rum has been dragging its heels. Let's explore why that might be.
A kickoff of a larger series designed to talk about the elements in your spirits that make them taste the way we do. Today, we start with peat, which to many is synonymous with scotch itself.
To spoil the ending: no. However, a specific whiskey you enjoy today may not be around tomorrow, or at least around at the same price. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.
Collecting and trying new things is fun. However, you may find that you buy more bottles then you actually drink, and then WHAM: home bar. And there's a psychological reason for it, y'know.
The second of a three-part run down on Independent Bottlings, or "IBs" for those in the know. Should you get them? Yes.
The first of a planned three-parter. You might not have ever heard of an Independent Bottling, or might have seen one out of the corner of your eye, unsure of what it was. Let's crack into the "what" for today before we talk about the "why" later.
It is true that a good bottle of anything doesn't necessarily go hand-in-hand with the amount you spend. However, there are a few things I come to expect as I begin to spend progressively more money on any individual product.
Investing in old and rare whisky is becoming more common. However, the difference between whisky and other investment instruments is that you're not likely to drink your T-bills, stocks, or collectible coins.
Most of us know what you mean when you say "smooth." However, you won't find it as a serious descriptive term here and anywhere beyond ad copy. Let's dig into why that is.
Sometimes it's hard to actually smell spirits the way you're "supposed to," and you end up with a straight blast of ethanol to the nostrils for all your good intentions. If that sounds like you, help is on the way.
As you continue to read about whiskey, you're bound to run across these three terms. Are they important? Yes. Are they what necessarily define a good product? Not necessarily, I argue.
Truth be told, there's no single answer, and be wary of anyone who tells you otherwise. You can pour Talisker 25 into a big cup of Sunny Delight if that's how you enjoy it best. However, there are a few things I've learned.
People ask all the time how to venture down the rabbit hole of spirits with a minimum of time and energy. While it will take money and time to discover what you like, there are a few hacks to the process.