Whiskey, Whisky, Uisce Beatha?
by Andy Mills, Bar Manager Life Cafe 983
Once upon a time, there was a powerful magician. This magician focused all the power he could muster into one magical act; the creation of usquebaugh (the water of life), today known as whiskey to some and whisky to others. The spelling of the word is a perfect demonstration of how different this stuff can be. "What's it made from?" you ask. Anything from malted barley, wheat, rye, corn and more. This fact is only the beginning of the versatility of whiskeys or whiskies. Distilleries age whiskey for different time periods, in different sized barrels made from different types of wood. They even dry the malted grains differently. Some traditional Scottish distilleries use peat moss fires to dry the stuff. Believe me, this makes a world of difference. Then, hell, they may even blend many different barrels from many different distilleries to get a particular whisky the way that it was intended to be. Johnnie Walker is a perfect example of this. The big boys, however, tend to not play these games. They give you the real deal. The single malt whisky, always expensive, usually worth the price, is a more complex, intense and usually awe inspiring drinking experience.
I took on the effort of trying to offer examples of the different flavours and textures of these amazing spirits at the cafe. I am now offering whisk(e)y flights. I have one from Scotland, and one from Kentucky, each includes three different pours of 3 of my favorite examples from the particular regions.
Scotland includes:
Caol Ila 12yr Single Malt - From Islay (Island off the coast of Scotland)
- Tastes like the island (in a good way). Light in color, brilliantly complex. Perfect balance between peat and barrel. Must try. (My favorite distillery) ;)
Talisker 10yr Single Malt - From the Ilse of Skye (also off the Scottish mainland)
- Definitely a little spicy this one here. Very medicinal, very good. This guy one the 2008 Single Malt Whisky of the Year 12yr and under award.
Laphroaig 10yr Single Malt - Also from Islay
- This is an example of the peaty side of things. I guess if I had to describe what a "peaty" scotch was, I would make you drink this very good example.
Kentucky includes:
Basil Hayden's - Small Batch Bourbon Collection
- Aged 8 years, this is one of the smoothest bourbons there is. Amazingly delicate and light bodied.
Knob creek - Another one from the Small Batch Bourbon Collection
- Aged 9 years, this is an example of an "over-proofed", meaning more alcohol, bourbon. Still surprisingly smooth, it's got a nice vanilla spice to balance out the rye it's distilled from.
Woodford Reserve
- Aged 6 years, it tastes like the wood it was aged in. This is an incredibly "woody" take on bourbon topped off with a nice sweetness.
