Debunking Scotch Whisky’s Most Notorious Myths

Distilled in Scotland because the 1400s, Scotch whisky is without doubt one of the world’s most enduring and iconic spirits. There’s such romanticism and mythos that encompass the “water of life” that it could possibly create a fractured narrative. Misinformation fosters confusion, which might make scotch intimidating and trigger some folks to keep away from the class.

“Loads of the myths are a product of snobbery coming from older males,” says Mitch Bechard, a whisky entrepreneur and guide based mostly in Aberdeen, Scotland. “This type of snobbery goes again a few generations in Scotland, and it’s all [garbage].”

In an effort to make one of many world’s most interesting spirits extra approachable and fewer pretentious, listed here are probably the most outstanding myths regarding scotch, debunked.

Fable #1: All scotch are smoky peat bombs

For many individuals, burly, closely peated expressions that style like bonfires outline scotch. But it represents solely a sliver of this wealthy and diversified class.

“It’s a specific model of single malt Scotch whisky,” says Rory Glasgow, nationwide model ambassador for The Glendronach, Benriach, and Glenglassaugh single malt scotch manufacturers. “It simply occurs to be a mode that’s liked by some and loathed by others.”

There are 5 conventional scotch-producing areas in Scotland. The smoke bombs are produced virtually solely within the Islay area, a small island simply off Scotland’s west coast. The opposite 4 areas don’t lean into peat like Islay, which permits fruity and spicy notes to rise to the floor. Some bottles skip peat completely, which leads to scotches bearing aggressive tropical fruit flavors.

Fable #2: Blended scotch is inferior to single malt

Blended scotch has lengthy been seen as boring, mass-produced whisky that lacks distinct character. Journalists could have helped to perpetuate this mindset, however there are different components at play.

“Johnnie Walker is the primary scotch many individuals have, and it’s a smoky, blended scotch,” says Bechard. “Individuals could assume that they don’t like blends based mostly on that preliminary expertise.”

Nevertheless, a correctly blended scotch could be incredible. The cautious mixture of meticulously ratioed whiskies can type distinctive and complicated taste expressions that may stand as much as their single malt counterparts. Some nonetheless cling to this fable about blended scotch, however some knowledgeable lovers know higher. The blends from Compass Field Whisky, for instance, are extremely coveted by scotch aficionados.

Fable #3: The older the scotch, the higher

The age displayed on a scotch bottle isn’t a definitive image of superiority. The quantity represents how lengthy the whisky matured inside a barrel, however there are different components that have an effect on how a scotch evolves. 

A outstanding fruity notice in a 12-year expression might rework right into a faint whisper in its 18th 12 months. This may be disappointing for many who love that fruity notice. Conversely, those that drink the older stuff solely could miss out on a brisker expression that’s not as formed by barrel affect. 

“Age is however a quantity,” says Glasgow. “A single malt whisky can produce whiskies of all kinds of taste profiles and high quality over its years.”

Fable #4: Scotch doesn’t belong in a cocktail

The Penicillin, Rusty Nail, Rob Roy, and Blood & Sand are all famed cocktails recognized for his or her scotch whisky base. Blended scotches and peaty single malts work significantly effectively, because the cocktail’s different components stability out the scotch’s extra aggressive qualities. Cocktails that characteristic scotch don’t necessitate that you just sacrifice the “good things,” both. There are many reasonably priced scotches in the marketplace that make strong additions to anybody’s dwelling bar.

Fable #5: Solely components from Scotland are allowed in scotch

Strict guidelines encompass scotch distillation, one in every of which dictates that the whisky should be distilled from 100% barley. Nevertheless, these guidelines don’t specify the place to get the barley.

The casks that maintain the whisky additionally typically come from exterior of Scotland.

“Our casks are sourced from the world over,” says Glasgow. “A lot of the oak will come from America, with some coming from Continental Europe and small quantities from Japan.”

Fable #6: Scotch is not for these simply stepping into whiskey

This concept stems partially from the gatekeeping typically evident amongst lovers again within the day.

“At first of my profession, I used to be a younger lad talking to those older boys, they usually all needed to flex their data of scotch,” says Bechard. “In addition they tended to look down at ladies once they talked. Scotch was [considered] a person’s drink for a person’s world.”

Scotch is a spirit for all (who’re of age) to expertise, study, and revel in. All it takes is to search out an entry level into the class. As soon as that occurs, all of those myths received’t matter.