Father’s Day Gift? Time To Know Your Whisky
By Christian Rose-Day (31 May 11)
Tags: Whisky expert Willie Tait offers advice on how to buy Scottish single malt whisky for Dad on Father's Day June 19th 2011
Fluid Edinburgh asked Willie Tait, Master Distiller and Global Brand Ambassador of Jura single malt, to share his top tips and suggestions for making the right single malt whisky choice for Father’s Day.
Fluid Edinburgh: Why buy whisky for Father’s Day?
Willie Tait: Malt whisky is a great present that any father will be glad to receive. Think about how most mother’s feel about getting a bottle of perfume for Mother’s Day and you’re getting close to understanding a guy’s relationship with a fine single malt. There are so many different things to consider when buying your whisky, from the taste and age to the actual variety or region, so it’s worth knowing the basics of choosing a whisky before you pick one that’s right.
Know your varieties
The first thing you should consider is what variety of whisky you’re going to buy. There are five different types: single malt (from one distillery), blended whisky (variety of malts and grain whiskies all blended together), blended malt (a variety of malts from different distilleries), blended grain (a variety of grains from different distilleries) and single grain (again, from one distillery).
Picking a region
Once you’ve chosen your variety, it’s time to think about the region that you’re buying from. We have five whisky regions in Scotland: Highland Malts, Lowland Malts, Islay Malts, Campbeltown Malts and Speyside Malts. Each one possesses different characteristics that will be less or more appealing to your dad’s taste buds.
• Highland malts tend to be fruity and spicy like a Christmas cake. Full bodied!
• Lowland malts are very soft and gentle, hence why they are frequently called the lowland ladies.
• Islay malts are very heavily peated and very much a matter of taste.
• Campbeltown malts contain note of sea weed with hints of fruit.
• Speyside malts are sweet and, again, quite light on the palate.
Does the age of a whisky make a difference?
Age and taste are all in the eye of the beholder. I prefer younger malts as they tell me much more about themselves. For me, 16 to 21-year-old malts are at their best, but remember, it’s all a matter of taste!
Should I take much notice of the kind of cask that a whisky has been matured in?
Casks play such a great part in the maturation. Bourbon casks give a sweet vanilla note with spicy overtones. Sherry casks give fruity nutty notes. American White Oak casks, after a long period of time, provide structure and backbone to a malt.
Starting your love affair with whisky
If you are just starting out drinking malts, then I would suggest a lighter style malt like our very own Jura 10yr old. The malt has lots of different tastes without overpowering the palate.
The rules of drinking whisky
The first rule of drinking whisky is that there aren’t really any ‘rules’. Your way is the best way to serve malt whisky. My way is to add just a little water and then you will see how the water brings out the best in the whisky. I prefer no ice, as ice will only lock in the flavours.
Drinking whisky with your Father’s Day meal
Most people wouldn’t even dream of drinking whisky with their meal. However, I’m a firm believer that malt whisky can match fantastically well with the right foods. Just think of all the different flavours in each whisky! I love pairing a dram with food, so I’ve come up with some food and drink pairings below, using single malts from the Jura distillery, that you might want to try out on Father’s Day.
• Starter - Jura 10 year-old goes superbly well with smoked salmon or any shellfish. Without being too overpowering, this whisky simply loves the sea.
• Main - Many of you will probably opt for some kind of meat-based dish for your main course. Jura 16-year-old is wonderful with any meal, but I particularly love it with venison.
• Dessert - As a lightly peated whisky with hints of smoke and spice, Jura Superstition is the perfect accompaniment to anything with chocolate and orange. Heavenly!
• After dinner - Once you’ve finished your three course meal, what better way to finish off the evening than with some mature cheddar and oatcakes. Jura Prophecy, with its peat smoke, fresh cinnamon and spicy sea spray, liquorice and nutmeg notes make the perfect companion.
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