Category: The Whiskey Express

Should you take a break from whiskey?

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Should you take a break from whiskey banner

If you’re here, you enjoy the occasional glass of whiskey; enjoying the flavours, complexity, and company you’re drinking with. But alcohol does have a more uncomfortable side too. It is unfortunately addictive and we have to look after each other.

There are warning signs you should look for but taking a break from the amber spirit also has benefits, even if you don’t have a dependence issue.

Good reasons for taking a whiskey break

While there are many uncomfortable reasons to take a break from whiskey, there are some good ones too.

Reset the palate

We love exploring the complexities of whiskey, finding the flavors that tickle our senses and take us on a journey. However, if you’re drinking whiskey more regularly, you can get a form of flavour-blindness. You start struggling to differentiate between whiskies or find new flavours in new or old bottles.

Taking a break from whisky will also give your palate time to rest and your brain gets a break from searching for something new. You might realize that the first whiskey you pour after a short break will taste like the first time you had it.

Wellness goals

If you’re somebody who enjoys whiskey but wants to lose some weight or become more active, taking a break from drinking is a good idea.

Besides consuming more calories in the form of drinks, having a buzz can also make you eat more, especially more palatable food which usually has many more calories than usual. Alcohol also stunts your metabolism, forcing your body to store fat instead of using carbohydrates for energy.

Give yourself a break until you reach some health goals, and you might appreciate your next pour a lot more.

Going on a trip

When we go on holiday, we want to enjoy ourselves with drinks and delicious food. We want to appreciate what we consume and maybe you’re going on a distillery tour.

Well, just like resetting your palate, taking a break from whiskey for a week or two before a holiday or whiskey tour will help you appreciate the experience you’ll have with family or friends.

Bad reasons for taking a whiskey break

Now, let’s understand the more uncomfortable reasons for taking a whiskey break. As we mentioned, it’s easy to build an alcohol dependence and we need to be vigilant about it. There are warning signs that you might be developing a dependence or addiction that you and the people around you will notice.

Drinking more often

Are you starting to drink more every weekend? Or are you starting to drink earlier in the week? We all understand that life can be stressful, but finding “relaxation” in whiskey is not the healthy route.

Most of us will have a drink or two on the weekend, but if you’re finding yourself wanting a drink earlier in the week, you might want to rethink why you’re having a pour. When you start thinking about what you’re going to drink while still at work or pouring a drink earlier in the day, this is a warning sign that you’re experiencing dependence.

Alcohol does help us relax a bit, but it’s not a healthy way of unwinding on a more regular basis.

Drinking alone more often

We don’t all live with a family or have family members that drink whisky.  

Finding yourself not only drinking more often but drinking alone is a warning sign to be wary of. One of the more fun whiskey experiences is having a drink or two with company, having a chat about the whiskey in the glass, or life in general. But if you’re starting to drink more often with your thoughts, you might want to take note of the frequency.

Drinking earlier in the day

Work is stressful and days are long, but starting to pour a drink to relax earlier in the day could be a warning sign for dependence. Maybe you’re pouring a drink as soon as you get home or you have “desk whiskey” at work, you might want to start setting some ground rules for when you’re having a drink.

It’s hard to stop

Most of us enjoy having some whiskies with friends, but what if you just want to keep the party going?

If you’re starting to drink more as everybody else slows down, you might want to rethink your drinking habits. Some people can have one drink and let it go but if you have to have another and somebody slows you down, you might need to take a break.

Financial burden

We all love being on the whiskey journey. We buy new bottles to explore and have some regular favourites we always want on the shelf. However, it’s not the cheapest hobby to have.

If you’re tarting to have less in the bank at the end of the month or the shelf is getting a bit small for your bottles, start rethinking the hobby.  Take a break from buying anything for a while, slowly going through what you already own.

Set yourself a budget, be it for the whole month or what you’re spending per bottle. There are apps to help you track the number of bottles you’re buying and how often you finish them.

Comments from loved ones

The people around you care about your well-being. They notice your habits and how you act towards others.  Whiskey has a way of changing our mood but alcohol affects us all differently.

If your loved ones are commenting and hinting at your mood when you’re drinking or telling you to slow down, you should listen to them. Maybe your spouse or friends are commenting on the number of bottles you’re buying, worrying about the financial burden. They care about your well-being and want you to be happy, so listen to their advice and start taking a break or looking for help.

How to take a break

Whether you need to take a break or not, it’s important to set some goals where you actively take a break. The length of time will depend on how you feel during and at the end.

A quarterly dry week

Some whiskey communities have a quarterly Dry Week. Every three months, taking a week off from drinking any alcohol can help reset your palette but also give you time to reflect on how often you usually have a drink.

Dry month

Some people take off from drinking in January, labeling it as Dry January. January is when everybody sets New Year’s resolutions, giving themselves time to reflect on their health, going to the gym more often, and just taking care of themselves. It’s the perfect time to refresh after the holidays and reflect on your relationship with alcohol. January is also a long month financially because most of us get paid earlier in December before the holidays.

A good way to figure out if the break is long enough is when you’re not thinking of drinking anymore. If you’re still craving a drink after a month, you might want to look for some help. For others, the month of January is just enough time to start feeling great from being more active and not drinking at all. That is fine too.

Do you need help?

A week should be enough for most people to reflect and reset but if you’re finding that challenging, you might need some help. If you’re taking on the Dry January challenge or something similar, take note of how you feel during the day and how often you think about alcohol. If you write them down and find a trend, ask for help.

Where can you find help?

AA: Almost every country has some form of alcoholics anonymous group to help you reevaluate your relationship with alcohol.

Addiction clinics: There are clinics and retreats for those who want to deal with addiction. If you’re able, you can join them voluntarily. If you’re being sent there by your family or something like a court system, you should know how serious it is and agree to find help.

Community groups: Whether you find a group through official institutions or via social media, there’s always a group of people near you set up to talk about a potential or official dependence. These groups can be run by counselors and professionals who are there to help you recover.

Therapy: Have you or loved ones noticed your alcohol dependence? If you agree, finding yourself a therapist to help is an important step towards recovery.

Enjoy the break

The whiskey journey is fun especially when you’re part of a community that enjoys exploring whiskey to its finest details. However, there are warning signs for when it potentially becomes a problem.

Enjoy your whisky but take some planned breaks to rest and reset. If you see any of the warning signs, there’s always help available.

7 Whisky glasses you should know about

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Are you choosing the right whisky glass

Whisky may have originated from the British Isles, mostly Ireland and Scotland but it is an iconic spirit enjoyed around the globe. Because whisky is now made and enjoyed so widely, everybody has their favourite style and way of drinking it. One of the most basic but important choices people will make is the glass they’re drinking from.

Each whiskey glass has its own story and everybody has a reason for drinking out of their preferred glass. There are many types of glassware to drink whisky out of but you could narrow it down to seven basic shapes.

The Rocks Glass

Also known as the tumbler or lowball glass, this is the one most casual whisky drinkers will know about.

The rocks glass originates from Ireland and Scotland where whisky was originally made but they weren’t made from glass. Alcohol was drunk from a quaich “quake” which was more of a drinking bowl with handles on the sides.

High-class individuals used to engrave their glasses with their family crests which is still done today. This trend is still popular with all kinds of brand engravings and beautiful imageg, no matter the material they’re made of.

whisky being poured into a rocks glass with ice
Do you like having your whisky on the rocks?

The rocks glass is named as such because it’s one of the best glasses to enjoy your whiskey with one or a few blocks of ice. It’s also short and flat, which makes it look like there’s more in the glass which is more appealing. It’s also not going to be knocked over. It’s also called an “Old Fashioned” glass because it’s used to make the classic cocktail which has few ingredients but makes the glass look full and the drink appetizing.

The tumbler is seen as a high-end but inexpensive whisky glass, making it the perfect all-rounder, no matter your financial situation.

The Highball glass

The tall rocks glass, the highball has its origins in the USA on trains and at golf clubs. It may still have originated from Irish settlers.  The highball is a tall rocks glass but they can be narrow, wide, very tall and shorter.

This glass is more commonly used from all kinds of cocktails, especially when more ice and mixer is included. The layers of ingredients and garnish shine with this style of glass.

Highball glass whisky cocktail
Do you like your whisky as part of a tall cocktail?

Here are 6 more things you didn’t know about whiskey

Bulbed glasses

If you want to drink your whisky neat, a bulbed glass is going to be your best bet. These styles of glasses were originally used by spirit makers, especially whiskey. This is because the bulb at the bottom of the glass captures the aromas in the middle and most of the alcohol harshness is pushed to the edges. The aromas are then funneled to the top of the glass and opens at the top. This is where you’ll spend your time smelling the whisky, exploring each aroma and finding the notes that tickle your fancy.

The Glencairn

The Glencairn was developed in the 1980s by whisky makers in Scotland and is based on the nosing cupita.

The glass has the classic bulb shape and opens slightly at the top to help you smell and capture the aromas. It has a short stem used to hold the glass so that your hands don’t warm the liquid too much.

The Belvenie whisky barrel and Glencairns
Do you like a neat pour of whisky in the classic Glencairn?

Whenever you see whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs enjoying whisky, this is going to be the most popular glass.

Canadian Glencairn

Similar to the original Glencairn made by Glencairn Crystal Ltd, the Canadian Glencairn is often slightly smaller and has no stem but a thicker bottom.

Whisky poured into Canadian glencairn glasses
Do you like a stemless Canadian Glencairn to explore your whisky?

The Cupita

The cupita, also known as a “shooner”, snifter or sherry glass is made for aromatic alcoholic beverages, such as sherry, port, aperitifs, and liqueurs. It looks very similar to a Glencairn but with a longer stem, similar to a champaign or wine glass.

The bulb shape can also look very similar to a Glencairn but can often be narrower.

This glass is most widely used by whisky makers due to the aromas being captured in the middle of the glass and pushed to the top for inspection.

Cupita glass with whisky
The old-school cupita looks great and is still used by whisky makers.

These bulbed glasses can be made relatively cheaply with ordinary glass or from more expensive crystal with various different shapes and decorations.

The Snifter

The snifter looks like a Glencairn and a whine glass had a baby. It’s got a short stem with a wide bottom. The bulb is short and wide giving more space for the aromas to meld together.

A cognac glass is also perfect for whisky
Let’s get super fancy with some crystal snifter glasses

The glass comes in smaller shapes but a larger version will look like a classic Cognac glass. They are also often made with more expensive crystal and beautiful shapes.

It’s another glass that’s perfect for neat pours but looks even fancier.

The Neat Glass

The neat glass is a very short bulbed glass but usually only has space for a single pour of whisky. The bulb is very short with the rim opening up relatively wide. It looks like a Glencairn was almost flattened. 

It’s a short glass that is perfect for tastings because they’re easy to measure small pours while having all of the benefits of the bulbed shapes like a Glencairn.

Whether you like your whisky neat, on the rocks or as part of a cocktail, your choice of glass will make a big difference.
Do you like it neat or on the rocks?

Do you spell it as whisky or whiskey? Read HERE!

Which glass is for you?

The first rule of whisky is that the best whisky is the whisky you like to drink, the way you like to drink it, as per the Whiskey Tribe. It means you should enjoy the whisky you like, whether it’s in a different glass, on ice or with mixers like cocktails.

If you are looking for a more casual drinking vessel that’s not just great for different pours but looks great and feels comfortable in your hands, it’s the rocks glass. If you prefer cocktails, you might like a coup glass or the highball.

When you want to enjoy whisky in its purist form, exploring the aromas and flavours, and maybe adding a drop of water, you would probably prefer the Glencairn variations, cupita and snifter glasses.

Enjoy your favourite whisky in your preferred glass and it’s always best enjoyed with great company.

How to find the perfect Scotch Whisky in South Africa

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Whisky store with header How to find the perfect Scotch Whisky in South Africa

Scotland might be a small country but they are one of the largest whisky producers in the world. They are at the top of the list when it comes to popularity around the globe. Unless you’re in another major whisky-producing country like America, the Scotch whisky selection is often the largest in the store; the same goes for their online shops. It can become very intimidating, and you might not find what you’re looking for or walk out without buying anything.

Understanding how different countries and stores categorize their whisky will help you narrow your options down to specific barrel finishes and flavours. Scotland would probably start with their regions or types, while American whiskey is often categorized first by type of whisky. Here’s how you can start finding the Scotch you’ve been looking for, especially in South Africa where options are varied and limited.

Region

Scotland has 6 major regions of whisky-making and is often the first choice when narrowing down what you’re looking for. These regions might be in a relatively small area but they often have vast differences in climate and other important environmental conditions known as terroir which can influence even the smallest details of the spirit. Even though the local laws don’t recognize them all individually, here are the six relatively distinct Scotch whisky regions.

Highland

This is Scotland’s largest scotch region, spanning from the northwest of Glasgow to the Northern islands. Whisky varies quite a bit across this region due to the area it spans.  

The Northern regions are often categorized by richer, sweeter, and more full-bodied whiskies. The southern regions are known for their slightly drier, lighter, and fruitier expressions, similar to the Lowlands. The Western region, being closer to Islay might have more full-bodied and peated whiskies similar to the iconic island region.

Some popular Highland whiskies include:

Ardmore, Ben Nevis, Blair Athol, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Deanston, Glendronach, Glengoyne, The Glenmorangie, Glenugie, Invergordon, Loch Lomond, Old Pulteney, Teaninich, Tomatin and Wolfburn

Speyside

Speyside is often seen as a subregion of the Highlands but it has its special characteristics. It’s not only a small region but is one of the most densely-populated whisky regions in the world. It also gets its name from the River Spey. The region can thank its abundance of quality water from the river, which many distillers use in their malts.

You can often categorize the flavor profile with winter holiday flavours, like honeyed pears and apples along with other stone fruit. They are often known for their spice notes and of course sherry, due to the popular use of ex-sherry casks.

Some popular Highland whiskies include:

Aberlour, Aultmore, The Balvenie, Benromach, Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Glen Grant, Glen Moray, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Linkwood, Longmorn, The Macallan, Speyburn, Speyside, Tamdhu, Tamnavulin, Tormintoul and Tormore.

Islay

If you’re looking for something smoky, this is probably where you want to be. Islay is an island off the coast of Scotland that’s known for its peated whiskies. Peat is made from plant material that’s compressed and decayed over thousands of years. It’s great for fuel and so, was the perfect substance to use in the malting process, giving whiskies their smoky flavour.

Islay whisky is known for being heavily peated, although Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdach also make unpeated malts.

Islay distilleries include Ardbeg, Ardnahoe, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig.

Lowland

If you’re looking for something lighter and smoother, you might lean towards the Lowland expressions. Like many Irish whiskeys, many lowland malts and blends are triple distilled, giving it a “smoother” experience. Rarely peated, lowland whiskies are often used in blends due to their gentler flavours.

Lowland whiskies are known for being light, sweet, floral, and gentle. They’re often experienced as creamy and “like dessert”.

Some popular Lowland whisky distilleries include:

Aerstone, Auchentoshen, Bladnoch, Bonnington, Borders, Daftmill, Eden Mill, The Glasgow Distillery, Glenkinchie, Holyrood and Kingsbarns.

Campbeltown

The smallest whisky region is also often known as the home of whisky. The region doesn’t form part of Islay but the distilleries here are potentially what inspired the region. These whiskies are briny, smoky, oily, and very hearty. You might find toffee, vanilla, and baking spice notes here too.

Distilleries include Glen Scotia, Glengyle, and Springbank.

The Islands

Scotland has many islands surrounding it, forming part of this great whisky nation. The peat found here tends to add more aromatic notes to their whiskies than in the Islay region. This region is also becoming more popular, providing the perfect start for younger distilleries.

Distilleries include Abhainn Dearg, Arran, Highland Park, Isle of Raasay, Jura, Scapa, Talisker, Tobermory, and Torabhaig.

Scotch whisky type

There are many types of Scotch whisky being made but single malt is often seen as the pinnacle with single grain and blends lower on the list. However, as whisky becomes more specialized, blending houses are becoming very popular.

Single Malt

Single malt whisky often confuses with how it’s categorized, but here’s the deal. Single malt whisky needs only three ingredients, malted barley, water, and yeast. It’s also only allowed to be made and bottled at a single distillery.A single malt whisky can include whisky from various barrels and maturation ages, as long as it adheres to the above rules.

This style of whisky often presents more woody and oaky, and full-bodied, with a more “smooth” mouthfeel. Single malt isn’t usually smoky but some might experience more wood char in its place.

Single Grain

Single-grain whisky contains barley and one or more other cereal grains, usually wheat or corn. Single grain is, like single malt, still made at a single distillery for your enjoyment.

This style of whisky is often sweeter and has a lighter body to it.

Blended Scotch

As whisky becomes more popular, whisky-makers are getting more adventurous and experimental with what they can accomplish. Even though blended whisky is often turned away, you should give it another chance.

There are specialized blending houses like Johnnie Walker and Compass Box that put in many hours with years of experience, and tasting thousands of whiskies from various barrels to create special expressions and releases.

You can also read my article about these differences in more detail, HERE.

The age of whisky

Especially when buying gifts, you’ll see a label with the age expression on the bottle. This number represents the youngest whisky in the bottle. The maturation age confirms the length of time that whisky was kept.

Aging whisky was done completely by accident. After the spirit was made, it needed to be transported, so barrels were used. Some of these even contained fish at some point. Depending on the amount, they were stored and often forgotten about before somebody opened it up and realized the flavour had changed.

You might think that the bigger the number, the better the whisky, but this isn’t necessarily true. Sometimes, the whisky just didn’t have the characteristics they were looking for until a certain age or they eventually just used the older whisky to blend to add something different to another expression.

Don’t let the number on the bottle fool you too much but we can’t deny that seeing a more matured whisky looks great on the shelf.

If you’re in South Africa, you’ll find hundreds of different bottles of Scotch on the shelves or online, even with a limited range compared to where it’s made in Scotland.

Finding your favourite whisky is a journey, so starting to filter them out can be daunting. Together with regions, distilleries, and even specific expressions, you can start the search more easily.

6 Things you didn’t know about whiskey

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6 Things you didn’t know about whiskey

There’s always a question asked by people meeting their whiskey-loving friends; What is your favourite whiskey?

The best and maybe the oldest whiskeys in the world originates from Ireland – a country famous for their friendliness and hospitality. With a thriving craft beer and whiskey scene visiting distilleries and breweries are usually a major attraction. To help you brush up on your whiskey knowledge, whether you’re planning a holiday to Ireland or simply interested in Irish whiskey, Pogues Irish Whiskey distributors share interesting facts about whiskey you may never have known. 

6 Things you should know about whiskey

1. Where does whiskey come from?

Did you know that whiskey starts life as beer? It is the liquid gold that emerges from the distillation of base beer, known as wash. While there is great skill and care taken in the creation of this liquid, which determines the ultimate flavour profile of the whiskey, it’s not recommended to drink it at this stage. However distillery workers were once known to filter the yeast out to create a beer-drink they called Joe.

2. Whiskey vs Whisky

The biggest difference between Scotch whiskey and Irish whiskey is the distillation process. While both spirits are distilled liquors, Scotch is distilled twice to Irish whiskey’s thrice. This extra distillation gives Irish whiskey a smoother finish and some say make it the best in the world.

You can read my full article about the difference between whiskey and whisky here.

The Pogues Irish Whiskey is triple distilled for extra smoothness
The Pogues Irish Whiskey is triple distilled for extra smoothness. Photo via Halewood

3. The angel’s share

As a result of evaporation which occurs due to the wood expanding and contracting with the seasons, whiskey will annually lose up to 2.5% alcohol while it matures in oak casks. The part of the maturing whiskey that vanishes is called the angels’ share. Distillers are allowed to write off 2% of their production volume each year to the angel’s share, which is much less than distilleries in warmer climates have to say goodbye to.

4. Super tasters

Women have a superior sense of smell making them naturally superior whiskey tasters. Scientists generally claim that women are better at detecting smells than men, likely for evolutionary reasons i.e. women are more important to the species’ survival. Women are also often more skilled at describing the smells they can detect, being more likely to feel confident identifying olfactory memories and explaining them.

Women will often be described as “Super Tasters”.

5. It can get pricey

The record for the most expensive whiskey cocktail sold is a refresh of the traditional Manhattan made with a 55-year-old Macallan served at Dubai’s Skyview Bar. ⁠Costing £4,632, the posh concoction was stirred with a very special oak stick from a cask of The Macallan. It was also served with ice made from the same water used to produce the single malt whiskey it contains.⁠

6. It’s older than you think

Whiskey may have originated in Ireland. The first record of Irish whiskey distillation is recorded in the famous Red Book of Ossory written in 1324, nearly 200 years before the first record of Scotch distillation. However, the suggestion that Irish monks may have introduced whiskey-making to Scotland may upset the most dedicated Scotch whiskey drinkers.

Now that you know six more facts than you might have ever known about whiskey before reading this, the Pogues Irish Whiskey team wishes you “Sláinte!” which is traditional Gaelic for “health” and is often used when raising a glass in celebration or to wish good health.

For more about The Pogues Irish Whiskey go to https://halewood.co.za/the-pogues-irish-whiskey/. You can find it at most leading liquor retailers, or online at Takealot and Liquor Drop (www.liquordrop.co.za).

Information provided by halewood.co.za

7 Whiskies you should buy dad for Father’s Day

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7 Father's Day whiskies

We know you haven’t been putting off buying a nice gift for Dad this week but you’ve been looking for just the right thing to get for Father’s Day. Well, I’ve decided to come up with a list for you consisting of mostly affordable whiskies that will also excite the palette with just a few extra special bottles that will make him love you again.

This list mostly consists of Scotch whisky because it’s so easy to find in South Africa.

7 Father’s Day whiskies

Cardhu 12-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Cardhu 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cardhu 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Photo via Facebook

Have you ever walked into somebody’s home bar or “man-cave” that’s full of leather furniture, wooden shelves, maybe a bar and a wall of whisky? Well, this underrated whisky will remind you and Dad about spending time in a perfect environment like that.  This whisky is specifically very special to me and I hope it does the same for you and your father, grandfather, or whoever represents that for you.

It might not be the richest whisky but when you give it a smell, you’ll find leather, and resin, with hints of honey that drift through your memories and find those special moments. On the palate, it’s like velvet and lingers with the very similar flavours that you’ve found on the nose without much burn, if any due to the 43% ABV.

It finishes with a light and sweet smokiness that’s not overpowering and is perfect for pairing with a light cigar.

Ardbeg AN OA

Ardbeg AN OA Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ardbeg AN OA Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Photo via Facebook

If your dad is the braai master of the family, loves strong flavours, and likes a challenge, you could probably get him any bottle of Ardbeg. However, the AN OA deserves more love because it’s often compared to the 10-year but often set aside.

The AN OA gets its rounded and complex flavours due to all of the barrels used to provide different complexities.  Matured in a combination of ex-Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks, virgin oak, and ex-Bourbon barrels before being married together in French Oak barrels, you’ve got a flavor-explosion on the cards.

Ardbeg is known for its aggressive smoke but on the nose can become sweet and fruity thanks to the sherry casks. You might also find some sea air on the nose. On the palate, you should be prepared for smoke and pepper but if you spend time with it, can turn into sweeter notes of toffee.

The finish is long and smoky, perfectly paired with anything put on the braai like steaks or smoked pork.

Penderyn Legend

Who doesn’t love dragons, right? If you want to give Dad a cool bottle to display on his shelf while enjoying the delicious liquid in the bottle, Penderyn Legend is not only going to take you on a journey, but he’ll have a very cool bottle to look at and show off.

Not the most challenging or complex whisky, the Legend is a perfect foray into single malt with sweet flavours that can please any palate. It’s a well-balanced nose with hints of raisins and citrus which can take a while to pick up but become prominent later on. The mouthfeel is incredibly smooth with hints of dried raisins.

The finish continues with the raisins and lingers surprisingly long for how light it seems on the taste.

Bushmills Black Bush

Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whisky
Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whisky. Photo via Facebook

What if Dad is an Irish whiskey drinker? If it’s not Jameson, Teeling, or Redbreast, what can you get for a good price with great flavours and a great name?

Bushmills Black Bush brings spice and malt to the nose while adding a layer of sherry after being partly matured in ex-sherry casks. The palate is big and fruity to start‚ quickly becoming light with a hint of spicy fruit. The finish is long and adds hints of biscuits before having another sip.

This whiskey is not very complex but will provide flavours and look to the shelf.

Helden African Bonfire Whisky

Helden The African Bonfire South African Whisky
Helden The African Bonfire South African Whisky. Photo via Helden Distillery Facebook

Also known as the first true South African whisky, Helden’s African Bonfire forms part of their premium range. Made from indigenous malted red sorghum and malted South African barley, this whisky is distilled to an ultra-smooth and silky spirit, which is cask matured using a combination of French oak and African indigenous Camel Thorn wood.

Not only does it have a beautiful amber colour, but on the nose, you’ll immediately find hints of deep smoke-touched wood and spice. You’ll think that you’re in the Kruger National Park when you smell this whisky. The rich and full-bodied mouth feel carries sweetness along with the distinct malt and wood flavours that elevate the feeling of being on a camping trip.

It has a finish that slowly evolves into a complex combination of thorn tree herbal spice, evoking the sweet, complex aromas of the African bushveld.

Dewar’s 15-year The Monarch

Usually, the age of whisky tends to make the bottle more expensive and is often described as being better because we are affected by what we see. What if a Scotch whisky has a great age statement that looks good on dad’s shelf, but brings loads of flavour too? You get Dewar’s 15-year-old Scotch Whiskey, The Monarch. This expression features whisky drawn from bourbon and sherry casks, married together in yet more casks and bottled at 15 years of age.

On the first whiff, you’ll find light fruits like apples combined with nuts and that iconic sherry aroma. When you have the first sip, you’ll get a rich expression of malt that develops into caramel and/or vanilla paired with the lingering spiciness from the nose.

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12-year-old Scotch Whisky

If dad loves ex-bourbon cask whisky or sherry cask, he’s about to have a great day. The Balvenie DoubleWood Scotch whisky is the perfect age-statement whisky for Father’s Day.

A very approachable whisky for somebody new to whisky or a pour that is just perfect for any occasion, the combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks provides rich sweet vanilla and sherry on the nose. The mouthfeel is butter smooth and approachable on the tongue bringing cinnamon spices, honey, and vanilla as it develops on the palette. The finish brings back all of the sweet sherry notes.

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve
The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve. Photo via Facebook

Is it time to get something more special for Dad? If there’s a bottle that looks great as a centerpiece of the bar while being the perfect pour for a special occasion, it’s The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve. If Dad is a whisky lover, this is the bottle that will light a fire in his chest. Its complex flavour is perfect for exploration thanks to the range of barrels used; American white oak ex-bourbon casks, Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts, and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques.

The richness already starts on the nose with caramel, coffee, dried fruit, chocolate, and vanilla followed by cinnamon. The mouthfeel is smooth and luxurious with flavours of stone fruit, banana, citrus, and the perfect sherry integration. The finish is long and full of cinnamon and anise spice.

There’s something truly wonderful about buying somebody whisky as a gift. Whether your dad or grandfather loves whisky or if you’re inviting them on the journey with you, any of these whiskies are a great gift to drink or show off in the collection.

Written and Published by Gary Dunn

How to taste your new and favourite whiskey

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Friends drinking and tasting Wheel Horse Bourbon in different glasses

Whiskey is more than just a distilled and aged spirit; Distillers and their blenders put in years of expertise and work into making something unique that will stimulate the senses and give you an experience rather than just another drink. Whiskey makers use various kinds of grains and treat them in unique ways before starting the distillation process. The spirit is then put into specific barrels before being aged for several years and sometimes even moved to a different barrel to add some finishing touches. Then, the distillers and blenders pick barrels to create unique experiences in your glass.

With so many processes and skills going into an expression of whiskey, there are hundreds of different aromas and flavours you could find in each glass. There is no right way to enjoy your whiskey but there are ways to maximise your experience when it comes to smelling and tasting as much as possible.

Whether you’re on the journey alone or helping somebody experience whiskey for the first time, these simple tips can help you.

Let’s start with the glassware

Unless you’re making larger cocktails, there are two main glasses used to drink whiskey, the tumbler/rocks glass or Glencairn.

Rocks glass: This short and wide-bottomed glass is perfect for adding a couple of blocks of ice but many whiskey cocktails are also served in these iconic glasses. The flat bottom ensures that ingredients can be muddled and less diluted cocktails fill up the glass, making them look classy.

This is a versatile glass for many occasions but probably not the best when you want to explore the whiskey to its fullest extent.

old fashioned cocktail in rocks glass
The rocks glass or tumbler is perfect for adding ice or making a whiskey cocktail. Photo via Unsplash

The Glencairn: This bell-shaped glass is designed for tasting a distilled spirit. The glass has a very short stem and robust bottom with a wider bowl shape before narrowing and then opening slightly at the top. The bowl shape not only allows some swirling to open up the whiskey but channels aromas towards a narrowed rim.

The Glencairn allows perfect pours, looks classy, and is the perfect vessel for smelling, tasting, and exploring whiskey.

Two Glencairns of whiskey next to a The Belvenie barrel
The Gelencairn glass is perfect for a neat pour of whiskey. Photo via unsplash

Both the rocks glass and the Glencairn come in their own shapes and variations too, all of which can elevate your experiences.

Inspection

This step can seem a bit over the top, but we are often affected by visuals. Whiskies can have vast differences in colour due to casks and climate, so when you’ve got a line-up of whiskies, it can be fun to compare them.

The bowl of the Glaincairn is perfect for seeing the colours at different angles but is also dependent on the time of day or the room that you’re in.

Nosing

Your olfactory sense (sense of smell) is more powerful than taste, so nosing/smelling your whiskey is where you’ll probably spend most of your time. Our sense of smell is also great at finding nostalgic memories to go along with the many aromas you’re about to experience.

First, you might want to think of the ABV or proof of the whiskey. If you’re just starting your whiskey journey, high-proof whiskey might just burn the hairs in your nose and sully the experience. Starting at a lower proof or alcohol percentage will help you experience the whiskey more comfortably.

If you’re new to nosing whiskey, start by holding the glass relatively far away, moving closer. If it starts to burn, just retreat a little bit until it’s more pleasent.

Remember to also keep your mouth open slightly and breathe in through your nose and mouth at the same time. The added oxygen circulation will enhance the experience of the aromas.

It’s not just about the aromas but about the memories they evoke. Whiskey has a way of letting you experience nostalgia, so don’t just think about specific ingredients, but memories. It might be a specific leather chair belonging to your grandfather or gardening with your parents. Spend time with your whiskey and discuss it with those tasting alongside you. You might find that talking about it can help you find notes that you’ve not found before, even if it’s a whiskey you’ve had many times.

Palate

After spending as much time as you need on the nosing, it’s time to taste. One way to not only get flavours but deal with the proof is by dipping very lightly like drinking hot coffee. The addition of air helps you experience what you’ve smelled already (also known as ‘retronasal olfaction’).

However, mouthfeel might be what you experience first as you sip. How does the liquid feels on your tongue and against your very sensitive cheeks? Don’t swirl it at first but let it linger on the tongue. Pay attention to how the whiskey feels in your mouth. Is it soft and creamy or is it direct and spiky? Is it drying or refreshing? These feelings might change to flavours, some of which you’ve smelled, like fruit, types of grass, or a variation of smoke.

Whiskey can develop over time, so don’t rush for another sip but experience, discuss and explore.

The Finish

When you’re ready to swallow, think about the journey. How long can you feel or taste it as it goes down? How long can you sit with the flavour until you’ve experienced how it develops on the palate? Did the experience disappear quickly or can you sit back for a while before needing another sip?

Some final tips

  • Add water: Drops of water not only bring down the proof for those struggling with the “burn” but can highlight different aromas and flavours.
  • Write it down: Write down what you’re smelling, memories you’re experiencing, and notes that you’re tasting. This can help you eliminate what’s already there while finding something new.
  • Smell your elbow: Especially when you’re tasting many different spirits, your senses can get overwhelmed. You’re so used to your smell, that sniffing the inside of your elbow can help reset your senses with a neutral smell.
  • Enjoy with friends: Share your whiskey! Introducing friends to your collection or reminiscing about the memories you share can be a powerful experience. Whiskey is best enjoyed together.
A line-up of different whiskies to be shared with friends
Share and enjoy your whisky with your friends. Photo via Unsplash

There is no RIGHT way to taste whiskey

These helpful tips are not the only way to taste whiskey. You can and should enjoy whiskey in the way that makes it the most comfortable for you. Whether you follow these tips to the letter, add some snack pairings, or combine everything you’ve learned from this and other resources, enjoy the time tasting whiskey.

You don’t even need to agree on how to spell whisk(e)y

The Helden Distillery World Whisky Day tour is a crafty one

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Helden Distillery and Restaurant

On Saturday 18 May 2024, the Whisky Express went on its first distillery tour to one of South Africa’s newest and most innovative distilleries, the Helden Distillery & Restaurant. As part of World Whisky Day, a celebration and appreciation for the amber spirit, founder Pieter van Helden treated guests to a bespoke experience.  

The Helden Distillery is located in the Vredefort Dome, the world’s largest meteor impact site, and less than a two-hour drive from Johannesburg. This UNESCO heritage site is an example of the natural wonder South Africa has to offer, providing the perfect picturesque backdrop for creating unique South African spirits. The distillery is located just outside the Free State town of Parys and forms part of their brewing partner’s grounds, The Dog & Fig Brewery.

Helden Distillery tour and shop area
Helden Distillery welcomed everybody with a beautiful set-up.

Pieter van Helden is the founder and Lead Distiller honed his craft with distillation for over 20 years before the foundation of the Helden Distillery in 2018. Pieter invited a small group of four people to have a seat before the tour began to tell us about the short but impactful history of starting his distillery. While pouring each of us a glass of his single malt spirit, we were told about his various credentials in chemistry, including a Doctorate, and his love of South Africa.

The Helden Distillery Tour

The real tour started with telling us about his use of South African barley and red sorghum, a grain not known to form part of whisky. Taking us through his milling, drying, and fermentation process, everybody got to smell the grains at various stages to pair with what we already had in our glasses. We were then taken to the unique still where we were introduced to his specialised hybrid still where we learned about the process of the mash being turned into vapour which then turns into the spirit. Van Helden was impressive at teaching the basics of distillation, how cuts work, and providing us with more detailed information when asked questions. With my limited knowledge and the questions asked by a chemistry student who was part of the group, this informative section was just the start of the fun to come.

The heart of the tour was about to begin in the cask storage room. Snacks and Glencairn in hand, we entered the small room of Helden-branded casks.

Helden Distillery oak casks
Helden Distillery uses unique French Oak and American oak hybrid casks.

We were introduced to the unique oak casks made specifically for the Helden Distillery. These 100l casks combine the best STR (shaved, toasted, and charred) ex-red wine French oak staves and new American oak heads. These unique casks together with the proprietary yeast and grains used in the mash, form the flavour profile of the unique single malt whisky.

It was time to taste what all of these uniquely developed processes turned into.

The cask thieving

After a lesson on the angel’s share and evaporation in warmer climates like South Africa and Texas versus the cooler weather of Scotland, it was time to taste.

The first two casks were an example of the single malt spirit which were aged just a few months apart but provided very different flavor profiles. We were taught how to bring down the proof of the 64%+ ABV (alcohol by volume) by adding water while nosing and tasting each progression. Together with the paired fruit and chocolate, the spirits were discussed, finding different flavours and experiencing some that had never been tasted before.

We also had the opportunity to try a whisky aged in an ex-rum cask, an experimental whisky that forms a major part of what the distillery specializes in. We also had the opportunity to find out how certain casks are “seasoned” for future whisky maturation before being able to choose which cask we would like our gifts to come from.

Helden Rum cask matured whisky
Guests had the opportunity to try 4 different spirits directly from the casks.

The cherry on top

To end the informative and delicious journey through the unique Helden distillery and experiments, we had the chance to sit down and discuss what we learned. With a dram of our choice from any of the spirits and whiskies the distillery has to offer, we established that what was in the glass tasted like nothing we had ever had before. The experience was true, from the new-make spirit through their gin, single malt, and premium African Bonfire whisky.

Helden Distellery core range of spirits, whisky and gin
Helden Distillery has a range of innovative spirits, premium whiskies and even gin.

After the informative conversations, making new friends, and enjoying the setting sun, the food from the on-site restaurant was the perfect cherry on the perfect day.

The Helden Distillery & Restaurant also hosts two types of tours that don’t form part of World Whisky Day. You can either book a tour and tasting similar to what we experienced or a deductive tasting with your whisky-loving friends.

If there is one thing that is truly South African, it’s our love of the country and ingenuity that helps us create unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else. The Helden Distillery might just be the start of the new age of whisky in South Africa.

If you want to join The Whiskey Express, join our page HERE and join the Whiskey Express Community HERE!

Why do South Africans need to drink more peated whisky?

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Glass of smoky whisky with a fire background

If there’s one thing everybody in South Africa knows about, it’s that one of our favourite pastimes is having a braai. Whether we’re camping or having friends and family over for the weekend, we love lighting a fire with charcoal and wood before cooking a variety of meat over the flames. At the same time, we’re often having some drinks with whisky, be it neat or mixed, as one of the popular options. However, you don’t see a lot of peated Scotch whisky on drinks tables or bars.

Peated whisky, especially Scotch is known for its hefty smoky smell and flavour that can either caress your senses or overpower your palate. But for a country that loves a braai day filled with fantastic smoky smells and flavours, peated whisky is not always accessible.  

What is peat and how does it impact whisky?

Peat is a spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands such as swamps, muskegs, bogs, fens, and moors. It’s formed over thousands of years and compressed. Beyond its considerable ecological importance, peat is economically important as a carbon sink, as a source of fuel, and as a raw material in horticulture and other industries. Like the whisky industry in Scotland and Ireland.

Peat is often used for fuel and fireplaces but when whisky makers wanted to dry out their barley before making their single malts, they used something widely available and known for burning well. They discovered the very different and much-loved flavours the peat smoke added to the spirit, and a whole new style was created. The more time the barley is exposed to the peat smoke, the more intense the flavour.

Light and dark Malted barley
Malted barley is the main ingredient in peated single malt whisky.

Peat on its own doesn’t taste of anything due to having a neutral PH, but when it’s burned and used in whisky-making, provides subtle smells and often dominant flavours. On the nose, you’ll often smell burning wood and meat but you might also find fresh damp earth. When tasting, the smoky flavour can be overpowering, but you might find a meaty or protein flavour and mouth feel. Some malts may be light and oily, others rich and heavy, some fruity and spicy, others nutty or sweet. Everything individual distilleries use and the amount they use will change what you smell and taste, and you never need to worry about “being wrong” because everybody tastes and smells differently.

How do South Africans experience smoky whisky?

As mentioned before, South Africans often prefer drinking blended whisky instead of single malt, often due to price or what we add to the glass. That doesn’t mean that we don’t experience smoke in our drinks, but it’s often part of a blend, meaning it’s not going to overwhelm our taste buds. Some of our favourite “smoky” whiskies are expressions like Johnnie Walker Black, Green, and Blue Labels. These expressions often get their peated spirits from the Islay region but the underrated Cardhu (a key component of Johnnie Walker) also provides some smoke to some bottles.

Johnnie Walker bottle with a glass full of whisky
One of South Africa’s favourite Scotch whiskies with a bit of smoke, is Johnnie Walker. Photo via Unsplash

In terms of popular smoky single malt, Lagavulin 16 year is high on the list thanks to celebrities like Nick Offerman with Highland Park 12, and their interesting bottle, on our shelves. But do they provide the flavours that pair well with a braai?

How can South Africans enjoy more smoke?

South Africans are a hearty bunch. So, when we celebrate, we often have a braai full of steaks, chops and boerewors. We can smell our neighbours doing the same thing, and that’s when we realise that we’re having a truly South African experience with friends and family. So, are there any whiskies we could add to our overall experience as we enjoy the conversation and the smells of wood fires with a range of meat on the braai?

Even though single malt can get quite pricey, many of the popular distilleries that specialise in peat have added more accessible bottles to their core range. A fan favourite, Ardbeg Wee Beastie, is a 5-year aged single malt that has a reputation for tasting like bacon being cooked directly on hot ash. If you’re in the mood for something similar but more complex and refined, Ardbeg Uigeadial, Bowmore, Talisker, or Caol Ila might be more up your street.

Ardbeg is popular for being one of the smokiest whiskies on the market.

But Islay isn’t the only popular smoky Scotch-makers. As Islay tends to specialise in the smoke, the Highland and Speyside regions often provide mostly non-peated Scotch with some peaty expressions to round out their ranges. Benriach Smoke Season has become more accessible locally with Oban and anCnoc from the Highlands providing something completely different.

If you’re a fan of smooth Irish Whiskey, you’ll be happy to know that they also provide some smoke to their single malts. A fan favourite, Connemara Peated provides your palate with wafts of smoke and some honey sweetness that would provide a great gateway to those unfamiliar with smoke. If you want to take it down another notch, try an Irish whiskey that only uses a small percentage of whiskey aged in a barrel that used to have peated Scotch, like Dunville’s 1808 which provides the idea of smoke without overpowering your taste buds.

Should South Africans enjoy more peat?

Even though my journey with whisky has barely left the station, as a South African who loves a braai with my favourite people, I think the answer is always “YES”.

We already have the foundation of enjoying the smoky flavours from bacon as well as chops & boerewors on the braai, peated whisky might just elevate our celebrations even more. We are a hearty nation that thrives under pressure and we celebrate our wins on days filled with fires that fill the neighbourhood with delicious smells.

 By adding the hefty levels of smoke from Islay to the nuances of Highland and Speyside sweetness or taking a smoother turn to peated Irish whiskey, you might just discover a whole new world to elevate your next braai.

Whisky or Whiskey: Are you spelling it correctly?

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Debunking the whiskey vs whisky debate with Woodford Reserve and a map

The only time we ever argue about the spelling of whisk(e)y, it’s when we read the labels, but does it matter? Even though both of them are essentially a spirit distilled from a variety of grains, their history is intertwined while their essence is enjoyed by people all over the world.

The Irish spelling of whiskey comes from the Gaelic derivations of the word ‘Uisce beatha’, meaning Water of Life. Due to Irish immigration to America in the 18th century, American ‘whiskey’ is also spelled with an “e”. The rest of the world uses the “whisky” spelling, even when they are made similarly.

But, even though whisk(e)y is made in similar ways with similar grains, each part of the world has its variations and rules.

What do whiskey and whisky have in common?

Even though different countries have their versions of whiskey, they do have other similarities.

  • All whiskey has to have a minimum of 40% ABV (alcohol by volume) with some regions having their own rules for the maximum %ABV allowed in the bottle.
  • Whiskey is distilled from barley, wheat, corn, and other cereal grains depending on the type. The single-use or combination depends on the specific whiskey or region.
  • In many cases, the minimum time a whiskey is allowed to mature in a barrel is 3 years before it can be called whisk(e)y.

Irish whiskey

Irish whiskey is very popular around the world as one of the original producers. It’s often experienced as “smoother” than Scottish whisky but is also known as a gateway to bourbon as ex-bourbon casks are often used for maturation.

  • Irish whiskey is usually distilled in pot stills and attributes its “smoothness” to the fact that they’re often distilled three times instead of the usual two.  
  • Whiskey in Ireland has a minimum maturation age of three years in a barrel.
  • Irish whiskey may contain a distillate of malt, a barley distillate, and a portion of grain spirit.
  • Irish whiskey is rarely peated with some small exceptions in the growing industry.

Scottish (Scotch) whisky

Scotch whisky might be one of the world’s most famous producers with the distribution of its wide range of whiskies shared all over the world. It’s also the world’s best-marketed whisky too.

  • Scottish whisky needs to be distilled, matured, and bottled in Scotland, (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added) with the addition of only yeast and water.
  • Maturation needs to happen in oak casks for a minimum of 3 years.
  • Single malt Scotch whisky must be made from 100% malted barley.

Bourbon

Probably the most popular style of whiskey made in the United States of America, bourbon is very well known for its sweetness. Due to the use of new oak barrels that have been charred, bourbon often has a distinctive oaky flavor too.

  • Bourbon originated in Bourbon Kentucky and is made from a minimum of 51% corn with rye and malted barley.
  • Distillation of bourbon usually takes place in a column still and then a pot still.
  • Straight bourbon is aged for a minimum of 2 years in new charred oak barrels while Bottle-in-Bond bourbon needs to mature for at least 4 years.
  • Bourbon also has its sub-categories with high-rye and wheated bourbon being two of the most popular variations.
  • Tennessee whiskey is made in the same way as bourbon, but it is charcoal mellowed before maturation

Rye whiskey

Rye is made in a very similar way to bourbon with just a few differences.

  • Rye whiskey is often experienced as “spicier” than bourbon even when it’s made in a very similar way.
  • Rye Whiskey is made from a minimum of 51% rye grain with the other cereals taking more of an accented seat to round out the flavours.

The USA whiskey industry is in a resurgence with craft whiskies becoming more popular and even American Single Malt growing in popularity. You might find that your favourite distilleries and brands now have single malt as part of their core range.

South African whisky

Even though the South African whisky industry is still very small, distilleries are popping up everywhere, with the Western Cape Province still having the lion’s share. South African whisky is also made in a similar style to Scottish whisky.

South African whisky is often made using locally sourced maize with malted barley being used for special editions or as an accent to the mash.

I’ve also written a piece on the reason why South Africans tend to drink blended whisky instead of single malt.

Due to the climate, South African whisky is aged for a minimum of 3 years but also gets more intense barrel impact due to the climate. This means that bottles matured as little as 5-6 years are often part of the core range.

Whether you call it whiskey or whisky, these spirits have many things in common with a few rules that govern how they are made. However, there are no rules about how you can drink your whiskey, as long as you enjoy it with a sense of adventure and a smile on your face.

Why is whiskey such an iconic drink?

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Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey in square branded tumbler

Whether you call it whiskey or whisky, there’s always a reason to enjoy a dram. All over the world, people who enjoy whiskey get asked why they want something that “burns” or “just tastes like alcohol”.

As everybody has reasons for drinking, collecting and sharing the “Water of Life”, it’s always a good idea to find out why we drink it and why it’s so iconic.

Great conversation starter

It doesn’t matter if the person you’re talking to is a whiskey enthusiast or new to the amber spirit; the topic alone provides you with a starting point.

The question of their whiskey preference or if you can pour them a drink can turn into many topics. It can be as simple as “Yes, please” to find out it’s their favourite or something they’ve never tried. It opens up the opportunity to share stories of past experiences with whiskey, mini reviews of what’s in the glass, and reminiscing about non-whiskey topics while having a good laugh, and sipping something delicious.

The history of whiskey

Whisk(e)y has a long and storied history that started about a thousand years ago. Still, the last couple of hundred years are what we usually think about. It originated in Scotland and Ireland before spreading to Europe and the Americas. However, it’s the individual histories of distilleries like Jack Daniel and how a man known as Uncle Nearest taught him how to make whiskey.

There’s also our history with whiskey, including how we started drinking it, enjoying it, sometimes taking a different path, and hopping back on the whiskey train later on. These stories bring us together while making new memories that will become the tales we turn into our new histories down the road.

Variety

There is an enormous amount of whiskey worldwide and subcategories within well-known regions to which we often flock. Part of this whiskey journey comes from somewhere, and the real journey begins when we start colouring outside those lines and take the journey elsewhere. Sometimes, you can be the guide, helping a friend, new or old, try something they’ve never had before and in the past, that person was once you.

It can be as simple as trying Speyside Scotch whiskey like Glenfiddich to trying a heavily peated Islay Scotch like Laphroaig. Or, you can be a bourbon drinker trying out a Scottish single malt or Japanese whiskey for the first time.

The options are almost endless, and the variety keeps us on track.

Versatility

There will always be those who are hard-line neat whiskey drinkers, but we all know that “the best whiskey is the whiskey you like to drink, the way you like to drink it”, according to the Whiskey Tribe.

So, whether you like a block of ice and/or Coke with your drink or make a cocktail, of which there are hundreds of whiskey versions, anybody can enjoy any of the many varieties of whiskey the world has to offer without judgment.

It’s time to relax

There are those days when you want a bit of joy. Whether you’re about to sit down after a very long day and watch the sunset or about to meet some friends at the pub, whiskey has a way of calming the mind and making you feel better. Whether it’s just a flavour you love or that common reaction to alcohol, whiskey will provide the mood for relaxation.

Whiskey is well-loved and iconic, not just because of its history as the water of life but also because of the memories we make while enjoying it.

We all have different reasons to drink whiskey and explore this historic spirit. Still, one thing is for sure: it’s always best enjoyed with great people.