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| Joined: | Thu Mar 26th, 2009 |
| Location: | Colorado USA |
| Posts: | 10251 |
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I like to first taste Scotch completely "neat" with no water at all to get a feel for the nose and taste, and then move in slowly adding just a bit of water to open up the nose and flavors (As a relative newbie to Scotch in general, I do find it amazing how different Scotches respond to the addition of just a bit of water -- I'm talking no more than a teaspoon at most and maybe just a few drops or so). Some really change alot, opening up a ton of flavors and smells that you just don't get when neat while others are better completely neat IMO.
William - on the subject of non-chill-filtered and non-colored whiskys, I agree with you on your preference of buying non-chill-filtered and non-colored for the reasons you outlined. I would also say that the proof is in the tasting...(I certainly don't need my whisky to have carmel color added to give me a sense that I'm drinking "quality", but for some reason, some distilleries have chosen to use it). I wish they would do without the carmel coloring, but if the Scotch is a standout, I will certainly buy and drink it again (and that Lagavulin 16 that you note above is a knockout in terms of nose and flavors IMO...I really like it as far as the Islay malts go!). My only opinion on the subject of carmel color and chill filtering...IF YOU USE IT IN YOUR PRODUCT, THEN TELL ME ON THE BOTTLE. As you pointed out, it is not required in very many countries and is not required in the United States...I wish it was.
On the subject of full disclosure, I think that all whiskys should have to supply that information, along with the maturation period. This Wales Penderyn distillery gets away with not telling us how long they have matured their whiskey...just that is matured to peak perfection. Most of the information that I've read coming from Penderyn themselves states that most of their whiskeys are matured for 7 years (some less...a few years ago the average was about 5 years), so this is generally a young whiskey...but if it tastes great, then I say buy it and enjoy it! I'm looking forward to trying this one sometime in the very near future.