If you've ever wondered what's the appropriate libation for the evening, Peter Guthrie, with input from Bruce Ridley, offers the following advice.
"There are two main types of whisky: single malts, and blends.
Single malts are made in pot stills, in discrete batches, and then aged. They are a lot more flavorful than blends, and so are sipping drinks.
Blends are made primarily of grain whisky, which is produced in a continuous process, and doesn't have nearly the flavor of single malts. The grain whisky then has single malts added to provide the flavor. A really good blend might have up to 50% single malt, though most have less. The blender can choose a variety of single malts from different distilleries to produce the flavor he or she is looking for, and to provide a consistent product from year to year. Blends are generally mixed with water or soda to make a longer drink.
There is also a third type of whisky, of fairly recent origin, known as "vatted single malts". These are blends of single malts from various distilleries put together by whisky holding companies. These are not that common, and most single malts come from individual distilleries.
If you want a longer drink, go for the blend, and drink it out of a tumbler. I generally mix it with club soda - the amounts of whisky and mix can vary according to individual taste. Blends are generally cheaper than single malts, but you should go for a good brand. The really cheap blends are not very good, while the better blends like Dewar’s, Johnny Walker Red Label and Cutty Sark are quite good. If you want to go upmarket a bit, then try the longer aged blends; Dewar’s 12 Year is my go-to, but Johnny Walker Black Label and Chivas are good alternatives. If you like ice in your drinks, that is OK, but chilling too much will reduce the flavor experience. I generally mix the room-temperature scotch with club soda from the fridge, and do not add ice.
Most people at Burns Night prefer the single malts. There are literally thousands from which to choose and most are good. There are distinct differences between regions and between individual single malts. The two major areas are the west coast islands, particularly Islay, which have a smoky, peaty aroma and taste, and the Speyside area in the north central area of Scotland - though other areas also produce single malts. If you like the smoky, peaty Islay malts, Laphroaig is often regarded as the most highly flavored; others which are less powerful are Bunnahabhain and Bowmore. If you prefer less of the peat, though still full-flavored, you could try Glenmorangie (from north of the Loch Ness area), Aberlour (from Speyside), or Auchentoshan (lowland, from near Glasgow). These are all reasonably priced - by malt scotch standards.
Nowadays, scotch distillers produce a whole variety of different labels, mainly for marketing purposes. I have generally found that the basic scotch is best; so, Laphroaig 10 year, Bunnahabhain 12 year, Glenmorangie "the Original", Aberlour 12 year, and Auchentoshan 12 year.
If you do go for the malt scotch, the general method of serving is to add a drop or two of plain water, to release the essences without diluting it too much. Also, do not add ice, if you wish to experience the full flavor. To get the best experience, using the right type of glass is important. The best type is a very large balloon glass. This allows the aromas of the scotch to be released. In fact, if you move the nose from just above the top rim of the glass down past the rim to the bottom rim, you should experience different nose sensations, as the lighter esters are higher in the glass and the heavier are lower. If you don't have a large balloon glass, any large glass such as a large standard wine glass should be OK. I have found pinot noir glasses to be especially good."
"There are two main types of whisky: single malts, and blends.
Single malts are made in pot stills, in discrete batches, and then aged. They are a lot more flavorful than blends, and so are sipping drinks.
Blends are made primarily of grain whisky, which is produced in a continuous process, and doesn't have nearly the flavor of single malts. The grain whisky then has single malts added to provide the flavor. A really good blend might have up to 50% single malt, though most have less. The blender can choose a variety of single malts from different distilleries to produce the flavor he or she is looking for, and to provide a consistent product from year to year. Blends are generally mixed with water or soda to make a longer drink.
There is also a third type of whisky, of fairly recent origin, known as "vatted single malts". These are blends of single malts from various distilleries put together by whisky holding companies. These are not that common, and most single malts come from individual distilleries.
If you want a longer drink, go for the blend, and drink it out of a tumbler. I generally mix it with club soda - the amounts of whisky and mix can vary according to individual taste. Blends are generally cheaper than single malts, but you should go for a good brand. The really cheap blends are not very good, while the better blends like Dewar’s, Johnny Walker Red Label and Cutty Sark are quite good. If you want to go upmarket a bit, then try the longer aged blends; Dewar’s 12 Year is my go-to, but Johnny Walker Black Label and Chivas are good alternatives. If you like ice in your drinks, that is OK, but chilling too much will reduce the flavor experience. I generally mix the room-temperature scotch with club soda from the fridge, and do not add ice.
Most people at Burns Night prefer the single malts. There are literally thousands from which to choose and most are good. There are distinct differences between regions and between individual single malts. The two major areas are the west coast islands, particularly Islay, which have a smoky, peaty aroma and taste, and the Speyside area in the north central area of Scotland - though other areas also produce single malts. If you like the smoky, peaty Islay malts, Laphroaig is often regarded as the most highly flavored; others which are less powerful are Bunnahabhain and Bowmore. If you prefer less of the peat, though still full-flavored, you could try Glenmorangie (from north of the Loch Ness area), Aberlour (from Speyside), or Auchentoshan (lowland, from near Glasgow). These are all reasonably priced - by malt scotch standards.
Nowadays, scotch distillers produce a whole variety of different labels, mainly for marketing purposes. I have generally found that the basic scotch is best; so, Laphroaig 10 year, Bunnahabhain 12 year, Glenmorangie "the Original", Aberlour 12 year, and Auchentoshan 12 year.
If you do go for the malt scotch, the general method of serving is to add a drop or two of plain water, to release the essences without diluting it too much. Also, do not add ice, if you wish to experience the full flavor. To get the best experience, using the right type of glass is important. The best type is a very large balloon glass. This allows the aromas of the scotch to be released. In fact, if you move the nose from just above the top rim of the glass down past the rim to the bottom rim, you should experience different nose sensations, as the lighter esters are higher in the glass and the heavier are lower. If you don't have a large balloon glass, any large glass such as a large standard wine glass should be OK. I have found pinot noir glasses to be especially good."
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
11:30 am - Meet on the north bridge on Washington Street downtown
12:00 noon - Parade begins Come march in the parade with us to support the Celtic community in the Inland Northwest. We'll be carrying the Spokane Highland Games banner to advertise this year's highland games.
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Date & Time to be Announced
Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute
Tsutakawa Memorial Hall The Commons 4000 W Randolph Rd Spokane, WA |
St. Andrews Society of the Inland Northwest
invites you to our annual Robert Burns Night
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Highland Dance LessonsHighland Dance lessons are available weekly at two studios in the Spokane / Couer d'Alene area.
These studios teach your children valuable life lessons through Highland Dance. While providing a fun, safe environment, students gain self confidence and a feeling of accomplishment. Students learn historical dances, develop healthy minds and bodies through dance exercise, improve motor skills all the while building lifelong friendships. For more information, check out these websites: Spokane School of Highland Dance Lake City Highland Dance |
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Spokane Highland Games Association's
Anyone wishing to become a part of the 2019 Spokane Scottish Highland Games is welcome to attend and contribute.
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Spokane Highland Games Association's
Anyone wishing to become a part of the 2019 Spokane Scottish Highland Games is welcome to attend and contribute.
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