Among my many other roles in a wide variety of places, I am the in-house wine and scotch tasting host for The Briars resort in Jackson’s Point, Ontario, on the south end of Lake Simcoe.
Here’s the basic outline of what I cover. You are most welcome to book your own corporate or personal event through the resort, or contact me and I’ll help set it up.
The Basics
WHISKY – is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from grain mash.
SCOTCH – there are five kinds; the most common are blended and single malt. We discussed the merits of each.
SINGLE MALT – whisky from one distillery and a single malted grain (usually barley).
We go over how whisky is made and single malts in particular.
I invite attendees to visit my Whisky 101 blog which goes into these glorious matters in more detail:
https://thewinebaron.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/whisky-101/
Examples of the Single Malt Scotches We Taste
Glenkinchie (lowland)
Dalwhinnie (highland)
Talisker 10 yr (Skye)
Lagavulin 16 yr (Islay)
Glenkinchie: an award winning example of the often overlooked lowland single malts. Our groups generally find it to be delicate and light, with a bit of a soapy finish.
Dalwhinnie: this highlander was my favourite when I first discovered scotch 20 years ago. It is balanced, smooth and just right for most palates. Usually one of two “winners” of the evening. A little more intense than the Glen.
Talisker: from the island of Skye, the nose and flavours evoke intense seaweed, iodine, and medicine chest. A highly distinctive premium single malt.
Lagavulin: this single malt from Islay is usually the other winner of the evening. Full bodied, distinctive personality, and layers of elegant complexity.
We conclude our warm and pleasant evening at The Briars by going over the big picture of Scottish whisky regions.
Whisky Regions of Scotland
1. Highland
2. Lowland
3. Speyside
4. Islands
5. Islay
6. Campbeltown
Recent tastings:
February 4, 2015 … Guildcrest Homes
June 28, 2015 … Briars Contest winners
The Wine Baron 