Today, March 27th, is International Whisk(e)y day. Those behind the creation of this day use the (e) notation to be all-inclusive, so I am following their lead on this one.
Certainly if you have the chance, you should enjoy a dram. But since it’s an international celebration, maybe this is a good chance to reach for something you wouldn’t normally drink, and try something new? Embrace the fact that whisky is truly an international drink!
Do you normally drink Bourbon, and shy away from Scotch because it’s too smoky? Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean cask finish may be just the right thing. It’s on the sweeter side, picking up some notes from the rum that previously filled those barrels. Or maybe Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or, finished in sweet Sauternes casks.
And you Scotch drinkers – how about giving Connemarra peated Irish whiskey a try? Or maybe a Bourbon with a little more char flavor? Yes, char is a different flavor than peat smoke (more on that in a later post), but it just might be something you like.
Or maybe this is a good time to explore a country not normally known for whisky? Sure, Japanese whisky has been making a splash (pun intended) on the international scene lately, but how about Indian whisky? Amrut Fusion is excellent. Jim Murray rated it 97 points and named it 3rd best whisky in the world in 2010.
The point is, there’s a whole world of whisky out there. Don’t be afraid to leave your own back yard, or your comfort zone.
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