The pretentious one

We all know people can be pretentious about whisky. I don't think I'm one of them, I drink it, and I enjoy it, and I like to talk about it. Generally only to people to also like whisky, so that is why this post will be short but sweet.

My dear friend Tricia was recently staying at my flat with her family, and to say thank you, she bought me a bottle of Caol Ila 14 year old. Coal Ila is a Jura whisky, so it tends to share some of the characteristics of Islay whiskies (such as Ardbeg), which are smoky and medicinal. I adore smoky whiskies, which may be a bit unusual for someone of my demographic, however I can't see why more people aren't as passionate about them as me. 

These are my tasting notes about it. 

To taste whisky you fist look at it through the light. In maturing whisky they use different casks which impart different characterisitcs, such as flavour and colour. This one is very light and clear, which is something that whiskies matured in old Bourbon casks from the USA tend to be. The Bourbon casks will also give a light honey flavour and add sweetness to the finished product. 

The nose or smell of the whisky is in my mind very light and fresh, slight notes of sea water and a certain sweetness. There is most certainly smoke and a good hint of peat, which for one reason or another always makes me think of old libraries and books. 

The taste of the whisky is sublime, first of all the peatyness comes through, but not too heavily, and there is also a delicious smokiness which isn't overpowering. There are certain hints of iodine and it's very medicinal, a good healing malt. 

The finish is smokey, but pleasantly so, and remains on the palate for a good while after it's been drunk.

My rating is 8/10. I recommend this whisky is drunk on a windswept clifftop, the summit of a Munro or beside a roaring fire with friends.

I think this whisky would also make a good Hot Toddy. For those of you unfamiliar with the drink, let me enlighten you. Like the Carbolic Smokeball it will cure all ills. It's warming, slightly alcoholic and a bit decadent. This is my recipe, it's all rough, and please adjust to taste.

To make 2 you will need:

1 bottle of cheap blended whisky, such as Famous Grouse of Supermarket own brand.

1 bottle of a good smokey malt, such as a peated Islay, like Ardbeg, Laproaig or Port Charlotte.

4 fresh lemons or 2 fresh lemons and some Jif lemon

Heather Honey

Hot water

2 big warm mugs

A comfy sofa and good company.

1) Put a good slosh of the cheap whisky into the mug, it depends on how you like it, I like it strong, but if you don't put in as much as you want to drink.

2) Next take your Islay malt and put 2 tablespoons of it in, just enough to impart it's smokey goodness.

3) Squeeze in plenty of fresh lemon

4) A few tablespoons of they honey and mix it all round.

5) Now fill the mugs with hot but not boiling water and serve. 

Adjust to taste.