Summer Whisky Drinking

Not sure what it’s like in your neck of the woods, but we have a week-long heat advisory going here, with temperatures hovering around 100ºF all week.

That kind of heat doesn’t inspire most Scotch drinkers to dip into their stocks of heavier Sherry finished drams or even the super smoky Islays (although I’m sure some do), but there is still some relief in site by picking some lighter drams or even, heaven forbid, adding some mixers and ice and having a Scotch cocktail.

For those that can’t bring themselves to add anything to their precious-pure-pristine whisky here are a few suggestions that are on the lighter side but still without adding water, mixer or ice.

Oban 14

Gets an 84 from Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible. Very nicely balanced. Light, fruity and slightly sweet.

Hibiki 12

On the nose this Japanese blended whisky has a light sweetness with lots of vanilla and a lightly fragrant flower blossom scent. On the palate it has a lot of fruit sweetness upfront, from the plum liquer aging, as well as a starchy cereal flavor with loads of vanilla. Light and balanced, with a gentle finish.

Glenlivet 12

Generally I’m not a huge fan of Glenlivet, although it is a very nicely balanced gentle dram. But usually I want more from it, but as a summer dram I think it is perfect since it has no heavy smoky or sherry influences. Just a light maltiness and fruitiness.

Bunnahabhain 12

Their new bottlings are at 46.3% ABV which really makes an already tasty single malt even better. This new version has some 15 year old in it as its oldest whisky and is aged in 1/3 2nd fill casks, 1/3 ex-bourbon casks and 1/3 ex-sherry casks. On the nose it is sweet and malty with a bit of green apple. On the palate it is creamy, with nicely balanced sherry and malt and a slight woodiness and nuttiness.

Aberfeldy 12

A citrusy and malty nose and especially on the palate is malty, honeyed, citrusy, caramel and vanilla with a very long finish. This is the heart of the Dewar’s blend.

Now for those who have the guts to admit that they like their whisky with water or ice or are tempted by the thought of a cool whisky drink (at least in the Summer), here are a few suggestions. Scotch and water with a blend that can stand up to water and ice such as Teacher’s Highland Cream or

Pinch 15 is one my guilty pleasures in the summer and I even like Scotch and soda as it was drunk in the Victorian era and up to present day, with a twist of lemon rind. Very refreshing.

Cocktail Suggestions from around the internet:

From Dionne Ligoure at The Whisky Club Trinidad and Tobago

BITTER 'n' TWISTED..... In a chilled cocktail glass mix :

a few drops of lemon juice,

4 drops of Angostura bitters,

25ml measure of Scotch Whisky,

ginger ale to top up.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Whisky-Club-Trinidad-and-Tobago/153098024730124

From Drinkoftheweek.com here’s a Dewar’s Old Fashioned

1 part DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL

1 teaspoon sugar

2 dashes Angostura bitters

2 orange slices

2 maraschino cherries

Water or Soda water

In the bottom of a rocks glass, carefully muddle the sugar, bitters, 1 orange slice, 1 cherry and a splash of water or soda. Remove the orange rind and add the DEWAR’S and ice. Garnish with the remaining orange slice and cherry.

Courtesy of Dewar's

http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/

Claire Thomas of the The Kitchy Kitchen offers:

The Whiskey Smash

2 oz. whiskey

1 oz. simple syrup

1/2 oz. lemon juice

A handful of mint

Instructions:

Muddle the mint and lemon juice, then add the syrup and whiskey. Fill your shaker with ice. Shake it hard. Strain. Serve over ice and enjoy!

http://thekitchykitchen.blogspot.com/

From www.drinksmixer.com