To ensure you can avoid any confusion this festive season, Waitrose experts have written this brand new guide to the world of Scotch whisky to ensure you find the right dram for you. Sales of single malt whisky are growing at a rate of 20% each year at Waitrose, and the launch of Waitrose: A Whisky-lover’s Handbook coincides with the onset of the darker evenings and colder weather - the perfect whisky drinking climate!
Waitrose spirits buyer, Michael Simpson-Jones, is extremely proud of the guide, and says: ‘We are thrilled to be able to introduce people to the world of Scotch single malt whisky and provide a comprehensive look at how to drink it and what to eat with it. It’s the perfect tipple for Christmas, and with Burn’s Night just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to learn about the very best whisky Scotland has to offer!’
Separating the wide spectrum of Scotch single malts into four main flavour profiles, the guide aims to de-mystify the world of whisky, with delicious food matching, top tips on how to drink, and what to look for in a good quality whisky. Available in store from November 4th, the guide coincides with the launch of the Waitrose Whisky Showcase, meaning there are some great savings on all Scotch single malts until the 1st December 2009.
To start off your journey through Scotland’s best whiskies, why not try something light and floral like the Glenfiddich 12-year-old (£27.49 down to £22.49), distilled in the Speyside malt whisky capital of Dufftown. Renowned for its light, floral, grassy aromas, it offers flavours of crushed apple and pear, with hints of honey, cinnamon and spice. Enjoy with a dash of cool, still water to enhance the flavours.
A majestic and complex whisky such as the The Macallan Fine Oak (£28.99) works beautifully with smoked salmon - perfect to enjoy with a starter at a dinner party. The Macallan is a light and delicately smoky spirit from Speyside which offers floral, buttery, vanilla spice notes, and works really well with fish.
For a richer and more mature whisky, why not try The Isle of Jura Single Malt Whisky (£26.49 down to £20.49) with your Sunday roast. The tiny island of Jura produces a whisky which is fruity, with hints of pine, citrus fruits, cinnamon and spice. The mighty mountains of Jura give the spirit protection from the harsh winds of the Atlantic Ocean, yet a subtle whisper of sea salt can still be found, teasing the tongue on the aftertaste.
The Dalmore 15-year-old (£45.00 down to £38.00) is matured in three different styles of sherry wood, to the north of Inverness. A classic example of a real connoisseurs’ whisky, the Dalmore combines peaty, smoky characteristics with the rich flavours of fruit cake and vanilla. To round off a dinner party, try matching it with a chocolate mousse or crème brulee, or even better, douse over a Christmas pudding.
Waitrose is proud to offer an extensive selection of the finest malt whiskies, and with some clever food tips and detailed flavour profiles from the experts, now it’s even easier to find your way around Scotland’s most luxurious export.