Tasting Guide

How to drink the whisky we make

It's an early Wednesday afternoon, and Mulle and Niki are busy preparing pallets for shipping. Niki still has time to pause for a bit when we bother him.

Q: What's the best way to enjoy one of our whiskies?

Niki: Pour a glass and leave it alone for a bit.

Q: That's not very romantic.

Niki: No, but it works. We've already spent a lot of time finding the strength where the whisky performs best. People often ask if they should add water, but we've already done that part. The whisky is bottled where we think the balance is right.

Q: So no water at all?

Niki: It's your whisky, so drink it however you prefer. But if you want to experience what we intended, start by tasting it neat.

Q: Then what?

Niki: Give it some time. Whisky doesn't stop changing when it leaves the cask. Once it's in the glass, oxygen starts interacting with hundreds of flavour compounds. Some become more volatile, some become less. New aromas emerge.That's why the first sip and the last sip can taste surprisingly different.

Q: How long should you wait?

Niki: Depends on the whisky, the room, the glass, and how patient you are. Our whiskies are bottled at a fairly high strength, so they tend to evolve quite a bit as they sit in the glass. Five minutes helps. Fifteen helps more. I've spent an hour with the same pour more than once.

Q: So the secret is patience?

Niki: Pretty much. Don't rush it. Let it warm slightly, let some air get to it, and pay attention to how it changes. The whisky will get where it's going on its own.  

So there you have it, right from the people who make it. We hope you'll enjoy the whisky, and look forward to seeing you out here whenever you're in the neighbourhood..