With the days getting shorter, and chilly winds beginning to blow, now’s the perfect time to cozy up at home with a glass of something warming. Just as we’re putting away our summer clothes and pulling out the woolens and fleeces, we’re moving away from gin and tonics, margaritas, and daiquiris over to something a with a little more heat.
Autumn marks the beginning of whisky season, and with the whiff of fallen leaves and wood smoke in the air, the distinctive, smoky flavors of single malts from the Scottish islands of Islay and Skye feel like just the right choice.
If you’re a fan of Lapsang Souchong and Earl Grey tea, chances are you’ll also love these whiskies. While not for all tastes, single malts from Islay and Skye are smoky and sometimes briny, peppery, or spicy, reminiscent of sea air, peat fires, and moist earth.
And although a bottle of a single malt such as these can be pricey (10-year-olds begin at the $40-range, with some running into the triple digits), like dark chocolate or a strongly flavored cheese, a little goes a long way. Best taken neat (no ice, please!) with an optional drop or two of added water to buffer any alcoholic burn, these whiskies are meant to be savored slowly at room temperature.
A quiet and contemplative choice of drink, they're perfect to sip during a long conversation with a friend, or while curled up with a good book or watching a favorite movie at home. A single ounce for a single sitting (for me, anyway) is usually just right.
Islay (“Eye-lah”) Single Malts
Islay is one of the most famous of the classic whisky regions in Scotland. Single malts from this tiny but prolific island are known for their distinctive smoky, peaty, seaweedy, iodiny qualities. Here are a few I've sampled:
Ardbeg: strong smokiness
Bowmore: peaty, sweet smokiness
Bruichladdich (“brewk-laddie”): mild smokiness
Lagavulin (“lagga-voo-lin”): mellow smokiness
Laphroaig (“la-froyg”): strong smokiness
And the Only Single Malt Whisky from the Isle of Skye:
Talisker (“tal-is-kur”): smoky, peppery spiciness
What do you like to drink this time of year?
Related: The Trouble With Irish Whiskey (and James Joyce Cocktails)
(Images: Nora Maynard)
-Nora
For single-malts I also appreciate Balvenie and Oban. Yum.
view Elizabeth II's profile
I get at least one person per week to try Laphroaig. If someone is really into the smoky qualities of scotch that's the one for them. It's crazy smoky!
view art's profile
art,
That Laphroig is amazing! My bf loves it and always says (in a heavy, fake Scottish accent) "it tastes of the peat" when he drinks it. Too bad I can't drink!
view Michelle of Montreal's profile
I loves me some Scotch, that's for certain. I do enjoy the Talisker, and I agree with Elizabeth-the-two on the Oban call, indeed.
The Glenlivet is satisfying and accessible. It's also less piquant, and more sweet. But what I like in Single Malt is some spice. A bit of "seasoning" to do more to my taste buds than blast them with generic alcohol-flavor.
Blended whiskies can also be satisfying. The same spicy tones that draw me to certain single malts are sometimes very present in your average blended whisky such as Johnnie Walker Black Label (or Green for a bit more dough... or Blue if you are the kind of person who can throw $300 at a bottle of whisky and still be able to sleep at night).
You've inspired me! Tonight I shall buy a new bottle of something I've never tried before. Perhaps Laphroaig!
view Citizen Gain's profile
I'm a big fan of Talisker and Lagavulin.
I also get annoyed at 1) bars and restaurants that have wine lists the size of dictionaries but no scotch list and 2) waiters and bartenders that act SO SURPRISED when a girly-girl like me not only wants scotch, but wants GOOD scotch, served properly!
view Bx's profile
I would put Caol Ila up against any of these.
I find its good peaty, smoky, and astringent notes more balanced and complex than Laphroaig, Talisker, Oban, or Lagavulin (Lagavulin 18 is, IMHO, overpriced because of its popularity).
view elvedon's profile
On the rare occasions I can afford it, Laphroaig all the way. For the frequent occasions on which I cannot afford it, I try to flirt with the bartender and profess my love of "smoky, SMOKY scotch" and ask if they've ever tasted a Laphroaig 10-year. It sometimes leads to a free glass, and almost always leads to a good conversation about their favorite scotches.
view nadarine's profile
and don't forget the delicious Rusty Nail, add a drop of Drambuie
view Kate (NC)'s profile
Connemara is nice, too. Super peaty smoke that's a little more subtle, but it's tough to find sometimes.
view Bx's profile
I think I am the only person I know in the entire world who cannot stand scotch. What is wrong with me?! haha
view Amandica's profile
I really love bourbon. The best examples I've found are from the Rip Van Winke Distillery, in Kentucky. Their 12 year old 'Lot B' is delicious, incredibly complex and could pass for dessert. It's really delicate, so ice ruins it and the flavors really mature as it breathes. The Van Winkle family reserve Rye is perfect for manhattans, and the Old Rip Van Winkle's 10 year old is incredibly smooth for a 107 proof. It's got an incredible warmth and spicy, caramel-y flavor.
El Dorado Rum also makes a pretty amazing 15 year old rum that's best neat. It's got a really delicate flavor on its own that includes caramel, fruit and spice. If you like whiskey, try this rum.
view lindsaylou's profile
Agreed with elvendon above about Caol Ila - it never seems to be as readily available as Laphroaig etc but it's a fantastic, subtle and complex drink.
On the other hand, I'm also a fan of the Laphroaig Quarter Cask.
view jakeybob's profile
I third the recommendation for Caol Ila, especially if you can get a single-cask bottle. (Try www.demijohn.co.uk). There can be a big range of mineral and sea qualities between casks that is amazing, but lost in typical store bottles.
Much-maligned blends are making a come back, and Compass Box leads the field with these. Their Peat Monster would fit well among the bottles discussed above. Their more approachable Asyla, their fantastic Hedonism, and their rare, strange, and magnificent Orangerie are gems.
Do check out Demijohn's, especially if you find yourself in Edinburgh or Glasgow and can wander into the store. Eat first, they dish liberally dish out tastes of their stock. It's a great way to spend an afternoon.
view JaxByDefault's profile
Oban is my favorite. And apparently it is a lot more popular than I realized.
view Niamh's profile
Thirding the Caol Ila.
Also, for a less-peaty Islay, Bunnahabhain is really, really good too. A touch sweeter than the others, but a pleasant contrast.
Was just in Islay for five days a few months ago, touring distilleries. So much fun, and surprisingly empty of tourists, even in high season! You get to go inside everywhere, taste everyting, it's all very friendly and cozy! Highly recommended for scotch whisky fans!
view brenjay's profile
As per the this post I went out and got a bottle of the Laphroaig. (Sniff...sniff) Thank....you.
view dreamtard's profile