Sipping Scotch Doesn’t Have to Be So Serious: Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky
The idea of Scotch may be intimidating to those who like their drinks pink and bubbly, but you just never know where your taste buds will take you. Believe it or not you may grow out of your gin and tonics, and one day that Cosmo just might not cut it as your go-to cocktail. Perhaps you’ve already been sniffing around for something new to sip.
While scotch neat isn’t technically a cocktail (definition: a drink with two or more ingredients at least one of which is a spirit) it is often the drink of choice for the cocktail set, so I thought for this week’s 10 Minute Happy Hour, we’d break open a bottle, grab a a wedge of manchego and some creamy camembert and ease you in to sipping scotch.
A bottle of Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky (a blend of Speyside, Islay and Lowland malts with Invergordon gentle grain whiskies), ended up on my desk and I was immediately drawn to it. A big pig on the label and the name itself led me to believe this brand was aiming to allure a set of scotch drinkers who don’t take the stuff or themselves too seriously — which is right up my alley.
Scotch, like wine, has its own snooty set, but like winemakers you can bet the guys making this stuff want everyone to enjoy it, not just an elite group. The name was inspired because this drink is supposed to be as smooth as a pig’s nose. Weird idea for those of us not familiar with pig’s noses but it looked fun nonetheless, so I poured.
An entertaining label wrapped a pretty hefty sip. It might be a silly name, but this blended Scotch whisky is no sea-breeze. From first sniff this pour was pleasantly creamy and the Pig’s Nose did indeed prove to be very smooth and easy drinking. At $30/bottle, it’s a great introduction to sipping scotch.
For a fun and delicious happy hour ready in 10 minutes time, pair the Pig’s Nose with a creamy Camembert and a tangy Manchego — of course not all in one bite — and see which match up you like better.
Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices, and advice with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com
More on Scotch from The Kitchn
• How to Drink Scotch: 4 Mixed Drinks to Ease You In
• Recipe: Scotch, Espresso & Vanilla Affogato
• An Cnoc to Tomintoul: A Scotch Pronunciation Guide
• Cozy Whiskies for Chilly Fall Days: Smoky Single Malts
(Images: Maureen Petrosky)