While George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, greatly penned that "Whisky is liquid sunshine," the master of stream-of-consciousness, James Joyce, called it "an agreeable interlude." Such is the grip of whisky, or Scotch whisky, on folks that it penetrates into the most profound moments of being. It is February 8, a day marked aside to be the World Scotch Day and there could be no better time in the year to recall these quotes. Though the Scotch whisky is but a malt or grain whisky made in Scotland, it exhibits a vibrant history and evolution and can be tweaked to be made into delectable cocktails. So, raise a glass today in celebration of World Scotch Day, and toast to the enduring legacy of this beloved spirit. Explore the story of the Scotch drink on this World Scotch Day, find out the ways you can play around with it making each of your sips more informed and enjoyable.
Scotch whisky has a long and fascinating history that dates back to mediaeval times. The drink was first distilled by monks in monasteries for medicinal purposes and later for recreational consumption. By the late 15th century, there was evidence of whisky production in Scotland, with references to aqua vitae, or "water of life," being produced in Dundee in 1494. Over time, whisky became an integral part of Scottish culture and economy.
In the 18th century, regulation and taxation led to illegal distillation and smuggling, but the 1823 Excise Act eventually legalised whisky production and set the standards for Scotch whisky. Innovations like continuous stills and blending whiskies from different distilleries helped the industry progress, and today, Scotch whisky is enjoyed worldwide as a symbol of Scottish heritage and craftsmanship. Whisky tourism also contributes to its cultural significance and economic impact in Scotland.
Scotch whisky is a diverse drink that comes in different styles and flavours, each with unique characteristics and production methods. The main types of Scotch whisky are single malt, single grain, blended malt, blended grain, and blended Scotch whisky.
Single malt Scotch whisky is made from malted barley and produced at just one distillery, and its drinkers tend to be connoisseurs who appreciate tradition, craftsmanship, and the nuanced flavours of a specific distillery's expression. On the other hand, single-grain Scotch whisky, made out of malted barley and other grains, distilled at one distillery, enjoys a fanbase of more adventurous and open-minded enthusiasts; they enjoy exploring lesser-known distilleries and experimenting with different flavour profiles.
Blended malt Scotch whisky, formerly known as vatted or pure malt, is a blend of single malt whiskies from different distilleries, creating a harmonious balance of flavours. Naturally, the blended malt Scotch aficionados are often seen as eclectic and sociable, drawn to the complexity and versatility of a blend crafted from various single malt whiskies. They tend to be pragmatic and value-conscious, as they appreciate the affordability and smoothness of a well-crafted blend. Furthermore, blended-grain Scotch whisky combines single-grain whiskies from multiple distilleries, resulting in a smooth and versatile spirit. Its drinkers tend to be inclusive and chatty with an eye and appreciation for craftsmanship. Lastly, blended Scotch whisky combines malt and grain whiskies from various distilleries to achieve a consistent and well-rounded flavour profile. Its enthusiasts are likely to be inclusive and easygoing, enjoying the accessibility and familiarity of a blend that appeals to a wide range of palates.
Summarily, inasmuch as the choice of Scotch whisky offers insights into the personality of its drinkers, its diverse range of types and expressions also reflects the rich tapestry of Scottish heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation, making each sip a journey through history and tradition.
Among the very facts attached to Scotch whisky, it is interesting to know that Scotch is Soctland's national drink. Particularly, it is the single malt Scotch whisky that is consumed widely in Scotland. In terms of befuddling data and numbers, it is worth mentioning that in 2021, Scotland exported 1.38 billion bottles of whisky worth around GBP 4.51 billion. In addition, 99 million cases of Scotch whisky are exported each year. Incidentally, Scots are not the largest consumers of Scotch whisky; it is the French who are considered as the topmost consumers of the drink, with India coming in second in the list worldwide.
While a Scotch must essentially come from Scotland to be authentic, to earn the moniker of "Scotch" whiskey, it should be matured for a minimum of three years in the country. The drink's reverence is such that Scotland's whisky regions are known across the globe. The Scotch whisky produced in Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands, Islay and Campbeltown is some of the most highly revered worldwide.
As enthusiasts and tipplers come together around the globe to raise a toast on the occasion of World Scotch Day, a certain toying around with the drink for the experimentalists is essential. Beginning perhaps during the lockdown when the world was shut and people had enough time on their hands, consumers are experimenting with novel ways to enjoy their favourite Scotch in new age formats. As such, the whisky highball has come to enjoy a popular spot among the enthusiasts. It incorporates soda water or ginger ale, along with ice and a garnish into the Scotch, to create an effervescent drink that is light, refreshing and highlights more dimensions of the whisky's flavours.
We have come up with various recipes for Scotch cocktails. Check out the list of recipes you can experiment with, each offering a unique twist on the classic highball cocktail.
The following recipes are courtesy of Dewar's Scotch Whisky.
Ingredients: 60 ml Scotch Whisky, 15 ml Lemon Juice, 15 ml Ginger Syrup, 15 ml Sugar Syrup and 30-60 ml Soda
Recipe: Start by preparing a ginger syrup by blending and straining fresh ginger with a bit of water and castor sugar. Ensure a ginger to sugar ratio of 4:3. In a highball glass, combine 60 ml of Scotch with 15 ml each of lemon juice, ginger syrup and sugar syrup. Fill the glass with ice, stir until chilled, and top up with soda. Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel.
Ingredients: 60 ml Scotch Whisky, 5 ml Lemon Juice, 10 ml Sugar Syrup and 60 ml Green Tea
Recipe: Begin by steeping 12 green tea bags in 500ml of hot water for no more than 30 seconds, then chill the tea. In a highball glass, combine 60 ml of Scotch with 5 ml of lemon juice, 10 ml of sugar syrup, and 60ml of chilled green tea. Add ice, stir until chilled, and top up with soda. Garnish with a pineapple leaf or lime wheel.
Ingredients: 60 ml Scotch Whisky, 15 ml Lemon Juice, 15 ml Chilli Cinnamon Syrup and 30 ml Pineapple Juice
Recipe: Prepare a chilli cinnamon syrup by adding toasted Kashmiri chilis and cinnamon sticks to sugar syrup, blending, and straining the mixture. In a chilled highball glass, combine 60 ml of Scotch with 15 ml of lemon juice, 15 ml of chilli cinnamon syrup and 30ml of pineapple juice. Fill the glass with ice, stir, and top up with soda. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Ingredients: 45 ml Scotch Whisky, 15 ml Lemon Juice, 15 ml Honey Cinnamon Syrup and 30 ml Soda
Recipe: Create a honey cinnamon syrup by combining honey and water in a 5:4 ratio, adding toasted cinnamon sticks, blending, and fine-straining. In a highball glass, combine 45 ml of Scotch with 15 ml of lemon juice, 15 ml of honey cinnamon syrup, and 30ml of soda. Fill with ice, stir until chilled, top up with more ice and soda, and garnish with a honey cinnamon tuile. These recipes offer a delightful array of flavours and textures, showcasing the versatility of Scotch whisky in highball cocktails.
