The crème de la crème of Scotch? For some, it sure is, and for others, there is too much wine in their whisky ! Well, the latter shouldn’t attend this class. But if names such as Glenfarclas, Macallan, Glendronach are music to your taste buds, then you MUST attend. There are many types of sherries, i.e. ex wines in these ex barrels…and so many ways to use them to either entirely or partially mature the whisky. Thus, this is what we offer here: a great variety of ex-Sherry casks-aged single malt Scotch whiskies…from dry to sweet, soft and tannic, etc. You’ll be exposed to the very DNA of Scotch, for sherried whiskies were once dominant in Scotland’s landscape, but barely making 10% up of the ageing stock today. Manzanilla, Oloroso, Pedro Ximenes…these are terms you’ll be familiar with by the end of the class (wines tasted too!); you won’t speak Gaelic with a Spanish accent, but you’ll be an expert in this relatively narrow field. You will sure recognize a butt when you see one after that…
Wine Cask finished Scotch
You’re a geek if you’re reading this! Pinot noir, Sherry, Port, Cabernet Sauvignon, Madeira, Sauternes, etc…Started in the early 90’s by innovative people at distilleries such as Balvenie, Glen Moray and Glenmorangie, it was then only a way to create new products, taking the space others wouldn’t grab on the shelves. What used to be a common practice 100 years ago, i.e. using ex-wine casks from the bulk wine trade with UK, became fashionable and sought after. But placing a single malt Scotch in ex wine barrels does present many challenges and is not common practice anymore, or at least not for the entire ageing period. But as a producer, you almost have to do it now…sometimes it’s great, but at times it’s highly questionable whether the finishing, or double maturation, was an enhancement or a way to mask a sub-par whisky’s off notes…
Limited Edition Scotches
Prior Scotch Whisky knowledge required! Limited editions are quite common today, as the thirst for collectible items has grown tremendously in the past few years. From duty-free exclusive to anniversary releases or special casks’ bottlings, there is a great variety to be enjoyed. Yet, most of these will remain unopened…because of their growing value. Scotch is the best investment you could have made in the last 10 years. We’ll open these for you, and see whether they’re worth it. We know they are, but it’s personal. You will probably not have the occasion to taste them again, and they’re not that easy to come by. What defines “limited Edition” anyway? A once-in-a-while release? A few barrels of something older than usual? A date to commemorate? Its availability on a particular market? Its “out-of-specs” flavor profile? It seems to be a catch-all category, but what we’re pouring truly expresses uniqueness.