WHISKY


Connoisseur’s drams (£41-£65) If your Dad knows his malts he will be familiar with these names, but each of the expressions I have listed are, in my view, outstanding exam- ples of their makes. Ardbeg


Uigeadail @54.2% (£45) richly


sherried and very smoky, and my favourite expression of Ardbeg. Or try Ardbeg Corry- vreckan @57.1% (£62) – lighter, but even smokier – named ‘World’s Best Whisky 2010’. Kilchoman @46% (£46). The current bottling


is the fourth to be released from this tiny Islay distillery, which only commenced production in 2005. All four have been unbelievably good for their age – matured in American oak and fi nished in ex-sherry butts. Lagavulin 16YO @43% (£41). Rich with dark


Top: Getting to know different malts. Left: Flavours vary – there’s bound to be one he loves. Bottom: Care and craft go into good malt whiskies.


fruits, fragrant with peat-smoke, ‘The Prince of Islays’ is so popular there is not enough to meet demand. Springbank 18YO @46% (£63). Another


World Whiskies Awards winner 2010 (‘Best Campbeltown’) and a splendid example of Springbank’s old-fashioned, and slightly smoky style.


rich, maritime


Bargains (£40 and under) Some may say that paying £40 for a bottle of Scotch is hardly a bargain, but if you refl ect on the care and craft and time it takes to make good malt whisky, not to mention the pleasure of savouring a noble dram, you have to agree that it’s worth it. Here are four of my current favourites: Aberfeldy 12YO @40% (£32). Aberfeldy


is a classic example of the ‘Highland’ style – with fl oral (heather pollen) and fruity (melon, baked apple) notes. Dalmore


Gran Reserva @43% (£40).


Recently introduced to replace the excellent Dalmore Cigar Malt, a big, fruity, sherried malt for after dinner. Old Pulteney 12YO @40% (£26). Once ‘The


Manzanilla of the North’, now ‘the Genuine Maritime Malt’ – crisp and briny, with a short fi nish. A perfect aperitif. Talisker 10YO @45.8% (£25). A perennial


spicy/smoky favourite, and the best malt to accompany oysters, smoked salmon, haggis, pies – and almost any other savoury dish.


FIELDFACTS Some of these whiskies will be available from


good local suppliers like Oddbins; they are certainly available from the leading specialist retailers: The Whisky Exchange, London www. thewhiskyexchange.com, Loch Fyne Whiskies, Inveraray www.lfw.co.uk and Royal Mile Whiskies, Edinburgh www.royalmilewhiskies.com


132 WWW.SCOTTISHFIELD.CO.UK


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