How to buy scotch from a whiskey shop
One of the smartest ways to buy a Scotch is to go to a whiskey shop. There are many liquor stores today that specifically sell a particular type of alcohol and can be considered as specialists in that area. So, when you feel the need to pick up a premium Scotch or a single malt then the wisest approach would be to head to your whiskey store.
When you are at a whiskey show you will be greeted by many options. It can get somewhat confusing to make a selection when you have a plethora of options available at your disposal. You should also do a bit of your homework when you head out to by your premium liquor.
To make a good buying decision you should first know that only whiskey that is distilled, matured and produced entirely in Scotland can be called a Scotch. Similarly, a whiskey that is produced entirely in the United States and is made from corn is called a Bourbon. These two differentiators are two of the crucial things that you must make a note of when you head to buy whiskey. To know that you are getting the real thing you should also take a close look at the label. If a whiskey sates “Made is Scotland” or “Scotch Whiskey” then it is the real thing. This is a standard regulation laid down by the Scotch Whiskey Regulation Act.
When you visit a good whiskey shop you can get all your information on the different types of Scotch whiskies that they have. There are five main types of Scotch whiskies namely, single malt, single grain, blended or vatted Scotch and blended grain whiskey. Out of all these types it is the single malts that are highly treasured and widely appreciated.
The next thing that you need to ask when buying a single malt is the place of origin of the whiskey. The place of origin determines the flavors and complexity of the whiskey. The main whiskey producing regions of Scotland are the Speyside region, the Highland region, the Lowland region, the Island region and the Islay region. These regions are also listed on the whiskey label. Highland malts are sweet, light bodied and have a slightly dry finish. The malts from this region can also have a slightly spicy character. The Speyside malts are the ones that are the highest selling with a perfectly balanced taste and a slight sweetness that is pleasing on the palate. Islay whiskies are savored and enjoyed by the seasoned whiskey connoisseur as these are heavier, smokier and peatier than the rest of the regions while Island whiskies are very light and coastal in flavor.
At a whiskey shop you can ask to taste a variety of whiskies before making your buying decision. The flavors of whiskies differ according to the maturation period. However, just because a whiskey has aged for a longer period of time doesn’t mean that it will be better. Choosing a whiskey is all about your own personal taste. All you need is a little bit of assistance from the experts in your whiskey shop in making sure that you make the right decision.