Did you catch my post yesterday, an ode to an advent calendar? I thought that I would add an extra post based on an insight that I had this morning.
Whisky advent calendar at first might seem and is a bit of fun. A lovely dram to enjoy every evening from the 1st December to Christmas Eve, bringing back memories of chocolate or pictured filled fun revealed behind the daily door in your youth.
I view my annual calendar as an intensive whisky appreciation course.
Fo me each day is a ritual:
I open it early, take a photograph which I put into my iPhone notes page.
I read a bit about the whisky to understand its origins and production methodology.
In the evening I sit in an armchair by the fire beside the Christmas Tree.
I savour the whisky. Taking the time drinking this normally as my only dram of the evening.
I do my tasting notes thoroughly and over a long time, adding water to taste. For this I keep it simple – information (cask etc), appearance (colour,legs), nose, palate, finish, conclusion. I want to concentrate on the whisky.
I continue nosing until the glass is empty
Then I sit back and ponder what I have experienced
Time is important as every whisky evolves. I recently took 3 hours to enjoy a 1967 Brora, believe me it was worth every second. Whisky rewards patience.
Advent calendars generally allow you to chose your theme;
Scotch
Wider whisky
American
Japanese
Old and Rare – up to £10k a calendar , out of my league!
Amongst others
I am lucky to have been sent by Drinks by the dram The Boutiquey Whisky company advent calendar.
This calendar covers some older whisky I.e more than 15 years. A number of younger spirit led drams of whisky I have not tasted at youth. Lots of classics from every region and many from outwith Scotland. There are very interesting whiskies I have never tasted before.
There are single malts, Blended malts, Bourbons and Grains. A different treat every evening.
There are a number of experienced reviewer who are also tasting this calendar every evening and you can compare your notes with theirs – always interesting but to reassure you , your observations are no less valid than theirs and mine. I cannot smell or taste what you are!
What is not to enjoy about such a whisky extravaganza! Cap it all with each 30ml sample bearing a beautiful graphic by Emily Chappelle – an anecdote, often obscure. Unravel the story to learn more about the distillery.
This calendar is sourced from Master of Malts my favourite whisky retailer.
@drinksbythedram @masterofmalt @BoutiqueyWhisky
