Scotland has a history of producing whiskey for 500 years. Its products have a unique style, brownish yellow with red color, clear and transparent, smell of burnt aroma, with a certain smoky flavor, and have a strong Scottish flavor. Rustic. Scotch whiskey has the characteristics of dry, mellow, strong, round and soft taste. It is one of the best whiskeys in the world. Basic introduction Chinese name: Scotch whiskey History: 500 years Color: Brown with red Taste: Dry, mellow, strong, round, soft Brewing, type, taste, characteristics, method, production area, review, appreciation, classic Appreciation, Famous, Brewing In Scotland, 80% of the raw materials for brewing are barley, and 20% are wheat, corn, etc. 1. Soak the barley in soft water, dry it in the open air, and turn it manually or mechanically to keep the wheat growth rate consistent. . 2. Use Scotland’s unique peat to roast the malt. After roasting the malt, place it in soft water and mash it to turn into wort. Add yeast for fermentation, and then distill it twice. The distilled whiskey will have a rough texture. Not suitable for drinking, needs to be aged. 3. The aging process is divided into two procedures: 1. Distillation and dilution. 2 Use peat to bake the inner wall of the oak barrel, put the colorless and transparent whiskey into the barrel for aging, usually for 6 years (at least), and then bottle it for sale after aging (pure wheat type). Whiskey or grain whiskey is mixed with neutral edible alcohol by the distiller in a certain proportion, and then aged for a short period of time. After bottling, it is called mixed whiskey. Scotch whiskey. No one knows when the Scots learned the technology of making whiskey. It has become popular all over the world, but it is said that this method of making wine has a long history of at least 1,500 years. The term "Scotch whiskey" can only be used specifically to describe whiskey distilled in Scotland and aged for at least six years. 2. A little royal gil can be added according to the taster's own interests and hobbies, which will give it a dark amber color and a good taste. There are many types of Scotch whiskey, which can be divided into three categories according to different raw materials and brewing methods: pure malt whiskey, grain whiskey and blended whiskey. 1. Pure malt whiskey (Pure malt Whiskey) Distilled liquor brewed only from barley as raw material is called pure malt whiskey. Single malt whiskey is made from barley malt roasted on open-air peat. It is distilled in a pot still. It is usually distilled twice. After distillation, the alcohol content of the liquor obtained reaches 63.4 degrees. It is burned on special charcoal. Aged in oak barrels and diluted with water before bottling. This wine has rich aromas produced by peat. According to regulations, the aging time is at least three years. Generally, wine aged for more than five years can be drunk. Wine aged for seven to eight years is finished wine, and wine aged for ten to twenty years is the best quality wine. The quality of wine that has been aged for more than twenty years will decline. Single malt whiskey is loved by Scots, but due to its strong taste, only 10% is sold directly, and the remaining 90% is used as raw wine when blending whiskey. So it is rarely exported. Famous brands include: Glendronach, Benedict 2. Grain Whiskey Grain whiskey uses a variety of grains as raw materials for brewing, such as oats, rye, barley, wheat, corn, etc. Grain whiskey only needs one distillation and is mainly produced from unmalted barley and malt as the saccharifying agent. The difference between it and other whiskeys is that most of the barley does not malt and ferment. Because most barley does not sprout, there is no need to use a large amount of peat for roasting. Therefore, the peat aroma of the grain whiskey after it is made into alcohol is correspondingly less, and the taste is much softer and more delicate. Grain whiskey is mainly used to blend other whiskeys and gins, and is rarely retailed on the market. 3. Blended Whiskey (Blended Whiskey) Blended Whiskey, also known as blended whiskey, refers to the blending of pure malt whiskey and grain whiskey. Blending is a highly technical job, and the blending of whiskey is mastered by the blender. When blending, not only the proportion of pure malt whiskey and grain whiskey must be taken into consideration, but also the aging age, origin, taste and other characteristics of various blended liquors. The first step in the work of reconciliation is blending. When blending, technicians only use their noses to smell and never taste. When you are confused, put a little wine on the back of your hand and smell it carefully to identify it. The second step is blending, and the blended dosage formula is kept confidential.

Inject different varieties into the mixer (or through high-pressure spray) according to the dosage, mix thoroughly, then add the coloring agent (usually caramel), and finally put it into barrels for aging and storage. After blending, the smoky flavor of the whiskey is diluted and the smell is more attractive. It combines the strong malt and delicate grain aroma, so it is sold all over the world. According to the proportion of single malt whiskey and grain whiskey, the blended whiskey is divided into two types: ordinary and premium according to the proportion of pure malt whiskey in the liquor. Generally speaking, if the proportion of pure malt whiskey is 50-80%, it is a high-end blended whiskey; if the proportion of grain whiskey is large, it is an ordinary whiskey. The vast majority of whiskey sold worldwide is blended. The common packaging capacity of Scotch blended whiskey is between 700ml and 750ml, and the alcohol content is around 43°C. Taste: New wine that has just been distilled is colorless and tasteless, and is not suitable for consumption. It must be stored in the cellar for several years to remove its fire properties before it can become pure and fragrant. Some distilleries use wooden barrels that once contained some liquor to hold whiskey, which makes the whiskey turn golden, but other distilleries use oak barrels, so the wine turns yellowish. Whiskey needs to pass the test of alcohol concentration and color before it can be put into the bottle. Features: Only brewed in Scotland; fermented and distilled from malt; brewed in wooden barrels for at least three years; made from malt or grains, or a mixture of both. People born in Scotland are called Scots (Scots), the whiskey they make is also called Scotch, and the two will never be confused. No other country in the world has as close a relationship with whiskey as Scotland, and there are not as many whiskey distilleries as Scotland. Scotch whiskey method There are many ways to drink Scotch whiskey, the most common is to drink it neat (without adding water), or add ice, water, soda water, etc. Scotch whiskey can also be consumed before meals to stimulate appetite. Or you can drink it and chew it lightly with three or two close friends, the joy is endless. Producing Regions Just as French wines are classified by their regions, so is Scottish malt whiskey. In Scotland, it is mainly divided into four major production regions:

1. Speyside

This is the area with the most densely distributed wineries. Abundant fresh water sources, easy-to-grow barley, and peat everywhere create unique conditions for this place. The SPEY distillery is located at the very source of the Spey River. The whiskey in this area is famous for its elegance, the sweetest taste, and the rich and complex aroma. It usually has the aroma of fruits, flowers, green leaves, honey, and sometimes there is a strong The smell of peat.

2. Highlands

The largest area, each style is different due to its landforms and water sources. There are not many distilleries in the Western Highlands, and the wine is thick-bodied, not sweet, with a slight peat and salty taste; the wine in the northernmost Highlands has a spicy taste; the whiskey in the Eastern Highlands and Central Highlands is particularly fruity.

3. Lowlands

Located in the southern part of Scotland, there are fewer wineries, and there are even fewer wineries nowadays. The whiskey here is less affected by sea breezes and less peat is used in the manufacturing process. Because of the local high-quality barley and clear water, the whiskey produced is particularly fragrant and soft, and some even have grassy and malty flavors.

4. Islay

Located in the southwest of Scotland, the whiskey in this area has the thickest body, the strongest smell, and the strongest peat taste. Easy to identify. Islay's whiskey has two major characteristics. One is the use of local peat-smoked dry malt, so it has a strong peat flavor; the other is the seaweed and salty flavor given by the sea. Commentary In 1820, Johnnie Walker opened a grocery store in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and began to sell the Scotch whiskey he was trying to blend. As railway transportation became increasingly developed, the whiskey he carefully blended became more and more popular. It is famous far and wide and is extremely popular in overseas markets. In 1908, Johnnie and his grandson commissioned a contemporary artist to paint a portrait of the company founder. The portrait of Johnnie Walker wearing a gentleman's hat, glasses, holding a staff and smiling on his face has become one of the most well-known trademarks in the world. At the same time, the red square and black square were also launched, and their square bottle oblique drawing paper is famous all over the world today. Scotch whiskey is made only in Scotland; it is fermented and distilled from malt; it is aged in wooden barrels for at least three years; it is made from malt or grains, or a mixture of both.

People born in Scotland are called Scots, and the whiskey they make is also called Scotch. There is no way to confuse the two. No other country in the world has as close a relationship with whiskey as Scotland, and there are not as many whiskey distilleries as Scotland. Appreciation: Hold the stem of a short glass upright and observe the color in a light place. Do not add ice or water, or hold the wall of the glass with your hands, so as not to change the temperature of the wine and affect the tasting. "Tiao Ding Ji" once summarized: "For shochu, those with clear blue flowers and fine flowers are at the top, those with thick and sparse flowers are second, and those with no flowers and are muddy are at the bottom." This means the liquor distributed around the wall of the wine glass. A kind of tension will be generated so that the wine will not fall down quickly. The more mature and mellow the wine is, the better its tension will be. Slowly rotate the cup body to allow the amber liquid to flow freely through the transparent glass. Tilt and then restore, leaving traces of wine. Longer wine trace flow time means the wine is thicker and thicker, while shorter time means the alcohol content is relatively lower. Aroma is the soul of whiskey. Perfume has its scent master, and so does the British who regard whiskey as a national treasure. As for blending whiskey, the blender can only rely on the sense of smell alone to complete the blending process, which shows the importance of its influence. When smelling fragrance, use a special tulip-shaped goblet to facilitate the storage of fragrance. Add 1/3 water, lift the cup from the nose to the tip and take a light sniff, then put your nose into the cup and take a short sniff or two. The first thing you feel at this time is the essence of the wine. Scotch Whiskey Take a slow sip and swirl it around in your mouth with the tip of your tongue. When the aroma of whiskey fills your entire mouth, swallow it slowly and experience the different aromas in different parts. This ever-changing and very significant aftertaste is called the "final feeling". When you taste single malt whiskey and feel the aroma of malt, adding water is more beneficial to the release of the aroma. Classic Appreciation 1. Chivas Regal Whiskey The excellent quality of Chivas Regal 12-year-old whiskey has become a universally recognized standard for measuring high-quality Scotch whiskey. Its noble silver foil carton decoration is even more well-known. The quality of Chivas Regal Twelve Years Whiskey, which has been aged for twelve years, has always remained high, making it the most reputable premium Scotch whiskey in history. 2. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whiskey "Blue Label" is the top-grade whiskey in the Johnnie Walker series. It is carefully selected and blended from the oldest whiskeys in many places in Scotland, including the age. Whiskey that's sixty years old. The wine has a unique quality and mellow aroma, making it the choice of whiskey connoisseurs. 3. Extra-mellow Ballantine's is made from a variety of high-quality pure malt whiskeys. The wine is crystal clear and fragrant. It matches any soft drink and can best bring out the charm of whiskey. 4. Macallan 40 Year Old Scotch Whiskey This rare aged bottled wine is the perfect combination of Macallan's art and professional skills. It is also Macallan's top masterpiece. ***Only 450 bottles are on sale. This whiskey combines the flavors of citrus, black chocolate and cinnamon, especially the taste of dried fruits, which makes the aftertaste longer. The reasons why Scotch whiskey is famous in the world are: first, the climate and geographical conditions of the famous whiskey producing areas in Scotland are suitable for the growth of the crop barley; second, there is a type of coal called peat in these places, which This kind of coal will emit bursts of unique smoky smell when burning. Peat is formed by the long-term decay and carbonization of unique local mosses. In the traditional process of making whiskey in Scotland, this kind of peat must be used for baking. Roasted malt. Therefore, one of the characteristics of Scotch whiskey is its unique peat-smoked aroma. Third, Scotland is rich in high-quality mineral water, which lays the foundation for the dilution and blending of wine. The last point is that the Scots have traditional brewing techniques and strict quality management methods. There are four main whiskey-producing regions in Scotland, namely: the northern Highlands (Highland), the southern lowlands (Lowland), the southwest Campbeltown (Campbeltown) and the western island Islay (Islay). There are nearly a hundred single malt whiskey distilleries in the Northern Highlands area, accounting for more than 70% of the total number of distilleries in Scotland. It is the most famous whiskey production area in Scotland. The single malt whiskey produced in this region is light-bodied and full-bodied. There are about 10 single malt whiskey distilleries in the southern lowlands. The area is Scotland's second most famous whiskey producing region. In addition to producing malt whiskey, it also produces blended whiskeys. The town of Combey in the southwest is located in southern Scotland and is the production area of ??traditional Scottish whiskey.

The beautiful western island of Islay is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The Isle of Islay has a long history in making whiskey. The whiskey produced has a unique taste and aroma, and its blended whiskey is relatively famous.