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Go for the burn with whisky galore
Dave Broom, Britain's leading authority on Scotch whisky, does not take a meek "me no like" for an answer.
"To people who come to one of my tastings and say they don't like whisky, I say give me 20 minutes."
Claiming a 90% success rate, the editor of The Scotch Whisky Review, who "drinks a dram every other day", adds: "Many people don't realise that there are lighter, softer, sweeter whiskies, that are amenable, gentle and subtle in character."
Whisky is shaking off its old-man-with-pipe image, as younger people, and women, open up to its many possibilities.
Trying is all very well, but what do you ask for at the bar without embarrassing yourself? And how do you know if you'll like it?
Dave and drink manufacturer Diageo have charted the confusing world of whisky on a handy map. First-time explorers can see, at a glance, what a bottle might taste like, what other brands are similar, or what to try instead if you absolutely hate it.
The Single Malt Whisky Flavour Map was put together by Dave and one of the master blenders at Diageo, but plots whiskies by other manufacturers, too, to give the complete landscape. It looks at single malts only, which are more complex and varied in flavour than less-sophisticated blends.
Take note: Whenever Dave says "whisky", he means "single malt whisky".
"We weren't looking at what whisky was better than another, but at the different flavours. So we came up with a smoky/delicate and rich/light scale.
"It's such a simple concept that when we were testing the map with consumers who had never tasted whisky before, they immediately got the idea and could identify where different brands should go."
Map in hand, you'll be able to navigate the shelves with ease. "It was about trying to find new terms, a new language to describe the flavours, so we could really bring people in," says Dave.
It may have taken more than 20 minutes, but I'm sold on the surprisingly smoky, yet light and refreshing Laphroaig.
This Burns night, arm yourself with the flavour map and set off on a whisky discovery tour of your own.
If you're new to whisky, or convinced you don't like it, the map will show you a safe place to start. Download your copy and pick up tips on how to use it. Check back for updates as more whiskies will be added.
Dave recommends starting with brands just below the horizontal line and just either side of the vertical, such as Clynelish or Glen Elgin.
If you find something too smoky, move down a little. If you like the idea of smokiness, reach for the top of the chart.
This depends on what flavour you go for: they're not all designed for late-night sipping by the fire.
"One of these lighter whiskies, in the bottom left quadrant on the map, would be great as an aperitif," says Dave.
"Above the line and to the right are bigger, heavier, smoky flavours that are great after a meal.
"In the bottom right, you've got complex robust flavours that are best enjoyed after dinner. Smokier whiskies are great with seafood; a drop with oysters is sublime."
Dave says: "I would always add a few drops of water. It knocks the alcohol down so it doesn't give that burn, which is what puts a lot of people off whisky. But do as you will with it.
"Some whiskies are great in cocktails; others you can stick in the freezer."
Dave makes it clear that whisky is not a delicacy, despite what some snooty connoisseurs might think. In fact, anyone who raises an eyebrow when you ask for a lemonade mixer needs "educating".
The Single Malt Whisky Flavour Map is available to download from www.malts.com
Article Courtesy of Press & Journal
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