What dangers thou canst make us scorn!
Wi’ tipenny [beer], we fear nae evil;
Wi’ usquebae [water of life - whisky], we’ll face the devil!”
“O Whisky! soul o’ plays an’ pranks!
Accept a Bardie’s gratefu’ thanks!”
-Robert Burns
-Robert Burns
How does a beginner find their way around? The whisky industry does not help itself with its regional classifications, Speyside, for example, stretches from Glasgow to Wick [Almost northernmost tip - been there - couldn't understand a word-ed.], with numerous whisky styles.Burns Night, the annual celebration of the Scottish poet Robert Burns (he gave us My love is like a red red rose and many more...) offers you the chance to splash some whisky on your haggis (not kidding). This guy David Broom below created the whisky "map" above - you can find it in your better establishments. He talks about it, and whisky generally below.
[David] Broom has plotted single malts in Scotland on a grid with four co-ordinates: delicate, light, smoky, rich. The horizontal axis plots the lightness or richness and the vertical axis plots the smokiness. "There isn't a 'best malt' position on the map either – it's an unbiased plotting device," he says.
-via The Scotsman
