Cigar Weekly

jazznut · 05-12-2003, 12:42 PM

This is something I began experimenting with a few years ago, after I'd tasted enough single malts to gain a grasp of their differing styles. Why not, I thought, attempt to put together my very own pure malt blended whisky? The steps are as follows:
1. Determine what aromas and flavours you like and don't like.
2. Stick to malts in which you find qualities you do like.
3. Paint a picture of exactly what you're aiming to create as regards body, pungency (smoky or otherwise), dryness and or sweetness and ease of drinking.
4. Select as few as two single malts with which to begin. Don't go overboard with the number of constituent malts at the start. I would recommend a maximum of six.
5. Pick one (or two at most) malts to act as the primary ingredients. These should NOT have a great deal of character, but should be of good quality nonetheless. They will provide a canvas onto which you will 'paint' the more individualistic ones.
6. Use other, stronger malts in very small quantities to add particular nuances.
7. Measure the quantity of each malt carefully as you pour it into a decanter, and record the amounts so that you can review your results later on.
8. Leave your blend alone for awhile. A few days is the minimum and a few weeks is far better. Malts possess different textures, congeners and specific gravities. Time permits everything to meld. Otherwise, you'll simply be getting a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but NOT a well integrated whisky.
9. That's it, but to give you an idea of the possibilities, here's a simple recipe...

8 parts Glenlivet 12 year old for Bourbon barrel crispness along with herbal and floral notes
3 parts Cragganmore 12 year old to add mineral and smoke overtones as well as greater complexity
1 part Talisker 10 year old to add island peatiness and spice along with oily richness

This will produce a fairly light and dry but very drinkable Scotch with a hint of the isles in it that should appeal to those who DON'T like Sherry cask malts such as Macallan.

Above all, have fun!

05-12-2003, 12:42 PM	#1
jazznut Managing Editor Emeritus Herf God Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 26,082	Mixed Up Scotches This is something I began experimenting with a few years ago, after I'd tasted enough single malts to gain a grasp of their differing styles. Why not, I thought, attempt to put together my very own pure malt blended whisky? The steps are as follows: 1. Determine what aromas and flavours you like and don't like. 2. Stick to malts in which you find qualities you do like. 3. Paint a picture of exactly what you're aiming to create as regards body, pungency (smoky or otherwise), dryness and or sweetness and ease of drinking. 4. Select as few as two single malts with which to begin. Don't go overboard with the number of constituent malts at the start. I would recommend a maximum of six. 5. Pick one (or two at most) malts to act as the primary ingredients. These should NOT have a great deal of character, but should be of good quality nonetheless. They will provide a canvas onto which you will 'paint' the more individualistic ones. 6. Use other, stronger malts in very small quantities to add particular nuances. 7. Measure the quantity of each malt carefully as you pour it into a decanter, and record the amounts so that you can review your results later on. 8. Leave your blend alone for awhile. A few days is the minimum and a few weeks is far better. Malts possess different textures, congeners and specific gravities. Time permits everything to meld. Otherwise, you'll simply be getting a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but NOT a well integrated whisky. 9. That's it, but to give you an idea of the possibilities, here's a simple recipe... 8 parts Glenlivet 12 year old for Bourbon barrel crispness along with herbal and floral notes 3 parts Cragganmore 12 year old to add mineral and smoke overtones as well as greater complexity 1 part Talisker 10 year old to add island peatiness and spice along with oily richness This will produce a fairly light and dry but very drinkable Scotch with a hint of the isles in it that should appeal to those who DON'T like Sherry cask malts such as Macallan. Above all, have fun! __________________ My whisky adventure began at the age of nine. Good things DO take time!