The majority of single malt whisky distilleries are located in North East Scotland, particularly in the Speyside region. Each region possesses its own particular type of scotch whisky, and whisky experts can distinguish in which region of Scotland the whisky has been produced in.
Whisky tasting is a popular activity for many people. Here, visitors can learn to identify several types of scotch whisky and work out in which area in the single malt was distilled. Visitors are encouraged to use their senses to help them to experience the whisky and identify where it is from. For example:
* Sight. Whisky tasters are required to look at the colour of the whisky, as the colour may give clues regarding the age of the whisky and which kind of cask was used for its maturation. Also, the tasters may be asked to swirl the whisky within the glass to coat the inside. They will then observe the whisky running back down the inside of the glass, these are known as 'legs'. If the legs are thick and slow, it may be an old or heavy whisky. Thinner, quicker moving legs could be from a younger or lighter whisky.
* Smell. A master distiller can identify the source of the whisky using his nose alone, though different people will undoubtedly pick up different aromas. Smelling the whisky is known as 'nosing', and should be carried out in three stages. Firstly, the taster should put the whole of their nose into the glass, and gently sniff. They should then draw back, wait a couple of seconds and then have another sniff. For the last stage, it is recommended the taster should bury their nose into the lip of the glass and roll the glass from one nostril to the other.
* Taste. Tasters should use various parts of the tongue and mouth to experience the flavours which develop. Only a very small amount of whisky should be tasted! The whisky should be put onto the centre of the tongue, then beneath the tongue and then back onto the middle of the tongue. By moving the whisky within the various parts of the mouth, more interesting flavours should be revealed. The 'finish' of the single malt whisky may then be assessed, this is how long the whisky flavour remains in the mouth.
Whisky tasting is a popular activity for many people. Here, visitors can learn to identify several types of scotch whisky and work out in which area in the single malt was distilled. Visitors are encouraged to use their senses to help them to experience the whisky and identify where it is from. For example:
* Sight. Whisky tasters are required to look at the colour of the whisky, as the colour may give clues regarding the age of the whisky and which kind of cask was used for its maturation. Also, the tasters may be asked to swirl the whisky within the glass to coat the inside. They will then observe the whisky running back down the inside of the glass, these are known as 'legs'. If the legs are thick and slow, it may be an old or heavy whisky. Thinner, quicker moving legs could be from a younger or lighter whisky.
* Smell. A master distiller can identify the source of the whisky using his nose alone, though different people will undoubtedly pick up different aromas. Smelling the whisky is known as 'nosing', and should be carried out in three stages. Firstly, the taster should put the whole of their nose into the glass, and gently sniff. They should then draw back, wait a couple of seconds and then have another sniff. For the last stage, it is recommended the taster should bury their nose into the lip of the glass and roll the glass from one nostril to the other.
* Taste. Tasters should use various parts of the tongue and mouth to experience the flavours which develop. Only a very small amount of whisky should be tasted! The whisky should be put onto the centre of the tongue, then beneath the tongue and then back onto the middle of the tongue. By moving the whisky within the various parts of the mouth, more interesting flavours should be revealed. The 'finish' of the single malt whisky may then be assessed, this is how long the whisky flavour remains in the mouth.
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To find out more about scotch whisky why not visit the Hard to Find Whisky website where you can browse their single malt range.
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