Vodka

On a warm summer day, the taste of chilled vodka will make any hip flask priceless. Being one of most popular distilled drink, it comes in a lot of different flavors. People who love the taste of citrus can go for a Kubanskaya which is made up of an infusion of dried lemon and lemon peels or a Limonnaya which has a hint of orange flavor.

For the folks who want to get a kick from their drink, they can opt for some Okhotnichya or Pertskova. Okhotnichya is a unique drink that is made by combining coffee, orange peel, anise, cloves, ginger and other herbs and spices with sugar and a hint of wine. Petrovska, on the other hand, consists of black peppercorns and red chilli peppers.

For those who would like to have a taste of a classic drink, he can try some Starka which has been passed down from the early centuries of vodka production. This type of vodka can be mixed with brandy, port and dried fruit. It can even be mixed with infusions from fruit tree leaves. Some brands of Starka are actually old in oak casks.

Irish Whiskey

There is a reason why this is called “The Water of Life” by the Irish. As a matter of fact, as far as many Scots may hate to admit it, they learned the art of distillation from the Irish. And, it was said that the Irish learned how to make this from monks who create distilled drinks with curative powers. Made from grains and fruits, this drink is made for royalty. Anyone who would like to have a taste of the liquor that was enjoyed by the Tudor kings and in the court of Queen Elizabeth I wherever they go should have some of this drink in his flask.

Scotch Whiskey

Aged in oak barrels, this smooth and aromatic beverage can make any hip flask a blessing. Scotch whiskey is made from barley malt which has been dried over fires and stirred with dried peat that consists of grass and heather compost, giving it a smoky flavor. Some whiskies are made from wheat, corn and a small percentage of barley. There are numerous types of whiskey available in the market. The most popular kinds are either triple distilled or double distilled in pot stills. And, these are commonly a blend of grain whiskey and malt whiskey. For a taste of something unique, one can opt for a single malt whiskey that is made up of a combination of malt whiskies that have been made in different years.

With so many choices that can match a person’s style and taste, the different kinds of alcohol included in this list will make any hip flask an asset.

The author has written more about plastic whiskey flask here: plastic whiskey flask

Yet, there are some people who have in no way tried whiskey, some unfortunate souls who often indulge in just tequila or vodka. It’s not really these peoples’ faults, we must not really go after them in some sort of Whiskey Rebellion. Whiskey, instead, is to blame: after all, this is one drink that is intimidating to the novice.

Not only does whiskey demand a certain sophistication, like a drink that rolls its eyes in the direction of gentle beer and one that refuses to sit anywhere other than the top shelf, but it also comes in an overwhelming variety.

The following list offers the novice a little help as it showcases the different types of whiskey: go ahead and drink it in.

Scotch Whiskey: These whiskies tend to answer to their first name: Scotch. Scotch is whiskey that is distilled in Scotland (a whiskey wearing a kilt is a sign of validity). They are typically distilled twice, but may be distilled three times. Scotch must be aged in oak casks for at least three years.

Scotch can be made from malted barely, unmalted barely, other unmalted grains or a mix. It can also come from a single distillery, or several. Regardless of the type, Scotch is nicely liked among drinkers: in numerous peoples’ opinions, it malts in your mouth and not really in your hand.

Japanese Whiskies: Initially, the Japanese took a page from the Scotch playbook and attempted to recreate the same whiskey in Japan. However, because the ingredients used in Scotland weren’t widely available, they were forced to deviate from their original plan. Still, Japanese Whiskey does a fine job of carrying on the traditions introduced by the Scottish, it just tastes different.

Japanese Whiskey typically does not contain wheat or rye (two ingredients essential to numerous types of whiskey), and is instead made using millet, rice, and corn. Their whiskey is also initially fermented in a fashion similar to that of their sake. This produces a drink with an innovative taste fit for a king, or at least an emperor.

Irish Whiskies: Irish Whiskey is a whiskey made in Ireland (who knew the Irish drank!). It can be produced a variety of ways, the most distinct being in a pot. Pure pot still whiskey, available only from Ireland and made completely with barely, has a spicy, different, and highly sought-after taste.

Irish whiskey can be single malt (made from malted barely and distilled inside a pot still) or grain whiskey (made from grain and distilled inside a column still). Grain whiskey is a lighter whiskey and is rarely bottled on its own. It is often used as a blender with single malt. Though there are some similarities between Irish Whiskey and Scotch, Irish Whiskey does not really involve use of peat. This causes Irish Whiskey to be without the smokiness Scotch exhibits.

So there you have it: round one of the whiskeys (yes, this round’s on me). Stay tuned next week for circular two where we will discuss Indian Whiskey, Canadian Whiskey, and American Whiskey. In the mean time, the above whiskies should keep you busy, and keep you satisfied.

The author has written more about whiskey flask bottles here: whiskey flask bottles

Why are Glass Bottles in Demand?

The reason why people collect them is because of their odd shapes and colors, their designs which makes them uncommon and in demand. You might find egg shaped bottles which were the trademark of Hamilton’s bottles or those shaped like log cabins, women’s figures, ears of corn or a pig as in the case of poisonous bottles that are no longer produced. You might also find sealed wine bottles, stoneware containers, cream pots, ointment pots, pot lids, clay pipes and heads of china dolls which all come under the classification of bottle collecting. Even unique colored flasks which are scarce are considered antique glass bottles.

How to Collect Glass Bottles?

You can find these rare items at flea markets, old dumps and houses, ghost towns and the campsites that were used by the early pioneers. You can also find them in car boot sales, antique fairs and auctions and bottle shows as well.

How to Recognize Genuine Antique Glass Bottles

You need to carefully examine the lip for if they are antique pieces then they will have crude lips when tools were not really used to create smooth rings around the lip and neck of the bottles. You can also distinguish the antique by its greenish color which was the preferred color of the earlier bottle makers. The bottom of the bottle should give you some hints also when bottles had bumpy and circular circles You can get good prices for your collection of glass bottles. Those that have pictures as trademarks and those that have embossing done are in good demand as well.

Care Required for your Glass Bottles

You should be extremely particular in preserving these uncommon antiquities and keeping in mind their fragile nature you should build a case with arrangements to hold the bottles intact. Any type of collision can result in destruction and loss of your priceless treasure. Always keep the glass bottles clean and away from direct sunlight.

Accumulation of dirt can discolor your collection thus modifying the value as well. You need to check various guides that can give you tips on the types of bottles that you need to collect, how to find out the value of your bottles and how to detect the spurious ones.

The author has written more about whiskey flask revenge here: whiskey flask revenge

One distiller said yesterday that the move could lead to distillery closures and undermine the credibility of the country’s renowned single malts.

Mark Reynier, of Bruichladdich distillery on Islay, fears that ‘malted blends’ will see whisky go the way of sherry and cognac

The row has been caused by the Scotch Whisky Association’s plans to introduce a “blended malt” category to describe Scotch made of malts from different distilleries.

This would replace the traditional term vatted malt, and, according to critics, will confuse consumers by combining the description of the two main types of Scotch – blended whisky and single malt whisky.

Around 1,000 people have signed a petition opposing the move, and some in the industry warn of a scenario where whisky follows the route of sherry and cognac, becoming homogenised and dominated by a few brands.

However, the SWA insisted the move was supported by the majority of the industry and that research proved the change would not confuse consumers.

According to Mark Reynier, of Bruichladdich distillery on Islay, the new category is designed to support the interests of the drinks giants Diageo and Pernod Ricard, which dominate the industry.

Blends, made from malt and grain whisky, are characterised by large volumes with poor profit margins, while single malts, associated with one distillery, are highly profitable but the stock is limited.
advertisement

Mr Reynier fears that the big firms will exploit the new category because they can produce it in bigger volumes at the potential expense of single malts.

He added that consumers could be confused by labelling into thinking they were getting a single malt from a specific distillery and find it was “just an inferior malt whisky cocktail”.

Jim Murray, author of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, said the SWA was in danger of making the biggest mistake seen in the industry for 100 years. Speaking from America yesterday, he said the new category was causing confusion around the world.

He added: “We are now in a situation where we are using the word ‘blend’ with ‘malt’. A group of faceless office bods have declared that a blend can be 100 per cent malt whisky and people around the world haven’t got a bloody clue. It is boom time for the industry but this is totally confusing and it has to be stopped.”

John Glaser, of the specialist Scotch whisky maker Compass Box, said the move was bad for business and has drawn up a petition to present to the Government. The proposal from the SWA is part of a raft of regulations – including popular moves to protect whisky regions and target couterfeiters – that have been passed to Defra.

They are expected to become law this summer in a move that will enshrine the definitions of Scotch.

The choice of a definitive term follows a row five years ago after Diageo produced a blended version of its Cardhu single malt, with a similar label, and called it pure malt.

This was an attempt to cope with increased demand, but it caused uproar and was opposed by the William Grant group before the changes were withdrawn.

Mr Reynier said: “Having failed to bulldoze it through, Diageo said they would be back and now the SWA, dominated by Diageo and Pernod Ricard, are changing the laws to allow the same thing to occur legally. This suits their own commercial needs at the expense of Scotland’s heritage. It will have far-reaching implications for Scotch whisky, its credibility and the future shape of the industry and survival of distilleries.”

But the dire predictions were dismissed as “nonsense” by the SWA, which said the vast majority of the industry favoured the move and only a “vocal” small minority was against it.

David Williamson, for the association, said the blended malt term was chosen after lengthy discussion and was the only description that accurately described the product.

He also dismissed claims that a blended malt would be allowed to carry a distillery name or to look like an existing single malt.

He added: “Consumers understand that ‘blending’ means mixing and blending is generally understood as meaning more than one.

“A number of companies have, of course, already changed their labels to use the description Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and, encouragingly, there is no evidence to indicate any consumer confusion or resistance to the description.

“Any legislation introduced in the UK must of course also comply with EU law and under European legislation any combination of malt whiskies is defined as a blend.

“At the same time, the term vatted malt has almost solely been used within the trade and it is significant that hardly any labels at all have ever featured that description.

“Again, it was agreed the term would not be understood by the vast majority of consumers worldwide.”

Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited.

Original Article: Whisky industry split over ‘blended malts’