Start of my Whisky Adventure - Glenkinchie 12 year Single Malt

No more tumblers for me! This really enhances the flavour

Generally when it comes to spirits I tend to explore new cocktails, or just stick to one of my favourite rums. Every now and again, at the end of a session on Ale I feel in the mood for a strong, smokey whisky. Over the last 12 months my interest in Scotland's famous tipple has increased and I have developed quite the taste, but still feel like I don't know a great deal about it - I suppose like my taste in beer, I like what I like and am definitely not an expert.
So from now on you may find my beer blog will start to evolve - I am going to keep on blogging about the places we discover and and tipples that we come across, but I aim to start writing short reviews on individual beers and spirits.

If I am going to start tasting whisky I am going to need the correct 'tools' - in his book '101 whiskies to try before you die' Ian Buxton recommends that you ensure you have the correct glass. On his recommendation I have purchased a couple of Glencairn glasses which are designed to heighten the tasting experience - as well as booked a trip to Scotland with my wife at the end of the year - here's to Whisky, and my first whisky review.

Lovely golden colour...starting on smaller bottles until I develop
a better 'taste' for whisky

As an anniversary gift Liz bought a bottle of Glenkinchie 12 year Single Malt. Distilled in one of the very few distilleries in the 'Lowlands' (by the boarder) this light dry whisky has a fruity smell with a dry, sweet taste to it. As you swill you get a citrusy lemon flavour just before the alcohol hits you and brings a smooth heat to the back of your throat - it just borders on too much of an alcohol taste, when I say that I mean like the smell of a hand sanitiser kind of alcohol.

This whisky was really enjoyably  as my 'official' start into whisky exploration as it was not too harsh, the sweetness was a nice surprise as I generally go for a peaty Talisker or Laphroig at the end of a night on the beer.


Smell: 6
Taste: 7
Finish: 5