Whisky
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Berry Bros Speyside 12y (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Speyside 12y (Berry Bros Classic Range)
In stock
Berry Bros Speyside 12y is a Scottish single malt from the Berry Bros Classic Range, bottled at 45.3%. It presents itself in a refreshingly clear way: Speyside origin, twelve years of age, and sherry maturation from an independent bottler.
The sherry-matured style gives the whisky a more spice-led Speyside character, supported by lighter touches of fruit, floral notes and wood. There is no peat-driven profile here; the focus sits on the measured interplay between spice and the gentler supporting elements.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like for customers who want a well-defined single malt with age, region and cask influence all clearly expressed.
The flavour profile is led by spice, with fruit and floral elements (…)Agitator 2018 #741 (Berry Bros)
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Agitator 2018 #741 (Berry Bros)
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Agitator 2018 #741 is a Swedish single malt with a distinctly modern mindset. It was bottled by the British independent bottler Berry Bros. & Rudd as part of Collective#1, a series built around like-minded distilleries from around the world that challenge convention and place strong emphasis on reducing their impact on the planet's natural resources.
Agitator, based in Stockholm and led by Oskar Bruno, is a fitting name for that project. The distillery works with vacuum distillation and explores yeast, barley and wood with real intent. For this single cask, the barley was malted to 40 ppm and fermented with a saison beer yeast, giving the whisky a very specific foundation before the cask influence comes into play.
Cask #741 was distilled in 2018, matured (…)Arbikie 2017 #69 (Berry Bros)
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Arbikie 2017 #69 (Berry Bros)
On request only
Arbikie 2017 #69 is a Highland Scotch whisky with a story that reaches beyond the cask. It was selected by Berry Bros. & Rudd for the Collective#1 series, a range built around distinctive, like-minded spirits from around the world, all with a focus on challenging convention and reducing their impact on the planet's natural resources.
That theme fits Arbikie particularly well. From the start, sustainability was a priority for the three Stirling brothers, with the supplied information pointing to the use of hydrogen as fuel, carbon-positive crops and other measures that place Arbikie firmly in the conversation around greener distilling. At Drankenshop Broekmans, that makes this bottle stand out as much for its philosophy as for its flavour.
Cask #69 was (…)Ardmore 2008 9y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Ardmore 2008 9y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Ardmore 2008 9y is a Highland single malt with a very clear sense of origin. Distilled in 2008 and bottled in 2018, it comes from a single refill barrel and was released by Berry Bros as part of Berry's Own Selection. Rather than presenting a broad house style, this bottling focuses on the personality of one individual cask.
Its cask strength of 54.6% gives the whisky a direct, concentrated feel. At the same time, the refill barrel suggests a restrained wood influence, allowing the peated Highland character and lighter supporting notes to remain at the centre.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of independent Scottish single malt we like for its clear cask identity and unpolished presentation. With only the last bottles remaining, it has become a more (…)Auchroisk 1990 23y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Auchroisk 1990 23y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Auchroisk 1990 23y brings together a mature Speyside single malt and the perspective of an independent bottler. Distilled in 1990 and bottled at 23 years of age, it forms part of Berry's Own Selection by Berry Bros.
The oak cask maturation gives the whisky a clear wood-driven structure, supported by gentler floral, fruity and lightly spiced elements. At Drankenshop Broekmans, it stands out as one of those older single malt releases where the interest lies in the specific selection rather than in a standard distillery presentation.
Bottled at 46%, it keeps a composed style while still carrying the weight of its age. With only the last bottles remaining, this Auchroisk has the appeal of a defined Speyside snapshot from the 1990 vintage.
The (…)Auchroisk 1996 18y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Auchroisk 1996 18y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Auchroisk 1996 18y is a Speyside single malt with a very defined identity: distilled in 1996, bottled in 2014 and matured for 18 years in an oak cask. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures the character of one particular cask at one particular point in time.
Bottled by Berry Bros as part of Berry's Own Selection, this release is both single cask and cask strength. At 50.9%, it keeps the whisky close to its natural cask presentation, giving it a more direct and individual feel.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this stand out because they bring together maturity, Speyside origin and the specificity of a single cask. The fact that only the last bottles remain adds to the sense that this is a finite release rather than something that will (…)Aultmore 1997 17y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Aultmore 1997 17y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Aultmore 1997 17y is a Speyside single malt selected and bottled by Berry Bros as part of Berry's Own Selection. It comes from an oak cask, was distilled in 1997 and spent 17 years maturing before bottling.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are valued because they show a more individual side of Scotch whisky than standard distillery expressions. The emphasis here is not on peat or smoke, but on a fruit-led Speyside style, gently framed by light floral notes, oak influence and a touch of spice.
With the last bottles now available, this Aultmore has the quiet appeal of an independent bottling that will not remain around indefinitely. Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its character while keeping the focus on the whisky's fruit-driven and (…)Belgrove 2016 #170216 (Berry Bros)
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Belgrove 2016 #170216 (Berry Bros)
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Belgrove 2016 #170216 is the kind of rye whisky that immediately gives you something to talk about. This Tasmanian single cask bottling was selected for Collective#1 by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the British independent bottler bringing together spirits from around the world with a shared willingness to challenge convention and reduce their impact on natural resources.
The story at Belgrove Distillery is especially hands-on. Pete Bignell grows his own rye, built his own stills and fires them with used cooking oil. According to the supplied information, the distillery operates almost as a closed loop, with bio-oil as the only outside input and whisky as the only output. That gives this rye a very distinctive identity before you even pour a glass.
Cask #170216 was (…)Ben Nevis 1970 44y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Ben Nevis 1970 44y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
Only 3 left in stock!
Ben Nevis 1970 44y is a Highland Scotch whisky with a very precise sense of time. Distilled in 1970 and bottled in 2014, it spent 44 years maturing before being selected by Berry Bros for Berry's own selection.
What makes this release especially focused is its single cask origin. Drawn from one oak cask and bottled at cask strength, it reflects the development of that particular cask rather than a broader blended house style. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are valued for the specific story they carry: one year, one cask, one long period of maturation.
The available flavour profile points to a fruit-led whisky, with clear oak influence and a lighter touch of spice. Peat and salt are not part of the emphasis here, so the interest lies in maturity, (…)Benrinnes 1997 19y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Benrinnes 1997 19y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Benrinnes 1997 19y is a Speyside single malt from Scotland, bottled by Berry Bros as part of Berry's Own Selection. Its main appeal lies in the single cask origin: this is not a broad vatting, but the voice of one refill hogshead captured on its own terms.
Distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2017, it spent 19 years maturing before release. The refill hogshead points to a whisky where the cask influence remains supportive rather than heavy. The supplied profile places the emphasis on fruit and spice, with gentler wood and floral elements in the background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are the kind we enjoy presenting to customers who are curious about independent selections. Berry Bros gives this Benrinnes a focused setting: one cask, 46% (…)Benrinnes 2009 11y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Benrinnes 2009 11y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Benrinnes 2009 11 Year Old is a Speyside single malt built around the individuality of one cask. Drawn from a single hogshead and bottled at cask strength by Berry Bros for Berry's own selection, it presents a particular snapshot of Benrinnes rather than a broad, blended house expression.
Distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2021, it spent 11 years maturing before being released at 52.9% ABV. The wood influence is clearly part of its identity, with spice, fruit and a light floral side playing a more supporting role.
Only 316 bottles were produced, and with the last bottles now in circulation, it has the naturally limited feel that comes with a single cask release. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we like to present to drinkers who enjoy (…)Benrinnes 2011 15y (Berry Bros For Kirsch And The Nectar)
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Benrinnes 2011 15y (Berry Bros For Kirsch And The Nectar)
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Benrinnes is one of those Speyside names that does not appear as a single malt all that often, and that already gives this 2011 release a certain pull. The product information also points to the distillery's partial triple distillation, described here as giving the whisky unusual weight and richness.
At 15 years old, this bottling was finished in a Pomerol Hogshead and bottled at cask strength, 54.6%. The wine influence is not just a background detail; it helps shape the darker fruit, the structure and the depth that define the whisky's personality.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle that adds real interest to a selection of Scottish single malts: a single cask release of only 256 bottles, bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd together with The (…)Berry Bros Classic Islay (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Classic Islay (Berry Bros Classic Range)
In stock
Berry Bros Classic Islay gives a clear reading of what many drinkers look for in an Islay single malt: peat smoke, a firm salty edge and a style that stays focused rather than overworked.
Part of the Berry Bros Classic Range, this bottling is not built around an age statement, but around a recognisable regional character. Bottled at 45.3% and matured in oak casks, it places the peated and coastal elements at the centre, with lighter fruit and spice sitting more quietly behind them.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we would point to when someone wants a straightforward Islay expression with enough strength and definition: smoky, saline and unmistakably shaped by its style.
The flavour is led by peat smoke and a clear salty (…)Berry Bros Irish Single Malt Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Irish Single Malt Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
On request only
Berry Bros Irish Single Malt Bos is an Irish single malt from the Berry Bros Classic Range, bottled at 44.2%. With no age statement given, the focus sits less on numbers and more on the style of the whiskey itself.
Its bourbon barrel maturation supports the whiskey rather than overwhelming it. The supplied profile points towards a floral and fruity style, with gentle wood influence and a light touch of spice. There is no peated element indicated, so the character is guided more by brightness and delicacy than smoke.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we like this kind of independent bottling because it gives Irish single malt a slightly different stage from the familiar standard releases. Marked as last bottles, it also has that limited-availability feel, while (…)Berry Bros Islay Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Islay Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
On request only
Berry Bros Islay Bos is a Scotch blended malt from Islay, bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Berry Bros Classic Range. Rather than leaning on an age statement, it puts the focus on place and style: peat smoke and fruit form the centre of the whisky's identity.
At 44.2% alcohol, it has enough weight to carry its Islay character while remaining composed. The profile points clearly towards peat and fruit, with lighter touches of salt, spice and wood adding shape around the edges.
In the whisky selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would present to someone looking for an Islay blended malt with a clear smoky signature and a little more nuance than just peat alone. With only the last bottles remaining, it also has a more limited feel (…)Berry Bros Peated Cask Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Peated Cask Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Peated Cask Bos is a Scottish blended malt from the Berry Bros Classic Range, bottled at 44.2%. The name gives a clear direction: peat is part of the whisky's identity, but it is presented as a light element rather than an overwhelming force.
Its appeal lies in the way the profile is spread across several subtle accents. Floral, fruity, spicy, woody and peated notes are all present at a gentle level, pointing to a malt that is more about quiet detail than intensity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would place in front of someone curious about Scottish blended malt with a restrained smoky side. With no age statement, the focus stays on the style and composition of the whisky, and the fact that only the last bottles remain (…)Berry Bros Speyside 16y (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Speyside 16y (Berry Bros Classic Range)
In stock
Berry Bros Speyside 16y is a Scottish single malt from Speyside, bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Classic Range. Its appeal lies in a calm, mature style: no peat or coastal salinity at the centre, but fruit, nutty depth and a measured thread of spice.
The spirit was selected for its fruity and nutty character, then matured for sixteen years in a sherry butt. That ageing brings sweetness and depth, while still leaving room for a delicate Speyside feel rather than turning the whisky into something overly wood-led.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a fine choice within the richer side of Speyside: mature, composed and quietly layered. Bottled at 48.2%, it has enough strength to carry its aromas clearly, while keeping its refined character intact.
Berry Bros Speyside Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Speyside Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Speyside Bos is a Scottish blended malt from Speyside, bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Classic Range. With no age statement on the label, the focus shifts to the whisky's style rather than a number: a Speyside-led profile where fruit takes the lead, supported by gentle floral, woody and spicy touches.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for a Speyside malt without peat smoke or a salty edge. Bottled at 44.2%, it has a little more presence than many standard-strength releases, while keeping the emphasis firmly on its approachable fruity side.
It has become a well-liked bottle among customers, and with only the last bottles remaining, it is no longer a release to assume will always be on the (…)Berry's Perspective 21y (Berry Bros Prespective Range)
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Berry's Perspective 21y (Berry Bros Prespective Range)
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Berry's Perspective 21y is a 21-year-old Scottish blended malt bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Perspective Range. At 43%, it reads as a whisky built around maturity and restraint rather than sheer intensity, with oak cask ageing present in the background without taking over the whole impression.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for an older malt whisky with a clearly fruit-led profile. The supplied flavour indications place fruit at the centre, supported by lighter floral, spice and wood notes, with no peated or salty direction indicated.
With 6,300 bottles released, Berry's Perspective 21y has a defined and finite character. As these are the last bottles, it carries a quiet sense of scarcity, (…)Blair Athol 2010 13y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Blair Athol 2010 13y (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
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Blair Athol 2010 13y is a Highland single malt bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd as part of Berry's Own Selection. Berry Bros & Rudd has been active in the drinks trade since 1698, and its single cask releases continue a long house tradition of selecting spirits from across Scotland's whisky regions.
This Blair Athol was distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2023 at 13 years of age. The distillery sits just south of Pitlochry in Perthshire, at what is described as the gateway to the Highlands, and with a starting date of 1798 it belongs to the older names in Scottish whisky.
Within the Drankenshop Broekmans range, this release stands out through its very focused nature: one single cask, 265 bottles, and a finish in a Sauternes cask. Bottled at 56.4%, it keeps a (…)Blair Athol 2013 12y #303635 (Berry Bros - Berry's Exceptional Casks)
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Blair Athol 2013 12y #303635 (Berry Bros - Berry's Exceptional Casks)
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Blair Athol 2013 12y #303635 is a Highland single malt shaped by a very specific cask story. It comes from a single cask and was given a Pomerol wine finish from Bordeaux, bringing the whisky towards ripe red fruit, gentle spice and a fuller, rounded style.
The bottling is by Berry Bros. & Rudd, described in the supplied information as a wine and whisky merchant with roots going back to 1698. Their Odyssey approach is built around matching Scotch single malts with selected wine casks from across Europe, taking time to find combinations that genuinely add something. In this Blair Athol, the Pomerol cask is central to the personality of the whisky, adding a plum-like richness and extra depth.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would (…)Blair Athol 2013 12y #303639 (Berry Bros - Berry's Exceptional Casks)
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Blair Athol 2013 12y #303639 (Berry Bros - Berry's Exceptional Casks)
On request only
Blair Athol 2013 12y #303639 is a Highland single malt with a very clear cask identity. Berry Bros selected it for Berry's Exceptional Casks, within the Odyssey Concept, a programme built around matching Scottish single malts with distinctive wine casks from across Europe.
This Margaux version is described as the more elegant side of the comparison: less driven by fruit, more by flowers, refinement and freshness. That gives the whisky a different emphasis, showing how a carefully chosen wine finish can steer the same spirit in a noticeably different direction.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for their specificity. It is a single cask release, bottled at cask strength at 58.2%, aged for 12 years and limited to 288 bottles. With the (…)Blue Hanger #14 2026 (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Blue Hanger #14 2026 (Berry Bros Classic Range)
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 27/10/2026Blue Hanger #14 2026 brings back a name that had been absent for more than a decade. This fourteenth edition continues a Berry Bros. & Rudd creation first made in 1934 for the diplomatic export market, later becoming a cult reference among whisky drinkers.
Its interest lies in the composition and maturity of the blend. Put together under the guidance of Felix Dear, Spirits Curator at Berry Bros. & Rudd, this Scottish blended malt draws on seven casks: six ex-Bourbon Hogsheads and one ex-Sherry Butt. The youngest component is 26 years old, while some of the whiskies are up to 34 years old.
The bourbon casks bring elegance and freshness, while the single sherry cask adds depth and dried fruit. Bottled at 45.6%, non-chill filtered and with natural (…)Blue Hanger Bos (Berry Bros)
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Blue Hanger Bos (Berry Bros)
On request only
Blue Hanger Bos is a Scottish blended malt whisky that focuses on composition rather than an age statement. Its interest lies in the way malt whiskies are brought together into one expression, with clear fruity and spicy elements supported by a gentle touch of peat.
At 45.6% alcohol, it has a little more presence than many standard bottlings, yet the supplied profile does not point towards a heavily woody style. Although matured in oak casks, the emphasis sits more on fruit, spice and a light floral edge than on oak-driven weight.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, Blue Hanger Bos is the kind of Scottish malt that fits well for customers looking beyond a straightforward everyday whisky: layered enough to explore, but without relying on strong peat or pronounced wood (…)
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about whisky
What is whisky?
Whisky is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grains (such as barley, corn, rye or wheat) and then aged in wooden casks, usually oak. The result is a complex drink with aromas that can range from fruity and floral to smoky, spicy or woody.
Generally speaking, a drink must meet the following basic requirements to be called whisky:
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Made from grains
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Fermented with yeast
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Distilled to a maximum of ±94.8% alcohol (so that flavour is retained)
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Matured in wooden casks
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Bottled with a minimum of 40% alcohol
Which whisky is tasty?
Which whisky is good? Which whisky is good? The answer to these questions is so specific and so personal that we cannot possibly answer them for everyone. In our range of whisky you will find more than 3,000 bottlings, each with their own taste and profile, to objectively identify a universal "good whisky" is impossible.
You can look for the whisky you like in different ways. Either you start from whisky with a fairly flat and neutral flavour profile and expand and explore from there, but other enthusiasts prefer to start at the extremes to quickly discover what they absolutely do not like. We would not recommend that second approach, as whisky with a distinct character is often an "aqcuired taste", something you gradually work towards and often learn to develop an appreciation for as you build your palate.
Are you looking for a whisky for someone else and have no idea what they drink and what they like? If so, limit yourself to whisky with a light and balanced flavour profile. With most of our whisky, you will find a flavour profile where the whisky is rated from 0 to 3 on six basic pillars: peaty, spicy, salty, woody, floral and fruity. If you blindly buy a whisky for someone else, limit yourself to whisky where none of the six pillars slip through. If you do know what kind of whisky the lucky person drinks, then with a bit of luck, you can also find that whisky in our range and from there you can look for other whiskies that have a similar flavour profile.
Is whisky Scotch or Irish?
Both Scotland and Ireland claim the origins of whisky, and both countries have a rich history of distilling it. The earliest written mention of whisky comes from Ireland, from the 12th century. But Scotland has brought the art of whisky making to perfection and today is famous worldwide for its whiskies. Ultimately, whisky is both Scottish and Irish, each with its own unique traditions and flavours.
What is Scotch whisky?
In addition to the basic rules to speak of whisky, there are a number of additional conditions for Scotch whisky.
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Must be wholly produced and matured in Scotland
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Aged for at least 3 years in oak casks
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Only water and caramel colour (E150a) may be added
Which Scottish regions are famous for their whisky?
Scotland is divided into a number of regions, each of which makes its own signature whisky. Exactly how many there are depends on how accurately you want to describe them.
On the Scottish mainland, we talk about
- Highland (Ben Nevis, Ardnamurchan, Edradour, ...)
- Lowland (Johnny Cree, Lochlea, Auchentoshan, ...)
- Campbeltown (Springbank, Kilkerran, Longrow, ...)
- Speyside (Benriach, Tomintoul, Glenglassaugh, ...)
As the first island, Islay is always mentioned separately. From Islay come mainly peated whiskies such as Bowmore, Port Ellen, Bruichladdich and Ardbeg.
You will also find a number of islands around Scotland, called the "Islands". Within that group, another distinction is often made between
- Isle of Arran
- Isle of Harris
- Jura
- Mull (Ledaig, Tobermory, ...)
- Orkney (Highland Park, Scapa, ...)
- Skye (Talisker, ...)
What is Irish whiskey?
To speak of Irish whiskey, the drink must meet a number of additional conditions.
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Produced and matured in Ireland
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Aged for at least 3 years in wooden casks
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Often triple-distilled, but this is not compulsory
What is American whiskey?
American whiskey is also again subject to a number of specific rules, in addition to the basic guidelines to speak of whiskey.
For bourbon whiskey:
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At least 51% corn in the grain mix
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Matured in new charred oak barrels
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Distilled to a maximum of 80% alcohol
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In the barrel a maximum of 62.5% alcohol
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No additives allowed (except water)
For rye whiskey, at least 51% rye must be used.
Tennessee whiskey follows the same guidelines as bourbon, but must be filtered through charcoal.
What is the difference between "whisky" and "whiskey"
The difference in terminology is related to the country of origin. In principle, "whiskey" is always referred to, except when spirits from the United States or Ireland are involved. In those countries, the term "whiskey" is consistently used.
What is the difference between single malt, blended and grain whisky?
Single malt whisky comes from a single distillery and is made exclusively from malted barley. These whiskies often have a distinct and characterful flavour profile. Blended whisky is a mix of different whiskies (both malt and grain) and tends to be softer and more approachable. Grain whisky is made from other grains such as corn or wheat and is often used in blends, but also exists as a separate bottling with a lighter style.
What is a "no age statement" whisky?
If a whisky is marked "NAS" or "No Age Statement", it means that no age is stated on the bottle.
When an age is mentioned on the bottle, it must, according to the rules, always be the youngest whisky in the blend and not the age that is most represented percentage-wise in the blend. A producer will therefore deliberately choose not to state an age on his bottle in two cases: when an old whisky is blended with a small proportion of younger whisky, or when young whisky is blended with a proportion of older whisky. In the first case, he does not want to put a young age on his bottle if his blend contains mainly older whisky, and in the second case, marketing-wise it is more interesting to go out with that particle of older whisky.
What is a "single cask" whisky?
A single cask means that the whisky in the bottle comes from only one cask and was not blended with another whisky from another cask. Because the content comes from a single cask, the number of bottles depends on the size of the cask and the evaporation of the product (the so-called Angel's Share), the number of bottles is limited (and often numbered) and no new bottles of this specific reference come onto the market. A single cask is thus always unique in flavour and profile, and never quite comparable to similar bottles that do not come from the same cask.
What is a whisky at "cask strength" ?
A cask strength whisky is not diluted with water before bottling, but goes straight from the cask into the bottle and therefore retains the alcohol percentage during/after cask maturation. One of the advantages of cask strength whisky is that as a drinker you can decide how strong you like your whisky by diluting or not diluting it with a little water yourself according to your preference, rather than the producer having already done this for you. Cask Strength whisky has a higher alcohol content and this can sometimes suppress the subtlety of the whisky.
What does the term non-chill filtered mean?
The term non-chill filtered, or well-known variations of it such as "unchilled filtered" or "not cold filtered", indicates that the spirit was not cold filtered before bottling. During cold filtration ("chill filtration"), the whisky is cooled to around freezing point and then filtered. This process removes certain substances from the spirit such as fatty acids, proteins and esters.
Whisky that does not undergo that specific filtering process has a number of specific properties: they often have more character, the mouthfeel is fuller and oilier and more flavour compounds are retained. Because they have more body, they often feel creamier on the palate and the aromas are more intense. The disadvantage of skipping cold filtering is that the whisky can be cloudier.
Most whisky on the market is chill filtered because it produces a clear and consistent spirit in the bottle and in the glass, even with the addition of ice or water. That consistency leads to better presentation and less chance of consumer complaints. Unchill filtered whisky is especially popular with aficionados and purists for the same reason, because they know and understand why their whisky is the way it is. For this reason, "chill filtered" is usually not explicitly stated, but "unchill filtered" is.
What is a peated whisky?
The term "peat", often also described as "smoky", "smoked" or "peated" is part of the flavour profile that is very typical and recognisable in whisky.
Peated whisky evokes scents of a seaside campfire, a smoky charcoal grill, and sometimes even medicinal, salty notes reminiscent of the Scottish coast. These whiskies have a depth and character that either enchant or terrify aficionados.
Peat is an organic material made up of compressed plant remains, formed over centuries in boggy areas. In Scotland, where peated whisky originated, peat has traditionally been used as a fuel. This later became an integral part of the whisky-making process and resulted in the unique smoky flavour these whiskies are known for.
The distinctive flavour of peated whisky is created in the malt phase of whisky production. Barley is first soaked in water and then spread out to germinate. During this process, the barley begins to develop sugars that are later needed for fermentation. Once the barley starts germinating, drying is interrupted by a fire of burning peat. The smoke soaks into the barley and impregnates it with phenols - the chemical compounds responsible for the smoky flavour.
Which whisky suits my taste (sweet, smoky, fruity...)?
Whisky can be roughly categorised by flavour profiles. Do you like sweet? Then go for whiskies with notes of vanilla, caramel or honey (often matured in bourbon casks). Prefer fruity? Choose Speyside or Irish whiskies with fresh apple and citrus aromas. If you are a fan of powerful, smoky flavours, then Islay whiskies are a good choice. Those who like spicy or woody notes may look more towards whiskies with sherry barrel maturation.
Which whisky is good for beginners?
For beginners, accessible, smooth whiskies without too much smoke or complexity are ideal. Think fruity and slightly sweet styles, such as many Irish whiskies or soft Scottish Speyside whiskies. These often have notes of apple, honey and vanilla and are easy to drink. Avoid strongly smoky (peated) whiskies at first, as that flavour is too intense for some. From there, you can gradually discover which styles suit you best.
Which whisky makes a good gift?
A good gift whisky is usually a safe, accessible choice that will appeal to many people. For example, choose a well-known single malt with a smooth and balanced profile, or a nice bottle in a gift box.
Do you know the recipient's tastes? Then you can choose more specifically: a smoky whisky for lovers of powerful flavours, or a fruity and mellow variant for beginners. In doubt? Then you will always be right with a classic, non-smoky whisky.
What does the designation PPM mean in a whisky?
The abbreviation PPM is used to describe the intensity of the peat flavour in a peated whisky. The abbreviation PPM stands for Phenol Parts Per Million, and the higher the number the more intense the peat flavour is. A whisky with 10 PPM has a subtle smoky character while a whisky with 50 PPM or higher can be a real smoke bomb.
How strong is whisky?
When people talk about the "strength" of liquor, they usually mean its alcohol content (ABV).
Whisky is a regulated product, meaning that a number of conditions must be met before the final product can be called "whisky". One of the rules is the minimum alcohol content: in the EU (including Scotch and Irish whiskey), the US and Canada, whisky must contain a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume to be called whisky.
Many standard bottlings are around 40-43%, some quality or "non-chill filtered" releases choose 46% ABV. In the US, bourbon and rye are also common at 45-50% ABV (e.g. Bottled-in-Bond at 50%). In Japan, 40-43% is common. "Cask strength" or "barrel proof" whiskies are bottled undiluted and are therefore higher in strength: usually between about 50% and 65%. Regional exceptions exist, such as India where many whiskies are bottled around 42.8% ABV,
For average commercial whiskies, 40-46% is the normal range, and you will find most whiskies within that range.
What does the designation "proof" mean in whisky?
You may also have seen "proof" written on bottles, for example "100 proof". It is an alternative way of indicating the strength of whisky and is only used in the US today. The formula is thankfully simple; the "proof" value is actually double the alcohol content (ABV). In other words, a bottle of "100 proof" corresponds to 50% alcohol.
What is meant by "small batch"?
"Small batch" is a term indicating that the whisky was produced in relatively small quantities per batch (production run). Instead of huge volumes being mixed continuously, the distiller selected only a limited number of casks or ingredients to bring together. The idea behind it is to have more control over quality, flavour and consistency, for example by blending a few carefully chosen casks to achieve a specific flavour profile.
Small Batch often suggests craftsmanship and attention to detail, but it is not a strictly regulated term. So there is no set definition of exactly how much "small" is, and it can vary greatly from producer to producer.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive whisky?
The price difference is often in factors such as ageing time, casks used, production method and rarity. More expensive whiskies have usually matured for longer or come from special casks, providing more complexity and depth. However, this does not mean that a more expensive whisky is always "tastier". Taste remains personal, and there are also affordable whiskies of excellent quality that perfectly suit your preference.
What does the age on a whisky bottle mean?
The age on a whisky bottle indicates the minimum time the whisky has been aged in cask. In blends, this means that the youngest whisky in the blend is that age.
During that maturation, the whisky develops its flavour, colour and aromas. The longer the ageing, the more influence the cask has on the final result.
Which whisky is suitable as an investment?
If you are looking for a bottle as an investment, the references we refer to as "Collector" are often a good choice. However, it is no guarantee of success, some bottles rise in values, others do not and in a few cases a sudden hype drives the price up suddenly. For this reason, always keep Jan Broekmans' own advice in mind: don't buy whisky as an investment that you would never want to drink yourself. If the price doesn't go up, at least you'll still have the pleasure of drinking them yourself.
Is older whisky always better?
Not necessary. Older whisky can be more complex and softer, but sometimes loses fresh or fruity characteristics. Quality depends on many factors, such as the cask and the conditions in which the whisky matures.
Ultimately, "better" is a matter of taste. Some younger whiskies can be surprisingly lively and full of character, perfectly matching what you are looking for.
Does whisky mature further in the bottle?
No, whisky matures only in cask. Once the whisky is bottled, the maturation process stops completely.
In principle, the flavour remains stable, although an opened bottle can change slightly after a long time due to contact with oxygen. This is why it is best to store whisky tightly sealed and out of direct sunlight.
Is whisky going bad?
Whisky is a strong drink with a high alcohol content, which means it has a virtually unlimited shelf life. If you have a bottle of whisky that is properly sealed, you can keep it for years, even decades, without its taste or quality deteriorating. However, the flavour can change if the whisky is exposed to light, air or temperature fluctuations. If there is too much air in the bottle relative to liquid then "oxidation" can also occur, directly affecting its flavour and intensity.
So an open bottle of whisky will often lose some of its aromas over time, but it will not "go bad".
Make sure you store your bottle in a cool, dark place and seal it well after each use, and that the bottle is always at least a quarter full (the less air there is in the bottle, the less oxidation can occur). Leftovers are best poured into smaller sample bottles that can be sealed well from the outside air (apothecary bottles are ideal, glass decanters are not), or you can artificially fill the original bottle with, say, marbles to reduce the volume of air in the bottle.
What is an independent bottler?
Independent bottlers are entrepreneurs who buy whisky from existing distilleries and then bottle or blend it themselves. They are not involved in the actual production process, but they take care of the further development of the whisky. This means they select the casks themselves and decide how long the whisky matures, in order to create a unique final product.
Some whiskies are sold exclusively to independent bottlers and are not used for the original distillery's range. Examples of such bottlers include Signatory, Douglas Laing, and Cadenhead's.
There are also 'secret bottlings', where the bottler does not reveal which distillery the casks come from.
Independent bottlings are usually single casks. They are often not coloured, are usually non-chill filtered and very limited in availability, which only makes the product more unique. This constitutes a delightful change from regular whiskies, you could say.
In which glass do you pour whisky?
The classic glass in which whisky is very often poured is called a tumbler. This is a low, straight and wide glass. Some people prefer to drink their whisky from these glasses because of the tradition and the feel it gives. This glass has a wide, cylindrical shape and a thick bottom, making it perfect to use when mixing whisky with other drinks like cola or water, for example, or when you want to add ice to your whisky. It is most often used with bourbon and blended whisky.
However, connoisseurs prefer to opt for a tulip-shaped glass, as it bundles the aromas better in the nose. Snifters and copita glasses, for example, have such a shape, but are still more commonly associated with cognac and sherry. The general consensus therefore seems to be that the Glencairn glass is still usually the best choice to maximise the better whisky. The advantage of all three is that you can hold the glass in such a way that your body heat will not warm up the spirit in your glass.
Do you drink whisky with ice?
The most loaded question is whether you should drink whisky at room temperature or "on the rocks". We take no position on right or wrong and advise everyone to enjoy it in the way that suits them best. If you like a particular whisky better on ice rather than at room temperature, who are we to deprive you of that pleasure?
That said, there are some differences: a room-temperature whisky evaporates more easily, making the nose more intense as with a chilled whisky. In turn, using ice dilutes the whisky, so the flavour and intensity can diminish once that ice starts to melt in your glass. Whisky stones can be a good alternative if you don't like a whisky at room temperature but at the same time don't want your spirit to be diluted by the melting ice in your glass either.
Should you add water to whisky?
Adding water to whisky is not a must, but it can help release aromas better. Especially with whiskies with a higher alcohol content, a few drops of water can make the flavour more accessible.
Most important is personal preference: drink whisky the way you like it best, pure, with water or possibly with ice.
What is a "dram"?
A "dram" usually refers to one serving of whisky. The quantity of a dram is around 3cl, some serve 2.5cl and others go up to 3.5cl. From a 5cl sample or mini-bottle, you basically get just 2 drams, enough to discover a spirit for two.
Handy to remember if you ever want to organise a tasting yourself: from a standard 70cl bottle with a standard filling level you get:
- 35 drams of 2cl (tip: the bottle pilot on our webshop doses exactly 2cl)
- 28 drams of 2.5cl
- 23 drams of 3cl
- 20 drams of 3.5cl
However, do not count too strictly when organising a tasting, and always keep a few drams in reserve in case there is a spillage when pouring or the bottle does not contain exactly 70cl spirit (with older bottlings, the filling level can decrease slightly over time due to natural processes). And don't forget to include the host of your tasting, of course!
What does "angel's share" mean?
The term "angel's share" refers to the part of a whisky (or other matured spirit) that slowly evaporates in the barrel during the maturation process. As the spirit is aged in wooden barrels for years, a small amount of alcohol and water escapes through the pores of the wood each time. This loss can amount to about 2% per year, depending on factors such as climate, storage location and barrel type. The name is meant poetically: it is said that this part is "for the angels".
Although technically a loss for the distiller, the angel's share plays a crucial role in the development of flavour and aroma. The evaporation concentrates the residual flavours, and the contact with the wood provides complexity such as vanilla, spice and fruity notes. In warmer climates (such as rum), the angel's share tends to be greater, resulting in faster maturation than, for example, in cooler whisky regions such as Scotland.
How do I get started on Scotch whisky?
Many people assume that a more expensive bottle of Scotch whisky is automatically better. It sounds logical: the higher the price, the better the quality. But in reality, the difference between a bottle of a few tens and one of thousands of euros is rarely purely in the taste. What you pay has much more to do with age, scarcity, marketing and reputation than with what you actually taste in your glass.
To understand this properly, it helps to look at Scotch in different "levels". Each level tells you something about what you are drinking and, more importantly, what you are paying for, but not every epicurean goes through all these levels.
You can read all about it in our blog post Why an expensive Scotch doesn't necessarily taste better - the different levels of Scotch.
How do I get started on Irish whiskey?
At one time, Irish whiskey dominated the world. In the late 19th century, more than 70% of all whiskey came from Ireland. But wars, trade conflicts and prohibition in the US caused a dramatic decline. By 1980, barely two distilleries remained. Today, that picture has been completely reversed. Ireland once again has dozens of distilleries and the range of offerings ranges from simple entry-level bottles to rare collector's items costing thousands of euros.
But as always, more expensive does not automatically mean better. What do you actually get for your money? And from what point do you mainly pay for prestige? You can read more about it in our blog post Irish whiskey explained: from pub classics to million-dollar bottles.
How do I get started with Japanese whisky?
In 1918, a young Japanese student Masataka Taketsuru left for Scotland with one clear goal: to learn how to make whisky. He studied in Glasgow, apprenticed at several distilleries and obsessively noted down every detail of the process. Those notes would later form the basis of the Japanese whisky industry.
Today, Japanese whisky is a phenomenon. Bottles go under the hammer for tens of thousands of euros, distilleries can barely keep up with demand and the number of producers has exploded. But at the same time, that also makes it confusing: where do you start if you just want to drink it?
You'll discover all about it in our blog post Japanese whisky explained: from entry-level to untraceable.
Where can I buy whisky?
Basic whisky and no-name whisky can be found in any shop or supermarket, but you undoubtedly want something more. Then you're in the right place at Drankenshop Broekmans, because our range of almost 3,000 whiskies covers all brands, all distilleries, all bottlers, all flavour profiles and all price ranges.
