Whisky from Benriach
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Benriach The 12
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Benriach The 12
In stock
Benriach The 12 is a 12-year-old Speyside single malt bottled at 46%, shaped by a renewed recipe built around bourbon, sherry and port cask maturation. That combination gives the whisky added depth, while keeping the balance centred on fruit and sherry-led richness.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Benriach with more than just bright Speyside fruit. It brings in baked fruit, nutty warmth and a spiced edge, without moving into smoky territory. The result is a whisky with a generous, rounded feel and a finish that lingers on darker, sweeter notes.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/
The aroma brings rich maple honey, cocoa and baked forest fruits. On the palate, maraschino cherry, (…)Benriach Smoke Season
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Benriach Smoke Season
Very last one in stock!
Benriach Smoke Season brings a smokier side of Speyside into focus. Rather than presenting Benriach only through a softer Speyside lens, this single malt leans clearly into peat smoke and spice while keeping a fruitier undertone in the background.
At 52.8% alcohol, it has a firm presence. Maturation in American oak and virgin oak gives it a lightly woody framework, but the defining impression remains its smoky, spiced character rather than overt sweetness or heavy oak.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Benriach we like to point out to customers who want to explore the distillery from a more robust angle. With the last bottles now in view, it also carries a certain immediacy for those who have been meaning to try it.
Additional (…)Benriach Smoky 10 Tube Incl.
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Benriach Smoky 10 Tube Incl.
In stock
Benriach Smoky 10 is a 10-year-old Speyside single malt with a clear sense of direction: fruit comes first, while the smoky side adds character without taking over. It shows a different angle on Speyside, with peat used as a supporting note rather than a dominant force.
Bottled at 46%, it has enough presence for considered sipping, while the supplied profile points to a whisky shaped by fruit, gentle wood influence, light spice, a floral touch and a restrained peated note.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would bring into the conversation when someone wants a Speyside malt with a little extra tension, but not an intensely smoky style. Further information about the brand can be found at https://www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/
Benriach 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Benriach 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
On request only
Benriach 12y is a Speyside single malt from Scotland, bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. That already gives it a more specific identity than a standard distillery release: a twelve-year-old Benriach selected under the Cadenhead label, with a Sauternes finish as its defining detail.
Within the Drankenshop Broekmans range, this is the kind of bottle that draws attention from drinkers who enjoy exploring Speyside whisky through a slightly different lens. The Sauternes finish is the key point here, adding an extra layer of cask influence to the malt's maturation story.
At 46% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its character with confidence, without being positioned as a cask strength whisky. The combination of Benriach, Cadenhead and a (…)Benriach 1966 50y Gm Bok (Gordon & Mcphail - Book Of Kelts)
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Benriach 1966 50y Gm Bok (Gordon & Mcphail - Book Of Kelts)
Very last one in stock!
Benriach 1966 50y Gm Bok is a Scottish whisky with a story built around age, rarity and independent bottling. It is a 50-year-old Benriach from 1966, bottled by Gordon & McPhail as part of the Book of Kelts series, giving it a very different presence from a standard distillery release.
Only 87 bottles were produced, so this is a remarkably small release. With the remaining availability now down to the last bottles, the sense of scarcity is very clear without needing to overstate it.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, a whisky like this is valued for what it represents: long maturation, a historic year reference and a release with clear collector appeal. Bottled at 54.3% alcohol, it is presented with notable strength, although no detailed tasting notes have been (…)Benriach 1981 38y Nectar/Lmdw
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Benriach 1981 38y Nectar/Lmdw
On request only
Benriach 1981 38y Nectar/Lmdw is a Speyside single malt built around a very precise cask story. Distilled on 20 November 1981 and bottled on 1 March 2020, it spent 38 years in a single bourbon barrel, giving this release the character of one individual cask rather than a broader vatting.
Only 162 bottles were drawn, and with the last bottles indicated, this is one of those releases that naturally stands apart in the Drankenshop Broekmans selection. Its age, single cask origin, cask strength bottling and collector's item status all point in the same direction: a scarce Benriach with a very specific identity.
Bottled at 46.6%, it remains close to the strength of the cask. The flavour profile places fruit at the centre, supported by clear wood and spice, with (…)Benriach 1991 32y Artist 13 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Benriach 1991 32y Artist 13 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Benriach 1991 32y Artist 13 is a whisky where age is the first thing that sets the tone. Distilled in 1991 and bottled in 2023, this Speyside single malt spent 32 years maturing before being selected for release.
Signatory bottled it as part of the Artist Edition from a single sherry butt. That gives the whisky a very clear sense of origin: one cask, one long maturation, 535 bottles. Within the Drankenshop Broekmans range, this is the kind of bottle that stands out for drinkers who appreciate a precisely defined release rather than a broad house style.
At 51.2% alcohol, it keeps enough strength to carry its mature profile. The stated flavour direction points towards fruit, spice and wood, with a lighter floral touch in support. With only the last bottles (…)Benriach 1992 30y #7312 Incl. Box
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Benriach 1992 30y #7312 Incl. Box
In stock
Benriach 1992 30y #7312 is a Speyside single malt where the individual cask really carries the story. Distilled on 19 June 1992 and bottled in January 2023 after 30 years of maturation, it comes from one single cask: cask #7312, an ex-Burgundy barrel that produced just 226 bottles.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this release stands out because of the way age, single cask character and cask strength come together. Bottled at 51.9%, it keeps the voice of that particular cask intact rather than presenting a more standardised version of Benriach.
With the last bottles now in view, the limited nature of this whisky becomes part of its appeal. It is a precise snapshot of three decades in one wine barrel, with fruit, oak and spice forming the core of its character.
Benriach 1994 27y (La Maison Du Whisky)
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Benriach 1994 27y (La Maison Du Whisky)
In stock
Benriach 1994 27y is a Speyside single malt built around one very specific cask story. Distilled in 1994 and bottled in 2022, it spent 27 years maturing before being drawn from a single puncheon. Only 660 bottles came from that cask, so this is not a broad house-style release, but a focused glimpse of one individual maturation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, a bottling like this stands out for the way it brings age, single cask origin and cask strength together. Bottled at 53%, it keeps close to the strength and personality of the cask rather than presenting a softened or standardised version of Benriach.
The flavour profile points towards a whisky shaped by fruit, spice and wood, with a lighter floral side and a subtle peated accent in the background. It is a (…)Benriach 1994 27y Batch 18
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Benriach 1994 27y Batch 18
In stock
Benriach 1994 27y Batch 18 is a Speyside single malt built around one very specific origin: a single Oloroso Sherry cask, distilled on 18 July 1994 and bottled in 2022 after 27 years of maturation. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures the identity of one cask at one point in time.
Bottled at 53% cask strength, with 659 bottles released, it has the kind of focused character that makes older single cask whisky so engaging. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is exactly the sort of bottling we like to introduce to customers who are interested in mature whisky with a clear sense of provenance.
The remaining bottles make its limited nature even more apparent. Its profile brings fruit, spice and wood to the foreground, while peat sits more quietly in (…)Benriach 1994 28y #1290 48,1 Incl. Box
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Benriach 1994 28y #1290 48,1 Incl. Box
In stock
Benriach 1994 28y #1290 is a Speyside single malt with a very defined identity: a peated Benriach from an oloroso sherry butt, filled on 15 July 1994 and bottled in early 2023 after 28 years of maturation.
Its appeal lies in its precision. This is not a broad release, but a single cask bottling from cask #1290, presented at cask strength at 48.1%. Only 524 bottles were drawn, giving this whisky the feeling of a specific moment captured from one individual cask.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we value releases like this because they show how much personality can sit inside a single malt when age, cask and distillery character are allowed to speak clearly. It remains rooted in Speyside, yet the peated style and oloroso sherry butt add depth, spice, fruit and gentle (…)Benriach 1994 28y #2061 Incl. Box
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Benriach 1994 28y #2061 Incl. Box
In stock
Benriach 1994 28y #2061 is a mature Speyside single malt with a very precise sense of place and cask identity. Distilled on 18 July 1994 and bottled in 2023, it brings together 28 years of maturation in a single cask release.
Cask #2061 gives this whisky its own defined character rather than the broader profile of a regular batch. With 655 bottles filled and only the last bottles remaining, it has the quiet appeal of a limited release without needing to overstate it.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Benriach stands out as a cask strength bottling for drinkers who enjoy aged single malt in a more direct form. The Oloroso finish, the 52.6% strength and the Speyside origin come together around a profile where wood, spice and fruit take the lead, supported by a (…)Benriach 1994 28y #2791 Incl. Box
350
Benriach 1994 28y #2791 Incl. Box
In stock
Benriach 1994 28y #2791 is a very specific Speyside single malt rather than a broad house-style release. Drawn from one individual cask, #2791, it was distilled on 11 July 1994 and bottled after 28 years at 53.6%. It is a peated Benriach with a Pedro Ximénez Puncheon finish, released in a run of 609 bottles.
Its appeal lies in the way several strong elements come together: long maturation, cask strength, peat and the darker influence of Pedro Ximénez. The result is a whisky with a more layered, mature presence, where the smoky side is part of the composition rather than just a headline feature.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place among the more distinctive single cask selections: a defined snapshot from one cask, with (…)Benriach 1994 28y #7031 Incl. Box
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Benriach 1994 28y #7031 Incl. Box
In stock
Benriach 1994 28y #7031 is a Speyside single malt drawn from one individual cask and bottled at cask strength. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures one specific cask after a long maturation, bottled at 53.6% with its own particular balance of maturity, wood influence and distillery character.
Distilled on 17 June 1994 and bottled on 1 January 2023, it spent 28 years developing before receiving a Virgin Oak Finish. Only 198 bottles were released, and with the last bottles now available, it occupies a notably small-scale place in the Drankenshop Broekmans whisky selection.
The profile points toward clear fruit, wood and spice, supported by a lighter floral side and a gentle peated accent. That makes this Benriach especially interesting as a (…)Benriach 1994 28y #8127 Incl. Box
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Benriach 1994 28y #8127 Incl. Box
In stock
Benriach 1994 28y is a Speyside single malt from Scotland with maturation at the centre of its story. Distilled on 15 July 1994 and aged for 28 years, it points towards a style where wood influence, spice and fruit are all clearly present, while peat smoke is not part of the profile.
At 53.6% ABV, it carries real weight in the glass. That strength suits a whisky of this age: mature, concentrated and made for slow attention rather than casual sipping. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Benriach for drinkers who enjoy older Speyside single malt with a pronounced sense of time and structure.
With only the last bottles remaining, this release also has a naturally limited feel. Not because it needs loud claims, but because a 1994 Benriach at 28 years old (…)Benriach 1994 31y Shades Smoke
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Benriach 1994 31y Shades Smoke
Temporarily sold out
Benriach 1994 31y Shades Smoke reveals a remarkably mature side of peated Speyside single malt. Distilled in 1994 and aged for 31 years, it is shaped around finesse, texture and a graceful thread of smoke rather than sheer intensity.
Its peat is not heavy-handed. It sits softly around Benriach's fruit-driven character, with honeyed depth, candied citrus and chocolate notes giving the whisky its slow, layered feel. The release is composed from 11 carefully selected casks, giving it the sense of a whisky built for quiet attention rather than quick impressions.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would introduce as a contemplative dram: old, smoky Speyside whisky with elegance at its centre. It has clear interest for collectors, but its real (…)Benriach 1997 23y Batch 17
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Benriach 1997 23y Batch 17
In stock
Benriach 1997 23y Batch 17 is a Speyside single malt with a very focused identity. Distilled on 7 July 1997 and bottled in 2021 at 23 years of age, it comes from a single cask and is presented at cask strength, 51.6% ABV.
Virgin oak plays an important role here, bringing a clear wood and spice dimension, while the flavour profile points strongly towards fruit. It is a more individual view of Benriach rather than a broad house-style expression.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this stand out because they capture one specific cask at one specific point in its maturation. With only the last bottles remaining, Batch 17 has become an increasingly scarce example of mature Benriach from Speyside.
Additional information about Benriach can be (…)Benriach 1997 24y Batch 18
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Benriach 1997 24y Batch 18
In stock
Benriach 1997 24y Batch 18 is a Speyside single malt with a very precise identity: distilled on 7 July 1997, matured for 24 years and bottled in 2022 at a natural cask strength of 53.2%.
The appeal here lies in its narrow focus. This is a single cask release from Virgin Oak, limited to 244 bottles, so it represents one individual cask rather than a broad house style. That gives the whisky a more specific, almost snapshot-like quality: one cask, one maturation path, one limited batch.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of Benriach that speaks to drinkers looking for mature Speyside with clear wood influence, spice and fruit, while peat smoke stays out of the foreground. With the last bottles now remaining, Batch 18 has become an increasingly (…)Benriach 1998 24y #5944
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Benriach 1998 24y #5944
On request only
Benriach 1998 24y #5944 is a Speyside single malt built around a very precise idea: one cask, long maturation and bottling at natural cask strength. Distilled on 8 July 1998 and bottled in 2023, it captures 24 years of development while keeping the individual identity of cask #5944 firmly in view.
The Pedro Ximenez finish shapes the character of this release, presented at 53.9% ABV. Its profile centres on fruit, spice and a clear wood influence, giving the whisky a concentrated feel without needing to be framed as a standard distillery expression. With only 588 bottles drawn, and now down to the last bottles, availability is naturally limited.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Benriach we like to introduce to customers who enjoy whiskies with a (…)Benriach 2000 21y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Benriach 2000 21y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Benriach 2000 21y is a Speyside single malt with a very defined identity. Rather than presenting a broad house-style vatting, this release comes from one individual hogshead, bottled by The Nectar as part of the Daily Dram range. It is the kind of whisky where the cask itself becomes the main point of interest.
Distilled on 24 May 2000 and bottled on 1 October 2021, it spent 21 years maturing before being released at cask strength, 52.8%. With only 279 bottles drawn, it has a naturally limited character. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for exactly that reason: they offer a focused look at one cask, one maturation path and one moment in time.
The flavour profile points towards a clear presence of fruit, wood and spice, with a lighter (…)Benriach 2000 25y (Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice)
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Benriach 2000 25y (Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice)
On request only
Benriach 2000 25y is a Speyside malt whisky with a very specific identity: one cask, 25 years of maturation and bottled at cask strength. As part of Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice, it is presented as an individual cask selection rather than a whisky shaped into a broader, more uniform style.
The Oloroso Sherry cask is central to its personality. At 60.2%, this is a powerful bottling, with the supplied flavour profile pointing mainly towards spice, supported by lighter fruit, wood and floral notes.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are valued for the way they show a precise snapshot of maturation. Benriach, Speyside origin, Signatory bottling, Oloroso cask influence and 25 years of age come together in a bottle that is far from everyday. The (…)Benriach 2008 13y (Wemyss Single Cask)
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Benriach 2008 13y (Wemyss Single Cask)
In stock
Benriach 2008 13 Year Old from Wemyss is a Speyside single malt built around the individuality of one cask. Distilled in 2008 and bottled in 2022 after 13 years of maturation, it comes from a hogshead and was released in the Wemyss Single Cask range. Bottled at cask strength, 56.5%, it keeps the whisky close to the way that particular cask presented itself.
Only 266 bottles were drawn from this release, giving it a naturally limited feel without needing any extra decoration. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place in front of whisky drinkers who enjoy independent bottlings and want to explore a more specific, cask-led side of Benriach.
The profile points towards wood and spice as the main pillars, with lighter fruit and floral elements (…)Benriach 2009 12y Lmdw
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Benriach 2009 12y Lmdw
On request only
Benriach 2009 12y LMDW is a Speyside single malt built around the individuality of one cask. Distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2021 at 12 years old, it presents a more specific snapshot of Benriach than a regular core-range release.
The port maturation and cask strength bottling at 59.8% give this whisky a firm presence. Its profile points towards clearly expressed spice and peat, with lighter fruity, floral and woody elements around them rather than dominating the experience.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are valued because they show whisky in a more focused form: one cask, one limited outturn, one particular interpretation. With 762 bottles produced and the last bottles available, this Benriach has the appeal of a defined and increasingly (…)Benriach 2010 16y (The Whisky Agency - Made For Friends & Wave Farewell)
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Benriach 2010 16y (The Whisky Agency - Made For Friends & Wave Farewell)
On request only
Benriach 2010 16y shows a very fruit-driven side of Speyside single malt. Distilled in 2010 and matured for 16 years in a Ruby Port cask, it brings the cask influence clearly to the foreground, especially through its red and dark fruit character.
This single cask was bottled by The Whisky Agency at cask strength as part of the Made for friends & wave farewell series. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures the personality of one individual cask, with the Ruby Port maturation giving the whisky its generous, juicy direction.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place among the more limited discoveries: specific, expressive and available only in small remaining quantities. It is a Benriach for those moments when you want (…)
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.
