Whisky
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Nikka Days + 2 Glasses
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Nikka Days + 2 Glasses
In stock
Nikka Days + 2 Glasses is a Japanese blended whisky presented as a gift pack, complete with two glasses. It has the kind of presentation that feels thoughtful and ready to share, without turning the whisky into something overly formal.
The style is led by a lighter aromatic side. Rather than peat, saltiness or pronounced wood, the profile points towards a floral impression, supported by gentle fruit and a touch of spice. Bourbon cask maturation is part of the whisky's make-up, yet the overall character is not driven by heavy wood influence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this set sits well among Japanese whiskies for customers looking for a refined, approachable Nikka blend with a practical gift presentation. Bottled at 40% and carrying no age statement, Nikka (…)Sea Shepherd Islay Single Malt
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Sea Shepherd Islay Single Malt
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Sea Shepherd Islay Single Malt presents Islay in a direct and recognisable way, while keeping the precise distillery identity undisclosed. The focus is therefore less on a famous name and more on the island style itself: peat, coastal salinity and a distinctly maritime edge.
Maturation in bourbon casks gives the whisky a familiar framework, but the supplied profile points clearly towards smoke and salt as the main elements. Gentle fruity, spicy and floral touches sit in the background. Wood influence is not the point here; the emphasis remains on the Islay character rather than on heavy cask weight.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this bottle fits well for customers looking for a Scottish Islay single malt with clear peat and a coastal feel, without an age (…)Tomintoul 16y Tube Incl.
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Tomintoul 16y Tube Incl.
In stock
Tomintoul 16y is a Speyside single malt with a calm sense of maturity. After 16 years in bourbon casks, it shows a rounded and gentle style, with fruit taking a clear role and softer sweet notes giving the whisky its easy charm.
The 16-year-old expression reflects the tradition and craftsmanship of the Tomintoul distillery. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see it as a mature Speyside whisky for drinkers who appreciate cask age without wanting the wood to dominate the glass.
The bourbon casks bring creamy sweetness and a light touch of spice, while the whisky keeps its elegant, fruit-led nature. The wood influence is present but restrained, adding structure rather than weight.
More information about Tomintoul is available at (…)Old Pulteney 12y Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 12y Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 12y is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky matured in bourbon casks for 12 years. The age statement gives it a clear sense of maturity, while the cask influence stays on the measured side, supporting the whisky rather than dominating it.
The main impression here is spice, with lighter touches of fruit, gentle wood and a subtle salty note adding definition. It is not a peated style; the character comes more from its spice-led profile and its restrained cask influence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a dependable introduction to Old Pulteney for customers looking for a 12-year-old Highland single malt with bourbon cask maturation and a flavour profile that has more spice than sweetness.
Additional information about the (…)Tamnavulin Double Cask Incl. Box
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Tamnavulin Double Cask Incl. Box
In stock
Tamnavulin Double Cask is a Speyside single malt shaped by two stages of cask influence. It is matured in American oak and then finished in sherry casks, giving the whisky a soft, elegant and refreshing style rather than a heavy or smoky one.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Tamnavulin for drinkers who enjoy fruit-led single malt with a creamy edge. The Double Cask name is meaningful here: the American oak maturation brings smoothness, while the sherry finish adds extra depth and roundness.
Bottled at 40%, it keeps an easy-going feel, yet the flavour description still has plenty to say: apple, honey, toffee, pear, peach and pineapple form the heart of the whisky, supported by a gentle spicy touch.
More information about Tamnavulin can (…)Smokey Monkey Shoulder
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Smokey Monkey Shoulder
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Smokey Monkey Shoulder brings out the smoky side of Monkey Shoulder in a Scotch blended malt whisky. The name gives a clear indication of its direction: the familiar Monkey Shoulder style, with an added smoky touch rather than an intensely peated character.
There is no age statement here, and the whisky is bottled at 40%. Bourbon cask maturation forms the base, while the flavour profile points towards light fruit, gentle spice, a floral hint and a restrained peat-smoke note. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a whisky for customers who want smoke to be part of the conversation without it taking over the whole glass.
Its appeal lies in that straightforward idea: a Scottish blended malt built around approachability and a measured smoky accent, rather than (…)Deanston 12y Tube Incl.
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Deanston 12y Tube Incl.
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Deanston 12y is a Highland single malt with a straightforward and appealing identity: twelve years of age, bourbon cask maturation and a strength of 46.3%. At Drankenshop Broekmans, it sits naturally among Scottish whiskies for drinkers who enjoy a fruit-led style without peat smoke or a salty edge taking over.
The bourbon cask influence supports the whisky rather than dominating it. Fruit is the main thread, while gentle floral notes, light wood and a touch of spice add shape around it. That makes Deanston 12y a clear, well-defined Highland malt with enough presence to be interesting without becoming heavy.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.deanstonmalt.com
Deanston 12y is shaped primarily by a fruity flavour (…)Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve 1797 Incl. Box
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Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve 1797 Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve 1797 is a Scottish Highland single malt with a clear, composed style rather than a heavy or smoky one. The Founder's Reserve 1797 name gives the whisky a classic identity within the Glen Garioch range, without needing to rely on an elaborate presentation.
Its bourbon cask maturation supports a profile built around gentle fruit, light floral tones and a modest touch of wood. Peat, saltiness and pronounced spice are not part of the indicated flavour profile, so the focus stays on a clean Highland malt character with restrained cask influence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Glen Garioch for drinkers looking for a Scottish single malt at 48%, shaped by bourbon cask maturation but not driven by smoke or heavy spice.
Finlaggan Eilean Mor Incl. Box
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Finlaggan Eilean Mor Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Finlaggan Eilean Mor is a Scottish single malt from Islay, built around a clearly peated style. Bottled at 46%, it carries a little more weight than many lower-strength malts, while keeping the focus away from age statement detail and firmly on character.
The bourbon cask maturation frames a profile where peat is the main feature, supported by lighter notes of fruit, spice and salinity. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a straightforward Islay choice for drinkers who want smoke to be present and recognisable, with a few surrounding nuances rather than an overly technical presentation.
Its appeal lies in that direct combination: Islay single malt, bourbon cask influence, 46% alcohol and a peat-led personality.
The provided flavour profile (…)*Vintage* Lagavulin 1978 14y Kingsbury's Unicorn Label For Japan (!See Filling Level)
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*Vintage* Lagavulin 1978 14y Kingsbury's Unicorn Label For Japan (!See Filling Level)
Very last one in stock!
Lagavulin 1978 14 Year Old Kingsbury's Unicorn Label is very much a vintage bottle with a specific story. Distilled on 1 December 1978 and bottled on 10 December 1992, it brings together a fourteen-year-old Islay single malt, a single bourbon cask and cask strength bottling at 64.7%, released for Japan.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, a bottle like this sits in the realm of specialist and collector-oriented whisky rather than everyday single malt. Lagavulin, Islay, Kingsbury's Unicorn Label, the Japanese release context and the single cask presentation all point to a very particular old bottling.
The note See Filling Level is important with a bottle of this age. As a vintage item and one of the last available bottles, its condition and fill level naturally form (…)Amrut 2022 4y Peated
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Amrut 2022 4y Peated
Last one in stock!
Amrut 2022 4y Peated shows a more forceful, smoky side of Amrut Single Malt. This Indian single malt was produced from Scottish-imported peated barley and matured for four years in a bourbon barrel in the tropical climate of Bangalore. That combination gives the whisky its particular energy: ripe fruit, peat influence and a firm cask strength presentation.
The peat is described at around 30 ppm, but the character is broader than smoke alone. The product information points to a layered interplay of fruity, medicinal and ashy notes, with the peat gradually moving towards mineral, floral and smoky dimensions. Bottled at 60%, this single cask has clear intensity, yet the structure comes from more than strength; the tropical maturation and peated malt both leave a distinct (…)Ardbeg Anamorphic Committee Release
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Ardbeg Anamorphic Committee Release
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Ardbeg Anamorphic Committee Release is a Scottish single malt from Islay with peat clearly at the heart of its identity. The Committee Release designation gives it a distinct place within the Ardbeg range, while the absence of an age statement keeps the focus on the style of this particular release rather than on a number on the label.
Bourbon cask maturation frames the whisky without taking attention away from its Islay character. Peat is the main voice, supported by lighter touches of salt, fruit, floral notes, wood and spice. It is a release with a defined smoky profile, but with enough surrounding detail to make the glass more than just peat-driven.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle that naturally stands out for followers of Ardbeg's (…)Ardbeg Supernova Committee Release
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Ardbeg Supernova Committee Release
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Ardbeg Supernova Committee Release is an Islay single malt with peat and salinity at the centre of its character. Bourbon cask maturation appears here as a supporting element, adding light wood influence, a touch of spice and a modest fruity edge around the smoky, coastal profile.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we would place this bottle among the scarcer Ardbeg releases rather than everyday drinking stock. It is a Committee Release, bottled at cask strength at 53.8%, with no age statement and marked as a collector's item. With only the last bottles remaining, its limited availability is very much part of the appeal.
This is an Ardbeg to approach for its directness and strength of character: Islay peat, a salty profile and a firm bottling strength define the (…)Auchroisk 10y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
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Auchroisk 10y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
In stock
Auchroisk 10y Gmp is part of Gordon & MacPhail's Discovery range, a series built around clear flavour directions rather than technical complexity. This release sits in the bourbon cask profile, so the emphasis is on a pale, fruit-led Speyside style with vanilla sweetness and a gentle oak influence.
The distillery itself is described in the supplied information as relatively young, dating from 1972, with a robust spirit linked to a fast process of mashing, fermentation and distillation. In this 10 year old bottling at 43%, that gives the whisky a little firmness beneath the fruit and creaminess.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a very approachable way to explore Auchroisk and the lighter side of Speyside single malt. There is no peat in the (…)Balblair 12y
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Balblair 12y
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Balblair 12y is a Highland single malt from Scotland with a distinctly fruit-led personality. Matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to feel present in the glass while keeping a clean, unpeated style.
Its appeal lies in that clarity. Fruit sits at the centre, with gentle floral and spicy touches around it, rather than heavy oak or smoke. That makes it a good example of a Highland malt where the emphasis is on freshness and definition.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a thoughtful choice for anyone looking for a 12-year-old Scottish single malt with bourbon cask maturation and a profile that stays bright, fruity and approachable without becoming overly sweet or smoky.
Additional information about the brand (…)Ballechin Straight From The Cask 2010 10y 50cl
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Ballechin Straight From The Cask 2010 10y 50cl
Only 3 left in stock!
Ballechin Straight From The Cask 2010 10y is a Highland single malt from Edradour with a very direct identity: one bourbon cask, bottled at cask strength. The appeal lies in that clarity. It was distilled on 28 October 2010 and bottled on 25 October 2021, giving a 10-year-old whisky that captures the character of one individual cask.
At 58.2% ABV, it keeps a firm, unsoftened presence. The profile is driven by peat and spice, with lighter touches of fruit, wood, floral nuance and salinity. The bourbon cask plays a supporting role rather than turning the whisky into something overly polished.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place in front of customers who enjoy cask strength single malts with a clearly defined origin. With only 319 (…)Bankhall Single Malt
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Bankhall Single Malt
In stock
Bankhall Single Malt has a very clear purpose: to bring single malt whisky into a more approachable, versatile space. Launched in 2023 as a whisky of the people, it was created to challenge familiar blended whiskies from Ireland, America and Scotland with a premium single malt offered in an accessible way.
Its maturation brings together ex-Bourbon casks and American virgin oak. That cask mix gives the whisky its emphasis on vanilla, toffee and warm spice, while keeping the overall style unpeated and easy to enjoy.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Bankhall as a bottle that works across occasions: neat when you want something straightforward and flavourful, or as a base for classic mixed drinks. It is a British single malt with an open, uncomplicated character, (…)Bladnoch 27y Talia
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Bladnoch 27y Talia
On request only
Bladnoch 27y Talia is a Scottish Lowland single malt with age as one of its defining features. Twenty-seven years of maturation gives this whisky a mature presence, while the supplied flavour profile keeps it firmly away from peat smoke or coastal saltiness.
Its bourbon cask maturation frames the whisky around a clear combination of fruit and wood. Rather than relying on heavy smoke or bold spice, Talia appears to sit in a more composed register, with fruit and cask influence carrying the main story and a lighter spicy accent in support.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we would naturally bring this Bladnoch into the conversation for someone exploring older Lowland single malts with a non-peated style and a flavour direction built around maturity, fruit and measured (…)Bruichladdich 1984 32y
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Bruichladdich 1984 32y
Only 2 left in stock!
Bruichladdich 1984 32y is a mature Islay single malt with a quieter, more aged-driven personality. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 32 years in Bourbon Cask, it places the focus on time, oak influence and fruit rather than on peat or coastal sharpness.
The supplied flavour profile points clearly towards fruit and wood, with a lighter touch of spice. Peat smoke and saltiness are not part of the picture here, making this a particularly interesting Bruichladdich for anyone exploring the older, more composed side of Islay whisky.
Only 3000 bottles were produced, and this release is marked as a collector's item. At Drankenshop Broekmans, the fact that these are the last bottles gives it a special position: less a casual everyday dram, more a mature snapshot from (…)Caol Ila 13y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
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Caol Ila 13y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
On request only
Caol Ila 13 Year Old by Gordon & MacPhail shows a welcoming side of Islay single malt without losing the island signature. It comes from the Discovery range, created as an accessible introduction to Gordon & MacPhail's single malt portfolio. Caol Ila itself is located on the north-eastern side of Islay, near Port Askaig, and that origin comes through in the whisky's gentle peat smoke and salty edge.
What makes this bottling stand out is the sweet, fruit-led expression of that Islay style. The bourbon cask maturation supports notes of vanilla, apricot jam and tropical fruit, while malt, lemon zest and soft smoke keep the whisky lively and unmistakably coastal. At 13 years old and bottled at 43%, it feels composed, clear and easy to understand without becoming (…)Cardhu Amber Rock
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Cardhu Amber Rock
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Cardhu Amber Rock is a Scottish single malt from Speyside, shaped around maturation in bourbon casks. The name suits the style well: a whisky with a warm, wood-led identity, without moving into smoky or coastal territory.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Cardhu for drinkers who appreciate a Speyside malt where the cask influence is easy to recognise. The wood character is clearly present, while a lighter fruit note keeps the profile approachable. Peat, saltiness, spice and floral tones are not the focus here.
Bottled at 40% alcohol, Cardhu Amber Rock keeps a measured and accessible style, with the bourbon cask element giving it its main point of distinction.
Additional information about the brand can be found at (…)Compass Box Double Single (Compass Box Limited Edition)
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Compass Box Double Single (Compass Box Limited Edition)
On request only
Compass Box Double Single is built around a wonderfully restrained idea: how few components are needed to create a genuinely engaging blended Scotch whisky? Here, Compass Box uses just two. A single grain from Girvan and a single malt from Glen Elgin are brought together in proportions chosen to make the combination feel greater than the individual parts.
Bottled at 46%, with natural colour and no chill filtration, it keeps a clear connection to its ingredients. The Bourbon Cask element supports the creamy vanilla and malty side of the whisky, while the malt component brings fruit and herbal touches into the conversation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a particularly interesting Compass Box release for drinkers who enjoy the craft of blending when (…)Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Incl. Box
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Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Cotswolds Bourbon Cask is a British single malt built very clearly around its cask influence. The name keeps things straightforward: bourbon cask maturation, no age statement, and bottled at a robust 59.1% cask strength. It is a whisky where strength and wood character are part of the identity rather than background details.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to drinkers who enjoy a more direct style of single malt, with the cask strength left in place. The flavour profile gives particular weight to wood and spice, while fruit and floral notes sit more gently in support.
There is no peated or salty side competing for attention. The focus stays on the interaction between single malt, bourbon cask and high strength: (…)Daftmill Summer 2010
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Daftmill Summer 2010
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Daftmill Summer 2010 is a Scottish single malt with a clear sense of time and place in the bottle: distilled in July 2010 and matured in bourbon cask. Rather than leaning on an age statement, this release is framed by its season, distillation date and cask background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Daftmill bottling that stands out quietly. The outturn of 6250 bottles gives it a defined scale, and with the last bottles now in circulation, its availability has become part of the story without needing any exaggeration.
Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its fruit-led and spiced profile, while lighter floral and woody elements remain in the background. It is a focused release for drinkers who appreciate a single malt tied to a (…)
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.
