Whisky
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Bushmills Black Bush
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Bushmills Black Bush
In stock
Bushmills Black Bush is an Irish blended whiskey with a notably high malt content. More than 80% of the blend is Bushmills single malt, giving it a fuller identity than many straightforward blends.
Its character is shaped in particular by Spanish oak that previously held Oloroso sherry. That sherry-cask influence supports the warmer spicy and lightly woody side of the whiskey, while the overall style remains clearly Irish and approachable.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Black Bush as a whiskey for drinkers who want a blend with a little more substance, without moving into an overly demanding style. Its reputation for offering strong value fits the bottle very naturally.
More information about Bushmills can be found at (…)Miltonduff 10y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
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Miltonduff 10y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
Last one in stock!
This Miltonduff 10 Year Old from Gordon & MacPhail belongs to the Discovery range, a series created to present single malts through clear flavour directions. Here, the focus is firmly on sherry, with maturation in a sherry butt and bottling at 43%.
Miltonduff's naturally fresh, floral new make still shows through beneath the richer sherry influence. That gives this Speyside single malt its charm: amber in the glass, with chocolate, orange and stewed fruit taking the lead, yet with enough lift to keep the whisky from feeling heavy.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for a sherry-led single malt with an easy approach, but not a flat one. The ten years of maturation bring depth and spice, while the (…)*Vintage* Glenrothes 1997 20y Whisky Fassle
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*Vintage* Glenrothes 1997 20y Whisky Fassle
Very last one in stock!
Glenrothes 1997 20 Year Old Whisky Fassle is a Speyside single malt with a very clear identity. It was distilled in 1997, bottled in 2017 and matured for twenty years before being drawn from a single sherry butt. At 47.9% and bottled at cask strength, it keeps the focus firmly on that individual cask rather than on a blended house style.
The character is shaped by a strongly spiced profile, with fruit and oak also clearly present. There is no peated direction indicated here, so the interest lies more in the interaction between maturation, sherry cask influence and the mature Speyside malt beneath it.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of bottle that tells a compact but complete story: one distillation year, one cask, one bottling date, and now (…)Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd Edition (The Nectar Of The Daily Drams)
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Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd Edition (The Nectar Of The Daily Drams)
On request only
Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd Edition is a Scottish blended malt built around maturity, discretion and scarcity. Distilled in 1993 and bottled at 25 years of age by The Nectar for The Nectar of the Daily Drams, it keeps its exact origin undisclosed. That shifts the focus away from a distillery name and towards the character of the whisky in the bottle.
Its maturation in a sherry butt gives this release a classic, substantial frame. The stated flavour profile points to clear fruit and wood influence, with spice playing a supporting role. Bottled at 49.3%, it has enough strength to carry that mature profile without making the alcohol level the whole story.
Only 180 bottles were released, and with the last bottles now in circulation, Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd (…)Ardbeg 2013 8y Single Cask
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Ardbeg 2013 8y Single Cask
In stock
Ardbeg 2013 8y Single Cask is a very focused Islay single malt: one cask, one maturation story and a limited outturn of 670 bottles. Distilled on 20 February 2013 and bottled on 9 September 2021, it captures Ardbeg at 8 years old through the lens of a single individual cask.
The whisky was matured in a Sherry Butt and bottled at cask strength, 60.9%, giving this release a direct and uncompromised presentation. Rather than blending several casks into a broader house style, this bottling keeps the attention on the specific cask from which it came.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are valued for their clear sense of origin and limited nature. The combination of single cask, cask strength, 670 bottles and the fact that these are the last bottles makes (…)Ardnamurchan Heritage Barley 2026 Sherry Cask
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Ardnamurchan Heritage Barley 2026 Sherry Cask
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 27/10/2026Ardnamurchan Heritage Barley 2026 Sherry Cask is the second release built around this Heritage Barley idea. Once again, the whisky starts from an unpeated distillate made with Golden Promise, but here the maturation in Sherry Butt casks gives the release a deeper and richer direction.
It is especially interesting when seen alongside the Bourbon version. That release highlights freshness and softness in the distillate, while this Sherry Cask edition brings more weight, dried fruit and depth to the same underlying concept.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Ardnamurchan we like to explain glass in hand: a Highland single malt where the grain choice, unpeated style and cask influence all have a clear role to play. Bottled at cask strength, 58.4%, with (…)Auchentoshan '99 22y (Signatory - Cask Collection) Tube Incl.
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Auchentoshan '99 22y (Signatory - Cask Collection) Tube Incl.
In stock
Auchentoshan '99 22y is a Lowland single malt with a very specific identity: distilled in 1999, bottled by Signatory for the Cask Collection, drawn from a single sherry butt and presented at cask strength, 55.6% ABV.
What makes this release stand apart is its single cask nature. Rather than representing a broad, recurring style, it captures one individual cask, bottled in a run of 689 bottles. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of whisky that speaks to drinkers who enjoy provenance, limited availability and the detail of a clearly defined maturation.
The supplied profile points towards a whisky where wood, spice and fruit all have a clear presence. There is no peated element shaping the experience; the focus stays on maturation, cask strength (…)Auchentoshan 2007 13y Artist 5 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Auchentoshan 2007 13y Artist 5 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Auchentoshan 2007 13y Artist 5 is a Lowland single malt Scotch whisky bottled by Signatory as part of the Artist Edition. Distilled in 2007 and matured for 13 years in a sherry butt, it was bottled at 48% alcohol.
What gives this release its appeal is its very specific identity. It is an independent bottling with a defined maturation and a limited outturn of 1,581 bottles, rather than a broad, standard expression. The sherry butt maturation also gives a clear direction to the style, with fruit standing at the centre and spice playing an important supporting role.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Auchentoshan we like to highlight for customers who enjoy exploring individual releases from familiar distilleries. With the final bottles now in view, (…)Auchentoshan 2013 12y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Auchentoshan 2013 12y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Auchentoshan 2013 12 Year Old shows a very specific side of Lowland single malt. The supplied information points to the distillery's triple distillation as the source of a lively, elegant style, with fresh citrus and fruit tones and a soft, refined character.
Bottled by The Nectar for the Daily Dram series, this release comes from a single Sherry Butt. Rather than presenting a broad house-style vatting, it captures one individual cask at cask strength. With 300 bottles released, 56.9% alcohol and the last bottles now indicated, it has a naturally limited feel within the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans.
What makes this Auchentoshan particularly engaging is the meeting of Lowland finesse with the directness of a single cask bottling: polished in origin, yet (…)Ben Nevis 1996 30y (The Whisky Agency - Made For Friends & Wave Farewell) Incl. Box
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Ben Nevis 1996 30y (The Whisky Agency - Made For Friends & Wave Farewell) Incl. Box
Only 2 left in stock!
Ben Nevis 1996 30y is a Highland single malt with time clearly at its centre. Matured for 30 years in a Sherry Butt, it brings together long ageing, ripe depth and the individuality of a single cask. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures one particular cask at one particular point in its life.
The Whisky Agency bottled it at cask strength, 43.4% ABV, as part of the Made for friends & wave farewell series. That title suits the mood of the release: a whisky that has rested for decades and now appears in an ultra-limited form, with the last bottles already in view.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to introduce slowly, because its appeal lies in the combination of old Highland maturity, spice, wood influence and (…)Ben Nevis 1997 24y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage)
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Ben Nevis 1997 24y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage)
On request only
Ben Nevis 1997 24y is a Highland single malt built around maturity, cask identity and limited availability. Distilled on 12 February 1997 and bottled on 1 April 2021, it spent 24 years maturing before being released by The Single Malts of Scotland.
The sherry butt maturation gives this release its framework, while the single cask nature keeps the focus on one individual cask rather than a broader house style. Only 561 bottles were drawn, and with the last bottles now in circulation, it has a particular place in the Drankenshop Broekmans selection for drinkers who enjoy mature, cask-driven Scotch whisky.
At 57.7% alcohol, this was bottled at cask strength, preserving a more direct expression of the whisky. The character is centred on fruit, spice and wood (…)Ben Nevis 2014 6y 57,10° Artist 5 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Ben Nevis 2014 6y 57,10° Artist 5 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Ben Nevis 2014 6 year old Artist 5 is a Highland single malt bottled by Signatory as part of the Artist Edition. Distilled in 2014 and released at 6 years of age, it comes at cask strength, with its 57.10% ABV giving the whisky a direct and unsoftened presentation.
Although matured in a Sherry Butt, the supplied flavour profile does not point towards heavy oak or spice. The emphasis sits more clearly on fruit and floral notes, giving this Ben Nevis a brighter angle than one might automatically associate with a sherry cask reference.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, the interest here lies in the very specific snapshot this bottle represents: Ben Nevis from the Highlands, bottled by Signatory, drawn from a defined 2014 vintage, with 1288 bottles released and the (…)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 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 (…)Benrinnes 2010 11y Artist 5 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Benrinnes 2010 11y Artist 5 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Benrinnes 2010 11 Year Old Artist 5 presents a Speyside single malt through the independent lens of Signatory. Part of the Artist Edition, it brings together an 11-year maturation, a 2010 distillation vintage and bottling at 48%, giving the whisky a clearly defined identity within the Benrinnes name.
The sherry butt maturation gives the release its framework, while the available flavour profile points towards fruit, spice and floral notes rather than peat, salt or heavy wood influence. That makes it a whisky with a focused Speyside character, shaped by cask choice but not described as smoke-driven or heavily oaked.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place with the more distinctive independent Scotch selections. With 1639 bottles produced (…)Benrinnes 2011 10y Art12 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Benrinnes 2011 10y Art12 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Benrinnes 2011 10y Art12 is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky bottled by Signatory as part of the Artist Edition. Its appeal lies in the focus on one individual cask: a sherry butt distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2022 after 10 years of maturation.
Bottled at cask strength, this Benrinnes stays close to the whisky as it came from the cask. At 58.1% ABV, it carries real intensity, while the single cask nature keeps the release tightly defined rather than broadly blended. Only 660 bottles were filled.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a bottling for drinkers who enjoy discovering Speyside through independent releases. The combination of Signatory, Artist Edition, sherry butt maturation and the final bottles remaining gives this Benrinnes a very (…)Berry Bros Speyside 16y (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Speyside 16y (Berry Bros Classic Range)
In stock
Berry Bros Speyside 16y is a Scottish single malt from Speyside, bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Classic Range. Its appeal lies in a calm, mature style: no peat or coastal salinity at the centre, but fruit, nutty depth and a measured thread of spice.
The spirit was selected for its fruity and nutty character, then matured for sixteen years in a sherry butt. That ageing brings sweetness and depth, while still leaving room for a delicate Speyside feel rather than turning the whisky into something overly wood-led.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a fine choice within the richer side of Speyside: mature, composed and quietly layered. Bottled at 48.2%, it has enough strength to carry its aromas clearly, while keeping its refined character intact.
Black Bush Mini
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Black Bush Mini
In stock
Black Bush Mini puts Bushmills in a smaller bottle, making this Irish blended whiskey easy to discover or share as a compact gift. It is bottled at 40% and carries no age statement, keeping the focus on the Black Bush name and its blended Irish character.
The profile points towards a clearly spiced style, supported more gently by fruit, floral notes and wood. The stated Sherry Butt cask type gives the whiskey a cask-driven context, while peat and salty notes are not part of the indicated profile.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, miniatures like this are useful for customers who want to explore a whiskey style without immediately choosing a full bottle, especially when the product has a recognisable name such as Bushmills.
The supplied flavour profile (…)Blair Athol 2014 Svnec (Signatory Vintage)
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Blair Athol 2014 Svnec (Signatory Vintage)
In stock
Blair Athol 2014 Svnec is a Highland single malt built around cask intensity and individuality. Signatory bottled it as part of the Signatory Vintage range from a single cask, at a natural cask strength of 60.9%. At 8 years old, it keeps a direct, powerful style rather than a softened presentation.
Distilled on 2 October 2014 and bottled on 11 July 2023, it came from a sherry butt that yielded 633 bottles. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for exactly that sense of focus: one distillery, one cask, one defined period of maturation.
The character leans into fruit, spice and darker flavours, with no peaty or salty profile taking the lead. With only the last bottles remaining, this Blair Athol feels very much like the kind of independent (…)Bowmore 1972 45y (Signatory Vintage 30th Birthday) Incl. Box
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Bowmore 1972 45y (Signatory Vintage 30th Birthday) Incl. Box
On request only
Bowmore 1972 45y is a whisky where the story is carried by time, origin and restraint. Distilled on 21 June 1972 and bottled on 8 June 2018, this Islay single malt spent 45 years maturing before Signatory released it as part of the Signatory Vintage 30th Birthday series.
It was drawn from a single sherry butt and bottled at cask strength, 46.7%. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures one individual cask after a very long maturation. With only 246 bottles produced, the release is highly limited by nature.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Bowmore stands out for customers who appreciate older Scottish single malt with a clearly defined provenance and a genuine sense of rarity. The combination of Bowmore, Islay, Signatory and 45 years of age gives (…)Bowmore 2001 20y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Bowmore 2001 20y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
In stock
Bowmore 2001 20y is an Islay single malt with a very clear focus: one cask, one maturation path, bottled by The Nectar for the Daily Dram series. Rather than presenting Bowmore through a broad house expression, this release captures a single sherry butt on its own terms.
Distilled in 2001 and bottled in August 2022, it was released at cask strength, 54.9% ABV. That gives the whisky a direct, undiluted connection to the cask it came from, with no attempt to smooth it into a larger batch style.
Only 651 bottles were drawn, and with the last bottles now indicated, this is a finite independent bottling rather than something that can simply be replaced. At Drankenshop Broekmans, it sits in the selection as a serious Bowmore for drinkers who enjoy exploring (…)Bowmore 2001 20y Art12 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Bowmore 2001 20y Art12 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Bowmore 2001 20y Art12 is a very specific snapshot of Islay single malt. Distilled in 2001 and bottled twenty years later by Signatory, it appears in the Artist Edition series and comes from a single sherry butt. Bottled at cask strength, 54.8%, it keeps the voice of that individual cask firmly in the foreground.
Only 665 bottles were drawn from the cask, and with the last bottles now remaining, this release has become increasingly scarce in a very natural way. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Bowmore we like to place in front of drinkers who appreciate whisky with a clear origin, a defined cask story and no sense of standardisation.
The profile is led by pronounced fruit, supported by noticeable wood and spice. Peat is clearly present, while a (…)Bunnahabhain 11y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
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Bunnahabhain 11y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 30/10/2026This 11-year-old Bunnahabhain was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of the Discovery range, a series built around clear flavour directions. This release sits firmly in the sherry style, matured in a sherry butt and bottled at 43% vol.
Bunnahabhain has its own voice on Islay. The distillery is located in the north of the island and is described here as one of Islay's least peated malts, with a soft distillate at its core. That gives the sherry cask influence room to show itself clearly, rather than being pushed aside by peat smoke.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Islay single malt we would point to when someone wants depth from dried fruit, gentle spice and rounded sweetness instead of a smoky profile. Orange marmalade, dates, stewed (…)Bunnahabhain 44y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
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Bunnahabhain 44y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
Only 2 left in stock!
Bunnahabhain 44y is a Scottish single malt from Islay with the quiet presence that comes from age, patience and careful selection. Bottled in 2020 by The Single Malts of Scotland as part of the Director's Special series, it was drawn from a single sherry butt after 44 years of maturation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would present as something apart from the everyday Islay conversation. The emphasis here is on the individuality of one cask and the rarity of the release: only 492 bottles were produced, and the remaining availability is now limited to the last bottles.
Bottled at cask strength at 42.4%, it keeps close to the character of the cask rather than aiming for a standardised profile. The sherry butt and long maturation place (…)
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.
