Whisky
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Arran Amarone Finish Tube Incl.
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Arran Amarone Finish Tube Incl.
| 1 review
In stockArran Amarone Finish is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran with a clear focus on cask influence. It first matures in traditional oak casks before being finished in carefully selected Amarone wine casks, giving the whisky a more expressive, fruit-led and oak-framed personality.
Bottled at 50%, it has real presence in the glass. The whisky is presented without chill filtration and without artificial colouring, keeping the style close to its natural form.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Arran we like to introduce when someone is looking for a single malt where the wine cask finish genuinely shapes the experience. The Amarone casks add depth around the malt rather than simply acting as a finishing touch.
Additional (…)Kilchoman Rockside 11y Incl. Box
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Kilchoman Rockside 11y Incl. Box
In stock
Kilchoman Rockside 11y is an Islay single malt with a very specific sense of place. The barley is grown exclusively on Rockside farm on Islay, and the full production journey, from cultivation to bottling, takes place on site. That gives this whisky its Single Farm Single Malt identity.
Eleven years in bourbon and sherry casks bring together gentle peat smoke, fruit, citrus freshness and spice. With a light peat level of 20 PPM, the smoke stays refined rather than dominant, while bottling at 46%, without chill filtration and without added colouring, keeps the whisky close to its natural character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Kilchoman with a particularly clear story: unmistakably Islay, yet shaped by one farm, one production chain and a (…)Arran 10y Barley 2026 Tube Incl.
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Arran 10y Barley 2026 Tube Incl.
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Arran 10y Barley 2026 puts the barley firmly in focus. This limited-edition Arran Single Malt was distilled from barley grown on the Isle of Arran itself, at Bellevue Farm by the Currie family. That gives the whisky a clear agricultural thread and a closer connection to its island origin.
For Batch 002, Arran used the Concerto barley variety, whereas Batch 001 was made with Optic. The whisky matured for 10 years in a selection of First Fill Bourbon Barrels and Second Fill Sherry Hogsheads, in proportions closely aligned with the classic Arran 10 Years Old. Even so, this release places more emphasis on the local barley, with a distinctly warm and spiced style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottling we value because it adds context without (…)Arran The Bodega Sherry Tube Incl.
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Arran The Bodega Sherry Tube Incl.
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Arran The Bodega Sherry is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran with a clear focus on sherry maturation. The name says a great deal already: this is a whisky built around fruit, spice and a gentle touch of wood, rather than peat smoke or coastal salinity.
It is bottled at cask strength, at 55.8% ABV, giving it a firm presence in the glass. That strength allows the sherry-matured style to come through with directness and weight, without relying on an age statement to define its character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this Arran as a strong choice within the range for drinkers who enjoy expressive single malt whisky with clear fruit and spice, while staying away from smoky profiles.
Additional information about the brand can be found (…)Benriach The 12
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Benriach The 12
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Benriach The 12 is a 12-year-old Speyside single malt bottled at 46%, shaped by a renewed recipe built around bourbon, sherry and port cask maturation. That combination gives the whisky added depth, while keeping the balance centred on fruit and sherry-led richness.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Benriach with more than just bright Speyside fruit. It brings in baked fruit, nutty warmth and a spiced edge, without moving into smoky territory. The result is a whisky with a generous, rounded feel and a finish that lingers on darker, sweeter notes.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/
The aroma brings rich maple honey, cocoa and baked forest fruits. On the palate, maraschino cherry, (…)Caol Ila 2018 8y Douglas Laing Single Minded Incl. Box
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Caol Ila 2018 8y Douglas Laing Single Minded Incl. Box
In stock
Douglas Laing's Single Minded range is built around the idea of letting the distillery speak clearly. The whiskies are bottled without chill filtration and without added colouring, keeping the natural character of the spirit at the centre. In this Caol Ila, that means Islay peat presented with finesse rather than force.
Distilled in 2018, matured for 8 years in a bourbon barrel and bottled at 46%, it shows a fresh and precise side of Caol Ila. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is exactly the kind of Islay release we like to point out when someone wants peat, but also clarity: citrus brightness, soft malt, refined smoke and a maritime lift.
As the first Caol Ila expression in the new Single Minded series, it carries a sense of discovery. This small batch keeps (…)Kyro Malt
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Kyro Malt
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Kyro Malt places Finnish rye at the heart of the whisky. Kyrö works with high-quality rye from Finland, a grain that brings its own spicy edge and gives this whisky a clear sense of identity.
It is distilled in double pot stills and matured in American white oak casks. That maturation adds rounder notes around the rye-driven core, with the wood influence supporting rather than masking the grain. At 47.2% alcohol, Kyro Malt carries its character with confidence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to point out to customers exploring rye whisky beyond the usual reference points. Its gold medal at the IWSC 2020 gives it extra recognition, but the real interest remains the combination of Finnish rye, pot still distillation and (…)Nikka From The Barrel 50cl Incl. Box
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Nikka From The Barrel 50cl Incl. Box
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Nikka From The Barrel is one of those Japanese whiskies that makes an impression before the bottle is even opened. Its compact, instantly recognisable bottle has become closely linked with one of the great classics of Japanese blended whisky, and the whisky itself has the same confident identity.
The blend brings together whiskies from sherry casks, bourbon casks, re-charred bourbon casks and new casks. In the hands of Nikka's Master Blender, those different cask influences are shaped into a powerful and layered whisky. At 51.4% and bottled at cask strength, it carries a real sense of concentration.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is a bottle we often reach for when someone wants Japanese whisky with more drive and depth. It has fruit, spice and intensity, but (…)Smokehead Sherry Cask Blast (Ian Macleod) Tube Incl.
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Smokehead Sherry Cask Blast (Ian Macleod) Tube Incl.
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Smokehead Sherry Cask Blast is an Islay single malt with a very direct sense of style. The name says a great deal already: Smokehead brings its smoky island character together with a sherry cask finish, bottled at a confident 48% ABV.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky that stands out for its clear personality rather than for a long list of technical details. There is no age statement here; the focus is on impact, with peat, saltiness and spice taking the lead, while fruit and wood play a supporting role.
Bottled by Ian Macleod under the Smokehead label, it presents a modern, assertive take on Islay single malt. It is not a quiet whisky: the emphasis is on smoke, maritime tension and the extra depth brought by the sherry finish.
Taketsuru Pure Malt Incl. Box
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Taketsuru Pure Malt Incl. Box
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In stockTaketsuru Pure Malt is a Japanese blended malt whisky with malt character placed firmly at the centre. As a no age statement release, it speaks more through style than through a number on the label: fruit and spice form the main line, with gentle wood influence, a light saline touch and restrained peat in the background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Japanese whisky that often interests customers looking for something composed rather than forceful. Bottled at 43%, it keeps a measured delivery while still showing enough contrast between its fruitier and spicier sides.
Its appeal lies in that sense of restraint. Taketsuru Pure Malt is not built around heavy smoke or dominant oak, but around a malt-driven Japanese whisky style where spice, fruit (…)Campbeltown Loch 2026
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Campbeltown Loch 2026
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In stockCampbeltown Loch 2026 is a blended malt with a strong sense of place. It is made exclusively from single malts and brings together whisky from the active Campbeltown distilleries: Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle. In that sense, it feels less like a standard blend and more like a compact introduction to Campbeltown in one bottle.
The town of Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula, has a rich whisky history and today produces five different single malts: Hazelburn, Longrow and Springbank at Springbank, Glen Scotia at Glen Scotia, and Kilkerran at Glengyle. Campbeltown Loch includes malt from each of these five names, giving it a genuine regional identity.
Maturation in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks gives the whisky its generous, layered style. (…)Maclean's Nose
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Maclean's Nose
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Maclean's Nose is a blended Scotch whisky with a clear west coast Scottish identity. Its make-up gives it real substance: 70% malt whisky, supported by a generous proportion of casks that previously held sherry. It does not come across as a neutral blend, but as a whisky with weight, colour and a distinct point of view.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Maclean's Nose as the kind of blend that deserves a proper introduction. It is bottled at 46%, non-chill filtered and presented at natural colour, choices that help preserve the whisky's original depth and texture.
There is also thought behind the presentation. This limited edition consists of 25,000 bottles, and the label is made from ground barley paper, a by-product of whisky production. It is a small (…)Tamdhu 12 Years Incl. Box
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Tamdhu 12 Years Incl. Box
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Tamdhu 12 Years is a fine introduction to the Tamdhu house style: a Speyside single malt where sherry maturation is at the heart of the whisky. It is matured exclusively in hand-selected first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, giving the whisky its generous, rounded and warmly expressive character.
The appeal lies in the way dried fruit, gentle sweetness and spice come forward without making the whisky feel heavy. The wood influence is clearly present, yet it supports rather than dominates, giving structure to a malt that feels traditional, polished and inviting.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Tamdhu 12 Years as a strong choice for anyone wanting to explore a fully sherry-matured single malt with real Speyside poise. It has enough immediate charm to be (…)Compass Box This Is A 10y Old (Compass Box Limited Edition)
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Compass Box This Is A 10y Old (Compass Box Limited Edition)
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Compass Box This Is A 10y Old is a Scottish blended malt with a clear idea behind it. With this 10-year-old whisky, Compass Box marks ten years of commitment to transparency in the whisky world. That sits very naturally with the way we like to discuss whisky at Drankenshop Broekmans: with attention to what is actually in the glass and how it came to be.
The recipe brings together Clynelish, bought immediately after distillation and then matured in casks selected by Compass Box, with two malts from Ardnamurchan. That gives this limited Compass Box release more than just an age statement; it tells a story of selection, origin and maturation.
Bottled at 50.5%, without chill filtration and without added colouring, it stays close to its natural form. The release (…)Ardnamurchan The Midgie 2026
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Ardnamurchan The Midgie 2026
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In stockArdnamurchan The Midgie 2026 is the third edition of an annual release that quickly became one of the distillery's most sought-after expressions. Its name refers to the infamous little Scottish midge that accompanies every Highland summer, and that playful reference suits the whisky well: this is a fruitier, slightly sweeter and more light-hearted take on classic Ardnamurchan Single Malt.
For this edition, the port influence has been further refined. Peated and unpeated whisky matured in Ruby and Tawny Port casks is combined with unpeated spirit from bourbon casks. That combination brings red fruit to the front, while smoke and spice remain part of the Ardnamurchan signature without making the whisky feel heavy.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a (…)Armorik Double Maturation Incl. Box
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Armorik Double Maturation Incl. Box
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Armorik Double Maturation is a French single malt from Brittany, shaped by a clear focus on maturation. It spends at least five years in Armorik's traditional oak casks, followed by a few months of finishing in sherry casks. That second stage gives the whisky its name and adds a spiced, fruity dimension while keeping its distinctive Breton identity in view.
Bottled at 46%, it is presented with enough strength to carry its aromatic richness. The result is a whisky with a fresh and fruit-led opening, supported by wood influence and a more seasoned, characterful side as it develops in the glass.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to point out to customers who enjoy exploring single malt beyond the familiar regions. As these are the last (…)Amrut Tube Incl.
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Amrut Tube Incl.
Only 2 left in stock!
Amrut is presented here as an Indian single malt whisky bottled at 46%, without an age statement. Rather than building its identity around years in cask, it puts the focus on style: a clear fruity and spiced character, supported by a lighter touch of oak influence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky that naturally catches the eye of drinkers looking beyond the most familiar single malt origins. It remains recognisably single malt, yet its Indian origin and fruit-and-spice driven profile give it a distinct place on the shelf.
The flavour profile is led by fruit and spice, with oak playing a more restrained supporting role. A light floral note sits in the background. There is no pronounced peaty or salty direction, keeping the emphasis firmly (…)Symington's Blend 10y (Signatory Vintage Various)
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Symington's Blend 10y (Signatory Vintage Various)
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Symington's Blend 10y is a ten-year-old blended Scotch bottled by Signatory, shaped by a combination of bourbon and sherry cask influence. It is a straightforward whisky in the best sense: clear in style, approachable, and built around gentle fruit, honeyed notes and toasted wood.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for a Scotch blend with a little more substance than a very basic everyday whisky, but without peat or heavy oak taking over.
Bottled at 46%, it keeps a good sense of presence while remaining easy to enjoy. The bourbon and sherry elements sit behind the whisky rather than dominating it, giving warmth and a lightly fruity, softly spiced impression.
The tasting profile brings (…)Benriach Smoke Season
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Benriach Smoke Season
Very last one in stock!
Benriach Smoke Season brings a smokier side of Speyside into focus. Rather than presenting Benriach only through a softer Speyside lens, this single malt leans clearly into peat smoke and spice while keeping a fruitier undertone in the background.
At 52.8% alcohol, it has a firm presence. Maturation in American oak and virgin oak gives it a lightly woody framework, but the defining impression remains its smoky, spiced character rather than overt sweetness or heavy oak.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Benriach we like to point out to customers who want to explore the distillery from a more robust angle. With the last bottles now in view, it also carries a certain immediacy for those who have been meaning to try it.
Additional (…)Big Peat Winter Edition Cask Strength 2025 (Douglas Laing Regional Malts) Incl. Box
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Big Peat Winter Edition Cask Strength 2025 (Douglas Laing Regional Malts) Incl. Box
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Big Peat Winter Edition Cask Strength 2025 brings together two very different island moods. The familiar Big Peat side is all Islay: windswept, maritime and heavily peated. The other side comes from a final maturation in Madeira wine casks, adding a warmer, more exotic sweetness to this limited winter release.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of seasonal bottling that stands out because it keeps its character intact. It is bottled at natural cask strength, 53.6% ABV, without colouring and without chill filtration. That gives the whisky a firm, direct presence, with peat smoke at the centre and the Madeira finish adding richness around it.
The premium carton with foil detail suits the winter edition presentation, but the real interest lies in the (…)Smokehead Tequila Cask Terminado (Ian Macleod) Incl. Box
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Smokehead Tequila Cask Terminado (Ian Macleod) Incl. Box
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Smokehead Tequila Cask Terminado is a Scottish Islay single malt with a distinctly Smokehead attitude. The core is unmistakably peat-driven, with spice, a light salty edge and a touch of wood, but the tequila cask finish gives this release its particular angle. It takes the bold Islay style in a less conventional direction without losing the smoky identity behind the name.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a bottle for drinkers who enjoy peated whisky but also like a cask finish that brings something different to the conversation. There is no age statement here; the focus is on style, cask influence and the contrast between smoke and spice.
Bottled at 43%, Terminado keeps the presentation clear and direct: a Smokehead single malt with an adventurous (…)Ardnamurchan Madeira
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Ardnamurchan Madeira
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Ardnamurchan Madeira is a Highland single malt shaped by a clear maturation idea. It first matured in bourbon casks before receiving a Madeira cask finish, giving extra room to the fruit and spice while keeping the peated side firmly present.
The spirit make-up is part of what makes this release worth taking time over: 43% peated spirit and 57% unpeated spirit. That gives the whisky more than straightforward smoke. Spice, fruit, a light salty edge and peat all have a role, carried by a confident strength of 52% ABV.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to point out to customers who enjoy detail in a release. It is limited to 19,598 bottles, non-chill filtered and presented at natural colour. Ardnamurchan also underlines its modern (…)Douglas Laing Yula (Douglas Laing Regional Malts) Incl. Box
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Douglas Laing Yula (Douglas Laing Regional Malts) Incl. Box
In stock
Douglas Laing Yula is a Speyside single malt with a modern, approachable feel. It is built around softness, warmth and immediate drinkability rather than heavy intensity, making it a clear and inviting take on Scottish single malt whisky.
The sherry hogshead influence gives Yula much of its roundness. It supports the fruity and gently spiced side of the whisky, while the overall style remains smooth and open, without peat taking the lead.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Speyside malt for drinkers who enjoy a generous, easy-going whisky with enough depth to keep the glass interesting. Bottled at 40%, it keeps a friendly profile while still carrying the richness associated with sherry cask maturation.
Yula is a small batch bottling (…)Edradour 10y New Edition Tube Incl.
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Edradour 10y New Edition Tube Incl.
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Edradour 10y New Edition is a Highland single malt from Scotland shaped by Oloroso Sherry casks. At 10 years old, it sits in a style where fruit and spice are the main points of interest, rather than peat smoke.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we would place in front of someone looking for a Scottish single malt with clear cask influence, but without a smoky direction. The wood influence is present without dominating, with a light floral touch in the background and a more pronounced fruity, spiced side at the centre.
Bottled at 46%, this Edradour has a confident presentation while remaining easy to understand in terms of style: a 10-year-old Highland single malt, built around Oloroso Sherry cask character and an unpeated profile.
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.
