Every high country Scotch drinker knows the perfection a glass of Scotch brings after a long winter day, tromping around out in the Mountains. The bliss that comes with sipping Scotch is not something that I can explain to you in words, you need friends, a fire and tired legs. But why is Scotch so overlooked in the summer months? Scotch truly is a forgotten pleasure in the summertime. Being in the mountains, our cool nights provide the perfect atmosphere for that silky glass of whiskey. One Scotch that I have always loved is Laphroaig, reigning from the Isle of Islay.
Scotch is basically broken into three categories: Lowland, Highland and Islay. To me, Islay Scotches are the most intriguing. Being isolated on this blustery island gives bold and distinctive characteristics to these whiskeys. A strong presence of Blue Peat smoke gives a warmth to this style of whiskey that is unique to only Islay. This is balanced with sweeter nuttiness of the barley used and is capped with the refreshing cleanliness of pure Islay stream water.
Laphroaig is one of the oldest distilleries on the island operating since the early 1800's. It was started by the Johnston family and soon became a local hit, eventually cementing itself in Scottish whiskey making history. You can go to http://www.laphroaig.com/ and take a virtual tour of the distillery and learn a little more about this historical site. Laphroaig offers Scotches in the 10 year to 40 year range. Although typically older Scotches are considered "better," all the whiskeys produced by Laphroaig are award winning and second to none. As quoted by the Laphroaig team, "In 2005 we were proud to be voted 'the best of the best' in the Champions of Whisky Competition." Most people in the mountains dream of caiparinhas in Brazil, or Mojitos in the Caribbean during the summer months. Warm weather and cool drinks are only natural when you are clouded by winter 8 months out of the year. Even with this style of thinking, I still dream of bringing the warmth of a seaside Scottish peat fire into my living room on a cool summers eve, or watching my glass of Laphroaig disappear with the sun over the horizon on the Western Banks of Islay!
Cheers,
Nicholas Agnew
West Vail Liquor Mart
Scotch is basically broken into three categories: Lowland, Highland and Islay. To me, Islay Scotches are the most intriguing. Being isolated on this blustery island gives bold and distinctive characteristics to these whiskeys. A strong presence of Blue Peat smoke gives a warmth to this style of whiskey that is unique to only Islay. This is balanced with sweeter nuttiness of the barley used and is capped with the refreshing cleanliness of pure Islay stream water.
Laphroaig is one of the oldest distilleries on the island operating since the early 1800's. It was started by the Johnston family and soon became a local hit, eventually cementing itself in Scottish whiskey making history. You can go to http://www.laphroaig.com/ and take a virtual tour of the distillery and learn a little more about this historical site. Laphroaig offers Scotches in the 10 year to 40 year range. Although typically older Scotches are considered "better," all the whiskeys produced by Laphroaig are award winning and second to none. As quoted by the Laphroaig team, "In 2005 we were proud to be voted 'the best of the best' in the Champions of Whisky Competition." Most people in the mountains dream of caiparinhas in Brazil, or Mojitos in the Caribbean during the summer months. Warm weather and cool drinks are only natural when you are clouded by winter 8 months out of the year. Even with this style of thinking, I still dream of bringing the warmth of a seaside Scottish peat fire into my living room on a cool summers eve, or watching my glass of Laphroaig disappear with the sun over the horizon on the Western Banks of Islay!
Cheers,
Nicholas Agnew
West Vail Liquor Mart
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