Whisky
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Speyside Single Malt Spy.4.A (Cadenhead's Enigma Series)
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Speyside Single Malt Spy.4.A (Cadenhead's Enigma Series)
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Speyside Single Malt Spy.4.A comes from Cadenhead's Enigma Series, where the distillery name deliberately remains undisclosed. That gives the whisky a different kind of focus: a 12-year-old Speyside single malt, distilled in 2013 and bottled at 50%, judged first and foremost by what is in the glass.
The Oloroso finish brings a generous, dessert-like side to the whisky while keeping its fruit character clearly present. Orange, sweet baking spice, honeyed notes and ripe fruit all have their place, followed by a distinctive salty edge on the finish that makes this release stand apart.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for the way they invite discovery without relying on a famous distillery name. With Cadenhead as bottler, an undisclosed (…)Auchroisk 2010 14y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Auchroisk 2010 14y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Auchroisk 2010 14y is a Speyside single malt with the thoughtful touch of Cadenhead behind it. Auchroisk was founded in 1974, making it a relatively young Scottish distillery, and was originally established to provide whisky for blends. In its single malt form, it is valued here for malt sweetness, floral notes and gentle spice. The Gaelic name means the red ford.
Cadenhead's Original Collection is built around careful cask selection. The whiskies are brought together at 50% ABV, allowed to rest so the flavours can integrate, and then bottled at 46%. This 14-year-old Auchroisk, distilled in 2010, has had an ex-Manzanilla cask finish since 2023, adding an extra accent to its fruit-driven and floral Speyside style, with a subtle salty edge in the background.
At (…)Aultmore 11y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Aultmore 11y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Aultmore 11y is a Speyside single malt with a clear emphasis on fruit rather than peat, salt or heavy wood. Bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection, it brings together sherry and bourbon cask influence in an 11-year-old whisky that stays focused and approachable in style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like for customers who enjoy discovering a Speyside malt with a little more specificity than a standard core-range release. The 46% strength gives it enough presence to carry its fruit-led character, with lighter floral, woody and spicy elements around it.
As these are the last bottles, the appeal lies partly in its limited availability. It is a particular Cadenhead take on Aultmore: an 11-year-old Speyside single malt (…)Aultmore 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Aultmore 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Aultmore 12y is a Speyside single malt from Scotland, bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. Its appeal lies in that straightforward combination: a clearly named distillery, a 12-year age statement and a bottler's selection rather than a broad, anonymous presentation.
At 46% alcohol, it sits firmly within serious single malt territory, without needing an elaborate story around casks or special finishes. The information here is concise, but it gives the whisky a clear identity: Aultmore, Speyside, 12 years old, Cadenhead.
Within the range at Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this often catch the eye of customers who enjoy discovering specific Scotch whisky releases. With only the last bottles remaining, this Aultmore 12y has a more limited (…)Aultmore 1997 20y (Cadenhead's Small Batch)
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Aultmore 1997 20y (Cadenhead's Small Batch)
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Aultmore 1997 20y is a Speyside single malt seen through the lens of independent bottler Cadenhead. Released as part of Cadenhead's Small Batch series, it was distilled in 1997, matured for 20 years and bottled at cask strength, giving the whisky a direct and unpolished presence at 51.8%.
The Bourbon Hogshead maturation and the limited outturn of 450 bottles make this a focused release rather than a broad house-style bottling. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of whisky that lets you explore a specific stage in Aultmore's maturation, with the bottler choosing to keep the presentation close to the cask.
Now down to the last bottles, it has the quiet appeal of a small-batch Speyside with age, strength and scarcity working together. Its profile (…)Aultmore 2011 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Aultmore 2011 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
In stock
Aultmore 2011 15y shows a refined Speyside side, built around elegance rather than weight. This Cadenhead bottling from the Original Collection gains extra interest from its finish in Fresh Manzanilla Hogsheads, bringing a fresh and slightly saline gastronomic edge to the whisky.
The fruit remains the clearest thread, supported by gentle spice and a modest touch of wood. There is no peat-driven profile here; the appeal lies more in the way the finish adds lift and savoury detail to Aultmore's polished Speyside style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are valued for the way they let customers explore a distillery through an independent bottler's lens. Distilled in 2011, aged for 15 years and bottled at 46%, this Aultmore has the poise of a mature (…)Balmenach 2011 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Balmenach 2011 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
In stock
Balmenach shows a weightier side of Speyside in this bottling. The distillery's powerful, oily malt character is given extra depth by maturation in Palo Cortado Sherry hogsheads, bringing a distinctly gastronomic feel rather than simple sweetness.
Distilled in 2011 and matured for 15 years, this release was bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. At 46%, it has enough strength to carry its texture, spice and cask influence while remaining composed and approachable in the glass.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Speyside single malt for drinkers who appreciate more body and savoury depth. The combination of Balmenach's oily spirit, fruit, spice and polished wood influence gives the whisky a clear identity. With only the last bottles (…)Ben Nevis 1999 26y (Cadenhead - Chairman's Stock)
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Ben Nevis 1999 26y (Cadenhead - Chairman's Stock)
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Ben Nevis 1999 26y is a Highland single malt built around patience, cask individuality and mature distillery character. Distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2025, it spent twenty-six years in a bourbon hogshead, giving the whisky time to develop depth while keeping its fruit, spice and refined oak presence clearly in view.
Cadenhead bottled this release as part of the Chairman's Stock series at a cask strength of 51.5%. As a single cask bottling, it is not about consistency across batches, but about capturing one particular cask at one particular point in its life.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to place in front of customers who are looking for an older Scotch single malt with substance rather than smoke. Its profile brings together (…)Ben Nevis 2012 13y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Ben Nevis 2012 13y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Ben Nevis 2012 13y is a Highland single malt shaped by two different cask influences. Part of the whisky matured in Oloroso casks, while another part spent time in bourbon casks, giving this 13-year-old release a layered style built around spice, fruit and gentle oak.
Bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection, it keeps the focus on the whisky itself rather than on excessive embellishment. At Drankenshop Broekmans, what stands out here is the way the Oloroso element brings richer depth, while the bourbon side keeps the whisky lively and approachable in structure.
Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its fruitier and spicier notes with confidence. With only the last bottles remaining, this Ben Nevis is also a release that will not stay (…)Benriach 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Benriach 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Benriach 12y is a Speyside single malt from Scotland, bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. That already gives it a more specific identity than a standard distillery release: a twelve-year-old Benriach selected under the Cadenhead label, with a Sauternes finish as its defining detail.
Within the Drankenshop Broekmans range, this is the kind of bottle that draws attention from drinkers who enjoy exploring Speyside whisky through a slightly different lens. The Sauternes finish is the key point here, adding an extra layer of cask influence to the malt's maturation story.
At 46% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its character with confidence, without being positioned as a cask strength whisky. The combination of Benriach, Cadenhead and a (…)Benriach 2012 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Benriach 2012 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Benriach 2012 12y is a Speyside single malt bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. Its main point of interest lies in the maturation: first aged in bourbon casks, then finished in Amontillado casks since 2022. That final period adds extra depth to a 12-year-old whisky that still keeps a naturally fruit-driven side.
The Amontillado finish brings the whisky towards honey, spice and exotic fruit, while the bourbon cask background supports the softer, sweeter elements. At 46% ABV, it has enough strength to carry those flavours clearly without feeling overstated.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of release we like for showing how a carefully chosen cask finish can shape a Speyside malt. With only the last bottles remaining, this (…)Blended Malt 1997 27y (Cadenhead's Enigma Series)
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Blended Malt 1997 27y (Cadenhead's Enigma Series)
Very last one in stock!
Blended Malt 1997 27y is a Scottish blended malt where maturity is the central theme. Distilled in 1997 and bottled at 27 years of age, it speaks of long ageing, with a clearly present wood influence and, from the information provided, no peat-driven profile.
Bottled by Cadenhead as part of Cadenhead's Enigma Series, it carries a deliberately understated sense of identity. The bourbon barrel maturation supports a whisky built around wood, with lighter touches of spice, fruit and floral character giving it extra dimension without turning it into a heavy style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place with interest among older Scottish malt selections for drinkers who enjoy discovering mature whisky beyond the usual distillery name on the (…)Bunnahabhain 2013 10y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Bunnahabhain 2013 10y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Bunnahabhain 2013 10y is an Islay single malt bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. Distilled in 2013 and matured for 10 years in a Bourbon Barrel, it is presented at 46%, giving it enough presence while keeping the focus on the whisky's own character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to place in front of someone who enjoys specific distillery snapshots rather than broad, generic releases. The Islay side comes through in a lightly salty and gently peated direction, while the flavour profile gives more emphasis to spice, supported by softer fruit, floral and woody notes.
With only the last bottles remaining, this Cadenhead release has become a more focused find for drinkers who follow particular vintages and (…)Burnside 1996 28y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Burnside 1996 28y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Burnside 1996 28y is a mature Speyside single malt bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. In this range, casks are carefully selected, brought together at 50% ABV and allowed to rest so the flavours can integrate, before being bottled at 46% as a considered drinking strength.
After 28 years in ex-bourbon casks, this Burnside shows its age with composure rather than weight. The emphasis is clearly on fruit, supported by floral lift and spice, while the wood remains a secondary voice rather than the whole conversation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we would point out to someone looking for an older Speyside with delicacy and detail. With only the last bottles remaining, it also carries the quiet appeal of a release that (…)Cadenhead's 7 Stars Blend
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Cadenhead's 7 Stars Blend
In stock
Cadenhead's 7 Stars Blend is a Scottish blended whisky where the emphasis is not on an age statement, but on the character of the blend itself. It is the kind of bottle that invites you to look at style rather than numbers: a Scotch blend with its own clear direction.
The profile points first of all towards fruit. Around that fruit-led core sit gentle floral touches, a modest wood influence and a light thread of spice. Peat and salty notes are not part of the picture here, so the whisky stays focused on a softer, more fruit-driven side of Scotch.
At 46% alcohol, Cadenhead's 7 Stars Blend carries a little more presence than many standard blends. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see it as a good choice for customers looking for a Scottish blend with some extra (…)Cadenhead's Creations 23y Batch 2
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Cadenhead's Creations 23y Batch 2
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Cadenhead's Creations 23y Batch 2 is a Scottish blended whisky with a more deliberate feel than the everyday meaning of the word blend might suggest. At 23 years old and bottled at cask strength, 51.6%, it keeps a firm, unsoftened presence in the glass.
The Sherry Butt background and the flavour profile point towards clear fruit and wood, with lighter touches of spice and floral lift. Peat and salt are not part of the main picture here, so the focus stays on maturity, cask influence and fruit-driven depth.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Cadenhead release we like to highlight for customers who enjoy limited bottlings with a defined identity. Only 624 bottles were filled, and with the last bottles now available, Batch 2 is not a whisky that will (…)Craigellachie 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Craigellachie 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Craigellachie 15y is a Speyside single malt bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. What gives this release its particular interest is the meeting of a 15-year age statement with a Port Finish, placing the cask choice very much at the centre of the whisky's identity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see bottlings like this as a good way to explore a distillery from a slightly different angle. Cadenhead brings its own perspective to Craigellachie here, with the port cask finish adding a clear point of distinction.
With only the last bottles remaining, this is a release with a naturally temporary character rather than a permanent standard expression. It has clearly found an audience among drinkers looking for Speyside single malt with maturity, (…)Craigellachie 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection) (Damaged: Label dirty, damaged or missing)
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Craigellachie 15y (Cadenhead - Original Collection) (Damaged: Label dirty, damaged or missing)
Very last one in stock!
Craigellachie 15y is a Speyside single malt bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. What gives this release its particular interest is the meeting of a 15-year age statement with a Port Finish, placing the cask choice very much at the centre of the whisky's identity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see bottlings like this as a good way to explore a distillery from a slightly different angle. Cadenhead brings its own perspective to Craigellachie here, with the port cask finish adding a clear point of distinction.
With only the last bottles remaining, this is a release with a naturally temporary character rather than a permanent standard expression. It has clearly found an audience among drinkers looking for Speyside single malt with maturity, (…)Your benefit: € 13,63 / 15%
Creations Blend 1989 25y For The Nectar (Cadenhead)
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Creations Blend 1989 25y For The Nectar (Cadenhead)
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Creations Blend 1989 25y For The Nectar is a blended Scotch with a very deliberate story behind it. This Cadenhead release was created during a special blending session at Cadenhead's, with the marketing director of Belgian importer The Nectar involved in the composition. It is a 25 year old blend built with a large share of single malt, supported by two single grain whiskies.
The recipe gives the whisky much of its appeal. The malt side includes distilleries such as Clynelish, Glenrothes, Macduff, Tullibardine and Highland Park, with North British and Strathclyde bringing the grain element. All components come from vintages between 1988 and 1990, placing the blend firmly in that late-eighties window.
Bottled at cask strength, 55.1%, it keeps plenty of (…)Creations Grain 26y Batch 2 (Cadenhead)
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Creations Grain 26y Batch 2 (Cadenhead)
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Cadenhead's Creations Grain 26y Batch 2 is a Scottish grain whisky with a very focused sense of place and scale. A 26-year-old release, bottled at cask strength at 57.7%, and limited to 222 bottles, it speaks more of a specific batch than of a regular house style.
The bourbon barrel maturation gives the whisky a clear frame, while the grain whisky itself remains the centre of attention. Its profile points towards fruit and wood as the main elements, supported by lighter spice and a subtle floral side. There is no peat-driven character here; the interest lies in maturity, cask influence and natural strength.
Within the Drankenshop Broekmans range, this is the kind of bottle we would show to someone looking beyond the obvious single malt path and into a (…)Dailuaine 2008 14y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Dailuaine 2008 14y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Dailuaine 2008 14y is a Speyside single malt shaped by fourteen years of maturation and an Oloroso Sherry cask influence. The main thread is fruit, supported by gentle touches of wood, spice and a light floral edge rather than smoke or coastal salinity.
Bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection, it has the feel of an independent release that lets the distillery speak without overcomplicating the style. At 46%, it carries enough weight while keeping the whisky approachable in its presentation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to point out to customers who enjoy Speyside single malts with a clear fruit focus and a measured sherry-cask frame. With only the last bottles remaining, it is also one of those releases that (…)Dailuaine 2013 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Dailuaine 2013 12y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Dailuaine 2013 12y is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. Distilled in 2013 and matured for twelve years in bourbon casks, it presents Dailuaine through a clean, fruit-led style rather than through heavy oak or peat.
The charm here lies in the way the fruit takes the lead, supported by gentle spice and a light touch of wood. It feels classical in shape, yet lively enough to keep drawing attention back to the glass. The bourbon cask maturation sits naturally with that fresher side of the whisky.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of independent bottling we like to point out to customers looking for a Speyside malt with clarity, fruit and a little extra personality from the bottler. With only the (…)Dufftown 2009 16y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Dufftown 2009 16y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
In stock
Dufftown 2009 16y shows the gentle, fruit-led Speyside style for which this distillery is known. Bottled as part of Cadenhead's Original Collection, this sixteen-year-old single malt matured entirely in bourbon hogsheads, keeping the focus firmly on the elegance of the spirit itself.
The appeal here lies in its clean Speyside direction: ripe fruit, patisserie-like sweetness, measured oak and a light touch of spice. It is not a whisky built around peat or coastal salinity, but around softness, fruit detail and a quietly polished character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this Dufftown as a fine choice for drinkers who enjoy Speyside single malt with age, clarity and a well-defined cask background. With only the last bottles remaining, it has the feel of a (…)Fettercairn 2007 12y (Cadenhead's Small Batch)
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Fettercairn 2007 12y (Cadenhead's Small Batch)
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Fettercairn 2007 12y is a Highland single malt with the clear stamp of an independent bottling. Released by Cadenhead as part of the Cadenhead's Small Batch range, it was matured in a bourbon hogshead and bottled at cask strength, keeping its 51.1% alcohol firmly intact.
Distilled in 2007 and aged for 12 years, this is a more specific view of Fettercairn than a regular core-range release. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued because they allow drinkers to explore a distillery through a different lens, shaped by cask selection and bottling choice.
The flavour direction suggests floral, fruity and lightly spiced elements rather than peat, saltiness or pronounced wood. With only the last bottles remaining, this Small Batch release has the (…)
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.
