Whisky
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Ben Nevis 2013 9y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Ben Nevis 2013 9y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Ben Nevis 2013 9y is a Highland single malt bottled by The Single Malts of Scotland, and its appeal lies in its precision: one cask, 9 years of maturation and bottled at 48%. It is the kind of whisky where the identity of the cask matters, rather than a broad batch designed to taste the same every time.
The refill butt gives the whisky room to show its darker fruit and chocolate-led side, with spice present without taking over. There is no peaty or salty direction here; the emphasis sits more naturally around dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and a warming touch of spice.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a bottle for drinkers who enjoy exploring individual cask selections from respected independent bottlers. As a single cask release with the last bottles (…)An Islay 30y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage) Incl. Box
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An Islay 30y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage) Incl. Box
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An Islay 30y is a Scottish single malt where the age and origin do most of the talking. The distillery remains undisclosed, yet the essentials are firmly in place: Islay, thirty years of maturation, and a bottling by The Single Malts of Scotland under the Marriage label.
That anonymity gives the whisky a different kind of appeal. Rather than leaning on a distillery name, it invites attention to the style itself: mature Islay malt with clear peat, wood and spice, supported by a lighter touch of fruit and salinity. At 47.5%, it has enough strength to carry that mature profile without making the alcohol the centre of attention.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the sort of bottle we would introduce to someone who enjoys aged Islay whisky and is comfortable (…)Ardmore 13y Rcp°11 (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Ardmore 13y Rcp°11 (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Ardmore 13y Rcp°11 is a Highland single malt bottled by The Single Malts of Scotland. Distilled in 2009, matured for 13 years and bottled at 48%, it presents Ardmore through a specific Reserve Cask release rather than as a standard ongoing expression.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for a clearly defined take on a Scottish single malt. Its profile places spice at the centre, supported more gently by fruit, wood, floral tones and a light peated note.
There is also a practical reason to give it attention: these are the last bottles. Once this batch is gone, this exact Ardmore 13 year old Rcp°11 bottling is not simply replaced by another identical release.
The flavour profile is (…)Ardmore 1998 23y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Ardmore 1998 23y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Ardmore 1998 23y is a Highland single malt built around the identity of one individual cask. Distilled on 27 May 1998 and bottled on 21 April 2022, it spent 23 years maturing in a hogshead before being released.
Only 223 bottles were drawn from that cask, bottled at cask strength at 51.2%. Rather than presenting a broad distillery style, this release captures the development of a single cask at one particular point in time.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are appreciated for their sense of focus and limited availability. With the last bottles now indicated, it is clearly the kind of release that cannot simply be repeated once the cask is gone.
The stated flavour profile points to a wood-led whisky, with the cask influence clearly (…)Ardmore 1998 23y Smsnec (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland For The Nectar)
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Ardmore 1998 23y Smsnec (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland For The Nectar)
Very last one in stock!
Ardmore 1998 23y Smsnec is a Highland single malt with the focused personality you look for in an independent bottling. Distilled on 27 May 1998 and bottled on 1 August 2021, it spent 23 years in a hogshead before being released by The Single Malts of Scotland for The Nectar. It is bottled at cask strength, at 51% ABV.
Its appeal lies in the precision of the release. This is a single cask whisky, with only 234 bottles drawn from that one cask. With the last bottles now available, it represents a specific mature expression of Ardmore rather than a broad house-style vatting.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for the way they show a distillery from a more individual angle. Here the emphasis falls on mature Highland malt with clearly (…)Ardmore 2009 10y Nectar (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland For The Nectar)
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Ardmore 2009 10y Nectar (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland For The Nectar)
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Ardmore 2009 10y Nectar is a Highland single malt with a clear independent bottling identity. Distilled in December 2009 and bottled in October 2020 by The Single Malts of Scotland for The Nectar, it captures Ardmore through one focused release rather than a broad house expression.
Its appeal lies in the combination of a single cask, cask strength bottling and a small outturn of 230 bottles. That makes it a very specific snapshot: one cask, ten years of maturation, and a whisky presented with its strength intact at 57.8%.
The Peated Cask brings peat into the foreground, supported by a notably spicy profile. Wood, fruit, floral notes and a light saline edge sit more quietly around that core. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like for its (…)Ardmore 25y Marriage (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage)
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Ardmore 25y Marriage (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage)
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Ardmore 25y Marriage is a mature Highland single malt built around time, cask influence and limited availability. Distilled in 1997 and aged for 25 years, it shows a long-matured side of Ardmore shaped by hogshead maturation while still retaining a lightly peated thread.
The bottling comes from The Single Malts of Scotland as part of the Marriage series. With 772 bottles released, and now down to the last bottles, it has a naturally scarce character. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are valued for the way they offer a specific, well-defined look at an older Scotch whisky.
Its flavour profile points toward wood, spice and fruit as the main elements, with peat present in a more restrained role. Bottled at 48.6%, it has enough strength to carry its (…)Aultmore 2011 12y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Aultmore 2011 12y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Aultmore 2011 12y shows Speyside through the lens of one individual bourbon barrel. Distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2023 by The Single Malts of Scotland, it is less about a broad house expression and more about the personality of a single cask after twelve years of maturation.
At 48%, it has enough strength to carry the flavours clearly while keeping the cask character approachable. The profile is built around sweet bourbon-barrel notes, red and dark fruit, vanilla tones and a noticeable spicy edge. Peat and salinity are absent from the picture, so the whisky stays focused on fruit, gentle oak and confectionery-like depth.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this have a particular charm because they offer a very defined snapshot of a distillery and (…)Ben Nevis 1997 24y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage)
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Ben Nevis 1997 24y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Single Malts Of Scotland Marriage)
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Ben Nevis 1997 24y is a Highland single malt built around maturity, cask identity and limited availability. Distilled on 12 February 1997 and bottled on 1 April 2021, it spent 24 years maturing before being released by The Single Malts of Scotland.
The sherry butt maturation gives this release its framework, while the single cask nature keeps the focus on one individual cask rather than a broader house style. Only 561 bottles were drawn, and with the last bottles now in circulation, it has a particular place in the Drankenshop Broekmans selection for drinkers who enjoy mature, cask-driven Scotch whisky.
At 57.7% alcohol, this was bottled at cask strength, preserving a more direct expression of the whisky. The character is centred on fruit, spice and wood (…)Benrinnes 2002 20y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Whisky Trail)
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Benrinnes 2002 20y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Whisky Trail)
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Benrinnes 2002 20y is a Speyside single malt distilled in 2002 and bottled in 2022 after twenty years of maturation. Released by The Single Malts of Scotland as part of the Whisky Trail series, it feels very much like a whisky chosen for the individuality of its cask.
The whisky was drawn from a single hogshead, so the focus is on one specific maturation rather than a broader vatting. With 527 bottles produced and only the last bottles remaining, there is a natural sense of scarcity here, but the real interest lies in tasting a mature Benrinnes shaped by one cask over two decades.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we appreciate releases like this because they give whisky drinkers something precise to explore. The profile moves through warm sweetness, nutty richness (…)Benrinnes 2008 12y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Benrinnes 2008 12y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Benrinnes 2008 12y is a Speyside single malt with a very focused identity: one distillation date, one cask and a small outturn. It was distilled on 30 September 2008 and bottled on 29 July 2021 after 12 years in a hogshead.
As a single cask release bottled at cask strength, it is less about a polished house style and more about the voice of one individual cask. Only 282 bottles were drawn, and with the last bottles remaining, there is a natural sense of scarcity around this release. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this sit particularly well for customers who enjoy seeing how specific a single malt can become when it is not blended across multiple casks.
At 56.2% ABV, this Benrinnes keeps its strength and directness. The profile is led by a clear wood (…)Blair Athol 2010 12y (The Single Malts Of Scotland) Incl. Box
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Blair Athol 2010 12y (The Single Malts Of Scotland) Incl. Box
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Blair Athol 2010 12y is a Highland single malt with a very focused identity: one cask, one limited release, bottled at natural strength. Distilled on 19 April 2010 and bottled as a 12-year-old whisky, it comes at 60.2% ABV, keeping the presentation close to the cask itself.
The American Oak cask gives the whisky its maturation setting, while the available profile points more clearly towards spice than heavy wood influence. Fruit and floral notes sit in a lighter supporting role, so the interest here lies in the directness of a single-cask whisky rather than in a broad house-style expression.
Only 201 bottles were filled, and with the last bottles now indicated, this Blair Athol has a naturally limited place in the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans. It is a (…)Blair Athol 2011 11y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Whisky Trail)
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Blair Athol 2011 11y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Whisky Trail)
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Blair Athol 2011 11y is a Highland single malt built around the voice of one individual cask. Bottled by The Single Malts of Scotland for the Whisky Trail series, it was distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2022 after 11 years in a bourbon hogshead.
Only 322 bottles came from this cask, and at 58% cask strength it keeps a firm, direct presence. The appeal here lies in that specific cask impression: toasted oak, honeyed sweetness, dark berries and a warm spiced side that develops with time in the glass.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this sit in the part of the range where whisky feels more personal and less standardised. With the last bottles now remaining, this Blair Athol offers a focused snapshot of an 11-year-old single cask from the Highlands.
Blended Malt 2001 18y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Whisky Trail)
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Blended Malt 2001 18y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Whisky Trail)
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Blended Malt 2001 18y is a Scottish whisky with a clearly defined identity: an 18-year-old blended malt from a single hogshead, bottled at cask strength at 45.3% by The Single Malts of Scotland for the Whisky Trail range. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures the individuality of one cask and one particular maturation path.
That single cask origin is the most interesting part of the story. A hogshead bottling like this places the focus on cask influence and maturity, with fruit, spice and wood all playing a clear role. With only the last bottles remaining, it is also a release with a naturally limited character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of independent bottling that rewards drinkers who enjoy a whisky shaped by its (…)Bowmore 2003 17y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Bowmore 2003 17y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Bowmore 2003 17y is an Islay single malt with a very clearly defined origin: distilled on 12 December 2003, bottled on 29 July 2021, and drawn from a single bourbon barrel. Rather than presenting a broad house-style blend, it captures one individual cask at one particular point in its maturation.
At 17 years old and bottled at cask strength, 54.9%, it keeps close to the character of that barrel. Only 209 bottles were released, and with the last bottles now in view, its small-scale nature becomes part of the appeal. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we would point out to someone who enjoys single malts with a transparent story: one distillation, one cask, one limited bottling.
The bourbon barrel sets the maturation background, while the (…)Bruichladdich 1992 26y 51,8 (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
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Bruichladdich 1992 26y 51,8 (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
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Bruichladdich 1992 26 year old from the Director's Special series by The Single Malts of Scotland is a very focused Islay single malt. Distilled on 2 December 1992 and bottled on 28 October 2019, it spent 26 years maturing before being released at cask strength, carrying its natural intensity at 51.8%.
Drawn from a single hogshead, this release was limited to just 225 bottles. That gives it the feel of a specific cask selection rather than a broad distillery expression. Its collector's item status and last-bottles indication underline the scarcity around this particular Bruichladdich.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of bottle that rewards attention to detail: independent bottling, single cask origin, clear vintage information and mature age (…)Bruichladdich 30y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special) Incl. Box
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Bruichladdich 30y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special) Incl. Box
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Bruichladdich 30y presents Islay from a quieter, more mature angle. Rather than leaning on peat smoke, this single malt is shaped by age, spice, fruit and a refined herbal side. Thirty years in a hogshead have given it presence and depth, with the wood playing a clear role without taking over the whisky.
Bottled by The Single Malts of Scotland for the Director's Special range, this release is limited to just 218 bottles. That gives it the feeling of a very particular cask selection rather than a broad distillery statement. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we value bottlings like this because they show how nuanced an Islay malt can be when maturity, fruit and gentle spice are allowed to speak first.
With the last bottles now available, the appeal lies in its (…)Bunnahabhain 2018 6y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Bunnahabhain 2018 6y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Bunnahabhain 2018 6y shows a bold, smoky side of Islay. This Small Batch is made from five refill hogsheads of heavily peated Bunnahabhain, distilled in 2018 and matured for six years. It speaks in a direct style, with peat, saltiness and mineral notes taking the lead.
The refill hogsheads keep the wood influence in a supporting role, allowing the spirit's sharper coastal character to come through. Bottled at 48%, without chill filtration or colouring, this limited edition stays close to its natural presentation. The release is named after a water source at the distillery, a fitting detail for a whisky with such a mineral edge.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a characterful choice for drinkers who enjoy young Islay malt with smoke, spice and a salty (…)Bunnahabhain 31y Director's Special (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Bunnahabhain 31y Director's Special (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
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Bunnahabhain 31y Director's Special is the kind of Islay single malt where the age statement immediately stands out, yet the real appeal lies in the way it was selected and bottled. Distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2019, it spent 31 years maturing in an oak cask before being released.
This bottling comes from The Single Malts of Scotland as part of the Director's Special series. It is a single cask release, bottled at cask strength, with only 195 bottles produced. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we would place this among the more distinctive finds: limited, mature and clearly separate from a standard distillery expression.
Its Islay origin does not translate into a peat-led profile here. The emphasis sits more on wood and spice, with a lighter fruit note and a (…)Bunnahabhain 44y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
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Bunnahabhain 44y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
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Bunnahabhain 44y is a Scottish single malt from Islay with the quiet presence that comes from age, patience and careful selection. Bottled in 2020 by The Single Malts of Scotland as part of the Director's Special series, it was drawn from a single sherry butt after 44 years of maturation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would present as something apart from the everyday Islay conversation. The emphasis here is on the individuality of one cask and the rarity of the release: only 492 bottles were produced, and the remaining availability is now limited to the last bottles.
Bottled at cask strength at 42.4%, it keeps close to the character of the cask rather than aiming for a standardised profile. The sherry butt and long maturation place (…)Caol Ila 2006 18y (The Single Malts Of Scotland) Incl. Box
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Caol Ila 2006 18y (The Single Malts Of Scotland) Incl. Box
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Caol Ila 2006 18y is a tightly defined Islay single malt: distilled on 23 August 2006, matured for 18 years in a single refill hogshead and bottled on 24 April 2025. With only 271 bottles drawn from cask #307354, and with the last bottles now indicated, this is the kind of release where the individual cask really matters.
The setting behind the whisky is part of its identity. Caol Ila is located at the foot of the cliffs near Port Askaig on Islay's east coast, and the supplied information describes the distillery as known for elegant, maritime peated whiskies. This bottling stays close to that idea, bringing together smoke, saltiness and mature cask influence in a way that keeps the distillery character visible.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this (…)Caol Ila 40y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
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Caol Ila 40y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Director's Special)
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Caol Ila 40y is the kind of single malt where age and origin immediately set the tone. Forty years of maturation gives this Islay whisky a serious sense of depth, while the fact that it comes from a single hogshead cask makes it highly specific rather than broadly representative.
Bottled by The Single Malts of Scotland for the Director's Special series, it is presented at cask strength, 49.1% ABV. Only 108 bottles were drawn from the cask, and with the last bottles remaining, it has a naturally special position within the whisky selection at Drankenshop Broekmans.
The profile stays connected to Islay through peat and a salty accent, while long maturation brings wood influence and spice into focus. Fruit is present in a quieter supporting role. For anyone (…)Clynelish 1995 26y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Vintage Selection)
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Clynelish 1995 26y (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Vintage Selection)
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Clynelish 1995 26y is a Highland single malt with a very clear identity: one cask, one vintage and 26 years of maturation. It was distilled on 22 September 1995 and bottled on 25 February 2022 by The Single Malts of Scotland as part of the Vintage Selection.
The interest here lies in the combination of age, single cask origin and cask strength bottling. Drawn from a Sherry Butt and bottled at 50.7%, it keeps close to the individual cask rather than being shaped into a broad house-style release. With 576 bottles produced, this is a focused bottling rather than a whisky made in large volume.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of Clynelish for drinkers who enjoy mature Highland single malt with a clear wood, spice and fruit presence, and who (…)Clynelish 8y Orc (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Clynelish 8y Orc (The Single Malts Of Scotland - Old Reserve Cask)
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Clynelish 8y Orc is a Highland single malt with a clear independent bottling identity. Distilled in 2011 and matured for 8 years in a Bourbon Barrel, it was bottled by The Single Malts of Scotland as part of the Old Reserve Cask range.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of release that stands out because of its specific origin and limited availability. With the last bottles remaining and a collector's item designation in the supplied information, it has an added appeal for those who follow individual independent releases.
Bottled at 48%, it is positioned with enough strength to carry its spice-led profile. The available flavour profile points to clear spice, supported by lighter fruit, wood and floral touches, without a peated direction.
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.
