Whisky from Ardbeg
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Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5y
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Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5y
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Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5y is the youngest whisky from Ardbeg, and that youthful edge is very much part of its identity. This Islay single malt is built around raw smoky power, with a bold, direct style that does not try to soften its personality.
Matured for five years in ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, it brings together peat smoke, salinity, cracked black pepper, tar and a savoury meaty note. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Wee Beastie as a particularly vivid way to discover Ardbeg's more untamed side: compact in age, but far from shy in character.
It can be enjoyed neat, with a splash of water or over a few large ice cubes. The producer also suggests using it in a Bramble Bite cocktail with fresh lemon juice, vanilla syrup, blackberry liqueur and mint, (…)Ardbeg 10y Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 10y Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 10y is an Islay single malt with peat smoke at its core. Ardbeg Ten Years Old is known worldwide for its powerful peaty style, yet the appeal here is not only intensity. The natural softness of the malt remains part of the whisky, giving the smoke a sweeter, more rounded side rather than letting it dominate in a one-dimensional way.
It spends 10 years in old first-fill and second-fill American oak bourbon casks and is bottled at 46% without chill filtration, helping to preserve body and depth. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we point to when someone wants a clearly smoky Islay malt with real presence and a maritime edge.
The fact that it was named World Whisky of the Year in 2008 sits naturally alongside its broad international (…)*Vintage* Ardbeg 1967 32y Omc (Douglas Laing - Old Malt Cask) Incl. Box
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*Vintage* Ardbeg 1967 32y Omc (Douglas Laing - Old Malt Cask) Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Ardbeg 1967 32 Year Old from Douglas Laing's Old Malt Cask range is a whisky with a very clear identity. Distilled in 1967 and bottled in 2000, it comes from a single oak cask and was released in an outturn of just 309 bottles. That makes it less a regular bottling and more a precisely captured piece of Islay single malt history.
At 32 years old, this Ardbeg has had long maturation time to develop beyond youthful intensity. Bottled at cask strength at 49%, it keeps the individual voice of the cask intact rather than being shaped into a broader house-style presentation.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle that stands apart in a specialist whisky selection: old, limited, clearly traceable and tied to a respected independent bottler. The (…)*Vintage* Ardbeg 1972 28y Omc (Douglas Laing - Old Malt Cask) Incl. Box
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*Vintage* Ardbeg 1972 28y Omc (Douglas Laing - Old Malt Cask) Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Vintage Ardbeg 1972 28y Old Malt Cask is the kind of Islay single malt that immediately invites a slower look. Distilled in February 1972 and bottled in April 2000, it spent 28 years maturing before Douglas Laing released it as part of the Old Malt Cask range.
Its appeal lies in the concentration of very specific details. This is a single cask whisky from an oak cask, bottled at cask strength at 49.5%. With only 492 bottles drawn from that cask, the release captures one individual maturation rather than a broader house-style composition.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits firmly among the more collectable Scotch whiskies in the selection. The collectors item indication and the fact that these are last bottles say a lot about the scarcity surrounding this (…)*Vintage* Ardbeg 1972 28y Omc For Alambic Classique Germany (Douglas Laing - Old Malt Cask) Incl. Box
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*Vintage* Ardbeg 1972 28y Omc For Alambic Classique Germany (Douglas Laing - Old Malt Cask) Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
An Ardbeg distilled in 1972 immediately feels like a serious conversation piece. This 28 year old single malt was distilled on 1 November 1972 and bottled on 1 November 2000 by Douglas Laing as part of the Old Malt Cask range. It was bottled for Alambic Classique Germany from a single oak cask, at cask strength, with an alcoholic strength of 50.1%.
Its appeal lies in the way the details come together. Islay, Ardbeg, 28 years of maturation, one individual cask and an outturn of only 234 bottles: together they describe a very specific snapshot rather than a standard release. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this stand out because they show a distillery through the lens of one carefully selected cask.
With only the last bottles remaining, this release (…)*Vintage* Ardbeg 1973 Fragments Of Scotland Samaroli
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*Vintage* Ardbeg 1973 Fragments Of Scotland Samaroli
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Vintage Ardbeg 1973 Fragments Of Scotland Samaroli is the kind of Islay single malt that immediately invites a more careful look. The key elements are all there in the name: Ardbeg, distilled in 1973, presented as Fragments Of Scotland Samaroli. It is not a standard everyday release, but a whisky defined by origin, vintage and rarity.
The available details are concise yet meaningful: Scotland, Islay, maturation in oak cask and a bottling strength of 57%. That gives the whisky a powerful presence, while the 1973 distillation date gives the bottle its particular sense of place in time.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we treat releases like this as specialist bottles rather than ordinary stock items. This is listed as a collectors item, with only the last bottles (…)*Vintage* Ardbeg 1973-1988 Duthie Samaroli 20th Anniversary Bottling
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*Vintage* Ardbeg 1973-1988 Duthie Samaroli 20th Anniversary Bottling
Very last one in stock!
The name of this Vintage Ardbeg 1973-1988 Duthie Samaroli 20th Anniversary Bottling already tells you that this is far removed from a standard Islay single malt. Ardbeg, a 1973 distillation date and an anniversary bottling under the Duthie Samaroli name all point to a release with real historical weight.
Bottled at 57%, it has a firm, powerful presentation. The sherry and bourbon cask background supports a profile where peat, spice and fruit are clearly present, with lighter touches of salt, floral nuance and wood in the background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this sit in a very specific corner of the whisky selection: limited, serious and made for those who appreciate the story behind a vintage release. With only 540 bottles produced, collector (…)*Vintage* Ardbeg 1974 Duthy Samaroli Incl. Box
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*Vintage* Ardbeg 1974 Duthy Samaroli Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Vintage Ardbeg 1974 Duthy Samaroli is the kind of Islay single malt that immediately sets a serious tone. Distilled in 1974 and presented at 59% cask strength, it carries its age and origin with quiet authority rather than obvious decoration.
Sherry maturation gives an important frame to this release, while the stated profile points towards peat, saltiness, spice and fruit as the main lines of character. The wood influence appears more restrained, supporting the whisky rather than dominating it. That makes the bottle especially compelling as a powerful Ardbeg with several clearly defined dimensions.
Only 2400 bottles were released, and this is marked as a collectors item with the last bottles now available. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are (…)*Vintage* Ardbeg 1975 Incl. Box
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*Vintage* Ardbeg 1975 Incl. Box
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Vintage Ardbeg 1975 is a Scottish single malt from Islay with one detail that immediately sets the tone: the 1975 vintage. That date gives the whisky a very particular frame of reference, linking it to a specific distillation year, maturation in oak cask and a bottling strength of 43%.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, a bottle like this is approached less as an everyday single malt and more as a piece of whisky history. Ardbeg, Islay, the 1975 vintage and its collector's item status all point to a release where origin, age of provenance and scarcity are central to its appeal.
With only the last bottles remaining, its limited nature becomes part of the story. For someone looking specifically for an older Ardbeg with a clear Islay identity, this is a bottle defined by (…)Ardbeg 17y The Legend Returns Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 17y The Legend Returns Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 17y The Legend Returns is an Islay single malt with a calm sense of depth. At 17 years old and bottled at 40%, it shows a side of Ardbeg where peat remains important, yet the whisky is shaped just as much by freshness, spice and subtle coastal detail.
The smoke is present, but carefully measured. Spiced notes sit at the centre, with lighter touches of salt, fruit and oak around them. That gives this release a more elegant feel than a purely forceful Islay malt, while still keeping the unmistakable peat-driven identity in view.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Ardbeg we would point out to someone interested in nuance within smoky whisky. The name The Legend Returns has presence, but in the glass the appeal lies in its aged, mineral, gently (…)Ardbeg 1991 Over 30y Artist #13 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 1991 Over 30y Artist #13 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 1991 Over 30y Artist #13 is a 32-year-old Islay single malt, distilled in 1991 and bottled in 2023. It comes from a single cask selected by Signatory for the Artist Edition, giving this release a very specific identity rather than the feel of a wider batch bottling.
Drawn from one Bourbon Hogshead and bottled at 47.7%, it was released in just 158 bottles. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are the ones we tend to pause over: old Ardbeg, independent bottling, single cask origin and a very small outturn all in one place.
The stated flavour profile points toward a clearly Islay-driven style, with peat and salinity as the main lines. Wood, spice and fruit are present in a lighter role, so the interest lies in the combination of long maturation and (…)Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 3rd Edition
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Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 3rd Edition
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Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 3rd Edition is a mature Islay single malt with a strong sense of identity. As the third edition of Traigh Bhan, aged for 19 years and distilled on 10 October 2001, it speaks to a very specific chapter in Ardbeg's range.
The combination of sherry and bourbon casks frames the whisky without taking away its Islay voice. Peat smoke, salinity and spice sit at the centre of the profile, while fruit and oak remain more restrained, adding support rather than changing the direction of the whisky.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Ardbeg we would present to someone looking for a more mature and collectable release rather than a standard bottle for casual pouring. With the last bottles available, the third edition of Traigh Bhan has a (…)Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 4th Edition
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Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 4th Edition
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Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 4th Edition is a mature Islay single malt built around age, origin and cask influence. Distilled in 2003 and bottled at 46.2%, it sits in a more developed register than younger, more immediate Islay whiskies, while still keeping the island identity clearly in view.
The maturation brings together sherry and bourbon casks, giving the whisky a broader frame for its peat and spice. The supplied profile points to those two elements as the most expressive, with lighter touches of fruit, floral character, wood and salinity around them.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of Ardbeg release that speaks to customers looking for a more aged Islay bottling with a defined sense of place. With only the last bottles indicated, it is not (…)Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 5th Edition Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 5th Edition Incl. Box
Very last one in stock!
Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan 5th Edition is a 19-year-old Islay single malt with a very defined place in the Ardbeg range. Distilled in 2004 and presented as the fifth edition, it carries the feeling of a release tied to a specific moment rather than a general expression.
Its maturation in bourbon and sherry casks gives structure to the whisky while keeping the Islay identity at the centre. Bottled at 46.2%, it has enough strength to support its peated character without turning the presentation into a purely high-proof statement.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Ardbeg we would point out to someone interested in older releases and bottles with collectable appeal. The collectors item indication matters here: it frames this bottle as a particular edition (…)Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan Batch 6
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Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan Batch 6
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Ardbeg 19y Traigh Bhan Batch 6 presents a mature Islay single malt with a clearly maritime, peated identity. Distilled on 4 April 2005 and aged for 19 years, it brings together bourbon and sherry cask influence with a bottling strength of 46.2%, giving it presence while keeping the focus on its developed character.
The appeal here lies in the way the main elements are framed. Peat, saltiness and spice are the driving forces, with fruit and oak playing a more supporting role. It remains unmistakably connected to the Islay style, yet the age gives this release a more settled tone than a younger, more direct smoky whisky.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this bottle sits naturally among the more distinctive Ardbeg releases for drinkers looking for an older expression (…)Ardbeg 2000 23y Y2k Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 2000 23y Y2k Incl. Box
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Ardbeg 2000 23y Y2k is a mature Islay single malt with a very clear identity: distilled in 2000, aged for 23 years and matured in sherry casks. It presents Ardbeg through the lens of time, giving the whisky a more considered and distinctive place than a standard release.
The Y2k name draws attention to the 2000 vintage, while the 23-year age statement brings the sense of a long-matured bottling. The sherry maturation adds another dimension around the distillery's smoky and spicy side, with the available profile suggesting that wood influence remains present rather than dominant.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would place in front of someone looking for a more special Ardbeg rather than an everyday Islay pour. Its collector status and (…)Ardbeg 2013 8y Single Cask
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Ardbeg 2013 8y Single Cask
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Ardbeg 2013 8y Single Cask is a very focused Islay single malt: one cask, one maturation story and a limited outturn of 670 bottles. Distilled on 20 February 2013 and bottled on 9 September 2021, it captures Ardbeg at 8 years old through the lens of a single individual cask.
The whisky was matured in a Sherry Butt and bottled at cask strength, 60.9%, giving this release a direct and uncompromised presentation. Rather than blending several casks into a broader house style, this bottling keeps the attention on the specific cask from which it came.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are valued for their clear sense of origin and limited nature. The combination of single cask, cask strength, 670 bottles and the fact that these are the last bottles makes (…)Ardbeg 22y
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Ardbeg 22y
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Ardbeg 22y is a Scottish single malt from Islay with the kind of age statement that immediately gives it a different presence. Distilled in 1996 and matured for 22 years in a Bourbon Barrel, it represents a specific chapter rather than a regular, everyday release.
Only 2400 bottles were bottled, and the product is marked as a collectors item. Combined with the indication that these are among the last bottles, that makes this Ardbeg feel increasingly scarce. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a bottle for customers who are looking beyond the familiar core range and want an older Islay whisky with a clearly defined origin.
Its flavour profile points toward a firm interplay of peat, fruit and spice, supported by lighter wood influence, a floral edge and a (…)Ardbeg 23y
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Ardbeg 23y
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Ardbeg 23y is a mature Islay single malt with a clear sense of provenance. Distilled in 1993 and bottled at 23 years of age, it presents Ardbeg through an older lens, with the distillery name carrying real weight for those who follow peated Scotch whisky.
The maturation in sherry and bourbon casks gives this release a broader frame, while the profile remains centred on peat, oak and spice. Fruit and a gentle salty note sit more in the background, adding detail rather than taking over the whisky's identity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place in the conversation when someone is looking for an older Ardbeg with genuine scarcity. Its status as a collector's item, together with the indication that these are the last bottles, makes it a (…)Ardbeg An Oa Incl. Box
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Ardbeg An Oa Incl. Box
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Ardbeg An Oa takes its name from the Mull of An Oa, a piece of land reaching out into the sea and partly shielding Islay's coast from the rough Atlantic climate. That idea suits the whisky well: it remains firmly connected to Ardbeg's Islay identity, while showing a rounder and more approachable side.
The depth comes from a combination of ex-Pedro Ximénez casks, virgin oak and ex-bourbon casks. These whiskies are brought together in a specially designed Ardbeg gathering vat, where the Pedro Ximénez casks contribute sweetness, the charred virgin oak brings spice, and the ex-bourbon casks help preserve that characteristic Ardbeg intensity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see An Oa as a rewarding introduction to peated Islay single malt for drinkers (…)Ardbeg Anamorphic Committee Release
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Ardbeg Anamorphic Committee Release
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Ardbeg Anamorphic Committee Release is a Scottish single malt from Islay with peat clearly at the heart of its identity. The Committee Release designation gives it a distinct place within the Ardbeg range, while the absence of an age statement keeps the focus on the style of this particular release rather than on a number on the label.
Bourbon cask maturation frames the whisky without taking attention away from its Islay character. Peat is the main voice, supported by lighter touches of salt, fruit, floral notes, wood and spice. It is a release with a defined smoky profile, but with enough surrounding detail to make the glass more than just peat-driven.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle that naturally stands out for followers of Ardbeg's (…)Ardbeg Anthology 13y
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Ardbeg Anthology 13y
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Ardbeg Anthology 13y is an Islay single malt built around a combination of bourbon and Sauternes casks. It stays close to the smoky, peated identity associated with Ardbeg, while the cask choice gives this 13-year-old release a more layered setting than a straightforward Islay bottling.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we place in conversation with customers who enjoy peat and spice, but also appreciate a release with a slightly different angle. Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its character clearly without being positioned as a cask strength whisky.
With only the last bottles remaining, this Anthology edition has become a more limited proposition. It is not just about rarity, though; the interest lies in the meeting of (…)Ardbeg Ardcore - Ardbeg Day 2022
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Ardbeg Ardcore - Ardbeg Day 2022
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Ardbeg Ardcore is an Islay single malt tied to Ardbeg Day 2022, and that gives it a different feel from a regular core-range bottle. It belongs to a particular moment in the Ardbeg calendar. At Drankenshop Broekmans, it stands out all the more because we are now down to the last bottles.
Bottled at 46% and released without an age statement, Ardcore is not presented around age as its main message. The supplied profile points instead to a clear Islay direction: peat smoke and a salty edge form the main impression, with lighter fruit, spice and floral elements in the background. Oak cask maturation is noted, but the profile does not place wood at the centre of the experience.
For anyone looking at specific Ardbeg releases, the Ardbeg Day 2022 connection is the (…)Ardbeg Auriverdes 2014
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Ardbeg Auriverdes 2014
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Ardbeg Auriverdes 2014 is an Islay whisky with a very clear direction: peat and salt are at the centre of its character. At 49.9% ABV, it has a firm presence, while the available information keeps the focus on the whisky's identity rather than on unprovided cask or maturation details. The name anchors this Ardbeg firmly in 2014, giving it the feel of a specific release from that year.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, a bottle like this naturally stands out for customers who follow Ardbeg releases closely. As it is marked as a collectors item, it carries an additional sense of interest beyond the glass itself. Still, its flavour direction is straightforward: pronounced peat and salt, with fruit, spice and wood acting more as supporting elements.
Additional (…)
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.
