Whisky from Arran
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Arran Amarone Finish Tube Incl.
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Arran Amarone Finish Tube Incl.
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In stockArran Amarone Finish is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran with a clear focus on cask influence. It first matures in traditional oak casks before being finished in carefully selected Amarone wine casks, giving the whisky a more expressive, fruit-led and oak-framed personality.
Bottled at 50%, it has real presence in the glass. The whisky is presented without chill filtration and without artificial colouring, keeping the style close to its natural form.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Arran we like to introduce when someone is looking for a single malt where the wine cask finish genuinely shapes the experience. The Amarone casks add depth around the malt rather than simply acting as a finishing touch.
Additional (…)Arran Sauternes Finish Tube Incl.
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Arran Sauternes Finish Tube Incl.
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Arran Sauternes Finish shows a particularly expressive side of Isle of Arran single malt. The whisky is finished in Sauternes casks selected directly from an artisanal wine house, so the cask influence is not just a detail here; it is part of the identity of the bottling.
It comes from the only distillery on the Isle of Arran and is bottled at 50% to keep the aromas and flavour concentrated. The whisky is fully natural, without chill filtration and without artificial colouring. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Arran we like to introduce to customers who enjoy a fuller, fruit-led malt with a floral lift and a clear sense of cask character.
With its Sauternes finish and generous strength, it also makes a fine digestif-style whisky, best given a (…)Machrie Moor Peated Cask Strength Tube Incl.
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Machrie Moor Peated Cask Strength Tube Incl.
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Machrie Moor Peated Cask Strength shows Arran in a smoky, full-powered style, bottled at 56.2% without being softened down too far. This Isle of Arran single malt keeps its peat, freshness and coastal saltiness very much in view.
The bourbon barrel maturation supports the whisky without taking over the conversation. What stands out is the lively contrast: smoke and ash on one side, pear and lime on the other, with a salty edge running through it. At Drankenshop Broekmans, it is one of those bottles that naturally draws attention from customers looking for a peated single malt with real strength behind it.
Because it is bottled at cask strength, it also invites a little experimentation with water. A few drops can open the whisky while keeping its smoky, briny (…)Arran 10y Barley 2026 Tube Incl.
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Arran 10y Barley 2026 Tube Incl.
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Arran 10y Barley 2026 puts the barley firmly in focus. This limited-edition Arran Single Malt was distilled from barley grown on the Isle of Arran itself, at Bellevue Farm by the Currie family. That gives the whisky a clear agricultural thread and a closer connection to its island origin.
For Batch 002, Arran used the Concerto barley variety, whereas Batch 001 was made with Optic. The whisky matured for 10 years in a selection of First Fill Bourbon Barrels and Second Fill Sherry Hogsheads, in proportions closely aligned with the classic Arran 10 Years Old. Even so, this release places more emphasis on the local barley, with a distinctly warm and spiced style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottling we value because it adds context without (…)Arran 10y Tube Incl.
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Arran 10y Tube Incl.
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In stockArran 10y is a clear example of the fresh, lively single malt style associated with the Isle of Arran. It is built around vanilla and citrus, with a soft, easy-flowing feel that makes the whisky approachable without becoming plain.
The combination of sherry and bourbon casks brings sweetness, fruit and a gentle touch of spice, while the overall impression remains clean rather than smoky. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as one of those Scottish single malts that earns its place through clarity: bright fruit, a floral lift, soft oak and enough structure to keep the glass interesting.
Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its flavours well, while staying smooth and lively in style. Additional information can be found at (…)Arran Barrel Reserve Tube Incl.
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Arran Barrel Reserve Tube Incl.
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Arran Barrel Reserve is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran, bottled at 43%. The name points towards its bourbon barrel character, while the style itself is led by a clear fruity profile rather than heavy oak or peat.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a straightforward and well-placed introduction to Arran: no age statement, no overcomplication, just a malt whisky that keeps the focus on fruit, gentle wood influence and an open drinking style.
It is the kind of bottle customers often return to when they want a Scottish single malt that feels recognisable without becoming weighty or smoky. Arran Barrel Reserve keeps things clean, approachable and distinctly malt-driven.
Additional information can be found at (…)Arran Port Finish Tube Incl.
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Arran Port Finish Tube Incl.
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In stockArran Port Finish is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran built around a carefully judged cask finish. After its initial maturation in traditional oak casks, the whisky was given a second period of ageing in selected port casks.
That finishing period was closely watched by Master Distiller James MacTaggart, with the aim of keeping the port influence in balance with the naturally sweet style of Arran malt. It gives the whisky charm and depth, while the malt itself remains clearly present.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Arran customers often return to: bottled at 50%, expressive in its fruit and spice, yet still centred on sweet barley and a gentle wood influence rather than heavy smoke.
More information about Arran can be (…)Arran Quarter Cask Tube Incl.
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Arran Quarter Cask Tube Incl.
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Arran Quarter Cask is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran, bottled at cask strength at 56.2%. Its appeal lies in that more immediate, concentrated style: the quarter cask maturation brings a clear wood influence, while the whisky retains a distinctly fruity side.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Arran we like to introduce when someone is looking for a single malt with more grip and intensity. The focus is not on an age statement, but on strength, maturation style and a fuller expression of the whisky's character.
Smoke is not the main theme here. Instead, this bottling leans into fruit, wood and a light touch of spice, carried by the firmness of cask strength.
Additional information about the brand can be found at (…)Arran The Bodega Sherry Tube Incl.
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Arran The Bodega Sherry Tube Incl.
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Arran The Bodega Sherry is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran with a clear focus on sherry maturation. The name says a great deal already: this is a whisky built around fruit, spice and a gentle touch of wood, rather than peat smoke or coastal salinity.
It is bottled at cask strength, at 55.8% ABV, giving it a firm presence in the glass. That strength allows the sherry-matured style to come through with directness and weight, without relying on an age statement to define its character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this Arran as a strong choice within the range for drinkers who enjoy expressive single malt whisky with clear fruit and spice, while staying away from smoky profiles.
Additional information about the brand can be found (…)Arran 10y Mini
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Arran 10y Mini
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Arran 10y Mini captures the classic Arran style in a smaller format: a fresh and lively 10-year-old single malt from the Isle of Arran, led by vanilla and citrus. It is a smooth dram, but not a flat one; the fruit and gentle sweetness give it a clear identity from the first sip.
Sherry and bourbon cask maturation bring together sweetness, soft fruit and a light touch of spice. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this mini as a very natural introduction to Arran's 10-year-old style: compact in presentation, yet true to the bright, clean character of the whisky.
Bottled at 46%, it keeps enough energy in the glass while staying focused on freshness rather than smoke or weight. Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.arranwhisky.com/
Arran 14y New
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Arran 14y New
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Arran 14y New brings back a much-loved classic from Arran. This 14-year-old single malt comes from the Isle of Arran and reflects the distillery's clean, elegant style, shaped since 1995 with a clear focus on the character of the spirit itself.
It is bottled without chill filtration and without added colouring, keeping the whisky close to its natural form. Maturation took place mainly in bourbon casks, supported by a refined influence from Palo Cortado sherry casks. That rare combination adds depth without pushing the fresh fruit character into the background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Arran we like to introduce when someone is looking for a Scottish single malt with age, texture and personality, but without peat smoke. The 46% strength (…)Arran 1997 25y Nec
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Arran 1997 25y Nec
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Arran 1997 25y Nec is a mature single malt from the Lochranza distillery on the Isle of Arran. Distilled on 17 November 1997 and bottled on 10 September 2023, it comes from a single cask selected and bottled especially for The Nectar. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures the personality of one particular cask after 25 years of maturation.
The whisky matured in a refill ex-sherry hogshead, a cask choice that supports the fruity, gently spicy and moderately woody side of the spirit without making the oak feel dominant. Bottled at cask strength at 44.3%, it keeps its natural identity while remaining refined in tone.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the sort of bottle we like to present to customers who enjoy precise, limited single cask (…)Arran 2000 21y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
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Arran 2000 21y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
Only 2 left in stock!
Arran 2000 21y is a single malt from the Isle of Arran with a very focused sense of origin. Distilled in 2000 and bottled in February 2021 by The Nectar for the Daily Dram series, it comes from one bourbon barrel after 21 years of maturation. Only 180 bottles were drawn from that cask.
It has been bottled at cask strength, 52.2%, so the whisky keeps a closer connection to the individual barrel rather than being shaped into a broader house-style release. That combination of age, single cask origin and natural strength makes it a particularly specific snapshot of Arran malt.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to customers who enjoy independent bottlings, vintage-dated releases and whiskies that cannot simply be repeated. The (…)Arran 2010 12y #1453 Tt (Damaged: Label dirty, damaged or missing)
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Your benefit: € 18 / 15%
Arran 2013 12y (Douglas Laing Old Particular) Tube Incl.
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Arran 2013 12y (Douglas Laing Old Particular) Tube Incl.
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Arran 2013 12y is a Scottish single malt where the cask choice really matters. Douglas Laing selected it for the Old Particular range from a single ex-bourbon barrel, so this is not a broad house-style bottling but a focused release from one individual cask.
Distilled in September 2013 and bottled in April 2026, the whisky spent 12 years developing a style that keeps Arran's fruity, elegant side at the centre. The bourbon barrel adds creaminess and gentle vanilla tones, while the natural presentation at 48.4%, with no colouring and no chill filtration, helps preserve the whisky's full character.
Only 258 bottles were drawn from this cask. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued because they show a clear snapshot of maturation: one distillate, (…)Arran 2014 11y (Adelphi)
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Arran 2014 11y (Adelphi)
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Arran 2014 11 Year Old is a notable return for Arran after years of absence. This unpeated Scotch single malt from the Isle of Arran brings together Oloroso Sherry richness and a fresh island character, giving the whisky depth without moving into a smoky style.
Drawn from a single cask, distilled in 2014 and bottled in 2025 after 11 years of maturation, it represents one very specific cask rather than a broad house-style release. Only 318 bottles were produced, and at 57.6% cask strength it keeps its natural intensity firmly intact. The Oloroso influence gives the whisky its generous, darker-fruited side, while the profile still leaves room for freshness and lift.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottling that adds real character to a specialist (…)Arran 2016 8y For The Nectar (Douglas Laing - Provenance)
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Arran 2016 8y For The Nectar (Douglas Laing - Provenance)
On request only
Arran 2016 8y For The Nectar is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Arran with the clear identity of an independent single cask release. Distilled in 2016 and bottled in September 2024, it spent 8 years maturing before appearing in Douglas Laing's Provenance range.
Its appeal lies in the precision of the bottling. This is not a large vatting, but whisky from one Bourbon Barrel, bottled for The Nectar at cask strength, 59.8%, with just 231 bottles released. The maturation took place in Douglas Laing's warehouses, giving the whisky a distinct place among independent Arran bottlings.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we value for its directness: a compact release, drawn from a single cask, with the final bottles underlining its limited (…)Arran 25 Years Incl. Box
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Arran 25 Years Incl. Box
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Arran 25 Years is a landmark single malt from the Isle of Arran. The distillery has been producing since 1995, so a 25-year-old official bottling carries real significance: this is currently the oldest official Arran available.
It matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, a style also used in several Arran expressions to let the spirit develop over time. Bottling at 46%, without chill filtration and without added colouring, keeps the focus firmly on the whisky as it comes from maturation.
Only 3,000 bottles of this 25-year-old release are available worldwide. Arran 25 Years remains part of the core range, yet each future batch will show small differences. At Drankenshop Broekmans, that makes it especially interesting: it has the presence of an (…)Arran 30y Incl. Box
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Arran 30y Incl. Box
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Arran 30y is a single malt shaped first and foremost by time. Thirty years of maturation gives it a clear sense of stature, especially as it was selected from old and rare sherry hogsheads dating back to the early years of the distillery.
Arran keeps the whisky close to its natural form: non-chill filtered and presented with its natural colour. That allows the long maturation to speak clearly, with fruit, spice and matured wood forming the heart of its character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of release we place in front of drinkers who value provenance as much as age. The luxury wooden case with copper details and the exclusive bottle underline the prestige of a very limited Arran release that is especially sought after by connoisseurs and (…)Arran Peated 2014 10y (Adelphi)
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Arran Peated 2014 10y (Adelphi)
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Arran Peated 2014 10y shows a more smoky, forceful side of Arran while still keeping the soft touch of bourbon maturation close at hand. This single malt from the Isle of Arran matured in a first fill bourbon barrel, giving its peated island character a gentler vanilla-led counterpoint.
As a single cask release bottled at cask strength, 57.1%, it feels deliberately specific rather than broadly polished. Only 230 bottles were drawn from this cask, making it a focused snapshot of one barrel's development. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued because they let the cask speak clearly, without hiding the details that make it individual.
The peat is clearly present, supported by a malty core, a lightly salty edge and a long dry smoky finish. It (…)Arran Rare Batch 15y French Oak + Grand Cru Casks Tube Incl.
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Arran Rare Batch 15y French Oak + Grand Cru Casks Tube Incl.
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Arran Rare Batch 15y French Oak + Grand Cru Casks is a single malt where the cask story really matters. This is the fourth release in the Rare Batch series, limited to 4,198 bottles, and at Drankenshop Broekmans we see it as a particularly characterful way to explore Arran through a more distinctive maturation style.
The whisky first spent 7 years in bourbon casks before moving for a further 8 years into French oak Grand Cru casks that had previously held still white wines from a prestigious region in north-eastern France. That second maturation is long enough to shape the whisky in a meaningful way, giving the French oak influence real depth rather than just a light finishing touch.
Bottled at cask strength at 52.5%, non-chill filtered and without added (…)Arran Rare Batch Bordeaux Incl. Box
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Arran Rare Batch Bordeaux Incl. Box
On request only
Arran Rare Batch Bordeaux is a 15-year-old single malt from the Isle of Arran, bottled at cask strength with an alcoholic strength of 52.8%. Its Bordeaux maturation gives this release a clear identity within the Arran range, placing the emphasis on a wine-cask-influenced style without bringing peat into the picture.
The Rare Batch name is meaningful here. Only 2,580 bottles were released, and with the last bottles now indicated, this is a limited Arran that is becoming harder to find. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of bottling that shows a more distinctive side of the distillery: mature, fruit-led, spiced and shaped by its Bordeaux cask background.
The supplied flavour profile points to fruit and spice as the main accents, with lighter wood (…)Arran Signature #3 12y Duero Discovery
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Arran Signature #3 12y Duero Discovery
On request only
Arran Signature #3 12y Duero Discovery is the third release in Arran's Signature Series, and it has a very clear identity of its own. This 12-year-old single malt from the Isle of Arran was selected and signed by master distiller Stewart Bowman, giving the release a more personal feel than a standard expression.
The maturation story is central here. The whisky first spent 6 years in bourbon casks before gaining its final character in Spanish red wine casks in warehouse #4. That explains the combination of creamy vanilla, darker berry fruit and a long spiced edge running through the whisky.
With 15,049 bottles produced and the final bottles now in circulation, this release has a distinctive place in the Drankenshop Broekmans selection. At 50% ABV, it has (…)Arran Signature #4 Sherry
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Arran Signature #4 Sherry
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Arran Signature #4 Sherry brings the Signature Series to a close with a clear focus on sherry maturation. This fourth and final edition, introduced as Sherry Serenade, was selected and signed by Distillery Manager Stewart Bowman. It feels very much like a purposeful release: a 9-year-old unpeated Arran shaped around richness, depth and the naturally fruity elegance of the spirit.
Its foundation is full maturation in First Fill Oloroso Hogsheads, with Pedro Ximénez and Amontillado casks from warehouses 1 and 4 incorporated into the final composition. That layered sherry influence gives the whisky its gourmand side, while the 50% bottling strength keeps the presentation confident and expressive.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of limited (…)
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.
