Whisky from Glenallachie
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Glenallachie 12y Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 12y Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 12y is a Scottish single malt from Speyside with spice clearly at the centre of its style. The 12 years of ageing give it a mature frame, while still leaving room for lighter accents around the edges.
What stands out here is the way the spiced character is supported by gentle fruity, floral and woody notes. It is not a whisky built around peat or salinity; the interest lies more in its Speyside origin, its age and the way the spice gives the malt extra shape.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Glenallachie 12y sits well among Speyside single malts for drinkers looking for something with more spiced depth than a purely fruit-led profile. Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its character without feeling overdriven.
The flavour (…)Glenallachie 10y Grattamacco Wine Finish Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 10y Grattamacco Wine Finish Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 10y Grattamacco Wine Finish is a Speyside single malt built around a clear wine-finished identity. It carries a 10 year age statement and is bottled at 48%, giving it a little more presence than many softer-strength releases.
The Grattamacco Wine Finish is the defining detail here. It steers the whisky towards a spicier style, supported by lighter touches of fruit, floral character and oak. There is no peated angle to lean on; the interest comes from the way the wine finish adds another layer to the Speyside malt.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Glenallachie we like to point out to customers who enjoy exploring wine cask finishes without moving into an overly heavy style. It remains recognisably single malt, but with a more (…)Glenallachie 11y 1er Cru Classe Finish Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 11y 1er Cru Classe Finish Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 11y 1er Cru Classe Finish is a Speyside single malt shaped by its wine cask finishing. The 1er Cru Classé reference gives this 11-year-old Glenallachie a distinctive angle, with the cask influence taking a clear role in the whisky's identity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for Glenallachie with a pronounced wood-driven side, without moving into smoky territory. The profile is built around wood, with lighter accents of spice, fruit and a subtle floral touch supporting the main character.
Bottled at 48%, it has enough strength to carry that cask-led style while remaining firmly recognisable as a Scottish Speyside single malt.
The flavour profile is led mainly by wood (…)Glenallachie 12y Moscatel Finish Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 12y Moscatel Finish Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 12y Moscatel Finish is a Speyside single malt where maturation plays a central role in the identity of the whisky. Aged for 12 years and finished in Moscatel casks, it brings a distinct cask influence to the Glenallachie name while remaining firmly within the world of Scottish single malt.
The profile is led by spice, with lighter fruity, floral and woody accents giving it extra shape. At 48% alcohol, it has a little more presence in the glass, while the available flavour profile does not point towards peat or saline notes.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this Glenallachie as a good fit for drinkers looking for a Speyside whisky with a clear finishing-cask identity and a spicier direction than a purely fruit-forward style.
The (…)Glenallachie 15y Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 15y Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Glenallachie 15y is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky with its story firmly rooted in maturation. Fifteen years of ageing gives it a mature foundation, while the sherry-matured style brings the focus toward wood influence and spice rather than peat smoke.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Glenallachie we would place in front of someone who enjoys Speyside whisky with clear cask presence. Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry that character without making the alcohol the main point.
Its appeal lies in the way the elements line up: age, sherry maturation, noticeable wood and spice, with fruit and floral notes playing a quieter supporting role. It is not built around peat or coastal salinity, but around a composed, cask-led single malt (…)Glenallachie 18y Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 18y Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 18y is a Speyside single malt from Scotland with the quiet confidence of an older whisky. At 18 years of age and bottled at 46%, it sits in a mature style without relying on peat smoke or a heavy coastal edge for impact.
The main impression here is fruit. Gentle floral, woody and spicy notes support that fruit-led profile, giving the whisky shape without pulling it away from its Speyside identity. It is a whisky built more on development and refinement than on force.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Glenallachie 18y as a strong choice for drinkers looking for an aged single malt where fruit remains central and the supporting notes stay measured and composed.
The flavour profile of Glenallachie 18y is led by fruit, with lighter (…)Glenallachie 1992 30y Dlxop (Douglas Laing Extra Old Particular) Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 1992 30y Dlxop (Douglas Laing Extra Old Particular) Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Glenallachie 1992 30 years old comes from Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular range, where individual casks are allowed to speak for themselves. This Speyside single malt was distilled in February 1992 and bottled in December 2022 after 30 years of maturation in a refill barrel.
Its appeal lies in the detail. This is not a standard batch release, but a single cask bottling at cask strength, carrying 47.3% alcohol. Only 190 bottles were drawn from the cask, so what you have here is a very specific view of Glenallachie after three decades in wood.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we prefer to introduce slowly, because the small details matter. The tasting notes point to raspberry jam, creaminess, peaches, syrup, pastry and spiced oak, with (…)Glenallachie 1995 (Jack Wieber's - The Distillery Site Series)
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Glenallachie 1995 (Jack Wieber's - The Distillery Site Series)
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Glenallachie 1995 is a Speyside single malt with a very focused identity: distilled in 1995, matured for 20 years and bottled in 2015 by Jack Wieber's as part of The Distillery Site Series.
Rather than a large-scale release, this is a whisky drawn from one individual oak cask and bottled at cask strength. Only 159 bottles were produced, giving it the feel of a precise snapshot from a single cask rather than a broad house-style expression.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to place in front of customers who enjoy independent single malts with a clear origin. Its profile is led by fruit, with lighter floral, woody and spicy accents, and no peated or salty emphasis.
The flavour profile is clearly fruit-led, supported by (…)Glenallachie 2007 14y (Wemyss Single Cask)
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Glenallachie 2007 14y (Wemyss Single Cask)
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Glenallachie 2007 14y is a Speyside single malt with a very clear sense of origin: distilled in 2007, matured for 14 years and bottled in 2022 by Wemyss as part of the Wemyss Single Cask range. Rather than being a composition of several casks, it comes from one refill bourbon cask, yielding 745 bottles. With the last bottles now available, its appeal is also tied to that limited single-cask nature.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we place in front of people who enjoy a more focused cask selection. The refill bourbon maturation and the flavour profile suggest a whisky where fruit and spice take the lead, while oak and floral notes remain in a lighter supporting role. Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its character without moving into a (…)Glenallachie 2008 11y Asta (Asta Morris)
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Glenallachie 2008 11y Asta (Asta Morris)
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Glenallachie 2008 11y Asta is a Speyside single malt with a very focused identity: one vintage, one cask and bottled at cask strength. Distilled in 2008 and bottled in 2020, it captures Glenallachie after 11 years of maturation in a clearly defined form.
The Sherry Butt maturation and 56% strength give this release a firm, direct presence. As a single cask bottling, it stays close to the individual cask it came from, rather than being shaped into a broader house-style expression.
With 724 bottles produced and now marked as last bottles, this Glenallachie has a particular place at Drankenshop Broekmans among limited Speyside whiskies for drinkers who enjoy exploring a specific cask selection.
The available flavour profile points first to spice, (…)Glenallachie 2008 17y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Glenallachie 2008 17y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
On request only
Glenallachie 2008 17y is a Speyside single malt with a distinctly mature, spice-led personality. Its 17 years in refill sherry butts have shaped a style built around dried fruit, gentle nuttiness, pastry-like richness and warming spice, rather than a whisky that simply leans on heavy oak.
Bottled by Cadenhead for the Original Collection, it feels like a focused independent take on Glenallachie from the 2008 distillation year. At 46%, it has enough presence to carry its richer flavours while keeping the fruit and spice clearly in view.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone who enjoys taking time with a dram: dates, mocha, nutmeg, marzipan, rye bread and dark chocolate all sit within its flavour story. With only the (…)Glenallachie 2009 15y #864 (Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice)
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Glenallachie 2009 15y #864 (Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice)
On request only
Glenallachie 2009 15y #864 is all about the individuality of a single cask. Bottled by Signatory as part of the Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice range, this Speyside single malt comes from one Oloroso Sherry cask and was released at cask strength. It is not a whisky shaped to represent a general house style, but a specific snapshot of cask #864.
Distilled on 17 November 2009 and bottled on 27 May 2025, the release is limited to 570 bottles. At 65.6% alcohol, it keeps the natural power of the cask intact, giving the whisky a direct and concentrated presence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of bottle that speaks to drinkers who enjoy detail: the influence of one sherry cask, the strength of natural bottling, and the limited nature of an (…)Glenallachie 2014 10y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Glenallachie 2014 10y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
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Glenallachie 2014 10y is a Speyside single malt bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. That series brings together a broad range of whiskies selected for character and drinkability, and this Glenallachie leans strongly into the fruit-driven side associated with the distillery.
It spent 10 years in ex-bourbon casks. For the Original Collection, Cadenhead brings selected casks together at 50% ABV and lets them rest so the flavours can settle into one another, before bottling at 46%. That approach gives this whisky a composed feel without taking away its flavour intensity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this bottle as a fine example of Glenallachie's fruity Speyside style with added layers of nuts, ginger and cinnamon from the bourbon cask (…)Glenallachie 2016 8y Dlpro (Douglas Laing - Provenance)
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Glenallachie 2016 8y Dlpro (Douglas Laing - Provenance)
Very last one in stock!
Glenallachie 2016 8y Dlpro is a Speyside single malt with a very specific identity: distilled in October 2016, bottled in March 2025 and drawn from a single refill hogshead. As part of Douglas Laing's Provenance range, it focuses on one individual cask rather than a broader, standard release.
Bottled at 46%, with no added colouring and no chill filtration, this eight-year-old Glenallachie stays close to its natural presentation. The refill hogshead gives the whisky its own setting without turning the cask into the whole story.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued because they show a distillery through a very particular lens: one cask, one selection, 410 bottles. With the last bottles now available, it is a release with a naturally limited (…)Glenallachie 9y Douro Valley Wine Finish Incl. Box
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Glenallachie 9y Douro Valley Wine Finish Incl. Box
Only 2 left in stock!
Glenallachie 9y Douro Valley Wine Finish is a Speyside single malt built around a clearly spiced profile, with lighter fruity, floral and woody accents in support. The name points to the defining feature of this 9 year old release: a finish connected to Douro Valley wine casks.
Bottled at 48%, it has enough strength to carry that spiced character with confidence, while staying away from peat-driven intensity. The focus is on the interaction between Speyside malt, maturation and the additional layer brought by the wine finish.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Glenallachie sits well among whiskies for drinkers who enjoy seeing how a finish can shape the final style of a single malt. With 12,000 bottles released, it is a clearly defined bottling, though its appeal (…)Glenallachie 9y Rye Wood Finish
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Glenallachie 9y Rye Wood Finish
On request only
Glenallachie 9y Rye Wood Finish is a Speyside single malt with a distinctive rye wood finish. At 9 years old, it presents Glenallachie from a slightly different angle, with spice taking a more prominent role than in many more traditionally framed Speyside malts.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle that tends to catch the eye of whisky drinkers who already enjoy single malt but want to explore how a rye finish can shape the character. The whisky remains firmly Scottish in origin, yet the finishing cask brings a drier, spicier accent to the conversation.
Bottled at 48%, it has enough strength to let that spiced side come through clearly. Gentle wood, fruit and floral elements sit around it rather than taking over, giving the whisky a focused (…)Glenallachie Cask Strength Batch 11
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Glenallachie Cask Strength Batch 11
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Glenallachie Cask Strength Batch 11 is a Speyside single malt with a clear sense of strength. At 10 years old and bottled at 59.4%, it presents itself as a powerful whisky, while the supplied profile points away from peat smoke or salty coastal notes.
Its appeal lies in the combination of a batch release and cask strength bottling. Batch 11 is not a quiet, standard expression; the character is built around fruit and spice, with lighter wood and floral elements sitting in the background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this release stands out because only the last bottles remain. For anyone exploring Glenallachie in a more forceful Speyside style, this is a whisky where natural intensity and flavour concentration are very much part of the experience.
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.
