Whisky from Old Pulteney
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Old Pulteney 10y 1l Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 10y 1l Incl. Box
In stock
Old Pulteney 10y 1l is a Scottish Highland single malt with a clear sense of place and style. Aged for ten years and matured in American oak, it stays on the gentler side of the spectrum, with light fruit, floral touches and a mild spiced note shaping the overall impression.
The small salty accent is what gives this whisky its extra point of interest. It does not turn the whisky heavy or smoky; peat is not part of the profile here. Instead, it adds a subtle edge to an otherwise approachable Highland malt. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a useful bottle for anyone looking for a Scotch single malt with freshness, softness and just enough distinction to keep it engaging.
The one-litre format also makes it a practical choice for those who like to keep a (…)Old Pulteney 12y Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 12y Incl. Box
In stock
Old Pulteney 12y is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky matured in bourbon casks for 12 years. The age statement gives it a clear sense of maturity, while the cask influence stays on the measured side, supporting the whisky rather than dominating it.
The main impression here is spice, with lighter touches of fruit, gentle wood and a subtle salty note adding definition. It is not a peated style; the character comes more from its spice-led profile and its restrained cask influence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a dependable introduction to Old Pulteney for customers looking for a 12-year-old Highland single malt with bourbon cask maturation and a flavour profile that has more spice than sweetness.
Additional information about the (…)Old Pulteney Huddart Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney Huddart Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Old Pulteney Huddart is a Highland single malt from Scotland with a gently smoky side. The peated cask influence is the key detail here: peat is part of the whisky's identity, but the supplied profile points to a light presence rather than a dominant smoky style.
The character brings together soft peat, a salty touch, light fruit, spice and modest wood influence. With no age statement, the focus is less on a specific number of years and more on the way these elements shape the whisky's personality.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Huddart as a good choice within the range for drinkers looking for a Highland single malt with a restrained smoky accent. Its 46% strength gives the whisky enough presence to carry that profile clearly.
Additional (…)Old Pulteney 2012 10y Flotilla Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 2012 10y Flotilla Incl. Box
Last one in stock!
Old Pulteney 2012 10y Flotilla is a Scottish Highland single malt, distilled in 2012 and matured for 10 years. It sits within the Old Pulteney range as a release with a more defined flavour direction, built around a clearly salty profile.
The bourbon barrel maturation gives the whisky its ageing framework, while the supplied flavour profile points strongly toward salt and peat. Fruit and spice are present in a lighter, supporting role, so the emphasis is less on heavy oak influence and more on a direct, characterful style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we would place this bottle among the Highland single malts for drinkers looking for something with a firmer edge. Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry that salty, peated side without being presented as a (…)*Vintage* Old Pulteney 1967 34y (Douglas Laing - Platinum)
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*Vintage* Old Pulteney 1967 34y (Douglas Laing - Platinum)
Very last one in stock!
Old Pulteney 1967 34 year old is a Highland single malt defined by time, place and restraint. Distilled in 1967 and bottled in 2002, it carries a 34-year age statement that immediately sets it apart from everyday whisky releases.
Bottled by Douglas Laing as part of the Platinum series, this release comes from a single oak cask and was presented at cask strength, 54.9% ABV. With only 259 bottles produced, and now marked as last bottles, it has the quiet scarcity that serious single cask releases often carry.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for their specificity. One vintage, one cask, one limited outturn: it is a whisky for someone who appreciates a clearly defined snapshot of maturation rather than a broad house style.
Old Pulteney 13y Maritime Malt 1l Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 13y Maritime Malt 1l Incl. Box
Temporarily sold out
Old Pulteney 13y Maritime Malt presents a Highland single malt with a clear nod to its maritime identity. The character is not built around peat smoke; instead, it brings together gentle fruit, light floral notes, soft spice, restrained oak and a subtle salty edge.
Matured in bourbon and sherry casks, this 13-year-old whisky combines two cask influences without losing its straightforward single malt character. The bourbon side suggests roundness and softness, while the sherry cask element adds a little extra depth. At 43%, it remains approachable in strength while still carrying a defined style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a fitting bottle for customers looking for a Scottish Highland single malt with an age statement, a maritime theme and no (…)Old Pulteney 15y Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 15y Incl. Box
In stock
Old Pulteney 15y is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky with enough age to feel composed and mature, while keeping away from a smoky style. Matured in oak casks and bottled at 46%, it presents itself with a spice-led profile, supported by lighter fruit and a subtle salty accent.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Highland malt for drinkers who enjoy structure and spice rather than peat. The gentle saline touch gives it a distinctive edge, while the fruit element keeps the overall impression from becoming too austere.
Additional information about the brand can be found at https://www.oldpulteney.com/
Old Pulteney 15y centres on a clearly spiced style. Fruit plays a lighter supporting role, adding a softer contrast, while a subtle salty (…)Old Pulteney 16y Travel Retail Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 16y Travel Retail Incl. Box
In stock
Old Pulteney 16y Travel Retail is a Scottish Highland single malt with a mature 16-year age statement. It sits in a more developed part of the range, while the available profile points away from peat smoke and towards a gentler spread of flavour accents.
The bourbon and sherry cask influence is central to how this whisky is framed. Rather than one dominant note, the profile suggests light touches of wood, spice, fruit, floral character and a subtle salty edge. Peat is not part of the stated flavour picture.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Old Pulteney we would present to someone looking for a mature Highland single malt with a measured, varied character. The Travel Retail designation also gives it a slightly different angle compared with the (…)Old Pulteney 18y Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 18y Incl. Box
In stock
Old Pulteney 18y is a Scottish Highland single malt shaped by time and cask influence. Eighteen years of maturation give it room to develop, while the combination of sherry and bourbon casks brings together fruit-driven depth with measured notes of wood and spice.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a whisky for drinkers who appreciate mature single malt without peat taking the lead. Its character is mainly fruity, with a light salty accent and a restrained cask presence that supports rather than dominates.
Bottled at 46%, Old Pulteney 18y has enough strength to carry its mature profile with clarity. The appeal lies in its calm, layered style: Highland single malt, aged 18 years, with sherry and bourbon maturation working side by side.
Old Pulteney 1983
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Old Pulteney 1983
Very last one in stock!
Old Pulteney 1983 is a Highland single malt where the age statement immediately gives the bottle its weight. Distilled in 1983 and matured for 34 years, it belongs to that quieter, more contemplative side of Scotch whisky, where time is a central part of the experience. The sherry finish adds an extra layer of cask character to an already mature whisky.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would introduce to customers who are drawn to older single malts with a clear sense of provenance. At 46% alcohol, it keeps a composed strength, while the flavour profile points towards pronounced wood and spice, with fruit and a gentle salty note playing a more supporting role.
With only the last bottles remaining, this Old Pulteney feels less like an (…)Old Pulteney 2008 12y Artist (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney 2008 12y Artist (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
On request only
Old Pulteney 2008 12y Artist shows this Highland single malt through the lens of independent bottler Signatory. The essentials are clear from the name: distilled in 2008, matured for 12 years and released as part of the Artist Edition.
The stated Sherry Butt cask type gives the whisky its main direction. Rather than peat or heavy smoke, the profile points toward fruit and spice, with oak playing a lighter supporting role. At 43% alcohol, it presents itself in a composed and approachable way while still keeping the focus on its origin and maturation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to highlight when a customer is looking for a particular independent take on a familiar Scottish single malt name. With only the last bottles remaining, (…)Old Pulteney 2008 16y (Signatory - Cask Collection)
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Old Pulteney 2008 16y (Signatory - Cask Collection)
On request only
Old Pulteney 2008 16y is a Highland single malt with a very focused identity: one individual cask, sixteen years of maturation and a cask strength bottling by Signatory as part of the Cask Collection. Distilled on 27 May 2008 and bottled on 16 December 2024, it captures a specific Oloroso Sherry cask rather than a broader house-style composition.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this kind of bottling stands out because it gives the drinker a more direct look at the whisky. The strength of 56.1% underlines that cask-driven approach, while the stated flavour profile points toward fruit, spice and wood influence, with peat playing no role in the character.
Only 641 bottles were produced, and with the release now marked as last bottles, its availability is naturally (…)Old Pulteney 2010 13y Single Cask
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Old Pulteney 2010 13y Single Cask
On request only
Old Pulteney 2010 13y Single Cask is all about the individuality of one cask. Distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2023, this Highland single malt spent 13 years maturing before being released in a limited run of 624 bottles. With the last bottles now remaining, it has a naturally limited feel within the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans.
The sherry butt maturation gives this whisky a clear sense of direction. Fruit, spice and wood form the main structure, while a lighter floral note sits more quietly in the background. There is no peat-driven character here; the focus is on cask influence, maturity and strength.
Bottled at cask strength, 64.2%, it presents its single cask character without reduction. That makes it a concentrated snapshot of Old Pulteney from (…)Old Pulteney 25y
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Old Pulteney 25y
In stock
Old Pulteney 25y is a Scottish Highland single malt shaped by 25 years of maturation and a sherry cask finish. It sits firmly in the world of mature whisky, where time, wood influence and quiet depth matter more than immediate impact.
The character is built around wood, spice and fruit, with the sherry finish adding an extra layer to that mature profile. Bottled at 46%, it has enough presence to carry its age and cask influence without making strength the main story.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place with the older Highland single malts for customers looking for something composed, mature and now only limited in availability. With the last bottles remaining, it is a release to consider with some attention.
Additional (…)Old Pulteney Coastal Pineau De Charentes Matured Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney Coastal Pineau De Charentes Matured Incl. Box
In stock
Old Pulteney Coastal Pineau De Charentes Matured is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky with its identity built around a distinctive cask choice. The Pineau de Charentes maturation gives this release a particular angle within the Old Pulteney range, placing the focus on style and cask influence rather than on an age statement.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are useful when introducing customers to how a familiar single malt name can take on a different personality through maturation. It is not presented as an age-led whisky; instead, the interest lies in the way the cask and the house style come together.
At 46% alcohol, it has enough strength to carry its profile with confidence. The available flavour indication points most clearly towards a (…)Old Pulteney Coastal Series Port Matured
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Old Pulteney Coastal Series Port Matured
On request only
Old Pulteney Coastal Series Port Matured is a Scottish Highland single malt bottled at 46%, with port cask maturation at the heart of the release. The name is important here: this is part of the Coastal Series, and the cask choice is clearly one of the defining features.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as an Old Pulteney for drinkers who enjoy exploring how maturation can shape a familiar single malt. The Port Matured character gives the whisky a distinct angle, while the 46% strength keeps it firmly in serious single malt territory.
It is a bottle for taking Old Pulteney in a slightly different direction: rooted in Scottish Highland whisky, but with a maturation style that adds another layer to the conversation.
No detailed tasting notes (…)Old Pulteney Harbour Incl. Box
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Old Pulteney Harbour Incl. Box
In stock
Old Pulteney Harbour is a Scottish Highland single malt with a clear, approachable identity. The harbour reference in the name sits naturally alongside the gentle salty note in its profile, while peat is absent. That leaves room for light touches of fruit, spice, wood and a faint floral side rather than smoke or heavy cask influence.
Maturation in bourbon barrels gives the whisky its framework without making the oak feel dominant. With no age statement at the centre of the release, the focus is on the style itself: measured, lightly expressive and easy to understand as a Highland single malt.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a useful bottle to introduce when someone is looking for Old Pulteney with a maritime hint and a calm, unpeated character.
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.
