Whisky
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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 (…)Talisker The Wild Blue 2025
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Talisker The Wild Blue 2025
Only 3 left in stock!
Talisker The Wild Blue 2025 is built around the sea-soaked identity of Skye, but it adds a distinctive wine-cask dimension to that familiar coastal style. Talisker has stood by the edge of the sea for almost 200 years, shaped by the elements, and this release leans fully into that maritime inspiration.
The key detail is the maturation. The Wild Blue is described as the first Talisker to be matured in old wine casks from the Atlantic coast, with the whisky makers selecting casks from coastal regions of South Africa for an additional 16 months of ageing. That brings deep red-fruit tones into the whisky's smoky, maritime character, giving it the atmosphere of a campfire on a wild shoreline.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Talisker we would (…)Whisky Ardent
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Whisky Ardent
In stock
Whisky Ardent is a Belgian single malt with a calm, straightforward personality. There is no age statement here; the focus is on the whisky's own character and the influence of maturation in a wine cask.
That wine cask element gives Ardent its point of interest, while the overall style remains gentle rather than forceful. The flavour profile points to light touches of fruit, flowers, spice and wood, with no peat smoke shaping the experience.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits well among Belgian whiskies for customers who want to explore a non-peated single malt with a modest cask influence and an approachable 40% strength.
Whisky Ardent shows a light flavour profile, with gentle fruity, floral, spicy and woody accents rather than one dominant (…)Aberfeldy 21y Argentinian Malbec Finish Incl. Box
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Aberfeldy 21y Argentinian Malbec Finish Incl. Box
In stock
Aberfeldy 21y Argentinian Malbec Finish is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky aged for 21 years and finished in wine casks. The appeal here lies in the way maturity and cask influence come together: the long ageing brings a clear woody and spicy presence, while the Malbec finish adds a more delicate fruit-led accent.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Aberfeldy we would introduce to someone looking for an older Highland malt with depth rather than smoke. Peat is not the focus here; the profile is built around oak, spice, gentle fruit and a light floral edge. Bottled at 46%, it has enough structure to carry that character without feeling overstated.
For drinkers who enjoy mature single malt with a wine cask dimension, this 21-year-old Argentinian (…)Auchentoshan 13y 48,4 (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
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Auchentoshan 13y 48,4 (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
Very last one in stock!
Auchentoshan 13 Year Old from Douglas Laing's Old Particular Wine Cask Collection is a single cask Lowland single malt shaped by a carefully selected wine cask finish. Distilled in 2013 and bottled in 2026 at 48.4%, it sits in a series built around the meeting point between Scotch whisky tradition and the extra dimension that wine casks can bring.
The appeal here is very much in the individuality of the release. This is not a broad, ongoing expression, but whisky from one specific cask, with only 266 bottles drawn from it. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are always interesting to talk about because they give a clear sense of place, time and cask influence in one bottle.
The tasting profile points towards ripe red fruit, soft confectionery notes, (…)Ben Nevis 2012 10y Incl. Box
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Ben Nevis 2012 10y Incl. Box
In stock
Ben Nevis 2012 10y is a Highland single malt with a very focused identity. Distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2023, it spent 10 years in a single wine cask before being released in a small outturn of 268 bottles. Rather than a broad house style, this is a snapshot of one individual cask.
Bottled at cask strength, 59.3%, it keeps a direct and powerful presentation. The wine cask gives the whisky an extra point of interest, while the flavour profile points towards floral notes, wood influence and spice, with fruit playing a lighter supporting role. There is no peated character indicated here, so the emphasis stays on cask, structure and Highland malt rather than smoke.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits naturally among the more limited single malt selections: (…)Benrinnes 11y (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
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Benrinnes 11y (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
Very last one in stock!
Benrinnes 11y is a Speyside single malt bottled by Douglas Laing as part of the Old Particular Wine Cask Collection. The series focuses on single cask Scotch whiskies lifted by the influence of carefully selected wine casks, and this release captures one particular cask at 11 years of age.
Only 361 bottles were drawn from this cask, giving the whisky a clearly limited character. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this are interesting because they do not try to represent a broad house style; they show a defined moment where Benrinnes spirit, maturation and cask influence meet.
Bottled at 48.4%, it has enough strength to carry its fruit, sweetness and gentle spice without feeling driven by alcohol alone. For drinkers exploring limited Speyside single (…)Bowmore 26y Trilogy
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Bowmore 26y Trilogy
On request only
Bowmore 26y Trilogy is a Scottish single malt from Islay with a strong sense of age, cask influence and rarity. At 26 years old, matured in a wine cask and bottled at 48.7%, it clearly sits apart from everyday releases.
Within the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this Bowmore stands out because it combines maturity with limited availability. The collectors item indication and the fact that these are the last bottles give it a particular presence on the shelf, without needing any exaggerated claims.
The style points towards a whisky where wood, spice and fruit have a clear role, while peat remains more restrained. Rather than presenting itself as a heavily smoky Islay malt, it reads as a mature Bowmore shaped by wine-cask ageing, fruit depth and a subtle (…)Bunnahabhain Eirigh Na Greine 1l
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Bunnahabhain Eirigh Na Greine 1l
Temporarily sold out
Bunnahabhain Eirigh Na Greine 1l !!! Zonder Giftbox !!! is a whisky from Schotland by the brand Bunnahabhain. It falls within the whisky group under the category Single Malt. This whisky comes from the Islay region. It is one of the many references you can currently buy online at Drankenshop Broekmans.
This whisky is matured in Wine Cask barrels. It is a version of 1 l and has an alcohol content of 46,3%.
With a no-age-statement whisky, no age is indicated on the bottle. Often producers choose not to disclose age when an older whisky is supplemented by younger ones. After all, according to the rules, the age must always be the youngest whisky in the blend, which is not desirable when the bulk in the blend is older (and therefore more valuable). Conversely, (…)Caol Ila 2013 9y Art6 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
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Caol Ila 2013 9y Art6 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Caol Ila 2013 9y Art6 is an Islay single malt with the appeal of a focused independent release. Bottled by Signatory for the Artist Edition, it takes a familiar distillery name and presents it through a more specific, limited lens.
Distilled in 2013 and matured for 9 years in a wine cask, it sits apart from more regular Caol Ila expressions without losing the Islay identity suggested by its profile: peat, salt and spice play the leading roles, with fruit sitting more quietly in the background. At 48%, it has enough strength to carry that character with confidence.
Only 1388 bottles were released, and at Drankenshop Broekmans this is the sort of bottling we look at as a snapshot of Caol Ila from an independent selector's point of view. It is a bottle for (…)Chichibu Red Wine 2023
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Chichibu Red Wine 2023
Very last one in stock!
Chichibu Red Wine 2023 is a Japanese single malt with a very clear point of focus: Chichibu, wine cask influence and a cask strength presentation. At 50.5% ABV, it is not framed as a soft, polished standard release, but as a whisky where strength and cask character are part of the appeal.
There is no age statement here, so the attention naturally shifts to the 2023 release itself and to the role of the red wine theme in its identity. The supplied flavour profile points most clearly towards fruit and spice, supported by lighter floral and woody notes.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Chichibu that speaks to customers looking for Japanese single malt with a defined cask direction. Its collector's-item status adds to that sense of a focused release (…)Dalmore Cigar Reserve Incl. Box
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Dalmore Cigar Reserve Incl. Box
In stock
Dalmore Cigar Reserve is a Highland single malt with a deliberately generous style. Its depth comes from a careful selection of mature whisky drawn from three cask types: American ex-bourbon casks, 30-year-old Matusalem oloroso sherry casks and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques. Together they shape a whisky where spice and oak sit at the centre, with fruit adding a softer layer underneath.
The Dalmore story gives the bottle extra context. The distillery has been producing single malt whisky since 1839 and was owned by Clan Mackenzie for almost a century. The royal stag's antlers on the bottle still refer to the clan's family crest, making the presentation instantly recognisable.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a Dalmore for those moments (…)Domaine Ricci Ddhg Rye 2017
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Domaine Ricci Ddhg Rye 2017
On request only
Domaine Ricci Ddhg Rye 2017 is a French rye whisky with a very distinctive foundation. It is made from Carouass rye and distilled over a wood fire in a still, giving it an artisanal feel and a firm rye-driven identity.
Maturation in Red Duras wine oak casks adds another layer to that grain character. The whisky does not rely on spice alone; the cask brings clear wood influence and a darker fruit accent alongside the rye. Bottled at cask strength, at 61.7% ABV, it keeps its natural intensity close to the source.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of bottle that broadens the idea of what rye whisky can be. French origin, Carouass rye, wood-fire distillation and wine cask ageing all come together in a whisky with a strong, expressive (…)Glen Moray Peated Rioja Incl. Box
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Glen Moray Peated Rioja Incl. Box
In stock
Glen Moray Peated Rioja shows a more exploratory side of this Speyside distillery, where traditional methods meet a willingness to work with distinctive cask influences. Distilled in 2012, this gently peated single malt first matured in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to Rioja red wine casks.
That combination gives this Warehouse 1 release its own clear identity. The peat is presented as subtle rather than dominant, while the Rioja cask influence brings in red-fruit depth and soft tannic structure. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see it as a whisky for those moments when Speyside malt is allowed to step slightly outside the expected path.
Bottled in August 2023 at its natural strength of 58.8%, it keeps close contact with its cask origins. The supplied (…)Glenglassaugh The Serpentine 48y
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Glenglassaugh The Serpentine 48y
Temporarily sold out
Glenglassaugh The Serpentine 48y is not a whisky to rush. It comes from cask 1863, an Aleatico red wine cask, and was bottled at 46.1% after 48 years of ageing. That combination of significant age and a very specific wine cask gives this Speyside single malt a clear identity of its own.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we introduce as a rare and considered release rather than a whisky for everyday pouring. With only the last bottles remaining, its scarcity is part of the story, but the real interest lies in the mature fruit-driven character described in the tasting notes.
The Serpentine shows Glenglassaugh in a ripe, layered style, with dark berries, exotic fruit and a fine saline touch. It is a whisky for slow tasting, where the details (…)Ichiro's Wine Wood Incl. Box
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Ichiro's Wine Wood Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Ichiro's Wine Wood is a Japanese blended malt shaped around the influence of wine cask wood. Rather than presenting itself through an age statement, it focuses on style and cask character: clearly spiced, lightly fruity and gently touched by wood.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Japanese whisky we would place in front of someone curious about cask-driven malt whisky without moving into peat or smoke. The Wine Wood name says quite a lot already, but the profile remains composed rather than heavy-handed.
Bottled at 46.5%, it has enough strength to carry its spiced side with confidence. The result is a whisky with a modern Japanese feel, built around spice, restrained fruit and a measured wood influence.
The tasting impression is led (…)Jura 2011 13y Red Wine (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
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Jura 2011 13y Red Wine (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
On request only
Jura 2011 13y Red Wine is a Scottish single malt with a very specific identity: island whisky from Jura, bottled by Douglas Laing in the Old Particular range, matured for 13 years and finished in a Ruby Port cask. The result is a whisky shaped by the meeting of the maritime strength mentioned in the product information and the generous fruitiness of fortified wine.
For Drankenshop Broekmans, the appeal lies in its small-scale nature as much as in its flavour direction. This is a single cask release of just 264 bottles, bottled at 48.4% without colouring and without chill filtration. That gives the whisky a close connection to the individual cask, with the port finish forming an essential part of this particular release rather than a simple finishing touch.
Jura Tastival 2015 1997 18y Incl. Box
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Jura Tastival 2015 1997 18y Incl. Box
In stock
Jura Tastival 2015 1997 18y was created for Jura Tastival 2015, with Willie Cochrane working alongside Richard Patterson on this special release. Distilled on 12 March 1997 and matured for 18 years, it was bottled at cask strength, giving the whisky a direct and concentrated presentation.
The maturation story is central here. After a long rest in a bourbon cask, the whisky was finished in French wine casks from the Bouvet Ladubay estate in Saumur. That wine cask influence brings the fruitier side of Jura to the foreground, supported by gentle wood and spice rather than heavy peat or pronounced salinity.
Within the selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to point out to customers who enjoy limited Jura releases with a clear sense (…)Kavalan 2015 6y Vinho Single Cask 55,6
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Kavalan 2015 6y Vinho Single Cask 55,6
On request only
Kavalan 2015 6y Vinho Single Cask 55.6 is a Taiwanese single malt built around the individuality of one wine cask. Bottled at cask strength and drawn from a release of just 181 bottles, it speaks more of a specific cask selection than of a broad house-style expression.
Distilled in 2015 and bottled in 2022 after 6 years of maturation, this Kavalan carries the Vinho name with a clear wine cask identity. The available flavour profile points towards a whisky where fruit and spice are the main accents, with lighter touches of wood and floral character in support.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are interesting because they show how focused a single cask release can be. With its Taiwanese origin, cask strength bottling and very small outturn, it has a (…)Kavalan 2017 7y Vinho Single Cask
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Kavalan 2017 7y Vinho Single Cask
On request only
Kavalan 2017 7y Vinho Single Cask shows a focused and expressive side of Taiwanese single malt. Distilled in 2017 and bottled in 2024, it spent 7 years in vinho barrique casks, a maturation that places fruit, spice and aromatic finesse at the centre of the whisky.
As a single cask release, it represents one individual cask rather than a broader house-style bottling. Only 154 bottles were drawn, and it was bottled at cask strength at 58.6%, preserving the intensity and detail of that particular maturation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we place in front of someone who enjoys limited, characterful bottlings with a clear cask influence. The fact that only the last bottles remain adds to the sense that this is a release with a very finite (…)Kavalan 40th Anniversary Of The King Car Group 1,5l
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Kavalan 40th Anniversary Of The King Car Group 1,5l
In stock
Kavalan 40th Anniversary Of The King Car Group is a Taiwanese single malt created to mark a specific milestone: the 40th anniversary of the King Car Group. The 1.5 litre bottle gives it an even stronger sense of occasion, making it feel more like a commemorative release than a regular everyday whisky.
Bottled at cask strength, 56.3% ABV, it carries a concentrated and assertive style. The wine cask influence gives the whisky a framework in which fruit, spice and wood all play a noticeable role. There is no age statement here; the focus is on the cask selection, the strength and the anniversary character of the release.
With 10,000 bottles produced, this is a defined celebratory bottling, and the fact that these are the last bottles gives it a special place in (…)Lochlea Red Wine 2026 Incl. Box
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Lochlea Red Wine 2026 Incl. Box
In stock
Lochlea Red Wine 2026 is a Scottish Lowland single malt and part of Lochlea's annual Red Wine Cask releases. The idea behind the series is to revisit the red wine cask theme each year, selecting casks that suit the distillery's own style.
For this second release, the whisky first matured in first-fill bourbon casks before being finished in carefully chosen Sangiovese casks. That maturation path gives the whisky its sweet, velvety feel, with honey, gentle spice, ripe red berries and nutty nuances shaping the experience.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a good example of a modern single malt where cask influence and provenance meet. Lochlea works with its own barley and distils and matures entirely on site in Ayrshire, Scotland, giving this release a (…)Lowland 2013 13y Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing Old Particular) Tube Incl.
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Lowland 2013 13y Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing Old Particular) Tube Incl.
On request only
Douglas Laing's Fanatical About Flavour series puts the whisky itself firmly in the spotlight. The distillery behind this Lowland single malt is intentionally kept undisclosed, so the conversation starts with flavour rather than reputation. That makes this release especially engaging: it asks to be approached on its own terms.
This Lowland 2013 spent thirteen years maturing and was given a finish in an Orange Wine Cask, an unusual choice in whisky. The supplied description links that cask style with candied citrus, stone fruit and gentle spice, and those elements sit naturally within the fresh, elegant Lowland setting. The emphasis is on fruit and floral lift, with oak and spice playing a more restrained supporting role.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we value (…)Macaloney Mac Na Braiche
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Macaloney Mac Na Braiche
On request only
Macaloney Mac Na Braiche is a Canadian single malt with a clearly individual voice. Made in pot stills and bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its creamy texture, fruit notes and spice without feeling dominated by oak.
The cask story is central here. Bourbon casks, moscatel and virgin oak all play a part, giving the whisky soft vanilla, a gentle wine-like thread, ripe fruit and a spiced oak backbone. The moscatel influence brings a delicate white wine impression, while the oak adds shape rather than heaviness.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone curious about single malt beyond the familiar regions, while still wanting a whisky with clear malt character and a generous aromatic profile. With the last (…)
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.
