Mull whisky
Please note: stock and availability in our store may vary! More info
Ledaig 12y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
62
Ledaig 12y Gmp (Gordon & Mcphail) Tube Incl.
In stock
Ledaig 12 Years Old from Gordon & MacPhail shows the smoky side of Mull in a very direct way. As part of the Discovery range, it is built around a clear flavour direction, giving drinkers an approachable introduction to a peated single malt style shaped by maturation in sherry and bourbon casks.
The appeal here lies in the contrast between smoke and sweetness. Peat smoke comes first, followed by toffee, baked apple, stewed fruit, sultanas, currants and milk chocolate. There is also a coastal, lightly salty edge, so the whisky keeps a sense of place rather than becoming purely sweet or dessert-like.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we would place this Ledaig among the single malts for those who enjoy a smouldering campfire note with added fruit and cask (…)Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Incl. Box
21
Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Incl. Box
Last one in stock!
Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja is a Scottish single malt from Mull with Ledaig's peated side clearly at the centre. The Sinclair Series name and the Rioja wine finish give this release its own angle, placing a wine-influenced layer around the distillery's smoky style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a whisky for drinkers who enjoy peat, but also appreciate the smaller details around it. The profile is not driven by oak; instead, the smoke is supported by lighter fruity, spicy, floral and coastal touches.
Bottled at 46.3%, it has enough strength to carry its island character and Rioja finish with clarity. Rather than leaning on an age statement, this Ledaig draws attention to the combination of Mull, peat and wine cask influence.
The (…)Tobermory 12y Incl. Box
4360° view available
Tobermory 12y Incl. Box
In stock
Tobermory 12y is a Scottish single malt from Mull, built around maturation and clarity rather than peat smoke. With its 12-year age statement, it has a clear sense of development, and the 46.3% strength gives it enough presence while keeping the focus on the whisky itself.
The American oak finish fits the style well: fruit and wood are the main themes, with a gentler thread of spice in support. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a good example of a single malt for drinkers who want cask influence and island origin without a pronounced smoky profile.
What makes Tobermory 12y interesting is the way these elements come together without excess. It is not presented as an extreme whisky, but as a 12-year-old single malt with a defined direction: fruit-led, (…)Isle Of Mull 18y Macb (Elixir Distillers - Macbeth Series)
LAST PIECES298360° view available
Isle Of Mull 18y Macb (Elixir Distillers - Macbeth Series)
On request only
Isle Of Mull 18y Macb comes from Elixir Distillers' Macbeth Collection, a series of 42 Scottish whiskies built around the characters of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. This release represents the First Murderer, one of the unnamed killers in the play. That anonymity is reflected in the bottle itself: the whisky was distilled on the island of Mull, while the distillery name remains undisclosed.
The island connection matters here. In the Macbeth Collection, the murderers are malts from the outer reaches of Scotland, and this 18-year-old single malt carries that setting with a firm sense of place. It matured in American oak and was bottled at cask strength, 50.5% ABV. With an outturn of 2100 bottles and the last bottles now in circulation, it has a naturally limited feel within (…)Ledaig 10y Incl. Box
25360° view available
Ledaig 10y Incl. Box
In stock
Ledaig 10y is a Scotch single malt from Mull with peat clearly at the centre of its personality. Matured in oak casks and bottled at 46.3%, it has the straightforward presence of a whisky that does not need heavy sweetness or overt wood influence to make its point.
The most engaging part of this Ledaig is the way its smoky side is supported by a light salty edge. That gives the whisky a distinctly island-like feel, while gentle fruit and spice sit in the background to add detail rather than softness. It is a direct, characterful style, built around peat and freshness.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a single malt for drinkers who appreciate Scottish island whisky with a clear smoky profile and a dry, coastal accent. It is not a whisky that hides its (…)Ledaig 18y Incl. Box
69360° view available
Ledaig 18y Incl. Box
In stock
Ledaig 18y is a Scottish single malt from Mull with a clearly defined island style. At 18 years old, it carries a sense of maturity, while the 46.3% strength gives it enough presence without making power the main point.
Its most engaging feature is the meeting of noticeable peat and ripe fruit. The Oloroso Sherry cask influence adds context to that profile, with gentle wood, a touch of spice and a lightly salty edge sitting around the fruit and smoke.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we would place in front of someone looking for a mature peated single malt that still leaves room for fruit and nuance.
The flavour profile is built around clear fruit and peat. The smoky side is evident, yet the fruit gives the whisky enough (…)Ledaig 1995 (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
LAST PIECES350360° view available
Ledaig 1995 (Berry Bros - Berry's Own Selection)
Very last one in stock!
Ledaig 1995 is a single malt from Mull, bottled by Berry Bros as part of Berry's Own Selection. Its appeal lies in the way the whisky is presented: one hogshead, one individual cask, distilled in 1995 and bottled in 2022.
A single cask release gives a very focused view of maturation. Rather than representing a broad, standardised style, this bottling captures the development of one particular cask over time. Bottled at cask strength at 45.9%, it keeps that individual cask character close to its original form.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Ledaig we like to point out to customers who appreciate distinctive island single malt: peated, salty and spice-led in profile, with the added interest of being down to the last bottles from a limited (…)Ledaig 1995 26y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
LAST PIECES350360° view available
Ledaig 1995 26y (The Nectar - Daily Dram)
On request only
Ledaig 1995 26y is a Scottish single malt from Mull with a very focused identity: one hogshead, distilled in July 1995 and bottled in July 2021 after 26 years of maturation. With just 292 bottles drawn from that single cask, it presents one particular cask rather than a broader blended expression.
Bottled by The Nectar for the Daily Dram series, it sits at Drankenshop Broekmans among the kind of releases that invite a closer look. The cask strength bottling at 48.4% keeps the presentation direct, while the single cask origin gives this Ledaig a clear sense of place and time.
Its profile points towards a whisky where peat and spice take the lead, supported more quietly by wood, fruit, floral notes and a lightly salty edge. With the last bottles now in view, (…)Ledaig 1995 26y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
LAST PIECES304360° view available
Ledaig 1995 26y Tb (Thompson Brothers)
On request only
Ledaig 1995 26y Tb is a Scottish single malt from Mull with a very focused identity: one cask, long maturation and a clearly coastal-peated profile. Distilled in 1995 and bottled in 2022, it carries 26 years of development without feeling like a broad, standard release. It is the kind of whisky that speaks through the individuality of a single cask.
That single cask element is central here. Rather than blending several casks into a wider style, this bottling captures one specific maturation path, with peat, salt and spice forming the most prominent parts of its profile. Fruit, floral touches and oak sit more in the background, adding support rather than taking over. Bottled at cask strength at 45%, it remains close to the form in which the cask presented itself.
Ledaig 1997 24y Barc (Blackadder Statement)
LAST PIECES350
Ledaig 1997 24y Barc (Blackadder Statement)
Only 2 left in stock!
Ledaig 1997 24y Barc is a Scottish single malt from Mull, bottled by Blackadder as part of the Statement series. With a 1997 distillation date, 24 years of age and a strength of 58.2%, it immediately presents itself as a more specialist release rather than an everyday bottling.
Its appeal lies in the combination of single cask origin and cask strength presentation. This is not a broad batch shaped towards consistency, but one individual cask captured after long maturation, with its own specific identity left intact.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottles like this are valued for exactly that reason: they offer a narrow, limited view of a distillery at a particular point in time. With only the last bottles remaining, the availability of this release has become (…)Ledaig 1999 23y G&m (Gordon & Mcphail Connoisseurs Choice) Incl. Box
LAST PIECES298
Ledaig 1999 23y G&m (Gordon & Mcphail Connoisseurs Choice) Incl. Box
Only 3 left in stock!
Ledaig 1999 23y by Gordon & McPhail is the kind of single malt where the interest lies in the detail: Mull origin, long maturation, one individual cask and a very small outturn. It was bottled as part of the Gordon & McPhail Connoisseurs Choice range, a setting that suits whiskies selected for their own particular cask identity.
Drawn from a refill hogshead and bottled at cask strength, 55.4%, this release keeps close to the whisky as it came from the cask. The refill wood is an important part of the story: present enough to shape the whisky, without suggesting an overly wood-driven style.
Only 202 bottles were filled, and this release is now down to the last bottles. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for their specificity: (…)Ledaig 2005 15y Art12 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
350
Ledaig 2005 15y Art12 (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Ledaig 2005 15y Art12 is a Scottish single malt from Mull, bottled by Signatory as part of the Artist Edition. It comes from a single sherry butt and has been bottled at cask strength, at 64.8% ABV.
The interest here lies in its focused, small-scale nature. This is one individual cask, with 456 bottles drawn from it, and the last-bottles indication gives the release an increasingly limited feel. In the whisky selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the sort of bottle we place in front of drinkers who enjoy a direct cask-driven interpretation rather than a broad house-style bottling.
Its stated profile points to a firm combination of peat, saltiness and wood influence, with fruit and spice playing a quieter supporting role. The sherry butt adds weight to (…)Ledaig 2005 16y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
LAST PIECES187
Ledaig 2005 16y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
On request only
Ledaig 2005 16y is a Scottish single malt from Mull with a very defined identity. It was distilled on 3 February 2005 and bottled on 8 February 2021 after 16 years in a Bourbon Barrel, then released at 54.4% cask strength.
The appeal here lies in the precision of the bottling. This is a single cask release, with only 249 bottles drawn from that one barrel. Rather than presenting a broad house style, it captures one particular maturation, one cask, and one moment in time.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this Ledaig stands out for its limited nature and its clear flavour direction. Peat and spice form the core of the whisky, supported by lighter notes of fruit, salinity and a subtle floral edge. The wood influence is not the dominant theme here, so the focus remains (…)Ledaig 2005 17y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
LAST PIECES195
Ledaig 2005 17y (The Single Malts Of Scotland)
On request only
Ledaig 2005 17y is a Scottish single malt from Mull with a very focused identity: distilled on 3 February 2005 and bottled on 7 April 2022 from a single bourbon barrel. After 17 years of maturation, that cask produced just 253 bottles, making this a small-scale release rather than a widely available expression.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this bottling stands out for the way several elements come together naturally: single cask origin, cask strength at 54.2%, and a limited outturn. The bourbon barrel influence is indicated as relatively light, so the whisky's profile is not built around heavy wood. Peat is the clearest feature, supported by more restrained notes of fruit, spice, salt and oak.
For drinkers who appreciate peated single malt with a more individual (…)Ledaig 2007 (Jack Wieber's - Prenzlow Portfolio Collection)
LAST PIECES143360° view available
Ledaig 2007 (Jack Wieber's - Prenzlow Portfolio Collection)
On request only
Ledaig 2007 is a Scottish single malt from Mull, bottled by Jack Wieber's as part of the Prenzlow Portfolio Collection. Distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2016, it comes from a single oak cask, giving this release a much more specific identity than a larger batch whisky.
Only 120 bottles were produced, and with the remaining bottles now marked as the last ones, this is a very small-scale release. At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued for exactly that reason: they show one individual cask at natural strength, rather than a broad house style shaped for volume.
At 52.8% ABV, the whisky keeps a firm cask strength presence. The supplied flavour profile places peat clearly at the centre, with lighter fruit, spice, salt and floral notes around it. (…)Ledaig 2007 13y Artist (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
135360° view available
Ledaig 2007 13y Artist (Signatory - Artist Edition) Incl. Box
In stock
Ledaig 2007 13y Artist is a Scotch single malt from Mull, bottled by Signatory as part of the Artist Edition. Aged for 13 years and drawn from a refill bourbon cask, it presents a style where the focus stays firmly on the whisky's smoky and spicy side rather than on heavy oak influence.
The character is clearly peated, supported by spice and a lighter salty accent that sits naturally with its Mull origin. At 48%, it has enough strength to carry that profile with definition, without turning the description into a matter of power alone.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as the kind of independent bottling that speaks through clarity: a specific vintage, a stated age, a named cask type and a very direct flavour direction. With only the last bottles (…)Ledaig 2009 13y (The Whisky Agency)
LAST PIECES214360° view available
Ledaig 2009 13y (The Whisky Agency)
Very last one in stock!
Ledaig 2009 13y is a Scottish single malt from Mull, distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2022 after 13 years of maturation. Its appeal lies in the way it is presented: drawn from a single hogshead cask and bottled at cask strength, with an alcohol level of 52.3%.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this stand out because they capture one particular cask rather than a broad house-style release. That gives the whisky a clear sense of origin, age and individuality.
With only the last bottles remaining, this Ledaig also carries a natural sense of scarcity. It is a focused choice for drinkers who enjoy single malt in a more direct, cask-driven form.
This Ledaig is bottled at 52.3%, giving it a firm cask strength presentation. No detailed tasting (…)Ledaig 2009 16y (The Whisky Agency - Made For Friends & Wave Farewell)
LAST PIECES206
Ledaig 2009 16y (The Whisky Agency - Made For Friends & Wave Farewell)
On request only
Ledaig 2009 16y is a Mull single malt with a distinctly raw, coastal voice. The supplied notes describe it as phenolic, iodine-rich and maritime, with the wild edge associated with this Ledaig style rather than a polished, softened presentation.
Distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2025 after 16 years of maturation, it comes from a single Hogshead cask. The Whisky Agency bottled it at cask strength, 52.9%, as part of the Made for friends & wave farewell release. That gives it the feel of a very specific cask snapshot: concentrated, limited and tied to one individual maturation.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky we place in front of someone looking for island intensity with real coastal bite. The last-bottles status matters here, because a (…)Ledaig 2010 14y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
LAST PIECES126
Ledaig 2010 14y (Cadenhead - Original Collection)
On request only
Ledaig 2010 14 year old is a Scottish single malt from the Isle of Mull, bottled by Cadenhead as part of the Original Collection. It shows the peated side of Tobermory Distillery, a style appreciated for its smoky, coastal and mineral personality.
Tobermory produces two distinct types of single malt: the unpeated whisky under the Tobermory name and the peated version as Ledaig. This 14 year old release matured fully in ex-bourbon casks, giving the distillery's smoky and salty character plenty of room to speak clearly.
Cadenhead's Original Collection is built around selected casks that are brought together and allowed to rest before bottling at 46%, a strength chosen for drinkability. At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to introduce to (…)Ledaig 2011 10y (The Whisky Agency)
178360° view available
Ledaig 2011 10y (The Whisky Agency)
In stock
Ledaig 2011 10y is a single malt from Mull with a very direct presentation. Distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2022, it matured for 10 years in a refill bourbon cask.
Its main attraction lies in the fact that it comes from a single cask and was bottled at cask strength, at 53.2% ABV. Rather than a broad, blended-together expression, this is one particular cask captured at one point in its life. At Drankenshop Broekmans, releases like this have a clear place for drinkers who enjoy whisky with a closer connection to the cask itself.
The indicated flavour profile gives spice the leading role, supported more lightly by fruit, floral tones, wood, saltiness and peat. With only the last bottles remaining, this is a release with a naturally limited character.
Ledaig 2015 10y (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
NEW82
Ledaig 2015 10y (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 27/10/2026Ledaig 2015 10y shows how compelling the meeting of peat smoke and wine cask influence can be. This single malt from the island of Mull belongs to Douglas Laing's Old Particular Wine Cask Collection, a series built around single casks finished in wine casks. Here, a Tawny Port Wine Cask finish brings a darker fruit accent to Ledaig's smoky island style.
Distilled in 2015 and bottled in 2025 after 10 years, it comes from one individual cask only. With an outturn of 342 bottles, this is less about a broad distillery profile and more about one specific cask speaking clearly: smoke, fruit, spice and a subtle saline edge.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, bottlings like this are valued because they give whisky drinkers a more focused view of a familiar name. Bottled at (…)Ledaig 2020 6y Sv 100 Proof (Signatory Vintage 100 Proof)
LAST PIECES68360° view available
Ledaig 2020 6y Sv 100 Proof (Signatory Vintage 100 Proof)
On request only
Ledaig 2020 6 Year Old SV 100 Proof is a single malt from Mull, bottled by Signatory as part of the Signatory Vintage 100 Proof range. At 57.1%, it speaks in a clear, forceful voice, with the kind of directness that makes young independently bottled whisky so engaging.
The maturation combines sherry and bourbon casks, but the main thread remains unmistakably peated. Around that smoky core sit lighter touches of fruit, spice, oak, floral nuance and a salty edge. Rather than feeling cask-led, this Ledaig keeps the emphasis on its robust island malt character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a bottling for drinkers who enjoy a young single malt with energy and a defined smoky profile. With only the last bottles remaining, it also carries the fleeting (…)Ledaig 2022 3y (Adelphi)
86
Ledaig 2022 3y (Adelphi)
In stock
Ledaig 2022 3y is a young single malt with a surprisingly forceful presence. Distilled in 2022 and bottled in 2025, it is only three years old, yet the supplied information makes clear that Adelphi was impressed enough by its character to bottle it at the youngest possible age.
The whisky comes from a single cask and is bottled at cask strength, 58.8% ABV. A first fill Oloroso hogshead gives it a strong cask influence, while the distillate from Tobermory Distillery brings the core around which the whisky is built. Peat, malt and cask impact are described as coming together in a powerful way, giving this Ledaig a much more assertive feel than its age might suggest.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we place in front of customers who enjoy (…)Tobermory 18y
165
Tobermory 18y
Only 3 left in stock!
Tobermory 18y is a Scottish single malt from Mull, shaped by eighteen years of maturation and oak cask ageing. Rather than presenting itself as a heavy or smoky whisky, the available profile points towards fruit as the main thread, supported by lighter touches of wood, spice and salinity.
That combination gives this Tobermory a composed, mature feel. The age statement matters here because it frames the whisky as a longer-aged island single malt, while the flavour balance keeps the focus away from overt peat and towards a more fruit-led style.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Tobermory 18y sits comfortably among whiskies for customers looking for a well-aged single malt from Mull, bottled at 46.3%, with enough structure from oak to support its character without (…)
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:
-
Made from grains
-
Fermented with yeast
-
Distilled to a maximum of ±94.8% alcohol (so that flavour is retained)
-
Matured in wooden casks
-
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.
-
Must be wholly produced and matured in Scotland
-
Aged for at least 3 years in oak casks
-
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.
-
Produced and matured in Ireland
-
Aged for at least 3 years in wooden casks
-
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:
-
At least 51% corn in the grain mix
-
Matured in new charred oak barrels
-
Distilled to a maximum of 80% alcohol
-
In the barrel a maximum of 62.5% alcohol
-
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.
