Blended Malt whisky
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Taketsuru Pure Malt Incl. Box
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Taketsuru Pure Malt Incl. Box
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In stockTaketsuru Pure Malt is a Japanese blended malt whisky with malt character placed firmly at the centre. As a no age statement release, it speaks more through style than through a number on the label: fruit and spice form the main line, with gentle wood influence, a light saline touch and restrained peat in the background.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Japanese whisky that often interests customers looking for something composed rather than forceful. Bottled at 43%, it keeps a measured delivery while still showing enough contrast between its fruitier and spicier sides.
Its appeal lies in that sense of restraint. Taketsuru Pure Malt is not built around heavy smoke or dominant oak, but around a malt-driven Japanese whisky style where spice, fruit (…)Campbeltown Loch 2026
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Campbeltown Loch 2026
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In stockCampbeltown Loch 2026 is a blended malt with a strong sense of place. It is made exclusively from single malts and brings together whisky from the active Campbeltown distilleries: Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle. In that sense, it feels less like a standard blend and more like a compact introduction to Campbeltown in one bottle.
The town of Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula, has a rich whisky history and today produces five different single malts: Hazelburn, Longrow and Springbank at Springbank, Glen Scotia at Glen Scotia, and Kilkerran at Glengyle. Campbeltown Loch includes malt from each of these five names, giving it a genuine regional identity.
Maturation in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks gives the whisky its generous, layered style. (…)Big Peat Winter Edition Cask Strength 2025 (Douglas Laing Regional Malts) Incl. Box
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Big Peat Winter Edition Cask Strength 2025 (Douglas Laing Regional Malts) Incl. Box
In stock
Big Peat Winter Edition Cask Strength 2025 brings together two very different island moods. The familiar Big Peat side is all Islay: windswept, maritime and heavily peated. The other side comes from a final maturation in Madeira wine casks, adding a warmer, more exotic sweetness to this limited winter release.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of seasonal bottling that stands out because it keeps its character intact. It is bottled at natural cask strength, 53.6% ABV, without colouring and without chill filtration. That gives the whisky a firm, direct presence, with peat smoke at the centre and the Madeira finish adding richness around it.
The premium carton with foil detail suits the winter edition presentation, but the real interest lies in the (…)Big Peat 12y (Douglas Laing) Tube Incl.
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Big Peat 12y (Douglas Laing) Tube Incl.
In stock
Big Peat 12y takes the familiar Big Peat story into a more mature register. This Islay blended malt is bottled by Douglas Laing as part of the Regional Malts range, a series built around clear, classic expressions of Scotland's whisky regions.
With Big Peat, that regional identity is unmistakably Islay: peat, maritime salinity, smoke, charred oak and darker ashy tones. The 12 years of age give the whisky more depth and cohesion, while keeping the bold coastal character that defines the name.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a natural step for anyone who enjoys the original Big Peat and wants to taste what extra maturation brings to that same robust style. Bottled at 46%, without added colouring and without chill filtration, it keeps its presentation (…)Scallywag + Glass & Coaster (Douglas Laing Regional Malts)
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Scallywag + Glass & Coaster (Douglas Laing Regional Malts)
Last one in stock!
Scallywag is Douglas Laing's mischievous take on Speyside within the Regional Malts range. That series is built around blended malts that capture recognisable regional styles from Scotland, presented with the kind of humour that makes these bottles instantly approachable.
The name comes from the family's long line of Fox Terriers: small rascals with plenty of personality. The whisky itself is composed of single cask single malts from Speyside, with Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes named among the key contributors. Maturation in gently spiced sherry casks and bourbon hogsheads gives Scallywag its rich yet fresh Speyside character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this giftpack with glass and coaster sits comfortably among whiskies chosen for giving, discovering and (…)Dl Double Barrel Islay (Douglas Laing)
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Dl Double Barrel Islay (Douglas Laing)
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Douglas Laing Double Barrel Islay is a Scottish blended malt with a clear Islay direction. The emphasis is on peat: present and recognisable, yet the available profile does not point towards an overly heavy or extreme style. It is more about a focused expression of smoky island character.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this bottle sits well among whiskies for customers who want to explore Islay through a blended malt rather than through a single distillery bottling. As a no age statement whisky, it draws attention to style rather than age, with peat at the centre and lighter notes of fruit, spice, wood and a gentle floral accent around it.
Bottled at 46%, it has enough strength to carry its smoky side with clarity. The result is a straightforward and recognisably (…)Mars Maltage Cosmo Incl. Box
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Mars Maltage Cosmo Incl. Box
In stock
Mars Maltage Cosmo is a Japanese blended malt whisky with a fruit-led personality. It does not build its identity around peat smoke or heavy intensity; instead, it presents malt whisky in a cleaner, more open style where fruit has the central role.
Bottled at 43% and released without an age statement, Cosmo is shaped more by its overall style than by a declared maturation age. Light floral, woody, spicy and salty touches add definition around the fruit, while peat stays out of the picture.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this sits well among Japanese whiskies for drinkers looking to explore a blended malt with a clear fruity direction and a gentle, unpeated profile.
The flavour profile is mainly fruit-driven, supported by gentle floral notes and (…)Smokey Monkey Shoulder
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Smokey Monkey Shoulder
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Smokey Monkey Shoulder brings out the smoky side of Monkey Shoulder in a Scotch blended malt whisky. The name gives a clear indication of its direction: the familiar Monkey Shoulder style, with an added smoky touch rather than an intensely peated character.
There is no age statement here, and the whisky is bottled at 40%. Bourbon cask maturation forms the base, while the flavour profile points towards light fruit, gentle spice, a floral hint and a restrained peat-smoke note. At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a whisky for customers who want smoke to be part of the conversation without it taking over the whole glass.
Its appeal lies in that straightforward idea: a Scottish blended malt built around approachability and a measured smoky accent, rather than (…)Talon's Select 1l
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Talon's Select 1l
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Talon's Select 1l is a Scottish blended malt whisky with a straightforward, easy-going style. Bottled at 40% and presented in a one-litre format, it is built around gentle fruity, spicy and floral accents rather than a heavy or smoky profile.
There is no age statement, so the focus is on the selected blend rather than a specific number of years in cask. The oak cask reference gives it a familiar whisky foundation, while the flavour profile suggests that oak is not the dominant feature.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Talon's Select sits comfortably among approachable Scottish malt whiskies for those who prefer a lighter aromatic style. With only the last bottles remaining, availability is limited.
The flavour profile of Talon's Select is light in (…)Dewar's 15y Incl. Box
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Dewar's 15y Incl. Box
In stock
Dewar's 15y is a 15-year-old Scotch whisky with a calm, measured style. As a blended malt matured in oak casks, it places its emphasis on gentle maturity rather than on overt power or heavy cask impact.
Its flavour profile points to a restrained composition: light fruit, floral touches, mild spice and oak all sit at a similar level, without peat smoke or salty notes shaping the experience. That gives this Dewar's a clean and approachable Scotch character, built around nuance rather than extremes.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see Dewar's 15y as a good example of a mature Scottish whisky for drinkers who appreciate subtlety and an unforced style. Bottled at 40%, it keeps the presentation composed and lets the softer side of the whisky come through.
Aldunie 1998 27y Tb (Thompson Brothers Blend)
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Aldunie 1998 27y Tb (Thompson Brothers Blend)
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Aldunie 1998 27 Year Old from Thompson Brothers is a mature blended malt Scotch whisky with the calm depth that comes from long ageing. It was composed from carefully selected casks that spent almost three decades developing, giving the whisky a character built around maturity, layered richness and quiet elegance rather than immediate showiness.
The refill barrel maturation keeps the oak influence measured, allowing dried fruit, refined wood, gentle spice and a light oxidative note to shape the experience. Bottled at 52.5%, it retains strength and presence, while the supplied profile points to a soft, full texture and a composed style. It is bottled without chill filtration and without added colouring.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of release we (…)Alness Blended 12y Tb (Thompson Brothers Blend)
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Alness Blended 12y Tb (Thompson Brothers Blend)
On request only
Alness 12 Year Old from Thompson Brothers is a Scottish blended malt built around the combined character of Teaninich and Dalmore. It has a fresh, expressive style with a lightly maritime edge, while maturation in bourbon and sherry casks gives the whisky extra shape without making the wood feel dominant.
Bottled at 50%, it carries real presence, yet the overall impression remains lively and approachable. In typical Thompson Brothers fashion, it is non-chill filtered and bottled without added colouring, allowing the whisky's mix of tropical fruit, floral notes, gentle spice, saline accents and subtle peat smoke to come through with clarity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we like to point out to customers who want a blended malt with a (…)Amahagan N°1
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Amahagan N°1
In stock
Amahagan N°1 is a Japanese blended malt whisky with a deliberately straightforward presentation: no age statement, but a clear focus on style and composition. Bottled at 47%, it has more presence than many everyday-strength whiskies, while the available profile does not point towards peat or heavy wood dominance.
The oak cask element provides the maturation setting, yet the flavour indications lean towards a light interplay of fruit, floral notes and spice. That gives the whisky a more restrained, composed identity rather than a forceful one.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, Amahagan N°1 stands out as a Japanese blended malt that has attracted steady interest. With the final bottles now in stock, it is also a release with a naturally limited availability.
Amahagan N°2 Red Wine Finish
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Amahagan N°2 Red Wine Finish
In stock
Amahagan N°2 Red Wine Finish is a Japanese blended malt with the red wine finish placed at the centre of its identity. Rather than leaning on an age statement, it presents itself through cask influence, style and the way the malt whisky interacts with that wine-led finish.
Bottled at 47%, it has enough strength to carry its more pronounced spicy side, while fruit, floral notes and wood sit in a lighter supporting role according to the supplied profile. Peat and salinity are not part of the picture here, so the focus stays firmly on spice and the red wine cask direction.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone exploring Japanese blended malt through a cask-finished lens. With the last bottles indicated, it is also (…)Amahagan N°3 Mizunara Wood Finish
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Amahagan N°3 Mizunara Wood Finish
In stock
Amahagan N°3 Mizunara Wood Finish is a Japanese blended malt shaped mainly by its Mizunara Oak finish. Rather than building its identity around an age statement, it puts the focus on the interaction between malt whisky and wood influence, with 47% alcohol giving the whisky a firm presence.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we see this as a bottle for customers looking for Japanese whisky where the cask character is clearly part of the conversation, without peat or salty notes defining the style. The wood element stands out most, while floral, spicy and fruity touches sit more in support.
With only the last bottles remaining, it is a release worth considering with some attention. It shows Amahagan through the lens of a Mizunara Wood Finish: focused, wood-led and (…)Amahagan Yamazakura Wood Finish
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Amahagan Yamazakura Wood Finish
In stock
Amahagan Yamazakura Wood Finish is a Japanese blended malt built around its wood finishing rather than an age statement. The Yamazakura finish gives this whisky its main direction, placing wood and spice at the heart of the experience.
At 47% ABV, it has enough presence to carry that style clearly. The supplied profile points to a whisky where wood and spice are the most noticeable elements, with lighter fruity and floral accents in support, and no peated direction.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of Japanese whisky that draws interest from customers looking for something with a more distinctive cask influence. With only the last bottles remaining, this particular Amahagan release has become a more limited find in the range.
The (…)Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd Edition (The Nectar Of The Daily Drams)
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Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd Edition (The Nectar Of The Daily Drams)
On request only
Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd Edition is a Scottish blended malt built around maturity, discretion and scarcity. Distilled in 1993 and bottled at 25 years of age by The Nectar for The Nectar of the Daily Drams, it keeps its exact origin undisclosed. That shifts the focus away from a distillery name and towards the character of the whisky in the bottle.
Its maturation in a sherry butt gives this release a classic, substantial frame. The stated flavour profile points to clear fruit and wood influence, with spice playing a supporting role. Bottled at 49.3%, it has enough strength to carry that mature profile without making the alcohol level the whole story.
Only 180 bottles were released, and with the last bottles now in circulation, Anniversary Malt 1993 2nd (…)Berry Bros Islay Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Islay Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
On request only
Berry Bros Islay Bos is a Scotch blended malt from Islay, bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Berry Bros Classic Range. Rather than leaning on an age statement, it puts the focus on place and style: peat smoke and fruit form the centre of the whisky's identity.
At 44.2% alcohol, it has enough weight to carry its Islay character while remaining composed. The profile points clearly towards peat and fruit, with lighter touches of salt, spice and wood adding shape around the edges.
In the whisky selection at Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would present to someone looking for an Islay blended malt with a clear smoky signature and a little more nuance than just peat alone. With only the last bottles remaining, it also has a more limited feel (…)Berry Bros Peated Cask Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Peated Cask Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
On request only
Berry Bros Peated Cask Bos is a Scottish blended malt from the Berry Bros Classic Range, bottled at 44.2%. The name gives a clear direction: peat is part of the whisky's identity, but it is presented as a light element rather than an overwhelming force.
Its appeal lies in the way the profile is spread across several subtle accents. Floral, fruity, spicy, woody and peated notes are all present at a gentle level, pointing to a malt that is more about quiet detail than intensity.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would place in front of someone curious about Scottish blended malt with a restrained smoky side. With no age statement, the focus stays on the style and composition of the whisky, and the fact that only the last bottles remain (…)Berry Bros Speyside Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
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Berry Bros Speyside Bos (Berry Bros Classic Range)
On request only
Berry Bros Speyside Bos is a Scottish blended malt from Speyside, bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Classic Range. With no age statement on the label, the focus shifts to the whisky's style rather than a number: a Speyside-led profile where fruit takes the lead, supported by gentle floral, woody and spicy touches.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for a Speyside malt without peat smoke or a salty edge. Bottled at 44.2%, it has a little more presence than many standard-strength releases, while keeping the emphasis firmly on its approachable fruity side.
It has become a well-liked bottle among customers, and with only the last bottles remaining, it is no longer a release to assume will always be on the (…)Berry's Perspective 21y (Berry Bros Prespective Range)
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Berry's Perspective 21y (Berry Bros Prespective Range)
On request only
Berry's Perspective 21y is a 21-year-old Scottish blended malt bottled by Berry Bros as part of the Perspective Range. At 43%, it reads as a whisky built around maturity and restraint rather than sheer intensity, with oak cask ageing present in the background without taking over the whole impression.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would point out to someone looking for an older malt whisky with a clearly fruit-led profile. The supplied flavour indications place fruit at the centre, supported by lighter floral, spice and wood notes, with no peated or salty direction indicated.
With 6,300 bottles released, Berry's Perspective 21y has a defined and finite character. As these are the last bottles, it carries a quiet sense of scarcity, (…)Big Peat (Douglas Laing) Tube Incl.
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Big Peat (Douglas Laing) Tube Incl.
Temporarily sold out
Expected: 28/10/2026Big Peat is the best-known release in Douglas Laing's Regional Malts range, created to show the classic character of Scotland's whisky regions through blended malts. Douglas Laing is a respected independent bottler, and this series adds a playful sense of humour to bottles that are very much made for tasting and discussing.
Here the focus is firmly on Islay. Big Peat is made from single malts sourced only from the island, including Ardbeg, Bowmore and even Port Ellen. It gives a bold interpretation of the traditional Islay profile: smoky, robust, slightly sweet and full of that restless coastal energy associated with peated island whisky.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we often reach for when someone wants to understand Islay without (…)Big Peat 15th Anniversary (Douglas Laing Regional Malts)
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Big Peat 15th Anniversary (Douglas Laing Regional Malts)
On request only
Big Peat 15th Anniversary celebrates fifteen years of one of the most familiar names in Douglas Laing's Regional Malts series. That range is built around blended malts that present the character of Scotland's whisky regions in a clear and recognisable way, and Big Peat is firmly rooted in Islay: peat smoke, saltiness and a robust island style.
For this anniversary release, Douglas Laing created a version matured mainly in red wine casks and bottled at 50% ABV. It gives this Big Peat a different accent, bringing darker fruit and spice into conversation with the classic smoky backbone. The packaging follows the playful Regional Malts spirit as well, with fifteen anniversary surprises worked into the design.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of whisky (…)Big Peat 27y Black Edition (Douglas Laing)
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Big Peat 27y Black Edition (Douglas Laing)
Only 2 left in stock!
Big Peat 27y Black Edition is an Islay blended malt from Douglas Laing with a distinctly mature side. Distilled in 1992 and aged for 27 years in oak cask, it keeps the peated identity suggested by the Big Peat name, while allowing lighter notes of wood, spice, fruit and saltiness to sit around that smoky core.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we would introduce to someone looking for an older Islay whisky with substance and maturity, rather than peat alone. The 48.3% strength gives it enough presence to carry its maritime, smoky profile without turning the description into simple intensity.
With the last bottles now remaining, the Black Edition has an added sense of scarcity. Its appeal lies in the combination of age, Islay origin and the (…)
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.
