Chris’s Comments: regarding our FWSC meeting on Friday November 24th…. I hosted… Robert attended in Bea’s stead as she was still a bit under the weather…
The theme of the gathering was Peat, Peat and more Peat. I started with a brief explanation of what Peat is…”earth that consists of grasses, moss, tree roots, dead animals (Keith’s comment was “au de rat???”) and soil that has become tightly compacted over thousands of years.” As you know, the peat is burned to heat the malt mash.
When people talk about peaty scotch’s they are talking about the ppm (parts per million) of “phenol” that has adhered to the malt when it is between 15 and 30% moisture content… Phenols come in all kinds of versions…
Compound Attribute
phenol carbolic
2- meythylphenol musty, medicinal
3 – ” woody, etheral
4 – ” medicinal
Dimethylphenol sweet
Plus way more nonsense that no one cares about… (at this point I asked Ron if he would draw us a benzene ring and point out the double bonds… ! ) he declined.
Round 1: Scapa
| Cost: $77 CDN | Region: Orkney |
Fun Facts:
NSC Comments:
- Very low peat content.
- It uses very peaty water but unpeated malt.
- This scotch was VERY WELL liked by the group. It was smooth, had been aged in American Oak Tennessee and Kentucky bourbon casks.
Round 2: anCnoc Rascan
| Cost: $??? CDN | Region: Highland |
Fun Facts:
NSC Comments:
- This was also well liked but definitely benefited from a drop or two of water…
- Ron could taste vanilla, creamy caramel.
- It had a good nose… smoky and the finish was not too long.
- It did not taste very peaty … rather more smoky
Port Charlotte Scottish Barley – Heavily Peated
| Cost: $145 CDN | Region: Islay |
Fun Facts:
- Master distiller Jim McEwan specially chose the casks that create the Port Charlotte Scottish Barley, which highlight the elegance within this heavily peated single malt. Made with 100% Scottish barley and matured in the village of Port Charlotte.
NSC Comments:
- Was a 40 ppm peat on malted barley.
- We all liked it a lot…
- Creamy, smooth, vanilla, salted caramel were some of the comments.
- Again, water drops made a big change… although Ron preferred it unaltered.
Bonus Round: Starward Australian Whiskey
| Cost: $?? CDN | Region: Australia |
Fun Facts:
NSC Comments:
- Greatly enjoyed, although it could have been paint thinner and Chris doubts anyone would have noticed by then.