Monday, October 31, 2011

Whiskey and Cigars: Pairing Life's Luxuries

!±8± Whiskey and Cigars: Pairing Life's Luxuries

Like two peas in a pod of the luxury world, cigars and whiskey can often be found together. Both known as two of the finer things in life, when used jointly, they work to enhance the drinking and smoking experience. This is particularly true when the drink being consumed is single malt scotch. Known as the Cuban cigar of the whiskey world, single malt scotch is the perfect drink to take out for a smoke.

What is Single Malt Scotch?

While many people know what single malt scotch entails, some people may not be completely clear. But, in actuality, the concept of single malt scotch is singularly simple: single malt scotch is essentially barely-malt whiskey made in Scotland that comes from only one distillery, allowing it to carry distinct aromas and flavors. In terms of whiskeys, single malt scotch is the most laudable: the Scottish have the title of world's greatest whiskey in the bag...pipe.

Why are Cigars a Good Fit with Single Malt Scotch?

Cigars and single malt scotch have similar mantras: they both invoke specifics of the land and the maker; tobacco plants and barley both aim to remember their roots. To demonstrate this, cigars from different regions have different flavors: a Dominican Republic cigar will taste different than a cigar from Honduras. This is because each cigar aims to capture the distinct taste of the land and of the tobacco manufacturer, leaving no two cigar brands alike. Single Malt Scotch is the only type of whiskey that possesses this same ability; giving drinkers a cup of originality.

Some whiskeys journey through so many distilleries that they - like a whiskey that has drank too much of itself - forget who they are. This results in a whiskey with flavors that are vague, with little semblance to the roots of their homeland. Single Malt Scotch, however, stands out because it is processed through a single distillery. In addition, while other whiskeys can contain mixtures of corn, wheat, and unmalted barley, single malt scotch uses malted barely as the sole grain ingredient. This, ultimately, succeeds in instilling single malt scotch with the true taste of Scotland.

What Kinds of Cigars Compliment Single Malt Scotch?

There are a variety of cigars that compliment certain whiskeys, as if telling them that they have nice ryes. With single malt scotch, however, there are certain cigars for which this feat is tailor made; there are certain cigars that go better with single malt scotch than with nearly anything else.

There are two main routes to take when complimenting single malt scotch. The first route couples a mild cigar with a mild single malt scotch while the other route couples a strong cigar with a strong single malt scotch.

Mild Cigar and Mild Single Malt

When pairing a mild cigar with a mild single malt, the outcome isn't just a bunch of mildness: the mild cigar and mild single malt won't cause an urge to meditate among those who consume them. Instead, the mildness of each works together to enhance each other, resulting in a very unique experience.

A Highland Park single malt scotch and a La Flor Dominicana are examples of two things that go well together, tag teaming each other to create a truly luxurious experience. Highland Park scotches are known for being smooth, balanced, and filled with overtones of honey. A La Flor Dominicana is a mild cigar with anything but mild flavor, filled with the tastes of the Dominican Republic. When consumed together, a Highland Park and a La Flor Dominicana work together to enhance the experience, drawing out the best attributes of the tobacco and the whiskey.

Strong Cigar and Strong Single Malt

Pairing together a strong cigar with a strong single malt may seem like asking for trouble, as if each item will try to be stronger than the other, ultimately arm wrestling to see who has to pay the bar tab. However strong each item is, when paired together, they actually work with each other, complimenting each other's strengths and erasing weaknesses.

A nice strong scotch is the Lagavulin Single Malt. Characterized by peatiness and iodine overtones, the Lagavulin couples well with the Joya De Nicaragua Antano 1970, a very full bodied, robust cigar. When this scotch and this cigar are consumed together, the result is a very flavorful, potent, and, above all, smoky experience. For this reason, if this experience could talk, it would sound like Beau Arthur.

What Kind of Cigars Contrast with Single Malt Scotch?

On the other end of the spectrum, there are a variety of cigars that contrast with single malt scotch, hitting heads to offset each other. Because these cigars and whiskeys have different attributes - putting the weak with the strong and vice versa - it may seem like these pairings will result in some sort of rivalry: the cigars and the scotch brawl, the fight ensuing until the cigars are crushed and the scotch tipped over. But, in actuality, the contrast works rather well.

There are two main routes to take when contrasting with single malt scotch. The first route couples a strong cigar with a mild single malt scotch while the other route couples a mild cigar with a strong single malt scotch.

Strong Cigar and Mild Single Malt

Pairing together a strong cigar with a mild single malt has the ability to take away from the pungency of the cigar, arming the single malt with a little more gusto. This results not in the cigar losing its flavor, but in the scotch becoming enhanced. As both a full body and mild body meet in the middle, the result is sure to please about anybody, whether they themselves are full or mild..

A very mild single malt scotch is a Dalwhinnie. Known for being slightly peaty and very aromatic, the Dalwhinnie is about as smooth as they come. It's full of sweet flavor and tastes a bit like it's coated in honey. A Dalwhinnie goes perfectly with a La Aurora 100 Anos. Made from very rare Corjo tobacco, these cigars are full of flavor and body. When taken together, the Dalwhinnie and La Aurora work to provide an experience that is strong and mild in all the right places.

Mild Cigar and Strong Single Malt

A mild cigar can use a good strong single malt, a strong drink that can provide enhancement, smoothness, and open the humidor when the lid's on too tight. Like pairing a strong cigar with a mild single malt, the attributes of both enhance each other, like opposites that attract, pulling the best characteristics out.

The Laphroaig single malt scotch is among the strongest flavored scotches around. While these are typically aged for ten years, some rare ones are as old as 40. While some people have found that the peaty aroma of the whiskey is enhanced by adding a bit of water, others find that it is enhanced by smoking a Macanudo. Macanudo cigars may as well be synonymous with the word "mellow" as they fill the smoker with a sense of smoothing calm. When consumed together, the Laphroaig and the Macanudo work together to supply the consumer with a mellow peatiness.

Overall, these two things go together as well as any dynamic duo: Laurel and Hardy, Laverne and Shirley, Cigar and Single Malt. While some cigars complement single malt scotch, others contrast with it. But, both equations equal satisfaction. Allowing the true flavors of each other's lands, cigars and scotch single malt work to bring together the best of all cultures involved, leaving the world a little smaller, and a little more luxurious.


Whiskey and Cigars: Pairing Life's Luxuries

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Thursday, October 27, 2011

What Is The Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey?

!±8± What Is The Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey?

Irish whiskey is one of the most popular liquors there is nowadays. It can be served in different occasions but is most popular at weddings and ceremonies. It signifies a couple's lasting relationship in a marriage as well as everlasting friendship among friends. It can also be found in restaurants and bars among others. The process in making Irish whiskeys is quite longer compared to that of the other types of whiskeys. It is distilled three times and is aged in an oak cast for at least three to four years.

There are different types of Irish whiskeys. There is the Single Malt Whiskey that comes from malted barley which is distilled by using a pot still. There is also the Grain Whiskey which comes from grain. This type of whiskey is distilled using a column still. Another type is the Blended Whiskey. This consists of different whiskeys blended together. Lastly, we have the Pure Pot Still Whiskey, the most unique kind among them all. This contains only "pot still whiskey". This kind is available in Ireland only.

Makers of Irish whiskey are very particular with heritage and tradition. The taste nowadays is still similar to that when it was first made. There are quite a number of manufacturers of Irish whiskey, but in this article, we will be discussing one of the finest in the industry - Kilbeggan.

The Old Kilbeggan Distillery is located in Brosna River in Co. Westmeath. It opened during 1757 therebymaking it the oldest licensed distillery there is. It is admirable to note that after all these years, they were able to preserve the quality of their product. The making of Kilbeggan consists of three components: pure clean water, cereals of grains and barley and most importantly, experience. This was the birth of Kilbeggan.

Kilbeggan is just pure heaven. True to it being named as the finest blended Irish whiskey, you just cannot get enough of its smooth, sweet and creamy finish. The great thing about it is that you can indulge with it in several ways. You can drink it as it is, use it to make a superb Irish coffee or use it as a main ingredient for a neat cocktail. Due to its unparalleled taste, Kilbeggan Irish whiskey has bagged a handful of awards over the years.

So what makes the Kilbeggan Irish whiskey different? According to the Master Blender of Kilbeggan, it is the ingredients, the climate and the tradition that makes it so unique. Their climate as being "soft" contributes much to the smooth and sweet taste of their product making it unique to Ireland. They are very particular and make sure that they use the best ingredients to maintain the quality and uniqueness of their products.

Checking on the reviews, people describe Kilbeggan as pure in Irish character, classy and sophisticated, has a refined finish, refreshingly different and crisp as well as smooth and fine. Hearing that from those that have experienced the timeless taste of Kilbeggan, I would have to say that they do truly deserve to be dubbed as the finest blended Irish whiskey.


What Is The Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey?

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Friday, October 14, 2011

Top 3 Drinks to Carry in a Hip Flask

!±8± Top 3 Drinks to Carry in a Hip Flask

A hip flask is a very convenient and discrete way of carrying alcohol around. Made of silver or chromed metal with a leather cover, it is a classy way of drinking outside the house. After getting one, the first question a person will ask is: "What will I put in it?" Here are some drinks that will make any hip flask worth carrying around.

Vodka

On a hot summer day, the taste of chilled vodka will make any hip flask priceless. Being one of most popular distilled drink, it comes in a lot of different flavors. People who love the taste of citrus can go for a Kubanskaya which is made up of an infusion of dried lemon and orange peels or a Limonnaya which has a hint of lemon flavor.

For the folks who want to get a kick from their drink, they can opt for some Okhotnichya or Pertskova. Okhotnichya is a unique drink that is made by combining coffee, lemon peel, anise, cloves, ginger and other herbs and spices with sugar and a hint of wine. Petrovska, on the other hand, consists of black peppercorns and red chilli peppers.

For those who would like to have a taste of a classic drink, he can try some Starka which has been passed down from the early centuries of vodka production. This type of vodka can be mixed with brandy, port and dried fruit. It can even be mixed with infusions from fruit tree leaves. Some brands of Starka are even aged in oak casks.

Irish Whiskey

There is a reason why this is called "The Water of Life" by the Irish. As a matter of fact, as much as many Scots may hate to admit it, they learned the art of distillation from the Irish. And, it was said that the Irish learned how to make this from monks who create distilled drinks with curative powers. Made from grains and fruits, this drink is made for royalty. Anyone who would like to have a taste of the liquor that was enjoyed by the Tudor kings and in the court of Queen Elizabeth I wherever they go should have some of this drink in his flask.

Scotch Whiskey

Aged in oak barrels, this smooth and aromatic beverage can make any hip flask a blessing. Scotch whiskey is made from barley malt which has been dried over fires and stirred with dried peat that consists of grass and heather compost, giving it a smoky flavor. Some whiskies are made from wheat, corn and a small percentage of barley. There are many types of whiskey available in the market. The most popular kinds are either triple distilled or double distilled in pot stills. And, these are commonly a blend of grain whiskey and malt whiskey. For a taste of something unique, one can opt for a single malt whiskey that is made up of a combination of malt whiskies that have been made in different years.

With so many choices that can match a person's style and taste, the different kinds of alcohol included in this list will make any hip flask an asset.


Top 3 Drinks to Carry in a Hip Flask

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