I, however, tend to think of my favourite whiskies having more in common in warmer months when it comes to aroma especially. There are notes that are much more expressive when we are outside during the warmer months such as petrichor 1 (best aroma in the world), dried hay, dry grass, spongy moss, BBQ food, and Kramer’s favourite smell, the beach! Having a dram outside on a warm summer day (where it’s legal to do so of course) can be bloody fantastic and as the whisky is more likely to be more expressive than it is when it’s cold, there’s a chance you’ll have a completely opposite experience than it would be at home, or when it’s purely Baltic outside. There’s also the bonus of how you get to enjoy it during the summer which is probably a little more social than colder months, especially in Canada. I remember the first time I went to ‘the cottage’ where it wasn’t a wee cottage, but actually a mansion in the woods. My friends and I were outside on an early summer night around a cracking camp - fire with an array of lovely bottles of scotch, not saying a word about the aroma, the flavour or anything to do with the whisky, instead, just living in the moment…can’t do that when it’s -20 degrees…at least I can’t (Canadians are built different). I’d like to think we’re also past the stage that scotch whisky cocktails aren’t frowned upon (get over it, they are class), so if you’re lucky enough to get invited to a party this summer, then batch up some smoky whisky jungle birds, or Speyside Sangria (send me a message for recipes). Go ahead and show your white spirit loving pals how fun whisky is when you’re in your bathing suit.
Ask Bry: Can whisky be a summer tipple too?
BY BRY SIMPSON
This edition’s ASK BRY comes from Joshua Hansen from Calgary Alberta: “Hello Bryan, I am very new to the whisky scene and tend to only drink them in the fall and winter. Recently I was enjoying a nice tipple with a few buddies and our conversation led to whisky drinking in the summer. To my surprise not many of them did either. Is this the norm? Is it truly a cold weather tipple or are there some great sippers out there I might consider trying?
Dear Josh:
Cheers, Bry
Is every season, whisky drinking season? Being a seasoned whisky enthusiast I would say yes, but it’s interesting when some say it’s only for the colder months. From a sensory approach, it’s not just aroma and flavour we think of, it’s also sensation, and having a warming dram to heat you up is a lovely lovely experience.
1 | Pretichor = The pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.
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the whisky explorer magazine
the whisky explorer magazine
SUMMER 2024
SUMMER 2024
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