Episode 093

The other thing to mention about the Bobby Burns cocktail is that there’s widespread disagreement on the internet about what the ratios for this drink should be – so we stuck with a classic Manhattan ratio. Some recipes call for equal parts Scotch and Sweet Vermouth – Some call for up to a half oz of Benedictine, and some call for only a few dashes.

Since this drink is plenty sweet, we recommend using just a bar spoon of Benedictine – first, because it makes that expensive bottle last longer, and second because we can’t think of anyone who keeps Benedictine in a dasher bottle in their home bar.

About Phenol Parts Per Million (PPM)

Scotch distillers measure the phenol parts per million (PPM) of their barley after it is malted to give enthusiasts a benchmark for how smokey or intense the whisky will be. The hight the PPM, the more smoke should come through in the end product.

The type of peat used during the malting process can also have a drastic effect on the end flavor of the spirit, due to the extremely varied chemical makeup of peat from various bogs in Scotland. Some peat displays a heavy plant influence, while other varieties can draw out intense rubbery notes.

The Bottles

Lagavulin 16 Year

• Age: 16
• ABV: 43.0%
• Malt PPM (Approx): 35ppm, from Port Ellen Maltings, Castle Hill peat bog (Islay)
• Maturation: Ex-bourbon barrel (refill hogshead)

Tasting Notes: On the nose, dried fruit (pune, fig) and honey. On the palate, fragrant smoke, with a long, luxuriant finish.

Bruichladdich Octomore 8.2

• Age: 8 Years
• ABV: 58.4%
• Malt PPM (Approx): 167ppm, from Bairds Malt, Black Isle peat (mainland)
• Maturation: 6 years in second-fill French Mourvedre, Austrian sweet wines, and French Sauternes casks; then 2 years in fresh Amarone casks

Tasting Notes: On the nose, graham cracker, a bit of fermentation funk, candied orange peel, banana. On the palate, strong salivary response, taffy notes, heavy smoke, a bit oily. The finish is much shorter than the Lagavulin 16.

Compass Box Great King Street (Glasgow Blend)

• 33 percent Cameronbridge grain whisky; 20 percent Laphroaig; 47 percent Clynelish, Benrinnes, and other Speyside and Highlands malts
• Collaboration between @scotchtrooper and the Whisk(e)y Library DC
• Age: Non-Age Statement
• ABV: 43.0%
• Malt PPM (Approx): (Laphroaig) 35-45, from Glenmachrie peat bog
• Maturation: Blend components individually matured

Tasting Notes: Incredibly balanced. On the nose, coffee, light molasses, with some smoky, salty notes lurking in the background (like a detention teacher, but in a good way). On the palate, balanced and smooth, with a good balance between the grain whisky and the salty Laphroaig. The finish is medium and also well-balanced.

Kilchoman Sanaig

• Age: Non-Age Statement
• ABV: 46.0%
• Malt PPM (Approx): 10-25ppm distillery maltings; 40-50ppm Port Ellen maltings
• Maturation: 75% ex-sherry (mix of first-fill and refill hogsheads), and 25% ex-bourbon

Ardbeg Drum Committee Release

• Age: Non-Age Statement
• ABV: 52.0%
• Malt PPM (Approx): 50-55ppm, from Port Ellen Maltings, Castle Hill peat bog (Islay)
• Maturation: Ex-bourbon casks, finished in ex-rum casks from the Americas

Ardbeg Uigeadail

• Age: Non-Age Statement
• ABV: 54.2%
• Malt PPM (Appox): 50-55ppm, from Port Ellen Maltings, Castle Hill peat bog (Islay)
• Maturation: 90% ex-bourbon casks, and 10% ex-sherry casks

Kilchoman Machir Bay

• Age: Non-Age Statement
• ABV: 46.0%
• Malt PPM (Approx): 10-25ppm distillery maltings; 40-50ppm Port Ellen maltings
• Maturation: 90 percent ex-bourbon casks, and 10 percent ex-Oloroso sherry casks

Ardbeg Dark Cove CR

• Age: Non-Age Statement
• ABV: 55.0%
• Malt PPM (Approx): 50-55ppm, from Port Ellen Maltings, Castle Hill peat bog (Islay)
• Maturation: Ex-bourbon and “dark Sherry casks” for “The Darkest Ardbeg Ever”

BenRiach Birnie Moss

• Age: Non-Age Statement
• ABV: 48.0%
• Malt PPM (Approx): 35ppm, likely from Tomintoul
• Maturation: Ex-bourbon