When it comes to whisky, life really isn’t complicated.
Nose, palate, finish. That’s it.
Sweetness? Richness? Fruit? Smoke?
How would you describe your favourite dram?
With a few choice words? With a smile and a sigh? Or with every flowery phrase and overblown description you can possibly think of?
Too often, whisky writers (sadly, including me!) get carried away with the rubbish they talk. ‘Rich and sweet’ becomes ‘charred sugar with honey dripping off the hive’. ‘Coastal and smoky’ is turned into ‘barbecue on a summer campfire among the dunes, with a sense of salt blowing on the breeze’.
No, I think it’s time for a change. It’s time for a bit of simplicity.
So imagine my delight when I came across a new way of talking about whisky – no fuss, no fluff, just straight to the point. And in just ten words!
TenWordTastings has just been launched on Twitter, and it’s starting a new conversation about our favourite drink.
But how much can you say? Can you capture the essence of a dram in fewer words than the age of an average malt?
Have a look at these ten examples and decide for yourself … or better still, why not try to describe your favourite dram, in just ten words!
Ardnamurchan AD/07.21:05
Fruit. Honey. Salt. (Smoke).
Spirit as spectacular as its birthplace.
Tamdhu Batch Strength 005
Sherry. Strong! Sheer rich indulgence.
Nuts, fruit … fun.
Unforgettable dram.
anCnoc Peatheart
A symphony of sweetness and spice … with smoke. Seriously good.
Glen Moray 2010 Peated PX Finish
Jam, honey. Burnt caramel, chocolate.
Amazing BBQ in the woods.
Macallan 12-year-old Double Cask
Smooooooooth!
Dried fruit. Cream, spice and citrus.
I’m in love.
Highland Park Cask Strength Batch 2
Powerful stuff, but classy mix…
smoothness, smoke.
True Northern spirit.
White Heather 21-year-old
Rich, earthy, fruit, soft smoke.
Superb.
The ‘blend’ in s-blend-id!
Ledaig 10-year-old
Half a year’s work.
Best of Mull … with peat.
Excellent.
Darkness 8-year-old
Shovelfuls of sherry. Powerful punch.
But smooth, sweet.
More please!
Speyburn 10-year-old
Spectacular, citrusy simplicity.
Sweet. Sweets! Smoke, spice.
True session treat.