Scotland has cornered the market so much we even claim the name ‘whisky’ or ‘scotch’ but let’s share the love. Sláinte World Whisky Day everyone.
So onto a history story here.
Our preeminence in the biggest selling place in the world, America, is down to Prohibition days.
Yes, the Far East is a much sought-after market too where this northern bit of Britain is also widely acknowledged.
But while we all know, and laud, the major whisky (or whiskey if you like) countries what of the others who love the golden nectar?
Boks on the rocks
South Africa: For those who know, and love, the country they might be surprised to hear that SA has a global award-winning distillery.
But then Andy Watts, the Master Distiller at Bain’s Cape Mountain whisky, knows his uisge beatha.
I’d wager that a people who put ice in their wine have their whisky on the rocks.
Belgian blend
Belgium: Yes, you’ll not be surprised to see that the Belgians have only made their dab at whisky, Gouden Carolus, beer infused.
My old friend Tom, of the Hopperie in Ieper who proudly declared that he sold only beer, hundreds of labels, and could give you tasting notes, would not be amused.
Mind you he’d probably have a whisky-infused beer.
Probably the best
Denmark: It’s probably the best-preserved secret in the world.
We are reliably told that Stauning Whisky combines malted barley and malted rye.
And that fans of American whiskey will go for this. Probably!
Dams and drams
Netherlands: Back to the Low Countries for this one, That Boutique-y Whisky Company Millstone.
And the Zuidam distillery produces a six-year-old single malt which if you like your dram with a cinnamon tang will be right up your street.
Dutch barmen who instinctively use their wee plastic knives to scoop off frothy heads would need retraining.
Swigging in the valleys
Wales: It’s one of life’s mysteries (or whisky’s) that Wales is the odd man out of Celtic countries with no ‘water of life’ heritage.
Their water is surely just as God-given as the Scottish and Irish wet stuff.
And having spent a year in Cardiff I can vouch that Our Lord’s tears fall more plentifully there than anywhere else on Earth.
Brecon Beacons drop, Penderyn Welsh Gold, has vanilla infusions.
Sláinte World Whisky Day
And a whisky cocktail you say…. try this whisky sour.
