Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Tasting Summary

Sorry for the delay in posts...more on the whiskey tasting!  As you can see, the last post was simply the photos of the whiskey tasting event.  They say a picture's worth a thousand words, so I figured I didn't need to add text for that post.  However, I was going to give you a quick summary of the events of the evening.  The tasting started around 5:30pm, and Ed Kohl presented a great slideshow on what single malt whiskey is and it's complete distillation process from start to finish.  Of course, along the way, there was plenty of whiskey tasting and amazing appetizers, courtesy of Cafe Americain.  I have included a list below of the nine whiskeys that were offered that evening:

1. 1999 Auchenntoshan, Lowland 10 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @ 92 Proof)
2. Edradour, Caledonia, S. Highland 12 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @92 Proof)
3. 1992 Strathmill, Speyside 16 Yr (Bottled @86 Proof)
4. 1990 Dalmore, N. Highland 18 Yr (Bottled @ 86 Proof)
5. Isle of Skye, Island 8 Yr (Bottled @ 86 Proof)
6. 1991 Highland Park, Island 17 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @ 92 Proof)
7. 2001 Laphroaig, Islay 8 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @ 92 Proof)
8. 1991 Glen Elgin, Speyside 15 Yr (Bottled Cask Strength @ 119.2 Proof)
9. Kilchoman "Inaugural Release" @ 92 Proof  (Review in the Malt Advocate)

The presentation itself was highly informative, and Ed introduced what may seem like an uncouth method of whiskey tasting - adding water to the whiskey!  The whiskeys were served in wine glasses (which he prefers), and in much the same way that a wine should be decanted, a good whiskey has spent many long years in a barrel, and needs to have the flavors "opened up." 

After tasting the first eight whiskeys listed above, Ed introduced Anthony Wills of Kilchoman, the first NEW distillery in Scotland in well over 100 years, which has been built from the ground up.  They follow the traditional approach to whiskey-making, growing all of their own barley on site (only distillery in Scotland to do that)!  Not only that, but they are creating amazing 3-year-old single malt scotches!  That's right...only three years old, and it already has a magnificent flavor, rich in peat and various other subtleties (#9 on the list).  It was hard to believe it was so young!  Look for Kilchoman to be released in the United States in Fall 2010!

Great night!  If you haven't done a whiskey tasting before, I highly recommend it!