Heads, Hearts, and
Whiskey Tales
Sharing stories of good whiskey, good friends, and good memories
Even If Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
October 2021
When temperatures outside trend down and the number of geese flying overhead trend up, my tastebuds awaken the desire for a taste of the smokier whiskies from my collection. Cooler weather inevitably leads to several forms of fires; firepits, fireplaces, campfires, or the just the burning glow of a cigar all seem to satisfy man’s need for fire. The sight, smell, and sound of fire is comforting and relaxing. There are few things more stimulative of great conversations that sitting around an open fire with friends. However, one thing sure to enhance that experience is a good, smoky whisky. Here are a few to consider.
My relationship with Laphroaig goes back to firepits and coalition soldiers during my time in Bosnia. Laphroaig 10 Year was 13 Euros at the Italian PX! I was tempted by price but became a Friend of Laphroaig due to the smoky, peaty character of this whiskey. I have been fortunate to acquire a few special Laphroaig whiskies. All Laphroaig whiskies are wonderful; some are a little more wonderful than others. The 10 Year Original Cask Strength is the best campfire whisky. It is bottled at 58.5% which allows the drinker a wide range of adjustments through the addition of water. By titrating drops of water into a dram one can dial in the sweet, peat smoke to individual taste buds. When I serve Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength whiskey as part of a tasting, I ask people to close their eyes and imagine walking on a desolate Islay beach early in the morning. Hear the seagulls? “You come to a campfire that was put out with damp seaweed. There is a stick next to the fire; pick it up and stir the dank coals where you find a small round beach stone. The stone is wrapped in a Band--Aid that somehow survived the fire. For unknown reasons you put the Band--Aid wrapped, salty rock in your mouth … and…it tastes good!” That peaty, briny, iodiny, slightly medicinal character sweetens with just the right amount of water added and will be a perfect complement to whatever form of fire is in front of you.
Another cool weather whisky is Johnnie Walker Double Black. The Walker family were farmers in Scotland. In 1819, upon his father’s death, John Walker started a grocery store that included selling whisky. At that time, single malts dominated the whisky market. John recognized an opportunity to blend the single malts into a scotch whisky that would be consistent from year to year. His insight paid off as Johnnie Walker became the bestselling brand in Scotland. His son Alexander not only inherited the whiskey business but his father’s keen eye for opportunity. He engaged ship captains who carried his whisky around the world to become the best--selling brand worldwide. The Double Black was created by increasing the amount of naturally smoky whiskies and some matured in deep charred casks to give a richer, deeper smoke character to the blend.
One of the harder parts of describing whiskies to people of varying tasting and smelling abilities is linking the tastes and smells to a description that resonates with them. From ageusia to super taster, the ability to perceive tastes varies between human taste buds. A similar condition exists with smells. The nose of the JW Double Black reminds me of the way a shirt smells after sitting by a campfire the previous night. It is not overwhelming, but definitely there! On the palate, this no age statement whisky is rich, with notes of honey and vanilla from charred oak barrels; perfect to enjoy with a cigar under the stars as the fire pops and crackles. To really smell the smoke, finish your dram and before re--filling, smell the residue left in the Glencairn.
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These first two whiskies are old friends around the fire. The Speyside whiskey owned by Brown Foreman, BenRiach represents a newcomer to my whisky collection. The Smoky Twelve combines peated and unpeated spirits, matured for 12 years in three casks: bourbon, sherry, and Marsala. These are then combined to produce a “smooth, creamy single malt”. This whisky deserves a seat by the fire. The smokiness of the Smoky Twelve is not a peat heavy smoke like Laphroaig. Rather, it has a wisp of smokiness sweetened with fruity and citrus notes. The longer it is exposed to air the more orange peel notes appear.
It’s getting a little nippy and the flocks of geese are getting louder. A whisky by the fire is one of life’s pleasures, even if a little smoke gets in your eyes!
