Know Your Scotch Whisky Terroir
Scotland has five distinctive whisky producing regions. Here’s what you need to know to tell them apart.
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Scotland has five distinctive whisky producing regions. Here’s what you need to know to tell them apart.
Brought to you by
- By GROVE
- | Apr 19, 2015
Experts argue a lot about whether terroir even matters when it comes to whisky. But water does taste a little different depending on the spring it comes from, plus each region has its own whisky-making traditions, and can pick up salty notes when it’s matured in a cask near the sea. Here’s our quick guide to Scotland’s big five.
Highland
Being the biggest region, it’s also the one with the widest flavor variations. But typical Highland Scotch is known for being heavy and dry, with notes of nuts, honey and peat. Try Scapa, Longmorn.
Drink it when: You’re having a cigar.
Lowland
There are only three distilleries here. Their single malts are softer and light, with malty, citrusy, zesty and floral notes. Try Auchentoshan, Bladnoch or Glenkinchie.
Drink it when: You’re new to whisky. Or before 5pm.
Speyside
This region is the biggest producer, home to half of the country’s distilleries. You could say the flavors here are well-balanced and elegant. They take it easy on the smokiness and you’ll often get aromas like apricot, pear or sultanas. Try Aberlour, Tormore, Chivas Regal or Strathisla (see Q&A).
Drink it when: You get home from work.
Islay
This 40km-long island (pronounced “eye-luh”) is packed with eight distilleries. Why? It’s covered in peat. As a result, the whiskies here are known for their smokiness. (Remember, the peat is burned to dry the malted barley.) And since the peat here is soaked in sea spray all year long, you’ll also get salty, seaweed notes in your whisky. Try Laphroaig.
Drink it when: You’ve had an epic, fatty meal.
Campbeltown
There are only three distilleries left here. Located by the sea, they exhibit peaty, briny flavors not unlike Islay. Try Springbank, Hazelburn, and Longrow.
Drink it when: You actually come across it—the region nearly stopped producing whisky and could use the support.
Q&A
Harry Daffern, Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal Thailand
How important is terroir or location for Scotch whisky?
Terroir is very important to whisky. Location has a profound effect on how it will taste, firstly due to the composition of water used in the whisky-making process. The liquid will take on characteristics from the surrounding nature. For example, the Speyside region has a lot of granite rock which makes the water very soft and imparts mineral flavours and textures into the whiskey. Secondly, as the whisky matures, atmosphere will play a role; characteristics from the surrounding air will find their way into the whisky. For example, whisky in the Campbeltown area tends to taste a little bit salty and slightly oily. It’s on the west coast of Scotland, surrounded by three coastlines and the whisky tends to absorb the sea air.
What’s your favorite whisky region and why?
My favorite whisky region is Speyside—elegant, fruity and floral. Speyside is dense with heather, and thus whisky here tends to take on a honey-heather taste note. It may be because the water flows down through the heather to certain distilleries. Traditionally, whisky from Speyside also tends to not be too peated like on the west coast.
Do regional characteristics still come through in blends?
Certainly. It depends where the malts for the blend are selected from. If we take Chivas Regal for example, Colin Scott, our master blender, selects a high proportion of malts from Speyside. It all depends on the style the master blender is trying to achieve. Chivas Regal Extra also has an influence from the Sherry cask used to mature a proportion of the malts within this blends. The cask adds richness and fruitiness.
Does Chivas taste like a Speyside whisky?
Certainly. In my opinion, I think Chivas Regal tastes how a Speyside whisky should taste—elegant, fruity, light, floral and smooth.
Three Top Spots to Enjoy Whisky
Located on the 64th floor, this bar has amazing, sky-high views and the flawless service to match. For a luxurious evening, treat yourself to the superb cocktails or delve into the well-stocked bar boasting plenty of premium exclusive whisky that you can’t find anywhere else in Thailand: from Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute and Royal Salute 38 Year Old to The Glenlivet XXV Year Old.
64/F, Town Club at lebua, 1055 State Tower, Silom Rd., 02-624-9555
This bistro and bar offers a happening vibe thanks to a clean blackand-white industrial decor (think New York subway tiles and metal cafe chairs), a DJ booth that pumps out house tunes and a lounge area overlooking Phloen Chit. The fourth floor views provide a suitably laid-back urban vibe. Try the excellent comfort food which goes perfectly with Chivas Regal Extra.
4/F, Mercury Ville, 504 Phloenchit Rd., 081-995-6984. BTS Chit Lom
This inventive creation is housed in a previously abandoned three-story building in the middle of one of Bangkok’s top nightlife streets. The interior bears plenty of stylish imperfections, which are complemented by a sleek white paint job and neon accents. Regular music events take place on the second floor, while the sizable downstairs garden is great for the cooler months. And what’s that in your hand? A glass of whisky on the rocks will make for the perfect night.
Next to J-Avenue, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), between Soi 15 and 17. 02-712-7288. BTS Thong Lo
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