Whatever your whisky love story is, we’re curious: how do you choose your drink? Are you team tested-and-trusted, or, are you open to trying new brands?  If you’re in the latter category, how do you decide what new brand to try out? Do you just glance through the label and follow your gut? Or are you drawn more by what your eyes can see?

While there may be no right or wrong way to make a decision, Sotheby’s has a guide that can give you an idea of what a bottle of whisky would taste like even before it hits your tongue. And even if you belong to the tried-and-trusted gang, it does not hurt to know that, should you decide to be more adventurous in the future, there is a foolproof guide to making the best decision quickly.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s what to know

Whisky or whiskey? The spelling matters!

Not in a pedantic sort of way. However, there is a difference that is beyond the spelling. If it’s American or Irish, it’ll be ‘whiskey’. If it’s from Scotland, Canada or Japan, that will be ‘whisky.’

But the difference doesn’t end there. American and Scottish whiskeys are distilled twice while their Irish cousins go through distillation three times. That’s why they are also so smooth and buttery-soft.

Location too!

Of course, where a drink comes from determines how it tastes. The originating region influences the style, flavour and colour of every whisky. There are three classic regions in this regard: Scotland, Ireland, and America. All scotch comes from Scotland (of course) and must have been aged for at least three years. Irish whiskey is made from malted or unmalted barley and is typically triple-distilled, resulting in a characteristically smooth taste.

Whiskey from America’s South – which by the way is referred to as Bourbon –  is notable for its slight sweetness and richness and is made from a mash containing at least 51% corn, aged in charred wooden barrels (cypress or oak) and bottled at no less than 80% proof.

Japan is another notable player in the world of whiskies, although it does not have a long provenance like the other regions. The Asian country produces scotch-inspired whiskies that tend to be lighter (both in flavour and colour) with a slightly fruity taste.

Casks are important …

Casks are a crucial part of whisky production, as they are used in its storage and maturation. The type of wood used, and how said wood is treated imparts a distinct flavour on this deliciously golden liquid.

Casks are traditionally made from oak sourced from Europe and America, and in the United States, they are charred to remove traces of previous use and imbue the fluid with a rich flavour. Once the whisky is distilled (in a large device called a potstill), it’s poured into these wooden vessels for maturation. The length of time spent in the cask is noted on bottles as the whisky’s age.

Also, whisky distillers may state whether the casks are ‘first-fill’ or ‘refill’. A ‘first-fill’ cask is one that has never been used and will therefore transfer the most flavour from wood to spirit. A refill is just what it sounds like – a previously used cask. Refills are often used to balance and adjust mellowness in whiskeys initially seasoned in first-fills.

Sherry-seasoned casks are also commonplace, the wood imbuing a mild flavouring of the sweet wine to the whisky.

… As are the ABV and age of the particular bottle you’re looking to purchase

ABV, alcohol by volume, tells you what percentage of alcohol each whisky contains, while age indicates the amount of time the whisky spent maturing in the cask.

The average ABV for whiskies is 40-50 per cent. Scotch, by law, must have a minimum ABV of 40 per cent, while special ‘expressions’ ( whisky-speak for limited variations, or special editions) often boast of higher percentages. Special expressions are typically stronger, more complex in taste and, in some cases, bottled directly from the cask with no added water.

Some whiskies spend their entire lives in a single cask, with distillers regularly tasting to achieve the right flavours. However, the usual method is to move them from cask to cask during the maturation cycle to balance or shift their flavours. Age corresponds to a whiskey’s richness: the longer the maturing process, the longer the flavours have to develop. This doesn’t mean that younger vintages aren’t flavourful, but typically, they will likely be less complex.

And finally, mash, peat and smoke

You’re more likely to hear the word ‘mash’ from distillers than you are to see it on a bottle of whisky. Mash is the mixture of grains used to create the whiskey, with malted barley being the most typical grain used. There’s also corn and rye, and, depending on the region and variation, wheat.

Peat is primarily used in Scotch whiskey from the Northern Isles. It typically refers to a distinct, earthy, smoky flavour that is achieved when peat is used to dry malted barley as part of the whisky’s production. The length and intensity of exposure to the peat smoke will determine just how smoky the final product will be.

And there you have it. So, the next time you want to try a new bottle of whisky, maybe instead of trusting your gut, thoroughly read the label to make the right decision for you.

Source: Sotheby’s

The post What to Look Out For on The Label Before Purchasing a Bottle of Whisky first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post What to Look Out For on The Label Before Purchasing a Bottle of Whisky appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Hot and Cold Dishware

The first gadget we love is Tempcontrol®; ideal for entertaining, Sanodegusto, a division of Belgium-based Promeco Group, is now offering tableware that retains either heat or cold temperatures to keep food warm or cold. Tempcontrol® is a revolutionary, unique and patented technology that keeps tableware warm or cold.

After heating up or cooling down, the technology slowly releases its warmth or cold and the ceramic dishware will retain its temperature for more than 30 minutes. The plate must be pre-heated in a warmer or oven at 194°F. It will then retain a temperature of 131°F, which is ideal for keeping such dishes as steak and fish warm, and the food will also keep its flavor and taste. Likewise, after Sanodegusto’s plate for cool temperatures is placed in a freezer for 70 minutes, it will retain a temperature of 39°F for up to 30 minutes, which is ideal for keeping cold dishes fresh on a plate.

Smart Tea Kettle

This gadget is perfect for a kitchen or office as it is a sleek stainless steel tea kettle made by Bugatti that is like no other. Called the Jacqueline, it is a smart tea kettle that combines technology with style as it can be remotely controlled through an App on a smart phone.

The Jacqueline sits on a base that lights up when in use. You can prepare the perfect infusion adjusting the water temperature at the needed degree (from 40°C/104°F to 100°C/212°F) for the most refined and precious teas. You can set the “Keep Warm” function, which maintains water at the desired temperature for up to three hours.

The Bugatti B Chef App, which is available for the iPhone, iPad and Android, will enable you to easily program the perfect infusion at your desired temperature and set the time for each day of the week you want the kettle to operate. The app will even tell you when the water is ready. The kettle can be purchased through the Bugatti website.

Fabric and Garment Steamer

The CHI “Easy Steam” Fabric and Garment Steamer, a brand-new, high performance hands-free solution for anyone who wants their clothes to look wrinkle-free. The new revolutionary product steams most garments in less than two minutes, with one tap of a single button and unlike a traditional hand-held steamer; the CHI Easy Steam does all the work for you.

Based on the brand’s innovative, advanced technology and contemporary design, CHI’s Easy Steam is the first of its kind, with the perfect balance of style and function, ease and convenience. Simply hang the Easy Steam (which resembles a fabric garment bag) from a convenient spot such as the back of a door, a shower rod or the closet. Remove the water reservoir from the base of the steamer and fill it to the desired level. Then hang your clothing inside the bag and zip it shut. Turn it on and the steaming begins. The garment bag is easy to store in a closet as it collapses and stays closed with a hook and loop strap.

Skinny Wine Storage

Sub-Zero has introduced its slimmest wine refrigerator to date. The IW-18 Integrated Wine Storage will enable even the smallest galley or apartment to have the finest in wine preservation. At just 18″ wide, the unit fits into almost any kitchen, study, media room—wherever you might enjoy imbibing—and like all integrated units, it virtually disappears into your decor. Slim as it is, it still delivers the most advanced protection features available, to defeat the natural enemies of wine – heat, UV light, humidity and vibration – and preserve every bit of wine’s complexity and character.

The IW-18 has two individually controlled storage zones, so you can store and serve both reds and whites at the proper temperature. Racks glide smoothly in and out, providing access without agitating wine. UV-resistant, bronze-tinted glass prevents light exposure. And dual evaporators maintain constant, moderate humidity. With fifteen racks and a 59-bottle capacity, the IW-18 will preserve and protect your wine collection in an admirably space-efficient way.

Spinning Cocktail Glass

Here’s a gadget for whiskey drinkers and cocktail lovers alike—the Shtox is a design award-winning rotating glass tumbler that spins. At first glance, the rotation of the glass seems unbelievable and difficult to understand. But in fact this “phenomenon” is as simple as the rotation of a wheel. You just take the glass, put it on a table and with a slight movement of the hand give the glass a spin, like a top.

The glass will rotate around and around, and will not topple over—mixing your cocktail at the same time. The shape of the bottom of the Shtox glass is specially designed and manufactured to allow it to easily spin on any hard flat surface without toppling over.

Made in Germany by the Nachtmann factory, the Shtox glass is produced of high quality crystal. The crystal tumblers are available to purchase in a variety of designs at Amazon.com and are a perfect gift for a whiskey drinker.

Source: Pursuitist

The post ASPIRE Pick of the Week: Amazing Gadgets For Your Home first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post ASPIRE Pick of the Week: Amazing Gadgets For Your Home appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

1. It’s Not Just For Tropical Drinks

Sure, we all love our Mai Tais, not to mention the mini Frozen Daiquiris BlackTail serves as a welcome drink. But, Vida says, there’s a vast world to rum that people should explore. “It’s a mistake to think rum is only good for Mojitos or Frozen Daiquiris,” says Vida. “Rum has so much more to offer. Don’t be afraid to get outside of the box a little bit.”

2. Find A Bartender Who Knows Rum

The best way to do that? Find a knowledgeable barkeep to be your guide, says Vida. “There are many different styles and subgenres of rum aside from simply light and dark rum. By going to a bar where the bartenders know their stuff, you can have an engaging conversation about that.”

3. Rum Is Made From Sugarcane But That Does Not Mean That It’s Sweet

“People should know that rum is not inherently sweet,” says Vida. “It’s a spirit distilled from molasses a, byproduct of making sugar as we know it from the sugar cane plant. Anything that gets distilled is not sweet.”

However, if you’ve sipped rum and detected sweetness, you’re not imagining things. Many producers add sugar after distillation. “This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if the juice tastes good,” says Vida, adding that “many brands pretend they don’t add sugar.”

4. Drink It Like Whiskey – With A Splash Of Water Or Ice

Most spirits are distilled to 40 percent alcohol by volume, or 80 proof, but many rums are bottled at higher proofs. For those stiffer rums, “adding ice or a splash of water will mellow it out so the alcohol vapors don’t overpower the subtle flavors,” says Vida. His rule of thumb: “I’d say 45 percent [ABV] or lower you should drink it neat, but anything above that you may enjoy more with dilution.”

5. That Goes For Cocktails Too

“A great way to start mixing rum into cocktails is just subbing it in for any simple classic at home,” says Vida. “A dark rum works great as a sub for whiskey in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. The best go-to at home or at the bar is just a simple fresh Daiquiri—rum, lime and sugar shaken with ice and strained into a glass. Can’t beat it.”

Source: Liquor

The post 5 Tips For Drinking Rum first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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What if you could create your own edition of Johnnie Walker, with a whisky tailored to match your taste profile and delivered in a personalised bottle and pack? This is exactly what Johnnie Walker’s My Edition promises.

The Indiegogo project brings together the expertise of Johnnie Walker’s master blenders, digital designers and technology experts to cater to your own unique tastes and preferences to produce the perfect whisky for you.

Johnnie Walker has access to some of the best whiskies across Scotland that allows it to craft the perfect whisky to suit your flavour profile – from the shores of Islay where distilleries such as Caol Ila and Lagavulin produce smoky, peaty flavours to the rolling hills of Speyside and the Cardhu distillery that gives its rich, fruity notes. All these whiskies are matured in oak casks before being crafted by expert blenders to suit your tastes.

Your own My Edition will be crafted by carefully combining these different whiskies to produce a blend that is perfectly matched to your unique taste. Once you’ve crafted your personal whisky, you’ll be able to customise the packaging it comes in, with a range of bespoke design options to craft a bottle that reflects your unique style using the latest technology.

HOW IT WORKS

Bespoke Blend Tool
A unique experience online that will not only help you discover more about your personal whisky preferences, but can also help you craft your personal whisky by flavour. Once My Edition launches, you will receive a unique link to access the platform, including the Bespoke Blend Tool and a suite of services to craft every detail of your My Edition.
You may also like: Here’s what it takes to produce the 6-litre LOUIS XIII Le Mathusalem

Customised Labelling
A personal whisky needs a personal label, so the team at Johnnie Walker is creating a beautiful label design for you to add a name, a dedication, a story, or any other personal message to make your whisky truly special.

Cutting Edge Engraving
Cutting-edge bottle engraving technology enables you to leave a lasting mark on the iconic bottle by adding a unique message or image.

Limited Edition Presentation Box
With a bespoke blend, your own version of My Edition needs to stand out on the shelf at home. So Johnnie Walker is working with a series of world class artists and designers to create a range of limited edition presentation boxes that will make your My Edition a work of art.

Source: Luxury Insider

The post Design & Personalise your own Johnnie Walker Whisky, Bottle & Pack first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Design & Personalise your own Johnnie Walker Whisky, Bottle & Pack appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

It comes accompanied by a portable porcelain flask complete with funnel and wooden serving tray. Perhaps more of a collector’s item rather than a likely travelling companion, the blue vessel gives its name to the Royal Salute 30 Year Old The Flask Edition, a blend of some of the finest Scotch whiskies all of which have been aged for a minimum of 30 years.

Royal Salute is owned by Chivas Brothers and was originally created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which was honoured with a traditional 21 gun salute. The blend usually contains a combination of matured malt and grain whiskies aged for at least 21 years.

Globally renowned for its association with polo, Royal Salute sponsors many tournaments around the world, making travel and outdoor sporting pursuits an intrinsic element of the brand.

The creation of the flask builds on a relationship Royal Salute began two years ago with Greek-born London-based designer Afroditi Krassa (known best for her restaurant interiors such as Dishroom restaurant and Heston Blumenthal at Heathrow airport) and heritage German porcelain manufacturer Fürstenberg. The collaboration was initiated by Wallpaper magazine for their annual Handmade exhibition at Milan design week.

That partnership produced two extraordinary ceramic flasks featuring organic fossil-like, created using the ancient process of Solitaire Crystalline glazing, which originated in the Song Dynasty (970-1279). In designing the vessels Krassa was inspired by Royal Salute’s original handcrafted 18th-century porcelain flagon, an iconic bottle linked with royalty and the aristocracy.

Royal Salute and Krassa have revisited the idea for the flask that accompanies this limited edition blend. “During my visits to Furstenberg’s factory, I discovered the crystalline glazing process which is more than 1500 years old,” says Krassa. “I absolutely fell in love with the richness of the material, the depth of colour and its extremely decorative visual character. I wanted the bottles to become vessels for showing this stunning glazing.”

Although formed using ancient techniques Krassa has pared back the design for modern consumers. “To me luxury is simplicity, allowing for clutter to make space for the exquisiteness of the very little, the reduced, the harmoniously balanced. The best design identifies and resonates the core values and strong integrity of a brand to give it a contemporary relevance where its traditional roots are celebrated for generations to come,” she says.

Royal Salute 30 Year Old The Flask Edition, £600, is currently available to purchase exclusively from Harrods.

Source: The Telegraph UK

The post Royal Salute Whisky X Afroditi Krassa Create Limited Edition Flask first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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