Premium alcohol is an excellent choice for anyone looking to buy a unique gift. However, they may need more than just marking critical milestones in the corporate world or for huge families. Choosing to distil a personalised whisky is the perfect solution. The range of flavours available is huge, and the variety of base malts, cask sizes and qualities gives you plenty of options to choose from. These options can confuse one but worry not because this guide details everything you need to know.
What are Personalised Whiskies?
Personalised Whiskies are a popular choice among whisky enthusiasts, as they provide an opportunity to create your unique blend. However, many people are unsure how to buy a personalised bottle of whiskey and what exactly constitutes a ‘personalised’ premium whisky.
You will notice that most major whisky brands offer various options when it comes to personalising their bottles. Personalisation can range from engraving names on the bottle itself or even custom labels for each bottle’s original packaging to creating your unique blend. Other companies offer more creative add-ons, such as wooden boxes or mini barrels filled with Scottish peat, often used in distillation processes (it gives off hints of smokey flavour).
Choosing a Malt Base
There are three types of whisky: malt, grain, and blended. Malt whisky is made from malted barley, while grain whisky is made from unmalted barley. Blended whiskies are a mix of malt and grain whiskies.
Single malt whisky is made at one distillery using all the barley used in the production process. In contrast, single-grain whisky is also made at one distillery using only their grain (barley).
Deciding the amount of Whisky by Cask Sizes
There are five main cask sizes used in the industry, each with its use and benefit. The most common size for giving as a gift is a 70cl, which can be stored for years if stored correctly. However, there are smaller and larger options available to suit your needs.
- A 50ml bottle is perfect to give as an anniversary gift because it will last longer than a standard 30ml shot glass.
- A 330ml bottle is ideal if you want to share the contents over several glasses with friends or family members at home or abroad on holiday.
How does Cask Wood Influence Whisky Flavour?
Cask wood can influence the flavour of a whisky in several ways. Firstly, it filters the alcohol as it ages in the cask and draws out impurities. This way, cask wood can be said to “clean” or refine the whisky as it ages. More importantly, however, each type of cask wood has its unique flavour profile, which will add distinct flavours to your whisky based on where it is from and what kind of wood was used for its construction.
For example, American oak barrels tend to lend a smokier quality; Spanish sherry casks often impart sweetness; French wine casks give off fruity qualities; Scotch whiskies aged on Islay often have smoky aromas (think campfire smoke).
Strength of the Whisky
The strength of the whisky is measured in ABV (alcohol by volume), and it varies depending on the type of cask wood used to mature the whisky. A higher percentage means that it’s stronger. If you’re looking for something milder, look out for whiskies with an ABV of 40% or less; if you like your drinks stronger and prefer a heavier tipple, go for whiskies with an ABV of 50% or more.
Benefits of purchasing Tailored Distilled Whisky
Buying a personalised whisky is a great way to give a unique gift. You can choose from a wide range of flavours and styles, allowing you to try out different whiskeys you may not have known about. It is perfect for marking milestones since each cask yields several bottles, and everyone can remember the event through a gorgeous bottle of unique alcohol.