Small Batch Whisky

The finest Scottish Malt

What is small batch whisky?

• Small batch whisky is made with a sense of character in mind.

Unlike regular whiskies which are brewed for quantity just as

much as quality, small batch is made to be exclusive. It is

matured in smaller amounts and has much more subtle

flavour than a regular whisky.

• You’ll often find that any small batch whisky has a warm

golden colour and a gentler smell than what you’d expect with

a whisky.

Where is small batch whisky made?

The Isle of Islay. It’s an island off the west coast of Scotland that is known

for being a whisky haven. Malt whisky lovers from all over the world

descend upon the island to sample and buy some of the most exclusive

whisky available.

Rather surprisingly, Islay can be seen from the coast of Ireland on a sunny

day.

Why Islay?

• It can be seen as quite a weird place to

live; separated from the mainland, very

windy and prone to rain a lot.

• Because of the land and conditions, it’s

the perfect place to make the perfect

Scottish whisky.

• The peat dug up and used has an

extreme effect on how the whisky will

taste.

Who makes small batch whisky?

• Any distillery can make it, but only a few excel at making whisky that

takes a lot of care, effort and attention to let mature just right.

• Small batch whiskies are seen by malt drinkers as a way to get a

true sense of the character of a distillery.

• Even though Islay is a very small place, some of the world’s top

whiskies come from here. Bowmore is one of the more famous

distilleries on the island.

How long does it take?

• Years. Small batch whiskey is purposely made in barrels that

will mature in smaller amounts for longer than a typical

whisky. This is what makes it so sought after.

• It’s not always true that the longer a whisky matures, the

tastier it will be, but its usually the case that the longer a

whisky is matured for, the smoother it will feel on the tongue.

This plays an important role in the tasting experience.

Why barrels?

• The type of barrel used to mature the whisky can influence how the finished

small batch whisky tastes and looks.

• You’ll usually find that malt whisky is matured in barrels that have originally

been used to store wine, bourbon or sherry.

• When the barrel is filled with whisky, the character of the old drinks left in

the oak subtly works its way in to the colour and taste of the malt. So an old

sherry barrel might give a red hue to the malt, while a bourbon cask might

give it a lighter, warmer note.

• Think of it as a way of recycling that serves a personal purpose: making you

a delicious drink.

What is peat?

• Peat is earth that has been ‘maturing’ for centuries. In the simplest

sense its compacted dirt that is dug up and used as fuel.

• It gives whisky a very distinctive flavour and is the reason why you’ll find

distilleries scattered around small, slightly remote areas of Scotland

with their own source of distinctive peat.

• One way to think about it is the way wine from different regions can

taste different because of the soil and conditions its been growing in. Or

how the kind of wood used to smoke meat plays a big role in how it

tastes.

How long does it take?

• Every whisky has its own specific length of time to mature.

Small batch whiskies are matured for anywhere upwards of

five years.

• It’s their maturation length and small amount that make them

so desirable to whisky drinkers.

• And because it takes so long to make, you have to enjoy it at

length too. It’s a patient person’s type of drink.

How do you drink it?

• There are three steps to really enjoying a glass of

small batch whisky.

• Firstly, you smell it. Getting a good sniff of the

whisky will help you pick up on different notes of

the drink.

• Secondly, take a sip. You want to drink it in small

sips because your tongue needs time to figure

out what its tasting. If you’re not used to drinking

whisky, then obviously it will taste very strong.

But for a palate accustomed to it, a whisky will

have subtle hints of the peat, malt and barrel

used.

• Thirdly, you’ll experience the aftertaste. Whisky

lingers long in your mouth after a sip, but in a

good way. It’s called the finish and its what

ultimately helps you decide whether or not you

like the whisky.

What does it taste like?

• Every whisky has its own subtle

flavours. Because small batch

whisky matures for longer in

undisturbed conditions, the

whisky carries with it a sense of a

balanced drink.

• The flavour ultimately depends

on what hints anyone can pick up

on, but small batch always has a

gentle smoky finish.

How do I know if its good? • Whisky, especially small batch, isn’t meant to be drunk like

any other spirit or beer. You have to take your time with it.

• When having a sip, you’re trying to pick up on different

tasting notes.

• These include everything from fruity, floral and peaty

feelings on your tongue, to whether your nose registers the

malt as being woody, peaty, sulphuric or winey.

Want to know more?

• To find out more about small batch whisky, visit

the Bowmore Site

• http://www.bowmore.com/whiskies/small-batch-

reserve/