Top 5 Scotches for Autumn
let’s begin
Autumn has finally dawned on us, with all its pumpkin spiced lattes and cinnamon everything. We take a look at some Scotches for Autumn that will liven up the season.
But weird Starbucks coffees aside, Autumn is really the perfect time for a good hearty dram. There are a number of Scotches out there that are ideal for those Autumn nights when the weather is starting to cool down and the leaves are turning.
Flavour Profiles for Autumn
With the change in temperature it’s only right that Scotches for Autumn have a bit of warmth in them.
Look for a flavour profile that has spices in it, with lots of cinnamon and nutmeg. These are perfect for Autumn as they warm you up and are reminiscent of a lot of Autumnal flavours.
Spicy and Sherried Drams
You are more likely to find these types of Whiskies in Speyside, so look at distilleries like Glenfiddich and The Glenlivet, for sweet and spicy drams.The Glenfiddich 15 Year Old is a brilliant example of spicy Whisky, as is The Glenlivet 18.
Speyside and Highland Whiskies also tend to be more sherried, which makes them great Scotches for Autumn. Dalwhinnie, a Highlander, produces some fantastically sherried drams, with its 2006 Oloroso Cask Finish Distiller’s Edition as a particularly good expression, as does The Macallan and Balvenie, both of which are based in Speyside.
If you’re looking for something similar but beyond the realms of Speyside, then a distillery like Glenmorangie also offers some fantastic malts, with lots of fruity sweetness and sherry spice.
Peated Drams
Bonfires are a big part of Autumn and give you the perfect excuse to enjoy some big bodied, smoky drams. These are ideal Scotches for Autumn
Peat flavours are part and parcel for Autumn drinking. They capture the bonfires, the fireworks, the hearths that have been re-lit after summer.
Of course the perfect place to go for peated drams is Islay. You can’t go wrong with a hearty Laphroaig or Ardbeg to really fill you with peat smoke, or go for a Talisker Skye, which is an Island malt, if you’re looking for something that is not as heavy on the peat.
These are big, bold flavours that are perfect for sipping next to a roaring fire when the weather starts to get colder.
Top 5 Scotches for Autumn
While there is no definite list, we’ve come up with our Top 5 Whiskies for Autumn, so you know what to look for! We’ve even included a cocktail for each, so you get the perfect serve.
1. Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
Bottle cost: £41.75
The sweet and spicy Glenfiddich 15 Year Old has a light body and is perfect for the Rob Roy. It has lots of sherry spice and fruits, including lemons, oranges and apples. The palate is somewhat reminiscent of a Christmas cake and is the perfect way to usher in Autumn.
The Rob Roy:
50ml of Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
25ml sweet vermouth
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 lemon peel, for garnish
2. Glenmorangie The Lasanta
Bottle cost: £44.95
Matured in both Bourbon and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks, this is a sweet dram with lots of spice. Cinnamon and nutmeg abound, giving a warming kick from nose to finish. There is a lovely dark chocolate bitterness to the body as well, which gives it great depth. We recommend it for an Old Fashioned, to add a nice spice to a sweet cocktail.
The Old Fashioned:
1 teaspoon caster sugar
4 dashes Angostura Bitters
50ml Glenmorangie The Lasanta
1 orange
3. Dalwhinnie 2006 Oloroso Cask Finish Distiller’s Edition
Bottle cost: £58.29
We’ve paired this one with the Hot Toddy, which is great for dark nights sitting in front of a roaring fire. The spices are depth to the heat that already comes from the Hot Toddy and the fruitiness brings in a whole other dimension of flavour. This is a fantastically sweet dram, with chocolate and tangy apples coming through.
Hot Toddy:
Boiling water
4 cloves
1 lemon twist
2 tsp Demerara sugar or brown sugar
25ml lemon juice
100ml Bourbon, rye whiskey, Irish whiskey or scotch
4. Talisker Skye
Bottle cost: £37.95
Talisker Skye is ideal for those who like peat but prefer it to be subtler. The gentle smoke goes well with the Blood and Sand cocktail, especially against the sweet cherry flavours. Skye is a sweet dram, with lots of vanilla and fruit in it. It has a gentle smoke that wafts through. Citrus fruits and pepper come out to give a lovely zesty warmth, which are perfect with the sweet cherry liqueur.
Blood and Sand:
50ml Ardbeg Kelpie
50ml Sweet vermouth
50ml Cherry liqueur
50ml orange juice
5. Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Bottle cost: £32.95
Created by legendary mixologistMr.Lyan, the Dunyvaig Flip is traditionally made with Lagavulin 16 Year Old, but we’ve substituted this with Laphroaig 10 Year Old. The peat of the Laphroaig really brings out the sharpness of the berries. Laphroaig 10 Year Old is wonderfully peated, with rich seaside flavours as well. Iodine and medicinal qualities give this dram a great palate, with the peat smoke playing in harmony throughout. There is also a sweet vanilla note, with some oak tones that makes this dram very well rounded.
Dunyvaig Flip:
50ml Laphroaig 10 Year Old
1 whole egg
1 barspoon raspberry or blackberry jam
3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
1 barspoon yellow Chartreuse
1 barspoon sugar syrup
Pinch each of salt and pepper
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat!
Greg
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4 thoughts on “Top 5 Scotches for Autumn”
Greg, I am not an expert, but it’s a bit early to be talking about autumn whiskies I would have thought. Are you doing winter whiskies next week?
Ah, but I see it as people getting ready now for Autumn so giving them some ideas… ahead of time.