It’s hard to believe that not everyone is a fan of Scotch.
Blasphemy! I know! But it happens.
My wife will throat punch me in a New York Minute if I try to pass her a glass of the stuff.
Sometimes it’s tough to tip-toe into a spirit venture when your first exposure was a peated dram of Ardberg or Laphroaig. Or even worse, your friends videotape your unassuming lips downing a smoky stampede of Octomore! A**holes!
So, how about a restart into the world of Scotch? A safe strategy to look respectable amongst your whiskey-loving comrades without suffering through a mouthful of campfire.
We will call this world Speyside.
A world where peated whisky lives under a bridge by the River Spey rarely to be seen. With over 30 distilleries in this land, it is renowned for its smooth, unpeated Scotch.
Such labels as Balvenie, Dalwhinnie, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan, Tamdhu are born hear. Yes, Speyside is real and located in Scotland. These Speyside jewels are your safe zone and available at most bars that serve a Scotch variety.
Add a splash of water if it helps ease your palate into the spirit. After all, it’s your drink. Enjoy it!
An alternate suave, safe zone tactic is to ask for the establishment's selection of mellow, Speyside whiskies. Wow, this person has a preferred region?! They must really know Scotch! A well-stocked whiskey bar (or liquor store) should have a few at hand.
There you have it. A soft-landing gateway into Scotch. Enjoy responsibly!