Your Beginners Guide to Scotch

Rooftop at QT are bringing Bruichladdich Whisky up top this September. A dram that’s classic, floral and elegant, a little left of centre, a little unexpected.

In recent years, whisky brands have worked hard to change the perception around Scotch whisky, challenging the norms and breaking through bars, positioning it as a classy spirit that should be enjoyed by all.

New to whisky or not sure if it’s your thing? We dare you to give it a try. You might discover flavours that surprise you. Here’s the 411 so it could be a maybe baby for a new drop in your repertoire.

1. Single Malt vs Blended

In a nutshell, single malt whisky is produced and bottled in a single distillery using one grain, whereas blended, as the name suggests, is a blend of two or more malt and grain whiskies. Ahem. That’s all.

2. Just like Betty White, whisky gets better with age

Scotch whiskies become finer, smoother and more mellow over time. Consequently, older Scotch whiskies may be more acceptable to beginners, but they do come with the added price tag. The caramel colour of whisky comes straight from the barrel it was distilled in. Nothing else to see here.

3. Try it in a cocktail

QT’s Rooftop team have created a menu of cocktails that are far from ordinary. The best way to introduce your taste buds to the Scottish drop is to tango with other flavours that complement the spirit. The signature on the menu, an entry-level cocktail is The Laddie, which features chamomile-infused Bruichladdich Classic Laddie single malt whisky with homemade ginger syrup, fino sherry, blue curacao and coconut. For something a little fun and fruity, try the High Baller, with Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Single Malt Whisky, APA, Passionfruit, Grapefruit and Tiki Bitters.

4. Just add water

Adding water to straight whisky is actually a good thing. It opens it up and accentuates Scotch’s taste leaving it to linger on your taste buds on every sip.

5. To peat or unpeat?
Scotch Single Malt Whisky can be classified into two main flavours: peaty (smoky) and unpeated (non-smoky). The smoky aroma in whisky is a result of malt that’s been dried over a peat fire. Not for everyone, and everything to some.
Bruichladdich’s Octomore series is famous for including the most heavily peated whisky ever made and is downright elegant. Try it in our Provenance cocktail, using Octamore 12.1 Heavily Peated Single Malt, Apricot Brandy Liquer, Orgeat, and Green Chartreuse or on the rocks.

Put yourself to the test and make Bruichladdich and Beats your Thursday night ritual this September, with Rooftop resident DJ’s spinning your favourite house tunes to compliment the smoky spirit of the evening.

View the menu and more details here