Shawn Nelson
Well-known member
I've finally found a vatted Scotch whisky worthy of adoration.
First, a minor whisky lesson. Most are familiar that there are two main kinds of Scotch: Single Malt and Blended. But did you know there is a third distinct kind called Vatted?
But do you know the difference between Single Malt and Blended? For years I thought it was simply that Single Malt was from a single batch and that Blended was various Single Malts mixed together. Wrong!
Single Malt whisky is called so because it is made from using only a single type of grain - malted barley. The barley is first roasted using peat (which gives it a flavor distinct from the other whiskeys) then made into a wash (a beer or sorts) and then distilled in an old time pot still that resembles a large brass Hersey kiss.
Blended Whiskey on the other hand, is made predominantly of much cheaper grain whiskey. It is then distilled in a coffee still, which is a by-product of the industrial revolution when they found a much more efficient means of distilling liquor. The result is an almost straight green ethanol. They then add in a tiny bit of single malt to bring some "Scotch" flavor back into it. Thus Blended Scotch whisky is usually much cheaper, blander in flavor and harsher to the bite. It was designed to appeal to an international market that was thought could not handle nor appreciate real whisky.
Along comes the third type, Vatted Scotch Whisky. Vatted is where you make a blend consisting of exclusively selected Single Malts. You taste only the pure essence of barley-based and pot-distilled Scotches that have been selected for their contributions to the final blend.
Thus is born a whisky I have recently found that is rapidly becoming my favorite, it is called 'Sheep Dip'. I know, terrible name is it not? It comes from the days of yor when the British Government imposed heavy taxes on the distilleries, so 90+% of the distilleries went underground. In an effort to avoid discovery, batches of whisky were stored in barrels labeled 'Sheep Dip' and stored in barns.
'Sheep Dip' is comprised of 8 different Single Malts ranging in age from 8 to 16 years apiece.
Find it, buy it, savor it.
Not a vendor, just a customer
First, a minor whisky lesson. Most are familiar that there are two main kinds of Scotch: Single Malt and Blended. But did you know there is a third distinct kind called Vatted?
But do you know the difference between Single Malt and Blended? For years I thought it was simply that Single Malt was from a single batch and that Blended was various Single Malts mixed together. Wrong!
Single Malt whisky is called so because it is made from using only a single type of grain - malted barley. The barley is first roasted using peat (which gives it a flavor distinct from the other whiskeys) then made into a wash (a beer or sorts) and then distilled in an old time pot still that resembles a large brass Hersey kiss.
Blended Whiskey on the other hand, is made predominantly of much cheaper grain whiskey. It is then distilled in a coffee still, which is a by-product of the industrial revolution when they found a much more efficient means of distilling liquor. The result is an almost straight green ethanol. They then add in a tiny bit of single malt to bring some "Scotch" flavor back into it. Thus Blended Scotch whisky is usually much cheaper, blander in flavor and harsher to the bite. It was designed to appeal to an international market that was thought could not handle nor appreciate real whisky.
Along comes the third type, Vatted Scotch Whisky. Vatted is where you make a blend consisting of exclusively selected Single Malts. You taste only the pure essence of barley-based and pot-distilled Scotches that have been selected for their contributions to the final blend.
Thus is born a whisky I have recently found that is rapidly becoming my favorite, it is called 'Sheep Dip'. I know, terrible name is it not? It comes from the days of yor when the British Government imposed heavy taxes on the distilleries, so 90+% of the distilleries went underground. In an effort to avoid discovery, batches of whisky were stored in barrels labeled 'Sheep Dip' and stored in barns.
'Sheep Dip' is comprised of 8 different Single Malts ranging in age from 8 to 16 years apiece.
Find it, buy it, savor it.
Not a vendor, just a customer
