In the event that you are looking for among the best liquors in the world, whisky, especially whisky made in Scotland, is actually where your own search may finish. Scotch whisky is recognized as one of the most premium beverages on the planet. Regarded as a drink of the gentlemen, Scotch whisky has now taken the world by storm and it is enjoyed with equal relish by man and woman alike. It is indeed an aristocratic consume, one which should be savored and appreciated in order to take pleasure in the entire bouquet of flavors that are exposed in each drink.
Scotch whisky is a kind of whisky that is produced, distilled and matured in Scotland. The producers of Scotch whisky have to adhere to strict rules as laid down by the Scotch Whisky Regulations in order to call their finished item a Scotch. For a whisky to become called a Scotch it needs to be aged for a minimum period of 3 years and has to be matured in casks made from oak. The alcoholic power of a Scotch needs to be less than 94. 8% according to quantity.
There are lots of whisky generating regions in Scotland. The Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay and Island areas would be the main whisky producing whiskeyyeast areas. Each of these regions is marked by its individual characteristics which is reflected in the whiskies produced here. The soil, water and general climactic character of the region determines the taste of the whiskies produced in these regions.
The Scotch whiskies which are from the Highland area are known for their own fine stability and flavor. The whiskies from this region have a peaty as well as smoky character but this character is not overpowering. This smokiness is carefully well balanced with a somewhat sweet yet at the same time a somewhat dry flavor which is long and lingering.
The actual Speyside area is very similar to the Highland region in its geographical features. In fact this particular region has the highest number of distilleries in Scotland and created some of the finest single malt Scotch whiskies. The actual whiskies from this area are lighter in weight and very well balanced and are quite sweet on the palate. The Lowland area produces whiskies which are light, floral, fruity and a little grassy to taste.
The stronger whiskies from Scotland originate from the Islay area. This region uses a lot of peat to dry the malted barley lending a smoky and peaty taste to the malts created here. Water utilized in whisky production also flows over peat which gives one more peatiness to the whiskies created here. Since this area is coastal the saltiness from the air merges with the whiskies giving them a salty flavor. Whiskies from the Island region are generally moderate in flavor but instead of being sweet, is salty giving these types of malts an extremely coastal feel.
In the event that you are considering some of the most expensive whiskies in the world, whisky from the Highland and Speyside region is where your search will end. The Macallan 1926 whisky which is manufactured in the Speyside area sold for USD$54000. This bottle was sold at an public sale held at Christies in 2007 in New York. The actual Dalmore 62 vintage was one of the twelve bottles produced in 1943 from four single malts and sold for a whopping USD$ 58, 000.