The right drink for the right time of day. And the right mood. Because sometimes you fancy a single malt, sometimes a wine and sometimes just a surprising sip of... water!The Scotch whisky brand The Glenlivet has the Dutch singer-songwriterDouwe Bobappointed ambassador. In doing so, it aims to break the stereotypes and traditions surrounding single malt whisky while appealing to a next generation of whisky drinkers. Time for some questions...You join a line of famous whisky ambassadors/lovers like Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill, John Wayne, Ava Gardner and Mark Twain..... A conscious image choice? I don't think this was a conscious choice. I also can't help having such good taste, haha. If you start drinking and eating things to profile yourself, it's the end. But if something suits you and tastes good, it can be the start of something really beautiful.
Alcohol affects the voice. Not afraid of these effects? Alcohol can indeed affect the voice. It can also lubricate. Anything with TE in front of it is bad...
Which flavour element in whisky do you find most important? The beauty, of course, is that there are so many different flavours. And it doesn't have to be as intense as you might think. Personally, I prefer the softer whiskies; in particular, the creamy and fruity ones are my thing.
Whisky before or after a performance?
During! Whisky is not just for the quiet moments. I don't necessarily drink it to relax before or after a performance, but just because I like it.
BETOVEREND
Named after the beautiful beaches of Traigh Bhan on Isla and certainly as enchanting. The Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan is one of the tastiest whiskies we had the pleasure of tasting recently. Matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks, this second batch is subtly changed from the first Traigh Ban. Gentle ripples of liquorice, smoke and slightly sour crème fraîche in the nose spill over into notes of savoury fennel, celeriac and toasted tea leaves. And an intensely salty mouthfeel changes like the tide to soothing medicinal notes, followed by brittle salted peanuts, smoked pineapple and lime juice. That works. Highly recommended! But you'll have to look for it, because very limited availability. www.ardbeg.com
EXCLUSIVE
"The first release of Rosebank 30 Year Old is an iconic moment for the distillery. It has matured for decades in 62% refill sherry casks and 38% refill bourbon casks, patiently waiting until it was time to be awakened... and offer a complexity of flavours not found in any other whisky." Says Robbie Hughes, Group Distillation Manager at Ian Macleod Distillers. To experience exactly which flavours those are you need to be quick (4300 bottles worldwide) and put down 1600 British pounds... per bottle. www.rosebank.com
PARTY
The world's most famous whisky brand was once started by a 15-year-old boy who gained his blending experience by blending tea blends for continuous quality. What could be done with tea, had to be done with whisky. Et voilà Johnny Walker was born and the rest is history. Two centuries later, this happy event is being celebrated with a book (A Long Stride, via Bol.com), a docu and some special blends, including the John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend, highly recommended inspired by the release of 'Old Highland Whisky' from circa 1860. (€49.95) Check: www.johnniewalker.com
HOLLANDS
A Dutch classic for good reason. Sonnema is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year with a new 1860 Beerenburg, composed of herbal extracts such as galangal root, tarragon leaf and basil and distillates of fennel seed, cardamom and orange. These combinations create different aromas and flavours: the olfactory experience is fruity with a fresh-spicy background and the flavour, on the contrary, has a somewhat dry aftertaste. In a chic black bottle for €24.95. www.sonnema.nl
VERRASWIJN
"People often don't know which wine to choose, with the result that they often drink the same thing," says founder Harmsma. "This while there are very nice wines that can pleasantly surprise you." The Vinobox is a personal and flexible wine subscription that, based on your own tastes and the number of bottles you want to receive, delivers a package to you each month that will make you absolutely happy. For the wine adventurer who wants to broaden his horizons! From €29.95 per month, including delivery. www.vinobox.nl
FEMALE
Women and men are different. So you might wonder if a female Master Blender in this male-dominated world results in different whiskies. You can find out at Benriach, where Rachel Barrie holds the sceptre. During her career, Barrie has tasted more than 150,000 malt whisky casks; vast expertise that is reflected in the new Core Range she composed, divided into two age categories (10/12Y), matured in three different cask types instead of the usual one or two and also offering the choice between smoky and non-smoky. From €38 www.benriachdistillery.com
GOOD SOOT
Villa Massa, known for limoncello, comes up with something new: amaretto, made from Sicilian almonds. Because the combination of fertile volcanic soil, high temperatures and constant sunlight gives them a thick, woody shell. So they retain their aromas better and provide an intense flavour. Think marzipan, with hints of vanilla, cherry and cocoa. Delicious on its own, with ice cubes as an after-dinner drink, in a cocktail or, of course, as the basis for a good tiramisu! (€ 22,50) www.villamassa.com
AIRY
A wonderful experience: your brain tells you that you are drinking lime-flavoured water, but in reality you are drinking pure tap water. A fascinating effect that comes from air flowing past a scent pod into your nose when you take a sip. The scent pods (in many flavours) are 100% recyclable and the aromas are 100% natural. You really have to taste this to believe it! Starter kit with bottle and two pods costs €34.95 www.air-up.com
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