Primer on Whiskies

July 12, 2011

Philippines Bar and Pub near Manila in Angeles City Clark Philippines shares a few interesting thoughts, reports, articles, ideas, suggestions and news about matters to do with dining, nightlife, restaurants, bars, pubs, food and beverage, wine and dine, parties and other aspects of the pub lifestyle.

A Glass of the Good Stuff: A Gentleman’s Guide to Whiskey

Kegs are for college students and vodka is for ladies. When you want a man’s drink, you need a tumbler full of something sophisticated AND rugged. Take our crash course on a gentleman’s classic drink of choice: whiskey.

By RK Gella

For some the equinox couldn’t have come early enough. For others the deep purple nights of winter brought an anticipated comfort. Those wishing to bypass the winter months from within the confines of a pseudo-hibernation lair, to those indulging in quieting effects of the wind chill from inside their igloos, the season hearkens the amber elixir, aged in smoke and char, predisposed to curing what ails you.

Whether served neat or with one hard cube, a splash of water or diluted with sweet vermouth and bitters, there is no better time to tipple whisky…

Or whiskey. To which ever you prescribe, but only after realizing the subtle and dramatic differences between the two, although it can be clearly identified that the same result is waged.

Whiskey and whisky, the superfluous “e” is anything but, and though both are pronounced the same (hwis-kee) each spelling denotes a different product. The Scotch and Canadians produce whisky, while the Irish and Americans produce whiskey. While “whisky” was the original spelling – accurately, the original bastardization of the Gaelic word uisce beatha meaning “water of life” – American and Irish distillers adopted “whiskey,” with the extra “e”, in the late 1800′s to signify a level of quality.

However, today the merit of the extra “e” is not withstanding. The Scotch, the Canadians, even the Japanese, all minus the “e”, have examples of outstanding whiskies, many of which are highly sought on the international market.

Finely crafted whiskies, to the same extent of artisanal wine, have the ability to represent a terrior. [Note here: terrior can’t be directly translated into English, but in French designates the ability of the crop (grapes) to express characteristics of the physical (soil, geography, climate) and the metaphysical (historical and spiritual) territory of which they were harvested via the finished product (wine)]. Simply incorporated into whisky, if you drink a handily crafted Scotch it should taste like Scotland, not Bourbon, Kentucky.

So aside from location, how do these various whiskeys and whiskies differ? Let’s begin where Henry II began…

Ireland

Although debates continue on exactly when distillation arrived in Ireland, most scholars agree that the Irish did beat the Scotch to the punch of whiskey production by more than a few centuries.

By the 13^th century the Irish were producing distillates from grains such as corn and barley and aging them in oak for prolonged periods. The result was a yellow to dark orange alcohol that embodied flavors of earth and dried fruit. Hence whiskey was born.

The recipe for whiskey production, generally speaking, involves the three steps of fermentation, distillation and aging. It begins with the fermentation of grain – it is always grain, whether barely, corn, or rye – then the distillation of the liquid in a pot still or column still, followed by prolonged aging in oak.

But if the Irish were the originators, how come Scotch is more prevalent? Like anything else, economics and politics play as much a hand in success as quality. Unfortunately for the Irish, economic and political turmoil dating back to the beginning of the 19^th century has left much ground to recover.

Nevertheless, despite only encompassing 3 distilleries to Scotland’s 90, Irish whiskey continues to find its appreciators. Noted to be milder and smoother than Scotch, Irish whiskey’s usually bypass the incorporation of peat, tend to be distilled three times and require at least 3 years aging.

• Grains: Barley, Malted-Barley, Corn
• Age: Min. 3 Years
• Styles: Single Malt, Blended, Single Grain

Scotland

So they weren’t first, but how have they revolutionized the whisky trade. What makes Scotch unique aside from its styles (single malts, blended malts, blended grains) is how it varies from region to region. Whether it’s notes of iodine and smoke from Islay, or rich and floral nuances from The Highlands, there is a Scotch to be enjoyed by all types of whisky drinkers.

Speyside / The Highlands

The Highlands literally caresses the Speyside region, yet there is a notable difference in product. The Highlands, more prevalent in rocky terrain than inhabitants, has become renown for its single malts. Offering more ethereal qualities than its neighbor to the north, Highland Scotch attains flavors often doused in honey.

Speyside on the other hand has the benefit of the Grampian Mountains, which softens the water used for their Scotch. It is no mystery then why this region contains the largest concentration of distilleries in all of Scotland and produces some of the most famous whiskies that include Glenfiddich and Macallan.

Islay

Perhaps the most distinctive and unique of all the other regions, this smoky, briny whisky benefits from its location and the use of peat (partially decayed vegetal matter that forms in bogs and wetlands).

Situated off the west coast shores of Scotland, the smell of dying vegetation and iodine envelop the nose. The description may hinder a few wary imbibers from the pleasure of assimilating ones palate to the drink, yet a well-made Islay Scotch truly maintains its weight in gold.

Other Regions: The Lowlands, Campbeltown

• Grains: Barley, Malted-Barley, Corn, Wheat
• Age: Min. 3 Years
• Styles: Single Malt, Blended Malt, Blended, Grain

Canada

Although Canadian whisky, notice no “e”, has lost support from American drinkers over the years – especially after Prohibition was repealed – it still sells volumes at home and internationally. Remarkably smooth, Canadian labeling laws tend to be somewhat lax when compared to its U.S. neighbor. Apart from having to be distilled in Canada with cereal grains and aged for 3 years, there is no legal bearing as to what qualifies as a Canadian whisky, Canadian rye whisky or rye whisky, although rye is the grain primarily used.

• Grain: Malted Rye, Corn
• Age: Min. 3 Years
• Styles: Single Malt, Blend

United States

Talk about pride and something distinctly American. Bourbon… wait, I meant rye whiskey… no we’re talking Tennessee whiskey, benefiting from the Lincoln County Process a.k.a. Jack Daniels… alright all of those products fit the aforementioned statement but let’s break down what’s what.

Bourbon

Though it bears the name of the eponymous Bourbon County, bourbon whiskey can be produced legally anywhere in the United States. The fact is, despite owning 95% of production, there are several states that distill bourbon outside of Kentucky, including Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, even as far north as New York.

Differing from Canadian whisky, bourbon production is occupied with a series of regulations that oversee distilled proofing, age proofing, water source, wood, aging, composition of grain mixtures and the integrity of no added color or flavor.

Bourbon’s sweeter nature correlates to the use of corn in the mash. Regulations specify corn must be at least 51% of the grain used. The other ingredients include rye, wheat and malted barely.

Perhaps as important as the grains is the charred new American oak used to age these whiskeys, which gives off intoxicating smoky aromas and added notes of caramel and spice.

Rye Whiskey

Again, differing from Canadian rye because of standards and regulations, American rye whiskey must be made from at least 51% rye, distilled to no higher than 160 proof and aged in new American oak.

The use of rye gives the whiskey an apparent difference in flavor when compared to bourbon. As bourbons possess sweeter flavors with a bit more viscosity, American ryes are smoother with a stronger bitter character.

This is why rye whiskey was predominantly used in cocktail recipes in the past, and why contemporary mixologists, in reverence for the history of their trade, have resurrected the application of the product.

Tennessee Whiskey

It would have been easy enough to just label this segment as “Jack.” The ubiquitous black label, the signature straight shot, the rock and roll icon of all whiskeys – Jack Daniel’s has made an international name for Tennessee whiskey.

Aside from good ‘ol JD there’s not much else out there that can be counted as Tennessee whiskey, save for the hard to come by George Dickel’s Tennessee whisky (they forgo the “e”). When was the last time you signaled your barkeep for a straight shot of “George”?

Perhaps the biggest misconceptions of Jack Daniel’s – rather Tennessee whiskeys – is that they are bourbons, or conversely, that they are notbourbons because they are distilled outside of Kentucky.

Tennessee whiskey is not bourbon, hence why it is described here, however the reason for it not being bourbon has little to do with where it’s notproduced but more importantly how it’s produced.

The key difference between bourbon and Tennessee whiskey is the utilization of the Lincoln County Process, in which the whiskey is filtered through charcoaled maple chips before aging. Bourbon by definition is prohibited from using any filtering for flavor. This added step gives Tennessee whiskey its specific character.

• Grain: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Barley
• Age: min. 2 Years, most exceeding 4 Years
• Styles: Straight (min. 2 Years aging), Single-Barrel, Small Batch, Vintage

Japan

Who can forget Bob Harris (Bill Murray) struggling through his photo shoot in 2003′s Lost in Translation: “For relaxing times… make it Suntory time.”

That was probably the best international marketing the Japanese whisky industry could have hoped for. Producing their own style of whisky since the late 1800′s only recently has the industry achieved recognition globally, and it’s about time, the Japanese love their whisky.

More comparable to the Scotch style, Japanese whiskies are produced throughout the country as single malts and blended varieties. Flavors range from salty and peaty to oily and fruity depending on the distiller.

• Grain: Barley, Wheat
• Age: N/A
• Styles: Single Malt, Blended

This popular bar in Angeles City Clark Philippines “The London Pub” is a faithful rendition of an English-style “Gastropub” which is an upscale bar and family restaurant that breaks away from nightlife, pub and bar tradition and actually serves very good food. In this bar in Angeles Philippines, good pub food is compliment by good restaurant class service also. Located inside Clark Freeport’s golf and casino leisure estate Mimosa popular among local visitors from Manila, this Clark Freeport Zone bar and family restaurant pub serves as a meeting and dining venue for the residents of Pampanga Clark Freeport, neighboring Angeles City as well as a pit stop for visitors from Subic Bay Freeport Philippines.

Clark Freeport is a comfortable 70-minute drive up from Manila along the newly refurbished North Expressway NLEX. Once leaving Manila, the highway takes you straight into Clark Philippines without going any city, not even Angeles City, Pampanga. Clark Freeport Zone has its own Clark International Airport – DMIA – which enables visitors to Clark or Subic to fly directly into Clark from all major cities in Asia, connecting Clark to practically anywhere in the world.

True to the Gastropub standard, this premier bar in Philippines serves up delectable pub food, a few notches above the usual pub grub prevalent in other bars in Manila, Subic, Clark and Angeles Philippines. In addition to many local and imported beers, this upscale Philippines bar and pub offers a respectable wine list with several selections of wine served by the glass. At this upscale Angeles City Bar in Clark Philippines, Cuban cigars such as Cohiba, Partagas, Monte Cristo and Romeo et Julieta are available perhaps to complement a nice selection of Scotch, Cognac and Port. But probably the most famous beverage in this bar in Angeles Philippines is its vintage beer, a special kind of beers that actually improve with age inside the bottle, much like wine and vintage Champagne. Vintage beer is only available in this Clark Philippines bar and family restaurant pub.

Beers, cigars and fine pub food aside, this bar in Angeles Philippines Clark Freeport Zone also offers a refreshingly interesting wine list, a good selection of wine served by the glass also.

For more information about this bar in Angeles Philippines or any other matters to do with nightlife, entertainment, wine and dine, restaurant and wine in Clark Philippines, just email us at LondonPub@Yats-International.com.

Source: http://www.primermagazine.com/2009/live/guide-to-whiskey

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Many tourists traveling north to Baguio or Bataan make a stop at Clark Philippines to buy some bottles of fine vintage wine at Clark Wine Center, the best place to buy wine in the Philippines. Conveniently located near the Mimosa Leisure Golf Estate which has the Casino and the well known 36-hole championship golf course of Mimosa, frequently visited Clark Wine Center is a well known destination for wine loving tourists and residents of Angeles City Pampanga and Manila to be one of the best wine shops in the Philippines.

One way to relax and unwind after work is to pamper yourself to a nice dinner at one of the famous fine dining restaurants and wine bars in Angeles City and Clark Pampanga. To fully enjoy the romantic cozy dining ambience many guests first stop by the well known wine shop called Clark Wine Center located near the entrance of Clark Freeport to pick up a few bottles of fine vintage wine to bring to dinner.

Wine Shop Manila offers best luxurious beers in Philippines called Vintage Beer.
Birthday gift of wine is the most popular gift idea this year in Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars offers birthday wine gifts that are unique and certain to make the recipient very happy. These birthday wines are not available in wine shops so it is a unique bottle of wine for the recipient.

Philippines Pampanga Clark Freeport is well known for its safety and security, boasting the lowest crime rates in the country. The absence of traffic and pollution also helps to position Clark Pampanga at the top of tourists’ list of destinations for vacation and get-away from Manila with families and friends. Pampanga Clark Freeport is one of the tourist destinations in the Philippines where visitors enjoy some of the finer things in life such as fine dining, beautiful resorts, golf courses and casinos. Here wine lovers get to indulge in shopping for some rare and great vintage wines, all available at their disposal at attractive prices in this famous wine shop outside of Manila in Clark Pampanga.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com