There is a lot of positive change happening in the scotch whisky industry right now, a change that is great for consumers and producers alike. The opinion that good single malt whisky should not be mixed still endures among many traditional whisky fans. However, consumer attitudes towards whisky are changing.
So, today I will list some unique ways to enjoy Nc’nean Organic Single Malt Whisky, and why it really is okay to mix single malt scotch.
Changing Consumer Habits
Over the past four years, we have seen a 15% increase in people who drink whisky as an early evening aperitif amongst our consumers (according to a Nc’nean consumer study). This means that whisky is increasingly being enjoyed outside of the ‘traditional’ way: a neat drink after dinner.
Single Malt Scotch Whisky, & Others, In Cocktails
Challenging traditional distillation and maturation processes has enabled us to create our signature light and fruity-tasting scotch whisky, and it’s this style of whisky that works incredibly well either neat or in cocktails.
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The buttery texture of our Organic Single Malt (which we think comes from the organic Scottish barley) means it stands up incredibly well to soda too, instead of creating a watery drink, the addition of soda brings out the creaminess and creates something long, light and refreshing. But it is not just our single malt scotch that can make great cocktails, also try Bruichladdich’s classic Laddie or one of Raasay’s bottlings.
Increasingly people are enjoying single malt whisky in cocktails thanks to growing acceptance that it is not a waste of good spirit to mix it. This has been helped by markets like Japan with the prominence of drinks like the Whisky Highball or ‘Mizuwari’ as it is called in Japanese which directly translates to “mixed with water”.
The most commonly used whisky in Highballs over there is, unsurprisingly, Japanese whisky, but there is also a strong market for single malt scotch and American whiskey, too.
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Mixed drinks like the Highball have helped introduce new drinkers around the world to whisky who then become more adventurous with trying different cocktails such as an Old Fashioned or Whisky Sour. When it comes to whisky cocktails in the States, Travel Bar in New York City has an amazing selection as does Seven Grand in Los Angeles where they also have live music most nights, if you happen to be in the area definitely pay a visit.
Our Signature Single Malt Scotch Whisky Serve
An apéritif is supposed to stimulate the appetite and is usually dry rather than sweet. A whisky and soda is the perfect drink to do just that. Plus, it lets the whisky shine without being too overpowering for those who aren’t a fan of neat spirits (yes, shock, there are quite a few of those people out there!). Our favorite scotch whisky and soda serve is a Whisky Six, two parts Nc’nean Organic Single Malt and four parts soda (with plenty of ice and a spring of fresh mint), designed to drink at six o’clock. A recipe we love so much that we have printed it on the side of our bottle.
Check out the recipe and preparation method for our Whisky Six below along with six of our other delicious scotch whisky cocktails, including our autumn/winter favorite; a Whisky Espresso Martini.
Whisky Six
Ingredients
- 2 parts Organic Single Malt Whisky (50ml)
- 4 parts soda water (100ml)
- Mint sprig to garnish
Method
- Fill a glass with cubed ice and add all the ingredients.
- Gently stir then garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.
Shrub Shrub
Ingredients
- 50ml Organic Single Malt Whisky
- 20ml pear shrub
- 100ml soda water
- Thyme sprig to garnish
Method
- Fill a highball glass with cubed ice and add all the ingredients.
- Gently stir then garnish with thyme sprig.
Auld Maid
Ingredients
- 50ml Organic Single Malt Whisky
- 20ml lime juice
- 20ml 1:1 sugar syrup
- 8 mint leaves
- 2 cucumber slices
- Cucumber spiral to garnish
Method
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, then fill with cubed ice and shake hard for 12 seconds.
- Strain in a rocks glass filled with cubed ice, then garnish with a cucumber spiral.
Mamie Taylor
Ingredients
- 50ml Organic Single Malt Whisky
- 100ml ginger ale
- 10ml lime juice
- Lime wheel to garnish
Method
- Fill a highball glass with cubed ice and add all the ingredients.
- Gently stir then garnish with a lime wheel.
Ace Highball
Ingredients
- 50ml Organic Single Malt Whisky
- 100ml cream soda
- 1 large strawberry (sliced)
- Mint sprig to garnish
Method
- Fill a highball glass with cubed ice and add all the ingredients.
- Gently stir then garnish with a mint sprig.
Otto Highball
Ingredients
- 50ml Organic Single Malt Whisky
- 100ml Chinotto
- Lemon wedge to garnish
Method
- Fill a highball glass with cubed ice and add all the ingredients.
- Gently stir then garnish with a lemon wedge.
Whisky Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 35ml Organic Single Malt Whisky
- 20ml coffee liqueur
- 20ml Fresh Espresso
- 10ml 1:1 sugar syrup
Method
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, then fill with cubed ice and shake hard for 12 seconds.
- Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
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