shelf life

Uisage Source Water Of Scotland Waters to complement the Single Malts of Isley, Highland and Speyside Scotland; 100mL each, $7.99, available at fine food stores and whiskywater. ca

The enjoyment of single malt whiskies can be a delightfully geektastic experience: enthusiasts of the wee dram can expound for hours on such topics as “pagoda roofs” (which ventilate the mash in the distillery) and the “angels’ share” (evaporated whisky). But, like chocolate, wine and coffee, the most contentious subject is terroir, and in the case of single malt whisky — that is, whisky made exclusively with malted grain, usually barley, in a single distillery — the question is: Will a few drops of sitespecific water make my drink better? These waters from Scottish springs are here to settle the issue. But first, a crash course on the importance of water to whisky (in the right glass — no tumblers, please). A few drops of water from a dropper (splashes and guesstimates are frowned on) eliminates “tongue tingle” and “squinch face,” which can happen when undiluted hard stuff hits unprotected tastebuds. H2O also accelerates the “opening up” of flavour nuances. These products will certainly open up your wallet, as they cost $8 each. But for the dedicated fan, they make sense. Each product is drawn from a major whisky-producing district of Scotland — e.g. water from a Speyside well complements a whisky distilled in Speyside. To recap: in whisky world, water is good. Water from the nabe is even better. Shelf Life sampled the waters solo in search of distinctive flavours, but all we could discern was a certain sharpness in the Highland variety. Still, we see the logic — if you’re going to do it, do it right, which seems like a good way to start the New Year.