TRIPLE DOUBLE

SAVOUR Dewar’s showcases its line-up of fine blends amid whisky, food and fun.

In January, Dewar’s hosted a memorable Whisky Academy tasting event to flaunt its whisky line-up. The venue for the evening was Cantaloupe, which served contemporary European cuisine that was carefully paired with complementary cocktails — based on Dewar’s whisky, of course.

Dewar’s is admittedly not as widely known in this region as it perhaps should be; this despite the fact that it is the number one blended whisky in the US and is a holder of a British Royal Warrant.

John Dewar and Sons was founded in Scotland in 1846, and was one of the first companies to offer blended whisky. Throughout its early history, it was very much a family business; the Celtic knot logo

reflects this, consisting as it does of three interlocking Ds — one for John Dewar and the other two for his sons, Tommy and John Alexander.

The tasting session proper began with guests being reminded of the basic principles of whisky tasting; in particular, to pay close attention to one’s nose.

In fact, Dewar’s master blender Stephanie Macleod exclusively uses her nose in assembling her concoctions.

The Dewar’s line-up consists of the 12-year ( RM210), 15-year ( RM268) and 18-year ( RM355). Immediately apparent throughout the range is a distinct, bright sweetness; it is light and honeylike rather than thick and heavy, and does not linger. A mild but noticeable, rounded peat lends a hint of muscle, as does the whiff of smoke.

All three also make for remarkably friendly drams — this is no surprise, as Dewar’s prides itself on double-ageing its whisky. This process goes the extra mile to ensure smoothness; it consists of an extra six-month barrelageing period, undertaken after being blended and just before being bottled.

These base qualities are immediately apparent in the 12-year in a clean and lively fashion. The 15 takes those elements and adds a layer of fruity richness and complexity. The 18-year does the same, but in a bolder, fuller expression; it is the most intricate and layered of the three, but never loses its creamy and lengthy finish. www.dewars.com ≠

The tasting session proper began with guests being reminded to pay close attention to one’s nose.