Rest of the world
Smooth Ambler, West Virgina, USA
People are now making whisky in just about every country where whisky is drunk and, because this is fundamentally a product of place, they’re forging new styles and flavour profiles in the process.
England is rediscovering whisky-making as new distilleries start up, from Kent to Cumbria – each with its own distinctive approach and character – while the Nordics are doing great things with rye, and
Australian whisky has now come of age. You can find great grain whisky in South Africa, and even India – that home of high-volume, ersatz ‘whisky’ made from molasses is making some excellent single malt that, thanks to climatic conditions, is matured and ready to drink at a ridiculously young age. Inspired by trailblazers such as Kavalan in Taiwan, as every year passes these new-wave whiskymakers are adding more must-see destinations to the world whisky map.
Kavalan Sherry Oak
£80-£95 Alexander Hadleigh, House of Malt,
Loch Fyne Whiskies, Master of Malt, The Grapevine,
The Spirits Embassy, The Whisky Exchange
Taiwanese whisky? More than a decade since its first release, Kavalan continues to wow doubters with its fruity character and eclectic choice of casks. An oily, rich, Sherried delight. Alc 46%
The Norfolk Malt ‘n’ Rye
£46.50-£ 50/50cl Berry Bros & Rudd, Gauntleys, Jarrold, Nickolls & Perks, The English Whisky Co, The Little Whisky Shop, The Wee Dram, The Whisky World
At Norfolk’s St George’s distillery in the east of England, distiller David Fitt gets up to all sorts of tricks with grains and casks, with one result being this sweet, rich and oily combination of malted barley and rye. Alc 45%
DRichard Woodard has been writing about wine and spirits for 20 years, and is a regular contributor to a number of magazines and websites. He was a co-founder and contributing editor of Scotchwhisky.com
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