Iowa Spring-Summer 21 - 46

ational Scotch Day-also called Scotch
Whiskey Day-is held each year on July 27
in honor of Scotland's national drink, which
is a spirit made from malted barley and other grains,
such as rye and wheat.
Scotch Whiskey has been around since the 15th
century. By the 1800s, the Scottish parliament started
taxing the beverage because it was so widespread
and popular. Today, there are over 130 Scotch
distilleries in the country, earning approximately
125 pounds ($174 U.S.) every second for the
national economy. Scotland exports 100 million
cases of Scotch each year, which amounts to
nearly 40 bottles a second.
National Scotch Day is the perfect time
to open a bottle of your favorite whisky and
enjoy a dram or two. A few to consider:
Buchanan's Red Seal. The James
Buchanan Whisky Co. was founded in the
1880s. Red Seal is a carefully selected blend
of Islay and Highland premium whiskeys
inspired by the Buchanan's Royal Household
whisky, first distilled in 1901 for the court of King
Edward VII. Every bottle matures for 21 years, giving it
a complex, elegant and well balanced taste.
Clan MacGregor Scotch. This whisky was named
in recognition of one of Scotland's oldest clans,
which dates back to the 8th century. The family
was filled with brave, loyal and dedicated warriors. Clan MacGregor Scotch has a distinctive
straw gold color and an aroma of malt and vanilla
with a touch of peat. The flavor is smokey with
notes of roasted apple,
fresh baked
bread, honey
and toffee.
Dalmore 12
Year. The Dalmore 12
is a premium single malt aged in
American oak
ex-bourbon and
oloroso sherry
barrels. The
mouthfeel is

46 IOWA SPIRITS

thick and buttery, and the flavor profile
includes citrus, espresso, winter spices,
dried fruit and a suggestion of vanilla.
The finish is long and clean with notes
of dark chocolate.
Dewar's White Label. Dewar's signature whisky was first distilled in 1899,
more than 120 years ago. It's an iconic,
versatile scotch that can be sipped
straight, mixed in a cocktail or paired
with food. White Label has a full-bodied, smooth, creamy texture and a subtle peaty aroma. The mildly sweet flavor
touches
on dark
chocolate, honey and
crisp apples.
Glenfiddich 21 Year
Old. A classic Speyside
single malt that's aged
four months in ex-Caribbean rum barrels, which
lends notes of tropical
fruit and ginger to the
scotch. You'll also get
honey, caramel, brown
sugar, malt, citrus peel and hot peppers on
the palate. Glenfiddich 21 YO is a rich, complex whiskey
with a long, jammy finish.
Johnnie Walker Black. Johnnie Walker Black Label,
one of the world's best known and most popular whiskies, has been around since
1909. This is an 80-proof
blended scotch that's
matured for 12 years before
bottling. The spirit has a
deep caramel color, and
on the nose you'll detect
charred oak, toasted
pecan, grapes and toffee. The flavor is rich and
deep with shades of
peat, butterscotch, tree
nuts and vanilla.

Iowa Spring-Summer 21

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