Whisky for all seasons or def. Winter vs. Summer tastes?

by **Laurentius** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 6:38 pm

With the changing of the seasons, on my side from winter to summer i find myself reaching for the lighter drams, the Clynelish, the Springbank, and now that i am in to it the Scapa. I still enjoy one dram of my "soul" whiskies, the Caol Ila 18, the Talisker 16, and Ardbeg 10 or the Lagavulin 16 but no longer do i select these as first choice. Could it be that longer days, hotter nights makes for a diffirent selection in whisky - what has your experience been??

L.

by **Choochoo** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:26 pm

I've found that during the summer I lose my taste for single malts. Even light bodied lowlanders have very little appeal to me during the warm months. Luckily that only lasts for about 3 months where I live though.

I really enjoy bourbon when the weather turns warm, but don't enjoy it too much in the winter. So seasons clearly play a part in my drinking preferences.

by **maverick** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:53 pm

I don't know why it is, but when its warm I want something that cools my system down so I don't go for whiskey, I go for a cold beer (preferably Guinness) and when it's colder I want something to warm my self up in which case I go for a dram. I guess (with me) the body wants to be in balance if that makes any sense(???)

Furthermore, I think that whiskey tastes different when it's warm, For me it's not nearly as pleasurable as when temperatures are normal/neutral.

by **Di Blasi** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:51 am

Yes, definitely, seasons, weather, mood play a major role in my whisky drinking habits. I don't like heavy smoky stuff in the summer, but lighter instead. And I tend to like bourbon in the summer, maybe cause it's okay (???) with ice. I just let my mood do the talking and choosing, cause if I do pour myself something other than what I think suits me best at the time, I truly won't enjoy it as much as what my mood is set on.

by **laphroaig10_65** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:44 am

It's important to have a water glass on the side of whisky, and the mood is more significant than the season for the choice of the brand.
Bye
Luca

by **Di Blasi** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:59 am

Yes, true Luca, it's good to have a glass of water on the side. I do too, to drink it but also to add to the whisky if necessary.

by **Ardbeg311** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:37 pm

I thought my taste for the powerful Islays would diminish during the hot summer months, but it was in a stretch of incredibly hot and humid weather that I enjoyed what turned out to be the best drams of the summer. The whisky? The Ardbeg Very Young. I guess for me, the Islays (Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin) are drams for all seasons.

by **Lawrence** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:07 pm

Ardbeg311 wrote:I thought my taste for the powerful Islays would diminish during the hot summer months, but it was in a stretch of incredibly hot and humid weather that I enjoyed what turned out to be the best drams of the summer. The whisky? The Ardbeg Very Young. I guess for me, the Islays (Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin) are drams for all seasons.

Perhaps younger whiskies are more suited to the summer months? I don't know but it's an interesting question.

by **Wave** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:01 pm

I can enjoy a Laphroaig any time of the year but it's specially nice during the cold months. With a smokey glass of Laphroaig in hand and the scent of oak and hickory smoke in the air from nearby chimney's, the combination is euphoric!

Cheers!

by **lexvo** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:00 pm

For me, the Glenmorangie 10 is a nice summer dram with its fresh- and fruityness.

by **Dubois** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:25 pm

Talking about summer-drams,yes, I believe they exist ,and the first name comming to my mind is Dalwhinnie 15 Yrs.

by **Wave** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:17 pm

A couple of other light summer-time malts also include the Benromach Traditional and the Tomintoul 16yo.

Cheers!

by **TreacleSponge** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:36 pm

I drink less whisky in summer than winter. But I don’t seem to be following the crowd here… this summer I loved peaty whiskies, Bruichladdich 3D, Caol Ila & Talisker in particular. But when it’s cold and wintery, I like sweet honey flavours, and rich sherry and vanilla and Christmas cake like Mortlach, Edradour & Dalmore. Edradour cask strength Barolo Finish… mmmm…. It’s like being wrapped up in a big fluffy towel in front of the fire, so perfect for winter

by **Badmonkey** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:23 pm

There's no question that my drinking habits change in the summer months. I veer away from whisky and towards tequila and rum. I'm not sure why that is. Perhaps I just crave something a bit fruitier in the summer heat. I'm glad to see that a few others experience a similar trend. Makes me feel like less of a freak.