A Dan's expert matches your life moments, both big and small, with our favourite whiskies.
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1. The sentimental drink
Maybe it's a celebration – a birthday, a wedding, a graduation. Or maybe it's something a little more emotional – a goodbye or a really-hope-I-see-you-soon. These are the moments you'll never forget and they're best marked with a whisky you'll remember forever, like the Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. Made from a blend of Highland, Speyside and Isles malts, it has something for every palate, from honeyed sweetness to woody spice and a smoky finish.
“The Gold Label Reserve is a real crowd-pleaser,” says Mshan. “It's really smooth and made in a slightly sweeter style by an iconic brand that celebrated its 200th anniversary last year. They've been making very high-quality whisky for seven, eight generations, meaning this is a Scotch that can be recognised, shared and appreciated by anyone of any age. If they're over 18, of course.”
2. The friend running late (again!) drink
“We all have a friend like this,” says Mshan. “And if you don't, it's probably you.” But the question is, what's Mshan sipping while he waits for his friend?
“The Dubliner Irish Whiskey & Honeycomb is a favourite of mine,” he says, which is a warming blend of honeycomb, caramel and triple-distilled whiskey. “It's super delicious and a bit of a palate cleanser before your mate arrives and you get stuck into some more serious things together. More importantly, it'll cleanse that bitter taste left in your mouth from your friend running late… again.”
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3. The nightcap
It's the end of the evening and the inevitable question comes – should we have one more? If the answer's yes, then look no further than a big, bold North American whiskey like Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It's a unique, small-batch whiskey with peppermint, pepper, citrus and a warm, spicy finish to see you back home.
“This is one of the most complex bourbons that I've ever tried,” says Mshan. “There's a lot going on and I find that every time I taste it, I discover something new. It'd be a great way to finish up the evening because it's really interesting and would create a lot of discussions as different people pick up on different characteristics. If it were me, I'd order it in a Whiskey Sour, or even an Old Fashioned. They're both excellent choices at the end of the evening – really delicious with a nice bit of citrus, but nothing that's going to bloat you or keep you awake all night.”
4. The Friday knock-off
The buzz of a Friday night can only be matched by the buzz surrounding New World whiskies from places like Japan and Australia. One of the most exciting whiskies, which is causing a serious buzz, is Limeburners Infinity Solera Cask Single Malt. It's matured in port barrels and aged for up to eight years, resulting in a fruity, spicy whisky with plenty of vanilla, honey, raisin and caramel.
“This is one of the most unique Australian spirits that I've tasted,” says Mshan, “with a texture that I haven't experienced in any other Australian whiskies. There's plenty to chat about with your colleagues here, so tell your mates and they'll tell their mates, which helps the local industry. I've really been pushing local whiskies like this for the past year and I think that now that people are allowed back to work and into the office, it's going to be really important for the industry to keep supporting local spirits.”
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