Maturation, Bottling and Shopping - Black Dog TGR

A scotch will be influenced by many factors of the region it was produced in, like water at distillery, the pot still shape and size and the climate. A scotch hardly undergoes any maturation once bottled, and it is not much fun in drinking it right after distillation. Hence, it s required to mature the whisky we distilled as described in previous post.

Bourbon Cask wood (shorter) and Sherry Cask wood (longer)

Single malt whisky and grain whisky are matured in Bourbon casks separately. These casks are not fresh ones, but have been used before, most times than not to mature wine. The scotch whiskies taste and aroma are largely influenced by the type of wood. After these whiskies are matured, they are blended together and put into sherry casks for a third round of maturation. This is where the Triple Gold Reserve stands out, compared to any other Scotch in terms of the unique flavours and aroma. The size, shape and age of the wood in the Sherry casks matter a lot. Every cask BREATHES while it matures. The wood of the casks expands during the heat of summer and contracts during the cold of winter. The alcohol percentage decrease during maturation is called the "Angel's Share".

Richard Paterson - Master Blender at Black Dog

The next phase is the bottling. The alcohol percentage has to be within a range for a brand to maintain its quality. Black Dog has been managing this exceptionally well, and you can see in the above picture master blender Richardson Paterson running a round of quality check. The various factors considered at QC are taste,aroma, ABV, colour, texture and finish. I was told nose is one of the dominant factors for a Scotch to pass the quality check. Every bottle is printed with the age of the spirit of the youngest of barrels. Usually you will not get a bottle of Scotch from the same barrel.

Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve

 
I guess you are all set to enjoy the Triple Gold Reserve blended Scotch from Black Dog and with a host of information we read now, it will be much more enjoyable and appreciate the efforts gone into making the finest of Whisky.

Disclaimer: The above content is meant for only people above 25 years.
Photo credits: Nivedith and Hrish

Distillation Process of Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve

While I have been writing about tasting and enjoying my new favourite Scotch, the Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve blended whisky, I have been wondering the actual process that is followed in preparing the 'water of life'. While I was researching about the ways Scotch is prepared I got to know the following which I am sharing with you guys today.

Barley heating and grinding

Barley, is first soaked in water for a period of 2-3 days and left out to germinate. The enzymes turn starch into sugars, and these get converted into alcohol. When the malt begins to sprout, it is dried so that the germination is stopped. Peat was normally being used for drying in the past. Then, the dried malt is grinded, and hot water is added to it. The starch gets converted into fermentable sugars. Liquid is drained off and sugars are converted into alcohol due to the addition of yeast strains. The type of yeast differs from case to case. During the Washback, the yeast strains convert wort into a liquid called wash that has around 10% alcohol, this process goes on for a couple of days.

Copper Still

We have a liquid with approximately 10% alcohol, but need to increase the alcohol by volume(ABV) and this is possible with distillation. Did you know, that it is very difficult to get an alcohol percentage of above 15% with natural fermentation. Hence, the process of distillation had to be invented to get liquids of higher ABV. The Black Dog TGR, as all other Scotch is distilled in Pot Stills. The 'wash' is boiled in a copper still and distilled. As alcohol's boiling point is lower than water, it vapourises faster and the vapours get collected at the neck, and they cool down again to condense back to alcohol. To get a higher percentage of alcohol, the distillation process is repeated in smaller still called 'Spirit still'. These are done twice or thrice. Now this spirit has an ABV of around 70%.

But wait, our TGR is not ready yet. It has to be matured, for at least 3 years. I will continue explaining the process in my next post soon. Till then, grab your favourite Scotch, the TGR and let the world wait while you savour the flavours in it.






Disclaimer: The above content is meant only for people above 25 years.

Scotch Whisky - Fun Facts (contd)

You must have read my previous post on fun facts about Scotch Whisky. Let me add on to it some more. While I was hanging out with my friends and enjoying our favourite Scotch, the Black Dog TGR, this topic of Scotch facts popped up. Here are some of those discussed, argued, laughed upon and agreed upon.

The five regions of Scotland - Islay, Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside and Campbletown have almost 100 distillaries together. Every region produces whisky that is very particular in style.

Blended whisky was the norm until 1960s, when the manufacture and sale of Single malt whisky came into place. Today, single malt scotch has become a symbol of fine taste and luxury.

Scotland exports a whooping one billion bottles of scotch every year. While you may be wondering America as its biggest market, it is not true. It is the French who love Scotch dearly as compared to any other nation. Even I was surprised with this, while all my friends were pitting against each other to get this one correct. Scotch was once illegal, and the ban stayed on for almost 2 centuries. The fact that there cant be an expiry date on Scotch can make you ecstatic. Yes, you read it right. Sealed scotch bottles can be kept unopened for almost a century and once opened it can be consumed as late as 5 years. So, Scotch is immortal.

Nearly 200 countries in the world drink Scotch, so that could be one common thing we all share and could be used as a reason for worldwide peace. Scotch is consumed in different ways around the world, people in the United Kingdom have it with a little bit of water, while Chinese like it with green tea and in Japan people enjoy it with ice and water. Spain is a bit different and people love their Scotch with cola. A standard measure of Scotch Whisky (25ml) contains 55 calories, so you should calculate the miles you need to run the next morning. 

The Black Dog TGR is a blended Scotch Whisky, which is triple matured blended from single malt and grain whisky. The final maturation process takes place in Sherry casks. The TGR is accepeted a parallel to any 12 YO Scotch.

Disclaimer: The above content is meant only for people above 25 years.

Photo credits: BlackDog

Scotch Whisky - Fun Facts

You might have observed the fact that the work "Whisky" is spelt without and 'e' whenever it is written with word Scotch, while you were browsing thru my blog. There are a bit of disputes as to why the Scot call it that way, but I would refrain from writing to a Scot "Whiskey". Did you know, Whisky was first found to be referred in Ireland, an not Scotland. It is believed monks in the region of Ireland started distilling Whisky around 5th century and in 1494 the first record was found in Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic words uisage beatha, which in turn came from the Latin Acqua Vitae or “water of life.”

Usque baugh - The Water Of Life

At the most rudimentary step, Scotch Whisky is a distilled beer. Made using malted barley, but unlike beer as hops are not added and hence the wash is different. Scotch is distilled twice to get a strong and smooth spirit and then aged in oak barrels. A spirit to be termed as Whisky must be matured at least for 3 years and it can be called as Scotch, only if distilled and matured in Scotland. Some of the main classifications of Scotch Whisky are :

• Blended Whisky: This is a mix of grain whisky and malt whisky, and makes up the majority of Scotch that is consumed around the world.

• Single Grain Whisky: This is relatively rare and is made from non malted grains such as corn.

• Blended Malt Whisky: This is also sometimes known as “Vatted Malts” or “Pure Malts” and is some of my favourite whisky. It is made from blends of a number of single malt whiskies from across Scotland.

• Single Malt Whisky: This is made, as the name suggests, from malted barley grains from a single distillery. They’re often sold with age statements (10/12/18 years, etc.), which means that they are a blend of single malts from the same distillery where the youngest whisky used is the age stated on the bottle, unless it is a single cask bottle where the whisky must all be from the same making.

Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve Scotch Whisky

The Black Dog TGR is a blended Scotch Whisky, which is triple matured blended from single malt and grain whisky. The final maturation process takes place in Sherry casks. The TGR is accepeted a parallel to any 12 YO Scotch.

Disclaimer: The above content is meant only for people above 25 years.
Photo credits: Nivedith and BlackDog

Correct way of Tasting the Black Dog TGR

A lot of people have their own way of savouring the favourite Scotch Whisky, the Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve (TGR). There are many different ways that people follow for tasting the spirit. However there is a way defined and practised by the master blender from generations for tasting scotch which gives out the hidden flavours and aroma. 

Andrew Skene

I was fortunate to meet Andrew Skene, who has a certificate of expertise in sales and service of Scotch whisky at the Scotch appreciation session. He guided us with the proper way of tasting the newly launched Triple Gold Reserve by Black Dog. Most of us generally prefer ice/cold or water/soda while having Scotch whisky, however there is a sensible and mellowed approach to give you the best enchanting taste of the "Water of Life" a.k.a "Usquebaugh". It starts from noticing the aroma till the spirit passes through your throat. Let me explain in detail.

Richard paterson

Whichever Scotch you are enjoying, there's a way to taste it which will unlock the flavours of the spirit in your mouth. Every scotch has to be observed for four things to get the complete picture, these are colour, nose, palate and finish. First of all, after you have just poured the scotch in your glass add a little bit of quality bottled water, not more than 5-6 drops. This is a trick that really helps the spirit breathe after its long spent time in the bottle and casks. Thanks to Andrew for teaching this. Hold your glass containing the TGR against sunlight or a white light. Observe the deep colours in the liquid and rotate the glass carefully. Next, sniff the liquid holding the glass a little under your nostrils and take a pull. TGR is strong and you will definitely not miss it. You are now ready to taste, take a sip into your mouth. Let the liquid settle down on top and bottom of your tongue. Hold it for a little over half a minute and slowly swallow it. The finish is the feeling you get after the Scotch passes through your throat. It is certainly strong and the sensation lasts for quite a few minutes.

Disclaimer: The above content is meant only for people above 25 Years.
Photo Credits: Nivedith and Hrish

Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve Scotch - Tasting Notes

Andrew Skene

I have been writing a bit about the various possible food pairings with the Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve blended Scotch Whisky, and there are a lot more of them to be tried out. Today let me tell you about the tasting notes for the Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve. Every Whisky has a tasting notes of its own, and TGR is really something special. 

COLOR: Enchanting Antique Gold

NOSE: Lovely balance of matured wood and rich malt touches the senses. Smoothness of Vanilla and butterscotch are skillfully embedded on layers of honey, creamy caramel, cinnamon and marzipan with a subtle hint of citrus fruits. Delicate aromas of cracked spiced pepper are perceived even in the rich complexity of the blend.

PALATE: Elegant wood flavors caress the palate as they slowly unfold. Sweet whispers of caramelized peaches and vanilla add to the complexity of wood elements. Even in its intriguing complexity, all flavors are wonderfully balanced with a delicate spread of medium sweetness at the end.

FINISH: A warm sensation down the throat. The feeling stays for a quite a brief time and keeps wanting for more.

The unique blends and the hidden flavours are due to the maturation of the spirit in the American bourbon casks and the Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. TGR scotch is being accepted as parallel to any 12 YO blended Scotch whisky. In fact, the age label on your scotch bottle will matter less to you as the taste and aroma gets better thanks to the unique and new maturation processes being adopted by our favourite Scotch brand, the Black Dog. The maturation process is not as simple as counting days on the calendar. It involves a complex process followed by master blender from ages. The spirits while they are undergoing maturation are tasted from time to time looking for the flavours and aroma. The time frame for maturation varies from spirit depending upon various factors like barley used, the concentration and more importantly the wood used in making of the casks. Also, there is a limit of how many times the same cask will be used for maturation. The wood in the casks start loosing their characteristics and hence their contribution to the liquid starts diminishing after certain rounds of maturation. Usually this is after 5-6 rounds. Each round can range from 6-10 years approximately. So, as you now understand, the hard work that goes in background to bring the best of Scotch to your table and you enjoying a round of your favourite Black Dog with your friends at the table.

Disclaimer: The above content is meant only for people above 25 years.
Photo Credits: Nivedith and Hrish