Southside Sips: Maple Ginger Sour

No one knows where the tariff threats will go, currently to and fro, but if you’ve been considering exploring imported spirits categories, like the spectacularly fascinating world of Scotch, then the time is nye.

Oddly, for a spirit that has been the coveted whisky of choice post World War II, the basics are little understood, its designations confusing to most of the general population. A wee dram of a very basic primer for you to help you in your Scotch perusing pursuits:

• Whisky — a spirit made from myriad fermented grains and aged in a barrel of some sort. Why do some spell it with “e” and some, like the Scottish, Japanese and Canadians, don’t? Simply preference. American and Irish producers typically spell it with an “ey” at the end, with very rare exception.
• Single malt — a whisky made from malted barley from one particular distillery. It can be a blend of different whiskies made within that distillery, but the four walls of that one producer are the source of what’s in the bottle.
• Blended whiskey — a whisky made from different, aged malted whiskies from different distilleries.

Can these differentiation have an effect on the price of the whisky? Yes indeed. Can they be delicious no matter what? Absolutely.

Dewar’s 12 year old is a blended whisky, but this lowland-produced spirit has fascinating nuance, like notes of orange-y citrus and ginger, which also makes for a fun spirit to play with other flavors.

Scotch-based cocktails are often in short supply, but this particular one shines a light on the flavors found in the spirit and is a fun gateway to learning to love one of the better-known blended versions. You may even have a bottle sitting on your home bar but, if not, hit up Bottle Hampton (850 Rte. 39, Southampton, 631-353-3313) to explore this savory and fruity spirit while your wallet still can.