This Blog’s NEAT

A blog for the whiskey-curious.

Single Malt Scotch
General Robyn Smith, PhD General Robyn Smith, PhD

Single Malt Scotch

There are 122 active single malt distilleries in Scotland and each distillery has their own take on what makes a whisky delicious resulting in single malts with diverse flavor profiles. A simple way to start navigating your way through all of this variety is to know what flavor profiles are associated with the region that the whisky is produced. Here I outline the characteristics of each Scotch whisky region.

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Whisk(e)y
General Robyn Smith, PhD General Robyn Smith, PhD

Whisk(e)y

With an “e” or without and “e”. That is the question. I describe why there’s no simple answer to this question, only general rules-of-thumb.

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Empty Bottles
General Robyn Smith, PhD General Robyn Smith, PhD

Empty Bottles

After you’ve enjoyed the whiskey from a NEAT blind tasting, you’re left with these empty 2 oz bottles that you’re not sure what to do with. Instead of tossing them out, I have a fun idea to share with friends!

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Whiskey Basics
General Robyn Smith, PhD General Robyn Smith, PhD

Whiskey Basics

Whiskey can be a daunting subject to dive into, but the basics are pretty simple. Here’s what you need to know to navigate the whiskey seas.

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Tasting Whiskey
General Robyn Smith, PhD General Robyn Smith, PhD

Tasting Whiskey

It takes practice to evolve from taking a sip of whiskey and saying “this tastes like alcohol” to “I’m getting notes of honey, cinnamon, raisins, smoke and chocolate.” Luckily for us, it’s fun practice. Here are my recommendations to figure out what little nuances work best for you to unlock your senses.

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Curious about something?

Don’t hesitate to ask!

Let me know if there’s anything you’re wondering about in the world of whiskey. Whether it has to do with making, tasting or buying whiskey, I’ll give you my answer and post it in the blog. Odds are, if you’re curious about something, other people are wondering it too.