Distilled Spririts

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Great American Saloons and Spirits Scotchy, Scotch: It’s Cold Out There by Kevin Kosar spectator.org/scotchy-scotch

Kevin Kosar whiskey

Great American Saloons and Spirits - Kevin Kosar

Kevin R. Kosar is a senior fellow at the R Street Institute and the author of Whiskey: A Global History. He is the editor and founder of AlcoholReviews.com and a contributor to The American Spectator’s Great American Saloon Series.

Old Pulteney 12-year: This is the gentlest of the lot. It is made in Wick at the northernmost distillery in Scotland. It is 86 proof and shows cream, citrus, and a bit of barrel. Very pleasant. ($35-$40)

Caol Ila 12-year: A beautiful single malt from Islay, an island I got to know many years ago. It has more sheep than people. Caol Ila (86 proof) is distilled on the shore in Port Askaig, with views of Jura across the water. It presents citrus notes upfront and follows with nut tastes. ($55)

The Peat Monster: Compass Box Whisky Company produces this hefty blend (92 proof). It is a combination of whiskies from Port Askaig, Isle of Mull, and Speyside. It oozes smoke and peat, but goes down softly on the swallow with a faint fruity aroma. Full-flavoured, but it is not a palate-buster. ($55)

Ardbeg 10-year: Watch out, this is a big Islay whisky. It is 92 proof and tastes salty and floods the sinuses with menthol and pepper and a little smoke. ($45)

Laphroaig 10-year: Dear lord, what a brute of a drink. This single malt is a modest 80 proof, yet this iconic Islay whisky floods the mouth and head with iodine and peat. Those new to it declare it medicinal. Perhaps, so. Laphroaig never fails to lift my soul and warm my body. ($45)