The Smoky Scotsman is a great cocktail for the warmer weather.
Though some cocktail enthusiasts associate Scotch with the cooler weather, you needn’t eschew it when the mercury climbs. And now that September is here, and fall is right around the corner, it’s a great time to reacquaint yourself with Scotland’s peaty potables.
Charlie Whitfield, the new East Coast Brand Ambassador for The Macallan, has several ideas for delicious drams as we head into early fall. Born in Edinburgh, Charlie recently relocated to New York to live out his dream of working with The Macallan, where he has the distinct honor of introducing Scotch to the East Coast to further the understanding and appreciation of one the world’s most precious and unique drams. His connection and love affair with Scotch isn’t new; it actually began at the age of 2 when his grandmother entered his name into a raffle and he won the first prize – two cases of The Macallan 10 Years Old! Fortunately, his father kept his winnings until he was old enough to enjoy the Scotch. Her are some of his tips:
- Don’t be afraid to try a Scotch cocktail in the warmer weather, as they are very refreshing. If you prefer to drink your Scotch straight, try adding one large chunk of ice rather than lots of small pieces. The smaller surface area means the ice chills your Scotch – but doesn’t turn it into a diluted mess!
- It is your Scotch, so you should enjoy however you want, wherever and whenever you want to (in moderation of course!). The main thing is to have fun, enjoy it with friends and try exploring expressions from all of the different regions of Scotland. Charlie recommends Highland Park for all those starting on the smokey journey, as it provides a unique balance of sherry wood and aromatic Orcadian peat smoke.
- Charlie’s absolute favorite summertime Scotch cocktail is the “Smokey Scotsman” – made with The Macallan 10 Years Old (recipe below). If you’re short on time, a Scotch with a splash of ginger beer can be very refreshing too.
The Smokey Scotsman
Created at Pour George (http://pourgeorge.com/) by Drew Z
2 oz. The Macallan 10 Years Old
.5 oz Fresh lemon juice
3-5 Sage leaves
Muddle, add ice, shake and dirty pour into double rocks glass.
