VIDEO
1. Can Scotch go bad?
Technically, an unopened bottle of Scotch can last forever. Air is the only true evil to Whisky; once the liquid is oxidized it is no longer immortal.
After opening, as long as you store your Whisky in a cool, dry place, it will last another 5 years.
The snobs will tell you that once you have half a bottle left, you’ve only got another 1-2 years left, and once you’re down to a quarter of a bottle, it’s more like 3-4 months.
We’d just ask you why on earth you haven’t finished it yet.
2. Is Scotch good for you?
And here is where being an optimist pays off, yes Scotch is good for you!
In moderation, obviously. Scotch has been praised by real life, not on commission, health experts, for its ability to prevent heart attacks, blood clots, strokes, dementia and even cancer. A lot of this is down to the ellagic acid which is found in Whisky; a very powerful antioxidant.
3. Is Scotch gluten free?
The honest answer is, probably. Even though Scotch is derived from barley, a gluten grain, the distillation process which makes Scotch an alcohol removes most of these gluten proteins. Understandably, that isn’t all that reassuring when the worst that can happen is that you need to seek medical attention.
4. How many calories are in Whisky?
By a cocktail menu’s standards, very few indeed. In a Scotch which is 50% alcohol, we’re talking about 80 calories per 35ml.
Of course if you start messing around with mixers like cherry coke, grenadine syrup and sugared sprigs; the calory count of your drink will change considerably.
5. What does Scotch taste like?
That’s a bit like asking when Justin Bieber’s career will end; a hopeful but perpetually unresolved enquiry.
Scotch can taste of all sorts, literally; Jura likes to team its malts with liquourice. More broadly, Scotch can have a citrus edge complemented with a light, grassy taste, particularly in the Lowlands. Elsewhere, and especially in Islay, Scotch can be packed with peaty smoked notes. Take a sip, and if it tastes like Lapsang Souchong on a bender, you’ll know it’s the latter.