With sunnier months on the horizon, it’s hard not to think of vibrant summer days with a cold drink in hand, sand at your feet. Luckily, we can do that right here in Vancouver! One drink you won’t want to pass by this summer & beyond comes from the most awarded blended scotch whisky in the world, Dewar’s.
THE RUNDOWN ON DEWAR’S SCOTCH-WHISKY
In fact, Dewar’s has been leading the scotch-whisky game for nearly 150 years, and we do have them to thank for popularizing the “highball”. From pioneering, evolving, and refining the double aging process over the last 150 years, to constant innovation pushing the boundaries of scotch whisky, it’s clear that whatever the occasion may be, Dewar’s has the perfect sip- whether it’s on the rocks or in your favourite cocktail.
Plus, Dewar’s Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod, was awarded ‘Master of the Year’ in 2021 for the THIRD time in a row, proving that women really can take the world of whisky by storm.
Stephanie is not only upholding Dewar’s time-honoured tradition of double aging, she is also pioneering innovation with unique takes maturation and unique cask finishes, including Dewar’s 8yr Cask Series line, with an eye on bringing two cultures together, creating new opportunities for folks to enjoy Dewar’s throughout the year, no matter how you like to drink whisky.
THE DEWAR’S SCOTCH-WHISKY PROCESS
Every whisky in the Cask Series starts with a specially made 8-year-old whisky, but prior to bottling, each cask series whisky is double-aged and then finished in hand selected casks for a second aging period to impart a unique and distinctive flavour.
With a blend of up to 40 single malts and grain whiskies, aged for at least eight years (then doubled aged for extra smoothness), before being finished in everything from Port Casks, Rum Casks all the way to Mezcal Casks for up to 6 months, you’re guaranteed a uniquely smooth finish with every single taste.
THE SUMMERY SIPS
Now back to summertime drinks, one of Dewar’s finest new products comes in the form of the Portuguese Smooth, which tastes just as good as it sounds. Celebrating the two cultures of Portugal and Scotland, this rich and medium bodied whisky brings about the vibrancy and colourful flavours that embody both countries. And with a Port Cask finish, bringing two cultures together has never been so tasty.
Not to mention, this cultural collab has made some major waves in the whisky world. Dewar’s Portuguese Smooth won 1st Place for Best Blended Scotch 10 Year & Under at the 2021 International Whisky Competition, proving that this whiskies complexity and balance is second to none and a perfect base for that summertime cocktail.
Oh, and if you’re looking for other flavourful sips on the horizon, keep an eye out for Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth being back on BC shelves this June! This bold blend of Caribbean and Scottish culture won Best Blended Scotch (3-8 Years) at the 2020 International Whisky Competition, adding to Dewar’s long (& deserved) list of accolades.
When you’re serving Dewar’s to your guests, know you’re serving them the best.
So naturally, we’ve teamed up with Canadian blogger & cocktail lover @justsultanto to get his tips on drinking & serving up Dewar’s!
THE LOW DOWN ON SULTAN
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As a Torontonian for twelve years, Sultan was eager to explore new restaurants, attend the National Ballet or Toronto Symphony Orchestra, or check out the latest event to launch in the city. His love of fashion shone through in Toronto as well, landing a spot for his brand ‘Just Sultan’ at the city’s first Men’s Fashion Week. From there, Sultan has moved back home to BC to be closer to family while he completed a Master of Education degree.
Being Punjabi, entertaining is a large part of Sultan’s cultural heritage and something he celebrates not only through gatherings with friends and family, but through the food, drinks, and aesthetic that comes with entertaining. And as a self-admitted lover of luxury goods, Sultan knows a thing or two about the finer things in life. One of those? Dewar’s Scotch Whisky, which we were lucky enough to chat about with the man himself, Just Sultan.
We’ve ventured into his thoughts on the wonderful world of scotch whisky, plus @justsultanto’s go-to tips for entertaining with Dewar’s. So, let’s get into it!
THE INTERVIEW
Q: What’s your favourite way to drink Dewar’s?
A: I know that there is no set way to drink whiskey but I do like to drink my Dewar’s White Label neat to fully appreciate the flavour profile.
Q: Does the way you drink Dewar’s change based on the occasion?
A: Purists would cringe at drinking any of Dewar’s products any other way than neat, and my usual go-to is Dewar’s White Label. However, I do like to mix things up depending on if I am having a post-work cocktail or adding it to the bar for a special celebration. I love experimenting with whiskey cocktails and find that Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth works really well with ingredients like ginger and coconut syrup.
Q: What’s your favourite way to serve Dewar’s to your guests?
A: I like to offer Dewar’s to guests as a welcome cocktail. I have found that a lot of guests aren’t used to whiskey cocktails so they are pleasantly surprised with a Dewar’s welcome cocktail. I like to end the evening with a neat night-cap with Dewar’s so that they can experience the full flavour profile at the end of the night. It kind of eases guests into whiskey appreciation- for those that aren’t used to drinking whiskey.
Q: You obviously love to indulge in great food & drink, but what is your ideal meal to make when sipping on a scotch whisky blend like Dewar’s?
A: I love to make shahi paneer and rice while sipping on Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth. It’s my mum’s signature recipe and I am so grateful to have learned from the best!
Q: Do you have a special trick, or certain tools you use to make every sip the perfect sip?
A: I don’t really have a special hack but as I said, I’m pretty extra so I do like to sip it from a Tiffany whiskey glass. They aren’t in stock anymore, but if you’re feeling fancy, check out their Brandy Snifters to level up your cocktail hour.
Q: When it comes to serving Dewar’s on its own, do you go for neat, pressed, or on the rocks?
A: I don’t mind a large ice cube in my Dewar’s but I typically go for neat as I prefer to have my whiskey full of flavour and not watered down.
Q: In your opinion, why do you think people are often apprehensive of exploring the world of scotch whisky?
A: I believe that people may not have been exposed to the right whiskey and thus are scared of exploring more. I feel that the flavours are strong and remarkable so it would be ideal to try whiskey with someone that appreciates it and understands it.
Q: What would be your go to tip for first-timers trying scotch whisky?
A: I would recommend that they look up a whiskey bar in their area or find an establishment with a well-rounded whiskey list so that when they do try it, the bar manager will be able to guide them. In Vancouver, my favourite place to try Whiskey is the Cask Whiskey Vault inside the Versante Hotel as Whiskey is the star of the show! Just be sure to order the ‘Cask Penicillin’ as it features Dewar’s 12 Year Old.
THE TAKEAWAY
Like Sultan said, whether you’re sipping Dewar’s neat to enjoy the full profile, or concocting a coconut and ginger creation with Dewar’s Caribbean, there are plenty of ways for both whisky newbies and vets to enjoy. And if you’re looking to get a little extra, we suggest you try Sultan’s go-to Tiffany whisky glass!
So grab a bottle of Portuguese Smooth for your next delectable dinner party, or anytime you’re craving a beachy cocktail. ‘Cause there’s nothing like a little scotch whisky aged in Port Casks to cap off the perfect night.
Regardless of if you’re a newbie to the scotch whisky game, or a seasoned vet, you can begin your Dewar’s journey today! Just pop by your fave independent liquor store, and grab a bottle (or two) of Portuguese Smooth today and enjoy it in a cocktail or on the rocks.
The fun part is there are no rules, as long as you’re sharing it with the ones you love most. Cheers, Vancouver.
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