Gear Up For FIFA World Cup 2018

That Russia’s sole choice of drink is vodka, is a notion ingrained in our minds for decades. Similarly, another assumption we often make is that the perfect drink to accompany a good game of football is beer. The FIFA World Cup 2018, being hosted by Russia, is the perfect occasion to break these two stereotypes and start a new trend. All you need to do is try it and find out for yourself-- a glass of premium Scotch whisky, with an intense match of football. Here’s a list of five whiskies to help you celebrate this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Aberlour 12 Year Old

The Aberlour 12 year old Scotch whisky is one of the finest Speyside malts available and a brilliant choice to keep you company during the matchup between Germany and Sweden being held in Sochi, on the coast of the Black Sea. This double matured malt is a blend of traditional oak and sherry casks with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, raisins and Christmas cake. Just as Germany is synonymous with football, so is Aberlour with whisky. With fluid movement across the field and a clinically efficient striker to net the ball, the German team possesses a balance other nations have seldom achieved. Similarly, the Aberlour scotch with its levels of sherry spice and richness, has a hint of bitter char that rounds off the flavours before it can become overly sweet, striking the perfect balance.

Price: Rs. 3, 300-3,600

Availability: Europe, Asia

Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel

The host country will be facing Egypt in the iconic city of Saint Petersburg. Russia and Egypt have little in common, but in the pages of history you will find that both the nations share a history of revolts and revolutions, much like Ireland. This World Cup season, raise a toast to the spirit of revolution and to the brotherhood of football, with a dram or two of Jameson Irish Whiskey. The Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel is a special pot still whisky, a heavier version of the standard Jameson. This whisky has a lot of first-fill bourbon and sherry casks, allowing the whisky to imbue richer flavours, making this the perfect choice for the match between Russia and Egypt.

Price: Rs. 3,300

Availability: Global

Royal Salute Blended Scotch Whisky

Kaliningrad will be hosting the face-off between England and Belgium, and what better way to support the English (if you do support them, that is) than with a bottle of Royal Salute 21 Year Old. Royal Salute is the only Scotch whisky collection that begins at 21 years of age, and calls for a celebration. This exquisite Scotch was created to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953, and the World Cup is definitely an occasion to celebrate with one of the finest whisky ever distilled. The special long-aged blend is fresh to the nose with hints of orange zest, soft spices and gingerbread, with a taste that matches the nose, leading the way to some burnt caramel and an oaky smokiness. We don’t think you need any further convincing, so go right ahead, salute the English team and enjoy the match with your glass of Royal Salute.

Price: Rs. 10,000-31,26,480

Availability: Europe

Ballantine’s Gold Seal

Another much awaited match this World Cup season, is that between Portugal and Spain, which shall be held in Sochi. With this clash of the titans promising to be a match to remember, choose your side carefully, but be wiser when you choose what to have in your glass. We’d suggest the Ballantine’s Gold Seal 12 Year Old Special Reserve Scotch whisky. This beautiful blend, to the nose, has a honey sweetness along with a complex balance of oak and vanilla aromas. The creamy body gives way to honey and floral flavours, with the oak sweetness balancing everything to perfection.

Price: Rs. 70,000-80,000

Availability: Europe

Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve

Built around a core of single malt whisky, this elite elixir, is the ideal choice for the grand final of the FIFA World Cup 2018, which will be held in none other than the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow. Considering that the finals will be nothing short of epic, we very firmly recommend, that you complete your World Cup experience with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve. This luxurious, creamy and honeyed whisky, is the perfect blend for the perfect celebration. The whisky opens up with a burst of delicate nectar and smokiness, which gives way to fruity and velvety tones, and the finish leaves a lingering taste of smoke and oak. Nothing can complement the World Cup final any better, so we suggest that you get yourself a bottle with this slice of heaven, before you decide on which jersey to wear.

Price: Rs. 4,000-5000

Availability: Global

Difference Between Irish Whiskey and Scotch - Irish Whisky vs Scotch

While most novice whisky drinkers may fail to see, understand or even care about the distinction, Scotch and Irish whiskey are a lot more different than believed to be. The mention of either could result in a fistfight, or a heated argument at the very least so if you really must know the factors that set Scotch and Irish whiskey apart from each other, you have come to the right place.

The Pocket Guide to Whisky by Nikki Welch and Blair Bowman

Have you recently taken a keen interest in whisky? Are you frequently googling questions about whisky? Do you want to tell apart a Bell’s from a Bunnahabhain? Or are you just looking for a change from your usual bourbon? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then let us tell you that Nikki Welch and Blair Bowman have come up with a brilliant book to guide you through your different whisky phases and answer all your questions.

Whisky a Go Go in the 1970s

In the late 1960s, a small club opened its doors on the corner of Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California. Known as the Whisky a Go-Go, the club became synonymous with the rising rock and roll scene of the era, hosting iconic bands like The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Byrds and single artists like Janis Joplin. While Mario Maglieri, Elmer Valentine, and Phil Tanzini, founders of the club had wanted to name it The Whiskey, the Los Angeles city laws prohibited clubs being named after liquor, so they settled for The Whisk in the beginning, then The Whisky, without the ‘e’. The club opened with a concert by Johnny Rivers with Joanie Labine playing records and dancing in a suspended booth to the right of Rivers’ set. This gave birth to the idea of introducing go-go dancing in the club. Soon a particular kind of costume emerged, where go-go dancers would wear a short flared, fringed skirt and pair it with white knee-length boots, a trend that rapidly spread across discotheques and clubs in and around California.