Welcome to my malt of the month page. Several years ago my oldest brother (now a retired Episcopal priest) introduced me to the 'nectar of the gods' as he, and I now, call it - Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Each new single malt that I encounter is a new and delightful experience. I like to nose, eye and taste each new single malt and judge it on my own before checking my results with my consultants: Michael Jackson - Jackson's Guide to Single Malt Whisky, Jim Murry's Whiskey (he samples both Scotch Whisky and Irish Whiskey)Bible and Carol Shaw's Collins Gem Whisky.

Jackson and Murry give a much more detailed description and report on each single malt. Each gives a two digit rating such as 70's fair to good, 80's good to excellent. Shaw on the other hand judges on the basis of experienced pallet. His 1-5 scale reflects novice to experienced pallet. Most single malts fall into the 2-3 categorie with Lagavulan and Laphroaig being in the 5 category. I find most of the 2-3 being much milder and devoid of the smoke, peat and seaweed/iodine tastes of the 4-5's.

At any rate lest you think I am an alcholic or bounder, I like to sip single malts (my collection of twenty-two at this writing) once or twice a week - just a wee dram. When I come across something I like - I like to share it with others.

Note: the name of my web page "Angel's Share Studio" is derived from the vapor that escapes during the distillation process every upward to be shared by the angels.

MAY'S CHOICE

It was the last dram and I bid it a bonnie farewell. I'm not sure just how many years I have nurtured this fine bottle of Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky - The Dalmore aged 21 years. I can't say enough about this Northern Highland single malt. I found it to be a very interesting mix of flavors a bit smoke and citrus (I don't usually pick up this type of nuance - yet in Dalmore there it was.) Before even looking into Jackson or Murray I deemed it to be in the mid to upper 80's and after checking with the experts it proved to be the case.

I judged it to be a 3-4 on the Shaw scale of educated pallet. Shaw describes it as a solid 4 - after consideration of the fact that I actually detected some fruit (citrus) flavor with a hint of smoke - either my pallet is becoming more educated or, as I suspect, The Dalmore is just that good!

While the experts recommend as an after dinner, cigar type drink, I just like to settle down with a dram and emerge myself into a good mystery novel.

Dalmore is produced by Whyte and MacKay, ltd. For more information you may visit their web site at www.dalmoredistillery.co.uk . Have a good nose, swirl and taste. HEM

APRIL'S CHOICE

Upon my return from Italy on March 17, 2008 and wanting to spend down the last of my Euros I picked up two single malts that I had not seen in the United States or at least at my single malt sources. One of the malts was Glen Garioch.

As I savored the first taste allowed me at the duty free counter at Heathrow Airport I must admit that I was still filled with my euphoria of the recent trip to Pisa, Florence and Venice. However, I found Glen Garioch to be somewhere between a desert and cigar smoking (which I don't do) complementary malt. It has a pleasant aroma, like all single malts the vapors attack then soften and reveal themselves. I judged the malt to be in the upper seventy to eighty range and about a 3-4 in educated pallet (to which I cannot attest expertise.)

I was delighted to find that both Jackson and Murray ranged the malt in the 80's and Shaw describes it as a solid three.

Hope you can find a dealer who carries it and if so enjoy.