The good thing is that for the three categories above, there are whiskeys to fit any budget. Whether it's a $50 or a $5,000 bottle, once you figure out the gift recipient's drinking and food preferences and style, you are sure to find a whiskey that they'll be happy with and appreciate...
At this time, distilleries began to close, starting with Hanyu. In 2000, they sold their remaining stock and equipment. Karuizawa distillery closed the following year and Mars Shinshu shortly after. These events marked the bottom of the decline in Japanese whisky sales. The remaining producers continued to make high-quality distillates, but production volumes were limited.
Soon the fledgling Scotch industry attracted the attention of the Scottish Parliament, which introduced punitive taxes on Scotch in 1644. Naturally, this gave rise to the Scotch black market as not everyone was ready to part with their hard-earned money so easily.
The aging process helps to mellow out the harshness of the alcohol (such as sulfur) while also imbuing the bourbon with its distinctive flavor. The flavor notes are drawn from the wood itself; the longer the bourbon sits in the barrel, the more rich and complex its flavor profile will be.
Ordering a whiskey "on the rocks" may sound cool, but it may not necessarily be what you want. This is because ice actually numbs your palate and dulls the flavors. But if you want ice in your Whiskey, you're best off going...
