Introducing Whisky and the Bottles You Can’t Miss at Mr. Chow Liquor Store

Last update: 17 April 2023

[Learn the creation of whisky, its tasting notes, and the types available in the market. Mr.Chow also introduces 6 whisky brands that you can consider trying for a start.]

Whisky may be somewhat difficult to understand especially if you are a novice drinker. They aren’t easily distinguishable by colour like wine is, and yet there are so many types and ranges of whiskies available.

When you’re spoiled with options, it’s easy to be blinded by what’s actually good and what’s there to look pretty. How would you know if you prefer a Ballantine’s Finest, or maybe a local Timah whiskey? Perhaps you’d prefer something lowkey and less mainstream?

Whatever it is, Mr.Chow comes ready with a multitude of authentic whisky options, so at least one of them is guaranteed to be to your liking.

Now to find out which one that is, have a read at the handy guide Mr.Chow has prepared for you below.

A Helpful Guide To Mr.Chow’s Finest Whiskies 

Creating Whisky

Making whisky begins with choosing the suitable grains to work with to achieve the desired flavour and texture. 

For instance, single malts are bitterer, and it's more evident in whiskies made with rye. Corn, on the other hand, would provide more sweetness. The selected grains are mixed with water and yeast, fermented, and distilled into a high-proof liquid clear distillate.  Additives such as caramel and maple are sometimes added to give certain whiskies more flavour and personality.

The whisky is then aged in oak barrels which infuse the alcohol with woody aromas and mellows out any harshness. Barrels of whiskies will then be blended and diluted to bottling strength.

What Does it Taste Like?

Mr.Chow’s opinion is that it tastes like ‘I entered the gates of heaven and the big boss himself handed me a glass of happiness and then tried to yum seng with me’.  

Generally, whisky possesses flavours of oak and sometimes notes of sweetness from caramel, vanilla, fruits, and spice. 

Some non-sweet whiskies also carry fresh tastes of grass, wheat bread, or hints of cinnamon and maple. 

Types Of Whiskies

Every style of whisky has its own distinct characteristics, attracting drinkers with diverse tastes. Let’s look at some of the world’s favourites:

1. Blended Whisky

Refers to blending two or more aged whiskies, typically distilled from different grains, such as single malts and grain whiskies, to induce effortlessly rich and more complex tasting alcohol.

One of the top products includes Grand Old Parr Superior 18 Years.

2. Single Malt Whisky

Single malt whisky is whisky made from a single distillery using just a single malted grain. 

One of the most famous single malts is Scotch whisky which became the benchmark for single malt whiskies all around the world.

Famous brands and products include Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Glenfiddich, Johnnie Walker, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, and Balvenie Doublewood 12 years. 

3. Irish Whisky

Smooth and light from the triple distillation of malted barley, Irish whisky is most often blended and must be distilled in Ireland to earn its name. 

Typically, Irish whiskey is aged for at least three years, resulting in beautiful oak and caramel flavours.

4. Scotch Whisky

Made by blending single malts from barley and grain whiskies, Scotch whisky has a smokey buttery flavour finished with a touch of spice, and can be considered an acquired taste. 

5. Bourbon Whisky

Bourbon can only be made in America and is regulated very tightly. It must be made from 50% and above corn, distilled to a maximum of 160 proof, barrelled to a maximum of 125 proof, and aged in new charred oak barrels. 

Bourbon flavours vary depending on the presence of additives, but they are typically sweet and robust.

6. Japanese Whisky

Japan picked up whisky techniques from Scotland, leading to Japanese whisky sharing similar characteristics as what the Scotch made, one of them being single malts laced with peaty flavours. Enter Suntory’s AO Whisky. 

How Do I Know Which Whisky I Like?

Take a look at Mr.Chow’s whisky breakdown and you’ll find out right away! 

1. Ballantine's Finest

A complex and refined, yet elegant Scotch whisky from the Ballantine family made by blending over 40 single malts and superior grains, cementing itself as one of the world’s favourite blends.

Subtle, sweet with a touch of wood smoke and toffee. Ballantine’s Finest whisky provides a sophisticated, rounded finish with hints of vanilla. A great mixer for sweet and refreshing cocktails.

Region: Dumbarton, Scotland

ABV %: 40%

Volume: 750 ml

Category: Blended Scotch Whisky

Colour: Clear light gold

Flavour profile:

• Soft, elegant, heather honey aromas with a hint of spice to the nose. 
• Balanced subtle sweet flavours of milk chocolate, red apples, and vanilla on the palate.
• Medium floral and refreshing finish
  

2. Chivas Regal 12 Years

The finest malt and grain Scotch whiskies are blended to create a remarkably smooth whisky - that being the one and only Chivas Regal 12. To stand out from its rivals, Chivas Regal offered different blends of whiskies which contained higher malt contents to cater to more complex and sophisticated palates. Chivas Regal is a superb blend for its price category in Malaysia.

Region: Moray, Scotland

ABV %: 40%

Volume: 700 ml

Category: Blended Scotch Whisky

Colour: Radiant warm amber

Flavour profile:

• An aromatic infusion of wild herbs, heather, honey, and orchard fruits.
• Round and creamy with a full, rich taste of honey and ripe pears, with notes of vanilla, hazelnut, and butterscotch.
• Rich and lingering finish.
   

3. Glenfiddich 15 Years

Glenfiddich 15 is a Scotch whisky categorised as one of the best single malts in the world. It is the only single malt matured in three distinct casks: ex-sherry, ex-bourbon, and new oak before being blended.

Glenfiddich whisky has been mellowed and blended in a large oak tun called the Solera Vatand since 1998 and continued to this day, resulting in every bottle of this whisky bottled today having a small bit of every other batch produced since the tun was originally filled more than 20 years ago.

This whisky may be too soft for cocktails but works well in an Old Fashioned. Water and ice can be spared as the flavours in this whisky suffice to provide a pleasant drinking experience.

Region: Speyside, Scotland

ABV %: 40%

Volume: 700 ml

Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Colour: Golden with a red hue 

Flavour profile:

• An intriguingly complex aroma. Sweet heather honey and vanilla fudge combined with rich dark fruits.
• Silky smooth, revealing layers of sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon and ginger. Full-bodied and bursting with flavour.
• Satisfyingly rich with a lingering sweetness.

4. Glenlivet 12 Years

The Glenlivet 12 is a great representation of the brand’s character and signature style, boasting flavours of orchard fruit, aromatic florals and honeyed malt notes carried through a creamy mouth feel.

This classic malt is matured in European and American oak casks, resulting in a smooth and silky sweetness, complementing the complex fruit tones and delicate flavours. Glenlivet 12 is also made from mineral-rich water which helps the whisky form its distinctive flavours during mashing and fermentation.

Region: Moray, Scotland

ABV %: 40%

Volume: 1000 ml

Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Colour: Bright vibrant gold 

Flavour profile:

• Aromas of apricot, pineapple, greengage, citrus blossom, and a toasted teacake.
• Buttery and vanilla-rich, though still packing all the bright fruit notes from the nose.
• A soft crackle of oaky spice and malt with hints of red apple juice.
• Long, creamy, and smooth finish.

5. Balvenie 12 Years DoubleWood

The Balvenie DoubleWood is made by only using whisky that has been aged for at least 12 years in traditional whisky casks, American Oak ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads, and moving it to Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks for another 9 months.  

The traditional casks soften and add delicate character to the whisky ultimately produced, whereas the sherry wood gives the whisky depth and fullness of flavour. The final 3-4 months of ageing in tuns marry these qualities harmoniously.

Region: Dufftown, Scotland

ABV %: 40%

Volume: 700 ml

Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Colour: Amber gold 

Flavour profile:

• Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla.
• Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours of nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.
• Long and warm finish.

6. Timah

Timah - Malaysia’s first double-peated blended whiskey is made from a carefully crafted blend of two aged peated malts and a neutral sugar cane spirit of Malaysian origin. Peats are a natural, plant-based matter. Once burned, the heat from the peat transfers to malted barley, giving Timah whiskey its characteristic smokey flavour and aroma.  

This local liquor has no problem building a name for itself in the international market either. Earning recognition from spirits competitions in the US and UK, Timah prides itself on its craftsmanship, sophistication, and tradition.

Region: Malaysia

ABV %: 40%

Volume: 750 ml

Category: Blended Whisky 

Colour: Copper bronze 

Flavour profile:

• Forward aromas of peat smoke with fresh fruits of peaches, apples, lemons, and hints of floral.
• An abundance of sweet fruity flavours of peaches, apricot, and citrus lemon followed by notes of peat smoke.
• Medium lingering smooth finish with notes of sweet peat smoke
  

Order Your Whisky Online with Mr.Chow

Hopefully, you’re well-informed on all the whisky types that await you. How does a nice glass of single-malt Scotch whisky sound? Visit Mr.Chow’s online liquor store now to get your desired whiskies at low and promotional prices!