Dewars White Label

Dewar's White Label is a blended Scotch from Perthshire, bottled at 40% ABV. Blends in this style combine malt whisky with grain whisky, and the grain portion usually gives a lighter, softer body than a single malt. Expect a gentle, honeyed sweetness with cereal and light vanilla notes, some toasted oak, and a faint wisp of smoke in the background. The smoke is usually restrained. It adds depth rather than the peat-forward character of an Islay malt. Neat, it is easy to approach. Pour about 45 ml into a Glencairn glass. The tapered bowl concentrates the aroma, so you can pick out the malt, honey and oak before tasting. If it feels slightly hot on the first sip, add a few drops of room-temperature water. A little dilution loosens the alcohol and tends to bring out the sweeter, creamier notes. For slower sipping, use a rocks glass with one large cube. It chills the whisky without watering it down too quickly, though colder temperatures mute some of the subtler aromas. The classic is the Scotch and soda, a highball of 45 ml whisky over ice topped with 90 to 120 ml of chilled soda water and finished with a lemon peel. It is crisp and refreshing, and it shows off the malty sweetness without hiding it. In a Whisky Sour, 50 ml Scotch, 25 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 to 20 ml simple syrup, shaken hard, gives a rounded, citrus-led drink in which the light smoke adds a savory edge. An Old Fashioned made with a sugar cube, two dashes of Angostura bitters and an orange peel suits the mild profile, and a Rob Roy, which is a Manhattan made with Scotch, sweet vermouth and bitters, is a good match for it as well. Use a smaller measure of vermouth than you would with rye so the whisky is not overwhelmed. At the table, its soft sweetness goes well with smoked salmon, mild cheddar, roast chicken and shortbread. For the best flavor, store the bottle upright and out of direct light.