MaCallan Whisky On The Rocks || Fairley's Of Stirling

Imagine being a bar fly back in the days of the Noughties, chatting to the bartender who is meticulously polishing a glass and stacking it neatly on a rack one by one. The smoky atmosphere filled with regulars puffing away at cigars and cigarettes, stubbing it out on brown glassy ash trays, Billy Idol playing on the background with that staticky scratching sound from a cassette player, drifting through the bar and the muted chats from accompanying table and then...

'I will have a double 18 year MaCallan on the rocks'

All noise suddenly ceases, even the music seemed to stop (probably with the inevitable doom of the cassette tape being chewed by the rollers), the silence palpable, smoke hanging frozen in the air and the wide-eyed looks of the local Scottish regulars looking like they have just been struck with a lump of coal. Someone has walked in and dare to desecrate the holy-of-holy's, the liquor of the Gods, the life-blood of all-who-is Scottish, the water of life is being tainted. Even the bar man looks a little uncertain whether he can comply to such an order but as a capable barman he knows the desecration of a 18 Year Single-malt will not go down well today.  

Looking at the new-comer stomping into his bar and demanding an outrageous request, he looks him in the eye and asks in a deep voice- "Are you sure you want it ON THE ROCK, Laddie?"

Visibly taken a back, this well dressed gentleman who obviously travelled from south of the border on a business trip then looks a bit indignant. In a scowling reply.

"Do you even know who I am?"

In a classical riposte the capable barman replies, "Aye, someone who do not know how to enjoy a single-malt?"

In conclusion?

The memory of that one moment over 25 years ago still linger in my mind, the desecration of a Single-Malt in a spit and sawdust public house. The question still holds true to this day; On the Rocks Or Neat? I would imagine the question is still hotly debated in a Scottish bar somewhere this moment, does dilution unlock hidden tastes or waters down the aroma? I for one prefer the strong and peaty nature of the Isle Whiskies and adding anything but Whisky in a glass is akin to taking away Lady Liberty's Flame. This particular establishment is fully aligned with my taste in how it should be enjoyed not stirred and definitely not diluted.

A hot Scottish summer is the second most mythical to the Loch Ness Monster

Arguments given for and against dilution has always stirred up public opinions with whisky-blooded Scotsman demanding a head on a plate, but as a semi-rational Scotsman born in a Millennial generation I can only answer the question with a question; Is it Scorching outside and is it a blended Whisky?

If both together holds true then it will be acceptable for Whisky to be on the rocks, but as anyone has ever been to Scotland will know, a hot summer is a myth second only to the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Conclusion in this long rambling non-sensical post is...it can happen but maybe further down the line climate change may bring a toasty summer to Scotland and with Loch Ness dried up we can all begin the debate anew sitting outside.

We may not know the answer to all the debates but we certainly can help start one with our unique Whisky glasses, like this Copper Stag Head Whisky Glass. Comes with the option of personalisation and presentation box. Click Here to view in our shop.