Black Dog Scotch Tasting

“There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren't as good as others.” 
― Raymond Chandler




Life is all about trying new things,and sometimes what you know at present is far more naive than what you might learn afterwards.We by now know wine and food pairing,do we know Scotch whiskey and food pairing,sounds real new isn't it?I know most of us never bother to pair the right food with whiskey,but I personally liked the dark chocolates with the 18 year old Black Dog.

“Whisky is liquid sunshine.”- George Bernard Shaw

Habanero is a place where the food is awesome,everything right from the starters to the main course,to the dessert.I am a big fan and when Akshay and Sumath told me about the Black Dog and the Food Pairing event at Habanero,I was so excited that I left my film making class early to join the fun.

Hah,what a relief to see some familiar faces,and some new ones as well.The session started with general "hi wat's up tone",and this time,everyone opened up to their own tales.Every session makes us more free and less formal.That's the beauty,of being in a group event,all thanks to Ginger Claps.

“Whiskey, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. You gaze first, then it's time to drink.” 
― Haruki Murakami

Scotch is never boring.If you drink it,and follow no hard and fast,you'd still be happy.But probably more happy if you know whiskey has a smell and a taste of its own.Black Dog has a smell which is fresh,and right from the start you can guess the ingredients,well it's not something you can try making at home,but there are tinge of spices,oak,vanilla and chocolate.The best way to taste whiskey is to add a spoon of water to whiskey,so that the aroma opens,and when you smell it again,it smells more rich.Next is to swish it around your mouth and let it go slow.You would feel the warmth go down the throat,but definitely this whiskey is not heavy and very smooth.Thanks to Mr. Mohit Nishchol for letting us know the right way to have the drink of happiness.



“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” 
― Mark Twain

There are three types of Black Dog Whiskey

1) Black Dog Centenary Scotch Whisky

Black Dog Centenary is a rich and rare premium blended Scotch whisky loaded with exceptional characters. It is blended to perfection with a multitude of malt spirits chosen from the various regions of Scotland.

Tasting Notes

Colour : Amber with golden highlights.

Aroma : Matured wood, toasted malt, mild honey sweetness, delicate
butterscotch bordering on cream, with floral nuances that emerges at the end.

Palate : Robust body, pronounced rich malt and oak and sherry sweetness,
spreads warmly in the mouth like silent sea waves.

Black Dog 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky

Black Dog is a blend of fine whiskies from all the regions of Scotland - Speyside,Islay, Highlands and Lowlands, each matured for a minimum period of 12 years creating a bouquet that captures all the flavours of Scotland, giving Black Dog its very distinctive flavour and taste.

Tasting Notes

Colour : Amber, with golden highlights.

Aroma : Robust malty, mellow woody, complex yet delicate aroma of sherry and
vanillic sweetness with whispers of soft peatiness in the background.

Palate : Beautifully rounded, heavy body, pronounced malty, mellow woody, fruity
sweetness with teasing light warm peat.

Finish : Luxurious and exciting, long and warm with a touch of cream.

Black Dog 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky

Black Dog 18 Year Old is a rare blend for those who’ve developed a taste for the finer things in life. They take pride in knowing the difference between the fine and the penultimate. And, more importantly, take time to savour their choicest indulgences, leisurely.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep, golden, glossy and mahogany.

Nose: A truly noble bouquet of luscious malty tones and rich velvety textures with a hint of oloroso sherry in the background.

Taste: Round and mellow complex quixotic flavours with an impeccable balance of individual malt and grain whiskies and silky soft tones that dance on the tongue.

Finish: Luxuriously smooth and long, a testament to the malt & grain whiskies which have spent years in oak casks & vats.


Black Dog Quintessence 21 Years old Scotch Whisky

The Black Dog 21 years old is indeed pure liquid gold.Hand crafted to meticulous perfection by our Master
Blender. Only 25 of the finest single malts and grain whiskies have been drawn from the Highland region
of Scotland, in particular from the beautiful Speyside

Tasting Notes

Colour – intense amber gold with shimmering highlights

Nose – a harmony of delight orchestrated by a multitude of seductive aromas immediately arouse the
senses. Soft peaches and ripe citrus fruits coupled with pear, marzipan and bergamot begin this flirtatious
fanfare. The aged malt whiskies from the Speyside valley make their own inimitable contribution by adding that distinctive charm and finesse. Velvet and smooth. The hand of time in the finest sherry wood has weaved its magic spell to perfection.

Taste – bold and magnificent. This outstanding blend must be given the reverence and respect it richly
deserves. For twenty one years these aged single malts and grain whiskies have remained dormant in our
cold dark warehouses before they were finally blended together by our master Blender. Therefore the spirit
must be held long on the palate for at least twenty one seconds to awaken its many hidden attributes. Like
a rare masterpiece it will reveal its inner beauty. It’s inner world. Intense flavours of Seville oranges, ripe
sweet mangoes and ginger spice reward the palate, then whispers of bitter chocolate, liquorice and crushed
almonds drift lovingly on.

The Black Dog 12 year old has also been awarded a silver medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is an organization recognized by the European Union, which conducts annual competition for various spirits and wines manufactured all over the world.

Before this event,I had never tasted whiskey neat,either it had to be with Sprite or Cola.But Black Dog has a taste,which is suited to every palate.Finally we were all awarded a certificate of appreciation,yohoo!!!!

“Love makes the world go round? Not at all. Whiskey makes it go round twice as fast.” 
― Compton Mackenzie


We started when it was blue skies around,and now the whole night was sparkling with the golden shimmer of HABANERO and the ever ready bar!It was 7:30pm,time to leave.What a lovely evening!

For more information on Black Dog,do not forget to like their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/blackdogeasyevenings