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Elite blended whiskey “White horse” is one of the iconic spirits of Scotland. It is even called the symbol of this freedom-loving country.
The label with a graceful white horse is well known not only to the inhabitants of the island state, but to absolutely all whiskey connoisseurs from all over the world. The products are especially popular in the USA and Japan.
Due to the bright peat flavor, not every taster is able to drink the White Horse in its pure form, so the drink is often included in cocktails. Although true connoisseurs say that this is exactly what real whiskey from the country of kilts and bagpipes should be like.
whiskey cocktails
Whiskey History White Horse
The brand got its noble name from a family tavern built in Scotland in 1742. In turn, the drinking establishment was so named after thoroughbred white horses from the royal stables of Mary Stuart.
Business was brisk, visitors were not transferred, but the active entrepreneur wanted to try his hand at a new field. So at the end of the 1742th century, Mackie and Co distillery appeared in the vicinity of Glasgow, later renamed White Horse. It is noteworthy that the number “XNUMX”, indicated on the bottles of the famous whiskey, does not correspond at all to the date of the founding of the plant, but to the year the tavern was opened.
The merit of creating a memorable name and official registration of the brand in 1891 belongs to James’ nephew Peter Mackey. Before the young distiller began to help his uncle promote the brand and improve the drinks produced, he mastered the intricacies of making and selling whiskey at the Lagavulin distillery.
By the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the management of the company almost completely passed into the hands of Peter: he was engaged in marketing, controlled production, participated in the creation of blends, and organized export deliveries.
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In 1915, the ambitious nephew added to the ownership of White horse with the successful acquisition of the Craigellachie distillery in Speyside, which, among other plants, supplied spirits to create the legendary drink. It is assumed that the idea of using a screw cap to seal bottles also came from Peter. In any case, the innovation was born at the White Horse distillery. Prior to this, Scotch whiskey was sealed with a regular cork stopper, like wine.
In 1900, the brand’s drinks first began to be sold outside the country. On the occasion of this significant event, coinciding with the beautiful date of the end of the century, a special blend “White Horse 1900” was released. You can try it today. In 1927, a couple of years after the death of Peter Mackey, the company became part of the holding “The Distillers Compagny Limited”, in the 2000s it became the property of the alcohol giant “Diageo”.
Today, White horse drinks are known throughout the world not only as an excellent blended malt product, but also as the most forged whiskey. Not surprising given its popularity.
Review of taste and types
Each product of the brand is a harmonious blend of several dozen malt and grain spirits. The share of the former is about 30%, the rest is accounted for by the grain part.
The main component of the “White Horse” is Lagavulin whiskey from the Isle of Islay, which gives the drinks a bitter smoky-peaty flavor and iodine-salt notes.
The composition also includes Talisker, Caol Ila, Craigellachie, Glen Elgin, Linkwood alcohols.
It is noteworthy that the recipe for blends has not changed since its creation in the XNUMXth century. Mandatory is the aging in sherry casks.
The brand’s collection consists of 4 unchanged drinks:
White Horse Fine Old
The company’s most widespread and popular product, developed by Peter Mackey in 1891.
Consists of 35 varieties of whiskey. It has a brilliant golden-amber color, characteristic peaty and woody tones, and a long honey-caramel aftertaste.
White Horse Extra Fine
A dark amber whiskey aged for 12 years, thanks to which notes of dried fruits and spices appeared in the sweetish-smoky taste of tart alcohol.
The bouquet is dominated by shades of prunes and figs. Refreshing aftertaste plays with spicy accents of cinnamon and ginger.
White Horse 1900
Festive drink of an amber-nut shade with the aroma of sweet flowers, a refreshing woody-fruity taste and a citrus-creamy trail. The characteristic tones of smoke, peat and honey are also present.
White Horse Logan
The rarest version of the product, named after the founder of the brand. It appears on sale infrequently and is more expensive than other blends.
Consists of 50 varieties of whiskey aged for at least 12 years. On the palate, in addition to bright peat-smoky notes, there are hints of fruit and sherry.
You can taste real Scotch whiskey in its pure form or in cocktails. Ladies prefer to dilute coarse alcohol with cherry and apple juices, Campari liqueur. Men drink “White Horse” with ice, a cigar or coffee.
How to distinguish a fake whiskey White Horse
In order not to become the owner of a fake, you need to carefully study the future acquisition. Whiskey “White Horse” is produced only in four traditional varieties (listed above), the brand has no other types of products.
The drink is packed in a box, it should be made of thick high-quality cardboard with neatly applied bright inscriptions, partially embossed. The same goes for the label: no errors, jumping letters, hard to distinguish words, traces of glue, crooked edges.
On a bottle of original whiskey must be present:
In the upper front part there is a convex clear image of a horse with clearly visible details.
In the lower part on the back, right on the glass, there is an engraving with the date of bottling and serial number.
Metal lid with the brand’s logo (a white horse in a black square) at the top and “White Horse” branding on the side.
When shaken, large persistent bubbles form in a quality drink. The consistency is oily, the whiskey flows slowly down the glass. Color – amber, without signs of turbidity and sediment. It is best to buy a drink in specialized points.
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Relevance: 26.03.2019
Tags: Whiskey and bourbon, Whiskey brands