Whisky expert and connoisseur Bart Burgers knows a thing or two about single malts. Commercially involved with whisky for over 18 years, Burgers is the owner of boutique outlet The Whisky Shop in Auckland’s Elliot Stables which stocks over 450 bottlings of whisky including New Zealand’s most expensive valued at over $10,000.

Burgers shares with us his knowledge about the industry and what to look for to enjoy the perfect drink!

What should you look for in a good whisky?

Balance, body, great aroma, wonderful finish – the lingering flavour in your mouth, mouth feel.  A good whisky should not be offensive which means you should not turn you away when you smell it.

What sort of food goes well with whisky?

A range of foods are a great match with whisky including dark chocolate, oysters, cheese, coffee, melon rolled in Parma ham and walnuts.  We regularly hold taste testings in the shop where we serve food designed to complement the whiskies.

What is the lowest amount of money you can spend to get a decent bottle of whisky?

In order to enjoy a quality bottle of whisky you should always spend upwards of about $52.

What impact has Denny Crane from TV3’s Boston Legal had on whisky sales?

I think the impact has been enormous and has done quite a bit to enhance the acceptance of drinking whisky. Also how, when and with whom do you drink whisky?  People see whisky as a status symbol that reflects taste, success and intelligence.

How has the target market for whisky changed over the last few years?  

There is no doubt that the market has changed. It has shifted from being a somewhat ‘old man’s’ drink to a more acceptable drink within the younger age groups.  Whisky makes a very good base for a cocktail and this applies to the younger market. Smokehead, a whisky from one of the islands on the west coast of Scotland is a true example of this philosophy.  

Whisky, and in particular single malt, have come out of the closet into the open and are more and more accepted as a drink of choice. We must not forget, however that single malt thanks its existence and acceptance to the blends. A blended whisky is for most people probably the first port of call when they start drinking whisky...it’s cheap and more readily available then a single malt, although that is changing rapidly now due to a few passionate importers here in new Zealand.

What makes a bottle of whisky worth up to $10,000?

A number of factors including its uniqueness, the year it was distilled, the age in barrel, its availability and the distillery fame can make a bottle of whisky very expensive.  Demand, the number of bottles produced, the barrel used for maturation and commemorative bottling are also important.

Is whisky becoming more popular with females?

More and more females are drinking whisky and like to be seen drinking whisky.  A long time ago there was the perception that whisky was only a man’s drink - if a woman  ever wanted to try a whisky she was likely to be frowned upon and was almost forced into “not liking” the whisky. 

There is no doubt that whisky with its higher alcohol constancy of at least 40% (for the Scottish ones) can be quite an attack on the smell and taste buds. However, there is a whisky for everyone, it’s a matter of finding that right one and getting introduced to it in a sensible way, without creating that attack on the palate.

Drinking your first whisky is like being introduced to someone for the first time. You shake hand first, exchange pleasantries, sit down and talk a bit.  The same is with a glass of whisky...you add a few drops of water and smell the whisky. The alcohol more than likely will hit your nose. You smell again and you find that more aromas enter your brain. The third nosing will give you the full bouquet or flavour and now you are ready to take a nice mouthful of whisky. Leave it there for a few seconds and down it slowly.....fantastic...a nice and proper way to being introduced to a whisky.

What type of whisky should I be looking for if I am a beginner?

You should be looking for a mellow whisky which is non cask strength so 40 – 46% alcohol max.  It should also be non smokey, so no Islay whiskies, and no heavy first fills which can overload the untrained palate.