For about two hours on a Thursday evening, t2 ‘travelled’ to Scotland and learnt all about the gentleman’s drink, thanks to Savour & Flavour held at The Saturday Club in association with Diageo Single Malts on August 18. A closed session on all things Scotch, it was attended by 40-plus club members who broadened their knowledge of single malts and sipped brands, familiar and unfamiliar. Sampling four 12-year-old Scotches from various regions of Scotland, we were amazed to find out just how different they felt on the palate — from flowery to slightly sweet to downright smoky. We aren’t connoisseurs yet, and we were happy to get some tips and tidbits from Maxime Grivel.

Scotch can come from any of the six regions of Scotland and each region has a distinctive flavour. They are...

Islay: Intense and smoky

Island: Powerful and rounded

Highland: Smooth and stylish

Speyside: Rich and complex

Lowlands: Light and grassy

West Highlands: Fresh and sweet

Pictures: Rashbehari Das