Why Islay Whisky is perfect for highballs

Debunking myths can be truly soul crushing work sometimes. The world would surely be a more magical place if we still believed that Greek heroes fought monsters of all shapes and sizes. Or that thunder and lightning strikes because Thor is having a hissy fit. Or that Nessie truly roams the depths of that Loch. Wait - scratch that last one. That’s actually true.

But myth-busting doesn’t always have to be about cold hard logic. It can be fun too. Take the idea that good whisky should never be adulterated in any way. You might have heard that single malts are for sipping only. You may know people who live by the commandment: ‘Thou shalt not mix age-statement expressions’. By their book, whisky should only be drunk neat, or maybe with a dash of water.

Well, we say otherwise. We say that’s a myth. As do a growing number of whisky lovers, who recognise that this humble medley of barley, yeast, water and wood can be the base in a number of tasty serves. After all, to make a quality cocktail you need to start with quality ingredients. 

And what better ingredient is there than fine Islay whisky? Why would you always settle for the cheapest option when mixing if you can play with a dram that’s robust enough to make itself known in any serve and enhance the other elements around it. From the Penicillin to the Smoky Cokey, there’s plenty of delicious drinks that make fine use of Islay’s greatest export.

Of all cocktails, the Highball may just be the best place for great Islay whisky. Firstly, it’s so darn simple. Take a glass. Slug in your whisky of your choice. Add ice. Top it up with your chosen mixer. Give it a stir. Viola. You’ve got your serve.

But it’s also a great combination. You’re not masking the character of the whisky. You’re lengthening it. All of Islay’s whiskies finest qualities are heightened in the Highball. The minerality accentuates the salinity. The dilution ramps up the smokiness. 

Plus, think of the doors you can open. Putting single malt on a pedestal has its drawbacks. Whisky cocktails can show people how tremendous this spirit is. And we want to encourage people into our world, not be overbearing bouncers at the door of deliciousness. 

Pop it in a long, refreshing serve and they’ll soon be saying how much they enjoy it, only pausing to remark “I don’t even like whisky!”. Oh but you do. You just hadn’t tasted it in the right context yet. Your welcome.

Which is why we created the Ardbal. It’s a Highball made by combining 60ml of Aerolite Lyndsay, 10ml of honey water (recipe here) and 120ml of soda water in a glass with ice, which you then garnish with an orange wedge/peel. It’s got honeyed sweetness. It’s got maritime peatiness. It’s got Spring/Summer refresher written all over it. Share it. Savour it. Whisper sweet nothings to it when you think nobody is watching. Share it again. You’ve entered the wonderful world of Islay whisky Highballs. Tell your friends.

And bust the myth. Say it proudly. Scotch can be mixed. Even better, it should be mixed. There’s no arguing with sheer deliciousness. Now somebody grab that soda and I’ll start looking at how much it costs to rent a boat on Loch Ness. This world is full of magic.