(cont)

limitlessly. Whilst Norman’s top of the range tipple, aged for up to 60 years, retails for up to £3,000, a good average figure to aim for is a whisky of around 25 years. Norman recommends budgeting around £30 per bottle, for which, according to the expert, there’s a healthy selection of varied single malts available from each region.

Other whisky etiquette includes eschewing the decanting option – since decanters fail to provide as tight a seal as one would expect from a cork or screw top. Whilst decanters are elegant, they’re really only practical for those who expect to finish the bottle in a relatively short amount of time – at Burn’s night suppers, for example! Equally, Norman recommends avoiding piling ice into your whisky. “It’s the same principle as when one cooks.” He points out. “When you want to release flavour, you heat up food. Cooling down whisky with ice inhibits the flavour. If you must add anything to your drop, it’s best to use filtered water at room temperature.”

The shop itself has shelves for each of the whisky regions, plus a wealth of Royal Scot crystal wear, and ‘starter kits’ for those seeking a taste of each of the country’s whisky regions. Norman and Annie Houghton have a wealth of expertise and are only too happy to apply their knowledge to both those clients who know a little, or to those who are complete whisky amateurs. A pilgrimage to the shop is essential this month, as is celebrating the life of Scotland’s most wonderful poet with a quality drop – for, as the man himself said, “Whisky and Freedom Gang Thegither”.

For more information visit the Whisky Shop on Lincoln’s Bailgate or see www.lincolnwhiskyshop.co.uk.