mazagmot

I did a search for scotch and found this thread: Any Scotch Drinkers out there? but I was hoping for a little more info and maybe some specific recommendations for my situation. I've never had scotch and am looking to try some good scotch whiskey. I'm also hoping that I can get some general info on scotch: how to drink it (straight, on the rocks, whatever), what temp (chilled, room temp, warmed), and whatever random tidbits you may have available that you find interesting. The price isn't too much of an issue, but I have a somewhat limited selection. The list below is what I can select from, separated by kind I think. Let me know what you think is best or what I should be looking for. Thanks.

Blended(?):
J&B Rare
Johnny Walker Red
Johnny Walker Black
Johnny Walker Green
Johnny Walker Blue
Chivas Regal Premium
Chivas Regal Gold
Chivas Bros. Royal Salute

Single Malts:
Laphroaig
Glenfiddich Special Reserve
Talisker
Lagavulin
The Glenlivet French Oak Finish
The Glenlivet

If you need the aging for the different brands I have available, please let me know and I will get them up.

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jorgelito

Mmm...Scotch is a great long term commitment and a hobby. It looks like you've done some good research already. Then next thing to do is to start tasting and getting experience. Theoretically, you'll start to develop your own taste.

In regards to your list, alot depends on your own personal taste. Are you much of a drinker? If so, then you can probably appreciate the wide range given and their differences. If you're a complete novice, then you may want to ease into it.

I first started with Johnny Walker Black. Blends are always nice, a bit heavier, flavorful etc. Pour it in a rocks glass with ice if you'd like and just sip over a couple of hours, reading or enjoying nice conversation. Cigars are a nice complement as well. JW Gold and Bule are rather expensive so don't get it unless you're commited. JW Black is a good start though.

I prefer without ice, but ocassionally (like in the summer) I will have some ice.

If you want some more excitment, then drink shots. Although quick and shortlived, there are still some appreciable qualities of a good Scotch.

Right now, I prefer the single malts. Subtlety and nuances abound (for me at least). Try and drink the single malts without ice. Or keep the ice in a separate glass to "chase" ocassionally. Single malts can get pricey but Glenfiddich is a great start. Then, try out Glenlivet and Glenmorangie. Glen, Glen, Glen....

Eventually, you can go try out the "special reserves" aged etc...$$$

My next hobby will be Cognac.....

I do not like Chivas. I feel it is of poor quality. Anyways, I think it's not even Scotch, maybe Canadian Whiskey?

On a side note, I also like Bushmills (Irish Whisky). Give that a try too.

mazagmot

Thanks for the info, but I think I'll avoid cigars. I can only afford one possibly expensive habit at a time :-p

I was also thinking of trying some singel-cask Jack Daniels, but I haven't seen as much info on Bourbon as on scotch.

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greytone

If you are getting started with Scotch I think you should start with a high quality blend. I like JW Black. I like it over ice, sometimes with a little water depending on the situation (if I am tailgating or out in the heat). A little water to taste (anything from a few drops to a mixed drink) actually rounds out the flavor. Try some straight and then just put in a teaspoon or so of water and you will see the difference. You need to try different things and see what you like. Also consider Irish. Busmills Black is one of the smoothest and yet complex flavors I have ever found.

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fatbob

Don't drink blends!!! Single malts only!
There are lots of different flavours that tend to vary by region.
Do you like smokey, peaty, fruity? Also llok for colour and nose.
Ah so much fun to be had, but seriously blends are a perversion.

Get a wide thick bottomed glass. Add a piece of ice or a splash of water if you want to mellow and smooth the initial taste a wee bit. Sit back and enjoy. NEVER drink whisky as a shot! Whisky is 'the water of life' and has to be savoured! If you are going to chase it get yourself a half pint of a good ale or even Guiness.

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maleficent

Going on what fatbob said...

Right before Christmas, the American Airlines Inflight magazine had a nice article on Scotch tastings, I'll see if I can dig it out tonite. But basically the gist of the article was to enjoy Scotches from the different regions, as each had it's own distinct flavor.

For Scotch tastings, I've been to.. the new glass of choice is:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...arden&n=507846


Johnny Walker Blue is beautiful stuff... It's supremely expensive (the only bottles I've gotten have been thru duty-free shops, but it's smooth, and absolutely wonderful. It's the best of the Johnny Walkers.
I'm not sure why, but it supposed to make a difference in the taste.

One of the bottles that I picked up, at the articles reccommendation was Talisker from the Isle of Skye.

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metalgeek

I mainly drink JW black.. (it's hard to find good whisky's (or at least less common ones) in china, bt it seems to be better here in taiwan.. just bought a bottle of JW Green.. need to open it soon...
usually start or with a bit of water..

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asaris

I never use water in my scotch, especially if it's good scotch. It just dilutes the flavor. For single malts, I really like Oban.

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"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

fatbob

the Oban is really really nice, very drinkable. a friend of mine buys me a bottle of that every year for my birthday and it rarely lasts the night...

there are four main regions to look for islay, highlands, speyside and lowlands.

two of my favourites at the moment are highland park and bowmore...

some of the better known distilleries from each region:

islay:
ARDBEG, CAOL ILA, BOWMORE, LAGAVULIN, BRUICHLADDICH, LAPHROAIG, BUNNAHABHAIN,

highland:
BEN NEVIS, GLENGYLE, ROYAL LOCHNAGAR, BLAIR ATHOL, GLENMORANGIE, SCAPA,
CLYNELISH, GLEN ORD, SPRINGBANK, DALMORE, GLEN SCOTIA, TALISKER, DALWHINNIE, GLENTURRET, TEANINICH, DEANSTON, HIGHLAND PARK, TOBERMORY, EDRADOUR, ISLE OF JURA, TOMATIN, FETTERCAIRN, KNOCKDHU, TULLIBARDINE,
GLENCADAM, LOCH LOMOND.

speyside:
BALMENACH, GLENFIDDICH, MILTONDUFF, BALVENIE, GLEN GRANT, MORTLACH, BENRIACH, GLEN KEITH, SPEYBURN, BENRINNES, GLENLIVET, SPEYSIDE, BENROMACH, GLENLOSSIE, STRATHISLA, BRAEVAL, GLEN MORAY, STRATHMILL, CAPERDONICH, GLENROTHES, TAMDHU, CARDOW, GLEN SPEY, TAMNAVULIN - GLENLIVET, CRAGGANMORE, GLENTAUCHERS, TOMINTOUL, CRAIGELLACHIE, IMPERIAL, TORMORE, DAILUAINE, INCHGOWER, DUFFTOWN, KININVIE, GLENALLACHIE, KNOCKANDO

lowlands:
AUCHENTOSHAN, GLENKINCHIE, BLADNOCH



there might be some missing from this list...although it does seem like a lot best to try some of the good ones from each region then seek out the less known ones...

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fatbob

oh and 'whisky' is scottish and 'whiskey' is irish!

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OFKU0

Talisker is my poison. Been drinking it for years. fatbob was right, stay away from blends. And if you are drinking Johnny Walker red or black, you'll notice the difference in the single malts immediately. Johnny Walker red and black is the closest thing I've tasted to turpentine. Spend a couple of more bucks enjoying the smoothness of good scotch rather than choking back cheap crap.

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Lebell

I tend to drink three:

Glenmorangie, The Macallan, and Glenlivet.

Since I don't drink that often, I tend to buy the longer aged ($$$) stuff, but oh, when I do, yum!

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NCB

I prefer JW Black, thoug on occassion I do drink Glenlivet.

As far as how to drink it, I drink mine clean, only because I"ve been drinking it now for years. However, when I was "newb", I started out drinking it on the rock, then with water, and now just clean.

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Cujo

Hey why don’t we have a forum solely dedicated to mans favorite vice? “Tilted Booze”?

StephenSa

I prefer single malts. Lagavulin is my favorite, it has a nice smokey, peaty flavour and aroma. Just the smell of it is a pleasure. If that's not available I'll have Oban or Talisker. If forced into a blend I'll have White Horse which is blended with Lagavulin. A highly underrated whisky at a good price.

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kulrblind

jesus, fatbob... $75/bottle and you down it in a night?
Didn't anyone tell you to switch to the cheap stuff after you've had five or six shots of the good stuff?

Kidding. Invite me over next time.


I'll also echo those who said good things about the following:
Oban - Amazing
Glenmorangie - Very enjoyable.
Glenlivet (not on the top of my list, but very good)

I visited the Tomatin distillery while visiting Scotland a few years back. Good times. Thankfully, my travel partener didn't drink scotch, so double samples for me.

And if anyone can drink more than two shorts of Lagavulin, I'll buy them the next round Peat-y? Yessir!

asaris

Lagavulin is indeed nice, though I'm not a huge fan of peatiness. And $75/bottle for Oban? Last time I bought any, it was $35.

And there's a Tilted Booze thread in Cooking.

__________________
"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."

"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Suave

I noticed you considered bourbon along with scotch. Let me warn you that no types of whisk(e)y are similar. For example, scotch has a flavour reminiscent of dead monkey butt combined with a good helping of ammonium sulphate. Rye is a drink fit for kings, dukes, and even grand pubaahs. Bourbon is nice, and I haven't tried Irish yet.

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Strange Famous

I drink White Horse

Then again... Im a cheap bastard!

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SaltPork

I've had:

Tamnavulin, which is a very tasty single malt, light and smooth. Probably one of my favorites. Good "starter scotch", if you can find it.

Dewar's...pretty much rotgut stuff, I can't drink it.

Glenlivet, pretty tasty, only had it once, all I remember is that I liked it.

Deanston, pretty darn good, not as smooth as Tamnavulin, but a good "starter scotch" like Tamnavulin.

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greytone

The real bottom line is the same as with wine.....what you like is what you like. Try different brands and regions. For the expensive stuff, but a single drink at a bar before you invest in a bottle. I have had JW Blue and find it a little too peaty. The Gold is wonderful and I have two other bottles of harder to find JW that I have not opened. I got some Green in Europe but have not tried it. I understand you can get it in the states now. I also bought a bottle of Swing in Bonaire, but it is still sealed.

Single malts are relatively new and are possible because of advancements in techonology. Blends are put together from a variety of distilleries to create a reliable and reproducible flavor even though the component whiskys are harsh and undrinkable. I don't limit myself by worrying about the lable. I just have learned what I like over time. Now I don't care what you end up liking and how you drink it.....but if you put good scotch in a "sour" I will forced to crawl through the internet and kick your ass. On the other hand, you can dump JW Red or Passport or the like in any mixer you like.

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BigBen

WHAT ABOUT DALWHINNIE? So smokey you think you are having a cigar anyway.

I have favorites depending on mood, but always a glenfiddich fan for a day-end celebration.

Personally, the "burn" of a good liquor has lost it's allure with me, and an ol' salty dog (from Scotland) told me that his dad "split it with a splash" and on further prodding, said that the ratio of 2 oz. of spirits and 1 oz. of clean fresh cold water was best. I have drank it like that ever since. Easier on the throat, all of the flavor, and don't deadden the mouth with the temperature of the ice.

MacCallan? Holy shit, you must light your Cohiba's with hundred dollar bills...

Oban is good. Glenlivet is good. Special casks, double wood, all that stuff is great. But time and again, I walk back into the sweet loving arms of Glenfiddich.

All this talk... I am thirsty.

Remember: A wee dram, that keeps ya healthy. The whole bottle, that is where the wisdom is.

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Minorci

Ripped from my local forum - a local scotch fanatic's advice on starting on scotch's. -

If it isnt scotch it isnt a real whiskey
and if it isnt a single malt it isnt a real scotch

Start on some blends and develop some tastebuds for single malts
chivas regal 12 year isnt to bad to start on, even jonny black has some taste but chivas is a better buy for 5 bucks more than jonny black

if you have around 50-60 bucks a Glenfarclas 8 year single malt is a pretty good buy. It has a distinctive smell and taste of sherry within the scotch and unlike a Glenfiddich a Glenfarclas leaves a nice fruity after taste.

I started on jonny red, then jonny black, then jonny green, then chivas 12, chivas 18, glenfiddich heritage, glenfiddich 12 yr, glenfarclas 8 year and then a islay (pronouenced eye-la if your wondering) legends.

I've tasted and bought many more, but after tasting the 8 year glenfarclas and 8 year islay legends ive tended to stick with them, unless a good mate is around i might pull out something abit better if he/she can actually taste the scotch properily instead of just feeling a vodka burning sensation.

After tasting a few at bars (because i cannot afford to buy them per bottle), ive found once you get over 15-21 years (so the 23s, 25s, 28s and 30s+), its just like sucking pure oak wood. Because of the achole content in the barrels, the barrels tend to degrade quicker after 21 years.

When buying a scotch thry not to go under 8 years, unless its for mixing with coke or other things. and dont buy a scotch without its age written on it. 3 years is the min distiller age.
Also when it says 30 yr blend, it means the youngest scotch in that blend is 30 years. In blends the scotches can comes from all over the country
The age process is the same for a single malt as a blend but the scotches only come from the 1 distiller.
If you find a single barrel scotch count yourself lucky. there quite rare now.

And dont think yourself silly buying a blend, there a good scotch to start on. However try develop a taste for single malts, because they tend to have more distincitve tastes than blends

Blackthorn

Single malts only. Blends are just plain crap and for GEBUS sake please drink your scotch neat (that means no ICE). Pour a double into a snifter and just sip it...let a little taste of it rest on the pallete then knock it down. Also...keep a small glass of chilled spring water near by for a refresher.

Find a local scottish pub and see if they'll set you up with a three or a six shot sampler. They will be able to guide you through a good tasting that will let you experience the differences in the varieties.

Hmmmm.......WHERE'S MY SCOTCH?!!!

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SaltPork

damn you people are making me thirsty. If I hadn't packed my scotch up in a box, I'd be drinking it right now!! In a week that scotch will be unpacked and I will be imbibing!! Celebrate the new home with a bit a single malt goodness.

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viejo gringo

I am setting here now, and just finishing a scotch and water--
with crushed ice, of coarse...I have at least one --probably two--
every evening, and it is always Teachers Highland Cream Scotch
Whiskey. It is made in Glasgow Scotland, and we can buy a 1.14
liter bottle in Mexico for $10....and $1.10 tax to bring it in.

I have tried a LOT of scotch and it is really a matter of taste.....
of coarse the price helps a lot to...

JStrider

hmmmm

ive started smoking cigars occasionally...

mebbe i should start trying scotch

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analog

I thought this thread was about clear plastic tape. I'll be on my way.

mazagmot

Thanks for all the advice.

I'd love to go down to a good pub and try some sampling, but I haven't seen one yet here in S. Korea. (Admittedly, I haven't looked, only been in country a month and a half). The easiest place for me to pick up some scotch is at the class six, so I guess I'll buy a bottle every month or so and try some out.

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mazagmot

Well, I went ahead and picked up a bottle of Glennfiddich Special Reserve 12 yr. Very smooth, and definitely not anything like the cheap liquor I'm used to :-p. So far, so good.

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fatbob

this is so good!
i can't believe so many of you like my national drink! i feel all proud.

when i first tasted whisky i hated it! but i kind of forced myself to keep tasting and after while i developed a taste and a love for the stuff. i felt like i couldn't be scottish and not drink whisky...
now i love the taste, the smell, the ceremony, the mellowness of the 'drunk', although some people get the whisky rage, i seem to get a glow and feel all warm and smiley, my favourite thing about whisky is opening a new bottle...when you peel back the foil, squeeze out the cork and then the noise of the first couple of glugs...awwww! what a noise, i always always love that noise, the sueak of the new cork and then the glugs and then the smell! mmmmmmmm...

another of my favourite whisky traditions is something that one of my friends dad's started up about 10 years ago. basically he is quite a rich man and collects whisky and once a year he gets some people together to go through his collection. he lays out a big map of scotland and then places the bottles on the map where they are from. we then go through the regions tasting a bit of each one and giving them marks out of 10 for various things like nose, colour, intial taste, depth of flavour, tones, etc...
we eventually get down to a quarter final, a semi, a final and end up with a winner. the best thing about it though is the chat. there is usually 6-8 of us depending on who is in the country. 4 from my generation and 4 from our dad's generation and then maybe a granddad or something, so there is a real mix and we all sit chat, drink amazing whisky and smoke cigars, it is really good fun!

oh for your info last year the winner was a 1958 highland park which was out of this world. before that we had a 21 year old isle of jura, a 1968 glenfarclas, a 25 year old ardbeg...mmmmm... i cannae mind the rest but there is a list...it is funny to look at because there is no common thread, the feel of the winning whisky changes every year...

Slainte!

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kulrblind

I just checked my local "government run" liquor corporation flyer to see what specials they had on (Scotch-specific, of course) and this is what I found:

McCallan $51.60 (save $3.00)
Glenfiddich $30.69 (save $2.00)

also had some Gibsons and J&B Rare, but nobody cares about those

Of course those are Canadian prices, so... you do the math. Anyway, I might have been a little off on my $75/bottle for Oban, but I have a feeling it's not under $50 here. Gotta love the Canadian sin-tax.

And all this talk of collecting various bottles has me with the urge to go shopping!

Janey

Exactly what StephenSa said. Lagavulin is hands down my favourite. It rich hearty peaty smokiness is astounding. You could just take the cork out, and let it sit on the table, and you could enjoy the aroma from across the room!

Even though many posts here have disrespected the blends, I understand that the craft that goes into creating a high quality blend takes the enjoyment of them into pure connaisseurship. I haven't had the money to buy a JW BLUE or GOLD, or even to buy it by the glass in a pub. But don't become a Single Malt snob, before you give the premium blends a chance...

Janey

here's the :LCBO listing for MaCallan 50 year old, 750 mls: C$8799. Hmmm it does say Rare (http://www.lcbo.ca/lcbo-ear/ProductResultsController

The normal bottle: 10 year old is C$69.95


I have heard it said that when talking about scotch, and the number of years, the first 12 years is quality, the rest is advertising.

Charlatan

I have tried to appreciate scotch but I think I am still on the learning curve... I think I need to buy a bottle and learn...

Is JW Black the one to start with? What is the consensus?

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Janey

Actually, JW black is the one that I cook with (it's good in stir fry, etc) but it all depends on what kind of flavour you like. If you like light flavours, try low land single malts like Gen livet or fiddich, if you like a stronger flavour, smokier, try highlands or Islay's single malts (like Macallan or Lavgavulin).

If i were you, i would start witha 12 year old MaCallan. It's right in the quality zone, not too powerful to turn you off, but with enough character to sell itself. It's been aged in sherry casks, so it has a mellow characteristic which keeps it from seeming too light like the glen fiddichs etc.

Charlatan

So you recommend a single vs. a blend for a beginner?

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fatbob

yip i would charlatan,
like janey says the 12yr macallan would be a good place to start or with a 10yr glen livet. both mellow, very agreeable but quality nonetheless!

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Lebell

I would as well.

I would also recommend buying the single airline size bottles from different areas around the country to get a feel for how different they can taste.

Myself, I am a heathen and gladly put my scotch on ice. It takes off the burn while adding just the right amount of water IMHO.

The Macallan 12 yr is a good place, or a Glenlivet.

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MSD

After the currency exchange, subtract about a third of what's left to get US prices.


If you're just starting, the acquired taste of a blend will be lost and you'll wonder why you spent so much on it. If you're starting now, try Johnny Walker Black Label (do not get red label. this message will repeat. do not get red label.) If you're really into the single-malt taste, I'd reccommend tracking down a bottle of Royal Lochnagar. If you find yourself liking blends, go for JW Blue Label. Expect to pay around $200 for each of those, probably a little more for the JW (the bottles have fucking serial numbers on them.)

Why do I have to have such expensive tastes in liquor? I'm always broke ...