I'll have a Scotch...

[Cobden]

If you're getting into scotch, I'd recommend trying one of the different region first; suggested starters:
Islay: Ardbeg or Laphroaig
Island: Isle of Jura or Talisker
Speyside: Glenfiddich
Campbeltown: Springbank
Highland: Glenmorangie
Lowland: Glenkinchie

All of which are good, everyday (!) malts. Most generally conform to a certain type of taste, but certainly not all. Islay and Island tend to be quite peaty, Highland tends to be smooth, Speyside I'd say is probably the nearest to "middle of the road", and I haven't had enough Campbeltown or Lowland to comment. There are some that don't fit in at all. Old Pulteney, whilst a highland, has a very distinct taste of the sea air, for example; and is a personal favourite, although I usually go for the Islay's (generally the more unpronouncable, the better lol )!

 

[Hondo]

Malted Scotch ummmm
I got to go easy on this stuff, but I do like Johnnie Walker Red

 

[Fletch]

I beg to differ. Johnnie Red could take the paint off a battleship. Drinking it on an empty stomach is particularly ill advised. Just seeing the label brings on a dull thud in my upper GI region.

 

[Hondo]

Hahaaaaa I wouldn't drink it on a empty stomach, ice & water will do

I beg to differ. Johnnie Red could take the paint off a battleship. Drinking it on an empty stomach is particularly ill advised. Just seeing the label brings on a dull thud in my upper GI region.

 

[Fletch]

Whew, what a relief. For a while there I thought your were outa your mind.

 

[Hondo]

But really I thought you might mean Johnnie Walker BLACK!!!
Whoa!!! Thats what you'll see in your coffin if you drink that stuff

Whew, what a relief. For a while there I thought your were outa your mind.

 

[Chanfan]

Well, I'm a Laphroaig drinker myself - it's my default malt. I think I have three bottles (one is cask strength) upstairs at the moment.

The Macallan is my favorite "smooth" taste.

One I do like which I haven't seen mentioned is Highland Park.

 

[jamespowers]

You pretty smart fella!!
I tip my sombrero to your VERY good taste.(Except for the Glenfiddich, which I cannot stand-personal taste I completely agree)
I am not a whisky snob, because I don't care who drinks what, or smokes what either. But I have platinum tastes in single malts and enjoy them to the point of embarrasment, along with selected music & cigars.

My best wishes for a lovely day.
G.Ashe

Thanks.
I know what you mean about Glenfiddich.
I do know that I am not too much into Laphroig though. :eusa_doh:

 

[Ecuador Jim]

Road Trip

Perhaps some additional research could be done, in the guise of a FL trip to Scotland to sample the local wares. There are many local distilleries that never produce enough product to get out of their local markets.

We'd need a designated tasting notes taker though....perhaps draw lots and the loser takes the notes?

 

[jamespowers]

Perhaps some additional research could be done, in the guise of a FL trip to Scotland to sample the local wares. There are many local distilleries that never produce enough product to get out of their local markets.

We'd need a designated tasting notes taker though....perhaps draw lots and the loser takes the notes?

Who decides the office of head taster? :cheers1:

 

[dhermann1]

MANY years ago I polished off half a bottle of Laphroaig and THEN, most of the contents of a bottle of champagne. It was New Year's Eve. I was 22. I was a very unhappy camper the next day. lol
Laphroaig is quite odd, to me, compared to other single malts. Not better, not worse, but very different.
My all time favorite was Macallan 24 year old. One other that I've enjoyed in Auchencloss (spelling???).
Here's a website that has info on the astoundingly varied world of single malt scotch.
http://www.maltmadness.com/
I must confess, however, to being more of a Bourbon man, or, to be more precise, a sour mash whiskey fan, since my favorite is a Tennessee sour mash whiskey, Dickel Sour Mash. I believe it's considered perverse to like both Scotch and Bourbon, but what what can I say?

 

[Undertow]

MANY years ago I polished off half a bottle of Laphroaig and THEN, most of the contents of a bottle of champagne. It was New Year's Eve. I was 22. I was a very unhappy camper the next day. lol
Laphroaig is quite odd, to me, compared to other single malts. Not better, not worse, but very different.
My all time favorite was Macallan 24 year old. One other that I've enjoyed in Auchencloss (spelling???).
Here's a website that has info on the astoundingly varied world of single malt scotch.
http://www.maltmadness.com/
I must confess, however, to being more of a Bourbon man, or, to be more precise, a sour mash whiskey fan, since my favorite is a Tennessee sour mash whiskey, Dickel Sour Mash. I believe it's considered perverse to like both Scotch and Bourbon, but what what can I say?

God, I hope it's not perverse!

I'm also a fan of bourbons and Scotches.

I would say The Dalmore Stillman's Dram is my favorite but the bottle price of roughly $150 is a bit steep for me. So I'll take The Dalmore 21 year instead. Most bars that carry single malt scotch carry at least the 12 year.

Btw, has anyone had the opportunity to try the Glenlivet 15 year French Oak?

Used to be a 12 year but they raised it for whatever reason. This is one of my favorites as well but unfortunately, most good bars/restaurants don't carry it. I have a bottle sitting at home that I've been saving for a rainy day.

 

[WildCelt]

Btw, has anyone had the opportunity to try the Glenlivet 15 year French Oak?

Used to be a 12 year but they raised it for whatever reason. This is one of my favorites as well but unfortunately, most good bars/restaurants don't carry it. I have a bottle sitting at home that I've been saving for a rainy day.

I haven't tried that, but I have tried the Glenlivet Nadurra Natural Cask Strength. That's some strong Scotch (of course, I don't suppose it helped that I was drinking it high in the Colorado Rockies), but quite good.

 

[Smithy]

The Glenlivet is my Dad's favourite in all her many guises.

I must admit a soft spot for Islays with Laphroaig never lasting long when I have a bottle.

Blend-wise I like John Walker Swing, Black and White and the good old Famous Grouse if I am at the pub.

Always with a spot of water, never ice.

 

[KL15]

Btw, has anyone had the opportunity to try the Glenlivet 15 year French Oak?

Used to be a 12 year but they raised it for whatever reason. This is one of my favorites as well but unfortunately, most good bars/restaurants don't carry it. I have a bottle sitting at home that I've been saving for a rainy day.[/QUOTE]


Is it good? I've had The Glenlivet 12 year and The Glenlivet 18 year. Haven't ever found a bottle of 15 year.

 

[Undertow]

Something about the French Oak is simply superb compared to their regular line.

When I used to be in liquor sales, I would have alot of resistance to the Glenlivet by serious Scoth drinkers because they felt it was a weak Scotch. In fact, one guy even told me he wouldn't use Glenlivet to wash his windows. So I would pour a sample of the French Oak, tell them just to TRY it, don't even bother buy a bottle, don't even think about getting a shooter, just try it...

And I sold out of French Oak shipment within a month. It ended up becoming alot of guys' standbys.

I'm partial to a shot neat to coat the throat and then a tumbler with one or two ice cubes to follow. The 15 is smoother than the 12 was, it's aged in oak casks, hence the name, and goes really well with a cigar after dinner. I'd give a better description but like I said, I have a bottle at home waiting for a rainy day (and it's been raining quite a bit in Iowa so I may just get to that!)