What's a good entry-level single malt?

[MisterCairo]

This makes most sense. Even here in Cincinnati, there is a wonderful Scottish pub, Nicholson's that serves 'flights' of Scotch samples.

Good to know if I'm ever in the neighbourhood!

 

[filfoster]

Nicholson's

Good to know if I'm ever in the neighbourhood!

Let me know if you come and I will buy you two drinks! ( We will certainly want a 'chaser').

 

[PoohBang]

It's my goto scotch! I love Balvenie Doublewood 12... It's truly excellent and won't kill your wallet as it's right around the $35ish mark...

Balvenie Doublewood 12 year

It is a really wonderful mild single malt that is a very good start. I have offered this to friends that say "I don't like scotch" and they like this one.

Later on you can start tasting the smokier/peatier single malts, but this one is a good one for "testing the waters"

Cheers

Jamie

 

[Chiliarches]

Hm. The suggestions to go to a well-stocked bar are right on the money (though often hard to do, since most bars don't carry a lot of single malts). I can definitely give some specific suggestions of standard bottlings, though, along with tasting notes (from memory)...

UNDER $50 with (though you might have to shop around)-

1. Highland Park 12 - has everything that makes Scotch whisky what it is - little bit of peat, smoke, maltiness, saltiness, so many other flavors hinted at...
2. Dalmore 12 - absurdly cheap for what you get - spices, sugar, leather...
3. Speyburn 10 - thin and a little simple, but nice and warming, with just enough peat to get used to it - there are some light fruits in there like pear
4. Laphroaig 10 - want an introduction to "big peaty bruisers"? This is classic - smoke, peat, raisins, baked bread...
5. Talisker 10 - want a big smoky bruiser without the peat? Outstanding, and most people love it right off. Pepper, brown sugar, wood smoke, barbecue sauce...
6. Glenlivet 12 - pleasant, sweet, subtle, - obvious flavors are vanilla, toffee, and young wood. Best investigated after MORE Scotch experience, in my opinion
   

$50+

1. Highland Park 18 - WOW! Caramel, little bit of smoke, leather, honey, creme brulee...tiny hint of peat on the back end. Beautiful.
   
2. Lagavulin 16 - Sherry, earth, smoke, peat, iodine, salt, sugar...all perfectly laced together. Classic.
   
3. Glenlivet Nadurra - spices, sugar, vanilla, tasty. Just good. Only had it once, but it made a great impression.

Personally, I would try the Glenlivet Nadurra to get a lighter taste of outstanding malted whisky, then try maybe the Highland Park 12, and then dive into the Talisker or Lagavulin...

I have my short "awesome but affordable" bourbon list too if you are interested.

Cheers!

 

[filfoster]

La-Frog

Not sure I would start anyone with Laphroaig unless they had been given coal oil tonics as children. It's an acquired taste, isn't it? On the bright side,one bottle may last a lifetime and it will make most of the others taste better.

 

[Chiliarches]

Not sure I would start anyone with Laphroaig unless they had been given coal oil tonics as children. It's an acquired taste, isn't it? On the bright side,one bottle may last a lifetime and it will make most of the others taste better.

I have given big peaty malts (Lagavulin, etc.) to non-Scotch drinkers and watched them love it. I think the "intimidation" factor of peated malts is exaggerated.

 

[Optionseeker]

Oddly enough, Optionseeker, my first bottle of Auchentoshan was purchased at Spinnaker's Wine and Spirits shop at Bay and Wilson in Vic West! I'd first sampled it at the Highland Games in Esquimalt!

I have been in that very shop myself and have enjoyed more than one pint on the patio at Spinnakers Pub overlooking the inner harbour. Been a while since I was in your neck of the woods but lived in London, ON before moving out here.

 

[N2S3]

Single Malt

I would give Jura 16 yrs or 18 yrs a try, not smokey. Could be 50$+

Aberlour a bunadh is a very nice one too. not cheap, but you don't drink that in one week...

 

[pipe23]

And then there's this, which I sincerely hope is a joke: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-08/24/pissky

 

[interjake]

You might want to try Glenmorangie. According to a WSJ article a few years back, this the best selling single malt in Scotland. Interestingly, it's more expensive in Scotland than in the USA. They actually use old Bourbon casks, shipped from the US in the production/aging process! By far one of my favorites. I typically drink it 50/50 with ice cold water, no ice. I think it might make for an interesting transition from bourbon to scotch.

 

[jamespowers]

You might want to try Glenmorangie. According to a WSJ article a few years back, this the best selling single malt in Scotland. Interestingly, it's more expensive in Scotland than in the USA. They actually use old Bourbon casks, shipped from the US in the production/aging process! By far one of my favorites. I typically drink it 50/50 with ice cold water, no ice. I think it might make for an interesting transition from bourbon to scotch.

A good Glenmorangie Nectar d'Oro is also decent choice. The aging in Sauterne casks givs it a very singular taste.
I also like McClelland's offerings as good starter fodder as they have several incarnations: Lowland, Speyside, Islay and Highland. I like the Highland the best. They also have a Journey Tin that gives you a small bottle of each of these if you can find them where you are. Rumor has it that Bowmore and Auchentoshan are also made near McClellands.

 

[AtomicAnnie]

I have offered this to friends that say "I don't like scotch" and they like this one.
Jamie

"..don't like scotch" -- what do those words mean?

 

[jamespowers]

"..don't like scotch" -- what do those words mean?

It means they don't like good whisky.

 

[Geesie]

To each his own... I like Scotch and I love bourbon but I've never met an Irish whisky that I like. [huh]

 

[flix]

I would suggest to try a 12 year old bowmore islay whisky. very mild and yet a full flavour

 

[Chiliarches]

To each his own... I like Scotch and I love bourbon but I've never met an Irish whisky that I like. [huh]

...even Black Bush?

 

[John in Covina]

Glenmorangie 10 year old single. $30-35

I would also reccomend as a blended Scotch "The Famous Grouse" which is quite nice and fairly inexpensive.

 

[Chanfan]

A bar is a good bet, for sampling. Try various highlands, lowlands, and perhaps speysides, while avoiding the Islays (although it doesn't hurt to try one or two to confirm that you won't like 'em).

I'd also skip things like cask strength versions, port wood finishes, etc. - not because those aren't wonderful, they are. But they are distractions from finding what you like as a baseline.

My second favorite is The Macallan. The standard 12 year old should be fine to try. My favorite is Laphroaig, but as has been mentioned, it's very smokey/peaty. Yes, I have had to buy new bottles - many times. The Macallan is my favorite in the "smooth", non-smokey/peaty category.

Oh hey, this thread is a few months old - that's what I get for not double checking. Any update from the OP on what he liked?

 

[1961MJS]

Glenmorangie 10 year old single. $30-35

I would also reccomend as a blended Scotch "The Famous Grouse" which is quite nice and fairly inexpensive.

Hi John

I read somewhere that "The Famous Grouse" is the bar brand Scotch of Scotland. That kind of says something. Down South, the bar brand Bourbon is Jack in the Black...

Later