Scotch- what's the best scotch

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Posted: 3/12/2011 2:02:34 AM EDT

What's a great scotch ? Smooth not harsh?

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:03:52 AM EDT

[#1]

I like glenlivet 12 yo. Not off the hook expensive and it is a good beginner for single malts. Johnnie walker black is a good blend, but its a blend.

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:06:19 AM EDT

[#2]

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:06:31 AM EDT

[#3]

Macallan

My personal preference is for the peaty Islay malts - but the flavor may be a bit extreme for you to start out with.

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:20:12 AM EDT

[#4]

glenfiddich 15 year solera reserve.

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:23:42 AM EDT

[#5]

Whatever Ron Burgundy was drinking is good enough for me...

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:25:14 AM EDT

[#6]

The Macallan

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:37:44 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Whatever Ron Burgundy was drinking is good enough for me...

The Glen Levit with pepper.

I do like a smoth blend of JW green label.

Posted: 3/12/2011 2:53:11 AM EDT

[#8]

lagavulin 16. the gem from the isle of islay. .

not for the faint of heart. it's a HUGE whiskey, but everything is in perfect harmony.

the epitome of uisge beathe - gaelic for "the water of life."

ardbeg and bruichladdich also deserve special mention here. yes, i'm a peat slut from way back..

Posted: 3/12/2011 3:00:17 AM EDT

[#9]

Macallan might be a bit harsh if you are new to scotch, unless you get the 18 year (expensive).
I started out with a Dalwhinnie––pretty much by accident. It was smooth, mild, and smoky. Almost sweet. Good starter scotch.

I like the Glenfiddich 12 more than the Macallan 12, but they're both good.

The Glenlivet 18 year is the best I have tried. Very smooth yet complex.

Posted: 3/12/2011 3:01:11 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Macallan

My personal preference is for the peaty Islay malts - but the flavor may be a bit extreme for you to start out with.

This.

Laphroaig is one of my favorites.

Posted: 3/12/2011 3:23:26 AM EDT

[#11]

Very subjective topic.

For smoothness, I prefer The Dalwhinnie or The Balvenie

Posted: 3/12/2011 3:34:40 AM EDT

[#12]

Glenmorangie is my preferred drop.
When I'm in the mood for a peaty scotch I like Bowmore.

Posted: 3/12/2011 3:52:23 AM EDT

[#13]

for the ultimate all-around single malt scotch whiskey may i suggest highland park, from the orkney islands.

it has some of the peat of the islay malts, it has some of the sherry the macallan is so renowned for, it has a nice dose of the heather the highland malts are known for. about the only things missing are the grassy notes of the lowland malts and the saltiness of the campbeltown malts, and both of those are, sadly, a bit obscure.

i strive to have a bottle on hand at all times. it always brings a smile to my face, and it usually doesn't freak out the scotch single malt virgins to badly.

Posted: 3/12/2011 3:54:41 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
The Macallan

I priced that at a local store. Around $150 a bottle, as I recall.

Posted: 3/12/2011 3:59:05 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The Macallan

I priced that at a local store. Around $150 a bottle, as I recall.

12yr old should be around $40-$50 a bottle. I remember the 18 being around $100.
The 25 I have I think was 270ish.

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:00:14 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Very subjective topic.

For smoothness, I prefer The Dalwhinnie or The Balvenie

ahh yes, both excellent whiskeys when smoothness is a primary consideration. dalwhinnie in particular, it's a classic lowland with the trademark soft grassy notes.

my all-time favorite smooth single malt is littlemill. it's a lowland malt, but it's a bitch to find. the real deal is the product from before the closure in 1984. bottles are still available, but they certainly won't be cheap. well worth seeking out, one of the more delightful whiskeys i've ever had the pleasure to imbibe.

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:02:25 AM EDT

[#17]

If looking a starter Scotch, i.e. light try the Macallan 15yr old Fine Oak, almost straw colored. Drink it in the summertime when I like a something a little more light.

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:19:34 AM EDT

[#18]

Highland Park

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:22:10 AM EDT

[#19]

Oban 14 year old.

good all around and not overpriced like Macallan and others

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:24:15 AM EDT

[#20]

Too many different tastes and opinions for a "best". Some good suggestions already in the thread, I will suggest The Glenlivet 16 Year Nadurra. Very smooth, beginner priced, just finished a bottle last night.

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:43:14 AM EDT

[#21]

Unfortunately, what is the best tasting scotch depends on what you like. If you're just getting into scotch, find a friend who is already into it and has a nice variety. Then do a taste testing - don't try to do too many too fast. FWIW, I have about 30 different scotches in various states of consumption - my all time favorites are the Balvenie 21 yr Port Cask finish, Glen Spey 21 yr, and, although technically not a scotch, Yamazaki 18 yr (Japanese single malt).

For regular consumption, personal favorites are Oban 14 yr, Dalwhinnie, Glenrothes, Glenmorangie (port or sherry cask finish), and Yamazaki 12 yr. I (personally) stay away from the "heavy" peaty scotches such as Laphroaig, but for other people, it's the cat's ass. That's the wonderful thing about scotch - so many different flavors, and you don't have a drain a whole bottle like you do with wine.

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:04:04 AM EDT

[#22]

Best Scotch I've ever had hands down......

Butterscotch

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:07:54 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Macallan

My personal preference is for the peaty Islay malts - but the flavor may be a bit extreme for you to start out with.

This.

Laphroig is one of my favorites.

i poured some Laphroig for my three business associates on Wednesday. They are big bourbon drinkers from Texas.

They pushed them back to me without even tasting it, said it smelled like turpentine.

I drank their's too.

i was happy.

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:09:06 AM EDT

[#24]

My particular favorite is Isle of Jura Superstition single malt.

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:15:31 AM EDT

[#25]

I would suggest trying some from different regions of the country and once you find a certain type you like then go after the good ones there.

This could take years.

I have been drinking Scotch for only 8 years and have just recently discovered that I like some of the Orkney Island ones.

My everyday drinker is still MaCallan 12.

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:23:51 AM EDT

[#26]

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:39:10 AM EDT

[#27]

Another vote for Highland Park

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:43:37 AM EDT

[#28]

Another vote for:

The Balvine Doublewood is damn good too but you must have an established taste to distinguish the complexity.

Posted: 3/12/2011 5:45:03 AM EDT

[#29]

You're going to have to do a lot of drinking to find which one you think is best.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:07:20 AM EDT

[#30]

Best is relative. If you like smooth and flavor, quite often you will find quality and price closely related. I have tasted a handful of $200+ bottles and all were excellent examples of their region (one was an $800+ bottle). Simply put, flavor increases with age, alcoholic evaporates with age. Add to that that most scotch under 21 years old is diluted to 86 proof at bottling. As such old scotch has more flavor to start with and is diluted less at bottling. Very old scotch is bottled at a cast strength which eventually will be below 86 proof, making even smoother yet. 10 is green, 12 is "top shelf" 15/16 is a good start at premium, 18 is better (at this point you are probably pushing $75 a bottle), I have rarely tasted over 21 (but oh 21 year olds are nice).

Then you deal with your preference of regions and bottlers. There are tons of good but different scotches, but almost universally older tastes better. I used to drink mostly 12's, but honestly I drink so little now I really prefer to start with 15's and when I do purchase (not often, it is either very specific bottles (Lag is essentially only 16) - or 18's. I am really trying to shrink down my collection - I don't like owning over $1k of scotch at a time.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:16:55 AM EDT

[#31]

Talisker 18 yr. is smooth, with a hint of smoke...

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:18:08 AM EDT

[#32]

This is what my BF gave me as my college graduation gift. Rich taste and very smooth.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:20:18 AM EDT

[#33]

Definitely the 3m stuff.

I've struggled through many a drunken midnight Christmas present wrapping with dollar store bullshit scotch tape, and it makes you want to stab yourself in the eye with a candy cane. Fuck that shit. We spring for the brand name tape in the Smith house.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:25:40 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Definitely the 3m stuff.
http://buy3mtape.com/image/3m-scotch-tape.gif

I've struggled through many a drunken midnight Christmas present wrapping with dollar store bullshit scotch tape, and it makes you want to stab yourself in the eye with a candy cane. Fuck that shit. We spring for the brand name tape in the Smith house.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:26:23 AM EDT

[#35]

Do you want sweet light all full of heather and honey? Oak and awesome or full on camp fire with peat?

It is like asking which ar is the best. Preference...

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:41:54 AM EDT

[#36]

For my everyday Scotch, it's Johnny Walker Black. My experience is this is generally pretty decent. The last bottle had a distinctly different taste than previous bottles, with the "iodine" taste I first encountered with Lagavulin.
For just slightly more, there's The Glenlivet 12-year old. Generally a little smoother than JWB, but flavor is very similar IMO.
If money isn't a consideration, then it's Balvenie PortWood 21-year old.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:43:22 AM EDT

[#37]

The one you like, of course!

I like Oban 14, Glennlivet French Oak 15, Glennlivet Nadura (this is near cask strength).

I don't like Glennlivet 18. I do like Laphroig.

For cheap drinking, JW Black or Glennlivet 12.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:47:21 AM EDT

[#38]

While I stand by my first post, age generally helps scotch... I have found that some scotch are not worth helping. Glenlivet is a very non-offensive scotch. That said, it has no real character either - aging it to me just was not as helpful as aging some others. Let's face it, it does not help to round off the edges of something that is flat. Perhaps Nadura has character.

That said, while I often association Glenfiddich with Glenlivet (as non-offensive), I do enjoy Solera. My first scotch experiance involve a bottle of Glenfiddich and a slightly insane little brunette - it was a "memorable" night.

Posted: 3/12/2011 6:56:43 AM EDT

[#39]

Laphroig has THE most flavor of all single-malt scotches. Most folks don't jump right into one as powerful-tasting as that. But it's one of my favorites. As is The Macallan of course.
Auchentoshen is also very good. Light and flavorful.
Craggenmore is also very smooth and has lots of flavor.
Lagavulin is an excellent one with lots of peaty, almost salty flavor.
Talisker is also very good - lots of smoky flavor with a kick.
Balvenie is a bit dry, sweet and musky.
There are other good ones too. But IMO, you can't go wrong with The Macallan.

Posted: 3/12/2011 7:02:25 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

http://www.specialistwhisky.com/images/uploads/balvenie-single-barrel-15year-70cl.jpg

Not a huge scotch drinker but I have tried this and really liked it. I also like the Yamazaki, it is very smooth.

Posted: 3/12/2011 7:03:35 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:

Macallan

My personal preference is for the peaty Islay malts - but the flavor may be a bit extreme for you to start out with.

Pay heed to this statement. I remember my first taste of Laphroaig.

Posted: 3/12/2011 7:03:36 AM EDT

[#42]

Glenlivet 12 is the offical casual scotch
Of arfcom

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:29:45 PM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:

Glenlivet 12 is the offical casual scotch

Of arfcom

Probably because it's the only decent single malt in the most Class-6 stores

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:30:38 PM EDT

[#44]

Non-sequitur.

All scotch is bad.

Jack Daniels FTW!!!!!

Posted: 3/12/2011 4:38:03 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
Non-sequitur.

All scotch is bad.

Jack Daniels FTW!!!!!

and I do repeat

Yamazaki looks like an interesting one to try.

Also:

I heard the Balvenie has caramel coloring added like many other scotches, that's a shame. As far as I know Glenfarclas doesn't, but I'm probably wrong about that.