[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Scotch (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/31/2011 6:52:32 PM EDT
well, I have a new vice 
I remember the first time I had a glass of scotch. I think it was Johnny Walker Black. I thought "wtf is this shit!?" 
But, I had a bottle and I wasn't about to throw it out. So I slowly consumed it. After a few glasses (one at a time over a couple of months) I started to think "ok, this isn't so bad...pretty interesting really" and I started to take mental notes on the flavor of the malt, etc. Fast forward to last year. I was in Colorado in the mountains and bought a bottle of The Glenlivet 12 yo so my buddies and I could partake. Well, they didn't want any (pussies) so I ended up bringing the whole bottle home. I poured a glass last night and its was like a whole new world opened up to me. So much sweetness! I mean literally...it is sweet as all get out! ...and you don't have to mix it. Awesome. So, who are my fellow ARFcom scotch drinkers? I am interested in trying other single malts. Who can recommend some good stuff that won't break the bank. I can get a 750ml bottle of Glenlivet 12 for around $47 here. |
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Had a guy ask me to get him something called "Dewar's" Scotch because where I am right now it's fairly cheap. Is that good stuff? I've been thinking about heisting a bottle, should I? a lot of old dudes at the bar I used to drink at drank Dewar's. I don't think its anything special...just your average blended scotch. |
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Right at this moment I'm enjoying a bottle of Glenlivet 12 year and a new type I had never heard of before, Speyburn. Speyburn is damn good (and is a single malt), and quite a bit cheaper than Glenlivet (it's right in between Glenlivet and Johnny Walker Red Label in price, but much closer to Glenlivet in enjoyability).
I've been a bourbon drinker for the last couple of years (Wild Turkey, Elijah Craig 12 and 18 year (easy on the 18 year due to its price), Knob Creek, etc.), but now I'm getting into scotch, and I'm really enjoying it. |
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For under $100 I like Balvenie Doublewood and Single Barrel These are my other favorites: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/balvenie-port-wood-21-year-old-whisky.jpg http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glenfarclas-15-year-old-whisky.jpg This, This, This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  I can't recommend these enough. Good stuff!
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For under $100 I like Balvenie Doublewood and Single Barrel These are my other favorites: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/balvenie-port-wood-21-year-old-whisky.jpg http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glenfarclas-15-year-old-whisky.jpg This, This, This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I can't recommend these enough. Good stuff!
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Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. ETA: The Macallan is often recommended, but I find it too sherried and one dimensional for my tastes. That said, my most valuable bottle of Scotch is a Macallan:  Single malts are drunk neat or with a little water. I drink blended Scotch (Johnnie Walker) on the rocks. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: For under $100 I like Balvenie Doublewood and Single Barrel These are my other favorites: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/balvenie-port-wood-21-year-old-whisky.jpg http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glenfarclas-15-year-old-whisky.jpg This, This, This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I can't recommend these enough. Good stuff!Have not had the Glefarclas yet, but the Balvenie 21 is GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD! |
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Quoted: Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. Yep. Do NOT, NOT, NOT start with Laphroaig. That's for years down the road. I like my Quarter Cask though. I'll throw my recommendation in for Macallan. 12yr Sherry Oak is good. 15 Fine Oak is so-so. 18 in either is good. 30yr Fine Oak is the gold standard for me. |
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Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. ETA: The Macallan is often recommended, but I find it too sherried and one dimensional for my tastes. That said, my most valuable bottle of Scotch is a Macallan: Single malts are drunk neat or with a little water. I drink blended Scotch (Johnnie Walker) on the rocks. Is that a Fuente Opus X !? Good taste sir...good taste! For whatever reason...I just now connected the possible joy that could be had by smoking a good cigar while sipping a good single malt. I can't wait! |
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Quoted: They go quite well together.Quoted: Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. ETA: The Macallan is often recommended, but I find it too sherried and one dimensional for my tastes. That said, my most valuable bottle of Scotch is a Macallan: Single malts are drunk neat or with a little water. I drink blended Scotch (Johnnie Walker) on the rocks. Is that a Fuente Opus X !? Good taste sir...good taste! For whatever reason...I just now connected the possible joy that could be had by smoking a good cigar while sipping a good single malt. I can't wait!  Another good pairing (believe it or not) is a smokey Scotch (Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg...) with some quality chocolate-covered almonds. Yes, that's an Opus X. |
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Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. ETA: The Macallan is often recommended, but I find it too sherried and one dimensional for my tastes. That said, my most valuable bottle of Scotch is a Macallan: Single malts are drunk neat or with a little water. I drink blended Scotch (Johnnie Walker) on the rocks. Yes, good point. A little water can really open up the flavor. ETA: Glencairn glasses are nice and affordable too. 
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I don't care for blended Scotch, I've always thought it tasted a little like tobacco spit for some reason, regardless of brand.
I like single malt Scotch, I've picked these up here and there over the last couple of years: Glenlevit Glen Torran Glenfiddich Speyburn Old Pulteney Did a tasting thing where you could try a sample from each region and they explained the history and what not about them, the distinct flavors were pretty neat to observe. |
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Quoted: It's hard to get the whole flavor without one.Quoted: Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. ETA: The Macallan is often recommended, but I find it too sherried and one dimensional for my tastes. That said, my most valuable bottle of Scotch is a Macallan: Single malts are drunk neat or with a little water. I drink blended Scotch (Johnnie Walker) on the rocks. Yes, good point. A little water can really open up the flavor. ETA: Glencairn glasses are nice and affordable too.http://www.cobhthaighceltique.com/images/Glencairn%20Crystal%20Glass.jpg I have 2 from the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre in Edinburgh  |
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Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. ETA: The Macallan is often recommended, but I find it too sherried and one dimensional for my tastes. That said, my most valuable bottle of Scotch is a Macallan: Single malts are drunk neat or with a little water. I drink blended Scotch (Johnnie Walker) on the rocks. Damn I like your style. I've been pretty lucky finding HP18 for under $50. Every other store has it for $80-90 but for some odd reason the local market has it for 49.95......it's even cheaper than the HP 12 |
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It's hard to get the whole flavor without one.
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Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. ETA: The Macallan is often recommended, but I find it too sherried and one dimensional for my tastes. That said, my most valuable bottle of Scotch is a Macallan: Single malts are drunk neat or with a little water. I drink blended Scotch (Johnnie Walker) on the rocks. Yes, good point. A little water can really open up the flavor. ETA: Glencairn glasses are nice and affordable too.http://www.cobhthaighceltique.com/images/Glencairn%20Crystal%20Glass.jpg I have 2 from the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre in Edinburgh
Nice!!
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Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. Yep. Do NOT, NOT, NOT start with Laphroaig. That's for years down the road. I like my Quarter Cask though. I'll throw my recommendation in for Macallan. 12yr Sherry Oak is good. 15 Fine Oak is so-so. 18 in either is good. 30yr Fine Oak is the gold standard for me. I actually did start with Laphroaig...my very first single malt...it was a foreign military event and gagging on the offered libations in front of high ranking foreign military officers was not an option and certainly would not have represented the US armed forces community in a good light. After dowing what we were certain was F-34 (jet fuel) with nary a twinge we thought "the Ukranians some how set us up by proxy through the French". Years later I had a chance to try it again...and now I drink it because I (have learned to) like it. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Highland Park 12, 15, 18.... whichever you can afford Balvenie DoubleWood A little later, Lagavulin 16yo Laphroaig recommendations are often based in machismo. The 10yo is certainly unique, and good on occasion, but not something I'd recommend to someone beginning their Scotch journey. If you feel the need to get Laphroaig, try the Quarter Cask or the 15yo. Yep. Do NOT, NOT, NOT start with Laphroaig. That's for years down the road. I like my Quarter Cask though. I'll throw my recommendation in for Macallan. 12yr Sherry Oak is good. 15 Fine Oak is so-so. 18 in either is good. 30yr Fine Oak is the gold standard for me. I actually did start with Laphroaig...my very first single malt...it was a foreign military event and gagging on the offered libations in front of high ranking foreign military officers was not an option and certainly would not have represented the US armed forces community in a good light. After dowing what we were certain was F-34 (jet fuel) with nary a twinge we thought "the Ukranians some how set us up by proxy through the French". Years later I had a chance to try it again...and now I drink it because I (have learned to) like it. My first was Laphroaig also. I really thought someone was joking and I was drinking turpentine or something. I'm still not too high on the Islay malts, but every one has their place, especially the Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I've said it before... I don't think there are any BAD single malts... just different ones. It's up to you to find what you like best. |
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Had a guy ask me to get him something called "Dewar's" Scotch because where I am right now it's fairly cheap. Is that good stuff? I've been thinking about heisting a bottle, should I? http://cdn0.knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/4077/square/Raisins_Face.jpg?1286515652 That's blended, blasphemy!!!
yep +87 internets. Oh and whoever said there is not a BAD single malt... I have a bottle I can send you that would make you shout "WTF IS THIS SHIT!?!" Unleaded gas tastes better. I started with Dewars, JW black, green, gold. Then dove err face planted in Laiphroiag. |
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Quoted: That was me. What single malt are you talking about?Quoted: Quoted: Had a guy ask me to get him something called "Dewar's" Scotch because where I am right now it's fairly cheap. Is that good stuff? I've been thinking about heisting a bottle, should I? http://cdn0.knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/4077/square/Raisins_Face.jpg?1286515652 That's blended, blasphemy!!! yep +87 internets. Oh and whoever said there is not a BAD single malt... I have a bottle I can send you that would make you shout "WTF IS THIS SHIT!?!" Unleaded gas tastes better. I started with Dewars, JW black, green, gold. Then dove err face planted in Laiphroiag. |
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In the cabinet at the moment:
Grants Family Reserve, it's a blend. I only use it for mixing. About the same price for me as JW Red but a better taste IMO. Glenrothes Select Reserve. This one is also a blend, but it's made entirely by the Glenrothes distillery, they don't add anything from other distilleries Glenrothes 1992. Single malt. Glenmorangie "Original" 10 year. Single malt. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. Single malt. They put the same stuff as the "Original" into used Port barrels and age it for 2 more years. Talisker 10 year. Single malt. Cragganmore 12 year. Single malt. Smith's Anguston 8 year. Single malt. Made in Australia, not in production any more. The Smith's isn't "Scotch" since it wasn't made in Scotland but it's made in the same way. The company that made it is a wine company that used to make brandy but got out of the brandy business. In the mid 90's they decided to dispose of their brandy still but decided to give the still one more run before getting rid of it. The company is also the Australian impoter for some brands of Scotch and got some advice on making whiskey from their contacts in Scotland. The end result was they ran the still for 3 or 4 years making whiskey before it was removed. I've head they held some back for aging to 12 years but either it was all sold out before I knew about it or it hasn't been released yet. The Smith's 8 year is very light and mild in taste. I don't like the really heavily peated (smokey) scotches. I found that out after I bought the Talisker and tried it, it's just too smokey for my taste. I've sampled a few other heavily peated scotches, Ardbeg and Laphroiag, but I just can't taste much except the smoke. The Cragganmore is about as heavily peated as I can enjoy. I've heard the Oban 14 is similar to the Cragganmore 12 so I'll get around to trying the Oban eventually. The Talisker is just for guests who like something that peaty, I've given up trying to enjoy it. The Glenmorangie Original is near the other end of the spectrum, not a lot of peat/smoke in it's taste/smell. If someone wanted to try a single malt but didn't have much experience with whiskey, Glenmorangie Original is a good one to start with, mild and smooth and it doesn't cost and arm and a leg. The Quinta Ruban isn't as smooth as people might expect, considering it starts out the same as the "Original" and then spends a few more years in used port barrels. It's got some more "bite" and "fire" to it than the Original but it's still reasonably mild. there are a couple of other releases from Glenmorangie that use different types of barrels for the last couple of years of aging but I haven't tried them yet. Glenrothes. This is my favourite. It has a similar character to the Quinta Ruban, not so smooth but with a very enjoyable bite/fire to it and a level of smokeyness that let's you know the peat is there without overwhelming the rest of the flavour. If you prefer your scotch silky smooth, this distillery is not for you. The vast majority (over 90%) of the whikey made by the Glenrothes distillery is used in other companies blends (the same is true for most Scottish distilleries) but they release some under their own name. The Select Reserve is a blend so they don't make any age claim for it, but it's all made in the same distillery, they just mix batches from different years together. They do release single malts but unlike many distilleries that always release their single malts after a set number of years, Glenrothes don't relase their single malts until the master distiller thinks they're ready. I had a bottle of Glenrothes 1989 that was aged for 14 years before it was bottled. The bottle of Glenrothes 1992 I have right now was aged for 12 years before it was bottled. Each Glenrothes single malt release is a bit different even though they are all made in the same way at the same distillery. |
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WHISKEY TASTES LIKE CRAP Stop pretending it tastes good I know what whiskey tastes like (I lke the taste), don't know what crap tastes like. I'll have to take your word for it, though I can't imagine that anything that smells as bad crap smells can taste as good as whiskey. |
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WHISKEY ALCOHOL TASTES LIKE CRAP Stop pretending it tastes good Fixed it for you
To the original OP: I am NOT a connoisseur, I DO NOT drink for the flavor,and I can't spell PALLETTE Having said that I recently discovered single malt scotch is the FASTEST!!! IMO THE GLENLIVET 12 is the best I can afford to drink every Fri. night. Bought a bottle of 21 yr. old ARCHIVE($140 locally) for "special occassions" turns out every time I decide to drink... IS a "special occassion".Have tried older ,more expensive, single Malts=prefer The Glenlivet. |