A Scotsman who spells
Whisky with a n ‘e’,
should be hand cuffed
and thrown head first in the Dee,
In the USA and Ireland,
it’s spelt with an ‘e’
but in Scotland
it’s real ‘Whisky’.
So if you see Whisky
and it has an ‘e’,
only take it,
if you get it for free!
For the name is not the same
and it never will be,
a dram is only a real dram,
from a bottle of ‘Scotch Whisky’.
I recently decided to try drinking scotch (trying to stick to single malts right now) and have enjoyed the first bottle I have picked up so far - Glenmorangie 10 year. It's pretty mild compared other random ones I've had at bars and is slightly sweet. It was pretty reasonably priced too, picked it up for 34.99/750ml and came with a nice set tulip shaped glasses.
I'm wondering what other scotch drinkers would recommend for the next bottle?
"No one may threaten or commit violence ('aggress') against another man's person or property. Violence may be employed only against the man who commits such violence; that is, only defensively against the aggressive violence of another. In short, no violence may be employed against a nonaggressor. Here is the fundamental rule from which can be deduced the entire corpus of libertarian theory." - Murray Rothbard, Cited from "War, Peace, and the State"
Not an expert by any means, but I've enjoyed The Glenlivet 12, The Glenlivet 18, The Macallan 12 and The Macallan 18. (I believe those roughly ascend in price.)
If you want real Scotch, pick up a bottle of Laphroaig.
EDIT: Laphroaig is a bit more peaty/smoky of a taste, though, so it might be a bit particular. It is my very favorite so far, though. Ardbeg is a close second. Macallan is alright.
If you don't like the idea of a peaty taste, then I suggest sticking with the Glens. Glenfidditch, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie (try their port cask bottle); any Glen will do.
The above suggestions are all awesome. Lagavulin is an Islay Scotch like Laphroaig that I find to be more balanced in flavor. It runs a bit higher in price though.
I always recommend Old Smuggler 36 Month. It's garbage, but lacks all pretense and gets the job done. In all fairness, I am a little tired of Scotch snobs though.
Definition of “Scotch Whisky” and categories of Scotch Whisky
3.—(1) In these Regulations “Scotch Whisky” means a whisky produced in Scotland—
(a)that has been distilled at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added) all of which have been—
(i)processed at that distillery into a mash;
(ii)converted at that distillery into a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems; and
(iii)fermented at that distillery only by the addition of yeast;
(b)that has been distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8 per cent so that the distillate has an aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production;
(c)that has been matured only in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres;
(d)that has been matured only in Scotland;
(e)that has been matured for a period of not less than three years;
(f)that has been matured only in an excise warehouse or a permitted place;
(g)that retains the colour, aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production and maturation;
(h)to which no substance has been added, or to which no substance has been added except—
(i)water;
(ii)plain caramel colouring; or
(iii)water and plain caramel colouring; and
(i)that has a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40%.
"No one may threaten or commit violence ('aggress') against another man's person or property. Violence may be employed only against the man who commits such violence; that is, only defensively against the aggressive violence of another. In short, no violence may be employed against a nonaggressor. Here is the fundamental rule from which can be deduced the entire corpus of libertarian theory." - Murray Rothbard, Cited from "War, Peace, and the State"
If you want real Scotch, pick up a bottle of Laphroaig.
EDIT: Laphroaig is a bit more peaty/smoky of a taste, though, so it might be a bit particular. It is my very favorite so far, though. Ardbeg is a close second. Macallan is alright.
If you don't like the idea of a peaty taste, then I suggest sticking with the Glens. Glenfidditch, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie (try their port cask bottle); any Glen will do.
I'll have to go to my local english pub and try them out they have a pretty nice list.
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"No one may threaten or commit violence ('aggress') against another man's person or property. Violence may be employed only against the man who commits such violence; that is, only defensively against the aggressive violence of another. In short, no violence may be employed against a nonaggressor. Here is the fundamental rule from which can be deduced the entire corpus of libertarian theory." - Murray Rothbard, Cited from "War, Peace, and the State"
If you want real Scotch, pick up a bottle of Laphroaig.
EDIT: Laphroaig is a bit more peaty/smoky of a taste, though, so it might be a bit particular. It is my very favorite so far, though. Ardbeg is a close second. Macallan is alright.
If you don't like the idea of a peaty taste, then I suggest sticking with the Glens. Glenfidditch, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie (try their port cask bottle); any Glen will do.
Laphroaig is fantastic, but it's not a typical scotch at all. Saying Laphroaig is a great scotch is like saying landless Charblecher is a great Magic deck. Sure it's great, but it's not very representative of what Magic is normally like.
If you want a very good scotch with a more mainstream flavor, go for Balvenie. A little pricier than some of the other suggestions, but worth it. Unsurprisingly more years = better, so pick age according to your budget. I find 15 to be a great sweet spot, but it's going to push $80. Scotch is kind of like Magic, though. Once you get really into it the prices start seeming less unreasonable...
I was into that about 3 years ago. Balvenie doublewood should be one of the first ones you try. Macallan scotches have a sherry flavor that is popular with many americans. The 12 is very solid.
I did not like glenlivet 12 at all. The 18 was passable but not that great. Glenfiddich 12 is bad but the 15 was pretty good. Never tried the glenfiddich 18.
I was looking for a peatier scotch but then i got interested in a different hobby.
Btw the johnny walker blue costs a lot but it is not good enough to justify the dollars. It's blended too of course but eventually someone will suggest trying it. Don't bother getting a whole bottle. I would like to add that when i tried kristal (the champagne) it was worth every penny of the 225$ that we spent to get it, so it's not necessarily the case that all expensive liquor is a waste.
I would like to add that when i tried kristal (the champagne) it was worth every penny of the 225$ that we spent to get it, so it's not necessarily the case that all expensive liquor is a waste.
I could recommend you a few champagnes that are cheaper and superior to Cristal. Cristal is by no means a bad champagne, but I absolutely regard it as something not worth spending its price.
I'm interested in this thread because I really don't like Scotch, but am always interested in experimenting with new things and reexamining my tastes.
My problem with Scotch is I find it to be far too mild. Really the only whiskeys I like are bourbon and Tennessee because both are very rich and flavorful.
So based on that, if anyone wants to recommend me something, much appreciated.
I dunno, I find the peatiness of scotch to be a defining quality. I don't mean all scotches are peaty or need to be (those from Islay mainly, no?). But it seems to be a unique characteristic that I don't get as much from other whiskies. What I mean I guess, is I think it's worth trying a peaty one. Definitely can be hit or miss though as far as personal taste.
The Talisker 10 is quite nice. Has a little bit of that smoke while being nicely balanced. Also like the Balvenie 15 and Glenmorangie 10 & Lasanta of those mentioned above. Also agree, scotches are expensive... (Anybody have some recommendations for a good sippin' rye?)
Edit: Oh! A personal favorite is also the Dalmore (12 or 18, if you're lucky enough). You can probably find the 12 easily - not peaty, pretty sweet, like sherry (not as sweet, but reminds me of?).
I could recommend you a few champagnes that are cheaper and superior to Cristal. Cristal is by no means a bad champagne, but I absolutely regard it as something not worth spending its price.
I'm interested in this thread because I really don't like Scotch, but am always interested in experimenting with new things and reexamining my tastes.
My problem with Scotch is I find it to be far too mild. Really the only whiskeys I like are bourbon and Tennessee because both are very rich and flavorful.
So based on that, if anyone wants to recommend me something, much appreciated.
I found this guy a little while ago who does a bunch of whiskey reviews (mostly scotch) but he has started a series of bourbon reviews. I think he's pretty entertaining.
"No one may threaten or commit violence ('aggress') against another man's person or property. Violence may be employed only against the man who commits such violence; that is, only defensively against the aggressive violence of another. In short, no violence may be employed against a nonaggressor. Here is the fundamental rule from which can be deduced the entire corpus of libertarian theory." - Murray Rothbard, Cited from "War, Peace, and the State"
If you want real Scotch, pick up a bottle of Laphroaig.
EDIT: Laphroaig is a bit more peaty/smoky of a taste, though, so it might be a bit particular. It is my very favorite so far, though. Ardbeg is a close second.
This. Laphroaig & Ardbeg are the two favorites that I've had.
I love me some laphroaig too, especially the Triple Wood. That stuff is just divine. The Quarter Cask is about the same and a bit more budgetfriendly though it lacks some of the depth in the triple wood.
My favorite whiskys at the moment would be most types of Glenrothes (got a 1985 that is the pride and joy of my collection at the moment) and Edradour, especially since I got to visit the distillery last vacation. It's a very experimental distillery with quite limited runs on a lot of different finishes and it's an interesting journey just going through the different flavours that the different finishes give. They also started to revive "lost" whiskeys by emulating distilleries that have dissapeared from the region there, resulting in the awesome Ballechin line: rich, peaty whiskys with a few different finishes. Currently drinking the Marsala and its one of those "they get better the more you drink of it". needless to say its not gonna last long.
by Stanley Bruce
Whisky with a n ‘e’,
should be hand cuffed
and thrown head first in the Dee,
it’s spelt with an ‘e’
but in Scotland
it’s real ‘Whisky’.
and it has an ‘e’,
only take it,
if you get it for free!
and it never will be,
a dram is only a real dram,
from a bottle of ‘Scotch Whisky’.
I recently decided to try drinking scotch (trying to stick to single malts right now) and have enjoyed the first bottle I have picked up so far - Glenmorangie 10 year. It's pretty mild compared other random ones I've had at bars and is slightly sweet. It was pretty reasonably priced too, picked it up for 34.99/750ml and came with a nice set tulip shaped glasses.
I'm wondering what other scotch drinkers would recommend for the next bottle?
These are all pretty mainstream.
If you want real Scotch, pick up a bottle of Laphroaig.
EDIT: Laphroaig is a bit more peaty/smoky of a taste, though, so it might be a bit particular. It is my very favorite so far, though. Ardbeg is a close second. Macallan is alright.
If you don't like the idea of a peaty taste, then I suggest sticking with the Glens. Glenfidditch, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie (try their port cask bottle); any Glen will do.
Pristaxcontrombmodruu!
The Saga of Arkay
WUBRGPauper Battle BoxWUBRG ... and why I am not a fan of Wayne Reynolds' Illustrations.
Definition of “Scotch Whisky” and categories of Scotch Whisky
3.—(1) In these Regulations “Scotch Whisky” means a whisky produced in Scotland—
(a)that has been distilled at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added) all of which have been—
(i)processed at that distillery into a mash;
(ii)converted at that distillery into a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems; and
(iii)fermented at that distillery only by the addition of yeast;
(b)that has been distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8 per cent so that the distillate has an aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production;
(c)that has been matured only in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres;
(d)that has been matured only in Scotland;
(e)that has been matured for a period of not less than three years;
(f)that has been matured only in an excise warehouse or a permitted place;
(g)that retains the colour, aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production and maturation;
(h)to which no substance has been added, or to which no substance has been added except—
(i)water;
(ii)plain caramel colouring; or
(iii)water and plain caramel colouring; and
(i)that has a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40%.
From http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/2890/regulation/3/made
I'll have to go to my local english pub and try them out they have a pretty nice list.
Laphroaig is fantastic, but it's not a typical scotch at all. Saying Laphroaig is a great scotch is like saying landless Charblecher is a great Magic deck. Sure it's great, but it's not very representative of what Magic is normally like.
If you want a very good scotch with a more mainstream flavor, go for Balvenie. A little pricier than some of the other suggestions, but worth it. Unsurprisingly more years = better, so pick age according to your budget. I find 15 to be a great sweet spot, but it's going to push $80. Scotch is kind of like Magic, though. Once you get really into it the prices start seeming less unreasonable...
I did not like glenlivet 12 at all. The 18 was passable but not that great. Glenfiddich 12 is bad but the 15 was pretty good. Never tried the glenfiddich 18.
I was looking for a peatier scotch but then i got interested in a different hobby.
Btw the johnny walker blue costs a lot but it is not good enough to justify the dollars. It's blended too of course but eventually someone will suggest trying it. Don't bother getting a whole bottle. I would like to add that when i tried kristal (the champagne) it was worth every penny of the 225$ that we spent to get it, so it's not necessarily the case that all expensive liquor is a waste.
I could recommend you a few champagnes that are cheaper and superior to Cristal. Cristal is by no means a bad champagne, but I absolutely regard it as something not worth spending its price.
I'm interested in this thread because I really don't like Scotch, but am always interested in experimenting with new things and reexamining my tastes.
My problem with Scotch is I find it to be far too mild. Really the only whiskeys I like are bourbon and Tennessee because both are very rich and flavorful.
So based on that, if anyone wants to recommend me something, much appreciated.
The Talisker 10 is quite nice. Has a little bit of that smoke while being nicely balanced. Also like the Balvenie 15 and Glenmorangie 10 & Lasanta of those mentioned above. Also agree, scotches are expensive... (Anybody have some recommendations for a good sippin' rye?)
Edit: Oh! A personal favorite is also the Dalmore (12 or 18, if you're lucky enough). You can probably find the 12 easily - not peaty, pretty sweet, like sherry (not as sweet, but reminds me of?).
My Cube
I found this guy a little while ago who does a bunch of whiskey reviews (mostly scotch) but he has started a series of bourbon reviews. I think he's pretty entertaining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_5Ve5-J1bA&list=UUp0k3OKqfkPW0HdRLA8JWZg
This. Laphroaig & Ardbeg are the two favorites that I've had.
My favorite whiskys at the moment would be most types of Glenrothes (got a 1985 that is the pride and joy of my collection at the moment) and Edradour, especially since I got to visit the distillery last vacation. It's a very experimental distillery with quite limited runs on a lot of different finishes and it's an interesting journey just going through the different flavours that the different finishes give. They also started to revive "lost" whiskeys by emulating distilleries that have dissapeared from the region there, resulting in the awesome Ballechin line: rich, peaty whiskys with a few different finishes. Currently drinking the Marsala and its one of those "they get better the more you drink of it". needless to say its not gonna last long.