Scotch

[benos]

My first experience with a single malt Scotch Whiskey was when a friend (It was WFMFT) left a bottle of Lafraoig (sp) hidden secretely in my closet after he left from visiting. Anyway, I hated it. It was like drinking dirt. And, the following day - I've never had a worse headache in my life!

And then I can't remember the details, but the next Scotch I tried was Lagevulin. Same deal. Hated it and felt like crap the next day. So that was the beginning and end of Scotch for me.

Then quite a few years later, I was in Tops Liquor, and the guy that runs the place was showing me a bottle of Scotch that he was really excited to get back in the store. It was Tyrconnel. So I tried, and liked it - much lighter and more complex that the dirt stuff. Then I learned how to put just the right amount/splash of water in the glass, and now I'm really starting to get the single-malt picture.

Then I tried Glennmorangie, and liked it ever better. Feeling ever more adventuresome, the latest one - and now my current favorite - is Aberfeldy. And it's currently only $25 for a fifth at Tops. And bonus round for the last 3 - sip a glass or two or even 3, and they're all hangover free.

So any suggestions along the lighter, smoother Scotch's would be appreciated.

One thing that's fun about Scotch, after trying a new one and sipping a glass, if you read the description of its nose, body, and finish on the container - that's exactly how it tastes.

be

[Paul Burtchell]

Aberlour A'bunadh Batch #20

[bgary]

I tend to like the lighter scotches that have a "woody" flavor, rather than the ones that taste like burnt seaweed <g>

For a good all-around scotch, IMHO you can't beat the Macallans and the Balvenies. Both are available in a range of ages (and prices). I particularly like the flavor of the Macallans, which are aged in sherry casks.

For an even lighter scotch (but still flavorful) scotch, try one of the "lowlands" distilleries: Glenkinchie, Auchentoshen, or Bladnoch (if you can find it). Really smooth.

For a stronger taste, the Aberlour (above) is a really good one. Just be aware it is a "cask strength" (~100 proof), as opposed to most scotches (which are ~80 proof).

Oh, and by the way... you can (as you've learned) really like - or NOT like - very similar scotches. In my experience, trying things by the glass is a whole lot better way to experiment, than buying bottles from which you may not like the second dram.

B

PS - if you find one you like, you may be able to find other similar ones by looking here: http://www.whiskyclassified.com/classification.html

[bgary]

Oh, forgot to add: it's probably obvious from the price structure, but in general, the longer a scotch has aged, the smoother it will be. A Macallan 10 is "good". A Macallan 18 is wonderful. And (i'm told) the 25 is a life-altering experience <g>

[Modoc]

Brian,

I tried Glenleavit in college and didn't care for it, but a couple of years ago my father turned me onto Glenfidich. I am not enough of a conisour to be able to separate the tastes, but this was one that tasted good tome. Before that my only other experience was grabbing the wrong glass while reading and taking a big slug of CuttySark and not my water. The principal had his glass on the end table and mine was on the hearth while I was reading

[HSMITH]

I like the stronger smoky peat tasting scotches, the ones that taste like dirt and seaweed LOL. But for a snack now and then I really enjoy Dewars, $25 a fifth and is just a really nice drink. It is a blended scotch, not a single. Lots better than a lot of the single malts I have had though and available anywhere worth stopping for a drink while out. It has a little bit of all the best scotch character in it. Try one next time you are out.

[fiddler]

Macallan's Cask Strength is a treat. Highland Park is very nice. I am a fan of Glenfidich 15 year old as well.

Glen Ord is perilously drinkable. If you find a place to buy it in North America, I want some.

Roy

[AzShooter]

Glenfidich has a great taste. My roommate's cousin turned us on to it. She says it's very popular in Sweden and I can see why. Now whenever one of my roommate's relatives visit they bring us a bottle.

[Dave Wilson]

My short list of great scotches goes like this:

1) Oban (honey sweet, smooth, not much peat flavor)

2) Talisker (smooth, great finish)

3) Cardhu (light, smooth sweet)

4) Speyburn ( flavorful, smooth, and damned cheap for the quality)

All the above are smooth, sweet, and don't deserve to be watered down.

I have only recently tasted Laphroaig.... It is a scotch that you try after you have exhausted all other alcohol in the house, including the rubbing alcohol (and drain cleaners).

McCallan 10yr old was something I tried a few years back, nasty stuff, notes would read..." very peaty burnt oak taste, leaves after taste of lysol"

Find a few great scotches that YOU like and make those the mainstay, but never be afraid to try others.

[larry cazes]

Brian, I Just got reintroduced to scotch in the last few months by a previous thread here In my cabinet right now I have Johnnie Black, Glenfidich, and Glenlivet. I prefer the Glenlivet but all are nice. I like mine neat with no water or ice. No hangovers the next morning for me either.

[ima45dv8]

Some very bad experiences with cheap Scotch as a youngster kept me away from drinking that damn kerosene for most of my life. Then while in Montreal on business a couple of years ago a friend turned me on to a couple of the 'better' brands. I'm still a bit leary of them, but have found a couple that I really like.

At the moment my favorite is the Balvenie 12 y.o., "DoubleWood". It's aged in two different casks - first, a Whiskey oak and then a Sherry oak. It's also reasonably priced. Give it a try.

[bbbean]

Some very bad experiences with cheap Scotch as a youngster kept me away from drinking that damn kerosene for most of my life. Then while in Montreal on business a couple of years ago a friend turned me on to a couple of the 'better' brands. I'm still a bit leary of them, but have found a couple that I really like.

At the moment my favorite is the Balvenie 12 y.o., "DoubleWood". It's aged in two different casks - first, a Whiskey oak and then a Sherry oak. It's also reasonably priced. Give it a try.

A big +1 on the Balvenie 12 yr!. The 15 yr aged in the sherry barrel is also outstanding.

[Graham Smith]

On one occasion, someone bought me a glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Almost goes without saying that I'm not likely to ever have it again.

In all honest, I'm a cheap date - I like Dewars. At $22 a bottle, it's just fine with me.

And $25 for Aberfeldy is a steal. No place near me is going to have it at anywhere that price.

FWIW, if you like burbon, you have to try Jack Daniels Single Barrel. Really good at a fair price, if you can find someone who has it.

Edited December 5, 2008 by Graham Smith

[P.E. Kelley]

Americans have a foolish predilection for thinking that hard liquor is had straight and of course that is more manly.

THE DISTILLERS of some of the finest single malt's recommend to get the best flavor from THERE product

one should thin it with table water, preferably from the brook from which the "nectar of the gods" was

distilled.

You might be amazed when at the result when this is put to practice.

"I'll have a double neat and a water back, thank you"

Patrick

[gose]

Big Scotch fan here... Personal favorites are Ardbeg and Laphroig, but other good ones I really like are Oban, Lagavulin, Cragganmore, Macallan, Bowmore and Talisker. There's a Scotch for every occasion...

+1 on the Balvenie for a really good "lighter" scotch, Auchentoshan, Dalwhinnie and Highland Park are other good lighter ones.

I prefer to enjoy my whisky in good company, unfortunately not too many of my friends enjoy whisky, so most of my bottles are just sitting there in the cabinet. Anyone passing through the SF Bay Area is more than welcome to stop by for some tasting...

Oh, and a big +1 on the thinning it with water! Pouring a little bit of water into the whisky will lower the relative alcohol content and release flavors. A pretty interesting test is to take a glass, pour a good measure of Scotch and then add a little bit of water, taste, add a little bit more water, taste again (repeat until glass is empty ) The various flavors you'll experience can be pretty amazing...

Americans have a foolish predilection for thinking that hard liquor is had straight and of course that is more manly.

Maybe because the American whiskeys aren't that good, so by adding water you'll just prolong the pain?

Edited December 5, 2008 by gose

[RePete]

Try Lagavulin, MacClellands, Scapa, Cardu, all good.

[Keith]

My short list of great scotches goes like this:

1) Oban (honey sweet, smooth, not much peat flavor)

Oban is one the reasons I can only drink scotch occasionally, these days.

It started out with a tour of the Oban distillery in mid morning and kind of went down hill from there.

[Tom Freeman]

Back when I still drank, Glenfiddich Solera was the only hard alcohol, besides Tequila, I drank. I miss them both terribly.

[VegasOPM]

I try to have highland, lowland and Islay whisky on hand all the time. The Highlands are deep and rich, the Lowlands are a bit lighter and more palatable to non-scotch fans, the Islays are smoky and peaty. I love them all but the Glenmorangie, 16 Men of Tain, are my favorites. Try the Sherry Casked. Also, I think that the 10-18 year old range is the best- too much past that and the Scotch tastes too much like Bourbon.

Scotch is like guns; an expensive hobby with infinite learning possibilities and you will never be satisfied with just one type- regardless of how good it is.

[benos]

Thanks for all the great and fun replies! I'll edit/compile this thread into a page and take it with me to Tops. They have a great selection of EVERYTHING, including a lot of hard to get beers. It's run by true connoisseurs.

At the moment my favorite is the Balvenie 12 y.o., "DoubleWood". It's aged in two different casks - first, a Whiskey oak and then a Sherry oak. It's also reasonably priced. Give it a try.

That is a good one. I took a bottle to a friend's party as a gift. He had previously brought a 10 year old Balvenie to my party, so I bumped him up a notch. Now at my next party, hopefully we'll be trying the 15 year old! But then it will be my turn... Ahh but I don't think Tops stocks anything older than the 15 year old.

be

[Phil Dunlop]

The sophistication of my scotch pallet is inversely proportional to the price of N320, projectiles and primers, but I do remember the old days fondly and love Glenfiddich.

[ima45dv8]

Some very bad experiences with cheap Scotch as a youngster kept me away from drinking that damn kerosene for most of my life. Then while in Montreal on business a couple of years ago a friend turned me on to a couple of the 'better' brands. I'm still a bit leary of them, but have found a couple that I really like.

At the moment my favorite is the Balvenie 12 y.o., "DoubleWood". It's aged in two different casks - first, a Whiskey oak and then a Sherry oak. It's also reasonably priced. Give it a try.

A big +1 on the Balvenie 12 yr!. The 15 yr aged in the sherry barrel is also outstanding.

I'll have to give that try. Thanks...

[Nemo]

Brian, I Just got reintroduced to scotch in the last few months by a previous thread here In my cabinet right now I have Johnnie Black, Glenfidich, and Glenlivet. I prefer the Glenlivet but all are nice. I like mine neat with no water or ice. No hangovers the next morning for me either.

+1 to your taste Larry. Glenlivet is my favorite. Of the blended kind, Mr. Walker's black is a good choice, not too expensive and not cheap. ONCE I had the opportunity to try JW Blue label and that was something else. Haven't had the courage to spend the $$ on a bottle for myself...

[Holshot]

Scotch for me is an experience usually. I enjoy a heavy lead crystal glass, the right ice (if in the mood) and even the right amount of water (if in the mood). Following a day of fly fishing, sitting on the porch of the cabin, listening to the water and watching the fireflies. It's a religious experience.

Try the Macallans 25 if you get a chance. At $400 - 500 a fifth the price is ludicrous but when the casino is comping your meal, the taste is even better. I drink the 12 yr most often and though the "experience" often is not available it still is nice.

Merry Christmas!

[Graham Smith]

Brian,

I stopped into a big liquor store over the weekend. They have a good selection and reasonable prices. A bottle of Aberfeldy (12 yr old) was $55, on sale! So if you can get it for $25, start buying it by the case.