Scotch and Whiskey

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

From my local bevMo, I get the feeling they way over charge their stuff.

I think BevMo has good deals on some things, and not so good deals on others. You have to know the prices if you want to shop there. They do have a very big selection though.

BTW, the only way to drink any aged spirit is neat. Things with sugar and crap in them you can chill or pour over ice. Ice basically drowns out the more complex aromas, which is fine if it's a liqueur or something simple like that.

Nice that you're educating yourself before you hit 21, I started after I turned 21 (which was somewhat recent, this year).

[f0rge]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

I also hear the best way to try your first real drink of scotch (or whiskey? Idk) is neat.

How do you guys drink yours?

I've come across this before; there's scotch, then whiskey, then scotch whiskey? What's the difference? Sorry for the dumb questions just curious about my new fangled legal drinking abilities lol

I take mine neat, room temperature. Some people like to put a tiny bit of water in their scotch, on some it opens up the palate and makes it more drinkable. I only add water to scotches that are over 50%ABV because they're too hard to drink otherwise.

Scotch is whiskey made in Scotland. Whiskey made anywhere else is just called whiskey. That doesn't mean that it isn't as good as scotch. Japanese whiskeys are really good for example, but you can't call them scotch.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by f0rge

I take mine neat, room temperature. Some people like to put a tiny bit of water in their scotch, on some it opens up the palate and makes it more drinkable. I only add water to scotches that are over 50%ABV because they're too hard to drink otherwise.

If I'm really drinking critically, or trying something unique and rare, I'll usually sip the first half neat, and then add room-temperature distilled water to the second half (a few drops at first, and then perhaps a bit more after a few more sips). It isn't just to make it more drinkable - sometimes it can bring attention to some different flavors, which can be really interesting. The best scotch bar in this area (which I posted a picture of a few pages back) always gives you a small glass of spring water with your scotch for exactly this reason.

Of course, this is all personal preference. I would never use a chaser or ice with a good scotch, nor would I mix it with anything else, and you don't want it chilled (mine is usually slightly below room temp though, since where I keep my liquor is usually around 62-65 degrees). Neat vs a bit of water though is all up to you, and both will let you appreciate the various flavors and aromas present in the whisky. Try some both ways and see what you like.

[f0rge]

I have tried it with water, I have a single malt bushmills that's pretty rough without it but water opens up a lovely caramel flavour that's otherwise hidden.

Generally I go without water, I figure if they wanted it diluted they would have bottled it like that.

We had a Glenfarclas that was like 62.5% at a scotch night we did, that shit was like jet fuel until you added quite a bit of water. Almost undrinkable neat.

[cdrazic93]

Just had a glass of Laphroiag Quarter Cask at an Irish Pub. So far, best scotch I've had yet

[Fortis]

Laphroaig Quarter Cask is amazing. Ardbeg Uigeadail IMO is SLIGHTLY better. If you haven't tried Uigeadail yet definitely pick up a bottle soon! It usually runs around the same price as Quarter Cask. Quarter Cask, Uigeadail and Caol Ila 12 are about the only whiskys I drink these days.

[Nevermore]

I'm glad someone bumped this thread because I've just recently decided I want to get into scotch. I've never had a go to alcohol. If I'm honest, I don't really like the taste of any hard alcohols. I'll drink shots of vodka if I feel like getting drunk, and I'll drink amaretto sours if I want something delicious. I've decided that I will acquire a taste for scotch, or at least I'll try.

I've been reading some stuff online, trying to find stuff to try. There's quite a few I'm interested in, but they're all pretty expensive so it might take a while to try them. I've tried three so far, Johnny Walker Black, The Famous Grouse, and Aberfeldy.

I didn't like the Black, it was woody, which isn't bad, but a bit harsh for me. The Famous Grouse is okay, but still just tastes like alcohol. The Aberfeldy was pretty good, and I'm surprised no one else has put it here because I see a lot of others that I've read about. I'm terrible at describing flavors, but this one was very unique. It was a bit strong, but very smooth. The most interesting thing about it was the flavor, which I can't place other than to say that it reminds me of leather. It sounds weird, but I liked it.

The ones I want to try are:
Auchentoshan Three Wood - I like the sound of this one the most, but it's like $75 so it will have to wait until I work my way up to that price point.
Dalwhinnie 15 - This one was suggested along with the Three Wood by one article. It sounds nice and easy and that's why I think it works. The $62 price tag means it'll wait as well.
Highland Park 12 - I see this one a lot, just seems like a good one.
Ledaig 10 - I kind of want to work my way up to peaty ones and this one seems like a good starting point. Plus I like the name for some reason.
Balvenie Caribbean Cask - I think this one was described as sweet, and I like that. The Double Wood sounds good too, but I like this one more. Price point means it waits. I like the name too.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask - This one just sounds badass. I know that's a stupid reason, but I love the description, the way it sounds. I know I'll hate it, just sounds way too strong for me. I think if I can get used to drinking this, I could drink anything.

[Musickmixxer90]

Just getting into whiskey now, and I like the chivas regal 12. I picked up a bottle of glenfiddich 12 and I can say I don't like it as much. To me, the glenfiddich is as some say, a bit harsh. I like the smoky flavor of the chivas, but again, I am still new to whiskey. Any recommendations on what a next buy could be? I was looking at the glenlivet12 or trying to find a Highland Park 12 to try based on people's responses.

[Musickmixxer90]

Originally Posted by Musickmixxer90

Just getting into whiskey now, and I like the chivas regal 12. I picked up a bottle of glenfiddich 12 and I can say I don't like it as much. To me, the glenfiddich is as some say, a bit harsh. I like the smoky flavor of the chivas, but again, I am still new to whiskey. Any recommendations on what a next buy could be? I was looking at the glenlivet12 or trying to find a Highland Park 12 to try based on people's responses.

Actually, after letting the glenfiddich sit for a little, the bite definately went down and I can taste some of the flavor. Not bad glenfiddich, not bad.

Originally Posted by Musickmixxer90

Just getting into whiskey now, and I like the chivas regal 12. I picked up a bottle of glenfiddich 12 and I can say I don't like it as much. To me, the glenfiddich is as some say, a bit harsh. I like the smoky flavor of the chivas, but again, I am still new to whiskey. Any recommendations on what a next buy could be? I was looking at the glenlivet12 or trying to find a Highland Park 12 to try based on people's responses.

[babydriver]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

As I am nearing 21, I would like to understand what it means when they say the "body" the "nose" the "palet" and the "finish" of the scotch. Anyone care to describe how those come to be? I'm curious to know

Body - how thick/viscous is the liquid? Is it like tranny fluid or axle oil?
Nose - what does it smell like? Does it have little peaty notes or a big disgusting diesel oil stench?
Palet - what does it taste like? See "nose" but with your mouth.
Finish - how long does the flavor linger on the tongue? any aftertaste? Diesel oil? Sewage? Burning dirty socks?

It's not complicated. Just try a couple of moderately priced single malts and see if you like one. Buy small bottles at first.

For "starter" Scotches, try any of the "Glens" --- Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas, Glen Moray, etc. These are by and large pretty good and have a broad appeal. The MacAllen is also good. Blends don't really interest me as they are all more like each other than they are like any good single malt.

Later you can try out the bottled diesel fuel and see if you like it...

[themadscientist]

Originally Posted by Fortis

Laphroaig Quarter Cask is amazing. Ardbeg Uigeadail IMO is SLIGHTLY better. If you haven't tried Uigeadail yet definitely pick up a bottle soon! It usually runs around the same price as Quarter Cask. Quarter Cask, Uigeadail and Caol Ila 12 are about the only whiskys I drink these days.

A man after my own heart.

[babydriver]

If you want to try a reasonably good (if not great) Scotch that won't cost a fortune, try Glen Moray. Only about $40 a bottle and a decent product.


On the more expensive Scotches (above say $80 a bottle) consider going with the 15 or even 18 years varieties. I have noticed a considerable rounding off of the edges from the 12 year old stuff in the (older) aged vintages. Much more palatable.

[Musickmixxer90]

Has anyone tried any of the famous grousse scotch?

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[53Driver]

I really like Yamazaki and the 12 years stuff is pretty reasonable. Maybe I've already said this but I don't read back.