Scotch and Whiskey

[f0rge]

Anyone here into scotch and whiskey?

I'm a lifelong rye drinker (among other things) but just recently some of my friends have started to getting me into drinking scotch. I'm liking it so far.

I've had scotch before but didn't like it, then me and a buddy were getting pretty hammered and he broke out some of his rarer scotches, we polished off a 1/4 of a bottle of Glenmorangie 18 and now I'm hooked

My own scotch cabinet is pretty empty right now, since I'm just starting I've only got the basics, a Glenmorangie 10, a Glenlivet 12 and a bottle of Bushmills single malt distillery reserve 12 that I smuggled home from Ireland about 6-7 years ago that I've barely touched because I didn't think I liked it (turns out I do).

Any one have any favorites? Or maybe some suggestions for people like me who are just starting out on this wonderful journey? I've been looking for a bottle of Glenmorangie 18 but I can't locate one anywhere local.

[asdf]

a fan of islays here-- laphroaig, lagavulin, ardbeg

[DarkSunrise]

Tried Talisker 10 the other day based on a friend's recommendation. Not bad.

[sato]

Shiaaa... though I could say I like whiskey, but after reading all the whiskey brands you mentioned, I'm just going to say I'm subscribing to the thread for the knowledge.


Most of the whiskey I've tasted is mainstream blended scotch (Dewar's White Label, 12, Johnnie Walker Black, Platinum, Blue), Chivas Regal 25, etc., etc.... liking the Platinum on the rocks to wind down after a heavy week.


Always wanted to try a single malt...

[Luis_GT]

I drink almost any type of whiskey as long as I mixed it with Coconut water

[f0rge]

I've been drinking blended my whole life as well, Crown Royal, several Johnny's, usually mixed with coke though.

Single malt is a bit of a wake up call because you generally drinking it straight at room temp with no ice. Some whiskeys over 40% (say 43-50%) can be very lightly diluted with a couple of ML of water to open up the flavors.

My Bushmills 12 is much nicer with a couple of drops of water, really opens up bouquet and you get much more caramel flavors that are hidden at bottle strength.

I keep hearing about the Islays, but I also hear they're very hit and miss so I'm a bit hesitant to drop $60-80 on a bottle of something I'll hate lol. I should just take the plunge.

[AznBRZer]

I'm more of a cognac fan, but there are only 3 whisky's that I'll drink after having tried most of the mainstream 12 and 18yr brands: Oban 14, Dalwhinnie 15, and Yamazaki 12.

Maybe I'll find a 25 that I'll like one day, but so far, I don't think it's something I want to splurge on just yet.

[Anorax]

Balvenie and Aberlour are must tries. They are my top two at the moment.

Blended - Monkey Shoulder is a good one. Three single malts (Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie)

Famous Grouse is usually my go to blend tho.

[YukiHachiRoku]

this stuff is legit:

[asdf]

Balvenie is nice, a little more mild. I like islays because of the peatiness; laphroaig cask strength, 18, and their cairdeas are really good.

For Japanese, yamazaki 18 and hibiki 12 are pretty good as well as yoichi.

[mkivalex]

Pretty new to scotch myself, Sat down with the pop's a few times, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are what I have become accustom to.

[Calum]

Forty Creek is surprisingly good for the price.

My personal favorite is Macallan 15. It's better then the 18 by a fair margin.

I can't really stomach crown or CC. JD only belongs in a whiskey sour.

[Flow]

Laphroaig is my go to for a peaty malt. Oban 14. Really enjoying Glenfiddich 18 now. Johnny Walker Red when I want to drink a bottle.

[f0rge]

Had a Glenlivet 18 at the bar on friday, but I was already pretty drunk (apparently drunk enough to order an 18 year old scotch at a bar) so it was sort of wasted on me.

Was pretty good from what I can remember, worth picking up a bottle at some point at least.

Lots of good suggestions here, I need to check out a Balvenie, my friends all rave it about it as well.