Scotch

[VatorMan]

My daily drinker is 12 YO Glenlivet. LOVE 18+ YO MaCallan.

I enjoy Jameson 12 YO Irish Whiskey. Talk about smoooooth.

 

[blacklab]

Couldn't help it!

 

[Danny013]

I'm such a scotch n00b. I've always wanted to get into it and start tasting/learning, but the ante is a bit steep to get into the game.

Anyway, anyone got any good reccommendations? The Islay stuff sounds good - and intruiging - to me; I'd like to delve into that realm first. I've read that some, like Laphroaig, are a bit much and an acquired taste, so are there any single malts that are a little easier on the palate but still have that oily, peaty, iodine, salty taste?

Also, what is the preferred method of drinking a single malt (told ya I was a n00b...)? Rocks? Neat? Any preferred drinking glass, or will a standard old-fashioned rocks glass work just fine?

Cost is a factor too, I'm on a college budget, so nothing horribly expensive, lol.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[BierMuncher]

I go to an annual taste testing / learning seminar given by an exclusive bottler from Scotland. They buy up odd reserve casks from single malt distillers and then package them and age them for additonal time.

Might fine tasting spirits and you learn a ton about the art of scotch making.

It's amazing how much of what they do is simply brewing beer (sans the hops).

 

[Thirdeye]

I'm such a scotch n00b. I've always wanted to get into it and start tasting/learning, but the ante is a bit steep to get into the game.

Anyway, anyone got any good reccommendations? The Islay stuff sounds good - and intruiging - to me; I'd like to delve into that realm first. I've read that some, like Laphroaig, are a bit much and an acquired taste, so are there any single malts that are a little easier on the palate but still have that oily, peaty, iodine, salty taste?

Also, what is the preferred method of drinking a single malt (told ya I was a n00b...)? Rocks? Neat? Any preferred drinking glass, or will a standard old-fashioned rocks glass work just fine?

Cost is a factor too, I'm on a college budget, so nothing horribly expensive, lol.

Thanks for the insight!

I found that starting out on the rocks helps smooth out the rough edges until you get drunk enough not to care, then you go neat

 

[fusion94]

I originally posted this in another thread but it's appropriate here as well.

I know that single malt scotches are a personal thing and I know that those of us that really appreciate them can be kind of snobs in regards to it but here are my .02 worth.

I'm a huge fan of the Islay Single Malts whether it's Lagavulin ($65-$70) or Laphroaig ($30-$60).

Lagavulin has been described as the aristocrat of Islays. It has an unmistakable, powerful, peat-smoke aroma. Described as being robustly full bodied, well-balanced and smooth with a slight sweetness on the palate.

Laphroaig has a hint of sherry that quickly gives way to the Islay intensity and distinctively oily body with a big peaty-smoky flavour. A round, dry and warming finish renders Laphroaig the perfect night-cap.

Now these aren't cheap but they are worth the price. I generally have a bottle of each in my liquor cabinet.

Now if those are out of your price range I'd recommend getting a bottle of Finlaggan. Finlaggan can be had at Trader Joe's in California for about $17.00 a bottle. The taste of is somewhere in-between Lagavullin and Laphroaig and the rumour is that it's actually an 8 year old Lagavullin. I can confirm that it does have some of the same flavour qualities. It's my everyday single malt due to the price and has the best taste (for my tastes) of any single malt I've had priced under $30.00. There's a reason I have 7 bottles of it in my wine cellar.

 

[MULE]

I found that starting out on the rocks helps smooth out the rough edges until you get drunk enough not to care, then you go neat

You lose a lot of taste characteristics in the whiskey when you add ice. I would be a little upset if I saw someone add ice to a good single malt. But, so you know I am not a total a$$hole.... I don't like harsh smokey flavors in my scotch. I would probably add a little ice to water that taste down a bit.

Danny, it's all about personal taste. Give The Glenlivet 12 a try. It has a nice mellow finish.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

You lose a lot of taste characteristics in the whiskey when you add ice. I would be a little upset if I saw someone add ice to a good single malt. But, so you know I am not a total a$$hole.... I don't like harsh smokey flavors in my scotch. I would probably add a little ice to water that taste down a bit.

Not true- Everything ive ever read says add up to 50% water to open up the flavor.

 

[MULE]

Not true- Everything ive ever read says add up to 50% water to open up the flavor.

I've never read that before.

EDIT: From WikiHow http://www.wikihow.com/Taste-Single-Malt-Scotch
Add water. (Optional) as much as half-and-half or as little as a few drops. Adding water depends on the strength and style of the whisky and the taster's preference. Regular bottles contain 40% to 46% alcohol by volume (ABV) and are diluted using the distillery's water source. Some whisky purists (Jim Murray, for example) feel that as it has already been diluted, further dilution is unnecessary. "Cask strength" whiskies are stronger (generally 46% to 60%) and require more water. Avoid tap water, because the chlorine and/or dissolved minerals will interfere with the taste.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Whisky is by definition a strong alcohol (between 40% and 60%). This high alcohol rate is difficult to appreciate by people who are not used to it. This can be considered as an aggression to the papilla's. Adding some fresh water softens the aggressive character of a strong alcohol.

But, even for people who are used to drink strong alcohols, adding a drop of fresh water will open up new horizons. Adding a drop of water will provoke a chemical reaction, freeing the fragrances. The whisky will "open" itself.

In the case of a "cask strength" (generally round 60%), adding water will make it possible to taste the whisky at different alcohol rates. The drinker is entitled to determine the best alcohol rate for himself. When he decides it has reached the ideal alcohol rate, he just can stop adding water.

 

[MULE]

Ok, I'm standing down.

From WikiHow
The use of a small amount of water is common to open up the flavors of the spirit. Most whiskies produce a deeper, buttery or otherwise more complex flavor with the addition of even tiny quantities of water. Bottled water is preferred since the chlorine and dissolved minerals in tapwater can potentially taint the flavor of the whisky.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

but you were right abou tthe Ice if that makes you feel better

 

[MULE]

but you were right abou tthe Ice if that makes you feel better

Nothing wrong with a morning (for me anyways) scotch discussion

 

[menschmaschine]

In the UK, the general rule is to drink it neat or with a splash of water (don't ever order it on the rocks unless you enjoy being the center of attention). I've gotten the impression from several UK Scotch enthusiasts (albeit, English) that it's more "manly" to drink it neat. Then I talked to a Scotsman who works in a single malt whiskey distillery (can't remember which one) and he said a splash of good water is best (to bring out the flavors and bouquet).

 

[Thirdeye]

You lose a lot of taste characteristics in the whiskey when you add ice. I would be a little upset if I saw someone add ice to a good single malt. But, so you know I am not a total a$$hole.... I don't like harsh smokey flavors in my scotch. I would probably add a little ice to water that taste down a bit.

Danny, it's all about personal taste. Give The Glenlivet 12 a try. It has a nice mellow finish.

Hmm, that's weird. You follow up "YOU lose a lot of taste..." with "Danny, its all about PERSONAL taste". Interesting.

Tastes just fine to me with the rocks, so long as I dont wait too long to finish it. Its my hard earned money, I ought to be able to water the plants with it if I want.

 

[MULE]

Hmm, that's weird. You follow up "YOU lose a lot of taste..." with "Danny, its all about PERSONAL taste". Interesting.

Tastes just fine to me with the rocks, so long as I dont wait too long to finish it. Its my hard earned money, I ought to be able to water the plants with it if I want.

Chalk it up to being early in the morning and spouting off. Sorry if it seems I was attacked you. It wasn't my intention.

IMO you lose a lot of taste when you add ice. The second part of that was meant to say do what you want.

 

[PeteOz77]

Conditioned glass.
2 Fingers room temp Glenlivet 12YO.
Warm the glass in my palm.
1 ice cube.. watch it until it's nealry dissolved.
Sip and ENJOY.
Repeat

However, when it's stinking hot out, and I am not in the mood for beer, I mix
1/3 ice
1/3 water
1/3 Glenlivet 12YO
Sip and ENJOY
Repeat.

 

[Thirdeye]

Finally finished my bottle of Glennlivet. Headed to the package store today to get another bottle. Wanna try something else. Ive called every store around looking for Isle of Jura and everyone is out. ARRRRRRGGGHHHHH!!!

Anyone wanna recommend something else? Im thinking the Mcallan 15 yr or 12 yr. I wanna keep the price below $50. Oh boy, Im so excited!!

 

[Yuri_Rage]

A friend of mine recommended the Isle of Jura as well. How much does a bottle of that stuff run? I might try it next.

I just bought a bottle of Isle of Jura 10 yr at the recommendation of the local liquor store owner. I usually drink Macallan, and he offered to knock the price down to below that of his Macallan 12 yr. So, I'm sipping a bit of the Jura 10 yr right now, and it's not bad. The peat is a bit more distinct than I prefer, but it's growing on me. I'm not disappointed at all. It's got plenty of flavor for a relatively young whisky.

EdWort, based on your earlier stated preference, you should give this one a try.

 

[Ryanh1801]

Macallan fan here. Like it with just a touch of water. A good cigar with it is always nice.