Good starter scotch?
 

Kinda just started to 'understand' scotch, but not really sure what I should start off with as I'm not totally sure what I've had so far. I know I liked Delvenie Double Barrel, but that is a bit pricey I've heard... Suggestions?

aj

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I think you mean Balvenie Double Barrel which is a very good scotch.

My advice is to go to a local bar and try some out. Way cheaper in the long run than buying whole bottles that you may not like.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

Yeah. I started with Johnnie Walker Black. It's a blended Scotch but in my opinion it's got a great taste--still drink this regularly at the bars.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

Balvenie Doublewood that has already been said is very nice and you can't go wrong with Macallan 12. I have a buddy who loves Glenlivet and they have it just about anywhere you go.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

depends on the type of scotch you're looking for. Highland, Lowland, Islay, Speyside...etc. I've toured through many of distilleries in Scotland.
Balvenie is a Speyside and will run you around 50ish dollars, in all honesty, that's about average for a bottle of scotch. Most of your "standards will run you around that. I tend to like Islay scotch the best, love the smoked peaty taste and smell (Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig) There are plenty of "cheaper" scotches that are in my cabinet that I feel have great flavor & quality, such as Bowmore (Islay) and McClellands (make all varieties, Islay, lowland, highlands and speyside) Glenmorangie Sherry Cask is also one of my favorites, but pricey, around $70. They don't use the normal bourbon casks most scotch uses, but they house it in an old Sherry cask, so the scotch adapts the sweetness of the sherry and takes some of the "sting" that drives most people away from scotch away. Jura Superstition is also one of my favorites, it's one in it's own, has the strong peatiness but also has a bit of sweetness as well. Hope this helped confuse you even more about scotch! Good luck, hit me up if you need more answered.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I would try starting with the Glens and the Macs.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

There are some better blends out there now but I'd skip those and start with single malts right off the bat.

Highland Park 12 yr. would be a fantastic introduction to the world of fine Scotch.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I started off on Chivas, J&B(blend), Dewars and Johnny Walker. Give'em a shot. They don't compare to the more expensive scotches but I do occasionally go back to Chivas

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

Oban, Talisker, Aucentoshan, Johnny Green Label

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

good idea about going to a bar and trying a series of samplers to find your favorite...although good well priced ones to start with would be the glenlivet, glenfiddich and bruichladech(sp)...
also you may be able to find several miniatures at some liquor stores to try

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I started out on Cutty Sark on New Year's Eve in 1979, and haven't touched Scotch again since.

So my advice is......NOT Cutty Sark, AJ. ;)

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

My favorite is the Highland Park 12yrs, of course the 15yrs and 18yrs are awesome, but you can't go wrong with the 12yrs old. Sacapa 14 yrs is also a great one and smooth. Good for a newb as they are not that much peatty

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I always suggest that you buy some of the sample size bottles.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

This is probably the best advice so far. :tu

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

Lol I'll keep that in mind

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I am not sure the first one that I tried but it is pretty much the last also:D

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I came up drinking dewars white label, a blend. It is still a regular in my cabinet. It can't hang with single malts, but it is good for what it is and at $22 a fifth, it's a good price.

As far as single malts go, if you liked the Balvenie you will definitely like the Macallan 12. I like Glenlivit 18 yr quite well, but don't think much of the 12 in that line. I also keep Talisker 10 yr on hand as much as possible. Overall though, I would say the advice about going to a bar and trying them out first is good advice - there is a lot of variance between scotches depending on the region in which they were made and the only way to figure out what you like is to try them. It sure is a lot of fun though.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

I recommend reading through this thread. After that, post up a question/clarification there if you're still looking for answers. Great info on the whole when it comes to Scotch. It really got me off on the right foot. :tu

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

Liar.

Oh wait, what happens at SoCal stays on youtube :r

Must admit, you were incredibly polite to take that taste, Tom.

Re: Good starter scotch?
 

Jonny Walker Swing is the only "Scotch" I can stomach.
Smoother and now backlash or overly smokey taste.