Good starter scotch?

RightAJ · 10-20-2009, 06:30 PM

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

markem · 10-20-2009, 06:34 PM

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.

ActionAndy · 10-20-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markem

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.

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.

Sawyer · 10-20-2009, 07:01 PM

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.

WhoDeySchenk · 10-20-2009, 07:10 PM

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.

AD720 · 10-20-2009, 07:58 PM

I would try starting with the Glens and the Macs.

pinotguy · 10-20-2009, 08:13 PM

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.

GreekGodX · 10-20-2009, 08:15 PM

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

Pilon · 10-20-2009, 08:16 PM

Oban, Talisker, Aucentoshan, Johnny Green Label

colimo · 10-21-2009, 02:05 AM

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

icehog3 · 10-21-2009, 02:07 AM

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.

mtaill · 10-21-2009, 12:05 PM

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

Sawyer · 10-21-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

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.

This is probably the best advice so far.

RightAJ · 10-21-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer

This is probably the best advice so far.

Lol I'll keep that in mind

acarr · 10-21-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

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.

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

BigCat · 10-21-2009, 01:58 PM

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.

markem · 10-21-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

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

Liar.

Oh wait, what happens at SoCal stays on youtube

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

icehog3 · 10-21-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markem

Liar.

Oh wait, what happens at SoCal stays on youtube

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

You're right Mark, there have been a couple exceptions. One shot in Ireland for a taste test at the Middleton Distillery, and some tastes of some Johnny Walker Blue that I was generously gifted by Catfish2....that was actually pretty good, but it has not turned me into a scotch man.

markem · 10-21-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

You're right Mark, there have been a couple exceptions. One shot in Ireland for a taste test at the Middleton Distillery, and some tastes of some Johnny Walker Blue that I was generously gifted by Catfish2....that was actually pretty good, but it has not turned me into a scotch man.

I was just pokin fun, Tom. Man, the look on your face when we were discussing scotch was priceless. You didn't have to tell us that you were not a scotch person after that.

10-21-2009, 12:12 PM

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

10-20-2009, 06:30 PM	#1
RightAJ Here Franky Franky Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: aj Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 915 Trading: (3)	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

10-20-2009, 06:34 PM	#2
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,625 Trading: (47)	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. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

10-20-2009, 07:01 PM	#4
Sawyer Primitive Screwhead Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Robert Location: Atlanta Posts: 290 Trading: (5)	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. Last edited by Sawyer; 10-20-2009 at 07:07 PM.

10-20-2009, 07:10 PM	#5
WhoDeySchenk Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Steve Location: Mason, Ohio Posts: 268 Trading: (2)	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. __________________

10-20-2009, 07:58 PM	#6
AD720 I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The City of BOTL-erly Love Posts: 2,684 Trading: (73)	Re: Good starter scotch? I would try starting with the Glens and the Macs. __________________

10-20-2009, 08:13 PM	#7
pinotguy Still Watching My Back Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 200 Trading: (13)	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.

10-20-2009, 08:15 PM	#8
GreekGodX Opa!! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Christos Location: 7 Line Posts: 4,894 Trading: (82)	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 __________________ "If I give a businessman 10,000 francs, what is that to him, he is rich. But if I give him a Cohiba cigar, that is style."-Hotel Rwanda

10-20-2009, 08:16 PM	#9
Pilon Feelin' the Love Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Travis Location: Tiverton, RI Posts: 888 Trading: (49)	Re: Good starter scotch? Oban, Talisker, Aucentoshan, Johnny Green Label

10-21-2009, 02:05 AM	#10
colimo friend of Brother Maynard Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: doug Location: centennial, colorado Posts: 1,322 Trading: (41)	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 __________________ Life is too short for cheap beer, cheap liguor and bad cigars...gimme a guinness, glenlivet and a good cigar on a golf course and its heaven on earth!!

10-21-2009, 02:07 AM	#11
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,440 Trading: (60)	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. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

10-21-2009, 12:05 PM	#12
mtaill Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 112 Trading: (1)	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

10-21-2009, 01:58 PM	#16
BigCat My back is now unwatched. Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Colin Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 723 Trading: (5)	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.

10-21-2009, 12:12 PM	#20
ahc4353 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Good starter scotch? I always suggest that you buy some of the sample size bottles.