What is your favorite Scotch Whisky

Originally Posted by LostAbbott

Actually if you talk to any Scottish distiller they will tell you they bottle to scotch with the intention that you cut it with just a little bit of water. I tend to put about 1/4 of a shot of water for every 2 shots of scotch, of course this really depends a lot on the scotch. At a bar ask for the scotch neat and water on the side. It really cools Down the alcoholic spice and opens up the subtle flavors of the scotch.
Posted via Mobile Device

Absolutely correct.

You may also find that some high-end scotch is bottle at cask strength - if you drink that without water, the alcohol concentration in it can end up anesthetizing your tongue, and you'll end up missing a lot of the subtle flavours. If you want to experiment with this (works best with a big Isla malt), get a good nosing glass, and try a little bit of scotch neat. Then add one or two drops of water, and try it again. And then a little bit more water, and try it again. At some point you will find that the added water has "opened up" the flavour profile of the whiskey, and you are noticing flavours that were hidden before.

Different scotches "want" different amounts of water to get to that "sweet spot" where the flavours are still concentrated, but the intense ones no longer mask the subtle ones.

[warpedcigars]

Been drinking alot of Glenmorangie 18yr, loving it.

[Zanaspus]

Still "green" in the world of single malts, but I could live on Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Talisker 10.

[jjmitchem]

I just started drinking scotch and I really like what I have tried so far:
The Glenlevit 12y
Glenfiddich 12y
and a glass of Laphroagh

All neat - didn't know about adding a little water, I'll have to try that

So far I prefer the Glenlevit over the Glenfiddich and I did not like the Laphroagh

Any suggestions as to what to try next are welcome. I need to find a good bar with some so I don't have to buy bottles

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by jjmitchem

Any suggestions as to what to try next are welcome. I need to find a good bar with some so I don't have to buy bottles

Some companies offer sets of 200ml bottles - you might want to see if your local liqourist carries them.

I would recommend trying Glenmorangie, Bunnahabhain, or Arran as your next step as malts that have a similar profile with some differences. Bruichladdich 08 (otherwise called "revival" is also pretty good and has a similar flavour profile. Auchantoshan and Glengoyne are both malts with less peat (smokiness) than your Glenlevit and Glenfiddich. If you want to dip your toe in the water as far as the peat goes, perhaps Highland Park might suit. Otherwise Oban (pricey), Glenkinchie, Bladnoch (HTF relatively), and Craggenmore are all scotches with low peat (smokiness).

Hope some of this helps...

[Kinky_yk]

I always keep a few certain bottles on hand (I tell the wife I need them just in case people stop over I need to have respectable offerings - then proceed to hoard them if someone did come over). I keep the Glenfiddich 12, 15 and 18yr on the shelf at all times, with the 15 hands down my favorite. I also just started drinking the Dalmore 12yr and really enjoy that one as well. For Christmas dinner this year I was able to put aside a bottle of the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix to share with by brother-in-law/father-in-law. Also I just deposited a Dalmore Cigar Malt into my brand new (Christmas Present) monogrammed crystal decanter. A few Islay's; Laphroig and Lagavulin are good to have on hand too.

[Newbie_nick]

Either Macallan 12 or Aberlour 12 for me. I guess that I haven't tried anything more expensive than that!

[jdp]

Abelour A'bunadh - regular drinking scotch.. just great
after that..
Glenfarclas Cask Strength is really good for a regular drinking scotch.
then..
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
Lagulavin 12 Cask Strength
then maybe Macallan Cask...

I pretty well like them cask strength.

For something that has been diluted.. Glenrothes.. like their 1985 or 1991. Loved the 1974.. but can't get it any longer. Add Glenfarclas 21 as well.

[Garbandz]

Talisker and Springbank,especially the Springbank 10 year 100 proof.......

I am also a Scotch noob. I have only tried a few different bottles.
In order of preference:
Balvenie Doublewood 12yr
Glenfiddich 15yr
Glenfiddich 18yr
Glenlivet 12yr
Glenfiddich 12yr

[Savor the Stick]

The only one that I drink on a consistent basis is Balvenie Doublewood 12yr. Just haven't branched out yet to any of the others.

I would really be glad for some recommendations from others that like DW on what to try.

[McSmokey]

Fairly new to scotch. Currently I've tried Talisker 18 and 10, Edradour 10 and Dalwhinnie 15. LOVE the Talisker, and looking for my next adventure in smokiness.

[Zanaspus]

Originally Posted by McSmokey

Fairly new to scotch. Currently I've tried Talisker 18 and 10, Edradour 10 and Dalwhinnie 15. LOVE the Talisker, and looking for my next adventure in smokiness.

If you like the Talisker 18, the easiest recommendation is Highland Park 18.
Also, check out Islays. Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Ardbeg 10 would be an inexpensive exploration, Both are more smokey and medicinal than Talsiker but yummy in their own right.

[billybarue]

don't have a Costco in the town I'm in, in the Midwest. But last weekend at the Costco near Manhattan Beach in LA they had 16 yr Lagavulin for $65.

[backwoods357]

Originally Posted by billybarue

they had 16 yr Lagavulin for $65.

Damn, I'll have to go check tomorrow. My local costco mostly just carries Glenlivet 12 & 18 and a large variety of Macallan.

[Islayphile]

Lagavulin 16 is my favorite

others that enjoy

Islays
Lagavulin 12 Cask
Ardbeg 10
Laphroaig 10, Qtr Cask, 18
Caol Ila 12

Islands
Highland Park 12 & 18
Talisker 10


Highland

Macallan 12, 18, 25 and the 12 yr Sherry Oak Cask Strength

[hammondc]

Originally Posted by UpInSmoke

I am also a Scotch noob. I have only tried a few different bottles.
In order of preference:
Balvenie Doublewood 12yr

YEP!!

If anyone finds a good deal on Highland Park 18, shoot me a message please

[GreekGodX]

Picked up some The Glenlivet The Nadurra. It is cask strength and you can definitely tell! But after that subsides nice, sweet honey taste.

Picked up a bottle of Highland Park 15 yo that I'm trying tonight. Never had Highland Park before. Hope it is worth it.

[Islayphile]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

Picked up some The Glenlivet The Nadurra. It is cask strength and you can definitely tell! But after that subsides nice, sweet honey taste.

Picked up a bottle of Highland Park 15 yo that I'm trying tonight. Never had Highland Park before. Hope it is worth it.

A few drops of the water in the Nadurra really opens things up.

HP 15 is good, but the 12 and 18 really shine IMO.