Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt - Page 2

mmblz · 12-29-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLS

Snob Alert, lol.

I guess that is ok with me.

I'm not saying don't drink it on the rocks. Just if you do drink it on the rocks don't worry so much about what you are drinking.

A good single malt on the rocks is like a filet mignon that is well done and smothered with ketchup. Or taking a premium hand rolled cigar, ripping up the whole thing, and mixing it with cigarette tobacco, then rolling it zig zags.

justonemorestick · 12-28-2010, 01:17 PM

my 2cents

Bowmore Islay
The Singleton of Glendullan

Both good starter Scotches and available at Walgreens liquors not sure where else ~$30

alley00p · 12-28-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justonemorestick

my 2cents

Bowmore Islay
The Singleton of Glendullan

Both good starter Scotches and available at Walgreens liquors not sure where else ~$30

I agree with Warren on the Bowmore, but I have yet to try Glendullan.

What you will find is that they are a number of areas or regions where Single Malts are distilled. Each contributes to flavor the product of the region. I'd suggest that you try brands from different regions to see what your palate likes more. I've found that at times I enjoy a lighter, sweeter taste of a Highland or Speyside region scotch. But I most prefer the smoky taste of an Islay malt, but even then there are differences in flavor. One of my favorites, Laphroaig, tastes different in the 10 and 18 year bottlings and while they both have the brief, initial aftertaste of green olive, the 10 year seems to go better with smoking a cigar.

Some of my favorites I have on the shelf, here at home are:
Dalmore 15 (Highland)
Dalmore Cigar Malt (not found anymore in Michigan)

Macallan 10 & 12 (Highland)
Dalwhinnie 15 (Speyside)
Glenlivet 12 (Speyside)
Glenlivet French Oak Reserve 15
Balvenie 12 Speyside
Speyburn 10 (Speyside)
Bowmore 10 or 15 (Islay)
Lagavulin 16 (Islay)
Laphroaig 10 & 18 (Islay)
Isle of Jura 16
Johnnie Walker Gold Label (Blended)
Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Here in Michigan, Costco carries a number of good single malts for very nice prices. I you have a good bar nearby, they may carry at least 2 to 4 brands, so you can do a trial tasting without having to buy a number of bottles that you find you don't like. When trying a scotch, get it served "up" with ice and a bit of water on the side. Most single malt scotch are tasted straight or with a few drops of water to allow the aromas to come out. After that, a little ice or water, as you like.

Enjoy,

Charlie

12-28-2010, 02:51 PM

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruba.....mmmmmmmmmmmm

Goldie · 12-28-2010, 07:28 PM

Thanks for all the advice everyone. It sounds like that Johnny Red was a bad choice. I guess I should have just sprung for a bottle of Glenlivet or Macallan instead.

I became very friendly with a girl in some of my ASL classes who happens to be a bartender, maybe I should give her a call and see when she works next.

P.S. - I love the picture of the tricycle. Hilarious.

bigliver · 12-29-2010, 05:43 AM

I personally am not a fan of any of the Johnny Walker labels, or the brothers Glen as I call them (Glenfiddich and/or Glenlivet and/or Glenmorangie). I pretty much stay stocked with Balvenie and Lagavulin. Not too pricey, but excellent flavors that are very different from each other.

pnoon · 12-29-2010, 06:37 AM

There is a huge difference between a small cube of ice (or a small dash of water) and "on the rocks"

ATobin · 12-29-2010, 07:18 AM

It's all shooter's preference, try new brands served differently (neat, drop, cube etc) until you find what you like. A 375ML bottle is a good size for taste testing many different brands without breaking the bank. Depending on your store, sometimes these are behind the counter so don't be afraid to ask.

mmblz · 12-29-2010, 01:24 PM

I would start with the following short list - these are all very common, and have enough variety to give you a good starting point - and do try them in bar before buying bottles:

Glenlivet 12
Macallan 12
Oban 14
Lagavulin 16

It's also a short enough list to be manageable

Goldie · 12-30-2010, 06:06 PM

A good friend and fellow BOTL and I had the chance to go out last night and get some food, smoke some cigars, and enjoy some scotch. I had Johnny Gold and Noah's Mill. Both were very good. I was impressed how much I enjoyed them.

So today he stops over and surprises me with a bottle of Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10. He was flying back home today, so it will be a while before I see him again, but I can't wait for us to get together and sample these bottles and some sticks.

Patrick B · 01-17-2011, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldie

A good friend and fellow BOTL and I had the chance to go out last night and get some food, smoke some cigars, and enjoy some scotch. I had Johnny Gold and Noah's Mill. Both were very good. I was impressed how much I enjoyed them.

So today he stops over and surprises me with a bottle of Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10. He was flying back home today, so it will be a while before I see him again, but I can't wait for us to get together and sample these bottles and some sticks.

I love both of those! I only drink the peaty Islay stuff, the others bore me. Can't wait to hang out at CigarExplorer and sip some scotch with you!

warren G. · 12-30-2010, 06:12 PM

Noah's Mill is one great bourbon. Ardbeg is peat ass rape, but really awesome Islay. The Laphroaig is a great Islay as well. The Ardbeg is more complex then the Laphroaig imo. But man you starting out with some heavy hitters. I remember my first Laphroaig experience and I was like "Damn dude did I taste fish...wtf?!?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmblz

I would start with the following short list - these are all very common, and have enough variety to give you a good starting point - and do try them in bar before buying bottles:

Glenlivet 12
Macallan 12
Oban 14
Lagavulin 16

It's also a short enough list to be manageable

I would add Cragganmore 12, and Highland Park 12 =) great list.

Goldie · 01-13-2011, 09:29 PM

Picked up some new bottles to try:

Auchentoshen three wood
Macallan 12
Glenlivet 12

Can't wait to crack 'em open and see what they have to offer.

Frodo · 01-16-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldie

1. Is there is solid source of information (website) that is rather comprehensive when it comes to Scotch and single malts?

2. Does anyone know of an online retailer that sells a single malt sampler? I would like to get some small 50ml bottles as a taster before I start buying bottles.

And other than the above questions, does anyone have any general recommendations, information, etc that they would be happy to share with a Scotch newb. I look forward to diving into this world as much as I enjoy the cigar world.

Hi Drew:

1) The two biggest on-line forums are www.whishkywhiskywhisky.com and www.whiskymag.com with a ton of blogs out there. Wouldn't know where to start with the blogs - just google and start looking.

2) Not sure of on-line retailers in the US. But what I understand about 50ml bottlings is that most come in sets that illustrate a line with its extentions (ie. 4 Glenmorangies, Glenfiddich 12, 15 & 18, the 6 "Classic Malts" by Diagio etc.). I think getting these would be cheaper than going to a bar but only a few malts are bottled at 50 ml.

3) Try a dram before buying a bottle. Try it at a bar if you have to but don't just plonk down your coin because a review said it was good. Jim Murray's Whisky Bible is a really comprehensive tool when thinking about buying a dram at a store. A ton of whiskies tasted and reviewed.

Garbandz · 01-17-2011, 07:42 AM

Here is a little info to start you out..........http://www.whiskywhiskywhisky.com/

remove the "H" from the first "whisky and try again......

Blended whisky is not worth the time to try. Springbank, Longrow, Highland Park, Dalwhinnie, Talisker, Clynelish, Scapa, Glenturret, all are top whiskies. A few drops of water open up the aromas and flavors in good whisky,use pure water.

All of the Islay brands are excellent,but are peaty and phenolic,they take time to appreciate.

Avoid any deeply colored whisky less than 20 years old,it has been adulterated to appear deeper.

Higher proof equals more flavor and complexity and of course more $$$$.....

Gordon & Macphail and Cadenhead are just two purveyors to try if you want sample mini's of single malts.

Celtic Whisky used to be a good source in Germany,see if Otto is still there........

12-28-2010, 01:17 PM	#2
justonemorestick Kat Krap Kontanment Media Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Warren Location: Las Cruces Posts: 292 Trading: (13)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt my 2cents Bowmore Islay The Singleton of Glendullan Both good starter Scotches and available at Walgreens liquors not sure where else ~$30 __________________ This message was created entirely of recycled electrons, manufactured before 1899 in an effort to prevent global de-electrification.

12-28-2010, 02:51 PM	#4
Springsman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt Glenmorangie Quinta Ruba.....mmmmmmmmmmmm

12-28-2010, 07:28 PM	#5
Goldie Bring the pain! Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Drew Location: Ohio Posts: 808 Trading: (13)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt Thanks for all the advice everyone. It sounds like that Johnny Red was a bad choice. I guess I should have just sprung for a bottle of Glenlivet or Macallan instead. I became very friendly with a girl in some of my ASL classes who happens to be a bartender, maybe I should give her a call and see when she works next. P.S. - I love the picture of the tricycle. Hilarious. __________________ Come in here dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far - Pink Floyd I like my draw, like I like my women, a little loose - Goldie

12-29-2010, 05:43 AM	#6
bigliver Cigarmurai Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Jason Location: Oki Posts: 404 Trading: (9)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt I personally am not a fan of any of the Johnny Walker labels, or the brothers Glen as I call them (Glenfiddich and/or Glenlivet and/or Glenmorangie). I pretty much stay stocked with Balvenie and Lagavulin. Not too pricey, but excellent flavors that are very different from each other. __________________ Build a man a fire, keep him warm for a night. Set a man on fire, keep him warm for the rest of his life.

12-29-2010, 06:37 AM	#7
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt There is a huge difference between a small cube of ice (or a small dash of water) and "on the rocks" __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

12-29-2010, 07:18 AM	#8
ATobin El Nino Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Theresa, NY Posts: 35 Trading: (0)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt It's all shooter's preference, try new brands served differently (neat, drop, cube etc) until you find what you like. A 375ML bottle is a good size for taste testing many different brands without breaking the bank. Depending on your store, sometimes these are behind the counter so don't be afraid to ask.

12-29-2010, 01:24 PM	#9
mmblz .090909... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NH Posts: 4,031 Trading: (3)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt I would start with the following short list - these are all very common, and have enough variety to give you a good starting point - and do try them in bar before buying bottles: Glenlivet 12 Macallan 12 Oban 14 Lagavulin 16 It's also a short enough list to be manageable __________________ herf wear

12-30-2010, 06:06 PM	#10
Goldie Bring the pain! Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Drew Location: Ohio Posts: 808 Trading: (13)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt A good friend and fellow BOTL and I had the chance to go out last night and get some food, smoke some cigars, and enjoy some scotch. I had Johnny Gold and Noah's Mill. Both were very good. I was impressed how much I enjoyed them. So today he stops over and surprises me with a bottle of Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10. He was flying back home today, so it will be a while before I see him again, but I can't wait for us to get together and sample these bottles and some sticks. __________________ Come in here dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far - Pink Floyd I like my draw, like I like my women, a little loose - Goldie

01-13-2011, 09:29 PM	#13
Goldie Bring the pain! Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Drew Location: Ohio Posts: 808 Trading: (13)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt Picked up some new bottles to try: Auchentoshen three wood Macallan 12 Glenlivet 12 Can't wait to crack 'em open and see what they have to offer. __________________ Come in here dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far - Pink Floyd I like my draw, like I like my women, a little loose - Goldie

01-17-2011, 07:42 AM	#15
Garbandz Feeling at Home Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Tom Posts: 775 Trading: (53)	Re: Fresh start with Scotch/Whiskey and single malt Here is a little info to start you out..........http://www.whiskywhiskywhisky.com/ remove the "H" from the first "whisky and try again...... Blended whisky is not worth the time to try. Springbank, Longrow, Highland Park, Dalwhinnie, Talisker, Clynelish, Scapa, Glenturret, all are top whiskies. A few drops of water open up the aromas and flavors in good whisky,use pure water. All of the Islay brands are excellent,but are peaty and phenolic,they take time to appreciate. Avoid any deeply colored whisky less than 20 years old,it has been adulterated to appear deeper. Higher proof equals more flavor and complexity and of course more $$$$..... Gordon & Macphail and Cadenhead are just two purveyors to try if you want sample mini's of single malts. Celtic Whisky used to be a good source in Germany,see if Otto is still there........