What is your favorite Scotch Whisky

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban!

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by Springsman

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban!

That is good stuff! One of my favorites.

[warren G.]

recent haul

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by warren G.

recent haul

Oh my! I'm slightly aroused. If you like the Talisker 10, see if you can find the Talkiser Distillers Edition. I'm told they discontinued it, but my wife bought me a bottle for Christmas and it is really really good. Similar to the 10 in underlying characteristics, but more complex.

[warren G.]

Yeah I couldn't find it I enjoy the Talisker 10, but also couldn't find the 18 as well.

I haven't had much of a varied experience with Scotch (though I do love it), but a friend of mine from Scotland suggested Glenmorangie La Santa. I was able to find it at a local bar in Ann Arbor and it was absolutely fantastic. About $9.50 for a glass, but pure bliss nonetheless

[dwoodward]

Just picked up a bottle of Glenlivet 15 Year French Oak Reserve.

Sitting down to sample it, big fan of the 12 year. This is even better, doing a side by side with the remains of my 12 year bottle. The 15 is a lot drier but in a good way, not as sweet, and very woody. I taste a little citrus, but not much. The color between the two is very noticeable as well the 15 being a much deeper golden shade.

I am drinking each straight up (neat) with no ice. I figured that was the best way to compare. Highly recommend to try the 15 year if you like the 12 year Glenlivet.

[mmblz]

Originally Posted by dwoodward

I am drinking each straight up (neat) with no ice. I figured that was the best way to compare. Highly recommend to try the 15 year if you like the 12 year Glenlivet.

15 is actually my least favorite Glenlivet.
Starting with favorites:
18, Nadurra, 21, 12, 15
Haven't tried XXV...

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by mmblz

15 is actually my least favorite Glenlivet.
Starting with favorites:
18, Nadurra, 21, 12, 15
Haven't tried XXV...

Well, that leaves more 15 for me!

Question for you, is the 18 worth the extra penny or even the 21? Or will the 12 and 15 serve just fine most of the time? I would like to try these, but every bar in town only has the 12 or 10 year versions of various scotches, makes it tough to sample without dropping the cash for a whole bottle.

Maybe I repeat myself, but you should NEVER put any ice in a Scotch Single Malt....

[mithrilG60]

I wouldn't go that far with any statement like that, whisky is like cigars... it should be enjoyed the way you like it and not the way convention likes to tells you it should be. For me personally that's neat in a tulip shaped stemmed glass gently hand-warmed to fully release and funnel the aromatics but that certainly doesn't mean that someone who drinks a nice malt over ice in a tumbler is doing it wrong.

If you wanna destroy the flavors by using ice.... do so. But if you wanna enjoy the real flavor of a Scotch you may use some drops of water, but never ice.

In Scotland they would KILL you if you use ice... just saying....

Other question: would you ever light a cigar with a Zippo gasoline lighter? I guess it´s a no go.... it´s the same with ice and Scotch.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by eldondo

If you wanna destroy the flavors by using ice.... do so. But if you wanna enjoy the real flavor of a Scotch you may use some drops of water, but never ice.

So what if a person doesn't enjoy the taste of scotch straight up and enjoys the more mellow taste of it on ice? Are you saying they are wrong for drinking what they like? They should be forced to endure something they don't like just because you have a view that is different than theirs?

If that is the case, then I would hate parties at your place, last thing I need is someone yelling at me for drinking my beer in a glass with 2 olives rather than out of the bottle.

[TripleF]

Grants

[dwoodward]

What exactly does putting a splash of water in a scotch do to it? Since I have been drinking scotch (and very much enjoying it) without ice for the last week or so, I have today put a splash of water in it. (no water dropper, so I couldn't get exactly a few drops, don't think it matters)

The scotch still has the flavor, but noticeably less burn when it gets to my stomach. I am still undecided if it tastes better.

Just wondering why this is "suggested" or done in the scotch community.

[mithrilG60]

Actually no. Most of them will tell you to enjoy your whisky in whatever way makes you happy, not that if you don't do it in exactly the manner they advocate that you're wrong and wasting good malt.

To answer your other question: I don't care how anyone chooses to enjoy their hobbies/vices/pursuits just so long as THEY enjoy them. I find anything else results in a rather condescending attitude, wouldn't you agree?

I have to disagree cuz it's simply stupid to destroy a good flavor.

[mithrilG60]

The point that you don't seem to be grasping here is that what you may consider to be "destroying a good flavour" may be the preferred drinking method to others. Who really cares if someone else enjoys their whisky on ice/through a straw/upside down in in a plastic sippy-cup/however? To be blunt blindly insisting that your way is the only way to enjoy whisky and any other way is completely wrong and "destroying" the spirit is a very condescending attitude.

No one's trying to force you to drink you whisky over ice, if that's how they like their whisky then it's not your place to tell them that they're doing it wrong. Everyone has the the right to enjoy their hobbies as they see fit without pairing that enjoyment with a dose of self-righteousness from anyone else.

I got a response from a well-known Independent bottler in Scotland, their "tasting specialist" wrote:

You are correct, ice does kill the flavour of whisky by closing in some of the flavours and highlighting others. On the other hand, the addition of water will change a whisky and open it up, taking some of the alcohol away. At the end of the day it is personal taste if you use water or not (but never ice). Personally some whiskies I drink straight and some I like with a few drops of water. The professional nosers will tell you that you should nose whisky at 20% abv – but for me this is too weak to taste.

[mithrilG60]

Originally Posted by eldondo

I got a response from a well-known Independent bottler in Scotland, their "tasting specialist" wrote:

Great, thanks for posting and reiterating what's already well known. You still continue to miss the point:

It is simply not your place to condescend and tell anyone else how they should or should not enjoy their whisky.

If someone wants to drink their whisky over ice what business of yours is it to tell them they're wrong and that they're destroying and wasting that whisky. Put simply it's not. Period.

You can extend that to any hobby or pursuit such as cigars, wine, beer, cars, etc: "Drink what you like, how you like it. Smoke what you like, how you like to smoke it." Pretty easy concept really. Pretentious attitudes on how things should be done don't add to the enjoyment of those pursuits... they just annoy those around you.

If you want to suggest that they should be drinking whisky neat and in a proper glass so as to get the best experience possible from nosing, flavour appreciation, etc that's one thing, however that is certainly not the way you are presenting your statements and that is the point I'm making here.