Scotch Q&A - Page 2

Scottw · 11-25-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macpappy

Glenlivet is good. I've also developed a liking for McClelland's Single Malt from the Speyside region and it's relatively inexpensive. I get it for $20 a bottle. They also have a McClelland's Highland, Lowland and Islay. I would suggest buying a bottle of each and deciding which profile you like best. Then start exploring more expensive scotch from that region. My current favorite is The Glenrothes. I'm working on a bottle of vintage 1991 right now. The older vintages are even better.

I also have a bottle of Glenlivet Nadurra that is very good.

Nadurra? Is that cask strength?

bigloo · 11-25-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottw

Nadurra? Is that cask strength?

Yes it is. I have a bottle too. For ~$50, it is tought to beat this. It takes a hairy chest to drink and is somwhat potent (not in a harsh way, in a pungent way if that makes sense), but the back vanilla on the it is outstanding. Pair with a patagas black!

11-25-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigary

Good Post here, Kayaker,,,I always try to expand my horizons with different tastes but have never heard what an Arran Island malt is,,where might I find something in this taste or the name of the scotch?

Sorry I wasn't clear here. There is one distillery in Arran Island, the Arran Island Distillery

.

An Arran Island malt would just be one of theirs. There is a Robbie Burns bottle from this distillery that may be a bit cheaper than their usual bottlings.

Hope that helps.

MTB996 · 11-25-2008, 08:03 PM

Great thread Kayaker!

Any info on a decent mail order site for purchasing harder to find scotch that doesn't kill you on shipping (the the SE US)?

I see you are from Newfoundland. I spent a week in St Johns a few years back. I think I was sober for about 20 total minutes all week (a friend was getting married up there). Wow, what a cool town.

Scottw · 11-25-2008, 08:19 PM

Cracking open a little Bunnah 12 right now to get in the whisky mood.

11-25-2008, 08:37 PM

I have a couple of favourites I will share.

They are not for the faint of heart when it comes to wallet though.

My absolute favorite scotch is BenRiach Madeira Finish an exquisite 15 yr old single malt, it is a limited production scotch (only 2,400) bottles per year.

My other is BruichLaddich 21 year old.

11-25-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTB996

Great thread Kayaker!

Any info on a decent mail order site for purchasing harder to find scotch that doesn't kill you on shipping (the the SE US)?

I see you are from Newfoundland. I spent a week in St Johns a few years back. I think I was sober for about 20 total minutes all week (a friend was getting married up there). Wow, what a cool town.

Good question. I only know of Royal Mile Whiskies off the top of my head, but I'll look into it. RMW is a UK store.

Glad to hear you were treated well on your visit here.

EDIT: OK, here's all I found with a quick search. I am not familiar with them.
http://www.lovescotch.com/

Hope this helps.

11-25-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverFox

I have a couple of favourites I will share.

They are not for the faint of heart when it comes to wallet though.

My absolute favorite scotch is BenRiach Madeira Finish an exquisite 15 yr old single malt, it is a limited production scotch (only 2,400) bottles per year.

My other is BruichLaddich 21 year old.

:

Me likey Brookie. Haven't had the 21 yet though.

My buddy Andrew is from Scotland and manages Grapes and Grains South in Edmonton. He's going home after Christmas for the first time in 5-6 years. For his 30th BDay he will be at the Bruichladdich distillery with his brother, drinking the 30 yr. Bastage.

SD Beerman · 11-25-2008, 08:48 PM

A great beginner scotch to try is Singleton, a single malt, very mellow and not offensive in any way. Smooth and let's you get the taste of the malts without burning your tongue. Also, fairly inexpensive. Glenkichie is great too but pricey.

macpappy · 11-25-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTB996

Great thread Kayaker!

Any info on a decent mail order site for purchasing harder to find scotch that doesn't kill you on shipping (the the SE US)?

I see you are from Newfoundland. I spent a week in St Johns a few years back. I think I was sober for about 20 total minutes all week (a friend was getting married up there). Wow, what a cool town.

Give this place a call.

http://www.specsonline.com/

I don't know what their shipping policy is so you'll have to ask.

Scottw · 11-25-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayaker

Thought I would start by giving you my definition/explanation about SMSW. I do it backwards:

Whisky = fermented grain (corn, rye, barley…) which is then distilled, usually aged in oak barrels (eg. rye, malt, bourbon).

Scotch = Whisky from Scotland only, has to be aged 3 years min., and must be distilled, aged, bottled in Scotland.

Malt = barley that has been soaked and allowed to germinate to maximize sugars, then dried, crushed and made into beer, which is then distilled.

Single = whisky that comes from one distillery only.

So SMSW is a Scotch whisky made from malted barley and from a single distillery.

Is that as clear as mud?

As I tend to enjoy a single barrel bourbon from time to time. I'd just like to throw my 2 cents in here regarding it.

In order for a Whisky to be called "Bourbon", The primary (at least 51%) ingredient must be corn. The distilled spirit must be aged in NEW charred oak barrels and cannot be distilled at greater than 160 proof. It must be aged at least 2 years to be called a Straight Bourbon Whisky and the spirit must fo int the barrel at no more than 125 proof.

macpappy · 11-26-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottw

As I tend to enjoy a single barrel bourbon from time to time. I'd just like to throw my 2 cents in here regarding it.

In order for a Whisky to be called "Bourbon", The primary (at least 51%) ingredient must be corn. The distilled spirit must be aged in NEW charred oak barrels and cannot be distilled at greater than 160 proof. It must be aged at least 2 years to be called a Straight Bourbon Whisky and the spirit must fo int the barrel at no more than 125 proof.

Though I don't remember why, I was told one time that Scotch Whisky is always spelled "whisky" while Bourbon, Sour Mash and others are always spelled whiskey.

11-26-2008, 05:46 AM

Yeah, I'm not fully sure why, but Scotland and Canada leave off the e, US and Ireland use the e.

But it's not carved in stone. Apparently they have appeared in the opposite form in written law in the US and Scotland.

Kevin Erskine talks a bit about it in his book The Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch. It's a great little book that you can pick up for $10-12.

Buena Fortuna · 11-26-2008, 06:45 AM

I recently procured a bottle of Crown Royal Special Reserve as a way to ease into the world of Whiskey & Scotch w/cigars. I know it's blended Canadian, but my was it ever smooth...

My neighborhood store has a gift set of 10yr. Glenmorangie with glasses for around $50. Has anyone had this scotch and how would you rate it for a first timer like myself?

11-26-2008, 08:27 AM

Glenmorangie is a solid single malt and is not too robust in flavour.

Go for it.

RBOrrell · 11-26-2008, 09:26 AM

Kayaker.... have you had the Glen Breton single malt made by your neighbours on Cape Breton Island? It is really good stuff.

11-26-2008, 09:28 AM

Yup Glenmorangie was my goto scotch for a long time.

Always found it finished a little sweet, almost like honey.

Will still drink it if we are out and about and the local establishment doesn't have a broad scotch collection

11-26-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBOrrell

Kayaker.... have you had the Glen Breton single malt made by your neighbours on Cape Breton Island? It is really good stuff.

I have and enjoyed it well enough. A bit expensive though.

We have another SM distillery opening up on the west coast now.

http://www.shelterpointdistillery.com/index.html

Buena Fortuna · 11-26-2008, 12:30 PM

Picked up the Glenmorangie and a bottle of 18 yr. Bowmore w/Bowmore cigar holder. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it turns out...

11-26-2008, 01:19 PM

I love this thread! So much information, I need to keep a book! Thanks Kayaker.

Let me just say that I love scotch. I am no where near the expert but truly enjoy drinking this lovely beverage. I have much to learn.

Some of my favorites [various yrs] are (the norms that you can typically find in any liquor store):
Macallan
Glenlivet
Lagavulin
Glenfiddich
Balvenie
Laphroaig

You know, the standard faves I think. Talisker is also decent.

Blended:
Johnny Walker-Black, Green, and Blue but I don't venture too often into the Blue and Green because of price.

Buena Fortuna, you can't go wrong with Glenmorangie. Solid single malt, especially for a beginner to ease into this lovely world. You might even want to try Macallan 12, a good intro to Scotch.

11-25-2008, 08:03 PM	#24
MTB996 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 317 Trading: (1)	Re: Scotch Q&A Great thread Kayaker! Any info on a decent mail order site for purchasing harder to find scotch that doesn't kill you on shipping (the the SE US)? I see you are from Newfoundland. I spent a week in St Johns a few years back. I think I was sober for about 20 total minutes all week (a friend was getting married up there). Wow, what a cool town.

11-25-2008, 08:19 PM	#25
Scottw Going Commando Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Sussex, NJ Posts: 2,815 Trading: (6)	Re: Scotch Q&A Cracking open a little Bunnah 12 right now to get in the whisky mood. __________________ "Ray when someone asks you if your a GOD you say yes."

11-25-2008, 08:37 PM	#26
SilverFox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Scotch Q&A I have a couple of favourites I will share. They are not for the faint of heart when it comes to wallet though. My absolute favorite scotch is BenRiach Madeira Finish an exquisite 15 yr old single malt, it is a limited production scotch (only 2,400) bottles per year. My other is BruichLaddich 21 year old.

11-25-2008, 08:48 PM	#29
SD Beerman Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Larry from Sunny S.D. Posts: 1,436 Trading: (3)	Re: Scotch Q&A A great beginner scotch to try is Singleton, a single malt, very mellow and not offensive in any way. Smooth and let's you get the taste of the malts without burning your tongue. Also, fairly inexpensive. Glenkichie is great too but pricey.

11-26-2008, 05:46 AM	#33
kayaker Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Scotch Q&A Yeah, I'm not fully sure why, but Scotland and Canada leave off the e, US and Ireland use the e. But it's not carved in stone. Apparently they have appeared in the opposite form in written law in the US and Scotland. Kevin Erskine talks a bit about it in his book The Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch. It's a great little book that you can pick up for $10-12.

11-26-2008, 06:45 AM	#34
Buena Fortuna Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Sam Location: SE Michigan Posts: 637 Trading: (18)	Re: Scotch Q&A I recently procured a bottle of Crown Royal Special Reserve as a way to ease into the world of Whiskey & Scotch w/cigars. I know it's blended Canadian, but my was it ever smooth... My neighborhood store has a gift set of 10yr. Glenmorangie with glasses for around $50. Has anyone had this scotch and how would you rate it for a first timer like myself?

11-26-2008, 08:27 AM	#35
kayaker Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Scotch Q&A Glenmorangie is a solid single malt and is not too robust in flavour. Go for it.

11-26-2008, 09:26 AM	#36
RBOrrell Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bruce Location: Aurora, Ontario, Canada Posts: 130 Trading: (6)	Re: Scotch Q&A Kayaker.... have you had the Glen Breton single malt made by your neighbours on Cape Breton Island? It is really good stuff. __________________ Bruce "Hurry Hardddddddd"

11-26-2008, 09:28 AM	#37
SilverFox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Scotch Q&A Yup Glenmorangie was my goto scotch for a long time. Always found it finished a little sweet, almost like honey. Will still drink it if we are out and about and the local establishment doesn't have a broad scotch collection

11-26-2008, 12:30 PM	#39
Buena Fortuna Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Sam Location: SE Michigan Posts: 637 Trading: (18)	Re: Scotch Q&A Picked up the Glenmorangie and a bottle of 18 yr. Bowmore w/Bowmore cigar holder. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it turns out...

11-26-2008, 01:19 PM	#40
cigars_n_scotch Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Scotch Q&A I love this thread! So much information, I need to keep a book! Thanks Kayaker. Let me just say that I love scotch. I am no where near the expert but truly enjoy drinking this lovely beverage. I have much to learn. Some of my favorites [various yrs] are (the norms that you can typically find in any liquor store): Macallan Glenlivet Lagavulin Glenfiddich Balvenie Laphroaig You know, the standard faves I think. Talisker is also decent. Blended: Johnny Walker-Black, Green, and Blue but I don't venture too often into the Blue and Green because of price. Buena Fortuna, you can't go wrong with Glenmorangie. Solid single malt, especially for a beginner to ease into this lovely world. You might even want to try Macallan 12, a good intro to Scotch.