Scotch

[1COBearsfan]

I thought there was a scotch thread somewhere but a search turned up nothing. We have threads for craft beer and wines so let's add whisky to the alcohol list.

I'm just starting to explore scotch so I don't know shit about it yet. I've finished about half of my first bottle so far, Glenmorangie 10yr. I don't drink it neat yet or haven't tried anything smokey either but I will definitely be branching out.

Anyone else into scotch? Have any recommendations? Or funny stories from getting black-out drunk and waking up next to a sewer rat in the next county?

 

[Ares]

I am starting on drinking Scotch as well.... I bought a 12 year Macallan's.... I drink it with ice and a splash of water.

 

[1COBearsfan]

Yum. That or a glenlivet will be my next bottle, I think.

Any thoughts, positive or negative, on any of the jonnie walkers?

 

[Wintermute]

Also enjoying scotch, in additional to brandy, cognacs, and maple Crown Royal in the last few years. Typically I drink them neat, with the exception of the Crown. Occasionally I mix it with orange juice. Before you laugh at me it is surprisingly good. It literally tastes like breakfast.

Anyway, got a bottle of Glen Moray for my birthday this year. Really enjoyed it.

As for Johnnie Walker, I actually enjoy the Red even though it is considered the low end of their lineup. High end stuff is really great and all, but sometimes it seems like it becomes so smooth the flavor becomes muted. The Red has just enough bite for my taste. Now, don't get me wrong. I certainly wouldn't turn down a bottle of JW Blue. Wikipedia has a nice summary here.

My advice is just keep try different blends until you find what suits your palate. The best alcohol is the one you like.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

I can't believe I missed this thread. Scotch is my absolute favorit alcohol. I have two absolute favorite scotches, Glennmorangie and Balvenie. Both are similar in expense but it seems like Glenmorangie is easier to find. I highly, highly recommend these. My brother got me a bottle of Grangestone for Christmas this year; I already drank it all so I can't be sure but it was on the cheaper end of their scale. Pretty sure he said it was around $40 (Washington state has a pretty hefty liquor tax so your mileage will vary a lot) which is pretty cheap for a decent scotch and it was pretty damn good. In my area that puts it in the price range of Glenlivet and Glenfiddich and I liked the Grangestone over both of those.

Personally I like my scotch with ice, I generally use a huge ice sphere as it melts slowly and keeps it cold. For my palate having a bit of water mix in with the scotch really opens things up and I can better pick up on all the flavors going on. That said, don't let anyone tell you how you should drink your scotch, go with whatever works for your palate.

 

[Tater]

Johnny Walker Black here on the rocks.

 

[Burque]

I drink Crown Reserve or Crown Xo fairly regularly with two ice cubes.

Not huge into scotch, I have tried it multiple times, but it just hasn't tripped my trigger yet.

 

[Tjodalv]

Laphroaig is one of my favorites. I'm into the heavy, peaty, islay scotches, so if that's the type of thing you like I'd definitely advocate picking up some. The Cask Strength is probably the best of the 10 years they produce. It's 115 proof (give or take) due to not being filtered and watered down to the typical 80 or 100 proof of most products. It's not so much the proof that makes it awesome -- just make it neat if you want to take the extra bite off -- as the lack of filtering; you get a lot more of the oak and peat undertones.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

I've got some Laphroaig in my cabinet but it's just too much peat for me. But to each their own, I don't like IPA's either

 

[1COBearsfan]

I almost forgot about this thread...that I started, having a newborn in the house can take its toll. Thanks everyone for keeping it sort of alive. I'll definitely keep some of the advice/recommendations in mind. My wife is getting closer to starting a new job so we'll have some more disposable income pretty soon. My birthday present may be a new bottle of scotch. Or some new concealed carry gear

 

[Tater]

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

^^^ Great picture. :smoke:


Way to keep this thread alive.

 

[Tater]

^^^ Great picture. :smoke:


Way to keep this thread alive.

disliked for sarcasm.

 

[didshereallysaythat]

Johnny Walker Black here on the rocks.

I remember when I first saw that Blue was like 10 times more expensive than Black, I thought it was all BS. But after trying, it really is that much better.

 

[Globetrotter]

I remember when I first saw that Blue was like 10 times more expensive than Black, I thought it was all BS. But after trying, it really is that much better.

That's because Black is not very good.

 

[1COBearsfan]

I remember when I first saw that Blue was like 10 times more expensive than Black, I thought it was all BS. But after trying, it really is that much better.

Good to know, will keep this in mind...

I was on vacation in FL a few weeks ago and had a shot of Oban in Epcot, that was good stuff.

 

[1COBearsfan]

Is it wrong to be drinking scotch at 9am? If it is then I don't t want to be right

I'm getting pretty close to the bottom of my glenmorangie and need some suggestions for the next bottle. Nothing insanely expensive, like around $60-$70. What say you lads?

 

[1COBearsfan]

I decided on Obans Little Bay this afternoon.

Like I've said before in this thread, I don't know shit about scotch but this is pretty good. Definitely recommend

 

[KoreanBear]

Oh man! This thread is awesome!!

I started on distilled alcohol when my wife got me a Courvoisier xo for my birthday.
It's been about 4 years and I'm still working on that thing... Not a big fan of cognac.

Then I got turned on to whiskey. Didn't like the oakiness at first, but a glass of Speyburn single malt totally hooked me.
I love the smoothness of a good whiskey going down the pipe. Harsh in the mouth yet so smooth on the way down.

The makes I've tried;
JW blue - too smokey(almost like eating smoked meat), but the smoothest I've ever had.
Crown Royal - Nothing special I thought.
Chivas Regal Royal Salute - awesome!
Chivas Regal 18 - Very Good but still expensive
Speyburn 10 single malt- ABSOLUTELY BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

 

[Monster]

The Glenlivet 12 with a bit of ice.
Very nice at reasonable price.
Tried the 21 but not worth price difference IMO.

Fan of Jameson, which I prefer more often than scotch.