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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 3, 2021 22:39:31 GMT -6
Watching Men In Kilts - which is kind of a travel thing through Scotland...they went to Islay and the Laphroiag Distillery and damn, they made it look appealing. I really think I’ve only tried Scotch a few times years ago...and don’t remember it to be my favorite. Any suggestions for a beginner? I’ve read that the Islay Scotch is more peaty, Smokey and they even used the description of “iodine and burnt tires”...sounds great...
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2021 23:20:31 GMT -6
Oban 14 was the first scotch I really got into.
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Post by ragan on Apr 3, 2021 23:20:59 GMT -6
I used to love it, particularly the Islay stuff. Then fell in love with bourbon and couldn't do Scotch for some years. Now I appreciate it again, but still prefer bourbon.
Pretty much a useless contribution ^^^ but I'm too lazy to undo it.
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Post by jeremygillespie on Apr 4, 2021 8:08:56 GMT -6
I’d sneak your way in with something that goes a little easier on the smoke/peat. If you’re not used to it and have been drinking bourbon, it can be an “assault” on the senses. That’s how it was for me anyway.
A reasonably priced bottle of Glenlivet will get you there. If you want to spend a bit less go with a blend like Johnny Walker or Chivas.
Something like the Laphroaig 10year will make you think you just licked the inside of a chimney. Not my thing for sure.
One thing is for sure - it’s not as cheap as bourbon, even though the bourbon prices have risen significantly the past 6 years or so.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 8:10:30 GMT -6
Single malts are very regional, so knowing where they're made is a good key to how they're going to taste. I will agree that the best of bourbons are fully the equal of very good single malts. But they taste quite a bit different. Why not enjoy both?
Here are the main regions and some personal recommendations. I had my first exposure to single malts in an English pub some decades back. I was with a small group outside of Oxford and the publican gave us Yanks a full sipping tour of every region. Luckily it was a short walk home (although I'm still not sure how I made it).
Islay - you're right about the peatiness. Laphroag was the first of those I ever tasted as well. Ardbeg is another good one, but Lagavulin is my favorite (not that I can afford it all that often). These are sipping whiskies and the best of them have a finish that goes on forever. I love a good Islay malt.
Highland - these are good whiskies to start with. Dalwhinnie is polished and mild. I really like Glenmorangie. They make several expressions and are excellent all-round whiskies at good prices.
Speyside - you'll have heard of a few of these: Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are popular if somewhat undistinguished. Balvenie makes several expressions and they are are beautifully balanced. I like them. Macallan can be on the pricy side, but they make a good 12-year you can afford.
Lowland - little or no peat. I like Auchentoshan for balance and smoothness
Island whiskies - Talisker is made on Skye. It's a really good whisky that starts with serious fire and finishes with a bit of sweetness. Jura is also a nice whisky with a bit more of a malt sense.
Campbeltown - A few whiskies I don't know. I guess I've got work to do.
Enjoy!
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 4, 2021 10:03:32 GMT -6
Balvenie double wood is fantastic.
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Post by EmRR on Apr 4, 2021 11:42:21 GMT -6
There's definitely a broad range between peat, smooth, fire, etc. My most frequent is the Highland Park 12 year Viking Honour. I've had many of the Islay in the distilleries on site, the Talisker on Skye, the Jura on Jura. Any restaurant or bar you visit will have a selection of 25-100 types, it's a long journey.
A round in Scotland appears most frequently to be a Scotch (double, only foreigners order singles) and a 20 oz pint, so a round is 3+ drinks.......you see where this leads.....
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Post by Ward on Apr 4, 2021 19:16:21 GMT -6
Scotch reminds me of turpentine.
i might just be too accustomed to bourbon.
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Post by EmRR on Apr 5, 2021 0:22:21 GMT -6
Scotch reminds me of turpentine. i might just be too accustomed to bourbon. Or turpentine! : ) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 8:24:20 GMT -6
A round in Scotland appears most frequently to be a Scotch (double, only foreigners order singles) and a 20 oz pint, so a round is 3+ drinks.......you see where this leads..... No wonder Shhean Connery schlurred his shhpeaking! |
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Post by Ward on Apr 5, 2021 15:58:06 GMT -6
Scotch reminds me of turpentine. i might just be too accustomed to bourbon. Or turpentine! : ) LMAO!! |
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Post by Ward on Apr 5, 2021 15:58:18 GMT -6
A round in Scotland appears most frequently to be a Scotch (double, only foreigners order singles) and a 20 oz pint, so a round is 3+ drinks.......you see where this leads..... No wonder Shhean Connery schlurred his shhpeaking! LMAO X 2 |
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Post by johneppstein on Apr 5, 2021 17:06:05 GMT -6
Watching Men In Kilts - which is kind of a travel thing through Scotland...they went to Islay and the Laphroiag Distillery and damn, they made it look appealing. I really think I’ve only tried Scotch a few times years ago...and don’t remember it to be my favorite. Any suggestions for a beginner? I’ve read that the Islay Scotch is more peaty, Smokey and they even used the description of “iodine and burnt tires”...sounds great... I'm a huge fan of Islay Scotch, especially Laphroaig (I can even spell it!). Lagavulin is really good as well. |
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Post by johneppstein on Apr 5, 2021 17:11:24 GMT -6
I’d sneak your way in with something that goes a little easier on the smoke/peat. If you’re not used to it and have been drinking bourbon, it can be an “assault” on the senses. That’s how it was for me anyway. A reasonably priced bottle of Glenlivet will get you there. If you want to spend a bit less go with a blend like Johnny Walker or Chivas. Something like the Laphroaig 10year will make you think you just licked the inside of a chimney. Not my thing for sure. One thing is for sure - it’s not as cheap as bourbon, even though the bourbon prices have risen significantly the past 6 years or so. Glenlivet is not an Islay, it's a Speyside, therefore it's not NEARLY as smokey and peaty as any Islay. Might be better for someone just getting into Scotch.
Islay are the most extreme of the seven (I think) classifications pf Scotch. Each of the official regions has their own officially recognized variety and each region has its own particular sort of flavor.
Johnny Walker and Chivas are both blended scotches and therefore mostly for amateurs and dilletantes.
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Post by johneppstein on Apr 5, 2021 17:14:22 GMT -6
Scotch reminds me of turpentine. i might just be too accustomed to bourbon. Don't drink shitty Scotch. |
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Post by jeremygillespie on Apr 5, 2021 17:22:09 GMT -6
I’d sneak your way in with something that goes a little easier on the smoke/peat. If you’re not used to it and have been drinking bourbon, it can be an “assault” on the senses. That’s how it was for me anyway. A reasonably priced bottle of Glenlivet will get you there. If you want to spend a bit less go with a blend like Johnny Walker or Chivas. Something like the Laphroaig 10year will make you think you just licked the inside of a chimney. Not my thing for sure. One thing is for sure - it’s not as cheap as bourbon, even though the bourbon prices have risen significantly the past 6 years or so. Glenlivet is not an Islay, it's a Speyside, therefore it's not NEARLY as smokey and peaty as any Islay. Might be better for someone just getting into Scotch.
Islay are the most extreme of the seven (I think) classifications pf Scotch. Each of the official regions has their own officially recognized variety and each region has its own particular sort of flavor.
Johnny Walker and Chivas are both blended scotches and therefore mostly for amateurs and dilletantes.
I never said anything to the contrary of what you’re stating. Aside from blends being for a certain type of person other than somebody that might just like it because... well just because they like it. That’s allowed. It’s a nice easy way to dip your foot in the pool and has nothing to do with being an amateur 🙄 |
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Post by EmRR on Apr 5, 2021 17:23:56 GMT -6
I remember one offered in a pub on Islay, I think a Port Ellen from the early 80's, £500/shot. Who knows if it was even real, there's so much counterfeit vintage single malt.
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Post by Ward on Apr 5, 2021 17:27:47 GMT -6
Scotch reminds me of turpentine. i might just be too accustomed to bourbon. Don't drink shitty Scotch. LOL . . . yes, dad. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 20:33:58 GMT -6
I'm a huge fan of Islay Scotch, especially Laphroaig (I can even spell it!). Lagavulin is really good as well. Ever try Ardbeg? Mighty tasty. |
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Post by matt@IAA on Apr 6, 2021 8:43:23 GMT -6
If you like bourbon, I suggest starting with Speyside or Highland scotches.
Glendronach is a nice start.
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Post by johneppstein on Apr 6, 2021 18:27:21 GMT -6
Glenlivet is not an Islay, it's a Speyside, therefore it's not NEARLY as smokey and peaty as any Islay. Might be better for someone just getting into Scotch.
Islay are the most extreme of the seven (I think) classifications pf Scotch. Each of the official regions has their own officially recognized variety and each region has its own particular sort of flavor.
Johnny Walker and Chivas are both blended scotches and therefore mostly for amateurs and dilletantes.
I never said anything to the contrary of what you’re stating. Aside from blends being for a certain type of person other than somebody that might just like it because... well just because they like it. That’s allowed. It’s a nice easy way to dip your foot in the pool and has nothing to do with being an amateur 🙄 Well, serious Scotch aficionados tend to drink single malts. Blends are..... blends. They're more for people who like the "sophisticated" image of a Scotch drinker without getting serious about it.
Given that each of the recognized Scotch types has a general overarching identity, you can find many different styles.
Drinking a blend is like drinking Budweiser. Lots of people do it.
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Post by johneppstein on Apr 6, 2021 18:28:36 GMT -6
If you like bourbon, I suggest starting with Speyside or Highland scotches. Glendronach is a nice start. Yeah.I was about to suggest that. |
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Post by dmo on Apr 6, 2021 19:32:20 GMT -6
I still have about a quarter bottle of a Suntory Yamazaki single malt that was a gift from the Japanese interns who rotated through the ER in Okinawa that is very smooth and one of the better ones I've tasted (don't think it was even exported back then - 97 or 98). Most folks I've had try it seemed to enjoy. I've seen various Suntory offerings in the local liquor stores but no first hand experience with newer offerings. I wouldn't start with Laphroaig though - more of an acquired taste.
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Post by matt@IAA on Apr 6, 2021 22:41:25 GMT -6
The blend hibiki isn’t bad either, as far as Japanese whisky goes.
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Post by svart on Apr 7, 2021 8:34:08 GMT -6
I'm not a peaty scotcher. I personally like the highland stuff best, Glenmorangie is my favorite. Glenlivet and Macallan are pretty good "generic" scotches for folks who want a balanced flavor in a scotch.
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