Scotch whiskey: Do you imbibe?

[satman72]

When I did drink Scotch I used to drink 18yr The MacCallan, with the 25yr old for special occasions. Over the last several years I've been concentrating on Canadian Whiskey. We're at a rennaisance here in Canada when it comes to whiskey. Our distillers are doing some wonderful things, and we're getting some new craft distillers popping up.

 

[GrabberOrange69]

When I did drink Scotch I used to drink 18yr The MacCallan, with the 25yr old for special occasions. Over the last several years I've been concentrating on Canadian Whiskey. We're at a rennaisance here in Canada when it comes to whiskey. Our distillers are doing some wonderful things, and we're getting some new craft distillers popping up.

That's wonderful - Have any suggestions for a craft Canadian Whiskey we might sample in the lower 48? By the way the whiskey bible recently put a Japanese Whiskey at the top of the stack.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

The Scots are famous for their whisky, but will be licking their wounds ..........

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodandd...-Japanese-whisky-named-best-in-the-world.html

 

[TekHousE]

This is good news for Whisky..I have tried many Japanese whiskys, including the Yamazaki one. All really good.

 

[satman72]

That's wonderful - Have any suggestions for a craft Canadian Whiskey we might sample in the lower 48? By the way the whiskey bible recently put a Japanese Whiskey at the top of the stack.

Forty Creek is good. It depends on what's available in Vegas.

 

[bm02tj]

Not much for Scotch but I do like my Canadian Whiskey normal fair is 12 year old but special is 18 year old Gibsons or Wisers

 

[fwi]

Interesting thread here.....a couple of questions:
What is the "proper" way to drink scotch?
What is the difference (taste wise) between single malt and the regular stuff?:icon_scratch:

 

[TekHousE]

Interesting thread here.....a couple of questions:
What is the "proper" way to drink scotch?
What is the difference (taste wise) between single malt and the regular stuff?:icon_scratch:

I will give my advice for people starting out.

Single malts:

Peated Whisky (anything that is a smokey flavor) + A little GOOD CLEAN water.

Non Peated Whisky (tastes like what MOST people think whisky should taste like) No water, generally. I DO add some on occasion though but it is a few drops of water to 'release' the aromas.

Blended Whisky and whiskEy (the E is normally added in the US and Canada on bourbons) + water IF you are dealing with a high proof whiskey. Some of the recently popular blended bourbons are so strong that drinking them straight is a waste of good whiskey. They are not designed to be neat. I also drink bourbon with ICE. But not when first trying new ones..Since I want to really taste it without ice the first few times.

Hope this helps on the water front.

GLASSES:

Single malt:

I have 2 kinds for single malts, a Riedel Single Malt 'tulip' glass



And a closed single malt glass (blenders glass it is sometimes called):



For Bourbons I use the same if I am sampling new bottles, but then for relaxing there is nothing better than a nice heavy tumbler:



Hope that helps mate!

 

[GrabberOrange69]

I love peated whiskeys and have sampled all of the commonly available scotch's from Islay. (I love cigars with the "peat" also, but that would have to be another thread )Instead of water I'll sometimes drop a single ice cube in the glass. If I'm really hankering for the flavor though, there is no way better to experience ALL a scotch has to offer than with a "sniffer".

 

[TekHousE]

That is a good drop..I love Uigeadail.

I always have Ardberg 10 on hand, it is a good go to anytime. But Uigeadail is a step up.

 

[GrabberOrange69]

That is a good drop..I love Uigeadail.

I always have Ardberg 10 on hand, it is a good go to anytime. But Uigeadail is a step up.

We are of one mind. I also have a bottle of last year's Ardbeg Day special: "Ardbog". I sip that one when it's been an especially good day. Don't know what I'll do when it's gone 'cause there aint no more barrels!

 

[Pops1967GTX]

I have found my next project.

 

[coronet340]

This was my first bottle. I really enjoy it but I need to find something a little cheaper. At $50 a bottle I find that I pace myself too much to actually enjoy it.

 

[GearAddict]

I will give my advice for people starting out.

Single malts:

Peated Whisky (anything that is a smokey flavor) + A little GOOD CLEAN water.

Non Peated Whisky (tastes like what MOST people think whisky should taste like) No water, generally. I DO add some on occasion though but it is a few drops of water to 'release' the aromas.

Blended Whisky and whiskEy (the E is normally added in the US and Canada on bourbons) + water IF you are dealing with a high proof whiskey. Some of the recently popular blended bourbons are so strong that drinking them straight is a waste of good whiskey. They are not designed to be neat. I also drink bourbon with ICE. But not when first trying new ones..Since I want to really taste it without ice the first few times.

Hope this helps on the water front.

GLASSES:

Single malt:

I have 2 kinds for single malts, a Riedel Single Malt 'tulip' glass

View attachment 220704

And a closed single malt glass (blenders glass it is sometimes called):

View attachment 220705

For Bourbons I use the same if I am sampling new bottles, but then for relaxing there is nothing better than a nice heavy tumbler:

View attachment 220706

Hope that helps mate!

+1 ... That's sage advice Tek. I myself am very partial to the blender's glass

I've been a Scotch drinker for the past 10 years or so, I started off with blendeds and still enjoy them upon occasion, but Speyside single malts is what made me fall in love.

I still recommend people start with a Sherried Speyside, like a Macallan, Aberlour or Balvenie (one of my favorites) Just seems to be the easiest transition for many. Then expand out to Highlands, Islay and lowlands (haven't found a lowland that I really like yet).

I've had a few people say that they hated scotch over the years and when you find out that they jumped right into an Islay (very smokey, iodine/medicinal flavor), I can understand why they ran away.. it took me a number of years to appreciate that very specific taste. I do enjoy a good Talisker or Laphroaig especially on cold days.

 

[Budnicks]

I love your style Pops

 

[GearAddict]

If you guys haven't seen this site yet, check it out. Good selection and some good deals, primarily on limited bottlings. I recommend signing up for their emails.

https://www.caskers.com/

 

[GrabberOrange69]

If you guys haven't seen this site yet, check it out. Good selection and some good deals, primarily on limited bottlings. I recommend signing up for their emails.

https://www.caskers.com/

Well played.

I've been ordering through the mail from a place in CA, but this looks like a good site too. I did a quick search for Pappy Van Winkle and found it "sold out"; just like most places, but I'm down to just a few drams of my favorite Bourbon and I'm trying to decide how much I'm willing to shell out for my obsession.

 

[GearAddict]

Grabber, I'm sometimes surprised by some of the bigger chains on what they get in. I checks out Total Wine and More's website everyonce and awhile. They get in some interesting stuff.

I wish it wasn't so damn expensive and difficult to buy out of Scotland or England directly... I did buy from Whiskey exchange a few times, but the bill will kill the enjoyment of it.

On a separate note... A friend bought me a bottle of Buchannans 18 blended and I was surprised how good it was, although a little too much on the sweet side for my regular drinking taste.

 

[coronet340]

Question: How many of you drink so slow you never get a buzz? I mean don't get me wrong, a half hour in that glass with that Deanston, and WOW, I mean just so damn smooth it's unreal. But at the same time I drink to relax. I have tried Crown on the rocks a few times but it's a not as smooth as scotch.

Do y'all just drink scotch when you want enjoyment of taste and beer/wine/mixed drinks for a buzz?

 

[CtownChris]

I am on my 2nd bottle of Ardbeg and have an inch of Speyside and Ardbeg left so am looking for new ones to try. Really like the Ardbeg. Speyside to light for me. My fiance has taken a fancy to the Ardbeg also. We are in Fr Lauderdale for her Medical conference and just stopped in a Total Wine and More near Pier 66 and was blown away at the Single Malt selection! Good prices too compared to Cleveland. About $10 a bottle cheaper for some.