The evolution of Single Malts (Scotch)

[Jwrussell]

OK folks. I just spent my birthday coins on Bourbon, but since it seems to be a hot topic, and I do love me some scotch, what's the recommended progression when talking Single Malts for beginners.

Currently my favorite Scotch is a blend, JW Black. I've gone through a bottle of 10 year old Laphroaig but I didn't care for it nearly as much as the JW, but it wasn't bad. Probably because I went ahead and cheaped out for the 10 year, but who knows.

So, what's the best to start out with and how should one progress from there?

 

[Poni]

Good post JW, curious also.

 

[MadAl]

Start with a Highland. They're more palatable if you are familiar with Bourbons. The Laphroig is an Islay, which takes some getting used to . Maybe a Macallan, Dalmore, Balvenie, etc.

 

[acaffey]

McCallan is a great first single malt. The 12 is good.

 

[AZsteelman]

I've tried several and my fav for the first round is Glenlivet 12 year old. I've tried a lot of others, and keep coming back to it...I like it straight, or with a single or maybe 2 ice cubes. If you are just starting out, cut it about 1/2 with water.



this message is brought to by your local BB drunk!

 

[AZsteelman]

McCallan is a great first single malt. The 12 is good.

I found this to be a little harsh for a first time, IMO.

 

[djs134]

I agree with starting out with a Highland. McCallan is considered by many to be one of the best of that grouping. It has sherry overtones because of the barrels that it is aged in. I’m not a big fan of the lowland scotches, so I can‘t make any suggestions there. Once you gain an appreciation for some of the Highland scotches, try a Speyside or one of the more mild Islays. These have more peat and deeper flavors in my opinion and seem more complex to my palate. :agreesmil

Randy’s right about adding some water at first. Maybe start with ½ water ½ scotch, then move toward less water. Soon you’ll be drinking it straight.

I’ve found that not all scotches go with all cigars. I can’t smoke a Padron X000 with Aberlour. :tongueout

 

[rpb67]

McCallan is a great first single malt. The 12 is good.

I agree, the 18 and cask strength are great as well.

 

[Jwrussell]

Guys, I drink JW Black with a couple of cubes of ice. You really think I need to start half and half with water on a single? Like I said, I didn't love the Islay, but I did finish the bottle. :wink:

 

[caudio51]

nice post, I don't know shit other than I am starting to like it

Oh and I use a few cubes like JW

 

[Cigar_Jack]

I don't know much about scotches but I love the Dalmore Cigar Malt Scotch.

Oddly enough it goes really well with a cigar. LOL

 

[djs134]

Guys, I drink JW Black with a couple of cubes of ice. You really think I need to start half and half with water on a single? Like I said, I didn't love the Islay, but I did finish the bottle. :wink:

No JW, I'd say you jumped the curve a bit! :hysterica

 

[jcgoldner]

A great one to start with is the 12 year Cragganmore. It's a fine introduction to SM scotch.

 

[caudio51]

So what's the most you guys have spent on a bottle? What's the average for the bottles listed above?

 

[djs134]

Lag is about 69 per here in PA. Average bottle of SM should go for around 35 to 50 for something that can't drive yet....

 

[AZsteelman]

GL is $38 here

 

[MadAl]

If you're drinking and loving the JWBlack you shouldn't have any problem with a Highland. You still might want to add a 1/2 ounce of water just to open up the single malt. Because you like the JWB, you could go with a Lowland or a Campbelltown. The bottle of Springbank was about $55.

 

[jcgoldner]

The most I've spent so far is $135 on a 25yr Bowmore. The average is around $40 or $50. Believe it or not PA has some of the best prices around on SM Scotch and I don't know why. Everywhere I've looked in NJ it is always priced higher, very strange!

 

[MadAl]

I've tried (successfully so far) to keep my purchases in the $60 range, but I do have a number of bottles at any given time.

 

[djs134]

My wife bought me a bottle of 25 yr old McCallan a few years ago. It goes for about $295 to $325. Obviously this isn't my average Friday night snort..... I'm about half way through with the bottle now and make sure I crank the top closed very tightly each time!