New to scotch

[KiloWhiskey]

@RoundersRob is on the right track. Although....an ice cube...in scotch.....really?? I will agree with water though. It does bring out the flavor in stronger percentage whiskies.

There are many different scotches out there to try. You know this and that's why you are asking. Here is a link to an article I wrote awhile ago about whisky. It explains alot about whiskey and the different kinds out there: http://www.kilowhiskey.de/spirits/spirits.htm#whi

Try, try, try and find out what you like. Me personally, not a fan of peat but really enjoy Speyside whiskies. Aberlour (10 year), Glenfarclas (12 year) and Macallan (12 year sherry-finish) are a few of my favorite things and great starters in the Speyside region. I also enjoy Irish and bourbon, but that is another topic.

I hope this helps. Enjoy your journey and let us know later what you've decided on. Slainte

 

[Abhoe]

I cannot explain this but I love Macallan 10 yr. It's inexpensive and I find it very drinkable. I believe that my love of scotch sprung from a good experience (rather a lot of good experiences) with this brand. In my opinion the ten year is one of the most drinkable Single malts. To each their own though.

 

[terrantheman]

My suggestion for someone who has never had any scotch experience ever would be to keep it simple and on the cheap. Scotch can be very subjective and I would start slow the same goes with many spirits i.e. bourbon, tequilla, rum etc. I would try some Johnny Black and also Dewars 12yo these are both blends and they're quite nice really and won't kill the wallet if you don't like them. If you enjoy these I would move onto some single malts such as some Clynellish 12yo, Arbelour Abun'dah, Balvenie Caribean Cask and MacCallan 12yo. These are some expamples of some nice singles and if you like these and want to venture more into some crazy flavors you can get into the island scotches that are some awesomely briney with some amazing flavors showing through, it's literally water of the Gods.

 

[terrantheman]

Sorry, man. Just my considered opinion. Blended scotch always tastes, well, like blended scotch. Don't get me wrong, I'll drink it, I just won't buy it. Kinda like Bud or PBR.

Don't be dissing on the PBR, that's a damn fine beer so is Old Milwaukee in case you were wondering.:yes:

 

[javajunkie]

So I feel like I know the type of response Ill get, but Ill ask anyhow...

Whats scotch taste compared to Irish whiskey or others?

Jameson and I dont get along so what am I getting myself into?

yes, there are more similarities than differences, compared to new world whisky. scots whiskey and irish both have the same grain base, with scotch being entirely malted grains, or partially germinated seeds used in fermentation.

and i am going to go with the base recommendation of most of the threads here on cigars: start trying stuff before you invest. i am sure you can find a place that serves a decent spread. make an evening of it, have a meal, get a flight if whiskey (ask the bartender, good bartenders love this stuff), rock out a stogie or so, and take notes. if you have a local booze merchant with a tasting license, BOLO for them to do a scotch pouring.

good luck, and sláinte!

 

[heavyd]

macallan 12 and glen livet 12 are good starters. pssst. kirkland scotch is macallan 12.

Great info. I will try it next time I go to Costco...never tried scotch before.

 

[L8A]

If you find something you like lemme know. I just cant get the taste for it

 

[aherzing]

I'll be on the prowl this weekend at local liquor stores

 

[pnoguy]

Hey.....I never said I wouldn't drink PBR.....it's damn fine beer, especially on a hot day when that's all there is.....I just won't buy it. And in the interest of fairness, no, I haven't had every single blended scotch out there. I've probably only had eight or ten....and none of them held a candle to a good single malt. I may have to try some of those mentioned above to see if I've missed something. In the continued interest of fairness, I can't say a scotch is superior simply by virtue of being a single malt. There is plenty of single malt swill out there as well. All that said...I'm not an expert by a damn sight, and a good blend might well be a good place to start for someone just getting into scotch. Heck, throw some ice in there and chase it with Miller Lite.....:wink:

 

[sean]

I've been playing with scotches lately, too... so much so that I didn't realize the price difference between the Balvenie Portwood and Caribbean Casks.

Is it just me, or are the Speysides the mildest/saltiest of the singlemalts?

 

[RaschNuts]

Fairly new to scotch but the ones I have ahd I have enjoyed. Im jumpping all the way in to this hobby also. Joined Scotch Malt Whiskey society and bought 2 bottles today.

Any of you guys part of this group?

 

[cmhicksusmc]

Lagavulin 12 is a good starter

 

[scotchNstogie]

Before you start buying bottle after bottle, check out master of malt. They offer samplers and will ship anywhere. They are pretty quick on the shipping as well.

 

[jimmypa]

Kind of a newb myself but from what ive tried so far; balvenie double wood, or the dimple pinch if u want something super smooth but blended. I need to try some of these suggestions myself thanks everyone!

 

[bugbear]

Kind of a newb myself but from what ive tried so far; balvenie double wood, or the dimple pinch if u want something super smooth but blended. I need to try some of these suggestions myself thanks everyone!

Nice! love to hear someone else is enjoying the dimple! Good blend for a good price and it pairs well with a lot of smokes.

 

[Smoke Eater]

Got this in my stocking, highly recommend it! Mmmmmm

 

[RaschNuts]

Laphroaig Quarter Cask is sublime rigt now. Stay away from the 10yr - too much iodine

Picked this up on the way home. Nice flavor thanks for the recommendation.

I almost get like a popcorn type taste on the finish?

 

[drinkingcoffee]

It looks like you lots of great advice already, but I'll add one more but of advice -

Try a cheap scotch, a good whiskey and a good Irish whiskey too.

Difference in scotch can be subtle for a newbie, so these serve to help you realize how good the stuff you're drinking really are. Don't forget that in most big liquor stores, you can get small airline size bottles to try this stuff out.