I would like to find a Scotch I like, I have thus far been unsucessful, I love Irish whiskey and Bourbon (Woodford, Bookers, Makers). I have never had a Scotch I liked, everone in my wife's family are Scotch lovers any reccomendations??

Ryan

Johnny Walker Black, can't go wrong. Full bodied and smooth. However, for your first, try Dewars. Tastes like water, and wont bowl you over. If you want to impress your wife's family, drink McCallan's 12 yr old single malt scotch.

I used to love scotch whiskey Irish whiskey as well.In recent years my tastes have changed and find i love Bourbon.Blanton's, Makers Mark ,Knob Creek to name a few.I also find there maturely occurring woody after taste pairs up with cigars very nicely.Although when i did drink scotch Johnie Walker was my favorite if your on a budget the red is ok if not spring for the extra bucks and go for the black.The blue is a must try but at nearly $200 a bottle a bit out of reach for most i used to keep it for special occasions.

Obviously, you like sweeter whiskeys (made from sweeter cereals such as corn). Perhaps, scotch -- which is quite dryer -- is simply not to your taste. Don't fight it. You don't HAVE to like scotch. Eventually, your tastes may drift to scotch, but don't rush it...

I must second Flasman's remarks. If scotch is not your drink then don't fight it.

If you want to try it though I would suggest Dewaars on the rocks with a twist of lemon.

My "everyday scotch" recommended by a real scotsman is however Famous Grouse. A blend but good nontheless.

Saxon,

I have never heard of adding a twist of lemon. I was once served lemon with my Scotch in Atlantic City at a casino and I thought they put it on the glass to identify what the drink was for the waitress.

If you want something closer to a bourbon or irish whisky, you'll need to look for a blended scotch whisky, or at least a single malt highland scotch. Islay scotch whisky is something you want to stay far away from, due to its extremely rich and peaty flavor. Speyside is just a notch smoother than the islay, but still quite peaty, and has a good portion of saltiness to it. Lowland malts aren't that bad, just not as smooth or as sweet as I find highland malts to be.

Woodward Reserve and Maker's Mark are very sweet bourbons, boasting brown sugar and molasses flavors. If you are fond of those, you should try something like Cutty Sark, Glenlivet, or even Chivas Regal (although I hate that stuff)..

Flavors of Scotch come from the area where they are brewed.

I prefer the very smokey flavors of the Islay malts.

The Highland malts have a very Iodine like flavor.

Speyside malts have a flavor all their own.

The blends such as Dewers, Johnny Walker, etc. have flavors depending on the majority of the blended whiskey

Then there are cheap Scotches such as Vat 69, Black & White.

Like machine made cigars, they appeal to the masses.

Thanks guys!! I really appreciate the input!!

Gimpy

I had a friend who drank Dewars on the rocks with a twist of lemon. I have only tried it with Dewars and Cutty Sark, some of the lighter blends.

It may be a Connecticut thing. I was at a hotel recently in New Haven and asked for Johnny WEalker Black on the rocks and it came with a twist of lime. NOT!!

The time I was in Atlantic City and was sitting at the poker table and just asked for a Scotch I did not specify which one I wanted so they probably gave me Dewars and that explains the lemon wedge. I didn't squeeze the lemon in my Scotch and to be honest I wasn't concentrating on the Scotch at that time so I can't tell if it was Dewars or not that I was drinking. I do suspect it was a blended Scotch though.

Maybe its a New England, mid-Atlantic thing. I shudder at asking my Scots friends about it.

A pretty good blend is Famous Grouse. My Scots friend called it a good "everyday scotch".

I'm a Scotch either neat or on the rocks kinda guy depending on the Scotch.

Happy New Year All! After reviewing the entries on this forum I am hoping that someone can help me. I attended the 2007 Big Smoke in Vegas and they were serving (what I believe) an Irish Whiskey in the back of the room- it tasted like honey!!! I had it both neat AND on the rocks and I am NOT a whiskey drinker. Does anyone know the name of the whiskey? I had read somewhere that they served Knappague and Clondarf and have tried both of those without success. anyone?

If you want to get off-topic and discuss some fine Irish Whiskey, we certainly can. If you can manage to find it, and are willing to splurge, get a bottle of Connemara 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey. I swear this is the best thing ever. It's almost as if the Irish took everything great about Irish Whiskey and everything better about Scotch Whisky, and combined them both. It has a very smokey and peaty flavor to it, while being very soft and vanilla/honey like at the same time.

I personally enjoy the Glenfiddich lines. The best taste for me has come from the 18yr bottles though.

Try Chivas or Famous Grouse for everyday blended Scotch...JW Blue is a must if you can afford it...try a drink at a local watering hole and you will see what I mean.