Here's one for knowledgeable scotch drinkers...what would be a good introductory scotch to try with a nice cuban as I have heard from alot of people that scotch complements a nice cigar and/or vice versa...single malt? blend? age? Thanks in advance for any feedback...

Man, that's how I got sucked into the world of scotch about 4-5 months ago.

I went to a liquor shop and their scotch expert recommended that I start with blends instead of single malts. I got the Famous Grouse and fully enjoyed it.

Now, I am drinking the Glenlivet 12 yo. after finishing the bottle of FG.

How is the Glenlivet 12? Heard that it's a great value...any tasting notes? Pair well with a stick?

Glenlivet 12 yo is the best intro Scotch. It has recently surpassed Glenfiddich in my opinion.

Its pretty sweet and mellow to me, so I say pair it with a cigar with bite.

I, on the other hand cannot drink The Glenlivit. I think it tastes like pure iodine.

I prefer Bowmore or Lagavulin, an Islay malt. It has a very strong flavor of peat but to me it is just right.

Laphroig is also a very peaty scotch

Grab a different bottle from a different region each time you journey to the local scotch store - every region (and distillery) had a unique character. Scotch is a very diverse drink and you'll figure out which one YOU like soon enough!

This was some good advise I received when I first started drinking Scotch.

Just like cigars, you wouldn't run out and buy an entire box just to see if you liked that cigar, imho the same holds true for Scotch. Head out to a nice upscale bar that stocks a wide variety of Scotch and order 2-3 fingers of whatever catches your eye. Hopefully the place allows indoor smoking and you can pair your Scotch with your CC.

Worked for me and I didn't burn through bottles of Glenfiddich and Talisker just to find out I hated them.

LOL that might be painful I must admit and not very practical...Thanks for the input guys....

quote:

Originally posted by Docbarry:
I, on the other hand cannot drink The Glenlivit. I think it tastes like pure iodine.

I prefer Bowmore or Lagavulin, an Islay malt. It has a very strong flavor of peat but to me it is just right.

Laphroig is also a very peaty scotch

I have to agree with Doc here. And I also love that peat flavor which is very similar to some cuban smokes.

Notwithstanding SMs recommandation, I'd say a fine scotch to start with -- and yet not too "in your face" -- would be the Macallan 12 years. It has class, a bit of sweetness and an appealing character.

That's the way I started.

ok flash, I've decided to research it a bit and purchase a macallan 12 yr but is that the sherry oak 12 yr?

Yup.

quote:

Originally posted by perfectform:
ok flash, I've decided to research it a bit and purchase a macallan 12 yr but is that the sherry oak 12 yr?

Make sure you come back and tell us what you think about it.

Ok, I will still try the macallan 12 yr though I was at a bar this weekend and decided to try a glenlivet 12yr neat...I was surprised by how well I responded to it. =Wasn't as crazy as I thought it would be but for $7 bucks for a single shot to sip on I think I'll just buy the macallan bottle and save some money...thanks for the input guys...

Macallan 12 yr old is great stuff. Beware, though, the world of fine whiskey is like the world of fine cigars...so many great choices, and too little time or money to truly sample them all...but its still fun to try

quote:

Originally posted by perfectform:
How is the Glenlivet 12? Heard that it's a great value...any tasting notes? Pair well with a stick?

The Glenlivet is my personal favorite.

Clynelish 14yr. My personal top rec.

Every now and again I like to pair a cigar with a great smooth Rum, fine Whisky or a French Cognac. Depending on the premium cigar brand, liquor/spirit aging method, and source, they all equally can really highlight the aromas and flavor of an outstanding smoke.

Recently I came across the Glenlivet French Oak Reserve. This is a single malt scotch whisky that is aged for fifteen years in French oak from the province of Limousin, the same oak used by the French for centuries to age their famed Cognac.

Appropriately, this Glenlivet single malt has noticeable vanilla and bitter chocolate notes as well a spicy bouquet of pepper and cinnamon.

After a couple of drinks to sample at a great Italian restaurant named Trattoria Toscana in Greenwich Village, NYC. If you ever go, you have to try the awesome Florentine porterhouse steak.

One night afterwards, I thought that I would try it again at home on the backyard porch; and I’m glad I did. It proved to be a great companion for a (Cuban) Romeo y Julieta - Short Churchill; a great choice for a cigar full of honey, spices, and a light woody or earthy taste at the top of it.