It went quite well, better than expected. I assumed drinking it neat at first would be overwhelming and would just taste like alcohol, but it didn't. I bought a 375 of Chivas Regal 12(I know it's not the best) and I got some wood notes, a little honey in there, possibly vanilla. I find that picking out flavors is pretty similiar to picking out flavors in cigars.

I have some free money coming(well, basically free, it's from cash back reward points), so I'm think about picking up a bottle of Chivas Regal 18.

After that I'll probably try some single malts. I knew single malts can get expensive, but I wasn't aware at how espensive. At the liquor store I went to, a 200ml of Macallan 21 was $35 .

Sounds good James. I like to sip scotch as well and we can add this to our list of drinks when we get together.
I have some Glennlivet at the house right now and this is a good intro to single malts IMHO.

James, on another note it's good to see a young fella enjoying the finer things and fine tuning his palete. When I was your age I was guzzling cheap vodka, smoking weed and getting in fights.
Your way ahead of your time my friend.

My first and only experience with scotch so far was a glass of johnnie walker red label on the rocks. I thought it was pretty good, lol, so I'm thinking if I could endure and enjoy that, I'll really enjoy a better scotch. I hope to one day further my knowledge in single malts.

JMS there are a lot of really good Single Malts in the $50 to $80 range for a full bottle (750ml).

CR and CC are not real whiskies. Just go to one of the 1/2 dozen or so whiskey search engines and look around and you will be presented with dozens of great SM's in a very affordable price range, plus loads of reviews.

In addition, be aware that while some people advocate drinking it "neat", many serious whisky aficionados prefer adding a SMALL amount of water.

I used to be in the "whisky is for drinking, water is for bathing" camp until a friend of mine forced me to do a blind taste test. A SMALL amount of water (I'm talking a spoonful at best) really opens up the nose of the whisky and the result is a much fuller, rounder and more robust experience.

Don't get crazy with it though.

-- Gary F.

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Foster:
In addition, be aware that while some people advocate drinking it "neat", many serious whisky aficionados prefer adding a SMALL amount of water.

I used to be in the "whisky is for drinking, water is for bathing" camp until a friend of mine forced me to do a blind taste test. A SMALL amount of water (I'm talking a spoonful at best) really opens up the nose of the whisky and the result is a much fuller, rounder and more robust experience.

Don't get crazy with it though.

-- Gary F.

Yeah, I do that with a few spirits. I guess I was wrong in saying neat, it was really with just a little bit of water.

quote:

In addition, be aware that while some people advocate drinking it "neat", many serious whisky aficionados prefer adding a SMALL amount of water.

Preferably, water from the same source as the distillery.

JMS for a good intro to single malts that wont break the bank try Highland Park 12.

While Highland Park is a superb malt, I really wouldn't consider it an intro choice... that'd be like giving a Padron or a Cain F to someone for their very first cigar I think

Highland Park is, in my experience, something you build up to... mind you I think it's very much *worth* building up to it.

-- Gary F.

I started with a bottle of Dalmore 12 y.o. Highlands are good to start with since they're not too smokey or peaty. Still can't handle the Lagavulin yet though...

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Foster:
While Highland Park is a superb malt, I really wouldn't consider it an intro choice... that'd be like giving a Padron or a Cain F to someone for their very first cigar I think

Highland Park is, in my experience, something you build up to... mind you I think it's very much *worth* building up to it.

-- Gary F.

I guess intro wasn't the perfect word. Maybe value was a better word. I was recommending Highland Park because compared to other 12 yr old single malts like Macallan and Dalmore it is much cheaper in price but just as tasty if not better.

It is now one of my favorites because it is so affordable, about half the price of a bottle of Lagavulin.

I was 19 and I took some Chivas from my dad's liquor cabinet. I tried it first neat, God, I was not prepared for the burn. I had to put some rocks in there to make it drinkable. Now it is my liquor of choice.

Lagavulin 16

If you like cigars, try Laproaig cask strength...it's like cigars on steroids.

I normal add one maybe 2 ice cubes. Any down side to the cold in releasing flavors? Would keeping the bottle in the fridge (ready to be served cool) have a downside?

The cold temp will subdue the flavors. I really wouldn't serve it at fridge temp... you'll lose most of the aromatics and quite a bit of the flavor until it comes up a bit in temp.

-- Gary F.

quote:

Originally posted by poupon:
If you like cigars, try Laproaig cask strength...it's like cigars on steroids.

Laproaig quarter cask is a great SM, IMHO. Very, very smokey...like a bonfire in a glass almost. It goes great with a lot of med to full bodied cigars.
Might not be the best starter SM, tho.
Stick to a Highland, as they won't be so overpowering like an Islay.

For a Highland, I had good luck with Dalwhinnie 15...amazingly smooth and tasty.

SteveSur...Lagavulin 16 is my go to scotch...fantastic stuff.

I like to drink it with one rock, once it melts (in a matter of a few minutes) it is the perfect amount of water for me.

cheers all

Palates are interesting things. When I was younger, I couldn't stand scotch. I was only exposed to the various blends at the time - J&B, Dewars, Ballantine, etc. Couldn't stomach the iodine taste of many of these. As a result, I gravitated first to bourbon and then to canadian and would bounce back anf forth between them. Then, I was exposed to Laphroaig and it was like the mists parting. Have been a fan of it and Lagavulin and other peaty whiskys ever since.

Just responding to the question of what is a good introductory whisky. I think it may be different for everyone. Certainly, if it is the first exposure to spirits of any kind (other than those mixed with fruit juice or soda pop) then, the Islays may be a bit of a step too far. But, if one has enjoyed good bourbon, rum, etc before, it may be that any of the good whiskys could be an excellent intro.

This guy is unbelievable at reviewing scotch. I think James Suckling would even be impressed. I have heard this guy use objects such as band aids,tar on RR ties, diesel fuel,and new shoes to describe scotches and when trying them I can see or taste what he is talking about. Anyway when I found this channel, 90 minutes flew by.

http://www.youtube.com/user/IslayScotchWhisky

I like Balvanie Doublewood. It was my first real tasting of scotch. Sweet vanilla and honey notes.