Ok, Scotch drinkers

gm272gs · Sep 8, 2015

Islay is where the good stuff is made. After I had a taste of the lowlands, I never wanted to go back to the highlands again.

Lagavulin 16 is good most of the time. There are good years and not-so-good years, in my experience. Their distiller's reserve is not worth the extra bucks (also in my opinion).

Laphroig 10 is always a good one to have around.

F75gunslinger · Sep 8, 2015

I am currently enjoying a bottle of MaCallan Amber...very good for having no age label, and before that was a bottle of Glenfidditch 12 year Caoran Reserve that was very good as well. I prefer mine over 2 ice cubes..

STCM(SW) · Sep 8, 2015

For a reasonable priced 18 year blend I like Chivas Regal.
The best single malt Islay is Lagavulin 18 year old for me.
Still have a bottle I got almost 5 years ago and is for my birthday, New Years Eve and Anniversary.
Only one drink and then back to the plain 12 year old stuff....

GaryS · Sep 8, 2015

Is this you?

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZQ_Cbj1Mq8&feature=player_embedded#t=347[/ame]

STCM(SW) said:
For a reasonable priced 18 year blend I like Chivas Regal.
The best single malt Islay is Lagavulin 18 year old for me.
Still have a bottle I got almost 5 years ago and is for my birthday, New Years Eve and Anniversary.
Only one drink and then back to the plain 12 year old stuff....

Texas Star · Sep 8, 2015

I like Haig's Pinch, and it was one of the two duty-free bottles that I brought back from Canada after being stationed there.

I've also liked Ballantine's, esp. their 12 yr. old and Dewar's is an excellent standard Scotch.

I detest the heavy peaty ones like Johnny Walker, Cutty Sark, and the like. I think these are why many people hate Scotch.

I prefer the heather and honey tones of Chivas Regal and the single malt, The Glenlivet.

I have, BTW, got a book on Scotch. Interesting...

ParadiseRoad · Sep 8, 2015

glowe · Sep 8, 2015

Many years ago, a very good friend of mine gave me a bottle of McCallan 25 and it spoiled me forever. I can not (or maybe should say will not) spend that kind of money on a bottle of scotch, so have sampled just about all affordable Scotch whiskeys from Campbeltown, Highland, Island, Islay, Lowland, to Speyside for something like the McCallan 25 to no avail. Nothing compares to that bottle.

I guess the moral of that story for new Scotch drinkers (or returning) is start at the bottom and work your way up. You will never be disappointed with your next purchase that way. Oh, and stop before you reach the top, or you will be in the same situation I was.

BTW - I have reconciled my predicament and now find Islay is my preferred region for Scotch. It is mostly affordable and with almost a dozen distilleries to choose from, it never gets boring.

Fred_G · Sep 8, 2015

I got spoiled on Scotch I can't afford. I prefer the blended Irish Whiskey if I want something strong. Tullamore Dew is a good inexpensive option.

Coaltminer · Sep 8, 2015

Sorry, I'm a recovering alcoholic. Can't help you, hope I never can, not preaching, still working on it. It's a demon I couldn't control, the evil being loves me, but not like our Father. Wish you all well and be safe. Pray for this man, you may not need it, but I surely do. Thank you!

THEWELSHM · Sep 8, 2015

Glenmorangie

Thewelshm

alwslate · Sep 8, 2015

I've tried several single malts and just don't care for them. Johnny
Walker Black has been my choice for many years but lately I find that
I choose Double Black more and more often.

Donn · Sep 8, 2015

Blend, Johnnie Walker Black.
Single malt, Glenfarclas

ditrina · Sep 8, 2015

Johnny Walker Double Black..

Dalwhinnie..

But for Sloooow sipping

A mere 116 PROOF

papalondog · Sep 8, 2015

Beruisis said:
After having sampled most of them I've settled on Aberlour & then also Edradour. both single malts. I really don't care for the heavy smokey stuff.
smooooth!

Aberlour 16 and Glenlevit 12..... Aberlour if I can find it is my fav.
Tasted 100 year old stuff once. Something like $1200 a bottle. Way to smokey for me.

CAJUNLAWYER · Sep 9, 2015

Sipping/savoring/special occasions...can't beat Balvienie Double Cask

For everyday power drinking Dewars is hard to beat! It's cheaper by the half gallon (1.75 liter).

Bill Bates · Sep 9, 2015

One of my favorite single malts is any of the Highland Park bottlings. It is well balanced with some smokey peat. During the depths of winter give me a nice smokey peat monster from Islay. During the summer I tend towards lighter more floral whiskies like Balvenie and Glenmorangie.

For blended I've been enjoying Johnny Walker Double Black wish has Taliskers in the blend giving it slightly more peat flavor. I also am a fan of Famous Grouse's Black Grouse.

Absalom · Sep 9, 2015

Scotch-drinking is just like shooting. Start with the basics and work your way in. Don't waste your money on the expensive older vintages until you have explored the characteristic differences between the different styles by sampling the 10 and 12 year expressions. That's where you learn the most.

For non-peated, I like a nice mainstream Speyside like Balvenie Doublewood 12. There are many others, all the Glens are good, Glenfiddich, Glen Dronach, Glenlivet. Macallan of course. Aberlour. Most have been named.

For smoky scotch, try Johnnie Walker Black to make sure you like the peat; that one is very gentle, and every bar stocks it. Then go to a medium-peated Islay like Bowmore 12, one of my favorites; smoke all the way through, but other complex flavors too. Then you can try the "smoke grenades" like Ardbeg, Laphroig and Lagavulin; great whiskies, but you'll still have the smoke hanging in your sinusses the next morning. Another great island malt is Talisker, not from Islay, but Skye, also pretty aggressive.

Be warned, getting into Scotch is considerably more damaging to your wallet than American whiskeys. I'm into both. Adding to my bourbon shelf is a lot less painful. There are some great bourbons even under $20, but single malts don't really start until around $50.

Krell1 · Sep 9, 2015

I hate to be the only naysayer here but here goes.....I've tried Scotch a number of times, mostly those recommended by friends. I didn't really like any of it and thought some was worse than taking bad medicine. I'm thinking maybe it's an acquired taste like cigars. Can't figure that habit either.

TIMETRIPPER · Sep 9, 2015

I drink Scotch when I don't want to drink much but to have a nice evening after a day afield.
These two worked fine over a week long fly in fishing trip up in Quebec.

I also like the inexpensive Macallams, lowland, highland, Islay. I don't mind the peatier ones because a glass will last me most of the evening.

John

Fishslayer · Sep 9, 2015

The only pub... and I mean the ONLY pub... in Thurso, Scotland that had this was the one right next to the Yank housing. Any other pub would give you a bit of a sneer.

The best blend I tried there was called "White Heather." VERY smooth. Bell's & Famous Grouse were probably the most popular with the locals.

Single malt was pretty much all over the board. The only real agreement was that if you put ice or water in it you should be immediately deported.

ParadiseRoad said:

Ok, Scotch drinkers

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