The Official Scotch (or other whiskey) Lovers Thread
 

I don't know if this will be as popular as the beer thread, but I have recently found out I really like Scotch.

I had it for the first time a few weeks ago at a friends house. He collects Scotch and I tasted quite a variety of Scotch.

My first bottle I bought myself is a 12 year Highland Park single malt. Pretty good, smokier than some others I've head. For 43% alcohol it goes down pretty smooth.

What are some of your faves?

Big JD drinker here, gives me crazy energy to do most anything.

I also love a nice glass of Knob Creek, let it melt over some ice in a nice glass.

Jim Beam is tasty as well.....

Balvenie single malt would come in 1st on my list. The price has jumped drastically over the last year from about $70 to around $120, but it IS SMOOTH!;D

When it comes to scotch I typically find myself drinking J & B, although my new scotish mother-in-law (accent and all) who works at a liquor store in Kansas, has been broadening my scotch pallet... I'm just worried that I may become hooked on one more vice.

As for Irish Whiskey I cannot get enough Tullamore Dow. Personally I prefer this over your normal Jameson.

Typically I have been a huge bourbon fan. Maker's Mark and ice is one of my favorite drinks, although I am fond of knob creek as well. I have also found recently that I like, and am surprised, by the green label of Jack. Its much smoother than the normal Jack and therefore its easier to drink more quantity without mixing it in Coke. I don't like cola in any of my drinks as I don't much like sweet drinks.

http://www.classicwhiskey.com/whiske...amorecrock.gif
Plus, it comes in a nice little jug. ;D

I'm pretty new to the world of whiskey...I've never had an Irish Whiskey or Maker's Mark or Knob creek.

I drink my scotch neat and if I am going to have a whiskey and coke i just use Canadian Club or something along those lines.

Where in KS is your MIL?

Is that a 21 year? Seem's like a good price for one aged that long.

21 year old single malt scotch. Wow. Some day I will have to try that. But I do agree with someone else here that 21 year old single malt at only 120 bucks is still a bargain.

Its really amazing the difference in flavors of the types of whiskeys. I'm not that sophisticated when it comes to whiskey, but I do know what I like and I know you can taste quality no matter what it is.

My MIL lives in Russell Kansas... probably not worth the trip. Last time I was there, she gave me a small box of taster bottles. I believe they're all scotch, but I have not tried any yet. I'll let you know what I decide.

On a side note, its good to see Colorado's alcohol development moving along smoothly. Stranahans whiskey in Denver (located right next to flying dog) has been around now for three or four years and is actually fairly good. I wouldn't take it over Makers on a consistent basis, but still not a bad drink. The Peach Street Distillery here on the western slope is about a year off from uncorking their bourbon barrels. They made the mash from local Olathe sweet corn, so it should be interesting to see how that flavor carries over. Peach Street also makes a great vodka and very drinkable gin... although I prefer whiskey when drinking strong.

Thats the sort of thing you'd get for a poker game, having all those there chip in towards the purchase... either that or hord it to yourself.

I've had a 40 year scotch. The guy that got me started is a collector and had me try a 40 year, I think it was Glennfidich. I can't remember exactly as we sampled a lot of scotch that night. He had been saving the bottle for retirement, but his wife died unexpectedly this year. He decided nothing is worth waiting for and opened it up.

Scotch tastes like unleaded gas..

Well, there is always kool aid and Keystone Light, my friend

As for affordable bottles of Scotch, say 20 - 30 dollar range. My price is a bit skewed, I used to live in VA, where only the govment sells liquor, so the price is always higher. Up til the time I lived in VA, I always wondered why there were still moonshiners. Now I understand.

Anyways, I digress.

Since I very rarely can afford (or better yet, can convince my wife that I can afford) a 50 dollar or higher bottle, I usually get a bottle of either Dewars or Famous Grouse. These seem pretty good to me. Again, not on par with a 120 dollar bottle of 20 year old Scotch, but then I dont need a 2nd mortgage to enjoy it either.

Anyone else got a favorite in that price range?

I picked up my Highland Park 12 year for $38. A little higher than the range you mentioned. I'm still real new to the scotch world. The highest priced bottle in my local store is $150.

I prefer Irish to Scotch.

Me too, I drink Jameson's. I must admit though, it's a bit closer to Scotch than bourbon.

Ya, I am not sure I could tell the difference myself.

Theres usually not a lot of difference betwee Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky. They're usually made from barley (like beer). Irish is always distilled 3 times and Scotch is distilled only twice, they both sit fermenting in aged oak barrels for at least three years (as required by law). After that, the biggest thing to make a difference is how long they age for to come up with a better smoother taste.

The fact that Irish is distilled three times often gives it a stronger essence of alcohol and rids the whiskey of a few more imparities. You'll often notice that Irish has a lighter color to it than scotch.

I always find it amazing how many scotches are actually around. Apparently this is because at some point in time practically every family in Scotland had their own barrels of Scotch. You go in almost any liquor store you'll find at least ten scotches, where you may only find one to three Irish whiskeys.

Bourbon's big thing is that it hast to be primarily made from corn and it has to age at least 5 years in a brand new oak barrel. The barrels are not supposed to be reused, so often they ship the barrels off to Ireland and Scotland for reuse in making their respective whiskeys. After the Irish and Scotch use the barrels for aproximately 30-50 years, they ship them off to Spain and Portugal where they are used for making Port and Sherry.

Again, I don't know much about Scotch, as far as whats good. I typically drank J&B, which is a blended scotch. But I prefer Irish as well... mostly cause you can get a good taste for less money than a good scotch IMO. For those of you who drink Jameson, try Tullamore Dew sometime, its often $5-10 cheaper than Jameson and is just as good. Maybe a slightly different flavor to it.

If you ever make a trip to Dublin, go to the old Jameson distillery. When they start the tour they will ask for volunteers - Volunteer right away, you won't regret it! They will then let you sample a variety of Irish Whiskey, Scotch and Bourbon, explaining the difference of each to you. I chose the Jameson at the end so as not to be rude to the hosts, and they then poured me a pretty big glass.

If ya want to try an excelllent blended scotch at a reasonable price, give "The dimple Pinch" a shot.


"Pinch Scotch 15Yr

Few whiskies attain the rare distinction of the Dimple Pinch. Over 300 years of distilling and blending experience have ensured the perfection of this most distinguished deluxe Scotch whiskey. Savor the elegant taste of a subtle blend of 15-year-old whiskies that is as special as the unique dimpled bottle that holds it"

This is the best Scotch I have ever tasted at any price. Of course, I am not as sampled as some folks, but I give it two big thumbs up.

http://www.whiskybook.net/images_whi...2133500920.jpg

I have a bottle of that in my cabinet, it's good, but it doesn't "hold water" against Balvenie!

I just opened a bottle of this tonight. Smooth with a mild bite at the back of the mouth. About 50 bucks. I like it.

I also, and my mom and brother for that matter, have been drinking Macallan for years. It is a great scotch especially for the price point 36- 40 bucks and definitely worth a try for any scotch drinker. If anyone reads Men's Journal, which is a pretty good mag btw, they rated this in their top 5 a few years back.

http://thephoenix.com/COMMUNITY/blog...twist_knot.gif

I saw this stuff on the counter tonight and thought I would give it a shot. And damn if it isnt one of the smoothest drinks I have ever had. And its about 20-25 bucks a bottle, too. I give 2 enthusiastic drunk thumbs up!