Scotch is my new beer

zachoff · #1 08-27-2010, 10:53 PM

I've been a beer snob forever but have recently kinda fell blah with it. Tried everything at my local liquor store (and continue to try new stuff... I still drink beer)... Been a pourer at the Great American Beer Festival every year since 2001... Brewed my own, tasted many homebrewed beers...

Anyway, I made a switch about a year ago & figured I'd try to enjoy scotch. I'd never really tasted it before other than a sip or two and a cringe of my grandpa's J&B he had in the basement liquor cabinet when I was 14. I'm happy though. I've found my go-to and I found my favorite... At least for now. Go-to is Bowmore Legend. Cheap and good... What more can you ask for? Favorite is probably Talisker 10. Could be the 12 or the 18 is better... I wouldn't know. I'm cheap.

I know there are other scotch threads in here, but I figured I'd start another... The Open forum doesn't seem to be so stringent with the "search" functionality.

Asa Samuel · #2 08-28-2010, 04:33 AM

Talisker is my favourite too

I think the reason there aren't more scotch drinkers is people try to drink scotch that is far too strong for a 'beginner' without getting their palate used to weaker drinks first. If you go and try talisker as your first drink you would never touch any whisky again!

piano fighter · #3 08-28-2010, 07:17 AM

I can't drink it straight, but there is nothing better than a scotch and ginger ale.

JimB52 · #4 08-28-2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piano fighter

I can't drink it straight, but there is nothing better than a scotch and ginger ale.

That sounds like a sin against nature, but I've never tried it, so maybe it's great.

Scotch & soda was my mixed drink of choice.
I remember Ballantine Scotch was a very mild, smooth & inexpensive blended whiskey.

**lowendfriend** · #5 08-28-2010, 09:55 AM

Talisker it is.....I have meandered around lately on the other scotch thread wondering what I thought my fav to be and the other day, I had a Talisker out at dinner and concluded....yup - this is it. (Oban moves to number 2, followed by Lagavulin 16 and Dalwhinnie).

blendermassacre · #6 08-28-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piano fighter

I can't drink it straight, but there is nothing better than a scotch and ginger ale.

not drinking it straight for me means adding an (1) ice cube.

anyonefortennis · #7 08-28-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piano fighter

I can't drink it straight, but there is nothing better than a scotch and ginger ale.

I drink Single Malt neat but Jameson and Ginger Ale is awesome.

sloasdaylight · #8 08-28-2010, 12:33 PM

Maccallan 12 with 2-3 cubes depending on how big the glass is is my personal favorite.

The_D · #9 08-28-2010, 12:38 PM

I am not a big Whiskey drinker but I got a bottle of Laphroaig from my work for my 5 year service. Was a tasty tipple. I just drank it with 1 or 2 ice cubes in a glass.

http://www.laphroaig.com/

sloasdaylight · #10 08-28-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_D

I am not a big Whiskey drinker but I got a bottle of Laphroaig from my work for my 5 year service. Was a tasty tipple. I just drank it with 1 or 2 ice cubes in a glass.

http://www.laphroaig.com/

Laphroaig is a great scotch, but it's too smoky for a lot of people. That's the only one that I could really understand how people say sipping scotch is like sipping charcoal.

fingertap · #11 08-28-2010, 01:21 PM

Peat Smoked Malt

There are some recipes online, search 'strong scotch ale'
or variations, etc.

Laphroaig has always been one of my favorites.

Try it with a sprinkle of a good mineral water, just a few+ drops.
The difference is astounding compared to straight from the bottle...

addendum: I know it sounds weird, but try it added to warm full-cream milk...

~

jrthebassguy · #12 08-28-2010, 01:29 PM

JW Black is my go-to Scotch, since it's relatively cheap, but blended isn't for everybody. My favorite cheap single malt is probably Highland Park 12.

We have a scotch megathread here on TB, you should dig that up and soak in it's awesomeness.

drteeth · #13 08-28-2010, 02:00 PM

Lagavulin is by and far my favorite. But I also have a bottle of Talisker 57° North around for special occasions

.

Asa Samuel · #14 08-28-2010, 02:14 PM

I usually drink scotch neat, although the stronger ones can do with a drop of water - most whiskys are watered down to around 40% but even those can sometimes do with a little extra to bring the flavours to the fore.
I'd really love a bottle of Talisker's 20 yr old cask strength, when I went for a tour round the distillery I think they said they did a limited edition of it and it's now worth over £1000 a bottle IIRC.

bassrique · #15 08-28-2010, 03:02 PM

years ago I regularly drank Scotch with a bit of apple juice.

The_D · #16 08-28-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingertap

Peat Smoked Malt
addendum: I know it sounds weird, but try it added to warm full-cream milk...

~

Not weird at all mate. A hot toddy is the best recipe for a cold winter night here.

hbarcat · #17 08-28-2010, 07:28 PM

Scottish ale is my new beer.

Asa Samuel · #18 08-29-2010, 03:56 AM

No, I'm not de-railing the thread as much as hbarcat but if any of you get a chance to try this stuff I really recommend you do:

It's beer that has been aged in oak whisky barrels It is truly fantastic, a little on the expensive side of ales but it really is worth it. The limited edition IPA and rum cask versions were also absolutely amazing!