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Single Malt Scotch!

#201
This came in my email today.

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Oh, and neat or with a bit of water from time to time depending on what I feel like. But never ice or soda. Its surprising how much the character can change with a bit of water.
 
#206
Vic said:
But that doesn't answer my question! :)

What makes plain water ok, but not soda water?
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I think soda water has an inherent metallic taste (from the carbonation process) that would not be appreciated by most scotch snobs (myself included) if used as a mixer.

Then again, I've never actually TRIED mixing fine single malt with soda -- for me, a tiny splash of good water is all that's needed to release those wonderful aromas in their fullest.

Mmmmm. Scotch.

Hey, whatever works for you. Drink what you enjoy!
 
#207
Some people think soda water has a "taste" or "flavor", so adding that would detract from the flavor of the scotch.

Kinda like bass amps, or cabs that add "color" to our tone. Some like to add color, some would rather not (although are there really any amp/cabs that are truly colorless? )

Woops.. sorry for that anology.. this is an off topic thread!!
 
#208
BartmanPDX said:
I think soda water has an inherent metallic taste that would not be appreciated by most scotch snobs (myself included) if used as a mixer.

Then again, I've never actually TRIED mixing fine single malt with soda -- for me, a tiny splash of good water is all that's needed to release those wonderful aromas in their fullest.

Mmmmm. Scotch.

Hey, whatever works for you. Drink what you enjoy!
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Ok, this helps. I believe soda water does have some salt content, so that could be true. I just figured that was part of what helped bring the flavors out, but if it taints it in the process, distilled water it is for me from now on.

Note: I don't always do this. Mostly, it's neat for me, but I think I may start doing the distilled water thing (again, tho, VERY SMALL amount IMHO).

I do think a small splash makes it easier to pick things out. I don't have an educated enough palette to specifically identify all the flavors, but I definitely enjoy the journey through many (if not all) of them.
 
#209
BTW, I do want to differentiate a "mixer" from a "splash". When I'm talking about adding soda or distilled water to my scotch, I'm literally talking like a teaspoon or so to maybe a double shot. I have NEVER (truly) "mixed" my fine scotches with anything (like you would get at a bar if you ordered scotch and soda).
 
#210
I wouldn't get too hung up on the amount of water, I reckon its whatever works for you to appreciate what you're drinking. Its the experience which is important, not the technicalities. Good whiskey should be able to withstand some dilution.

I've tried mine with soda on occasion and it was ok, but the bite of the carbonation just got in the way of some of the subtle fragances. So I prefer distilled.

Drinking whiskey with chocolate, vanilla or caramel based desserts can be a wonderful experience too. I wouldn't recommend it with fruit or cream based desserts however.

I've tried cooking meat with a blended whiskey gravy but have found it next to impossible to capture the whiskey flavour without also getting a fair whack of alcohol too. Flambe doesn't seem to retain the flavour much.
 
#211
Crazykiwi said:
I wouldn't get too hung up on the amount of water, I reckon its whatever works for you to appreciate what you're drinking. Its the experience which is important, not the technicalities. Good whiskey should be able to withstand some dilution.

I've tried mine with soda on occasion and it was ok, but the bite of the carbonation just got in the way of some of the subtle fragances. So I prefer distilled.

Drinking whiskey with chocolate, vanilla or caramel based desserts can be a wonderful experience too. I wouldn't recommend it with fruit or cream based desserts however.

I've tried cooking meat with a blended whiskey gravy but have found it next to impossible to capture the whiskey flavour without also getting a fair whack of alcohol too. Flambe doesn't seem to retain the flavour much.
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Excellent. Thanks!
 
#212
Joshua said:
Move made, Macallan 12 in da house.

Much better (to me) than the Balvenie 15, but at least at first tasting, it is not going to replace a fine microbrew as my go-to. Tasty and strong though for sure...
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Nice one!

My bottle is danged near empty. Might be time to go for some Lagavulin or something similar that will last a little longer around here. :p
 
#214
Crazykiwi said:
I've just picked up some VERY nice Isle of Jura 21 yr Private Estate. I went into Whiskey World and asked for something which didn't have a strong peaty overtone. This stuff is fruity, smokey, spicey and smoother than blended whiskey! What a winner!

21yo-pack.jpg
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Wow, that sounds great! Very cool bottle, to boot! :cool:
 
#216
I like scotch, I don't drink often but every now and again a nipper here and there is in order.

I haven't really had a chance to go out and try to many brands because well, I'm a poor college student and a good bottle of scotch is expensive (IMO but worth it).

My favorite thus far is an Aberlour single malt, 16 years, and being that I've only bought 3 bottles since I've turned 21 don't have too much basis.

About 4 years ago, a friend of mines father (crazy man), had us come over to his house so we could nip some scotch as he said he had something special for us.

We sit down and he leaves the room and come back with this old old bottle with probably 30 years worth of dust on it, Lable mostly gone and some old photographs.

He proceeds to tell us the story of how he got this bottle of scotch.

He recieved it from his father when he got back from the army after WWII. His Grandfather had recieved it from his Great Grandfather after his discharge from the army. This bottle had been around for nearly 100 years in the family with nearly half the bottle left. There were pictures of all of the family who had had it, and my friend who was about to get it had never gone into the army but since his father was nearly 80 (they didn't have my friend until they were nearly 60, so he has way older brothers and sisters) he was going to give it to his son.

So we got it, and regettingly being like 18 at the time drank every last drop of it. But what I can say is it had a flavor I'll never forget. It was very very dry but and almost pungent hang time in your mouth, 10 minutes later you could still taste it.... very woody I guess you'd say.

To this day my friend still regrets drinking/sharing it with me for the fact that it's gone, not the fact that I got to have some.

Although I can't name the Scotch that was inside I thought I'd add it to the thread as I've been intrigued ever since.

Every now and again I'll have a guinness stout and add a shot of scotch, I know it's kind of obscure but I love the texture and flavor.

Peace

-Benny
 
#217
Crazykiwi said:
I've just picked up some VERY nice Isle of Jura 21 yr Private Estate. I went into Whiskey World and asked for something which didn't have a strong peaty overtone. This stuff is fruity, smokey, spicey and smoother than blended whiskey! What a winner!

21yo-pack.jpg
Click to expand...

I work for Southern wine and Spirits here in Colorado and i have never seen that?
We sell Isle of Jura. I'll have to look into that one
 
#220
DaleD said:
I work for Southern wine and Spirits here in Colorado and i have never seen that?
We sell Isle of Jura. I'll have to look into that one
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I was about ready to jump on a bottle (about 135 shipped), but I've been reading some pretty "so-so" reviews/ratings on especially the more typical ones like the 10 year, so I may hold off... still researching... it is hard to find info on them. I think they may be owned by the Bowmore company?
 

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