• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Single Malt Scotch!

#441
Eric Cioe said:
What was it? I think the Speyside scotches are all pretty approachable drinks. This includes most of the stuff that people tend to have around - Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Macallan. They're all different, but are all pretty accessible.

Do you like any liquor at all?
Click to expand...

The first scotch I had was a Johnny Walker Blue, it is suitable for cleaning rust off cars, that's about it. I'm sure lighter fluid would have gone down smoother. :D

It wasn't until I tasted a Glenroth 25 and a Macallen 18 that I realized the value of the stuff. Basing an opinion on Scotch on the wrong stuff is like judging the taste and quality of Wine based on a glass of Boones Farm.
 
#445
I'm thinking of giving a special Christmas present to a friend, and I need your help for this, guys. My friend is what I'd call a blended Scotch whisky connoisseur. The thing is, single-malt scotches are extremely rare here. I don't even know if I will find such stuff in local liquor stores but assuming that I will, I'd like to introduce him to single-malt Scotch since according to what I've been reading here, that's the real Scotch whisky (I cannot comment since I don't drink -but I love to read about alcoholic beverages-).

Which great+affordable single-malt would you recommend as a present for someone like him? Someone that has tried any imaginable brand of blended Scotch and is very selective about it, but never tried a single-malt? I'd like it to be a great first experience for him. Thank you in advance for your input! :)
 
#448
Scarlet Fire said:
I'm not much of a drinker, by the way. A glass of wine here and there is about the extent of my experience.
Click to expand...
I believe this is the answer to the question. :)

I'd imagine any hard liquor would not find much favor with you, and something with as distinct a flavor of scotch would even be worse, so I'm not at all surprised by your reaction.

Not that I drink gratuitously, but I do enjoy liquor and just as with anything I enjoy, something that's got a little more going on just makes it better for me. :)
 
#449
Scarlet Fire said:
Okay, so over Thanksgiving, my grandfather let me try a bit of his single malt scotch. After doing so, I have just one question for you all:

How the hell did you get used to that taste? I thought it might be the single most vile thing that I've ever had the misfortune to place on my poor tongue.
Click to expand...

A lot depends on how you drink it. You should approach it slowly, sniff it, make it go round in the glass, sniff it again, and then have a little sip while trying not to let the alcohol burn hit you.

If that makes any sense :)

You could also try some Original Grouse, it's a nice blend imo and not as complex as a single malt.
 
#450
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.;6670787 said:
I'm thinking of giving a special Christmas present to a friend, and I need your help for this, guys. My friend is what I'd call a blended Scotch whisky connoisseur. The thing is, single-malt scotches are extremely rare here. I don't even know if I will find such stuff in local liquor stores but assuming that I will, I'd like to introduce him to single-malt Scotch since according to what I've been reading here, that's the real Scotch whisky (I cannot comment since I don't drink -but I love to read about alcoholic beverages-).

Which great+affordable single-malt would you recommend as a present for someone like him? Someone that has tried any imaginable brand of blended Scotch and is very selective about it, but never tried a single-malt? I'd like it to be a great first experience for him. Thank you in advance for your input! :)
Click to expand...

Eric Cioe said:
You can never ever go wrong with a bottle of Macallan 12 Year. It's readily available up here.

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year is a little cheaper and I like it better, but you might have a little harder time finding it.
Click to expand...

Just started my quest. Still have many places to visit but until now, the easiest available single-malt seems to be The Glenlivet. Also found Johnnie Walker Green Label (which haven't been mentioned in this thread, so I guess it's not a good choice), a bottle of Glen Ord and a bottle of Caol Ila. Hope to have better luck later.
 
#451
Vorago said:
A lot depends on how you drink it. You should approach it slowly...
Click to expand...
...assuming he really wants to. :)

It's ok for folks not to be into drinking much. Sounds to me like he's just curious for some reason, noting he's just a light wine drinker, which is also fine of course. :)
 
#452
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.;6673372 said:
Just started my quest. Still have many places to visit but until now, the easiest available single-malt seems to be The Glenlivet. Also found Johnnie Walker Green Label (which haven't been mentioned in this thread, so I guess it's not a good choice), a bottle of Glen Ord and a bottle of Caol Ila. Hope to have better luck later.
Click to expand...

Johnnie Walker Green is a blend, and if he knows blends, he's surely had it.

I'm not familiar with Glen Ord, but Caol Ila is highly thought of. Glenlivet is a staple, and you really can't go wrong with it. Tons and tons of people start drinking single malts by drinking Glenlivet 12. It isn't the most complex, or the smokiest, or the most nuanced, or anything. It's like the passive Jazz bass of scotches - there are plenty of variations on it, but it's universal and pretty darn good at the price.
 
#455
burk48237 said:
I haven't had a good enough reason to open it and they way these holidays are going, it may not get opened till next year!:D If it's anything like it's cousin (12 year Glenmorange port wood) it'll be good. I've heard good things about it and was suppose to have some on a fishing trip this fall but someone let me down.
Click to expand...

+1 on the 12year port wood. I certainly could stick with that and have no complaints.
 
#456
Johnnie Walker Blue IS the best blended whisky, IMO. JW Black is still my go-to whiskey, blended or single malt. :p


I don't understand the blended hate though - Johnnie Walker Green Label, for example, is a blend of 15 year old Talisker, Cragganmore, Linkwood, and Caol lla....all pretty darn good single malts, no?
 
#458
Vic said:
I may have to revisit that one. I've always like Chivas Royal Salute best for a blended Scotch, myself.
Click to expand...

I had a Chivas 18-year reserve blend which I liked very, very much. And yes, if you want to be kind to your wallet, stay away from Johnny Walker Blue. :smug:

[Edit: meaning, I like Johnny Walker Blue, just in case that was not clear.]
 
#459
I don't think I'd refer to it as "blended hate", just that some folks really prefer the single .....

There are definitely some blends that I like, and if anyone is interested in developing a scotch taste bud, choosing a blend as a starting point isn't a bad way to go. Some of the very popular blends like Dewars and Chivas are quite palatable for the novice scotch drinker and can lead you appreciating the taste of the general scotch flavors. Some of the single malts can be very distinctive in flavor and may not appeal to everyone, whereas a blended scotch may not be as "offensive" ....

I also think that the Macallen 12 is a nice entry point .... :cool:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back