Single Malt Scotch!

[Vic]

D'uh... You're just figuring this out now?

It's not stocked locally but I always pick up a bottle at the local whisky fest and any time I'm somewhere i can get it. It's down between that and Lagavulin 16 for my all-time favorite whiskies. Never-ending smoky finish!

Edit: I'm enjoying a dram of Ardbeg 10 as I'm writing this.

Yeah, I don't feel bad... there are SO many great drams out there I'm sure I'll be "discovering" more like this forever... not a bad thing.

 

[Vic]

Also, i bought Whisky stones. Have any of you guys tried em? Basically, you keep these stones in the freezer, then put them in your drink. Keeps the drink cold and doesn't dilute them. I love them. Would love some other opinions.

I also bought a couple sets, but basically stopped using them.

No offense, but I think they're counterproductive. Any time you chill something, you dull your ability to taste it fully. So now all I do is add just a teensy bit of water... little more, little less, but never very much per shot... just "enough" to kinda' spread the flavors out a bit more if that makes sense.

 

[jrthebassguy]

Also, i bought Whisky stones. Have any of you guys tried em? Basically, you keep these stones in the freezer, then put them in your drink. Keeps the drink cold and doesn't dilute them. I love them. Would love some other opinions.

I use stones only during the hottest summer months - a single malt, while delicious all year round, can be a bit hard to drink when it's July and 100 degrees and 100% humidity out. I don't care if its "blasphemy", if it helps me drink whisky during the summer you should be happy for me.


That said, Bourbon and Canadian whiskies I'll use stones or ice all year 'round.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Reduces the volatility of the alcohol.

Generally don't need anything more than a tea spoon, if that.

 

[line6man]

No offense, but I think they're counterproductive. Any time you chill something, you dull your ability to taste it fully.

Indeed, the taste changes with temperature. I might be the only one that does this, but I like my gin/vermouth martinis closer to room temperature, because it brings out the flavors. I prefer Belvedere vodka chilled, but Ketel One and most others at room temperature, because they don't have any flavor when chilled. Beers vary considerably. Some taste best ice-cold, and others at higher temperatures. It really depends on the drink and what you're in the mood to taste. If your whiskey is harsh, it might taste better cold. Otherwise, I would be inclined to agree.

 

[Vic]

Indeed, the taste changes with temperature. I might be the only one that does this, but I like my gin/vermouth martinis closer to room temperature, because it brings out the flavors. I prefer Belvedere vodka chilled, but Ketel One and most others at room temperature, because they don't have any flavor when chilled. Beers vary considerably. Some taste best ice-cold, and others at higher temperatures. It really depends on the drink and what you're in the mood to taste. If your whiskey is harsh, it might taste better cold. Otherwise, I would be inclined to agree.

You're right... I should have mentioned I was talking very strictly about whiskey/whisky.

Also, another very good point was made about the stones being used not so much to make the drink cold, but rather, just prevent it from getting too warm... I'd be into that, too.

Anyway, I still have the stones, so I have them if I need them.

 

[Mark Reccord]

Yeah, I don't feel bad... there are SO many great drams out there I'm sure I'll be "discovering" more like this forever... not a bad thing.

Definitely not a bad thing!
I'm jealous that you can get Ardbeg 10 for $50. That's a steal!

I have a set of whisky stones and I've never used them. I've had guests over that did and they liked them. I'll typically drink scotch neat or with a wee splash of water but if anyone wants to have it on ice that's okay with me as well. However, if someone wants to mix it with coke or something, I'll point them towards the Chivas.

Enjoying Bowmore Darkest this evening.

 

[groooooove]

Just fyi, that price is about what it should be. I haven't tasted it myself, so I'm not referring to value/quality, just market price.

yeah, i'm aware.

but, as far as quality for that price goes, its outrageous. if these bottles were $40 i'd still be thrilled.


spent the weekend in atlantic city. every whisky i ordered was poured into the wrong shaped glass. why does this happen so often? should i be specifying i want it in a glass that points inward? they also kept thinking i meant with ice when i ordered them neat.. i guess they dont come across many malt-heads in those types of bars..

either way i had fun and drank lots of JW black, glenfiddich 12, glenlivet 12. nothing too crazy, but i enjoyed myself nonetheless.

 

[Vic]

Enjoying Bowmore Darkest this evening.

I also like that one a lot, even though it wasn't rated quite as highly by the bible.

 

[Ziltoid]

I also like that one a lot, even though it wasn't rated quite as highly by the bible.

The Balvanie Doublewood is also not rated very high (80.5) in the 2012 version while it seems the majority of us here really like it.

 

[SoVeryTired]

You could just think of it as replicating the environment in which the whisky was produced and consumed ;-)

That's why I think it shouldn't be chilled. to replicate the environment you should be cold, then let the whisky warm you.

 

[SoVeryTired]

That wasn't in a single malt in the picture of the glass and stones I posted.

I saw a glass of whisky in a single malt thread and made an incorrect assumption.

 

[Akami]

Will likely pick up some whisky stones or river soapstone in the future, but right now spare moneys goes into more whisky!

Go to the river and fish around a bit - you'll find nicer stones with more character, for nothing more than the time to choose them.

By the way, anyone interested in a brand new in box Bowmore 18? I'd love to trade it off for something else, preferably something from Islay.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

That's why I think it shouldn't be chilled. to replicate the environment you should be cold, then let the whisky warm you.

The stones used to be used straight from the river, so already chilled

spent the weekend in atlantic city. every whisky i ordered was poured into the wrong shaped glass. why does this happen so often? should i be specifying i want it in a glass that points inward? they also kept thinking i meant with ice when i ordered them neat.. i guess they dont come across many malt-heads in those types of bars..

You'd have to find a fairly specialised whisky bar (or get very lucky) for them to give you anything reasonable. Most places over here will give you your whisky in a short tumbler.

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Classically whisky would be held in a similarly shaped (maybe wider) glass. The glencairn is still fairly new to the arena, and too expensive and too fragile for the vast majority of bars.

Go to the river and fish around a bit - you'll find nicer stones with more character, for nothing more than the time to choose them.

Quite tempted, being a cheap b* and all that

 

[Mark Reccord]

I also like that one a lot, even though it wasn't rated quite as highly by the bible.

This is as it should be. Bowmore Darkest is good but it's not in the same league as Ardbeg, IMO of course.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

The Balvanie Doublewood is also not rated very high (80.5) in the 2012 version while it seems the majority of us here really like it.

You'll always have some difference from bottling to bottling. It seemed to be a bit of a surprising drop last year. The signature series was much higher rated (90.5 IIRC), and it is only marginally more expensive (only about a pound (£1) or so in most places).

On saying that, the ratings are more one mans insight into it. While he tries to remain neutral on it, it's going to vary depending on what you like. So, useful for guidance, but not gospel (even if it is a bible)

 

[tombowlus]

This talk of whisky stones is new to me. I've heard both sides of the 'water or no water' argument, with the tour guide at Highland Part suggesting that some of the younger and/or more heavily peated malts can benefit from a few drops of water to open the flavour up.

But chilling a single malt? Blasphemy!

+1 as far as my personal preferences go on both of those points.

 

[jp58]

I use stones only during the hottest summer months - a single malt, while delicious all year round, can be a bit hard to drink when it's July and 100 degrees and 100% humidity out. I don't care if its "blasphemy", if it helps me drink whisky during the summer you should be happy for me.


That said, Bourbon and Canadian whiskies I'll use stones or ice all year 'round.

Yup. I won't mix a good whisky, or shoot it, but I will pour it over some ice or stones.

Honestly, to me, I like the way the flavors open up a bit as the ice melts and the drink warms.

I'm the same way with beers. Pour it ice cold and note the differences as it warms up.

Maybe I'm just weird in that line of thinking.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Yup. I won't mix a good whisky, or shoot it, but I will pour it over some ice or stones.

Honestly, to me, I like the way the flavors open up a bit as the ice melts and the drink warms.

I'm the same way with beers. Pour it ice cold and note the differences as it warms up.

Maybe I'm just weird in that line of thinking.

Not at all, I certainly them that way on occasion.

The only issue is with some milder whisky, the amount of water in an ice cube can drown the flavour (so you just need to use more whisky in the first place . . . )

 

[smperry]

The Balvanie Doublewood is also not rated very high (80.5) in the 2012 version while it seems the majority of us here really like it.

I think I'm one of the few here that didn't dig the Doublewood. I had a bottle years ago and it took me forever to drink it. To me it was an odd dram - simultaneously too sweet and too hot.