Double Bass Single Malt

[TomB]

I'm not sure if it's true everywhere, but we have an incredible whisky bar in town (it's hooked onto an Irish bar). There must be 20 single malt choices (ask me how I know). It's costly ($8-12/whack) but that's cheaper than risking 5-6 times that on a bottle, for the novice, anyway. Plus you get to hear whatever BS the bartender thinks he knows about the bottling .

 

[gerry grable]

Gotta love how we all taste things differently. Macallan 12 is not one of my faves at all, but that's why it's great to have choices! If you like the Macallan 12, I'd recommend trying The Balvenie 12 year Doublewood. Same style as the Macallan and should be about the same price.

And don't be afraid to get chummy with your fave package store folks. Scotch does go on sale at times and it doesn't hurt to have someone on the inside letting you know about such events.

Joshua, you are right of course, but I'm a firm believer that some tastes have to be acquired. Pungent cheeses for example. I'll certainly try your Balvenie suggestion if I can get it. But remember that I put the bottle of Laphroaig in my cabinet as a work in progress. I surely will get back to it for its unique taste. The Macallan has very little peatiness which obviously accounts for its popularity with newbies like me.
Thanks for the tips and suggestions.

 

[turf3]

I am not up to $60 for a bottle.

What is the consensus on Glenfiddich and Glenlivet?

 

[gerry grable]

I am not up to $60 for a bottle.

What is the consensus on Glenfiddich and Glenlivet?

I haven't tried either of them, yet, but I intend to. It's funny that those were the only names that I was familiar with, but with suggestions from this thread, I started with brands I had never heard of.
As for $60 a bottle, I'm not really up for that either; that's why I stayed away from single malts for so long. However, I've decided to get a good variety in my cabinet, but I will definitely be savouring them carefully, not casually or mixed like JWR.

 

[BD Jones]

If you don't want to invest a lot in trying out different Scotches, I suggest finding a local bar that offers "Tasting Flights" for Scotch. Some will let you customize what you try. Also, see what your local liquor stores have in mini-bottles or even 375ml bottles. Our local Total Wine usually has a good stock of minis and can get good stuff in the 375ml. They also have Scotch Tasting Classes where you can sample different Scotches from the various regions and through out the different price points. They don't come up that often, but I always sign up for them because you can't beat it at $20 a person.

 

[Jon Mush]

Lagavulin and Oban are my favs so far. I’m not of the ilk to drop that kind of cash on any basis, whatsoever, but it’s a treat. I’ve had a few occasions to try Caol Isla as well and found it to be quite nice, flavourful and balanced.

I do like the peaty stuff, laphroig and talisker come to mind there, and it’s an acquired taste to be sure. However, in the right frame of mind they are wonderful. I had a humidor full of Cuban cigars from a couple of trips and I felt like I owned the world sitting with a glass of scotch and a monte#2.

I’m usually on the American whiskey (but rarely bourbon) train due to finances, but single malts are definitely a cut above and such a treat. I wish I could sample more.

 

[gerry grable]

Gotta love how we all taste things differently. Macallan 12 is not one of my faves at all, but that's why it's great to have choices! If you like the Macallan 12, I'd recommend trying The Balvenie 12 year Doublewood. Same style as the Macallan and should be about the same price.

And don't be afraid to get chummy with your fave package store folks. Scotch does go on sale at times and it doesn't hurt to have someone on the inside letting you know about such events.

Picked up a Balvenie Double Wood today. 12 year. I'll keep you posted. Thanks.

 

[jmlee]

I am not up to $60 for a bottle.

What is the consensus on Glenfiddich and Glenlivet?

Glenfiddich is insipid IMHO and, other than a neat bottle shape, has little to recommend it. The Glenlivet on the other hand is quite a pleasant drop—so much so that there’s a bottle of the 12 yo in desk drawer at work. Speyside in character and great value. Can take some ice but nice neat.

 

[TomB]

Glenfiddich is insipid IMHO and, other than a neat bottle shape, has little to recommend it. The Glenlivet on the other hand is quite a pleasant drop—so much so that there’s a bottle of the 12 yo in desk drawer at work. Speyside in character and great value. Can take some ice but nice neat.

I’m sure Glenfiddich can defend itself, but insipid seems a bit harsh. It’s certainly not as robust as some we’ve discussed, but I think it’s well-balanced and maybe a good choice for the “occasional” single malt visitor. Not offensive in any way. Though I think the bottle’s maybe a bit insipid .

 

[brianrost]

I know nothing about single malts except I was at a tasting once a few years ago and of the four brands present, I liked Laphroaig best.

My daughter bought me a bottle last Christmas. I drink it "neat", no ice, no water.

 

[jmlee]

I’m sure Glenfiddich can defend itself, but insipid seems a bit harsh. It’s certainly not as robust as some we’ve discussed, but I think it’s well-balanced and maybe a good choice for the “occasional” single malt visitor. Not offensive in any way. Though I think the bottle’s maybe a bit insipid .

Selling a million units a year, it seems pretty capable of looking after itself!

 

[jmlee]

I’m sure Glenfiddich can defend itself, but insipid seems a bit harsh. It’s certainly not as robust as some we’ve discussed, but I think it’s well-balanced and maybe a good choice for the “occasional” single malt visitor. Not offensive in any way. Though I think the bottle’s maybe a bit insipid .

Actually, I love that bottle. Reminds me of the Flat Iron Building in NYC. The bottle turns out to have been designed by Link Removed who was a distinguished British proponent of modernism in design and Royal Designer for Industry in the UK.

 

[TomB]

Actually, I love that bottle. Reminds me of the Flat Iron Building in NYC. The bottle turns out to have been designed by Link Removed who was a distinguished British proponent of modernism in design and Royal Designer for Industry in the UK.

View attachment 2950233

Cool - love the reference. Tell you what, I'll swap you my empty GF bottle for a full Glenlivet ...just kidding.

 

[gerry grable]

Cool - love the reference. Tell you what, I'll swap you my empty GF bottle for a full Glenlivet ...just kidding.

I really liked the plain wood-capped cork on my bottle of Balvenie I opened last night .

 

[TomB]

I really liked the plain wood-capped cork on my bottle of Balvenie I opened last night .

...and how about what was inside?

 

[gerry grable]

...and how about what was inside?

I liked it very much. Joshua was right. It is somewhat similar to the Macallan. It has slightly sweet (flowery?) aroma ( I hesitate to say "nose" like a snobby wine taster) which has blurred the lines, for me, between scotch and brandy. I think I'm spoiled for J&B, Dewar's, and JWR forever. I was thinking last night that I liked it just as much as the Remy Martin that has been my go-to after dinner brandy for years. It's been an education.

 

[AgostoMortal]

they come in many different flavors, smoky, peaty, sweet or fruity. Strong or light. You have to try and discover for yourself just like bass amps or Studio monitors.
Glen Fiddich is "the standard" to me, always goes well everyday anytime. Some others I prefer depending on the mood, time of day, etc.
Some are good as aperitif, other for late at night. To me the smokys are the winners, specially Caol Illa and Compass Box ( the classics Lagavilin and Talisker too)
No ice and a couple of drops of water after first sip helps.
enjoy

 

[gerry grable]

they come in many different flavors, smoky, peaty, sweet or fruity. Strong or light. You have to try and discover for yourself just like bass amps or Studio monitors.
Glen Fiddich is "the standard" to me, always goes well everyday anytime. Some others I prefer depending on the mood, time of day, etc.
Some are good as aperitif, other for late at night. To me the smokys are the winners, specially Caol Illa and Compass Box ( the classics Lagavilin and Talisker too)
No ice and a couple of drops of water after first sip helps.
enjoy

A couple of you have mentioned "a few drops of water." What does that mean? An ounce? Fifty/ fifty? How about soda? I know it's no ice.

 

[TomB]

I liked it very much. Joshua was right. It is somewhat similar to the Macallan. It has slightly sweet (flowery?) aroma ( I hesitate to say "nose" like a snobby wine taster) which has blurred the lines, for me, between scotch and brandy. I think I'm spoiled for J&B, Dewar's, and JWR forever. I was thinking last night that I liked it just as much as the Remy Martin that has been my go-to after dinner brandy for years. It's been an education.

Glad to hear, as it's been on my "try some day" list. Thx!

 

[BD Jones]

While I drink mine neat, when adding water you want to do in in small amounts. I've literally use an eyedropper before and added only one drop at a time until I got the taste right (for me). Remember, you can only add water to Scotch, you take it back out.

Oh, and soda should never touch Scotch (IMHO).