Thread: Single Malt

I agree with the water.
Cask strength whisky needs (imo) a splash of water to really bring out the flavors. Kinda like have to open a bottle of wine to the air, half an hour before you drink it.

I like my whisky (well, all liquor basically) strong. I think 46 - 52 volumetric % is the ideal drinking strength.

Dalwinnie 15
MacAllan 18
are my two everyday favorites, on one rare occasion I had some MacAllan 25, it was magnificent, but definitely not worth buying on a regular basis.

How does everyone drink their scotch? I'm ashamed to admit it, I usually put an ice cube in to swirl about, but drink it before it melts and adulturates the scotch.

Originally Posted by Churchill

I like the Balvenie 10 year and Aberlour.
My late father used to bring me a bottle of Aberlour when he traveled to the UK on business.
Still can't seem to throw away that first bottle even though it's been empty for years.

+1 These are my favorites also. I like the Balvenie in 21-year-old tho. I was taught a splash of water with the Scotch brings out the flavors. I like these either with Hupmann Robusto or a Romeo & Julietta Bully.

Originally Posted by Bruno

In the name of all that is good and holy: No GlenFiddich. It has as much character as pepsi cola.

Bruno, what do you think about MacCallen? I've tried both recently as those 2 are readily available locally. I have to say, I found Glenfiddich more enjoyable. It could be because I'm not used to whiskey of course. MacCallen 12 vs Glenfiddich 21 was like drinking VS Cogniac vs XO.

Sorry I should have been more explicit.
I meant the default glen fiddich bottling. Not the 21 year old.
I have never tried it, but it would really surprise me if the 21 year old is not a good one.

The same goes for MCCallan, but to a lesser degree.
The default 12 year old is not bad, but is is a bit bland if you are used to whiskies with character. But the 18 year old McCallan is pretty good, though a bit overpriced imo.

And with Johny Walker, this principle is taken to the extreme.
The red label is absolute crap, but the green label (malt) and blue label (high end blend) are superb.

So I can see why a 12 yr MC would be disappointing compared to a 21 yr old GF.

The little Store I went to did not have a lot of the choices mentioned here. No Springbank and that seemed to be the most recommended for the Nob. So they had the Oban and MacCallen 15. I went with the MacCallen. Looking forward to trying.
If someone is up to it If they could give my a description of the taste of this one compared to others so as I try it I know what to look for and to also set up what I like and do not like to make it easier to choose the next one in the journey.
Thanks Don

Thanks, Bruno. I'll look into different brands. Turns out there is a good liquor store a few blocks away from me (Park Avenue Liquor Shop) that has Springbank among other things. Probably not the cheapest but the convenience sure beats having to search things out on the net and waiting to receive them. I guess living in NYC still has some advantages. Other than shaving goods shops.

I enjoy a Speyside single malt scotch every now and again. My favorite is a'bunadh. Ablerour makes a great a'bunadh (I believe pronounced ah-boon-der). Due to mixing in the sherry casks, it is difficult to determine an exact year from bottle to bottle, but all I have had are outstanding. It can be rather hard to find though. Happy drinking!

-Kyle-

Lord, I need to go back to Scotland...y'all are making this southern boy's mouth water...and that is terrible because I hate adding water to my whisky!!!

My preference is for island malts.
Laphroaig
Talisker
Lagavoulin

Really wish I had access to a wide variety, but here in rural Alabama access to the finer things in life is often quite limited.

Slainte,
Ed

Slainte,
Ed[/quote]

Slainte mhath, h-uile latha, na chi 'snach fhaic. Slainte!

It's funny but drinking marghueritas in Scotland just never quite works. Is it the same for whisky in Alabama? Mind you I seem to enjoy belgian beer well enough - maybe it's just where you try it first? Drinks and holiday memories etc...