Thread: Scotch

Originally Posted by Mythos

I agree if you get a good scotch neat is the way to go. Book or just listening to music.

What does "neat" mean?

I've only made it to a 15 year GlenFiddich. My favorite is still Macalan 12 though. Can't afford Macalan 15 yet.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

What does "neat" mean?

No ice/water. Just good ol' scotch.

Ah, that's the only way I do it too! I think I tried ice once and it was terrible.

Straight up or not at all!

Originally Posted by commiecat

No ice/water. Just good ol' scotch.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

Ah, that's the only way I do it too! I think I tried ice once and it was terrible.

Straight up or not at all!

Ice is bad because the cold dulls the flavor, and the ice keeps melting while the amount of Scotch keeps decreasing, so the water to Scotch ratio increases at an increasing rate.

Many Scotch drinkers say that adding just a touch of water helps to open up the flavor. It is important to use good water, because impurities in the water will affect the taste. I tend to add about a quarter to a half measure of room temp water from my Britta.

Originally Posted by bbshriver

Ah, that's the only way I do it too! I think I tried ice once and it was terrible.

Straight up or not at all!

Some people add a little bit of pure water to their scotch. If I'm drinking a blend then I'll have it on ice, but I always drink my single malts neat.

I'm another Laphroaig man (recently, too). The stuff is ridiculously good. Peat slaps you in the face (in a good way). +1 to adding water to "open it up". I put 2-3 drops (per ounce) of mineral water or sometimes a sparkling and I'm all set. Too much and it feels like I'm on the wrong side of a Scotch and water.

But my long standing comrade has been the Macallan. When I'm feeling like I deserve something nice I spring for the 18. 10 or 12 is delicious too.



When it comes to blends or if I plan on drinking all night (weddings), it's Johnnie Walker Black Label on the rocks. The stuff goes down so smoothly it's scary. I don't care if you're anti-blend, it's good. For me, it's better than all the Walkers above it with the exception of Blue (I believe green and gold are blends as well).

Stay thirsty, my friends.

+1 on Johnnie Walker! I love it on a crisp autumn evening. I dated a woman in England for a bit and her dad collected scotch. When I would visit he would break out a few bottles and we would have a 'tasting'. Most of the stuff he had I had never heard of until then. Delicious!
Cheers!
Tom

I buy mostly cask strength single cask scotch. You need to add water for2 reasons:
1) to release the flavors.
2) to prevent the tastebuds from being euthanized by 60% alcohol.

Just last night I was gifted a bottle of Scapa 14 year. It's an Islay that drinks like a Highland - really amazing stuff. Highly recommended.

That's the problem with Scotch, or any fine drink... there's so much variety it would take a lifetime to actually try them all and determine a "best". Actually probably several lifetimes!

Originally Posted by tdgrunt

+1 on Johnnie Walker! I love it on a crisp autumn evening. I dated a woman in England for a bit and her dad collected scotch. When I would visit he would break out a few bottles and we would have a 'tasting'. Most of the stuff he had I had never heard of until then. Delicious!
Cheers!
Tom