Thread: Entry level whisky

Woodford Reserve for a small batch bourbon whiskey

Irish - John Powers - or more simply "Powers" (the best-selling whiskey in Ireland, so it must have something going for it.)

Makers Mark is nice.

I like a peaty whiskey - one of my favorites is Connemarra. Any of the 3 varieties are nice, but they do have quite the bite and are very, VERY smoky.

Johnnie Walker Black is also a nice step up from the more basic Scotch whiskys (sp?).

As for consumption, isn't it said that a splash of water or serving over rocks serves to "open up" both the pallet and the nose of the spirit? I usually enjoy my whisky, whiskey, and scotch neat or rocks, but have done a splash of water from time to time, depends on my mood I guess. Speaking of which... scotch sounds good right now. Thanks for the great idea.

Originally Posted by D.Sweet

I agree. Ice can change the flavor of good whisky/whiskey. So much so that I no longer do "on the rocks".

In fact, the only time i find myself adding spring water/filtered water is with a cask strength.

My experience, exactly. It took about 1 bottle (1/3 of three different bottles, actually) for me to get there. We should get together and enjoy a dram! I have a nice Glenlivet 16 y.o. Nadura that is 54%. It is PERFECT with just a few drops of water to open it up.

--David

Thank you all for the great suggestions. This weekend I'm going to pick up a bunch of the small bottles and try a few out. I'm really looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by honedright

Hmmmm...

Do you think that straight up would be too intense for an inexperienced whiskey drinker? For me, even one ice cube can completely change the nature, flavor and nose of a whiskey (scotch, bourbon, etc.). I was thinking that straight whiskey taken slowly (stick your nose in the glass, savor the aromas) sip slowly and swirl in the mouth (pick out the many different subtle flavors)... aw hell, now I want a drink

Yes....

the first half with ONE cube of ice.
the second half neat (no ice).

+1 stick you nose in the glass and smell it.
+1 sip slow
+1 time for a scotch.

If you want something smooth and easy to drink try Jim Beams' RED STAG.

Tonight...
Dalmore 15y.

So over the weekend I tried a few small airplane bottles after which I ended up buying a bottle of Glenlivet (12 yr) and I'm really getting into it. I added a few ice cubes and a little bit of filtered water to take away some of the bite.

A friend brought me a bottle of the Glenlivet 12 a couple of weeks ago. I'd never tried it before. It's actually a very good single malt. Try it without the ice and just a few drops of water.

I'd say as far as Irish, Bushmill's would be great to try. My all-time favorite is Bushmill's 16-year. Great whiskey. As far as Canadian, I'd say Crown.

The Crown Society put out a DVD a couple of years ago that demonstrated "cracking the spirit," which is what it's called when you add either an ice cube or about a teaspoon of water. According to the guys on the DVD, it brings out some of the qualities you normally might miss. In my own experience, the bouquet becomes more pronounced and the flavor lighter and more subtle.

And I agree with the sample bottle approach. Spend the least until you know you like it. Then you know you're not wasting money.