Thread: Entry level whisky

Wild Turkey -- relatively inexpensive, great caramel aftertaste, and the coolest name in bourbon.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Pour half of one mini bottle in a rocks glass
with one ice cube and taste.

Do the same with the second whiskey in a clean glass.

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

Originally Posted by honedright

Blanton's single-barrel bourbon is worth a try. I've found it for around $35. BevMo has it for $49.

I'm a dedicated single malt man myself, but Blanton's is excellent Bourbon, one of the best I've tasted.

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.

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.

Teacher's Highland Cream... it's a blended Scotch whiskey. Smooth and delicious... straight-up, with a few drops of water to "open it up", on the rocks, or in an after-dinner coffee, it's everything I want in a whiskey.

I used to drink it exclusively, but up here in Alaska I can't, 'cuz no distributors stock it. If your local liquor store carries it, you owe it to yourself to buy a bottle and try 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.

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.