Thread: Whats a good bourbon or scotch?

Originally Posted by GC7

As a golfer, Scotland is my favorite place on earth. I used to enjoy more peaty single malts like Lagavulin, however, my go to single malt is Macallan 12 year. 18 year is a bit expensive these days but special occasion treat.

Would this be a bad time to mention my six years in Grad school at St Andrews? Sorry... couldn't resist.

I'm loving the Burbon suggestions as that's my next thing to try out. I'm not sure how I've avoided it this long, but there you go.

If you do want to go the single malt route, the options can be dizzying! Each region has its own general character, and each distillery within each region has its own character, and each bottling/age/expression from each distillery again has its own character. So, in short, it is *very* difficult to suggest one to try for starters.

Some of my favourites:
Aberlour - personally I think this is a great one to start with. Their 12yo is not too pricey, and it is a nice balanced malt. Their a'Bunadh, although pricier, is absolute magic.
Dalwhinnie - this was one of the first whiskys that I "got". The first that made me think "that tastes like more..." I now find it a bit flat and not as interesting as others, but it's definitely a good one for starters
Oban - another highly recommended one to start with. Nothing too extreme, but interesting nonetheless
Jura - absolutely lovely stuff. Has a bit of a taste of the western Isles, but not overpowering. "Superstition" is the only one I've tried so far, but there will be others.
Islay whiskys - very distinctive, very smoky/peaty. If you want to try the extremes of whisky, you can't go wrong with an Islay malt like Laphroaig, Lagavullin, Caol Ila. BUT be warned. Some of these fall into the love 'em or hate 'em category. I would avoid as a first one, and work towards the Islays.
Glenfiddich/Glenmorangie/Glenlivit - these are amongst the most popular and best selling malts out there. Personally (and this is ALL just personal opinion) I think that speaks to the triumph of marketing. They are all good, but I would say not great. Not that there's anything wrong with them. It's just that there are (IMHO) other malts available in the same price range that are more interesting

BUT my vote is for Highland Park. If you can afford the 18yo, go for it. It is absolutely beautiful stuff. But pricey. However the 12yo is also very good. It's very balanced, dangerously drinkable, and a really top drawer whisky.

And as for the vexed question of adding water and ice, do whatever you like and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! But I would suggest trying different things out. Try it neat, then add a tiny bit of water. Try it again. Wait a few minutes and try it again. Maybe add some more water and see what that does. And if you like, try some ice. The adding water and waiting thing will change the smell and taste of your whisky. Sometimes a little, sometimes dramatically. And that change can evolve over time. But the bottom line is, enjoy it how *you* want to enjoy it.

Charlie MacLean explains it far better than I ever could:



EDIT: I should have said the 12 yo Aberlour - I have not yet had their 10 yo.

Cangooner, I have the Highland Park 12. It has a flavor I just can't place. I suspect this is the malt coming through. Any thoughts? For reference, my other Scotch is Glenmorangie 10 year old.

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Cangooner, I have the Highland Park 12. It has a flavor I just can't place. I suspect this is the malt coming through. Any thoughts? For reference, my other Scotch is Glenmorangie 10 year old.

Unfortunately I lack the requisite materials for an experiment. I have some 18yo here, but not 12yo. However, here's my favourite reviewer (Ralfy is brilliant!) talking about HP. First, his take on the 12yo, and second the 18yo with a bonus tour of the regions.

I really like Rowan's Creek. Drinking Bulleit tonight, though.

+1 on the peaty single malts like Lagavulin and Laphroig.
Agree 100% with Cangooner on the fact that they're probably not a good choice as a first scotch. Excellent post btw

Dalwhinnie and Glenmorangie would be my recommendations as excellent starting points in your exploration of the world of scotch.

I'll throw in my suggestion for a cheap/decent scotch: Black Grouse has been my daily dram for a while now, very good bang for the buck! (and I always drink it room temp, with a little water to open it up)

Well I have been sticking to the basics lately on single malt. Ive been going with either Glenfiddich or Glenlivet as my singles of choice because they are affordable for that quality or I will get some dewars if I am really cheap. Its not so much that I can't afford it its more of SWMBO saying "do you really need to spend 35 on a bottle when I get my (insert flavored rum brand) for 10 bucks?". I tell her that it is a different kinda of drink and I don't mix it with coke or whatever. She continues to give me this smug look. Also now that she is pregnant and can't drink I am not drinking either. Still maybe when her stomach pops I can use that as an excuse to splurge, celebratory splurging of course.

Scotch: start with Cragganmore

Glenlivet 18 is currently my favorite.

I like Johnny Green as a "bang for the buck" option. My favorite is coal ila 18