Thread: Beginner's whisky

Johnnie Walker red for me - I believe I was 8 or 9 at the time, it was new year's eve and I rather liked it when one of our guests let me have a taste
After the party that night the leftover bottle was in my room, so when I got up I had another swig along with some leftover roasted peanuts that were on the table next to it... and then repeated it few times throughout that day. And that was the beginning of a life long ongoing relationship

These days when I'm in the mood for blended I go for the Johhnie Black, but I think the next time I'm in the store I'll pick a bottle of the red for the good old times' sake

Oh, how did this become a new thread? I thought I was posting in the whisky thread. Did it get moved or did I just post wrong? Ah well, carry on, I'm still up for some chatter.

By the way, Bell's and coffee doesn't taste as good as I remembered.

For beginners, "whisky".

For advanced drinkers, "whiskey".

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

For beginners, "whisky".

For advanced drinkers, "whiskey".

I'm not sure I agree with that, but then I'm not sure if the Jack Daniels and Jim Beam I've tasted would really represent whiskey to it's fullest. What whiskey would you recommend for a more advanced drinker?

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

For beginners, "whisky".

For advanced drinkers, "whiskey".

???

I'm similarly confused by this...

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

For beginners, "whisky".

For advanced drinkers, "whiskey".

Still want clarification on what this means.

I'm pretty sure there are a number of professionals in the whisky world that are far beyond being beginners in their field.

Likewise, there are plenty of -- generally older, more expensive -- scotch whiskies that are less suitable for 'beginners' due to their complex flavours that aren't appreciated by someone who doesn't know what to look for or who hasn't had much to compare with.

I'm equally sure that the same can be said for Irish/American/world whiskey. Suggesting that one style over another is for 'advanced drinkers' is completely missing the point.

I'm aware that the comment was probably made in jest but I think it's, nevertheless, rather a narrow view to have. Buy a highland park and broaden your horizons!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

???

I'm similarly confused by this...

Originally Posted by PigHog

Still want clarification on what this means.

Whiskey is made in the US an Ireland.
Whisky is made in Canada, Scotland and Japan.
I am no Whisky(ey) pro so I can't tell if there are any other difference, this is what I have learned.

My first whisky was an Aberlour 12 yr, but I have grown really fond of Islays.

Originally Posted by Ludvig

Whiskey is made in the US an Ireland.
Whisky is made in Canada, Scotland and Japan.
I am no Whisky(ey) pro so I can't tell if there are any other difference, this is what I have learned.

That part I understand.

What I don't get is the generalization that one is for beginners, the other for 'advanced' drinkers. There are good/bad, harsh/subtle, complex/boring whiskies from all countries of origin. By the generalization given, I was a more advanced drinker when I used to sneak into bars underage and choke down JD than now when I take the time to truly appreciate the complexities and nuances of, say, Lagavulin.



Ah, whatever... to each his own and all that.

Back to the original question, my suggestions for a starter whisky (I confess my ignorance of most Unitedstatesian Whiskeys and so will focus my attention across the Atlantic) would be from the more subtle malts that don't have overly peaty or medicinal overtones. As much as I love those, they put plenty of people off whisk(e)y before they even begin.

Highland Park 12
Dalwhinnie
Glenlivet
Aberlour (their 10yo is IMHO a great starter because it is quite inexpensive and still is lovely stuff. Their 12yo is also reasonable and A'bunadh is gorgeous, but a bit pricey)
Oban

Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie are often the most widely available and most aggressively marketed malts. They are OK but not (IMHO) as interesting as some of the other options. And of the two, I prefer Glenmorangie. But that's just me, and likely due at least in part to my inherent dislike of massively marketed stuff.

Originally Posted by Ezekiel81

Oh, how did this become a new thread? I thought I was posting in the whisky thread. Did it get moved or did I just post wrong? Ah well, carry on, I'm still up for some chatter.

It seems that it's a fairly different topic that deserves its own thread.

The scotch/whiskey of the day thread already has close to 800 posts. Keeping separate topics to separate threads and splitting them in different sections makes the site useable.

Just imagine if all posts were in one giant thread - that wouldn't work at all.

Similarly some people start the same conversation in a number of different sections. They think that the extra exposure will give them better answers, which obviously is not the case. When this happens the duplicates are deleted and the multiple threads merged in a single one.