Thread: Getting into scotch...

JW Black, Glenmorangie, Macallan, Or Dalmore are good starters and not to pricey. You just have to ask youself...do you like peat flavor....well do you? I do not, therefore scotches with that note I did not include. Scotch is definitely an acquired taste but experimentation is half the fun. Plus if you don't like something, just offer it to your friends over cigars and they'll love you.

Originally Posted by decraew

I also started on a journey to discover Whisky recently. In order to avoid spending too much money, I ordered a box of samples, containing many different styles of Whisky.

It is relatively expensive but I found it worth it.

Razors, whisky, fountain pens, watches ... what is it with us lot ??

Honestly, those are all interests of mine as well, not to mention my newest couple of hobbies: Vintage camera lenses and hand tools for woodworking.

OP, while I got started into brown liquor via that sweet Kentucky Straight Bourbon, my friend recently bought me a bottle of Laphroaig 10yr that I think is a good intro to the world of scotch (in the past I've tried older macallans and other types that made me think of burnt latex).

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

... my friend recently bought me a bottle of Laphroaig 10yr that I think is a good intro to the world of scotch (in the past I've tried older macallans and other types that made me think of burnt latex).

Laphroaig is quite heavy on the turf so I'm not sure it's an ideal starter Whisky !
I kinda like it though

I generally go for cask strenght, un-chillfiltered whiskies, mostly from independent bottlers selecting specific casks in distilleries.
Wim, if you are into whisky, you may want to visit Whiskycorner - gespecialiseerd in Single malt Whisky
The proprietor always has several hundred bottles open for tasting. I visit him 2 to 3 times per year.
My wife and I both like cask strength malts, so price is never much of an argument. It's the only luxury money we spend.

Thanks Bruno, I will try to visit this place! Although I think it's better I wait until I have a better idea of what I really want in a Whisky.

Thanks for all the posts guys. I don't think I want to start out with too strong of a peat flavor. From my understanding, that's part of the acquired taste. This seems like it will be a fun venture.

another thing about scotch is aging... The "younger" scotch is typically more "lively" on the taste. getting into 18-25 year old scotch you (typically) start to mellow, with calmer notes. When you get into 40-50 it is mellow and slow but so much more fun (and costly) you can discover tricks that are wated on the young.

I cant do blended.... To me, they typicaly taste like something I would clean the battery posts of my car with. Single malt is for me. I was blessed to be taught scotch by a master scotch blender named Trevor 20+ years ago. Before Trevor, I was not a fan but his knowledge (and numerous samples) made a convert out of me

Try samples. If you cant find tastings inyour area, just visit different bars and but a drink at a time. Like most of life, you are limited by budget and imagination.

Enjoy the trip as much as the destination

Personally I do not really care for blended scotches preferring single malts. Have to agree that either Glenfiddich or Glenlivet would be a decent place to start. Scotch whiskey is definitely an acquired taste and I do like mine taken neat. As fine as Scotch whiskies are don't pass up an opportunity to sample an Irish Bushmills whisky, smooth and satisfying to me at least.

Bob

Glenmorangie Original, Glenlivet 12 and Glendiffich 12 are good and accessible gateways. If you want to explore a few more after that, try Balvenie 12, Talisker 10 and if you can still find it in your area, Glendronach 15 Revival. The Revival stocks are dwindling but I thought it to be a great malt at an affordable price for a 15.

Originally Posted by decraew

Laphroaig is quite heavy on the turf so I'm not sure it's an ideal starter Whisky !
I kinda like it though

maybe my bourbon drinking prepared me for the scotch world, as I found it much more palatable than previous excursions into the scots.