OT: Scotch Drinkers, what is a good one to try?
So I love beer, and from all the many beer threads here have found many great ones to try. I also drink bourbon and whiskey, same thing. I'm interested in getting some scotch, which I've never really tried with any frequency. What is a good scotch to try?
Important note: I'm a pussy and drink bourbon with a 2-3 ice cubes, so something mellow but flavorful would be my style.
February 26th, 2018 at 1:00 AM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:14 PM ^
If it is scotch specifically that you're looking to get, and you're willing to spend about $50 or so for the low to mid-range version (priced it out on Wine Globe and some other sites, bought one after I was gifted one), Macallan isn't a bad choice. I was gifted a bottle of it not too long ago and we've definitely enjoyed it. I understand that some of the rare and aged versions can be...expensive.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:16 PM ^
Glenlivet 12 (the "standard" one) would be my choice for an introduction to Scotch. No ice cubes allowed.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:18 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:18 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:42 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:39 PM ^
^ Isle of Jura is another good one for the money!
February 25th, 2018 at 10:30 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:21 PM ^
On rare occassion you can find at Coctco. Honestly don't drink much but its pretty good from what I remember and what people who know more than I do about it have told me.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:24 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:48 PM ^
February 26th, 2018 at 10:16 AM ^
Lagavulin is a powerful favor and it ain't for everybody. I think it tastes like dirt. Smooth dirt for sure, but dirt nonetheless.
February 26th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
So maybe not for all comers. Im not a scotch lover, I prefer the high end rums, but for me smoothness rules all. I can get down with flavour profiles for any booze, but it has got to be smooth.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^
I recently got a bottle of Bowmore 12, and I've really enjoyed it. I personally don't like Laphroig so much, but McCallen and Glenfiddich tend to be good starters, in my lightly-informed opinion.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:20 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:21 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:25 PM ^
Try Traders Joe's. A lot of these retailers buy well known brands and put their own name on it (Kirkland Vodka is Grey Goose BTW).
For a first time scotch, it's not bad at all and it's $20. It's not like you're drinking Cutty Sark.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:29 PM ^
Many good suggestions above. I do love Auchentoshan, esp the 18 year but that is pricey. A gree that Glenmorangie 10, Glenlivet 12 and Glenfiddich 12 are all very good in the $40 to $50 range and Macallan is great. A few I really like but not yet mention are Balvennie, Dalwinnie, Talisker, and Highland Park.
When in the mood for a peaty smoky malt, I like Lagavuilin, though many prefer Laphroig in that category.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:25 PM ^
I love a lot of these, but most of them are NOT for newbies.
OP, get some Johnny Walker Black and see how it goes. It's a blend, but a damn good one. Scotch and bourbon can be in the uncanny valley from each other- I started on scotch and all bourbons tasted "wrong" to me at first. From there you can try some single malts and see how much "smoke" you like. My own favorite is Talisker, but there are many many wonderful bottles to try.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:29 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:31 PM ^
JW Black is good for a blend, I would also give Dewars a try if a blend is the choice. Good with ice or a little water and ice.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:33 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:32 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:33 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:36 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:51 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
Generally speaking single malts will be smoother than blends. My favorite is Oban 14 yr, but it will set you back about $80-$90. As others have mentioned for the money Macallan 12 yr is pretty good too.
There are also peaty scotches out there too that will have a smoky flavor. Laphroig or Lagavulan, if you are looking for something different.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:26 PM ^
February 26th, 2018 at 1:04 AM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:26 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:31 PM ^
Aberlour Single Malt 16
I would recommend NOT starting with the Macallan 12. Not the smoothest pour, especially for someone trying to build their scotch legs.
EDIT: And please don't ruin good scotch with a splash of water.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:39 PM ^
Thank you. NO WATER.
And I've been moving over to cask-strength small bottlings. Man, I sure wish I'd ordered another couple bottles of Cadenhead's 25. THAT was exquisite.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:33 PM ^
with respect to drinking it neat, or adding a couple of drops of water, and I do mean drops. I didn't believe it at firrst when told, but in some cases it does really seem to "release the flavor" a bit.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
February 26th, 2018 at 5:39 AM ^
For a starter something light from Speyside (Maccallan, Glenfiddich, or Balvenie) is good, but my go-to to introduce friends to Scotch is Talisker 10 because the peaty taste isn't overwhelmingly smokey like the Islay ones.
Oban 14 is also great, light and a bit smokey.
As others have said Ardbeg is amazing, but you may have to work your way up to that level of smokiness. Count me in the fans of Laphroaig.
Smokey/peaty I use interchangeably. The smokey flavour comes from drying the malt over a peat fire.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:33 PM ^
If you're asking for scotch, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you're not interested in a blend, sinlge malt all the way.
Without getting long here and since you're asking, I would recommend a baby scotch, both for price and your palate.
Mac 12 is a standard
Balvenie 12, and/or a caribbean cask (aged in an oak barrel) is fine - this used to be a value until everyone discovered this shit was the BOMB.
Anthing peaty (smokey, tastes awesome, smells like big foot's dick) - that's your call, but I would go with one of the above for starters.
The older the hooch, the bigger the bite, soooo good but can be a little overwhelming if you're introducing to your palate for the first time.
ENJOY!
February 25th, 2018 at 9:34 PM ^
February 26th, 2018 at 1:13 AM ^
February 25th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
I genuinely like scotch...now. But I feel like I really had to work to earn that. Anyway, I can tell some of the differences between the good ones, but I don't really care about the differences. So this list may be incoherent:
-Any of the "Glen-'s"
-Oban (could be my favorite but good luck having me explain that with language)
-Johnny Black
-Johnny Blue
-*NEVER* Johnny Red
February 25th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
If you want to start with some variety, try Balevenie Doublewood 17 and Lagavulin 16 Distiller's Edition (not the standard Lagavulin 16, though that is also very nice).
That will get you a great, smooth Speyside and a great Islay, peaty and smokey.
My personal preference is to slowly sip without ice. I've tried it and just don't like the "flavor voyage" of a good single malt altered with ice.
February 25th, 2018 at 10:30 PM ^
Balvenie Doublewood is a good introduction.
But people are right, trying a JW Black is probably the best thing.
Dang, Lagavulin went up in price since the last time I bought it.
February 26th, 2018 at 8:44 AM ^
I'm pretty sure the Lagavulin Distillers never has an age statement.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:36 PM ^
Go to. Standard. Scotch like some women is an acquired taste.
February 25th, 2018 at 9:38 PM ^
a bowl full of my piss the morning after I down a bunch of shitty bourbon
February 26th, 2018 at 1:37 AM ^
Then you are looking at the Highland and Speyside malts, which are sweeter. Avoid Islay malts (like Lagavulin), which will be more on the smoky/peaty side. I agree that The Macallan would be a good place to start.
Regarding water: Properly, single malt scotch should be taken almost neat, but with a few drops of water (not a splash). The idea is that the water combines with the esters in the scotch, and causes it to "open up," just like airing out a red wine. You want to put in just enough water to take the sting out of your nose when smelling it directly. In really dedicated scotch bars and stores they will actually have something like an eyedropper or a tiny pitcher for the purpose. The Scotts themselves call it "Angel's tears" to describe the effect. Oh, if you are going to put ice in it, DON'T.
Enjoy!