Scotch Drinkers

[Todd Gack]

Originally Posted by Reds4Life

Glenlivet 12 is a nice starting point in single malts. Not super rough with a lot of peet, and doesn't cost $100+ a bottle either.

Thanks for the advice. That'll be one of my next purchases.

[Todd Gack]

Originally Posted by 757690

Good recommendation. I actually like the bigger name scotchs if I'm going for an old one, 10+ years. The smaller ones generally don't have the space or the funds to be as patient. The bigger ones tend to be cheaper for the same reason.

You probably know this, but make sure to add a splash of water or an ice cube to your scotch. Just a little bit of water changes the chemical structure of the drink, and releases more of its flavors.

I had a weird system with my ice and scotch. I started with like 5 ice cubes from my refrigerator. The more I drank scotch, the less i've added. I've gone down to 2 but depending on how I feel and how much I want, I'll add three for four cubes. It's to the point where I my fiance can now tell what kind of mood I'm in depending on how many ice cubes I put in my Scotch.

[Todd Gack]

Originally Posted by SweetLou1990

Recommended
The Glenlevit 12 yr old - this a great scotch for the price, I don't think the 15 yr old is worth the extra $
Johnny walker black, me thinks red isn't the greatest
Glenfiddich 12 yr old is a bit lighter
Go to Ralfy.com to do some research, fun stuff

You know, I still have no idea how someone can tell the difference between a 12 and 15 year Scotch. That'll come eventually, but it's good to hear all of these recommendations. Thanks guys.

[SweetLou1990]

Originally Posted by Todd Gack

You know, I still have no idea how someone can tell the difference between a 12 and 15 year Scotch. That'll come eventually, but it's good to hear all of these recommendations. Thanks guys.

I couldn't tell the difference, therefore definitely not worth the price. Same goes w the glenlivet 16 yr old (niguara? Sp?). Not worth the price. With that being said, the 12 yr old is solid at 38$

A good cheap scotch (w water) is dewers white label. But if u want a great scotch for a reasonable price, the top 3 or so would be in my previous post

[mattfeet]

Glenfiddich 15 is hands down my <$60 go-to bottle. I always keep it around the house and it's cheap enough that you dont mind giving a good buddy a glass, either. Macallan's 25 is my favorite scotch I've ever tasted but at over $600/bottle, it better be good! To be fair, I personally have never paid for a bottle of that...right place/right time type of thing.

If you're in Cincinnati, look into going down to Nicholson's downtown. They let you get a scotch sampler with 1-2oz samples of 4-5 different scotches. It's a nice way to figure out what you like. Some scotch flavors are enhanced with ice/water added and some taste A LOT worse. I almost always drink my scotch neat (no ice/water).

FWIW, I've been trying Scotch regularly for years and absolutely despise the taste of Glenlivet 12.

-Matt

[Cant Touch This]

On average, I cap off 5 of every 7 days with a scotch, and as long as I haven't run out of Drambuie, I mix a Rusty Nail. I use only a splash of Drambuie - maybe 1/4 shot at the most - because an improper balance sweetens the drink too much for my taste. (plus, Drambuie is about $36/bottle.)

When it comes to my "every day" scotch (especially since I'm adding a touch of Drambuie) I stock Grand Macnish. Honestly, it competes with the standard call scotches like Dewar's and J&B but at about half the price (you can pick up a 1.75L bottle for less than $20.) Of all the cheap blends on the shelf, it's easily my go-to choice.

My favorite blend is Johnnie Walker Gold label. Unfortunately, it's about $70/bottle, so it's reserved for only the most celebratory of occasions. Smoothest blend I've ever tasted.

I'm not a single malt guy, but that's because I haven't given enough of them a fair shake. I want to like them - not because I want to be pretentious - but because I think drinking scotch is a damn fun hobby.

On a side note, I cannot drink Irish whisky without getting sick. Maybe I'm allergic...

[Todd Gack]

I went out and bought Glenlivet 12 for Opening Night. I drank a couple of glasses and enjoyed my first single malt. It was definitely different. It more 'bite' to it than the doubles and more distinct taste. I like it, but in a different way. Maybe I'm to the point where I'll drink single malt when I'm by myself reading or watching a Reds game and enjoy the double malts in more social situations. Why? I don't know, but that's what I've been doing lately if that makes any sense.

[Todd Gack]

Originally Posted by Cant Touch This

I want to like them - not because I want to be pretentious - but because I think drinking scotch is a damn fun hobby.

My fiance thinks I'm just drinking them because I've been influenced by Mad Men. I probably have, but I'm glad I did. I look at it as a hobby too. I feel more 'manly.'

[redsfan4486]

So what exactaly is the difference in taste between single and double malt. I also would like to get into scotch and was wondering.

[Spazzrico]

I've never been a Scotch drinker....I'm a Kentucky Boy....Bourbon. But I just heard that American Single Malts are now giving Scotland a run for their money. A distillery in Waco, Texas just won a blind taste test in fact.. So perhaps it is worth taking a domestic trip!

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by redsfan4486

So what exactaly is the difference in taste between single and double malt. I also would like to get into scotch and was wondering.

Basically, and to oversimplify, there is single malt and blends. In Scotland single malt is regulated; it must be barley, distilled by a particular process and aged for at least a certain number of years. As far as I know, double malt wouldn't mean anything other than two malts combined together to produce a particular flavor, which brings us to the difference between blending and vatting, the latter being more of what many claim makes Irish whiskey so special. See the following, for instance: "http://www.tullamoredew-usa.com/irish-whiskey/irish-scotch.asp

Outside of Scotland, single malt usually just means a whiskey distilled from one grain.

[Todd Gack]

Originally Posted by redsfan4486

So what exactaly is the difference in taste between single and double malt. I also would like to get into scotch and was wondering.

Single malt has a more distinct taste . I think it has more 'bite' to it and it's more true.

[lidspinner]

Answer honestly you scotch heads.....do you truly enjoy the taste or is it something that is acquired? I ha e drank about every type of high dollar drink you can buy.....I have spent $500 a bottle on stuff in my past......I have yet to ever take a drink of a "liquor" and sat the glass down thinking to myself that I needed another drink cause that was good.....now, I have wanted to drink more but that was usually because I wanted to get drunk.......nothing beats an ice cold glass of grape Kool aide on a hot summer day, or a ice cold beer on after mowing the yard when it's 95 degrees with Hugh humidity, now those are good drinks....

I guess I always get confused when people refer to scotch or any type of "hard" liquor drink as being good....is it good or is it just the best option when your only options are hard liquor? You show me a liquor that actually tastes good and I will show you an future planet of alcoholics.

[Cant Touch This]

Originally Posted by lidspinner

Answer honestly you scotch heads.....do you truly enjoy the taste or is it something that is acquired? I ha e drank about every type of high dollar drink you can buy.....I have spent $500 a bottle on stuff in my past......I have yet to ever take a drink of a "liquor" and sat the glass down thinking to myself that I needed another drink cause that was good.....now, I have wanted to drink more but that was usually because I wanted to get drunk.......nothing beats an ice cold glass of grape Kool aide on a hot summer day, or a ice cold beer on after mowing the yard when it's 95 degrees with Hugh humidity, now those are good drinks....

I guess I always get confused when people refer to scotch or any type of "hard" liquor drink as being good....is it good or is it just the best option when your only options are hard liquor? You show me a liquor that actually tastes good and I will show you an future planet of alcoholics.

Scotch isn't something I drink to quench thirst. I'll defer to your Kool Aid for that.

Scotch fits a mood and a setting. It's relaxing. It's peaceful. And yes, it tastes good to me (especially with the aforementioned splash of Drambuie.) Some people think it tastes like medicine. It's not for everyone ... and I do believe many have to acquire a taste for it. The problem is, there are so many different variations that one may not be able to acquire a taste for scotch in general. For instance, I do not like the taste of Cutty Sark, and I'm really not that big of a fan of Chivas. I do not like Pinch.

But I can drink Dewar's, J&B, Grand Macnish, and of course Johnnie Walker Gold any time, any day. Unless I'm hungover. Then not so much.

To further validate this point, just typing this reply has me craving a Rusty Nail. If I didn't have to go pick up my son from baseball practice in an hour...

[Todd Gack]

Originally Posted by lidspinner

Answer honestly you scotch heads.....do you truly enjoy the taste or is it something that is acquired? I ha e drank about every type of high dollar drink you can buy.....I have spent $500 a bottle on stuff in my past......I have yet to ever take a drink of a "liquor" and sat the glass down thinking to myself that I needed another drink cause that was good.....now, I have wanted to drink more but that was usually because I wanted to get drunk.......nothing beats an ice cold glass of grape Kool aide on a hot summer day, or a ice cold beer on after mowing the yard when it's 95 degrees with Hugh humidity, now those are good drinks....

I guess I always get confused when people refer to scotch or any type of "hard" liquor drink as being good....is it good or is it just the best option when your only options are hard liquor? You show me a liquor that actually tastes good and I will show you an future planet of alcoholics.

What the guy above me said. It's more of an acquired taste and it's more of a relaxing drink. I usually drink it when I'm reading at night.

I found I loved Scotch because it doesn't fill me up like beer. PLUS, I feel the effects faster. I love it more than a mixed drink because I'm not a huge fan of pop and my hangovers are worse if I drink mixies so scotch was the perfect medium.