Learn me a little something about scotch

[12oz.Mouse]

Actually, I'd like to learn to appreciate scotch (and whiskey?) like people do with wine, but I haven't been able to find a true enthusiast to lay it out for me.

With wine, there's the nose, the palate, color, finish, varietal, terroir, etc. Something like that has to exist for scotch, right?

Anyway, if you have thoughts or recommendations, I'd love to know.

[Rob101]

Johnnie Walker is a good place to start. Their Scotch can be expensive, but it is very good.

[12oz.Mouse]

Yeah, I've seen their Black thru Blue sampler kits. Maybe I should just grab one of those and call it a night. :D

EDIT: Look, Johnnie Walker does it for me! Note to self: Do your homework. Thanks for sending me this way though, Rob101.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2629217335_8f7c1dddae_o.jpg

Anyway, I'm still open to recommendations of kick ass scotch whiskey.

[dtcb]

Ooohh Boy. I'm going to "blah, blah, blah" all over this one.

I have somewhat of a taste for scotch. I stick to single malts and don't appreciate blends. To me blends are like pouring 2 oz of guinness in a 40oz of schlitz. That's what blending is: bottom line.

And yes, I've tried them. Even their best. I've tried Chivas Royale Salute and Johnny Walker Blue. Not impressed. They don't beat 90% of 10 year old Single Malts or a good bourbon. But, don't just take my opinion. There are tons of malt maniacs out there (and all would say the same - Talisker 25yo or a Glen Moray 30yo would blow JW Blue out of the friggin water and straight to hell where it belongs....and they would cost less).

That being said, if I was forced to recommend a blend.....I do have a bottle of Johnny Walker Green label, Jameson's Irish Whisky, and Famous Grouse for guests who insist on a blend.

Of the three, I would recommend Famous Grouse over Johnny. To me it tastes better and also because they disclose their use of reliable distilleries like Highland Park, Macallan, and Glenrothes (all good single malts).

I recommend Single Malts. And nothing below 10 years. Unfortunately they are expensive. $40USD and up for a bottle. Fortunately, there are tons of good Single Malts. Sitting down to a glass of scotch is time well wasted. you'll never pound it. That's what vodka is for.

I have a bit of a sweet nose for scotches (smellin's half the battle). Here are my top picks (that's right nose picks....badoomba-tsh!).

Glenmorangie sherry wood finish - i'm down to 1/4 the bottle. it's my "go to" scotch for initiation. i have people try this before going on to more expensive because it is a good scotch that keeps people coming back (whereas Laphroaig might be too Peaty.)

Dalwhinnie - hmmmm like candy. usually have this after dinner. Its a sweet one but, very smooth.

Edradour - unfortunately, you are most likely to never find this in the states. its a small distillery in scotland. it is my favorite scotch. to me, it is what scotch probably use to taste like when things like "marketing" didn't exist. I'd herd cats past a fish farm for this stuff.

There are so many good single malt scotches out there. I've tried 40 or so (have fellow scotch drinkers here, been to a few tastings and hong kong has a ton of whisky bars). Even tried a few local single malts in Japan that were good (Yamazaki/Suntory - but they are pricey).

An alternate route...Bourbon. Here's what I recommend for Bourbon/Kentucky Whisky:

Labrot and Graham Woodford Reserve - I always have one bottle in my cabinet for myself and the occassional guest. It is damn good.

Blanton's Silver or Gold label - again an excellent bourbon like Woodford Reserve.

[puggso_32]

1 - If you are going to appreciate it, don't call it Scotch. It's proper name is Whisky (note; not Whiskey).

2 - Giving where I'm from, the instrument I play and the beard colour I own...I'm useless as I really hate the taste of Whisky.

Ironic isn't it :)

[dtcb]

1 - If you are going to appreciate it, don't call it Scotch. It's proper name is Whisky (note; not Whiskey).

2 - Giving where I'm from, the instrument I play and the beard colour I own...I'm useless as I really hate the taste of Whisky.

Ironic isn't it :)

Yes, yes, yes. Agreed. I have been admonished several times for calling it "scotch" instead of "whisky". Mostly by Glaswegians who tried to kiss me with their foreheads. My buddy John is actually from Islay and speaks French better than English. And if you hate "whisky" the iodine and peat taste of any whisky from Islay would send your guts across the table.

I've been told all "whisky" is from Scotland. And everything else is "Scotch" or "Whiskey." But, for foreigners and the global screw job on the word, several distillers in Scotland still label their bottles "Scotch Whisky" or "Whisky". I just say fuck it and call everything scotch. plus, there are several single malt distillers outside of scotland that do a bang up job of making a good single malt. Kind of like brandy; not all the best ones have to be Cognac (ie from the region of Cognac).

[12oz.Mouse]

Damn. My Scotch/Whisky IQ has just skyrocketed! Thanks for the awesome responses guys!

So, what about long term storage? My guess is that it's pretty resilient, but say I have a bottle and it's been open for a year. Good as new? Or better with age?

[Zens7s]

My friend owns a bar and stocks the following for me:
http://www.heelslide.net/drink/pics/balvenie_doublewood.jpg

Find it, drink it, be happy. Rinse. Repeat.

[dtcb]

My friend owns a bar and stocks the following for me:
http://www.heelslide.net/drink/pics/balvenie_doublewood.jpg

Find it, drink it, be happy. Rinse. Repeat.

You are a genius! I have the exact same bottle in my cabinet. magic!

[Zens7s]

You are a genius! I have the exact same bottle in my cabinet. magic!
I knew I liked you! Cheers!

[clink]

[By-tor]

I like women in Scotch...
http://www.sportkilt.com/ezcart/products/W_KMIN.jpg

[Zens7s]

I have always said that the only kind of thing you would ever catch me wrestling in is butterscotch pudding.

[BAMSS04]

The only way I have ever been able to enjoy a good scotch is with a cigar. Otherwise I just have no taste for it. I have only had it a few times in my life at any rate.

[12oz.Mouse]

Myself? Best with bourbon and beer...

Gotta get drunk man till I can't even speak
Gonna get high man listen to me,
One drink ain't enough Jack you better make it three
I wanna get drunk I'm gonna make it real clear,
I want one bourbon, one scotch and one beer
One bourbon, one scotch, one beer

Can I get a hell yeah!

[macrodan]

Islay (http://www.smws.co.uk/whisky/map_islay.php) (pronounced "eye-la") is where they make the very finest whisky. the Lagavulin is my recommendation. if you prefer something a little peatier, go for the Laphroaig.

[12oz.Mouse]

Bump!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2905905096_295f3c87a2.jpg
So I fired up some scotch whisky this weekend. Lagavulin. Man, what a flavor! So smooth and smoky. As I slowly exhaled after each sip, I swear I could taste charred insides of the barrel. Good stuff, except it stayed with hours into the night. I didn't get a chance to really try the Oban in the picture though, but my buddies were saying it was pretty tasty too. As you can see, it was a pretty good night.

[Sentroid91]

"A shark on whiskey is mighty risky... a shark on beer is a beer engineer." :D