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Posted on 05/20/2010 1:52:56 PM PDT by erod
Hi Friends, I am a Scotch and Whiskey novice for the most part. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker, but I’m limited in my knowledge of these two great liquors. The other day I realized that if the euro continues its fall and the dollar strengthens I will be able to buy more imported booze at cheaper prices (I know what you’re thinking, thanks Captain Obvious). So if this is the case (and hopefully it is) what would FReepers recommend as good imported liquor particularly in the Scotch and Whiskey categories? Best, -Erod
Smoother than Dewars!
Black Bush.
In Bourbon, I find Jim Beam Black the best.
Imho, it’s a milder taste, not so peaty.
Durango, CO's finest...
Nefarious Ten Porter, Sour Barrel, on nitro.
Hoperation Ivy IPA
Steel Toe Stout
Tasting room!
Ska has some awesome stuff can’t wait to get myself some Mexican Logger.
Old Weller Antique bourbon.
Tomatin single malt 25 years old. Absolutely the best.
Johnny Walker Black 12 years old.
Chivas Regal 12 years old.
I knew you were a steely dan fan
“I’m starting to suspect that Jack Daniels is the Bud Light of whiskey.”
Same with Jose Cuervo Tequila. Very famous, but really is crap.
I guess if you’re going to drink a whiskey with Coke in it, Jack Daniels will do,but not for sipping.
Any of these:
Ya gotta get on the bird.Famous Grouse for my money.
If I may chime in.I drank both but seemed to always go back to the bird.Back in the day.
Having been there and done that with Bourbons, Scotches, Irish, and Canadian Whiskeys, your best bet is to go with economical quality first.
Bourbons:
Jim Beam, in blind tests, does as well as high end bourbons, with the exception of Maker’s Mark. Makers is close in price, but the taste is VERY different in that it is not distilled like an ordinary Kentucky Bourbon is.
Scotch:
Go blended first. Johnny Walker Red is a fine blended Scotch. Stick to that first.
Single Malts:
There’s no one answer here. Here’s why - there are lowland Scotches and highland Scotches. Highland have more of a peat finish, and are more intense as a group. Think of the comparison between a chardonnay and a regular white table wine. Avoid developing a taste for them unless you want/have to.
Exploring blended scotch is worth it, and there are some excellent ones out there. One of the other posters is right - Single Malt will screw you up for appreciating blendeds, with some very expensive exceptions (Johnny Walker Gold and JW Blue).
Irish: Bushmills is an excellent Irish Whiskey. In Ireland, it generally isn’t. That makes it a perfect place for you to start. There are more intense Irish Whiskeys (Redbush, Tullamore Dew, and others)
Canadian: Canadian Club is both good, and not that expensive. Canadian Mist is cheaper, and you can tell the difference. For the difference in price, starting with Canadian Club is worth it. You aren’t missing anything good on the low end.
With Bourbons, there is literally an entire universe of small-batch whiskeys to try. Starting with Jim Beam is a good way to go. I personally can’t drink Jack Daniels. I know it has a good reputation, but I don’t think it tastes very good, and Beam in many cases is cheaper.
Wild Turkey is 101 proof, and in my opinion is one of the very best whiskeys for mixing with water, soda, 7UP, etc. It holds its character with mixers and ice. Again, price is great.
I would AVOID all of the aged and specialty brand variants for now. Added expense, and questionable value add. You can part with that money later once you’ve had some experience tasting the good basics first.
A consistent blend is what I like--blenders of whiskey are geniuses at keeping a product consistent.
Jameson--
The first single malt to try is AuchentoshanVery smooooth
Oban 18 and Glenmorangie 12 or 18 (years old)
Well, the only way to find out... I'm partial to Martell Cordon Bleu. Hope to live long enough, and have enough money left, for the next issue of Cordon Rouge.
BTW - For a good cognac, eschew the large traditional glass, which emphasizes the alcohol and overpowers the fruit. Go with something smaller like the Riedel "O" spirit glass. The right shape and size really does make a difference.
And I'll second that "Buy American - you can't go wrong!"
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