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The Ten Best Scotch Whiskies
The Belfast Telegraph ^ | 22 January 2009 | Chosen by Charles Maclean

Posted on 01/22/2009 1:15:02 PM PST by Daffynition

Take a load off with one of these wonderful scotch whiskies.

[1]Johnnie Walker Black Label Perfectly rounded, deep and full, this is the blended Scotch most admired by blenders. If I had to take only one whisky to a desert island, it would probably be this one. 40 per cent ABV

[2]Lagavulin 16 Year Old The prince of the Islay malts, this is deep and dark, with notes of fruitcake and sweet seaweed. A voluptuous texture and a fragrant, smoky finish. For drinking with poetry, late into the night. 43 per cent ABV

[3]The Glenrothes 1985 A big, rich Speyside, with notes of dried fruits and peel and some spicy or tannic dryness. Drink with roast Aberdeen Angus beef. The last remaining drops of this vintage have now been bottled. 43 per cent ABV

[4]Old Pulteney 12 Year Old An elegant malt from Wick in the far north of Scotland, this has a lightly "maritime" character and goes well with fish and seafood. The distinctive bottle features a traditional Wick herring drifter. 40 per cent ABV

[5]Clynelish 14 Year Old A North Highland malt, from the coast of Sutherland. Fresh and heathery, with waxy notes reminiscent of a High Church. Drink from the deep freeze in chilled glasses with dessert ? you will be amazed! 46 per cent ABV

[6]Auchentoshan 18 Year Old A triple-distilled Lowland single malt, from a distillery overlooking the River Clyde. Refreshing, even invigorating, and light in style, this makes an excellent apéritif. 43 per cent ABV

[7]Asyla An uncommon (and uncommonly good) blended Scotch, from the Signature Range of the artisan whisky maker Compass Box. Sweet and delicate, this is ideal as an aperitif. 40 per cent ABV

[8]Highland Park 18 Year Old bA distinguished, rich, complex and slightly smoky malt from the Orkney Islands, to accompany coffee, dark chocolate and cigars. A most satisfactory balance of sweet and dry, with dryness winning in the finish. 43 per cent ABV

[9]Bailie Nicol Jarvie An entirely different creature ? light in style, clean and zesty. Easy to drink, this is a blended whisky from the Glenmorangie distillery in the Highlands, named after a character in Walter Scott's novel, 'Rob Roy'. 40 per cent ABV

[10]Talisker 10 Year Old From the Isle of Skye, this is THE malt to accompany haggis (and many other dishes). Sweet and lightly smoky, but watch out for the chilli-pepper hit in the finish. Robert Louis Stevenson regarded Talisker as "the king of drinks". 45.8 per cent ABV


TOPICS: Food; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: scotch; whiskey; whisky
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To: wagglebee

I used to drink Usquabach when I lived in South America. The locals preferred a scotch called Ye Monks, a swill that hit you right between the eyes and drove you to your knees. It wasn’t good unless it tasted bad. I remember buying a case of “Whiskybaugh” for $5 a bottle. Ah, those were the days.


161 posted on 01/22/2009 4:05:43 PM PST by Melchior
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To: livius

Glenfarclas is the most flavorful Highland I’ve ever found. Think fidich on roids, more leather and fruit, but not peaty like an Islay.


162 posted on 01/22/2009 4:10:23 PM PST by piytar (Atlas is Shrugging. I am Atlas.)
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To: AnAmericanMother

All liquor has an acquired taste component to it. That’s why they make Chevys and Fords. And some of us prefer high performance vehicles.

I’m very glad you don’t like ‘vulin. It can be hard to come by. ;D


163 posted on 01/22/2009 4:15:11 PM PST by Daffynition ("Beauty is in the sty of the beholder." ~ Joe 6-pack)
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To: MeanWestTexan

Well, thank you for snitching on him,,,the scamp!


164 posted on 01/22/2009 4:20:13 PM PST by cajungirl (no)
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To: dblshot

Enjoying a Hendrick’s (gin) and Tonic right now.

Yum.


165 posted on 01/22/2009 4:22:07 PM PST by Betis70
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To: cajungirl

Well, maybe he bought it online — only $134, plus shipping

http://www.1888buywine.com/en/balvenie-21-year-old-port-wood-finish.html


166 posted on 01/22/2009 4:23:13 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Beware Obama's Reichstag fire.)
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To: Daffynition

Sorry, when I saw that #1 was a blended whisky I stopped reading. The very best scotches are single malt or vatted.

Not that JW Black isn’t good. I can drink a good blended scotch. But the world’s best? Nah.


167 posted on 01/22/2009 4:27:25 PM PST by Doohickey (The more cynical you become, the better off you'll be.)
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To: Daffynition

It’s going to be a LOOOOOOOOONG four years.

You can imagine how many times I’ve said that in the last two+ months.

Scotch is gonna be our only sedative.

Here’s to ya!


168 posted on 01/22/2009 4:58:05 PM PST by StAntKnee (I'm keeping track of failed bids, and Sarah Palin is considered exempt.)
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To: bcsco

Me too. Better weather where I can sit on the deck, smoke a decent stogie and sip on some bourbon.


169 posted on 01/22/2009 5:00:21 PM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel
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To: Daffynition
Whiskey Rebellion


170 posted on 01/22/2009 5:01:57 PM PST by JoeProBono (`1nbv+)
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To: StAntKnee
I like my invention to chill the shots. Cheers!


171 posted on 01/22/2009 5:10:18 PM PST by Daffynition ("Beauty is in the sty of the beholder." ~ Joe 6-pack)
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To: Paul Heinzman

It was my BIL who got me into it a few years ago. Before that I had little use for bourbon. I drank the occasional beer or wine.

But he got me interested in the differences between bourbons, all coming from the same essential process. And it was the intrigue that got me involved.

Elijah Craig, as I said, is my favorite. Yes, it’s less expensive (the same $ as Jack Daniels), but it has a burnt cask flavor I really like. But being 94 proof, it can have a punch.

The others are more traditional bourbons IMO. They’re not as sweet as Maker’s Mark, but have a fine, refined flavor that I enjoy. One other is Elmer T. Lee. It lines up well with the other two (Woodford Reserve and Basil Hayden).


172 posted on 01/22/2009 5:57:49 PM PST by bcsco (Illinois politicians should be read their Miranda rights when sworn in to office...)
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To: JoeProBono

Lady Astor, aghast at a party. "Mr. Churchill you're drunk!"

Mr. Churchill: "And you, Lady Astor, are ugly. As for my condition, it will pass by the morning. You, however, will still be ugly."

173 posted on 01/22/2009 5:59:51 PM PST by Daffynition ("Beauty is in the sty of the beholder." ~ Joe 6-pack)
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel

Yeah, my last cigar was about late October. I don’t even have one in the humidor. I’m looking forward to about April when I can go sit on the porch, have two over two and light up a Montecristo.


174 posted on 01/22/2009 6:00:10 PM PST by bcsco (Illinois politicians should be read their Miranda rights when sworn in to office...)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA

We get the reprieve from mowing the lawn, but it comes in the form of removing the snow. Fortunately, we bought a new snow blower this year, otherwise I don’t know how we’d survive the global warming we’re experiencing this year.


175 posted on 01/22/2009 6:02:05 PM PST by bcsco (Illinois politicians should be read their Miranda rights when sworn in to office...)
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To: SkyDancer
I prefer White Wine. I will have a Scotch on a special occasion
176 posted on 01/22/2009 6:11:30 PM PST by Milly (Donnelly Clan)
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To: Milly

Columbia Crest Riesling October Harvest is my first choice.


177 posted on 01/22/2009 6:15:06 PM PST by SkyDancer ("Talent Without Ambition Is Sad, Ambition Without Talent Is Worse")
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To: bcsco

Then I must try the Elijah Craig on your recommendation. I will also pick up a bottle of Jack Daniel’s because even though it is not bourbon, it is exquisite.


178 posted on 01/22/2009 6:17:08 PM PST by Paul Heinzman (Careful, man, there's a beverage here!)
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To: Daffynition
I've been lurking on the thread all day, and not one mention of Chivas Regal. As a blend it's excellent.

I think it's far better as an "everyday scotch" than JW Black.

Some of the more expensive single malts, and even some blends, are heavenly, but if you want something every day. Chivas is the choice.

179 posted on 01/22/2009 6:25:38 PM PST by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: Daffynition
It’s going to be a LOOOOOOOOONG four years. Think of all the Scotch we can sample? Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeehah.

If he gets reelected in 2012, four years from today we may be standing in line with ration tickets for cheap vodka and rough toilet paper.

Enjoy the finer things in life you like now while you can. Big storm on the horizon.

180 posted on 01/22/2009 6:28:37 PM PST by Paul Heinzman (Careful, man, there's a beverage here!)
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