(Vanity) For Grown-Ups only: What's the best Single Malt Whiskey?

20Sep03 | yankeedame

[.45MAN]

The one think that amazes me is the change in taste as they age Even the same brand, 10 ,12 15, 18 20, 25. All have their own special flavor and aroma...

[Cicero]

To some extent it depends on your taste. Most single malts are aged in old whiskey casks shipped from the U.S. that were earlier used to make bourbon in. (Don't ask me why.) Some of them are also, as I recall, aged for a while in casks that were used for sherry or port, I forget which, and shipped from Spain. This gives a somewhat different taste.

As a rule, of course, the whiskey that is aged the longest is the best.

[.45MAN]

That should be only used behind the ears as a perfume

[jocon307]

"...invite me over for a taste test."

Me too!

[yankeedame]

"...cases you get a blank stare when you say "what do you have for single Malt.They almost never bring it in the right glass either..."

I found this while surfin' the web.

Single Malt Whiskey Glass Riedel - Vinum ($19.99)

Is this the right kind of glass or just a gimic by this company?

It also says you're supposed to add a wee bit of water to the drink "to bring up the bouquet". Is that for real? (I knew you were never to add ice, but I didn't know about adding water.)

[Grammy]

Mr Grammy loves Bowmore Mariner.
I however, liken it to sucking on a handful of wet peat moss.

[Prodigal Son]

If you're talking about the stuff made in Scotland you must spell it whisky (no e) ;-)

I prefer Islay Whisky to Speyside. I personally like Bowmore 18 yr old but can't afford to drink it :-( Highland Park is very nice too (even though it's not from Islay). Not many distilleries still do their own floor malting. Bowmore does, I don't believe Highland Park does though (but it's still good).

[Prodigal Son]

Johnnie Walker Blue

JW Blue is blended isn't it? Not a single malt.

[Prodigal Son]

Most single malts are aged in old whiskey casks shipped from the U.S. that were earlier used to make bourbon in. (Don't ask me why.)

Aye, Jim Beam supplies a lot of distilleries here with casks. Many are aged in both- first the Beam barrels and then in Spanish sherry casks. The Sherry casks give it a taste and they both (Beam and Sherry) serve to color the whisky.

[gr8eman]

That is correct!!

[Caipirabob]

BUMP for experience and opinions I value next time I buy.

[hellinahandcart]

Any "west coast" product will be superior, with a modest "smoky", or "peaty" flavor. Laphroig is the most radical "peat" flavor....I would reccommend the Bowmore for its value and well balanced flavor.....any "Islay" product will be satisfactory....also consider the Bruichladdich, and Oban. Any of these are winners and will provide a great winter refreshment.

(This is advice from hellinahandcart's brother)

[in the Arena]

Porfidio ping...pricey though...

[kenth]

There's no worm in tequila. There's a world of difference in something like El Tesoro and the usual smoke flavored turpentine.

Scotch: The Balvenie

[Savage Beast]

Excellent idea, Pipe. A friend invited me to a whiskey tasting a few years ago. I had forsaken all drinks for wine. He concentrated heavily on Islays, served them straight. I fell in love with Lagavulin. Since then I haven't been without it, though I'm still in love with wine. (Men are fickle. They want it all.)

[Savage Beast]

Some one gave me some North Carolina mountain moonshine several years ago. I was surprised at how good it was. He explained that the recipes, dating from pre-historic times, were brought to the Appalachians by the original Scottish and Irish settlers and that the whiskey was still made as it always had been. I drank it undiluted, like a liqueur.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You are corect. Tequila is worm free. There are some nice, aged tequilas, just like aged Scotch and Irish whisky.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"There's no worm in tequila."

I have spent half my life to date, along the Mexican border and can attest to the fact that fermented cactus juice alone, does not make genuine tequila.Calling it Tequila without the worm, is like calling imported booze Scotch without feeling just a mite superior to those who prefer American beer instead.

Conservatives are people who get their laughs from people who blow their retirement on trying to impress people who are turned off by their juvenile efforts to impress them.

Please, spare us as well as your self.

[meyer]

Ahhhh! I like Laphroaig. Very thick, peaty flavor. Tasty.

Right now (well, not right now, but in the last couple of evenings), I've been 'sampling' a bottle of Dalmore 12 Y.O. single. Not bad, a little milder and smoother, but I like the "rougher" stuff better.

I'm still in the learning stages when it comes to Scotch. I generally pick up a bottle of single malt every couple of months to see what the different areas and brands provide in flavor.

[F.J. Mitchell]

THe whole world loves know nothing know it alls. No one has said that the worm in tequila was not just as aged and smooth as the tequila that pickled it's delicious little body. Unlike the rats and other vermin that accidently drown in the aging vats of every and all alcoholic beverage, these worms are specially selected and sanitized, just like the bottles that they and Tequila are sealed into.

Worms in tequila were put there on purpose. Rat hair, tape worms and flies you find in Scotch, Irish and Canadian Whiskies are there by accident and probably never sanitized.

I'll take my tequila with a worm if you don't mind, and when I can no longer afford the best, I'll Stoop to ingesting Tequila without worms,or Scotch, Irish and Canadian, just like those who don't know any better.