Hey for all you Scotch Whisky afficionados. I’m currently “in the sandbox” and have been sober for 4 months now (oh the hugh manatee). Right before I left I found out by accident that I actually like some whiskies. I drank some Canadian Club Classic 12yr and realized that not every whisky reminds me of the very bad experience with a fifth of Jack Daniels when I was 17.
What do you guys think someone who doesn’t know anything about Scotch should try first? I’ve been reading a little bit online and I was thinking of Highland Park 12yr or just buying Famous Grouse since it’s cheap. I figure if I don’t like it i can always keep it on hand for my Father in law or my Wife’s Grandfather. I’ve always been mostly a microbrew beer guy but I do like my gin and tonics.
Thoughts?
A good starting Scotch Whisky is a triple filtered lowland singlemalt:
Whisky Magazine Tasting Notes
Nose - Scenty. Definite linseed. Lemon grass. Vanilla.
Palate Light, soft, oily, mashmallow-like. Good flavour development. From lemony to cedary.
Finish - Rounded. Soothing, long.
Comment - At 10 years, Auchentoshan makes an expressive, eloquent claim to being the classic Lowlander.As tasted by Michael Jackson rated at 83
I believe that Michael Jackson's book as kindly mentioned by FReeper XeniaSt at post #187 in this thread is usually regarded as the "Bible" of Single Malt guides. Here's a link to a search results page for all of the books he's written including the Single Malt guide:
Amazon.com Michael Jackson Books
Hint: Some bars will have a copy of Mr. Jackson's book (or others) behind the counter and are delighted to loan it to customers to read at their table....it will help them sell more, after all :-)
A friendly warning....there's a huge variation of tastes available for Scotch as I'm sure you know, and it's helpful to be aware of regional differences....here's a fun excerpt from a page at the Bruichladdich site which reprints an article from The Spectator:
Of course, you may wonder why you would want Islay malts at all, since the usual complaint is that they taste as if they belong in a doctor’s surgery. It’s really a matter of trying the lot. Islay as a whisky region has terrific variety — eight distilleries — and they can be as light as a summer daisy or big, fat, oily beasts standing stolidly in the rain. The hefty Ardbeg has its loyal fans, as does Bowmore. Personally, I’m biased against the two most famous Islay malts — Laphroaig and Lagavulin — because their visitor centres are into all that spirit o’ the isles pixie heritage twaddle that the industry likes to wrap itself in.
(edit)
For some reason, all island whiskies pack lashings of character. Orkney has its delicious Scapa and Highland Park, Skye its Talisker, Mull its Tobermory, Jura its Isle of Jura; but with Islay you’re spoilt for choice. At Bruichladdich they will be reviving two redundant Islay whiskies, Port Charlotte and Octomore. With the latter, the plan is to make the peatiest whisky ever distilled. For example, Bruichladdich has a phenol content (the measure of peat influence at the time of malting) ot’ about three to five parts per million. With Octomore they are going for no fewer than 60 parts. It’ll be so peaty that you’ll be bedding out plants in it.
If you are going to drink whisky start and stay with single malt.
Highland Park is not bad and sometimes you can find a bargain on it but I would strongly reccommend that you go 12 yo Glenlivet (just a few dollars more per bottle. It is far and away the most popular single malt because it is frankly the most accessible (taste-wise) and the most drinkable if the night calls for drinking.
No blended whisky is as good as a single malt. To me they all taste like they have sugar added. But, if for cost reasons one must then go with Johnny Black.
Once you feel comfortable with the Glenlivet then experiment by the glass with any of the dozens of single malts that are out there. You will likely find a few that are perfect for a perticular mood.
Drink on the rocks. Any single malt changes complexity as the ice melts.
Just my thoughts after 40 years of enjoying whiskey as my only adult beverage, when the occassion calls for it of course.
And....good luck & thanks.
