Any Scotch drinkers?

[ShutteredEye]

I tried Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish 12yr last night.

It was actually quite good. A beautiful copper color, it was extremely smooth and oaky, with a deep, almost chocolate essence on the palate. Very rich. I was impressed, especially for the price.

I believe I'll be trying the other 3 finishes they're currently marketing in 12 yr single malts.

[backhousemedia]

A friend of mine is a real big scotch drinker. He got me to try something (can't remember what) and all it did was burn my throat and clear my sinuses.

He has a Glenfiddich 30 year that I want to try just so i can say I've drank $300 scotch.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by ShutteredEye

I tried Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish 12yr last night.

It was actually quite good. A beautiful copper color, it was extremely smooth and oaky, with a deep, almost chocolate essence on the palate. Very rich. I was impressed, especially for the price.

I believe I'll be trying the other 3 finishes they're currently marketing in 12 yr single malts.

Sounds like something Frasier Crane would say. LOL

[josphy]

I wish I could say that I knew more about single malt Scotch, but of those I've tried, it's amazing. Of the ones I've been lucky enough to try so far, my absolute favorite is Lagavulin. It tastes really smokey and earthy.

[Steelsun]

I agree with Mark. Too me scotch just tastes like paint striper stirred with charcoal.

But I have some friends that love it.

And weirdest of all, In less than 2 months I'll be spending about 5 days in Scotland, and one of the people I will be there with has insisted we stop at a few distilleries.
And my boss has said that if I don't bring him back some good stuff, then don't come back to work. (I'll by the cheapest swill they have and tell him they consider it their finest)

SO I may drink a few on the trip. (even though I am a beer/ale man)

[simon]

Originally Posted by josphy

I wish I could say that I knew more about single malt Scotch, but of those I've tried, it's amazing. Of the ones I've been lucky enough to try so far, my absolute favorite is Lagavulin. It tastes really smokey and earthy.

If you like Lagavulin and haven't tried them, you'll probably like most of the Islay distilleries, Ardbeg, Laphroig, Caol Ila, etc. They tend to the peaty.

[Terrancelee]

Glenmorangie .. is the finest I've had. I've tried about half a dozen other single malts, nothing over 65 bucks a bottle. I've had all the varieties of glen and they are all fantastic.

For those of you who say it burns .. maybe you're not drinking it right. Scotch does NOT mix with anything, other than maybe just a tad of water. Best way to drink it, IMO, is in a glass full of CLEAR, store bought ice. Let the ice melt just a tad, swirl it around .. and sip away. mmmmmm

[srwatters]

If you like the wood finishes from Glenmorangie, then I suggest you try The Balvenie. Their 15YO DoubleWood is my every day single malt. I also have a very nice bottle of McCallan Cask Strength (red label) that is mighty fine when cut with just a touch of spring water (not purified, but real spring H20). I'm more a fan of the Speysides and Highlands malts over the Lowland and Islays, but the 15YO bottle of Laphroig gets a nip every now and then.

Of late though, I'm drinking more small batch bourbons with my favs being Jefferson's Reserve, Rock Hill Farms, and of course the "B's"; Booker's, Baker's, & Basil Hayden's.

I think
"It's 5 O'clock somewhere." - Jimmy Buffett & Alan Jackson

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by Terrancelee

Best way to drink it, IMO, is in a glass full of CLEAR, store bought ice.

Did you say full of ice? Nay, I say to ye. One cube. One cube only please. If you're a real snob, you import the water from the same area the malt was made and freeze your own (I kid you not, you can actually buy 'Scots water').

[Terrancelee]

Well .. it doesn't have to be full. :) Just meant that it needs to be a good, clear ice. Not the half moon cubes your fridge makes. Now you've given me some other brands to try out sometime.

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by srwatters

If you like the wood finishes from Glenmorangie, then I suggest you try The Balvenie. Their 15YO DoubleWood is my every day single malt. I also have a very nice bottle of McCallan Cask Strength (red label) that is mighty fine when cut with just a touch of spring water (not purified, but real spring H20). I'm more a fan of the Speysides and Highlands malts over the Lowland and Islays, but the 15YO bottle of Laphroig gets a nip every now and then.

Of late though, I'm drinking more small batch bourbons with my favs being Jefferson's Reserve, Rock Hill Farms, and of course the "B's"; Booker's, Baker's, & Basil Hayden's.

I think
"It's 5 O'clock somewhere." - Jimmy Buffett & Alan Jackson

Hehe, somehow I knew there would be post or two from you, LOL. I just almost brought home a bottle of The Balvenie 15yr. I saw the McCallen section at the store as well. Someday.

I agree with your Speysides and Highland's over Islays and Lowlander's. Although I can't say the same of your bourbon choices. Haven't tried them.... yet.

I knew about the spring water, but I hadn't thought about importing local water--that makes alot of sense!

[steve817]

I have recently found that I have a natural affinity for it myself. A friend of mine turned me on to Glenlivet and I liked it. While in europe I bought my very first bottle of Glenfiddich 12. It's now a little over a month later and it's almost gone.

Thinking about moving up to the 18 year old this time.

[Saltwater Servitude]

I'm a big fan of MacAllan 18 year, but Glenlivet 15 year French Oak (blue label) is my occasional drink when the first norther blows in and drops the mercury.

I had a chance to meet and talk a bit with a Johnny Walker ambassador at a restaurant awhile back. If you ever run across a white haired feller with the appropriate accent and he calls the Johnny Walker line as one of the "best of the best of the best" then you know to avoid drinking with him. You'll end up being goaded into trying whatever garbage the place has in stock.

I tried Talisker 10 with this guy. Reminded me of Coleman Fuel. Nasty nasty nasty. I literally wanted to wipe my tongue with the bar napkin under the glass. Horrid stuff.

Then we got the Green Label (put Macallan 18 in a glass half full of ice, let it sit out overnight and you'll get JW Green Label) Gold Label, (nothing to write home about, too peaty for my taste) and then Blue label.

Blue label is alright, actually pretty good. I prefer the vanilla and toffee essences in Mac 18, but the Blue label could find itself into my bar someday.

Now for very special occassions, I have a Mac 25 vintage 1977 sitting in a box. It's unopened as of yet. Maybe the day I propose to my unyet met wife I'll pop it open. I've had one drink of it before at the Broadmore in Colorado Springs, and its a superb scotch. Its like drinking golden liquid velvet.

Now, when I retire at whatever age, I'm going to track me down a bottle of the Mac 50. I want that bottle to go with me to the grave, just in case I get the need for a drink when the first cold wind blows in November.

[CaptainTom]

I tried to "develop a taste for Scotch", but tried to do it all in one evening.

All I developed was a loathing for the stuff...a good Bourbon is about all my palate will allow now.

[hbwise]

Nectar of the Gods!!! IMHO the only way to drink it is neat. One clean glass please. At least I don't have to worry about the family stealing it. I let my kids have a taste one time when they were younger. They still tell stories about it.