View Full Version : Scotch recommendations
bblhead672
01-22-2021, 16:37
If you're a scotch drinker, what's your recommendation for good scotch?
If you're a scotch drinker, what's your recommendation for good scotch?
THE GLENLIVET Single Malt 18 years of age. Been around since 1824. There are only maybe a thousand Scotch Whisky's to choose from. I would suggest a visit to the Whisky Exchange in Edinburgh in order to find one you truly like
bblhead672
01-22-2021, 16:52
THE GLENLIVET Single Malt 18 years of age. Been around since 1824. There are only maybe a thousand Scotch Whisky's to choose from. I would suggest a visit to the Whisky Exchange in Edinburgh in order to find one you truly like
Thanks. For tonight I was just going to go to Total Wine! :D
I find the Total Wine folks can be helpful. They sometimes have an off label 18 year old single malt scotch whisky for like $80. I think the name was Shieldaig - you sometimes have to ask for the 18yo. They hide it out back. Happy hunting !
ETA here it is...even cheaper than I remembered : SHIELDAIG SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT 18YR
750ML
4.2
(147)
$54.99
Lagavulin In their words: Deep rich pettiness, masculine....
The Reaper
01-22-2021, 20:58
Turned on to Aberlour A'bunadh, by Penn.
The only scotch I drink.
TR
Roguish Lawyer
01-23-2021, 12:39
I much prefer bourbon but will answer. I think recommendations depend on your price range and what region you like.
Good summary here from https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-styles/scotch-whiskey/scotch-whisky-the-basics-of-what-you-need-to-know/:
Scottish whisky today is complex in how it is categorized, in that you have five distinct types heralding from five official regions of Scotland as recognized by the trade group known as the Scotch Whisky Association. The types include single malt (made at a single distillery with water and malted barley without the addition of other grain types), single grain (made at a single distillery with water, malted barley and perhaps other grain types), blended (mixing one or more single malts with one or more single grains), blended malt (mixing multiple single malts) and blended grain (mixing multiple single grains).
As much as the five category types have a strong influence on the final product you enjoy out of the bottle, so also does the region of Scotland the whisky comes from play a huge part in its flavor profile. There isn’t always a specific flavor which emerges from these areas, but certain trends have nonetheless appeared from neighboring distilleries. The regions include Islay (smoky and sometimes a bit salty), Speyside (lighter and sometimes fruity), Highland (generally full and dryer), Campbeltown (briny and generally dry) and Lowland (light and malty).
I keep some scotch in my bar for guests, currently or very recently including Johnnie Walker Blue (an expensive blended whisky), 1982 Caol Ila (also expensive, an Islay), a 35 y/o called The Chosen Few (crazy expensive), and some more conventional single malts like Oban, Dahwhinnie, and Old Pulteney.
Stick with bourbon and you'll be happier. ;)
Stick with bourbon and you'll be happier. ;)
Completely agree with RL.... I have also been trying out a few different rye whiskey and Irish whiskeys as well. Developing my “buy again” list.
Ret10Echo
01-23-2021, 16:14
Regionally I prefer a nice Islay... Peaty and smokey.
If you're thinking of trying that I'd go easy with a lower cost Laphroaig because you may not care for it.
Are you a Guinness person or a pils person?
Turned on to Aberlour A'bunadh, by Penn.
The only scotch I drink.
TR
My top whisky houses.
Aberlour
Balvenie
Glenmorangie
Glenfiddich
Highland Park
Macallan
Lagavulin 16: Legends take time
The definitive Islay malt—intensely flavoured, smoky and rich. The windswept Isle of Islay instils a strength of character into everything it produces and its here, nestled in a small bay that our beloved whisky has been made for over 200 years.
and I don't like it, tastes like a salt lick that spent the winter in the milk barn, disgusting & vile to the pallet, gruff on the tongue, not in my whisky cabinet..
Good whisky can be somewhat judged by age and price.
The longer it ages the more alcohol evaporates from the barrels. Think time & labor. You can make shine in a week at 140 proof with ZERO flavor.
Age that shine in a new oak barrel for 5 yrs, move it to a USED Port wine for another 8 yrs and maybe finish it in a sherry cask for a while,, that's where the labor & carrying cost piles up.
Like any modern business, they have some true classics and they also tend some one-off, special cask bottlings. SO, if you have a good local store you get "specials"
I have had the pleasure of three separate special bottles, each was numbered xxx of yyy, with the cask number. Truly exceptional. I try to stay away from specials as my pocketbook cries when I pick up a bottle.
Just be careful,, the higher-priced bottles are rarely that much better than the moderate-priced bottles.
With exceptions, very good whisky can be had in the 50-100 USD price range.
Here is a good starter list:
https://www.liquor.com/best-single-malt-scotch-whiskies-5070384
Best under 100 USD list
https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/best-single-malt-scotch-whisky-under-100-buyers-guide-2947118/
Might want to find a copy of Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, A connoisseur's guide to the Single Malt whiskies of Scotland Hardcover – January 1, 1991, by Michael Jackson (Author) It's older but will get you thru the muck of who, where, and when..
My favorite straight bottle is Glenfiddich 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve.
If I am pouring scotch over a couple of ounces of club soda then Chivas-12 is a good sip. Of course, if it is going over a couple of ounces of club soda its hard to beat plain old Dewars or Johnny Walker
Macallan 12 or Glenfiddich 14 is a good start. A few different cask types depending on your liking and both under $100.
From there, rarer stuff like Bruladdich Dark Art, Balvenine 17 double wood, and Macallan 18 are your $3-400 range.
Or just go all out and get some 25+ year stuff if you’re feeling froggy.
Roguish Lawyer
01-24-2021, 15:01
I have also been trying out a few different rye whiskey and Irish whiskeys as well. Developing my “buy again” list.
I have always had Jameson or Bushmills to make Irish coffee, but just recently discovered that there are bunch of high-end Irish whiskeys. Have not tried any but it's on the list.
There is a Pappy van Winkle rye. It's not worth the price, but its very good.
I have always had Jameson or Bushmills to make Irish coffee, but just recently discovered that there are bunch of high-end Irish whiskeys. Have not tried any but it's on the list.
There is a Pappy van Winkle rye. It's not worth the price, but its very good.
Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot is a nice smooth Irish Whiskey worth a try - about a hundo a bottle.
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask is a smooth - value priced - Irish Whiskey.
miclo18d
01-24-2021, 17:23
I’m a fan of the Rum Cask finish. I’m a fan of glenfiddich for the quality vie price.
I too have started drinking more American whiskeys...Virginia distilleries have some good stuff! I’m a huge fan of Cotoctin Creek
(At most of the ABCs JJ or you can drive out to the tasting room in Purcellville)
I have always had Jameson or Bushmills to make Irish coffee,
One of my preferred is Paddy Irish Whiskey made in County Cork. Until a few years you could not buy it retail in the States.
Laphroaig 10 year old is always a solid option.
Not cheap, but not expensive either.
Really solid value.
The definition of “peaty”.
Laphroaig 10 year old is always a solid option.
Not cheap, but not expensive either.
Really solid value.
The definition of “peaty”.
Does Laphroaig keep aging in the bottle? I have some 10 year old that I've had for 12 years and my FIL had for several years before that. Like RL, I prefer bourbon.
I have always had Jameson or Bushmills to make Irish coffee, but just recently discovered that there are bunch of high-end Irish whiskeys. Have not tried any but it's on the list.
There is a Pappy van Winkle rye. It's not worth the price, but its very good.
Wild Turkey Rye and Chattanooga Rye are both pretty good (IMO). I also enjoy Jameson, but if you haven’t tried Slanes, I would highly recommend it, comparable to Jameson but a bit cheaper. I enjoy it with just a couple of ice cubes.
Ret10Echo
01-25-2021, 09:02
Does Laphroaig keep aging in the bottle? I have some 10 year old that I've had for 12 years and my FIL had for several years before that. Like RL, I prefer bourbon.
The sites that I frequent state that they do NOT continue to age once bottled as they lack the ingredients that will continue the aging process.
Does Laphroaig keep aging in the bottle? I have some 10 year old that I've had for 12 years and my FIL had for several years before that. Like RL, I prefer bourbon.
No, although you will have evaporation if the cork dries out. If you have a stash that sits, it's best to use a wine bottle rack so the bottle sits cork down to stay moist.
OR,, just drink the whisky and be done with it.. :munchin
And while we are here...
uisge-beatha na h-Alba is WHISKY
Don't call it Scotch,,
If it's a single malt from Scotland,, It's WHISKY
If it from any other place, It's Whiskey..
There are laws in Scotland governing the process of making whisky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_Whisky_Regulations_2009
https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/discover/story-of-scotch/
bblhead672
01-25-2021, 09:19
Thanks for all the responses. Stopped in a local owned liquor store Friday night to peruse the scotch aisle. Lots of choices. Now after reading all of the responses I see that there are regions too! The 18+ year offerings are out of my price range, but the 12-15 years are acceptable for the intended purpose of having a nice scotch on hand.
I drink bourbon mostly and got a bottle of Maker's Mark Private Selection (Bottle 197 of 252) at Christmas.
Cheers!
No, although you will have evaporation if the cork dries out. If you have a stash that sits, it's best to use a wine bottle rack so the bottle sits cork down to stay moist.
OR,, just drink the whisky and be done with it.. :munchin
And while we are here...
uisge-beatha na h-Alba is WHISKY
Don't call it Scotch,,
If it's a single malt from Scotland,, It's WHISKY
If it from any other place, It's Whiskey..
There are laws in Scotland governing the process of making whisky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_Whisky_Regulations_2009
https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/discover/story-of-scotch/
Over time the alcohol will deteriorate the cork and cause loss due to evaporation. For longer storage, wrap the top with parafin film/paper.
Does Laphroaig keep aging in the bottle? I have some 10 year old that I've had for 12 years and my FIL had for several years before that. Like RL, I prefer bourbon.
My understanding is as Ret10Echo says below....it only keeps aging in the cask, unlike some(but far from all) wines that can improve with age in the bottle being “cellared”.
The sites that I frequent state that they do NOT continue to age once bottled as they lack the ingredients that will continue the aging process.
Bourbon, whiskey, vodka, a freezing cold beer on a hot summer day....life is worth living.....why choose just 1, when you can have them all! :)
Surf n Turf
02-13-2021, 22:45
Singing the praises of WHISKY for every taste and pocket
Remember,” Balvenie is Viagra in a glass”
https://www.xxxxxxy.com/watch?v=zYm0RAxDMQo
SnT
Ret10Echo
05-01-2021, 19:50
Related:
Anyone know of a good source for Regiment logo whiskey glasses? Preferably something that will handle a single, oversized ice cube.
Cheers
Related:
Anyone know of a good source for Regiment logo whiskey glasses? Preferably something that will handle a single, oversized ice cube.
Cheers
Try these guys. I bought some SOJTF-OIR glasses for our son a couple of years ago.
https://abandforbrothers.shop/collections/new-army/products/14-oz-rocks-glass-set-army-special-forces
Ret10Echo
05-03-2021, 06:27
Try these guys. I bought some SOJTF-OIR glasses for our son a couple of years ago.
https://abandforbrothers.shop/collections/new-army/products/14-oz-rocks-glass-set-army-special-forces
Thanks!
Thus far the best option I've seen.