Rum v. Scotch
 

You are correct, but I have sailed the seven seas with the good Captain Morgan. All seven.

And as much as I would consider myself swashbuckling enough to pull off the Rum of all Rums, I am no where near smooth enough to attempt Scotch....

A great scotch, like a great man, is aged long and well. Anything less is pretentious; a cheap imitator of smooth and delicious.

A great rum, on the other hand, requires little if any aging and the only requirement is that it creates a generally jovial demeanor, somewhat carefree, and by imbibing, has a tendency in bringing out the singer in all of us.

"Yo ho ho, and a bottle of ... scotch?" :p

then you should know that you can go on a float trip without leaving the house... :D

i duuno, but after a night of drinking..... liquor is liquor to me, it all runs together and tastes the same. of course i only drink 1 night a week, because i dont want anything jacking up my training for SF, but before, every beer tasted the same and every liquor tasted the same. maybe my taste buds are jacked, or i need to be introduced to something unique :D

I despise Captain Morgan. Too syrupy.

Mount Gay and Pyrat XO reserve.

I couldn't see the Mount Gay website (lack of Flash installed) but I did find the Pyrat XO site. It looks good, I'll have to give it a shot. I personally prefer CM Private Stock. I'll taste test them both.

Any good ideas on a good scotch for a novice?

Jimbo:

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ead.php?t=3875

I'm a big fan of Flor de Cana, RL, thanks for reminding me.h I prefer their 7 year over their 4 year and their older ones. My problem is getting my grubby hands on it. Since its not owned by (I don't think) one of the big distilleries, they have a harder time with distribution.

A good one to help figure out what you like is Famous Grouse. Not too expensive, pretty balanced taste.

One of my favorites is Lagavulin TM. I'm also a fan of Balvenie (http://www.balvenie.com/)

Establish a relationship at a good liquor store and tell them they should order some.

I frequent Ted Kennedy's liquor store and they have a bottle on occasion. Their problem, though, is shelf space. They like the 4 and 7 year vintages because the bottles take up less space. However, all of those COULD be some hot new flavor of vodka. Damn yuppies.

Sometimes I order from these guys: http://www.internetwines.com/spirits...plate-nic.html

Well, he probably keeps their stocks totally depleted.

That is a good site as selection goes, but the prices are terrible. I buy there too on occasion, but I try not to if there is an alternative.

Exactly.

More limited selection (on-line at least), but much better prices usually. Happens to be one of the places I like to shop in person.

http://www.2311gourmet.com/liquor.html

Thanks for the link, RL

That's what I drink. I've got a bottle of the Cask Strength waiting to be appreciated on a special occassion.