Scotch Q&A
 

Just thought I would start a thread where people can ask and answer questions and this great beverage, and share our knowledge.

I am by no means an expert, but I have learned a couple of things in the last couple of years and I like sharing my interest with others.

Please feel free to ask anything you want to know. Can't promise I will be able to answer, but hopefully someone else will chime in.

Please feel free to answer any questions, share you knowledge and experiences.

Let's have some fun (and a dram or two).:al:al:D

Single Malt Scotch Whisky
 

Thought I would start by giving you my definition/explanation about SMSW. I do it backwards:

Whisky = fermented grain (corn, rye, barley…) which is then distilled, usually aged in oak barrels (eg. rye, malt, bourbon).

Scotch = Whisky from Scotland only, has to be aged 3 years min., and must be distilled, aged, bottled in Scotland.

Malt = barley that has been soaked and allowed to germinate to maximize sugars, then dried, crushed and made into beer, which is then distilled.

Single = whisky that comes from one distillery only.

So SMSW is a Scotch whisky made from malted barley and from a single distillery.

Is that as clear as mud?:D

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Is a dram a specified amount, just "a pour" or both? I know a "shot" can be 1.5oz, or just a term. What's a dram?
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Re: Scotch Q&A
 

To my knowledge there is no specific amount. You can have a wee dram, or a big one. I guess it just refers to a serving of indeterminate volume.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

You sure about that Ian? You, Scott & a handful of others have certainly been a great help for me as I head headfirst down the scotch slope.

This is a great idea! :tu

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

While I don't like scotch as a rule I can't drink enough Drambuie,,which is a scotch whiskey with honey and herbs. If anyone else has had this is there another type of scotch that compares taste wise?

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I haven't had Drambuie in a while and can't remember it. My guess is it would be sweeter than Scotch would normally be. You might want to try something like an Arran Island malt, which would be pretty light and a bit fruity in taste.

Anyone else have a recommendation?

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Anything from the Lowland regions would be lighter and fruitier with no peat or smoke. The Glenkinchie is a great one to start with at around $40 per bottle.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I have never had Scotch before. What is a good beginner Scotch?

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I would start with a Lowland if you are going the single malt rout. Cheaper Lowland is McClelland's which can be had for about $22 per bottle. The Glenkinchie which is a beautiful Lowland is about double that. Remember, the bottle does NOT go in the fridge or freezer for shots, it is to be nurtured, poured gently, sniffed, swirled and tasted. It really is an experience. Please try it and keep us posted!

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

So I drink it straight and warm? I can't mix it with Coke?

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Straight and Warm = neat, maybe a few drops of water to open it up a bit. You can mix it or do with it whatever you'd like. My wife wanted a scotch and soda one day and put Diet Coke in the Balvenie 21 year old (Over $120 per bottle). If she wasn't my wife I would have judo chopped her in the throat.
What I'm suggesting to you is trying the whole scotch experience. Try it for what it is, if you want to mix something with Coke, grab a cheap bottle of Jim Beam and have at it. Scotch Whisky is a horse of a different color.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Gotcha. Does scotch burn more than bourbon?

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Depends on the quality. Cheap bourbon burns and so does cheap scotch.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Good Post here, Kayaker,,,I always try to expand my horizons with different tastes but have never heard what an Arran Island malt is,,where might I find something in this taste or the name of the scotch?:hm

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

My favorites are the Glenmorangie Nectar D'or and the new Glenmorangie Signet.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I had a great experience touring Scotland's oldest distillery, Glenturret. I was there about 8 years ago and really learned alot there. Also got to enjoy the samples. Great stuff.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Actually I find the scotch from the Speyside region to be lighter and sweeter than other regions. It's also has less of a smokey peat taste than other regions.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Glenlivet is good. I've also developed a liking for McClelland's Single Malt from the Speyside region and it's relatively inexpensive. I get it for $20 a bottle. They also have a McClelland's Highland, Lowland and Islay. I would suggest buying a bottle of each and deciding which profile you like best. Then start exploring more expensive scotch from that region. My current favorite is The Glenrothes. I'm working on a bottle of vintage 1991 right now. The older vintages are even better.

I also have a bottle of Glenlivet Nadurra that is very good.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Nadurra? Is that cask strength?

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Yes it is. I have a bottle too. For ~$50, it is tought to beat this. It takes a hairy chest to drink and is somwhat potent (not in a harsh way, in a pungent way if that makes sense), but the back vanilla on the it is outstanding. Pair with a patagas black!

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Sorry I wasn't clear here. There is one distillery in Arran Island, the Arran Island Distillery :).

An Arran Island malt would just be one of theirs. There is a Robbie Burns bottle from this distillery that may be a bit cheaper than their usual bottlings.

Hope that helps.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Great thread Kayaker!

Any info on a decent mail order site for purchasing harder to find scotch that doesn't kill you on shipping (the the SE US)?

I see you are from Newfoundland. I spent a week in St Johns a few years back. I think I was sober for about 20 total minutes all week (a friend was getting married up there). Wow, what a cool town.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Cracking open a little Bunnah 12 right now to get in the whisky mood.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I have a couple of favourites I will share.

They are not for the faint of heart when it comes to wallet though.

My absolute favorite scotch is BenRiach Madeira Finish an exquisite 15 yr old single malt, it is a limited production scotch (only 2,400) bottles per year.

My other is BruichLaddich 21 year old.

http://www.laddieshop.com/acatalog/2...ottlepopup.jpg

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Good question. I only know of Royal Mile Whiskies off the top of my head, but I'll look into it. RMW is a UK store.

Glad to hear you were treated well on your visit here.:D

EDIT: OK, here's all I found with a quick search. I am not familiar with them.
http://www.lovescotch.com/

Hope this helps.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

:dr:dr:dr:dr:dr:dr:dr:dr:dr:

Me likey Brookie. Haven't had the 21 yet though.

My buddy Andrew is from Scotland and manages Grapes and Grains South in Edmonton. He's going home after Christmas for the first time in 5-6 years. For his 30th BDay he will be at the Bruichladdich distillery with his brother, drinking the 30 yr. Bastage.:D

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

A great beginner scotch to try is Singleton, a single malt, very mellow and not offensive in any way. Smooth and let's you get the taste of the malts without burning your tongue. Also, fairly inexpensive. Glenkichie is great too but pricey.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Give this place a call.

http://www.specsonline.com/

I don't know what their shipping policy is so you'll have to ask.

Re: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
 

As I tend to enjoy a single barrel bourbon from time to time. I'd just like to throw my 2 cents in here regarding it.

In order for a Whisky to be called "Bourbon", The primary (at least 51%) ingredient must be corn. The distilled spirit must be aged in NEW charred oak barrels and cannot be distilled at greater than 160 proof. It must be aged at least 2 years to be called a Straight Bourbon Whisky and the spirit must fo int the barrel at no more than 125 proof.

Re: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
 

Though I don't remember why, I was told one time that Scotch Whisky is always spelled "whisky" while Bourbon, Sour Mash and others are always spelled whiskey.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Yeah, I'm not fully sure why, but Scotland and Canada leave off the e, US and Ireland use the e.

But it's not carved in stone. Apparently they have appeared in the opposite form in written law in the US and Scotland.

Kevin Erskine talks a bit about it in his book The Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch. It's a great little book that you can pick up for $10-12.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I recently procured a bottle of Crown Royal Special Reserve as a way to ease into the world of Whiskey & Scotch w/cigars. I know it's blended Canadian, but my was it ever smooth...

My neighborhood store has a gift set of 10yr. Glenmorangie with glasses for around $50. Has anyone had this scotch and how would you rate it for a first timer like myself?

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Glenmorangie is a solid single malt and is not too robust in flavour.

Go for it.:D

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Kayaker.... have you had the Glen Breton single malt made by your neighbours on Cape Breton Island? It is really good stuff.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Yup Glenmorangie was my goto scotch for a long time.

Always found it finished a little sweet, almost like honey.

Will still drink it if we are out and about and the local establishment doesn't have a broad scotch collection

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I have and enjoyed it well enough. A bit expensive though.

We have another SM distillery opening up on the west coast now.

http://www.shelterpointdistillery.com/index.html

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Picked up the Glenmorangie and a bottle of 18 yr. Bowmore w/Bowmore cigar holder. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it turns out...

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I love this thread! So much information, I need to keep a book! Thanks Kayaker.

Let me just say that I love scotch. I am no where near the expert but truly enjoy drinking this lovely beverage. I have much to learn.

Some of my favorites [various yrs] are (the norms that you can typically find in any liquor store):
Macallan
Glenlivet
Lagavulin
Glenfiddich
Balvenie
Laphroaig

You know, the standard faves I think. Talisker is also decent.


Blended:
Johnny Walker-Black, Green, and Blue but I don't venture too often into the Blue and Green because of price.





Buena Fortuna, you can't go wrong with Glenmorangie. Solid single malt, especially for a beginner to ease into this lovely world. You might even want to try Macallan 12, a good intro to Scotch.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

My wife and I are enjoying a Glenlivet Nadurra right now, it's her 2nd or 3rd scotch and she's loving it. I find the Nadurra a little sweet, for the moment I enjoy it but I don't think it's something I could have regularly.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I can't get that (Nadura) where I live so I'll have to keep an eye out for it abroad.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

When I first tried the Nadurra neat my first thought was this will put hair on your chest and if you had hair on your chest it will remove it.:r But I've experimented with it and for me the best way to drink it is one ice cube, two shots of Nadurra and 1/2 shot spring water.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

How is the Bowmore 18 for a newbie? Stick w/the Glenmorangie 1st?
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Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I'd start with the Glenmorangie to warm yourself up. Then give the Bowmore a try. Just cleanse your palate in between with some bread or a plain, unsalted cracker and some water. Go slow on the Bowmore though. It should be pretty smooth at 18, but the taste will still be bigger than the Glenmorangie.

Just us know your impressions.

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

Bowmore 18 can be pricey. Why not start with a Bowmore 10, a great single malt, at about 1/3 the price!

Re: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
 

I think you are right but I am so used to drinking the single malts and have seen the "e" omitted so many times, I just do it naturally for all although I typically refer to Bourbon as just plain old bourbon, not whisky at all even though it is.

Re: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
 

You have a point. When I offer guests something to drink I never say whiskey. I usually say Scotch, Bourbon, Sour Mash, Tequila or Rum unless they are really good friends who know me then I just give them the brand names. (I save a lot of Scotch that way because most of them think of the cheap blends when you say scotch. If I said single malt, I would go through a lot more.)

Re: Scotch Q&A
 

I really like Bowmore Darkest. Probably in the middle pricewise.

I picked up the Bowmore for $60 w/a leather Bowmore cigar case

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