Scotch Q&A

Originally Posted by Cigary

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?

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?

[Scottw]

Originally Posted by kayaker

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?

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.

[elderboy02]

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

[Scottw]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

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

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!

[elderboy02]

Originally Posted by Scottw

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!

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

[Scottw]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

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

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.

[elderboy02]

Originally Posted by Scottw

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.

Gotcha. Does scotch burn more than bourbon?

[macpappy]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

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

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.

[Scottw]

Originally Posted by macpappy

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.

Nadurra? Is that cask strength?

[bigloo]

Originally Posted by Scottw

Nadurra? Is that cask strength?

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!

[macpappy]

Originally Posted by bigloo

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!

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. 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.

Originally Posted by kayaker

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?

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?

[Heliofire]

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

[icurrie]

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.

Originally Posted by Cigary

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?

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.

[MTB996]

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.

[Scottw]

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

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.

Originally Posted by SilverFox

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.

:

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.

Originally Posted by MTB996

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.

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.

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

Hope this helps.