What is your favorite Scotch Whisky

Received a bottle of Glen Grant 1973 bottled for Thosop, Belgium... I guess I open it soon as a birtday dram....

I drink Balvenie, and Aberlour, and MacAllan, and Glenmorangie (Peter Taylor got me snockered on that one while in Scotland last year), and Glenkinchie and Dalwhinnie and Dallas Dhu and Inchgower, ohhh and Ardbeg and Glenturret and Oban, and Old Pulteney, and Royal Brackla, and Royal Lochnagar, sometimes some Singleton, and Deanston and Tomintoul or Teaninich, but would never pass up a dram of An Cnoc or Aberfeldy by any means nor The GlenRothes but alas...my taste is more extensive than my investments so sometimes am limited to an Elgin or Moray and sadly even a Knockando

Hail Mary fill my glass....

Robert, have you ever tried Glenfarclas? The 25 yo. is a really good deal. I don´t know the prices in the US, but here it´s about EUR 80 per bottle, which is a good deal for a 25 yo.

BTW... I just enjoyed a very good Glenrothes 1973...

Originally Posted by eldondo

Robert, have you ever tried Glenfarclas? The 25 yo. is a really good deal. I don´t know the prices in the US, but here it´s about EUR 80 per bottle, which is a good deal for a 25 yo.

BTW... I just enjoyed a very good Glenrothes 1973...

We have (and I've tried) the Glenfarclas, but not the 25! That sounds awesome...I've been impressed with the Glenfarclas as a very good and inexpensive everydaydrinker

Let´s say.... it was an advice... but instead of ice you should try to reduce the alcohol by adding some water... that won´t cool it down and influence the flavor...

[mmblz]

I love the 18 and Nadurra, both are definitely worth it IMO.
21 is a treat once in a while but it is almost too subtle. I probably won't buy it again.

[warren G.]

Originally Posted by mmblz

I love the 18 and Nadurra, both are definitely worth it IMO.
21 is a treat once in a while but it is almost too subtle. I probably won't buy it again.

While the 21 isn't a bad scotch at all, I just can't see myself paying the extra $$$ for it, when I can get a bottle of Highland Park 18. The Nadurra is definitely one of their more interesting offering.

[mithrilG60]

It's done more to improve/change the nosing experience of the whisky than it it to effect the taste. Basically adding water releases more aromatics from the whisky by slightly diluting it and that dilution also reduces the deadening effect that alcohol has on your sense of smell which allows you to discern more. The higher the alcohol content of the whisky the more pronounced this effect is. However with high ABV cask strength whiskies it can also be very helpful in reducing how much the alcohol deadens your taste buds. In that scenario it obviously impacts both taste and nose.

With many cask strength whisky you want to add a surprising amount of water, for example with Aberlour A'bunadh which is ~60% ABV you'll want to add water at 2:1 whisky to water ratio to reduce it down to 40%. The difference in that case is very dramatic. With many you won't necessarily see a huge difference. Typically I'll add water to a new whisky the first couple times I try it and then if there no real difference I won't bother after that.

Originally Posted by mithrilG60

It's done more to improve/change the nosing experience of the whisky than it it to effect the taste. Basically adding water releases more aromatics from the whisky by slightly diluting it and that dilution also reduces the deadening effect that alcohol has on your sense of smell which allows you to discern more. The higher the alcohol content of the whisky the more pronounced this effect is. However with high ABV cask strength whiskies it can also be very helpful in reducing how much the alcohol deadens your taste buds. In that scenario it obviously impacts both taste and nose.

With many cask strength whisky you want to add a surprising amount of water, for example with Aberlour A'bunadh which is ~60% ABV you'll want to add water at 2:1 whisky to water ratio to reduce it down to 40%. The difference in that case is very dramatic. With many you won't necessarily see a huge difference. Typically I'll add water to a new whisky the first couple times I try it and then if there no real difference I won't bother after that.

I wondered why I always put water in my scotch! I know that it taste better more aromatic, than just straight. Thanks for sharing!

Some Whiskys open some new tastes with a splash of water, some with a few drops and some get worse if you add water... you have to try it, there´s no general rule.

Tasting experts (e.g. at the distillery) put more and more water in it while trying until it´s reduced to app. 20 % of alcohol.

Whiskys coming outta Sherry casks are (in most cases) a bit more critical if you add water, it´s better to be cautious. If they´d only been in a Bourbon cask it´s less critical... but there are also exceptions on both sides... as always...

[GreekGodX]

Anyone ever try James Buchanan 18 yo scotch?

[jmsremax]

Hey fellas,

I have been enjoying Highland Park 12 and Glenlivet 12 this winter but i was wondering if you have a bottle(s) that is your summer scotch. Glenlivet is rather fruity so it could work, but i doubt i will touch the Highland Park. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by jmsremax

Hey fellas,

I have been enjoying Highland Park 12 and Glenlivet 12 this winter but i was wondering if you have a bottle(s) that is your summer scotch. Glenlivet is rather fruity so it could work, but i doubt i will touch the Highland Park. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated

Well, I generally switch to beer or tequila, but scotches I'd recommend for being lighter and easier in the summer would be Auchantoshan, Glengoyne and Bunnahabhain. The latter would be my preferance depending on the bottling of course.

[N2 GOLD]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

Anyone ever try James Buchanan 18 yo scotch?

Yes, real nice & smooth... I keep on hand all the time...

[ambientboy]

I was out last night celebrating a now-official divorce with a little Macallan 18yr. One of my faves.

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by ambientboy

I was out last night celebrating a now-official divorce with a little Macallan 18yr. One of my faves.

I've yet to try the 18 but the 12 is pretty f**king tasty. Someday when I can find a decent bar that serves the 18 I'll definitely have a glass.

[GreekGodX]

Originally Posted by Bill86

I've yet to try the 18 but the 12 is pretty f**king tasty. Someday when I can find a decent bar that serves the 18 I'll definitely have a glass.

I love the 12 but I can't stand the 18. Obviously you should try it for yourself but I expected it to be so much better and I was very disappointed.

I'll ask again, Anyone ever try James Buchanan 18 yo scotch?

[ambientboy]

Originally Posted by Bill86

I've yet to try the 18 but the 12 is pretty f**king tasty. Someday when I can find a decent bar that serves the 18 I'll definitely have a glass.

It's dangerous, you might never go back!

[hotreds]

[MurphysLaw]

The Macallan Fine Oak 25 is a favorite of mine, but I've been drinking Glenfiddich 15 a little more often lately