Who's drinking scotch tonight?

[z31maniac]

Highballs. Scotch + soda water and ice. It's how the drink it in Japan... and they drink a SHITLOAD of scotch.

So what would be a good one to start with?

[KenC]

So what would be a good one to start with?

Scotch's vary greatly depending on the region they were produced in. Scotch is really not my forte at all. I'd start with the least "peaty" one you can find though. I'd find the best liquor store in your area and ask the guy there.

If you want something a little different, check out Hibiki. It's a Japanese whiskey that's similar to Scotch.

[pureaudio]

Oban 14 is good.

Makers Mark at the moment here.

Past month or so Makers Mark has been my go to, don't know why it took me so long to pick up a bottle.

Haven't been drinking scotch lately, last was a bottle of JW Blue my buddy bought around Thanksgiving.

[Emre]

Best shit on the planet.

I'm also a Balvenie fan, but I strongly prefer their Founder's Reserve 10. Seems to be hard to find these days.

So what would be a good one to start with?

Start with something mild and well-balanced, like Glenmorangie or Glenfiddich, and take it from there. I agree that if you start with something too peaty (Oban, Talisker, etc.) you might get turned off. They have a "medicinal" taste that some people love, but it can be a little weird at first.

[pureaudio]

So what would be a good one to start with?

First bottle I bought was Glenfiddich 12 year.

[E30 331is]

Laphroaig Quarter Cask.
Neat. Whisky stones when chilled.

[m73m95]

I'm also a Balvenie fan, but I strongly prefer their Founder's Reserve 10. Seems to be hard to find these days.

I've never even heard of it....

I'll have to go scout the liquor store and see if I can find it :)

[squidmaster]

glenfiddich 15y

oh, I also had some of this.

[der affe]

not really scotch, but crown royal cask 16, tonight




Cardhu is a good starter scotch

not too expensive and still a 12 y/o single malt with a pretty neutral flavor.

my favorites

http://whiskyforeveryone.blogspot.com/2010/01/have-just-tried-glenmorangie-18-years.html

http://glenmorangie.com/our-whiskies/25-year-old

[Optimator]

I'm not a fan of Scotch, never tried anything decent, though, I think.

How should I ease into it?

Your best bet is to buy an inexpensive bottle of Glenlivet 12, Glenmorangie 10, Macallan (Fine Oak) 10, or Glenkinchie 12. These whiskies are very unobtrusive, delicate, and will allow you to understand what scotch is about for a very affordable price. I would skip right over Glenfiddich. Their 12 year never impresses. A little splash of water helps to tame the ills of these younger whiskies, but I prefer them neat.

From there, the world is your oyster. You can try wine-cask finished whiskies from Macallan or Balvenie. They have a richness about them. Or perhaps you fancy a touch of peat and smoke. Oban. A little more smoke? Caol Ila. Or maybe you want it in spades. Laphroaig or Lagavulin.

[Mr. Burns]

Laphroaig Quarter Cask.
Neat. Whisky stones when chilled.

maniac.

[squidmaster]

Is crown 16 worth the near double price of just regular ol' crown?

[samiam3356]

Lot of guys at work drink Glenlevit 10. More of a bourbon guy myself.

[E30 331is]

I like this thread!:up:

Just 2 days ago had an argument with a coworker: FYI

Countries that have E’s in their names (UnitEd StatEs and IrEland) tend to spell it whiskEy (plural whiskeys)
Countries without E’s in their names (Canada, Scotland, and Japan) spell it whisky (plural whiskies)

[jrobie79]

I'm a bourbon guy myself....15 yr elijah craig is the tits