Drink Whiskey tasting

[Zarjazz]

In a more related note I was given a bottle of Johnny Walker Gold label the other night as a gift. Haven't tried it yet and have no idea if it's any good (I know its blended) But I'm looking forward to trying it

Gold is really very good (well IMO), one of the best blended I've tasted so far (JW Blue is #1 for me). However to get the full effect you have to store it in the freezer first for at least 24 hours and then drink it neat. Super smooooooooth amber nectar. I can't really drink JW Black anymore after trying Gold

Since we're on the topic of blended. I tried some of the Chivas Regal 25 as many people says it's better than JW Blue. It wasn't even close. Completely bland. I'll be avoiding that in the future.

 

[Zenith.UK]

I can't drink Whisky
I get puke sensations instantly, I want to be able to drink Whisky tho for the coolness. So I try regularly with the same effect.

Need pro tips plix

I'm like you and Big.G. Give me any whisky apart from single malt and it's coarse razors that burns as it goes down.
Single malt on the other hand doesn't have the harshness of a lot of cheaper whiskies, and is more about savouring the smell and filling your mouth with a mixture of flavours. A lot of why I like Lagavulin is because of the peatiness. The flavour fills your nose and mouth and while it is warm going down, it doesn't burn.

My suggestion would be to go to a bar that has a stand on the back of the bar called "The Classic Malts of Scotland". It's a piece of marketing for Diageo, but it does serve a practical purpose. It has 6 whiskies which are meant to represent each of the main whisky producing regions.
Classic Malts of Scotland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buy a shot of some "ordinary" whisky like Bells and a shot of one of the Classic Malts. Side by side comparison is the best way to get the difference between mainstream blended and single malts. If you still don't like them, then that's fair enough. At least give it a try.

 

[Fafnir]

Got a bottle of Aberfeldy Old Malt Cask 26 Years last weekend was nice..

 

[Olgaline]

Give me any whisky apart from single malt and it's coarse razors that burns as it goes down.
Single malt on the other hand doesn't have the harshness of a lot of cheaper whiskies, and is more about savouring the
smell and filling your mouth with a mixture of flavours. A lot of why I like Lagavulin is because of the peatiness.
The flavour fills your nose and mouth and while it is warm going down, it doesn't burn.

I'm not entirely sure, exactly what you mean by this ?
Single malt in it self, by definition, doesn't says much about quality. all it tells you is, that the whisky is distilled in pot stills,
and exclusively of malted barley. and if scotch whisky, that it's at least 3 years old and matured in oak casks.

I've tasted old single grains that would make most single malts shiver and cower in a dark corner, both when it comes to quality,
smoothness and complexity. add to that that most older finer blends tend to consist of a very high % of old single malt,
and some exclusivly from that. "these are today thanks to the new classifications, classified as "Blended malt" there is tons
of whisky out there to be explored, why limit your self to a simple technicality ?

oh well, it's your preference after all...and thats all that really counts, but for me personally? I don't get it.

 

[TdC]

got a bottle of Tullibardine Port Cask 17yo to enjoy

 

[MrHorus]

I really need to get into whisky.

I'm told it's an acquired taste and that there is a whisky for everyone, but I've just never found any that I can get into.

The nearest I came to enjoying a whisky was a Talisker, but it still seemed like fire water

 

[Cerb]

Just cracked my bottle of Gold Label Johnny. First sip was veryt harsh I thought but every one since has been delicious.

 

[Thorwyn]

Opened a bottle of Lagavulin 16 last night. Damn.. that´s some good stuff.

 

[old.user4556]

Opened a bottle of Lagavulin 16 last night. Damn.. that´s some good stuff.

Damn right, my current mainstream favourite.

 

[Zarjazz]

Opened a bottle of Lagavulin 16 last night. Damn.. that´s some good stuff.

I'm not a Lagavulin fan, too much peat for me. I understand the appeal but its just not my thing.

I'm actually running very low on everything, 4 bottles with only one or two measures left. Good excuse to buy some more I'm thinking of trying several new one so recommendations welcome. I've got a few ideas from this thread already.

I've been impressed with the all Japanese ones I've tried so far so maybe a few different Suntory Hibiki, they seem to be rated highly. Naturally I'll be stocking up on my Balvenie Doublewood, in that price range it can't be beat and is probably my regular tipple at present.

 

[Cerb]

Want....want so bad.

On Whiskey and Grease: Pappy Van Winkle - Grantland

 

[Zarjazz]

Want....want so bad.

On Whiskey and Grease: Pappy Van Winkle - Grantland

Yours for the bargain price of only £270

 

[Cerb]

I wish I was rich

 

[Olgaline]

meh,
tried them all, I pref. the 15yo. However my favorit Van Winkle is actually the 13yo Rye.



On the subject of bourbon, I can recommend Elijah Craig 12yo and 18yo - both come at very affordable price

 

[Zarjazz]

Sometimes it's very useful to have a friend going through duty free. Spirit cabinet now topped up

 

[old.user4556]

Woah, proper jealous on the Balvenie 21 port wood finish; a very fine drink indeed.

 

[Olgaline]

George T Stagg

 

[Lamp]

Olga: My Dad's 60-something birthday in August. Want to buy him a really nice single malt. Not too fussed about price as its a special occasion. Gotta be a smooth drink & nothing too outrageous / exotic on the old taste buds. Any suggestions?

There are some specialist whiskey shops in London I can go to, but I'd like to go in pre-armed with a shortlist.

TIA

 

[Olgaline]

As said in PM

you wont find a much smoother, fatter dram then the Glenmorangie Signet.

is it Whisky ? Cognac ? Armagnac ? well, it's says whisky on the bottle, so it must be whisky...

 

[taB]

That Glenmorangie looks fucking snazzy - £111.87 cheapest UK price.

In London shops I'd look at getting some older Glenrothes (hugely smooth and drinkable style) from Berry Brothers or visiting The Sampler in South Ken - they have an amazing (but pricey) wine selection and on the whisky front have a lot of the Bladnoch Forum bottlings. I've visited Bladnoch a number of times and am a big fan of what they've done over the last few years.

 

[Lamp]

Many thanks for the responses chaps & the PM Olga

ATB

 

[Zarjazz]

George T Stagg

I'm so proud, I picked something that Olga approves Not tried it yet, that 140% proof is intimidating!

Damn, that Signet looks amazing. Who cares what it tastes like :lol:

 

[Olgaline]

That Glenmorangie looks fucking snazzy - £111.87 cheapest UK price.

In London shops I'd look at getting some older Glenrothes (hugely smooth and drinkable style) from Berry Brothers or visiting The Sampler in South Ken - they have an amazing (but pricey) wine selection and on the whisky front have a lot of the Bladnoch Forum bottlings. I've visited Bladnoch a number of times and am a big fan of what they've done over the last few years.

Aye, Glenrothes indeed, they can be abit pricy from 78 and down, but I've also tried a 88 or was it 89?...that was surprisingly good as well, and under the £100 mark.

 

[Olgaline]

I'm so proud, I picked something that Olga approves Not tried it yet, that 140% proof is intimidating!

Haha

And yes it will kick your teeth in, however, it's a great dram...once you recover from the initial punch. Definitely not! a bourbon for beginners.

 

[cHodAX]

Haha

And yes it will kick your teeth in, however, it's a great dram...once you recover from the initial punch. Definitely not! a bourbon for beginners.

A litre of diesel is alot cheaper and if burns your throat slightly less.

 

[megadave]

i went to a whiskey brewery while on holiday in scotland last week. fucking stinky place

 

[old.user4556]

As said in PM

you wont find a much smoother, fatter dram then the Glenmorangie Signet.

is it Whisky ? Cognac ? Armagnac ? well, it's says whisky on the bottle, so it must be whisky...

Not to mention that bottle is beautiful.

 

[Olgaline]

Not to mention that bottle is beautiful.

cant argue with that
the casing is preaty nifty too, the feel of it is pure quality.

 

[Olgaline]

whiskey brewery

 

[Wazzerphuk]

The Glenmorangie you can find in every shop in the world is ace, so that has to be amazey.