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[koji]

Good whiskey is so much better than good beer imo.

Hmm, I`m Belgian and I`m a huge fan of both
I wouldn`t say one or the other is "better" they`re two completely different things. You can enjoy a good scotch relaxed at home and drink a special beer in a pub with friends, good beer ain`t superexpensive here and a lot of bars offer a wide variety. Like 2.5 to 3 euro for a top tier beer in a pub. It`s not like you drink Scotch in a bar here, well you can but it`s just waaaay to expensive :lol

On your how long does a bottle last question, that`s down to how many bottles you`ve got to drink/switch, if you only got 2 or 3 bottles you`re going to burn through them fast but once you get a bit of a collection going you can easily do a year or more with your `special` bottles. Just make sure to always have your day to day whiskey in stock at home and drink some of the good stuff every once in a while

 

[Alucrid]

Hmm, I`m Belgian and I`m a huge fan of both
I wouldn`t say one or the other is "better" they`re two completely different things. You can enjoy a good scotch relaxed at home and drink a special beer in a pub with friends, good beer ain`t superexpensive here and a lot of bars offer a wide variety. Like 2.5 to 3 euro for a top tier beer in a pub. It`s not like you drink Scotch in a bar here, well you can but it`s just waaaay to expensive :lol

On your how long does a bottle last question, that`s down to how many bottles you`ve got to drink/switch, if you only got 2 or 3 bottles you`re going to burn through them fast but once you get a bit of a collection going you can easily do a year or more with your `special` bottles. Just make sure to always have your day to day whiskey in stock at home and drink some of the good stuff every once in a while

True. Perhaps what I should have said was that I prefer good whiskey over good beer. :lol

 

[Icethrill]

When I travelled to London this summer I bought two whiskies.

- Kilchoman Summer Edition 2010
- The Macallan, Whiskey Maker's Edition

Havent opened them yet. I don't remember how much I paid for them. To next on my to buy-list is probably Caol Ila 12 years old.

 

[S. L.]

finally got a box of decent whisky glasses - makes sipping and tasting twice as fun. posing together with my currently favorite bottle - "Nikka - From the Barrel" godly oaky stuff and super Price/Quality ratio

also tried a few more of my samples. (bear with my newbie tasting ramblings)
Balvenie Founders Reserve 10yo.
nice and fresh nose with hints of apple and banana, but the taste is kinda bland and boring to me. very smooth thou.

Glengoyne 17yo
this was suprising. when i first poured it it seemed really boring and bland, but after letting the glass breath for 10~15minutes the nose got oaky with raisins and marzipan with a really nice oaky and caramelly taste. finish was a bit weird with strange spice aromas.
overall it reminded me of the above mentioned Nikka except not as nice

Springbank 1997 Vintage Batch #1
crazy crazy stuff. the nose is like fresh rubber with some solvent, smoke and mold/rotting trashcan. taste was really oily, smokey and slightly sweet with an licorice finish.
totally complex and my description doesn't do it justice at all. i think ill pick up a bottle of Springbank in the near future.

 

[AnkitT]

Was just having a sip of the caol ila 12, and boy did it bring the fire like it was the first time I was having it! Not the kind of malt i'd repeat, but it is quite an experience (Up there with the talisker and laphroaig for me).

 

[Spike6663]

I need recommendations guys as the Xmas sales are gone so I need to be careful on my next purchase.

These are the ones I've tried in order of how much I've enjoyed them...

1. Glenmorangie
2. Glenlivet
3. Jura
4. Talisker
5. Glenfiddich


Where next?!



EDIT - can someone please add capitals to the title thread?

 

[HappyBivouac]

True. Perhaps what I should have said was that I prefer good whiskey over good beer. :lol

When you think of "good beers" you've tried, what beers do you think of?

 

[adamsappel]

I tried some of my friend's Blue Label and I loved the smokey taste. Are there any good reasonable single malts that can offer a comparable smokey flavor?

From malts.com, though I'm not sure that it's comprehensive or independent:

 

[S. L.]

From malts.com, though I'm not sure that it's comprehensive or independent:

http://i.imgur.com/YavV2.png[IMG][/QUOTE]
supposedly the smokieness in JW comes from Caol Ila.. but dunno

 

[Masta_Killah]

From malts.com, though I'm not sure that it's comprehensive or independent:

This is awesome. Been trying to learn how to drink whiskey, but always had a hard time trying to figure out the subtle differences. This and the explanation on the website really help. Do the 4 characteristics also apply to blended whiskey?

 

[Augemitbutter]

I need recommendations guys as the Xmas sales are gone so I need to be careful on my next purchase.

These are the ones I've tried in order of how much I've enjoyed them...

1. Glenmorangie
2. Glenlivet
3. Jura
4. Talisker
5. Glenfiddich


Where next?!



EDIT - can someone please add capitals to the title thread?

you could stick to your favorite brands and try different bottlings, or go with a japanese whisky like some of us in here. or try a bowmore, they are underrepresented in here.

 

[Chittagong]

mmm... love whisky. Doesn't help that I'm having a sober January either.

This thread inspires me to put together a beginners whisky selection. Have to do some research to find my first choices. I have awesome whisky glasses already.

What else do I need?

- how many whisky varieties to start with? thinking 5. Stored how?
- 4cl measurement cup
- water to open up the taste, any specific brand? I usually have Evian.
- ice jar and spoon, or most definitely not?
- storing whisky in those Mad Men style crystal bottles, yay or nay?

BTW how do you drink your quality whiskies - just one 4cl a night every now and then, or sitting home and blasting through several on a Friday?

 

[S. L.]

I need recommendations guys as the Xmas sales are gone so I need to be careful on my next purchase.

These are the ones I've tried in order of how much I've enjoyed them...

1. Glenmorangie
2. Glenlivet
3. Jura
4. Talisker
5. Glenfiddich


Where next?!



EDIT - can someone please add capitals to the title thread?

since you enjoy glenmorangie which comes from the highland region you could try another highland whisky as whiskys out of a region usually share some characteristics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Single_Malts
or
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/C-313.aspx

mmm... love whisky. Doesn't help that I'm having a sober January either.

This thread inspires me to put together a beginners whisky selection. Have to do some research to find my first choices. I have awesome whisky glasses already.

What else do I need?

- how many whisky varieties to start with? thinking 5. Stored how?
- 4cl measurement cup
- water to open up the taste, any specific brand? I usually have Evian.
- ice jar and spoon, or most definitely not?
- storing whisky in those Mad Men style crystal bottles, yay or nay?

BTW how do you drink your quality whiskies - just one 4cl a night every now and then, or sitting home and blasting through several on a Friday?

1. store them out of sunlight and not too warm (like over a radiator)
2. shrug
3. doesn't matter that much - maybe something with low natrium content. try experimenting.
4. nope
5. nay (4 and 5 are more of an american thing that you do with burbon, but whatever rocks your boat)

personally i use a pipet to add the water as it makes it easier to measure if i aim for a specific alcohol content but i wouldn't worry about that too much unless you have cask strength whiskys.

 

[ChryZ]

mmm... love whisky. Doesn't help that I'm having a sober January either.

This thread inspires me to put together a beginners whisky selection. Have to do some research to find my first choices. I have awesome whisky glasses already.

What else do I need?

- how many whisky varieties to start with? thinking 5. Stored how?
- 4cl measurement cup
- water to open up the taste, any specific brand? I usually have Evian.
- ice jar and spoon, or most definitely not?
- storing whisky in those Mad Men style crystal bottles, yay or nay?

BTW how do you drink your quality whiskies - just one 4cl a night every now and then, or sitting home and blasting through several on a Friday?

You make this all way too complicated.

 

[glaurung]

I still haven't given up hope to find an Ardbeg Supernova from somewhere, though it might be too late now. If someone knows a store that sells it and ships to inland Europe, let me know.

My whiskey cabinet selection has grown steadily since my birthday last September, but the kidney operation stopped me from drinking any of them.

 

[S. L.]

I still haven't given up hope to find an Ardbeg Supernova from somewhere, though it might be too late now. If someone knows a store that sells it and ships to inland Europe, let me know.

My whiskey cabinet selection has grown steadily since my birthday last September, but the kidney operation stopped me from drinking any of them.

http://www.whiskyhuis.be/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6259

BAM!
ships europewide

edit: ok, tried the sample of my baby.

HOLY SMOKES, best whisky i tasted so far!
this has so much going, i am not worthy. so much wood, oak, sherry, raisins, cedar wood and so so much more. Thick and oily, nectar of the gods!
And look at that color! >_<

LEGEN--DARY EPIC!

 

[Deleted member 8095]

What's a good beginner single malt scotch? I'm going to go to the liquor store this weekend and would like to buy a $40 or so bottle. I'd prefer smooth and somewhat sweet if possible. Not overly sweet, just a hint.

 

[AnkitT]

What's a good beginner single malt scotch? I'm going to go to the liquor store this weekend and would like to buy a $40 or so bottle. I'd prefer smooth and somewhat sweet if possible. Not overly sweet, just a hint.

I'd recommend the Glenlivet.

 

[Deleted member 8095]

I'd recommend the Glenlivet.

Done, thanks!

 

[S. L.]

after some

and

the Laphroaig 10yo is empty

good stuff! Thou it would be more fun if it weren't bottled at a mere 40% vol.
next time i'll go for the Cask Strength or the Quarter Cask

 

[koji]

So, my mum brought me a late xmas gift yesterday. From VOM FASS, they basically bottle stuff straight from the cask, oils, scotch, you name it.

link to the US page -> http://www.vomfassusa.com/

She brought me half a liter of Glen Mhor 1982 / 27 Year Old / 56°. Bottle has the cask number (where it was bottled from in the store) and the name of the bottler on it, distillery is demolished so it's pretty vintage stuff. Now there is no label on the bottle and all the info is hand written on it, so collectors-wise it's worth shit, didn't come with some THIS IS THE TRUE GLEN MHOR seal or anything.

Anyway, it's a great gift, cost her €75 or something for 1/2liter but it's a PITA for me if you know what I mean, I've got to store it in a closet, because it's bottled in a random glass bottle, not a nice carboard box + it has no real collectors value + fuck I dunno if I should just drink it or leave it closed in my closet... Luxe-problems I know, but still

 

[Deleted member 8095]

I bought some 12 year old Highland Park today as a coworker suggested it. Will try it out later tonight. This is my first ever single malt whiskey!

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Got a Bowmore Islay Single Malt (Darkest) as a holiday gift from my in-laws. Any opinions on quality?

I'm not the big scotch drinker, that's more my dad. It's funny how he started drinking scotch. He used to be a bourbon drinker and when he was in the Marines he went with a Captain (my dad was at that point either a Private or Corporal, though I think the later) to Jewish services in Tokyo. Afterwords they go for a drink my dad starts to order bourbon and the Captain says, "no if we're going to make you into a proper man/gentlemen", I forget exactly, "you need to start drinking scotch, not bourbon". He obliged and wound up finding his favorite drink. I have no clue what the my scotch the gentlemen drink over bourbon.

He takes his scotch seriously, not in the drinking hardcore, but in the quality sense. One time he asked for one dry and they gave it with ice, he had it send back. They bring a new one out, all they did was dump the ice and refill it. He knew something was wrong and had it sent back to be done proper, saying you don't just dump ice and reuse the glass.

In short...my dads awesome and I need a drink evaluation.

 

[Deleted member 8095]

Ok, I don't think I'm a fan of Highland Park. It has the weirdest almost damp dank taste to it. My GF described it as tasting like an old basement smells. I'll keep at it though, maybe it's an aquired taste.

 

[koji]

He takes his scotch seriously, not in the drinking hardcore, but in the quality sense. One time he asked for one dry and they gave it with ice, he had it send back. They bring a new one out, all they did was dump the ice and refill it. He knew something was wrong and had it sent back to be done proper, saying you don't just dump ice and reuse the glass.

*high five*

Your dad knows what`s up, ice is bad mkay. Water is OK though!

Ok, I don't think I'm a fan of Highland Park. It has the weirdest almost damp dank taste to it. My GF described it as tasting like an old basement smells. I'll keep at it though, maybe it's an aquired taste.

Hmm the Highland Park 18yr old is brilliant (certainly in its price range), haven`t tried the 12yr old myself.

 

[Augemitbutter]

Ok, I don't think I'm a fan of Highland Park. It has the weirdest almost damp dank taste to it. My GF described it as tasting like an old basement smells. I'll keep at it though, maybe it's an aquired taste.

add a few drops of water and you'll get different flavors.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

*high five*

Your dad knows what`s up, ice is bad mkay. Water is OK though!

Yes he does.

The Isley turned out pretty good. How a smokey taste to it and strangely almost a spicy quality to it.

 

[Danoss]

Picked up a bottle of Aberlour A'bunadh on Saturday.

I've only had one dram so far, but it was very nice. I'm finding it hard to pull some of the nose and tasting notes out of this one, though there is a distinct chocolatey aroma that keeps me coming back for more. Even with a good amount of water in there, the burn is still quite prominent. What I've found cool is that the burn is a characteristic of its own; the burn wafts from your mouth into your nose and is quite pleasurable.

 

[koji]

^

That looks like some quality stuff.


Shackleton's South Pole whisky returns to Scotland

Mr Paterson added: "It is an absolute honour to be able to use my experience to analyse this amazing spirit for the benefit of the Trust and the whisky industry."

 

[Deleted member 1235]

guys a little advice, we have a colleague that is leaving and our work gifts us 100 euro to purchase a leaving gift, we are also tipping in a little cash each to give the guy, so I've got around 150 euro to spend on a gift.

The guy likes whisky but is by no means an expert. When I buy a really pricey whisky I shoot for a laphroaig 18 year which I love, but this comes in around 70 euro. Now obviously I could get 2 whiskys from around the same price mark, but we would like to get him something that is a little outside the normal/reasonable price range. Something 'fancy' but with a taste to back it up.

Any suggestions?

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Basic but fancy would be johnny walker blue.

 

[Chuckie]

guys a little advice, we have a colleague that is leaving and our work gifts us 100 euro to purchase a leaving gift, we are also tipping in a little cash each to give the guy, so I've got around 150 euro to spend on a gift.

The guy likes whisky but is by no means an expert. When I buy a really pricey whisky I shoot for a laphroaig 18 year which I love, but this comes in around 70 euro. Now obviously I could get 2 whiskys from around the same price mark, but we would like to get him something that is a little outside the normal/reasonable price range. Something 'fancy' but with a taste to back it up.

Any suggestions?

Maybe the Laphroig 21 yrs 1988 "OMC"? It sounds great, but to be honest I have no idea what it tastes like. My most expensive one is a 80 euro Ardbeg Supernova 2010 (which is awesome too btw) but that's a bit too 'low-priced' for your gift haha.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

Maybe the Laphroig 21 yrs 1988 "OMC"? It sounds great, but to be honest I have no idea what it tastes like. My most expensive one is a 80 euro Ardbeg Supernova 2010 (which is awesome too btw) but that's a bit too 'low-priced' for your gift haha.

Thanks, laphroig 18 year is GOLD Jerry,

I'll have a look. We don't have to completely spend 150 euro, we can always grab a couple nice glasses or something as well. Got to head to the liquor store tomorrow and see about some whiskys.

 

[S. L.]

guys a little advice, we have a colleague that is leaving and our work gifts us 100 euro to purchase a leaving gift, we are also tipping in a little cash each to give the guy, so I've got around 150 euro to spend on a gift.

The guy likes whisky but is by no means an expert. When I buy a really pricey whisky I shoot for a laphroaig 18 year which I love, but this comes in around 70 euro. Now obviously I could get 2 whiskys from around the same price mark, but we would like to get him something that is a little outside the normal/reasonable price range. Something 'fancy' but with a taste to back it up.

Any suggestions?

maybe a Port Ellen?
It's an Islay distillery closed in 83. Bottles should start in your price range and are supposed to be quite excellent and are also very collectable.
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/B-40-Port_Ellen.aspx

 

[Crovax33]

From malts.com, though I'm not sure that it's comprehensive or independent:

This is awesome, exactly what I needed. Thank you!

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Thanks, laphroig 18 year is GOLD Jerry,

I'll have a look. We don't have to completely spend 150 euro, we can always grab a couple nice glasses or something as well. Got to head to the liquor store tomorrow and see about some whiskys.

Not a bad way to spend some time!

 

[glaurung]

http://www.whiskyhuis.be/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6259

BAM!
ships europewide

Thank you so much! I made the order, but the store is kind of low-tech, don't know if they've shipped it yet or what manner of transportation are they using.

Cost me €104 with shipping. But I'll be more than happy if the bottle arrives safe and sound.

 

[Chuckie]

Thank you so much! I made the order, but the store is kind of low-tech, don't know if they've shipped it yet or what manner of transportation are they using.

Cost me €104 with shipping. But I'll be more than happy if the bottle arrives safe and sound.

You're gonna love it! A very peaty taste explosion. One of the nicest birthday gifts I got (thanks lovely wife!)

 

[Deleted member 1235]

alright, went for a whisky shop today. Using a 'get something for 150 euro' benchmark (gift for a colleague) I came up with the following options that fall within 20 euro or so (all under)

Balvenie 21
highland park 25
macallan fine oak 18
glenlivet 21
Ballantines 21
Ardbeg supernova (this one was below 100, around 70 iirc)

any suggestions? The highland park 25 seems to review VERY well and I'm leaning towards it.

 

[S. L.]

alright, went for a whisky shop today. Using a 'get something for 150 euro' benchmark (gift for a colleague) I came up with the following options that fall within 20 euro or so (all under)

Balvenie 21
highland park 25
macallan fine oak 18
glenlivet 21
Ballantines 21
Ardbeg supernova (this one was below 100, around 70 iirc)

any suggestions? The highland park 25 seems to review VERY well and I'm leaning towards it.

the highland park definitely seems to be the best out of the bunch; i dunno how much of a whisky drinker your colleague is, but the HP seems to be bottled at cask strength, so adding a bit of water before drinking is probably required.

the macallan and Ballentines are pretty meh at that price i think

 

[Danoss]

alright, went for a whisky shop today. Using a 'get something for 150 euro' benchmark (gift for a colleague) I came up with the following options that fall within 20 euro or so (all under)

Balvenie 21
highland park 25
macallan fine oak 18
glenlivet 21
Ballantines 21
Ardbeg supernova (this one was below 100, around 70 iirc)

any suggestions? The highland park 25 seems to review VERY well and I'm leaning towards it.

What if you picked a whisky and then got a Glencairn glass for him, perhaps get it engraved or laser etched?

 

[Deleted member 1235]

What if you picked a whisky and then got a Glencairn glass for him, perhaps get it engraved or laser etched?

exactly what I'm now trying to do! (except laser etching) try finding these in the Netherlands though :/

 

[Chuckie]

exactly what I'm now trying to do! (except laser etching) try finding these in the Netherlands though :/

Wat dacht je hier van?

 

[Deleted member 1235]

Wat dacht je hier van?

Dank je!

Purchased the guy 6 glasses, got 6 for myself to piggyback on that delivery price

these glasses knocks the highland park 25 slightly out of the price range now, I think the belvenie 21 is what I'll shoot for it sits round the 100 euro mark I believe. Reviews seem positive!

Hope he wants to share

 

[Chuckie]

Hope he wants to share

He'd better. After all that effort he'd be kind of an asshole not to.

 

[koji]

Hartelijk bedankt voor de link naar die glazen, eindelijk fatsoenlijk gerief.

Cheers guys!

alright, went for a whisky shop today. Using a 'get something for 150 euro' benchmark (gift for a colleague) I came up with the following options that fall within 20 euro or so (all under)

Balvenie 21
highland park 25
macallan fine oak 18
glenlivet 21
Ballantines 21
Ardbeg supernova (this one was below 100, around 70 iirc)

any suggestions? The highland park 25 seems to review VERY well and I'm leaning towards it.

Only one I tried from that list is the Macallan fine oak, which seems way overpriced at around €150, think it costs about €80 in our local liquor store. It's very VERY smooth, almost to smooth to have any taste left... Good for people who are totally new to Scotch though, or people with supersensitive taste, or people who only drank some Johnny Walker and decided all Scotch is bad because it tastes too harsh...

 

[Chuckie]

Hartelijk bedankt voor de link naar die glazen, eindelijk fatsoenlijk gerief.

Cheers guys!

Lol. Geen dank.

 

[HappyBivouac]

Bought a bottle of the Glenlivet 12 today. It's extremely tasty--I get a lot of flowers and honey in the mouth. There's just one thing. I've always been a big craft beer enthusiast/reviewer/homebrewer, so liquor has never been a common thing for me. Does one just gradually get over the heat of the alcohol so he or she can focus on the flavors? Some of my favorite beers are quite hot for beer, (Dogfish Head World Wide Stout, Samichlaus Classic, Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout, many others) but obviously there's no comparison. Do I just need to drink more whisky?

 

[mr stroke]

Bought a bottle of the Glenlivet 12 today. It's extremely tasty--I get a lot of flowers and honey in the mouth. There's just one thing. I've always been a big craft beer enthusiast/reviewer/homebrewer, so liquor has never been a common thing for me. Does one just gradually get over the heat of the alcohol so he or she can focus on the flavors? Some of my favorite beers are quite hot for beer, (Dogfish Head World Wide Stout, Samichlaus Classic, Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout, many others) but obviously there's no comparison. Do I just need to drink more whisky?

Yes

 

[koji]

Do I just need to drink more whisky?

Yeah, you get used to it. What you can do though is nipping from your glass and leave the scotch for about 8 seconds in your mouth before drinking it. It won't be so hot when you do that and afterwards your mouth and throat will be used to it. (suck in air when you're doing it, like you are tasting whine or something)

My Glencairn glasses arrived yesterday, had to test one out right away! Very good glass, certainly for the nose part, opens up a lot of flavor, I like, thx again for the tip!