Scotch Sundays. Bring it.
- Thread starter 4GRAINR
- Start date
Black Dog
Makin' Beer.
I had a bit of Johnny Walker Blue Label this weekend. I was out of town for my sisters wedding and they had a cash bar, but it was only buttweiser and garbage, so we went to the bar up the hallway in the motel. My dad asked if they ever have Johnny Blue and they just so happened to that night (New Years Eve). $25 for a single, $25.75 for a double, so my dad said "Make it a double then!" and they served it to me in a low ball glass on the rocks. It was pretty good but I don't think I would spend $200 a bottle on it, very smooth but also a very strong flavor that I think may have been peat or something, not sure. It must be an acquired taste or something. My mom had a bottle of Gold Label in her house that I also tried and I liked that better, must just be a different blend or something.
DirtWhiskey
Western Dirt Rat
My tuppence worth.
As a Scot, with family still working in the Distilleries, I have been known to have the occasional tipple...
For me, you can`t beat any of the single malts from the Western Isles.
Some of the best, IMHO, in no particular order
Ardbeg - Excellent
Bowmore - Very good.
Bunnahabhain - Makes grown men weep with joy.
Isle of Jura - The whisky from Jura is simply outstanding
Lagavulin - Joint favourite
Laphroaig - Joint favourite
For me, stuff like Johnny Walker is simply unpalatable. I guess if you`ve been raised around outstanding single malts, then you`re predisposed toward the good stuff!
There is an excellent book, by Iain Banks, a famous Scottish author, Raw Spirit:In Search of the perfect dram (amazon link), which is well worth a read. Banks and some buddies decide to visit all the best distilleries in Scotland. Tough job, but someone has to do it
Sadly, living in the mountains of Southern Spain, the bars stock Ballantines and not much else, which makes me very sad indeed. Great for preparing metalwork for priming, but nought else
Now we're talking. Just barely getting to know the Jura malts. Incredible stuff. I will add Bruichladdich to the Islay bunch. The Laddie 10 is one of the great bargains in the booze world. Also, keep an eye out for the Finlaggen Old Reserve from Trader Joes. It's an excess warehouse sourced Islay that, although way too soft at 80 proof, is an incredible deal at about $15 a bottle.
If you are willing to play a bit, don't count out the Japanese offerings. Yamakazi and Suntory (the Habiki, yummmm) are doing things with wood that nobody else has done. Some incredible new treatments for sure. Things like Solara (ie sherry-style) method barrel aging with Japanese oak, bamboo, sherry, saki and port casks. Dang. I need a drink...
DaveNay
Adventurer
Like many have mentioned, been more of a bourbon or canadian whiskey drinker, so I have limited experience with Scotch. I bought a bottle of Glen Moray on the advice of the proprietor of the liquor store. The first sip had a bite, but it mellowed on subsequent sips and I grew to appreciate it. Definitely a good sit and sip. Enjoyed it with a good pipe, great view, and better company. When I picked it out, I wanted a scotch that would not turn me away from scotch. Based on the opinions here, I may have to try and pick up a bottle of Glenmorangie. Seems to be lots of folks go-tos. Along with another bottle of Glen Moray.
And as far as traveling with it, in the bottle it came in, or a rumrunner flask.
And as far as traveling with it, in the bottle it came in, or a rumrunner flask.
Ramjet
Explorer
If you really want to learn about Scotch and Whiskey. Go to www.thewhiskyexchange.com Not only can you learn, but you can buy most of everything available world wide. For a price.
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Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
JJBiggs brought a bottle of Balvenie Caribbean Cask camping and it was REALLY good...
It's whatever I receive as a gift at Christmas and my birthday.
I prefer mine neat and Jameson leads the list. But, I keep several in the cabinet:
- Watkins (Kentuck Straight Bourbon)
- Chivas Regal (Blended Scotch Whisky)
- Glenfiddich
- The Balvenie
- JD and Jim Beam for mixing
Cheers,
I prefer mine neat and Jameson leads the list. But, I keep several in the cabinet:
- Watkins (Kentuck Straight Bourbon)
- Chivas Regal (Blended Scotch Whisky)
- Glenfiddich
- The Balvenie
- JD and Jim Beam for mixing
Cheers,
NorthernWoodsman
Adventurer/tinkerer
I think I might've just found my favorite thread of all
1. What is your "everyday" scotch of choice? Well, it's not scotch, but rather bourbon...Bulleit Rye. Although I alternate that with Auchentoshan, Aberlour (not my favorite though), Glenlivet 12 year, John Jacob Rye Whiskey (Seattle, WA), Speyburn...depends on what I felt like buying and have in the house.
2. When you go big or want something a little nicer for a special occasion or just to enjoy, what do you pour? I've never "gone big" I guess at home, but I have bought some nicer scotch or whiskey at the bar. If I wake up I consider it a special occasion, so at the end of the day I'll drink a scotch or whiskey regardless of price. Life's too short to save things for a "special occasion".
3. Do you travel with scotch, and if so, what is your preferred method of transport? Never owned a flask, but have carried it in recycled glass bottles, my Nalgene bottles and my Kleen Kanteens when camping.
One of my favorite artists and books (Ralph Steadman):
1. What is your "everyday" scotch of choice? Well, it's not scotch, but rather bourbon...Bulleit Rye. Although I alternate that with Auchentoshan, Aberlour (not my favorite though), Glenlivet 12 year, John Jacob Rye Whiskey (Seattle, WA), Speyburn...depends on what I felt like buying and have in the house.
2. When you go big or want something a little nicer for a special occasion or just to enjoy, what do you pour? I've never "gone big" I guess at home, but I have bought some nicer scotch or whiskey at the bar. If I wake up I consider it a special occasion, so at the end of the day I'll drink a scotch or whiskey regardless of price. Life's too short to save things for a "special occasion".
3. Do you travel with scotch, and if so, what is your preferred method of transport? Never owned a flask, but have carried it in recycled glass bottles, my Nalgene bottles and my Kleen Kanteens when camping.
One of my favorite artists and books (Ralph Steadman):
Black Dog
Makin' Beer.
A friend of mine is having a bachelor party this weekend and asked me to tend bar for him, he specifically requested tequila so I wanted to do a twist on a margerita and found a recipe for a "smokie" margerita that has some heavily peeted scotch in it. The only heavily peeted scotch I've ever had is too expensive for a one nighter...I was told to keep it under $100 for everything...so I wound up taking a risk with a scotch I've never had before. What I got is called Sheep Dip, and I have to say I like it! I've been on a Bulleit bourbon kick lately and haven't had scotch in a while so my taste may be a bit off, but it seemed like it was really good for being in the under-forty-bucks category. I might need to stop by the liquor store on the way to the party to get a new bottle since I've already drank about a fourth of the first bottle I bought.
Warn Industries
Supporting Vendor
Recently enjoyed some Ardbeg 10 Scotch. Had them in the Glencairn whiskey glasses, and was amazed at the aromatics. Did a bit or research on those glasses, and picked up a couple yesterday.
- Andy
- Andy