(Topic ID: 190063)
Minneapolis, MN
Trondheim
Ah! Must have tasted a couple of hundred scotch whiskies over the last 15-20 years. With whisky, like with pinball games, there are so many different flavours/styles that I find it impossible to pick a single favourite. On a hot summer day I can find a floral Highland Park to be just the thing. If it's windy and cold, better go for a Laphroaig or Ardbeg. With snacks or tapas, one of the more salted Bowmores can be quite nice. Any day at all: Bring me something I've never tasted, and I'll enjoy it!
I'd say most whiskies have something_ interesting about them, if you're inclined to taste for the tasting's sake, not purely drink hedonistically. Some can be too weird, though: I once had a whisky which had been stored in an old herring barrel. Called 'fishky', it was the worst tasting whisky I've ever had, by far. To quote one review of it: "The finish is salty, greasy, and nasty with no redeeming qualities." I have to agree! 
Anyway: Mmm, whisky! Just finishing a Bladnoch as I write this. Slàinte!
I'm with oyvindmo, whiskey is like wine in there are so many varieties and I tend to enjoy most if they aren't to cheap. I prefer to buy anything that is 12 year or older, and love most of the sherry cask versions of the different scotches.
Some of my current favorites in the cupboard (Scotch and Whiskey):
Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
Dalmore 15yr and 12yr
Tullamore Dew Trilogy
Tullamore Dew 12
Knob Creek Single Barrel
TX Whiskey and TX Bourbon (I'm in Texas)
I'm sure there are a couple more up there, but whiskey/scotch is kind of like my pinballs. Sometimes I can't remember exactly which ones I have 
Quoted from RVH:When I used to drink scotch it was anything from Balvenie.
I've had a lot of them and there all great.
I'm with RVH! I have about 30 different bottles in my liquor cabinet, but basically anything Balvenie (sherry cask is my favorite) is my go to.
You seem to like peaty scotch though. I'd recommend trying either Port Charlotte or Ardbeg. Both are heavily peated, and quite smooth.
Laphroaig for me. Briny and distinctive. 15 year old is great but 10 year is just fine. I prefer the Islay style, but there's quite a few scotches out there that are pretty damn tasty.
Quoted from Shiny_balls:Scotch and Pistachio nuts......the best!
I like Johnnie Walker,
A friend of mine gave me a gift......4 x 200ml bottles.......Yippee!
Joe Namath once said 'I like my Johnny Walker Red, and my women blonde". Great quote, ordinary blended scotch (the Red version, I mean).
Quoted from Friengineer:What are three Scotches I should try as a rookie? I'd like to get into Scotch.
I'm no pro, but I think it's probably a good idea to start with something on the low end like Johnny Walker Black, then work your way up to the good expensive stuff. My first single malt was Highland Park, which I think was a very good entry point.
Thanks for all the insight I think I'm going to go with a Balvinie for my next addition to the collection! Or maybe Ardbeg! Highland Park is definately up there as well. Have to throw a shout out too fellow pinsider Shaub for letting me sample his laphroaig and turning me onto the peaty scotches. Also a huge shout out to a great friend and fellow pinsider debow for putting me onto scotch in the first place!
Quoted from Friengineer:What are three Scotches I should try as a rookie? I'd like to get into Scotch.
I am rather new as well. I would suggest glenmorangie Quinta ruban for a nice sweet smooth starter, also an auchentoshan 12 along the same lines and a laphroaig quarter cask for an introduction into smokey peaty scotches too see if you enjoy them.
Regina, SK
I attended WhiskeyFest in New York for several years and had the chance to sample some really wonderful scotch. Standouts for me were Highland Park and Isle of Jura. It's been a while since enjoying a dram, and now having seen this thread I feel like a shopping trip is order ... so keep the recommendations flowing.
Quoted from Deadpin:Prefer them nice and peaty, although the are some exceptions..... the Balvenie Caribbean cask is tasty.
I really need a shelf like that...
Quoted from pinster68:I attended WhiskeyFest in New York for several years and had the chance to sample some really wonderful scotch. Standouts for me were Highland Park and Isle of Jura. It's been a while since enjoying a dram, and now having seen this thread I feel like a shopping trip is order ... so keep the recommendations flowing.
Those are actually two of my favorites. The highland park 12 yr has been my "everyday sipper" for years now but everything I've had from both of them has been great.
My absolute favorite not-impossible-to-find "scotch" is actually the Yamazaki 18 yr though
Any nice Single Malt Scotch should do well for most drinkers. But for me, a fine Scotch is not complete without an equal part of Drambuie. A fine liqueur by itself, paired with a fine Scotch only enhances each one's essence. I prefer drinking it neat, but on the rocks is ok as long as it doesn't get too watered down. Ask for a "Rusty Nail"
Quoted from KevinG:Any nice Single Malt Scotch should do well for most drinkers. But for me, a fine Scotch is not complete without an equal part of Drambuie. A fine liqueur by itself, paired with a fine Scotch only enhances each one's essence. I prefer drinking it neat, but on the rocks is ok as long as it doesn't get too watered down. Ask for a "Rusty Nail"
The Rusty Nail was my father's drink of choice. After he passed away in 1994 my family gathered and we decided to share Rusty Nails to pay our respects to dear old Dad. The Drambuie added enough sweetness and herb flavors to make it addictive. After a second, third, and fourth Rusty Nail we were completely shit-faced. My father loved to laugh ... he would have had a good chuckle watching us. It's been a long time ... need to pick up another bottle.
Quoted from nman:My absolute favorite not-impossible-to-find "scotch" is actually the Yamazaki 18 yr though
At 500 bucks that ought to be darn good stuff. Maybe make the stoners on the Cannabis forum jealous even. 
All good recommendations so far. I have never had a bad Balvenie The regional variations in Scotch make them tough to recommend.
My shelf is mostly Speyside region and mostly cheap stuff that is not exported. I really have to be in the mood for the smokey, peaty Scotches
Best advice given here is try a variety and see what really hits you. When you have a great Scotch you will know
So this stuff I once got in a duty free shop many moons ago and then ran across it again recently. The distillery is mostly used in blends (Johnny Walker I think?), but it's really nice and drinkable. Smooth and literally tastes like they added honey to it.... this here is a private bottling from when they were still owned by Seagrams.
These are also a private bottling, loved the bottler name if your familiar with the old Black Adder tv series. What's interesting is the char from the barrel in the bottles. Unfiltered, so it is still 'aging' in the bottle. Going to let this sit for a while
Also unusual because you don't see Laproaig independently bottled that often.
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I tried a Macallan Amber at fellow pinsider shaubs house recently and it was a fine scotch although I don't know the year.
Quoted from Half_Life:All fine manner of Scotch noted here. One I did not see mentioned (may have missed it) was a Macallan. I like the 18 and definitely like the 25
I haven't tried the 18 or 25. Though I have the 12 and 15 - and I prefer the 12. Can't go wrong with 12
Though to be honest - the bourbon on the left has 12 beat
Oh I'm in. Having Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask right now.
Exactly a year ago today I was at The Jar is Troon Scotland. Been hooked ever since!
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Quoted from Guinnesstime:Oh I'm in. Having Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask right now.
Exactly a year ago today I was at The Jar is Troon Scotland. Been hooked ever since!
Nice pics. That looks awesome.
Quoted from pinster68:Nice pics. That looks awesome.
Quoted from Pinhead306:I 2nd that!
Yeah it was amazing. 7 days of 75 degrees and sun with 5 rounds of golf too!
I wasn't a Scotch fan before, but instantly became one.
Quoted from Guinnesstime:Yeah it was amazing. 7 days of 75 degrees and sun with 5 rounds of golf too!
I wasn't a Scotch fan before, but instantly became one.
I would love to golf there! Must have been a great vacation.
Quoted from pinster68:I attended WhiskeyFest in New York for several years and had the chance to sample some really wonderful scotch. Standouts for me were Highland Park and Isle of Jura. It's been a while since enjoying a dram, and now having seen this thread I feel like a shopping trip is order ... so keep the recommendations flowing.
Highland Park 18 is my FAVORITE. You see that in my pic. Like what, $120 per bottle? I bought one when I came back. Went through it too quick!
My favorite splurge is Glenmorangie Nectar D'or. It's so easy drinking but like $80. SO good.
Go to is Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 or Dalwhinnie 15. Both under $50.
Quoted from pinster68:At 500 bucks that ought to be darn good stuff. Maybe make the stoners on the Cannabis forum jealous even.
Nah, place around here has (had?) it for $200. Not cheap, but doable. i had been keeping a bottle around until very recently.
My go to scotches are below. Each takes me to a distinctive place which is what I love most about a good scotch.
Laphroaig 18 - takes me to roaring campfires outside a castle wall while clad in leather amour.
Balvenie caribbean cask - take a guess
Dalmore 12 and 15 or King Alexander III if I'm feeling rich and takes me to a dank dark castle dungeon, in a good way
Glenfiddich 18 - takes me to a cold Halloween night with caramel apples, a swirling night breeze cutting through crisp leaves, high spirits, and the wisp of a distant log fire.
1 week later
So far I would say my top 3 that I have tried are balvinie carribean cask, glenmorangie Quinta ruban and nectar d'or. In no particular order.
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