[txtraveler]

(11-09-2012 12:20 AM)MSW2007 Wrote:  

(11-09-2012 12:19 AM)cardguy Wrote:  

Does Irish Whiskey have any traits that differ in taste from Scotch Whisky? I never explored the differences since I much prefer bourbon.

Cardguy

Cleaner, smoother taste.

Jameson is one of my best friends...haha

[_GQ_]

'That's Protestant whiskey'

- Jimmy McNulty

[Prufrock]

The Jameson = Catholic,
Bushmills = Protestant myth has been debunked.

But I support anyone who quotes from The Wire.

[_GQ_]

Haha thanks for the info.

[T and A Man]

The main difference is that the barley in Scotch is smoked dry, whereas in irish, the barley is raw.

Also Scotch distlled twice as opposed to Irish being 3 times... but I find the treatment of the Barley the main difference.

I find that it means that Soctch is sweeter, whereas irish has an ash-like flavour, not as distinct as Bourbon, but along the lines.

[cardguy]

By the way - Laphroaig is stored in old barrels that were originally used for storing Maker's Mark. Kinda' makes them whisky cousins.

Cardguy

[Beyond Borders]

Nice choice on the Glenfiddich.

Any of you who travel through Southeast Asia ever try out Kavalan? It's a whiskey from Taiwan that has performed really well against scotches in blind taste tests and has gained some acclaim over the past couple years. I bought a bottle at the airport on my last flight to Thailand and was pretty impressed.

Apparently, whiskey ages much faster in the tropics, allowing them to make whiskeys that are on par with much older whiskeys from colder locations. It's becoming a point of pride in Taiwan and I see them coming out with more good stuff in the future.

Here's one article on Kavalan from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/15/busine...d=all&_r=0

[Freddy_1]

Red or Black label on the rocks with a dash of lime cordial ( preferably bickfords)...Had my first one about 8 years ago and now is the only thing I can drink!..Try it!!

[Architekt]

Thought I'd bump this thread up.

Just bought myself a bottle of this

(Ignore the tequila, that's for tomorrow)

Was a fairly cheap bottle, but it's actually not too bad.

[kosko]

Is what I fuck with. Best quality for its price!

[Hencredible Casanova]

Jameson is my favorite blended whisky. Pretty much my most common choice as a go-to drink at bars. Redbreast is excellent step up. I had that last year for the first time and occasionally order it at bars. But if I'm buying a bottle for pre-gaming, I usually get Jameson.

I'm also a fan of Canadian Whisky, specifically Crown Royal. Objectively the best-tasting IMO. Extremely smooth. Crown and Ginger Ale cocktail is amazing.

Love Jack Daniels. And for Bourbon I highly recommend Maker's 46. Superb quality. A step up from Maker's Mark, which is an entry-level choice of bourbon.

[kenny_powers]

I have recently been ordering Macallen 12 or Oban 14 for the first drink of the night. Neat or with 1 cube.

[ABDada]

Oban 14 is a great way to start the night. Keeps you from falling into the crap beer or mixed drinks, in my opinion.

I'm OK with an ice cube in there because I'm not a snob.

[Veloce]

There's nothing really wrong with adding ice to scotch, but ice water is more traditional. I've done industry tastings of some very high end scotches and it's common practice to add a VERY small amount of ice water to a scotch before tasting. It opens up many of the aromas.

[megatron]

A teeny bit of weed in a vaporizer beats the shit out of alcohol for straight up relaxation and hanging out.

going out? You can't beat alcohol: it lower inhibitions and increases machismo.

[megatron]

I'm actually considering getting into Scotch, though. But I want to dip my toe into the water first because I've never liked alcohol much outside of bars, parties and dates.

What's the best bottle of single malt that I can get in the $30 to $50 range?

[Veloce]

(11-22-2012 01:47 PM)megatron Wrote:  

I'm actually considering getting into Scotch, though. But I want to dip my toe into the water first because I've never liked alcohol much outside of bars, parties and dates.

What's the best bottle of single malt that I can get in the $30 to $50 range?

[MJP1]

Macallen is my personal taste as well. I have tried most of the blends but prefer a real malt with a tiny bit of ice.

[lush1]

Anyone else hate scotch? I've tried the good stuff many times (felt guilty but people have insisted) and still hate it. Seems to be very popular in the USA.

[megatron]

(11-22-2012 02:22 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  

(11-22-2012 01:47 PM)megatron Wrote:  

I'm actually considering getting into Scotch, though. But I want to dip my toe into the water first because I've never liked alcohol much outside of bars, parties and dates.

What's the best bottle of single malt that I can get in the $30 to $50 range?

Cool, thanks, man.

What do you other guys think of this brand for the price?

[Titan]

(11-22-2012 01:06 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  

There's nothing really wrong with adding ice to scotch, but ice water is more traditional. I've done industry tastings of some very high end scotches and it's common practice to add a VERY small amount of ice water to a scotch before tasting. It opens up many of the aromas.

Yes!, I don't remember where I heard that but it said that you should add a really small amount of icy mineral water to a glass of good whiskey so its flavours and aromas can be released.

[kerouac]

If you wanna get into the smokey/peaty flavors under the $40 territory, check out Laphroaig:


And if you want to get a taste of that under $20 (at Trader Joes), check out Finlaggan:


A really good whisky I have on my shelf is the Suntory Hibiki 12. It's the one that Bill Murray drinks in Lost in Translation:

[Cincinnatus]

Good recommendation on the Laphroaig, kerouac. They're my second favorite distillery, behind only Glenmorangie (though they are miles apart in style and taste).

One of the local liquor stores has Laphroaig 18 yr. single-malt for $76.00



It's caught my eye the last few times I was there. Sooner or later a bottle is going into my cart.

[kenny_powers]

Megatron, if you don't like alcohol Scotch may not necessarily be the best place for you to start. As time goes on your preference and palette changes. My drinking career in order has been vodka, rum, craft beer, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Johnny Walker Black, now I'm on Macallan and have started drinking Hendrix Gin and Citadel Gin. Laphroaig is very distinct, it is very "peaty". Ask your local bartender to let you smell or sample it - you will notice right away. I know you asked for a single malt (I don't know the brand thedude suggested) but if you want to break into Scotch for $40 I recommend Johnny Walker Black....it is a blend but an awesome drink that gives your head a nice feel and you won't hate life in the morning.

[Veloce]

I agree about breaking in with Blended. It's like going straight to Mezcal without ever having Tequila.