Let's talk more about Scotch

[Rio Rebel]

I got to answer my own question from a couple of weeks ago. I got a bottle of Johnny Walker green label as a gift, and I have to admit it's smooth. Not my favorite, but very smooth and much, MUCH more drinkable than JW red label.

Since that last thread, I've tried a few more. I bought a bottle of Craggenmore, tasted the JW green, and tried a glass of Balvenie 15yr. My favorite is still the Glenlivet 12 yr. I'm looking forward to trying some Glenlivet 18, but I just can't make myself pay more than double the price of the 12 (I can't find the 18yr for less than $65, and I pay $25 for the Glenlivet 12yr).
I also want to try some of the 12yr Dewar's one of these days. That shouldn't be too difficult or expensive.

I am really enjoying Scotch these days.

 

[JohnCU]

try some glenkinchie, it's got a good flavor.

 

[Tiamat]

While I dont have any experience with the 15/18/21 of Glenlivet, I can say that for Glenfiddich the 18 is pretty nice. The 15 is decent, but not quite up to the 18. Of course, the price difference is very difficult to swallow. I did not like the Dewar's white label at all, it tasted horrible, akin to JW red.

 

[silverpig]

Lagavulin

Try going to a scottish bar and sample a few. You'll really be able to tell the difference between them when drank in the same night.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I need to find a bar that has Lagavulin. I hear it's great, but I'm through buying bottles of Scotch before I've tasted them. That gets expensive.

Right now, I have a nice little stock of Glenlivet 12, Glenfidditch 12, Johnny Walker 15, Craggenmore 12, and a 1.75 liter double bottle of Johnny Walker Red, that I'd trade even for one shot of anything decent.

 

[EKKC]

Glenmorangie

but single malt green label is good too
i love frozen gold label though. perfect with chocolate

 

[Rio Rebel]

"single malt green label"? What are you referring to? Johnny Walker is a blend.

 

[Rio Rebel]

So what's the very best scotch you've ever tasted? I've heard Lagavulin mentioned more than once.

 

[Orsorum]

My favorite Scotch, at the moment, is Clynelish, a 14YO Highland malt; my favorite Irish whiskey is Bushmill's 16YO single malt.

I've tried Lagavulin, Glenkinchie, Glenmorangie (have a bottle around here), Glenlivet (have a few bottles around), Laphroiag, and many others, and I still prefer the Clynelish. But, taste is individual and fickle, I have no doubt I'll try something new in six months or ten and pick up something new.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
My favorite Scotch, at the moment, is Clynelish, a 14YO Highland malt; my favorite Irish whiskey is Bushmill's 16YO single malt.

I've tried Lagavulin, Glenkinchie, Glenmorangie (have a bottle around here), Glenlivet (have a few bottles around), Laphroiag, and many others, and I still prefer the Clynelish. But, taste is individual and fickle, I have no doubt I'll try something new in six months or ten and pick up something new.

I find it also depends on my mood. Heck, sometimes I'd take a smooth buttery rye over a scotch.

 

[ni0v]

Try something peaty like Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Talisker, or Caol Ila.

 

[Jschmuck2]

||obligatory anchorman comment here||

 

[Flammable]

Cordon Bleu

 

[shocksyde]

Dalmore 12 is one of my favorites. Also a fan of Dalwhinnie.

 

[sjwaste]

Glenfiddich 15 is a LOT smoother and has better flavor than the 12, for not a whole lot more money. I'd highly recommend it.

Macallan is king in the 12 yr, or at least of those that I've tried.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I'll try the Glenfiddich 15. I like the 12 (not quite as much as the Glenlivet, but still like it.)

Hard to believe that going from 12 to 15 years makes such a dramatic difference.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
I'll try the Glenfiddich 15. I like the 12 (not quite as much as the Glenlivet, but still like it.)

Hard to believe that going from 12 to 15 years makes such a dramatic difference.

At least for Glenfiddich, the jump from 12 to 15 is definitely worth the price vs 15 to 18. The 18 is a little bit sweeter and goes down a bit more smoothly, but it's not worth $25 more. I think around here, the 15 is about $10 more than the 12, and I like it a whole lot better.

I drink both with a little bit of water, FYI, which I think develops the flavors a little more but also makes it so that I might not be the best judge of smoothness since I'm diluting it a bit.

 

[Turin39789]

I haven't taken the plunge into scotch. I found Bourbon and I am content.

That said I got three bottles of scotch for free. Glemorangie 12 yr, port, madeira and sherry wood finish.

Any good? Good idea to take with me to mardis gras this week to share with a friend who is a scotch drinker?

 

[ktehmok]

IIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH need a drink.

 

[zinfamous]

Ardbeg, Laphphroig, Skye, Bowmore....

Islay > all others

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

When you're done with scotch, try a bottle of RedBreast Irish Whiskey. Really good stuff, and a bargain at $40/bottle (in wiscinson, fatherinlaw reports $70 in Florida).

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
When you're done with scotch, try a bottle of RedBreast Irish Whiskey. Really good stuff, and a bargain at $40/bottle (in wiscinson, fatherinlaw reports $70 in Florida).

Hey, I have a bottle of that too! Got in the airport in Ireland, forgot to take my list of whiskeys not available in the states and just grabbed one I hadn't had before. Got a bottle of Connemara peated single malt as well.

And hey homebrewer dude, someone on the slickdeals forum just talked me into buying this - $50 30 gallon steel stockpot/turkey fryer. I already have a fryer setup with an aluminu pot, but now I can leave 3 month old turkey grease leftovers in the turkey pot and devote the steel pot to beer.

Tell me it's a good deal.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...reativeASIN=B000NVYSHC

 

[The Boston Dangler]

years ago, i attended a scotch tasting, hosted by johnnie walker. i'm not a lover of brown liquor, but this was both awesome and free. there was a scot holding court, a jw documentary, and maybe a dozen different scotches. at the end, salad and pasta with full bar service, jw drinks for free. walking out of there, everyone was completely in love with jw. i guess their marketing effort worked.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
When you're done with scotch, try a bottle of RedBreast Irish Whiskey. Really good stuff, and a bargain at $40/bottle (in wiscinson, fatherinlaw reports $70 in Florida).

Hey, I have a bottle of that too! Got in the airport in Ireland, forgot to take my list of whiskeys not available in the states and just grabbed one I hadn't had before. Got a bottle of Connemara peated single malt as well.

And hey homebrewer dude, someone on the slickdeals forum just talked me into buying this - $50 30 gallon steel stockpot/turkey fryer. I already have a fryer setup with an aluminu pot, but now I can leave 3 month old turkey grease leftovers in the turkey pot and devote the steel pot to beer.

Tell me it's a good deal.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...reativeASIN=B000NVYSHC

yeah that SS pot makes that a good deal. I'm not partial to SS like some are, but a 7.5 gal SS pot can run you $50. The stand and burner look pretty average, and more than sufficient for brewing outdoors away from the wife's stove top. You're really going to love the extra capacity that 7.5 vessel affords, boil overs are a lot less common, though still possible.

I'm getting ready to do a massive brew day... 20 gallons (2 10 gallon batches)... will post up when I get my crap together.


cheers,
HBD

 

[Rio Rebel]

I can't imagine anyone being in love with Johnny Walker. I like the green label that I was given, but even with the smoother, aged version, it's not among my favorites at all.

I think I'm warming up more to the Cragganmore.