Scoresby Scotch

[sjwaste]

I was doing some internet research for a cheap, drinkable scotch. I saw a rec for Scoresby, as it's $20 for a handle. I like having a cheap bottle on hand because after the first out of a nice bottle, the subtlety and such don't matter anymore. So I went out and bought some, along with a bottle of Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, which I've posted about before and is my current favorite whisky.

So I pour myself a glass of Scoresby. First glass, too, since I wanted to really see if this stuff was shit or not. I put in one ice cube because it's $20 and comes in a plastic jug.

Not. Bad. For lack of a better description, it's a little sweet and slightly... bland. No off flavors, and the nose is no worse than Dewars White or any of the JW blends that I think are overpriced. Unless this bottle is filled with loooooooong chains of hydrocarbons and hangs me the hell over tomorrow, I'm definitely calling Scoresby a value pick.

 

[lxskllr]

I had that once before, and I was fairly impressed too. Honestly, I don't see me ever buying it. As little as I drink, I'll buy something tastier(Famous Grouse for budget), but Scoresby is better than some of the more common blends, Cutty Sark comes to mind :shudder:

 

[sjwaste]

I had that once before, and I was fairly impressed too. Honestly, I don't see me ever buying it. As little as I drink, I'll buy something tastier(Famous Grouse for budget), but Scoresby is better than some of the more common blends, Cutty Sark comes to mind :shudder:

Occasionally I like to splurge on a ridiculous (for me, anyway) bottle. I'll usually get something cheaper to go with it, so that my second glass is something commensurate with the state of my tastebuds after the first.

Plus, my buddies and I sometimes pull together some bottles for "tastings" and it usually devolves into idiocy. It's nice to know there's a plastic jug that can keep things going and not make us all regret downing the good stuff.

But yeah, for infrequent drinking, I totally wouldn't buy it either. It's like smoking black n milds instead of a decent cigar if you're only having one a month.

 

[zinfamous]

if it comes in a handle...it probably ain't scotch.

 

[sjwaste]

if it comes in a handle...it probably ain't scotch.

Scotch is a very specific term. It's scotch, blended but scotch. Aged 3 years (ha!).

Diageo owns it, so it's likely that it's from Johnnie Walker barrels. Frankly, I think $20 a handle is the right price for any of the JW blends. Basically a cheaper J&B, which isn't bad in and of itself.

EDIT: I'll defend Scoresby as far as saying I like it better than JW Red, and I'm indifferent between it and JW Black. I mean, I probably dislike JW Black more than most, so that might not be the most valid statement I've made around here, but I'll make it. It's definitely better than Cutty Sark, Cluny, and the like. I do hear Grant's is a good value too though.

 

[BoomerD]

I used to drink Scoresby.

It certainly isn't a GOOD scotch, but it's a decent cheap scotch.

IIRC, it was about $4.99 per 5 gallon bucket back then. (in the 70's)

Those were the days when quantity counted more than quality most nights.

That stuff got me into way too many fistfights...had to completely quit drinking scotch, and found a much mellower alcoholic drink...tequila.

 

[Colt45]

i can't stand scotch...

drinking some irish right nao.

 

[Colt45]

i can't stand scotch...

drinking some irish right nao.

 

[thebestMAX]

Another one to try if you like Scoresby is Ballantines. About $14 a fifth but a step up.

Im more of an Irish drinker myself these days.

 

[69Mach1]

I had that once before, and I was fairly impressed too. Honestly, I don't see me ever buying it. As little as I drink, I'll buy something tastier(Famous Grouse for budget), but Scoresby is better than some of the more common blends, Cutty Sark comes to mind :shudder:

Cutty Sark has one perfect quality that keeps me coming back. I can drink a whole fifth of it and get no hangover. The only thing I've ever found with that effect. Too bad about the way it tastes, though.

 

[grohl]

Nice observation, I will definitely try it with that recommendation.

Of the lower priced scotches, I have usually stuck with Dewars White, I agree that Cutty and JW Red are terribly overpriced. And Chivas is a waste of what a 12 year scotch should taste like IMO.

 

[DainBramaged]

I prefer Old Smuggler. THAT is a decent scotch for its price.

 

[lxskllr]

Cutty Sark has one perfect quality that keeps me coming back. I can drink a whole fifth of it and get no hangover. The only thing I've ever found with that effect. Too bad about the way it tastes, though.

I'm that way with scotch and Irish in general. Beer, bourbon, mixed drinks... all make me puke if I have too much. I could drink scotch and Irish to the point of passing out, and I'd wake up the next day feeling great.