Scotch Drinkers -- help

[BikeJunkie]

Too bad it costs 2x as much as anything else in this thread.

No, if you pay $200 for a bottle of Blue, I have some air to sell you 😉

 

[Tiamat]

What else could you possibly use as a mixer with fine, Single malt scotch? Orange?! You people...

I got Sunkist and San pellegrino ;p

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Is there a difference between "whiskey" and "scotch"? Is Canadian Whiskey a "scotch" or just whiskey?

 

[Scotteq]

Is there a difference between "whiskey" and "scotch"? Is Canadian Whiskey a "scotch" or just whiskey?

It's all whiskey - (any booze distilled from fermented grain mash)

Scotch is made only from malted barley, and by law may only be called Scotch if it was made, and subsequently aged in barrels, in Scotland, for a minimum of three years. There isn't a specific requirement for the barrels themselves, and distillers routinely reuse (especially sherry) ones obtained from other products as a way to enhance flavor.

Bourbon is from the USA, and is made from a majority of Corn (51%, minimum). And by law must be aged in new 'charred, white oak' barrels. Only US whisky made this way may be called Bourbon. Note: since the requirement in the US is only new barrels, most of the used ones are sold to Scotland and reused.

Tennessee whisky is Bourbon which has been filtered through charcoal. Mostly that means Jack Daniels

Canadian whisky comes from.... 😉

'Sour Mash' is when the distiller starts a new batch of mash using some of the old mash, instead of new yeast.

Rye is whisky made from Rye.

Irish whiskey is made in Ireland. Their rules are more relaxed. They also tend to triple distill the alcohol, which often results in a cleaner, lighter taste.

 

[Corporate Thug]

thanks for the recommendations all...we went drinking last night and one of them was pounding jameson. any thoughts with this in mind?

I tried Jameson for the first time (probably the 5th time in my life I had whiskey) - disgusting.

 

[BikeJunkie]

thanks for the recommendations all...we went drinking last night and one of them was pounding jameson. any thoughts with this in mind?

I tried Jameson for the first time (probably the 5th time in my life I had whiskey) - disgusting.

I happen to like Jameson, but it's very much an acquired taste and isn't usually consumed on its own (in the US) TMK. In fact, I don't personally know anyone other than myself who drinks it straight.

I don't know that it will help much with narrowing down a good scotch whisky choice, though. If I had to hazard a guess, he would probably be open to the more adventurous malts (more peat and smoke), but again, that's just a guess.

You've received a lot of good advice in this thread - the majority of the mentions here are virtual locks in terms of any scotch drinker appreciating the gift. Highland Park, Macallan, Talisker, Lagavulin, etc.

Here are my two most emphatic pieces of advice:

1. Do not gift Glenlivet to seasoned scotch enthusiasts. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the whisky itself, but it's far too "been there done that" unless you're trying to introduce someone to scotch. I don't care if you're gifting the 18 year. Just don't. IMO opinion it shows a lack of thought and originality.

2. Get the Highland Park 15 or, better yet, 18. You cannot go wrong, no matter what kind of scotch drinkers they are. There something in HP 18 for everyone 😉