What's a good scotch to learn the ways of scotch?

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K

KingGheedora

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
3,248
1
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I've had whiskey before and it was foul. But I was 21 and in some crappy bar so who knows what they gave me.

I want to give scotch a chance. Suggest something good so I can learn to about this fine and sophisticated drink. Price is not a huge deal, I would be willing to spend up to $80 for a bottle. Also suggest how to serve it.

 
B

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
You tried whiskey once.. and you decided you didn't like it.

Now you want an $80 bottle of scotch?

How about.. get a $20 750 of Maker's Mark bourbon whiskey.. Get another $25 750 of Jack Daniel's oak barrel whiskey (different flavor).. and then.. get a $35 bottle of Johnie Walker Black..

Now you can try a bourbon whiskey, burnt barrel whiskey, and a bottle of scotch for $80.. and they're all pretty damn decent. These 3 cover pretty much the 'range' of differences between whiskey and scotch. Once you know the kind you like, you can expand in that area.

Also.. try making a Manhattan if you thought whiskey was foul...

2oz Maker's Mark
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth (about $6/bottle)
cherry (if you care)
-- poured over ice in a rocks glass

Bleh.. if you don't know anything about whiskey or scotch (which is really just whiskey), why even try to appreciate an $80 bottle of whiskey?

EDIT: BTW, a bar is the worst way to try alcohol. Often their expensive stuff is sitting on the shelf with the lid open 'breathing' for a month.. and their cheap stuff is super-cheap sh1t and they still charge $4/shot for it.

You'll find that the 'super-cheap' version of anything is usually foul. Super-cheap whiskey is used for mixing.. same with tequila, gin, vodka, etc..

Oh, and before you decide to be a metrosexual progressive appreciater of vodka (an epidemic in the college-age crew right now), I'll save you some trouble..
- Smirnoff Ice is one of the best.. and also one of the cheapest and most mass-produced. All the others are pretty much prettier and more expensive with lesser quality vodka (ie.. Graygoose). Vodka is different than other liqours because the whole point of it is to just be as 'tasteless' as possible. If you want flavor, try Gin.. It's still clear.


 
L

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
Originally posted by: KingGheedora
I've had whiskey before and it was foul. But I was 21 and in some crappy bar so who knows what they gave me.

I want to give scotch a chance. Suggest something good so I can learn to about this fine and sophisticated drink. Price is not a huge deal, I would be willing to spend up to $80 for a bottle. Also suggest how to serve it.
Click to expand...

Why buy a whole bottle? Go to a bar and order a drink and see if you like it.
 
K

KingGheedora

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
3,248
1
81
Well that's the thing, i am asking you guys who to appreciate it. Should I ditch the $80, and go for something else? Give me a syllabus.
 
F

FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
0
0
Cut it with a couple drops of water your first few times until you get a taste for the stuff. Really helps.
 
K

KingGheedora

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
3,248
1
81
Originally posted by: brxndxn
You tried whiskey once.. and you decided you didn't like it.
Click to expand...

I really doubt that scotch drinkers liked scotch when they first tried it. The same way a lot of people don't like the taste of beer when they are younger, it's an acquired taste.
 
D

doze

Platinum Member
Jul 26, 2005
2,786
0
0
You can pick up a bottle of some dewars 12 year old special reserve, or glenlivet, or johnnie walker black for about $40.
 
B

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Originally posted by: brxndxn
You tried whiskey once.. and you decided you didn't like it.
Click to expand...

I really doubt that scotch drinkers liked scotch when they first tried it. The same way a lot of people don't like the taste of beer when they are younger, it's an acquired taste.
Click to expand...

Go back and read the rest of my advice?
 
B

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Originally posted by: KingGheedora
I've had whiskey before and it was foul. But I was 21 and in some crappy bar so who knows what they gave me.

I want to give scotch a chance. Suggest something good so I can learn to about this fine and sophisticated drink. Price is not a huge deal, I would be willing to spend up to $80 for a bottle. Also suggest how to serve it.
Click to expand...

Why buy a whole bottle? Go to a bar and order a drink and see if you like it.
Click to expand...

The problem with this is you don't know what the bar is doing with their liquors. Some bars that are looking to save on costs will use cheaper liquors in more expensive bottles, or cut it with cheaper product. Illegal, but it still happens.
 
K

KingGheedora

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
3,248
1
81
Originally posted by: brxndxn

Oh, and before you decide to be a metrosexual progressive appreciater of vodka (an epidemic in the college-age crew right now), I'll save you some trouble..
- Smirnoff Ice is one of the best.. and also one of the cheapest and most mass-produced. All the others are pretty much prettier and more expensive with lesser quality vodka (ie.. Graygoose). Vodka is different than other liqours because the whole point of it is to just be as 'tasteless' as possible. If you want flavor, try Gin.. It's still clear.
Click to expand...

Not gonna happen. I like ice cold Grey Goose, and it's good enough that I don't care to try other vodka's. Pretty much any ice cold decent quality (and no lemon/orange flavored) vodka gets the job done.
 
A

Atheus

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2005
7,313
2
0
You can get these tasting kits (or you can in Scotland anyway, and therefore you can on the internet from Scotland) with 5 or 6 different and interesting scotches and a little book.
 
K

KingGheedora

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
3,248
1
81
Originally posted by: brxndxn
Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Originally posted by: brxndxn
You tried whiskey once.. and you decided you didn't like it.
Click to expand...

I really doubt that scotch drinkers liked scotch when they first tried it. The same way a lot of people don't like the taste of beer when they are younger, it's an acquired taste.
Click to expand...

Go back and read the rest of my advice?
Click to expand...

I did. I am going to try what you said.
 
HamburgerBoy

HamburgerBoy

Lifer
Apr 12, 2004
27,111
318
126
Personally, I've never liked the yellow smoky scotches like Laphroaig. Try a sweeter one like Auchentoshan or Aberlour. :D
 
sao123

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,653
205
106
Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Well that's the thing, i am asking you guys who to appreciate it. Should I ditch the $80, and go for something else? Give me a syllabus.
Click to expand...

forget whiskey... drink southern comfort straight.
 
J

jlmadyson

Platinum Member
Aug 13, 2004
2,201
0
0
Kentucky Bourbon there is no other my friend. Maker's of Knob Creek is a good start.
 
S

scoobytwo

Member
Feb 1, 2007
55
0
0
Originally posted by: brxndxn
You tried whiskey once.. and you decided you didn't like it.

Now you want an $80 bottle of scotch?

How about.. get a $20 750 of Maker's Mark bourbon whiskey.. Get another $25 750 of Jack Daniel's oak barrel whiskey (different flavor).. and then.. get a $35 bottle of Johnie Walker Black..

Now you can try a bourbon whiskey, burnt barrel whiskey, and a bottle of scotch for $80.. and they're all pretty damn decent. These 3 cover pretty much the 'range' of differences between whiskey and scotch. Once you know the kind you like, you can expand in that area.

Also.. try making a Manhattan if you thought whiskey was foul...

2oz Maker's Mark
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth (about $6/bottle)
cherry (if you care)
-- poured over ice in a rocks glass

Bleh.. if you don't know anything about whiskey or scotch (which is really just whiskey), why even try to appreciate an $80 bottle of whiskey?

EDIT: BTW, a bar is the worst way to try alcohol. Often their expensive stuff is sitting on the shelf with the lid open 'breathing' for a month.. and their cheap stuff is super-cheap sh1t and they still charge $4/shot for it.

You'll find that the 'super-cheap' version of anything is usually foul. Super-cheap whiskey is used for mixing.. same with tequila, gin, vodka, etc..

Oh, and before you decide to be a metrosexual progressive appreciater of vodka (an epidemic in the college-age crew right now), I'll save you some trouble..
- Smirnoff Ice is one of the best.. and also one of the cheapest and most mass-produced. All the others are pretty much prettier and more expensive with lesser quality vodka (ie.. Graygoose). Vodka is different than other liqours because the whole point of it is to just be as 'tasteless' as possible. If you want flavor, try Gin.. It's still clear.
Click to expand...

Smirnoff Ice is a malt liquor, not vodka

 
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