Whiskey vs. Bourbon vs. Scotch battle royal!

[Scotteq]

My current favorite is a bottle of Glenmorangie Sonnalta. Like yours, it's not something most places stock, so when I see a bottle I'll automatically reach for the wallet.

 

[NuclearNed]

My current favorite drink is the Perfect Manhattan, so I'm gonna say whiskey.

 

[DigDog]

ok lets do this:

HERE is an example of a "good" whisky.

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/port-ellen-22-year-old-rare-malts-whisky/

there are less expensive alternatives, but if you think talisker is the peak of whisky making u'r in for a surprise.

 

[Blueychan]

whiskey? Scotch and Bourbon are whiskey ... OP is confused

 

[lxskllr]

ok lets do this:

HERE is an example of a "good" whisky.

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/port-ellen-22-year-old-rare-malts-whisky/

there are less expensive alternatives, but if you think talisker is the peak of whisky making u'r in for a surprise.

Price != quality. That bottle may or may not be fantastic, but most of what you're paying for is rarity. Starting at $30 a bottle, there's quickly diminishing returns as the price increases, and becomes virtually null at the $80 price point. People have payed many thousands of dollars for a rare scotch at auction, and described the taste as being a "bottle of stewed sawdust", too long in the cask...

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Any recommendations of reliable places to purchase quality SMSW online?

 

[child of wonder]

Price != quality. That bottle may or may not be fantastic, but most of what you're paying for is rarity. Starting at $30 a bottle, there's quickly diminishing returns as the price increases, and becomes virtually null at the $80 price point. People have payed many thousands of dollars for a rare scotch at auction, and described the taste as being a "bottle of stewed sawdust", too long in the cask...

Not always. Highland Park is a good example. The 18 year sells for ~$100 and definitely offers more in taste and complexity than the 12 year at $40.

But, I do agree that all too often the difference between a $40 bottle of scotch and a $80 bottle is minimal.

 

[lxskllr]

Not always. Highland Park is a good example. The 18 year sells for ~$100 and definitely offers more in taste and complexity than the 12 year at $40.

But, I do agree that all too often the difference between a $40 bottle of scotch and a $80 bottle is minimal.

I haven't had the 18, but 12 year HP is much better than the 25. I have an unopened bottle in my cabinet, and can't be arsed to open it. I got a couple bottles a few years ago at a good price. I'm not saying it's bad. I just have others I'd rather drink. It has a nice box, and I may end up giving it away as a gift. That would be an easy and cheap(already paid for) present for the right person.

 

[child of wonder]

I haven't had the 18, but 12 year HP is much better than the 25. I have an unopened bottle in my cabinet, and can't be arsed to open it. I got a couple bottles a few years ago at a good price. I'm not saying it's bad. I just have others I'd rather drink. It has a nice box, and I may end up giving it away as a gift. That would be an easy and cheap(already paid for) present for the right person.

What a coincidence, my birthday is coming up!

I can believe the 25 year isn't as good. The 12 year not only has that nice smoky flavor, but some nice sweet notes. I'm sure almost all of that sweetness is replaced with oak monster in the 25.

 

[Anubis]

its all personal pref really,I like the 12 and 18 HP more. similarly with Glenfiddich i really don't like the 12 but the 15 and 18 are great. ive only tried the 21 once and TBH i cant remember it

 

[lxskllr]

its all personal pref really, its not that its bad i simply like the 12 and 18 more. simalirly with Glenfiddich i really don't like the 12 but the 15 and 18 are great. ive only tried the 21 once and TBH i cant remember it

Glenfiddich got better when they standardized on 12 years as the base product. It used to be undisclosed, but thought to be around 9 years old. I haven't had anything other than the undisclosed and 12 year, but I hear it ages well, and can go to ages that would ruin other whiskies.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Glenfiddich got better when they standardized on 12 years as the base product. It used to be undisclosed, but thought to be around 9 years old. I haven't had anything other than the undisclosed and 12 year, but I hear it ages well, and can go to ages that would ruin other whiskies.

Mai too sense: Glenfiddich 12 < 18 < 15. Never tried any of their offerings past the 18-year, and I've only tried the 18 a time or two when I was at a place that stocked it, but I definitely feel like I preferred the 15 to the 18. The 15 is probably one of the best values in SMSW, IMHO.

 

[PingviN]

My first pick is Irish, but if you clump all but scouts and bourbon together calling them all "whiskey" (scotch and bourbon are whiskies too), I'd go for scotch.

 

[Apex]

ok lets do this:

HERE is an example of a "good" whisky.

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/port-ellen-22-year-old-rare-malts-whisky/

there are less expensive alternatives, but if you think talisker is the peak of whisky making u'r in for a surprise.

Port Ellen went belly up awhile ago, thus the cost of buying remaining bottles. Good stuff though, I agree.

I haven't had the 18, but 12 year HP is much better than the 25. I have an unopened bottle in my cabinet, and can't be arsed to open it. I got a couple bottles a few years ago at a good price. I'm not saying it's bad. I just have others I'd rather drink. It has a nice box, and I may end up giving it away as a gift. That would be an easy and cheap(already paid for) present for the right person.

Many tasters seem to agree whisky tends to reach an optimal drinking age around 10-18 years in the barrel. This being said, there are some really taste 25's.

Highland park is one of my favorite price/performance choices. The 18 is really superior to the 12, IMHO. The older releases (in the squat bottles) tend to be better than the new releases though (in flat bottles).

 

[Anubis]

warm in my belly

 

[jmagg]

VO rock glass no rocks water on the side.

 

[olds]

I tried scotch about 35 years ago. Tasted like shot. I want to try some good scotch eventually.

I like Maker's Mark and few others.

 

[Spike]

Sorry to resurrect an ancient thread (3 days old is ancient in OT, right?) but today I was able to purchase a Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old bourbon!!! Winkle releases are so freaking hard to find these days, I was quite pleased at finding this bottle locally. I added it to the bottle of 10 year old (the 90 proof version) I have unopened in the closet. Now to find that elusive 15 year old...

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Can't drink
/thread

 

[xSauronx]

I got a julep cup from amazon today

I had a bottle of bourbon around (buffalo trace, to be exact)

I am growing some mint leaves

It is time for a drink.

 

[Juddog]

I got a julep cup from amazon today

I had a bottle of bourbon around (buffalo trace, to be exact)

I am growing some mint leaves

It is time for a drink.

What's a "julep cup"?

 

[Oyeve]

Whisky and Scotch are the same, just dif parts of the world call it either or. Both are from grain. Bourbon is from corn and really is in a different class.

That being said, I love all 3. Glenlivet being my favorite.

 

[crownjules]

What would you guys recommend for a good Islay scotch? So far everything I've had is Speyside (Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet) and I'd like to give a different region a try.

 

[FoBoT]

back when i used to drink, the only thing i ever ordered (as opposed to just had some at a party etc) was Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky

 

[lxskllr]

What would you guys recommend for a good Islay scotch? So far everything I've had is Speyside (Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet) and I'd like to give a different region a try.

Laphroaig is the classic, and I own 1^2' of their property :^D