The Son of Scotch Thread

Boys....not a Scotch Drinker (bad experience as a teen...as in downing 3/4's of a litre of cheap whiskey on a dare..empty stomach, dehydrated.., August, Kissena park...after 4 hours of softball in the sun)..but am willing to give it a chance as beer is finally starting to bore me with its bloatiness etc.

Have to pick up a bottle of Jamesons for a friend anyway..what are your recommendations as to a real good Scotch to break my cherry? I'm willing to go 100-200 which I know is not alot for Scotch.

Sorry, I didnt read the whole thread, except for the Fists birthday story in DC... which was an amazing post, lol. The passion really piqued my interest to be honest!

Boys....not a Scotch Drinker (bad experience as a teen...as in downing 3/4's of a litre of cheap whiskey on a dare..empty stomach, dehydrated.., August, Kissena park...after 4 hours of softball in the sun)..but am willing to give it a chance as beer is finally starting to bore me with its bloatiness etc.

Have to pick up a bottle of Jamesons for a friend anyway..what are your recommendations as to a real good Scotch to break my cherry? I'm willing to go 100-200 which I know is not alot for Scotch.

Sorry, I didnt read the whole thread, except for the Fists birthday story in DC... which was an amazing post, lol. The passion really piqued my interest to be honest!

Glad you guys liked it. If you wanna do something very French, next time you can do a Trou Normand (A 'Normand Hole' litterally). During big meals like christmas, between 2 dishes you serve a small scoop of apple sorbert with calva (sorbert in the calva). It's supposed to help you digest, but really an excuse to drink more.

I only recently started to get into whiskey. I’ll let Jetworks and Warfish give you a grand tour of what you can aim for.

Personally, and given the insane prices of whiskey on your side of the pond, I would start with something ‘mainstream’ in terms of taste. Nothing too crazy different. And from there, branch out into different tastes. Once you’re sure, lay down some big bucks for something awesome. But that’s me, I don’t have an ex cops pension and can blow money left and right.


My suggestions and 2 of my favorites:

Bruichladdich Classic Laddie – Gay bottle, great taste

img.thewhiskyexchange.com/900/bruob.non13.jpg


Talisker Storm - a perfect storm

www.smartdrinks.ro/uploads/products/2013W40/0776-talisker-storm-1-973x1395.png

If that's your range, I recommend Glenmorangie Signet. You can get it at Budgetbottle.com right now for $165 

www.budgetbottle.com/main.asp?request=search&search=signet

I second either a Talisker or Glenmorangie. Even the Talisker 10 or Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban are both great and come in under $100. Maybe Highland Park 12 or 18. All very approachable, affordable and damn good.

Not all Scotch is peated - I love smokey peat but that's only a small portion of Scotch. Much of it is sherry, bourbon influenced, oaky, sweet...just have to know what you're looking for. This helps:

scotchgit.bitbucket.org/

32Green I suggest STRONGLY that you get a sample kit, online or something. Or you can find nips of these scotches too at good liquor stores...
If you aren't sure if you like peat or not... Don't listen to these guys and just buy a bottle of what THEY like.
Get some samples and get a bottle of what you like. Trust me.
If you don't like peat that much it will turn you off forever if you get the wrong thing.

I'm happy to make some suggestions:

1. First, I wouldn't start with a bottle over ~$60.  If you're new to Scotch, overspending is a waste, as you simply won't have the experience or palate to truly enjoy what you've laid your hard earned cash out for, and you'll have no frame of reference as to it's quality or lack thereof.  Overspending simply isn't required to have a great first Scotch experience.

2. Do you like sweet, fruity, smooth, or do you prefer smokey, briny, dark?  Generally (very generally) that's your breakdown, sweet and light to one side, smokey and dark the other, just about everything falls somewhere in between and mixes the two ends of the spectrum.  The smokey stuff is very much love it or hate it.  The other end is more mainstream, less divisive, you may (or may not) love it, but you'll likely not to hate it either.

3. There is nothing wrong with Blended Scotch Whisky, and anyone who says otherwise is being a snob.  Blended Scotch can be just as good, and often far cheaper, than Single Malt.  

4. Age isn't everything.  Not even close.  Neither is price.  Trust me.

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So with that out of the way, my personal suggestions to you for a great, affordable, appropriate starter Scotch:

1. Glenmorangie 10 Year Old (~$37.00/750ml).  The best selling scotch in Scotland, this is what Scotsmen drink.  It is a Highland Single Malt (from the North), and is a sweet, floral, fruity malt, smooth, palatable, and easy drinking.  A great entry-level dram to get your toes wet in Scotch.  And as I said, it's what the Scots themselves drink more than anything else.  If you wish a higher option, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Year Old is the 10 year old aged a further two years in casks that held Port wine, and it's a brilliant dram.  Everything good about the 10, with the dark, raisin sweetness of Port.  It's a must have of my shelf.

2. Ardbeg 10 Year Old (~$45/750ml).  This is your smokey dram.  This is made on the island of Islay, off the western Scottish coast, and Islay is where all the best smokey, peaty scotches are made.  Think of a brisk, windy Scottish day on the beach, salt spray in the air, and a rousing fire built on the beach to keep you and your lass warm.  That's what Ardbeg tastes like.  Alternate options are Lagavulin or Laphroaig, both similar (but unique) variations on the peaty smoke salt air theme.

3. Oban 14 Year Old (~60/750 ml).  This is a highland malt, from the town of Oban on the Scottish north west coast.  It is, IMO, the best entry level dram that showcases a middle-ground between the smokey peat of Islay/Highlands, and the sweet smooth fruit/floral character of Speyside/Lowlands.  It is exceptionally drinkable, not overpowering in either direction, and bottles of this dissapear even amongst non-Scotch heads faster than most.  

4. Compass Box Great King Street (~$30-35/750ml).  A blend.  But not just any blend, a blend made by the greatest blending company is Scotland, Compass Box.  You simply cannot go wrong with this blended Scotch, it is exceptionally smooth and easy drinking, floral, light bodied but flavorful.  It's what Johnny Walker always wished it could be.    

If I were you, and I wanted to explore Scotch, and had the budget you say (~$150), I would buy a Bottle of Quinta Ruban ($50), a bottle of Ardbeg 10 ($50) and a bottle of Great King Street ($30), and buy myself a nice high-end sandwich afterwards.

You'll get a great sampling of the style and differences, three bottles to taste and compare and contrast instead of one, and you'll do it without breaking the bank.

After you decide if you like Scotch, and which styles best suit, and decide you want to explore it in more depth, there is a whole world for you to look at, from samplers of various styles, to more expensive bottles, to rare old stuff, and more.  

None of what the others here have suggested is bad, matter of fact almost all are great bottles.  But not for a rookie (and thats not an insult in any way).

Just like I wouldn't introduce someone to Sushi with poison blowfish, nor introduce them to beer with a tripple-hopped sour saison, the best way to start your experience with Scotch is to ht the best of the basics, get the lay of the land, the styles, the terroir of the places that make it, and decide your level of appreciation for each, they grow and expand from there.

I wish you well, my friend, and I am happy to provide any additional advice or recommendations as you wish.

Warfish, er, "stranglewanker"     

I think I gonna have to pick up some of that on your recommendation, Warfish, I mean BorgoStroke. 
Hope you been good buddy! 
That sounds like a good one, cheers brother!