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- This topic has 24 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 10 months ago by
Universal Head.
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December 28, 2015 at 6:48 am #11320
Drew_Grgich
ParticipantA subject almost as near and dear to me as boardgaming!
For Single Malt noobs, I always recommend Highland Park due to its amazing balance. It is not smoky like some or peaty like others – – it is just about perfect in my estimation. In my experience, folks who purport to not like single malts say so because someone foisted a smoke or peat bomb on them like Lagavulin, Laphroaig or Ardbeg. To me, the 18-yr is close to perfect but the standard 12-yr is great also.
Glenlivet is also well balanced but to me, just a bit more harsh than my beloved Highland Park.
Once you’re ready for a bit more smoke/peat without too much iodine/sea characterics, I recommend Talisker. This scotch is pleasantly smoky without too much of the presence of a Laphroaig or Ardbeg.
December 28, 2015 at 9:42 pm #11323Universal Head
KeymasterI have a dram of the 2001 to hand as I reply. A lovely drop, a tad lacking in complexity in comparison to some, but very tasty.
This thread has inspired me to do a bit more study again! 🙂
December 29, 2015 at 5:18 am #11324WonderSlug
ParticipantWhere would something like Johnny Walker fall into these characterizations, ie. smokey, peaty, etc.
The few occasions I’ve had to drink scotch whiskey has always been with clients, lawyers, and the Johnny Walkers (blue, black, etc) seem to be very popular choices among those groups. I know those carry a high price tag, but are they really good? Are they something a noob should even be attempting to appreciate? To me they taste like the insides of a burnt cask, but what do I know?
Great write ups. I’ll definitely have to give some of these a go. Balanced flavour and “not smokey” are both appealing descriptions to me.
December 29, 2015 at 8:24 am #11327Universal Head
KeymasterWhile I haven’t bothered to spend any time with Johnnie Walker, they’re blends, mass-produced, and more for drinking (my father loved scotch and soda, but I’ve never understood the attraction myself) than tasting. There are so many wonderful, complex, interesting whiskies out there that paying a premium for something like JW Blue isn’t worth the time or expense in my view. There are a lot of traps out there to tempt buyers into buying less-than-amazing whiskies – fancy packaging, overblown reputations, numbered bottles, aspirational BS and big price tags for example. The kinds of things that impress people who haven’t taken the time and trouble to appreciate the real subtleties of whiskies!
Life’s too short; go for the good stuff 🙂
January 1, 2016 at 7:57 pm #11357WonderSlug
ParticipantExactly the type of common sense, experience-based advice I love most.
Thanks. 🙂
January 5, 2016 at 1:19 pm #11404razide
ParticipantPicked up Glenfiddich 12YO Single Malt set with two glasses (triangular at the base but forming a round rim) which was cheaper than the same bottle in a tin.
January 5, 2016 at 1:35 pm #11405Universal Head
KeymasterThis was one of my birthday presents; it’s a beautiful book and very interesting:
http://www.amazon.com/The-World-Atlas-Whisky-Edition/dp/1845339428
January 6, 2016 at 12:17 pm #11415razide
ParticipantNice present. I hope it doesn’t lead to too many temptations down the track.
January 6, 2016 at 12:45 pm #11416Universal Head
KeymasterKnowledge is power! 🙂
April 13, 2016 at 12:43 pm #12038razide
ParticipantPicked up a pack of 3 small bottles(250ml) of Hellyers Road Whisky.Single Malt Original 10 year, single Malt Pinot Noir Finish and the Peated one while in Tasmania last month.
April 13, 2016 at 1:10 pm #12040Universal Head
KeymasterHa! I just recently got a bottle of the 12 yo original. Lovely drop.
Pinot Noir finish? Weird.
April 24, 2016 at 4:19 am #12171Kent
ParticipantAny suggestions of a bottle for someone relatively new to whiskey? I don’t typically drink liquors as I stick to beer and wine.
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