I was introduced to the joys of Single Malt Scotch years ago and have expanded my Whisky cabinet to have about 15 different labels that I enjoy (I am always looking to add more). I don’t drink often, but I do enjoy a nice glass of scotch on the rocks in the fall in front of the fire with a good book. Are there any other Scotch drinkers out there? I understand that most people are not fond of the drink but it is a taste that is definitely worth acquiring. My two current favorites are Talisker 10 years old, and Macallan 15 years old.

My wifes uncle got me hooked. We had a 10 scotch tasting.

My favorite was a 20yr old Laphroaig. It was very peaty, which I like. Unfortunately, the 6yearolds are more in my price range.:)

It's the peaty whisky that do it for me. Worked for a market research firm 4 years ago and did some research on them... got a free bottle of Talisker when we finished. That got me started :) Years later, now I earn some money it's just dangerous! :crazyeye:

Single malt is my poison too :)
Favourite being Glenfiddich ancient reserve, 18 year old.

NO Way. Stick to beer :beer: ! Never developed a taste for the hard stuff.

In Eastern Europe you either get used to drinking hard liquor or you end up carried away from every socializing dinner (some of the business dinners as well).

I’m in the first category and even if our ‘palinca’ and ‘tzuica’ are pretty good, I still prefer whiskey. Problem is that with tax a bottle is at least USD30, so I’d rather save it for the next Civ3 add-on.

Still when my firm sent me to London I got back with an Irish Whiskey and a Johnny Walker, plus a whiskey cream for my lady. All for 22 pounds.

Ooh, yes, I do enjoy a drop. Bunnahabain (sp?) 12yo does it for me - a very floral Islay. Although I'm also partial to to the Laphroaig after a belgian ale at the local :)

Ah, finally something HotRod and I don't have in common.:lol:

:lol:

Non-Drinker here.

I usually only have those when certain clients come into town and take me out where they expense out the Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Very smooth .....

There are a lot more scotch drinkers here than I thought. Here are my thoughts on a few of the brands mentioned.

Bunnahabain (sp?) 12yo This one sounds interesting, I have never heard of it though. But that is not surprising. We have a limited selection from where I live so I never really get a chance to expand my horizens until I get over to the UK.

Glenfiddich ancient reserve, 18 year old. I have tried the 12 and found it to be ok, I'll have to try the 18 then

20yr old Laphroaig This one sounds interesting as it sounds like it is close to the Talisker brand I enjoy.

Originally posted by Creepster
Bunnahabain (sp?) 12yo This one sounds interesting, I have never heard of it though. But that is not surprising. We have a limited selection from where I live so I never really get a chance to expand my horizens until I get over to the UK.
[/B]

Indeed :)
New Zealand is a nation of habitual drinkers, and was colonised by lots of Scottish habitual drinkers, so maybe we do get a good selection here... but I think mainly it's finding a fanatic liquor store owner... once you find one of them, you can convince them to get you anything ;)

Hmmm...Maybe there is still something to the old scottish steamers.

We own steam engines to those besotted scots.

I guess I don't appreciate it because I never been properly introduced.

Still a lager man for now.

I'm much more of a vodka drinker.. comes from being part Polish..
I do like a nice bit of JD tho... (not scotch but what the hey!)
Is there a beer drinking smilie like the one on MSN anywhere? (D)

I too am a single malt fan. The two that I drink the most often are...

Bunahabin- Nice and Mellow with great finish.

Balvenie Doublewood - Also pretty mellow, but with a well rounded flavor.

Others that I really like are
Edradour - smallest commercial distillery in Scotland
Laphroaig - also quite nice.

I may post more later as I have a large list of notes on various single malts at home.

jeffelammar

You have just given a few more that I will have to try to find. I need a better distibutor here in NJ.

I'm not a regular drinker. It will be months (even years) between drinking sessions.

But, if I'm going to imbibe, Scotch is my favourite. Neat of course in a Highlands style.

For blends, I would recommend Famous Grouse. It's got a rounded flavour, character (and not too heavy on the cost).

Single Malts; Glenfiddich is my favourite. The 12 year old is good, the 18 year old I find a little too sublte. Laphroig is a good substitute. Glenmorangie I find quite light - other people say the exact opposite.

But there are plenty I haven't even sniffed, let alone tasted!

A few off the top of my head. I am more or less an Islay buff. The scent of tar, and a reminiscence of a fishing village when you take a couple of drops in the palma of your hands and rub them vigorously together.

Ileach (rather unknown and when found fairly inexpensive)
Bowmore Darkest, my favourite among the "betterknown brands"
Port Elisabeth (I am not sure they are still in business, my last bottle was from 1974, and during the late 70s quite a few distilleries when under or was bought by the big players)

I am not into hard liquor, sticking mainly with beer and wine, but when I drink whiskey I prefer the Irish one. My favourite is Middleton

Not often, but Glenfiddich for preference. :)

I'm a whiskey drinker (single malt Jack Daniels) but my wife is a big fan of Glenmorangie w/ Port finish or Johnny Walker. Duty free liquor shops are great for that sort of thing...

Nope, no scotch or any other alcoholic beverage for me. I am a non-drinker.

Just wanted to add a few notes. (Not to mention some correct spellings)

I have a pretty cool book on single malts. "The Malt Whiskey" by Robin Tucek and Lohn Lamond. Lots of good info and new things to try.The book rates whiskeys based on the characteristics of Sweeness and Peatiness. The scale is 1 to 10. With it getting more sweet or peaty with a higher number.

Next on to my faves

1. Bunnahabhain (So I completly butchered the spelling the last time)
A Single Islay Malt Scotch Whiskey.
This is probably my favorite whiskey in the "$40" bottle range. (Which is as high as I'll go unless it's a really special occasion.)
According to my whiskey book
Age 12 years
Sweetness 3
Peatiness 6

(They also make a 25 year, but I haven't tried it)

The Balvenie Doublewood (my other standby)
Aged 12 years. In two casks.
First a Traditional Whiskey Oak Cask.
Second a Original Sherry Oak Cask.
Sweetness 7
Peatiness 3

Royal Lochnigar
Age 12
Sweetness 7
Peatiness 4
Gentle peat flavor.

Highland Park
This one is new to me. It was on sale so I decided to try it. I like it, but it's not going to replace the Bunnahabhain.
Age 12
Sweetness 2
Peatiness 7

Originally posted by jeffelammar
Just wanted to add a few notes. (Not to mention some correct spellings)

If you're going to worry about spellings, perhaps it should be pointed out that Scotch is spelled "whisky" and not "whiskey" - which is the spelling used for Irish whiskeys, among others.

That's only a minor sin (compared to, say, water, soda, etc........:eek: )

Originally posted by MadScot


...
That's only a minor sin (compared to, say, water, soda, etc........:eek: )

:goodjob:

I agree. Sacrilegious spelling of "whiskey" going on here! Please folks, it's "Whisky" if it comes from Scotland. Having adjusted English spelling out of all recognition, please at least leave the Scots their heritage :)

No one's mentioned my favourite single malt, when I can get it - 12 year old Langavulin.

I'm also a lover of whisky. I have 16 bottles in my collection at the moment.

Islay has some great whiskies, Lagavulin 16yo being my favourite stock whisky. The Ardbeg 1977 is slightly better, but it's hard to find and more expensive, so I haven't opened it yet. But it tasted great at the distillery. :)

Another favourite is Cragganmore 12yo, a Speyside whisky. Extremely complex and smooth, and not as heavy as the Islay malts. Highly recommended.

Originally posted by Wotan
...Port Elisabeth (I am not sure they are still in business, my last bottle was from 1974, and during the late 70s quite a few distilleries when under or was bought by the big players)

Surely you are referring to Port Ellen? :confused:

Yep!

I prefer Glenfiddich single malt (12 years old)...

Used to love my scotch...

That is until me and a mate polished off two bottles of str8 cutty sark one night in the middle of the desert in Peru... On the top of a 100 meter sand dune over looking an oasis mind you.

Cant even take a whiff of the stuff now without feeling ill.

I've been a scotch drinker for the last dozen years. I come by this affliction honestly enough (my last name is Bruce) and my entire family drinks it on a regular basis. We even named out dog (a West Highland White Terrier) Oban.

I have tried over twenty different single malts (12 in one sitting) and several of the cheaper blended varieties. Unfortunately, not one of my friends likes it.

Some of my favs include Glenmorangie, Oban, Balvenie, and Talisker (there are a few more but I am at work and can't remember their names).

Contrary to what I have been reading here, I don't really like the flavor of the scotches from Islay. I find them too peaty and rough on the palatte (just my taste though).

When I get home from work this morning, I will toast my fellow civ gamers with a wee dram of Balvenie Double Wood.

Cheers.

Originally posted by AlanH
No one's mentioned my favourite single malt, when I can get it - 12 year old Langavulin.

Indeed, thats on the shelf at my local, I just couldn't remember the name - I do enjoy it, but it's a little floral for me to want to go out and buy a bottle :)

Many appologies. I had never noticed that the Scotch and Irish spelled it differently. I did go back and check all of the bottles in my cabinet and found that sure enough all were spelled Whisky.

I shall now slink off, holding my head in shame.

Originally posted by Hurricane


Surely you are referring to Port Ellen? :confused:

Nope, It is really Port ELISABETH ;). We have a fairly good local Whisky trader who got hold of a few of these beauties about 10 years ago. I bought a couple, paid about £50 each for the 1974's. But, unfortunately they have now "been emptied" :( Lovely taste and dearly missed. Have not been able to find any more of these beauties since then. Would love to know if the distillery is still in business or was bought and scrapped as was so many a decade or two ago.

Glenfiddich single malt, but not too much or too often, only a glass or two occasionally.
Only too bad that its so expensive here in Finland where the government keeps about 80 % tax in alcohol prices.

Originally posted by Wotan


Nope, It is really Port ELISABETH ;). We have a fairly good local Whisky trader who got hold of a few of these beauties about 10 years ago. I bought a couple, paid about £50 each for the 1974's. But, unfortunately they have now "been emptied" :( Lovely taste and dearly missed. Have not been able to find any more of these beauties since then. Would love to know if the distillery is still in business or was bought and scrapped as was so many a decade or two ago.

I've never heard about that, so I still think you are misremembering the name. :) Check out this map, for example: http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/westisle.html. And I couldn't find a single mention of a Port Elisabeth either on Google or any of a number of the whisky sites I frequent.

I have tried to find references to it (Pt. Elisabeth) on the internet too. No success. On the other hand the third brand I mentioned, Ileach, is a difficult bugger to find too. Still it is very much alive and in stock at stores in my area. I am rather fond of Port Ellen too. I have a couple of bottles a late 70's and one from 1981. They are treated as "objects d'arts" ;). I have not dared open them though, a bit of a bind, damned if you do, they tend to evaporate the instant you open them. Never understood that about good whisky? An average tasting whisky can survive for years but the really good ones will just disapear or so it seems :( I sent a question to the trader just now. Let's see if they can give me a reference/background re. Pt. Elisabeth.

I'm a single malt lover too. My faves are Talisker and Laphroiag.

For those having trouble finding good whiskies, there are quite a few specialists selling malt whiskies on the internet. I buy at Whisky Wizard, but there are many others.

BTW, drinking single malts with ice (on the rocks) or soda is a SIN, for whick there can be no absolution... :(
That absolutely kills the taste....
If you really, really need to dilute it (unnecessary IMO, as a single malt should be sipped slowly in any case), use a little uncarbonated spring water, e.g. Volvic)

Should you ever be offered a single malt by a whisky afficionado and ask for ice: go shoot yourself! You'll never be invited again... ;)

BTW again, I've seen Port Elizabeth (or is it with 's'? Not sure) too, though I've never tried it.

Originally posted by Dragonlord

BTW, drinking single malts with ice (on the rocks) or soda is a SIN, for whick there can be no absolution... :(
That absolutely kills the taste....
If you really, really need to dilute it (unnecessary IMO, as a single malt should be sipped slowly in any case), use a little uncarbonated spring water, e.g. Volvic)


Agreed - In fact several of the single malts are regularly diluted a little in order to more fully appreciate the sublety. I was shocked the first time I saw a single malt aficionado (sp?) put spring water in their whisky, but I have found that for some it really does help me appreciate the complex flavors.

Ok, nice to hear I was wrong. :)

Got a bottle of Balvenie Port Wood (21 yo) yesterday. I must say many of the port wood finishes out there are really great; they add a comlexity and robustness to the whisky. Even the cheap Bowmore Dawn is pretty drinkable. I'm not a great fan of Sherry finishes, OTOH, which I think in many cases just make the Whisky sweeter, not necessarliy better.

Well I am a Single Malt lover as well :love:

Amazing to see so many around here :eek:

Whats also crazy is to see that Hurricane basically got exactly the same taste as me :crazyeye:
You are indeed a connoisseur Hurricane :lol:

Little water in it is a definite yes, it adds a lot of length and intensity to the flavours. What I found was even better was to drink some water (no ice) on the side between your sips of whisky.

Of course a good Cuban cigar is also a must ;)

Here's a glimpse of my collection (in order of preference):
Lagavullin 16y is my favourite ever
Balvenie 21y port wood finish : what a delight !
Johnny Walker Blue Label : the only non-Single Malt I own but what a sweeeeeeeeeet drink, made from 50 year old Singles.
Aardbeg 1977 : 'nuf said
Highland Park 21y : voted " best whisky in the world" by many an expert.
Cragganmore 12y : discovered recently but keeps getting better, maybe easier to drink than any of the above ones (except the Blue Label)
Laphraoig 15y : actually better than the 20y !
Bowmore 12y : same again better than too old, gotta love that iodium and peat
Glenfiddish 15y Solera Reserve: refined, discreet.

Various others like Glen Morangie, Maccallan (over rated in my eyes), Oban, Talisker, etc...

Hi,

I'm new to the GotM and to these forums. (In fact, this is my first post...)

At this moment, I'm sipping a glass of 10 year Laphraoig, which I like pretty well.

I've also tried the Glenfiddich Solera Reserve, which I thought was a little too subtle, but which I will probably buy again.

The Blue Label is nice, but at $180/bottle it's a little rich to keep on my shelf, so it's very occasional for me.

I'm getting a lot of tips from this thread, so keep posting, and thanks.

-Gern

BTW: Does the sin of ice also apply to blended whisky? Some establishments I go to have very limited selection and a little cooling goes a long way...