Any Scotch drinkers in the house? - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

kermitology · 05-21-2009, 01:11 PM

^^^ Oban is excellent. My grandfather was from there, and it holds a special place in my heart.

Definitely wouldn't start off with Talisker. It's a pretty peaty Scotch and burns a lot if you're not used to drinking it.

I had a Balvenie one night and found it to be pretty darn good.. pretty light and easy to drink, but a lot of flavour.

rubecube · 05-21-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I'd give you more advice but the Single Malt Express left the station hours ago and I havent been seeing straight since.

Macallans is AWESOME. Its got me to where I am right now....proper typing is an illusion.

What do you know? You're not even a fan of the peaty stuff.

LChoy · 03-31-2010, 04:48 PM

Sorry to bump the thread

I have a bottle of McCallan and Talisker now at home
McCallan - my "smooth" scotch. Great beginner scotch in my opinion
Talisker - "Fire Water" It's the smokey flavour that I love about scotch, and Talisker really hits the spot. It sort of reminds me of bacon when I drink it
Caol Ila comes close too in terms of that smoke flavour

Sadly, I wasn't a fan of Oban. I though I would like it, but something about the initial taste that puts me off

Looking forward to trying a few other peaty ones
- Ardbeg
- Aberlour
- Lagavulin

Highland park is another milder one I want to try

My collection is starting to grow, but it's an expensive hobby

flip · 03-31-2010, 04:50 PM

I haven't bought a bottle of scotch in forever. Stupid being poor.

I think I'm going to have to buy a moderately priced bottle ($50-70) when I get my first paycheck from my summer job.

I hate the peaty stuff though.

simmer2 · 03-31-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lchoy

Sorry to bump the thread

I have a bottle of McCallan and Talisker now at home
McCallan - my "smooth" scotch. Great beginner scotch in my opinion
Talisker - "Fire Water" It's the smokey flavour that I love about scotch, and Talisker really hits the spot. It sort of reminds me of bacon when I drink it
Caol Ila comes close too in terms of that smoke flavour

Sadly, I wasn't a fan of Oban. I though I would like it, but something about the initial taste that puts me off

Looking forward to trying a few other peaty ones
- Ardbeg
- Aberlour
- Lagavulin

Highland park is another milder one I want to try

My collection is starting to grow, but it's an expensive hobby

I quite like MaCallan but I find it a little overpriced to be honest. This may sound crazy but bang for your buck some Irish blended whiskies are actually really quite good - Jamesons or Bushmills on the rocks are both really easy to drink. You could always step up to Johnny Walker Black (not red, red isn't good) which is decent as well.

Another good one is Jura Superstition; that's a tasty concoction. Oh, another good one is Auchentashin 12 year, quite moderately priced as well.

flip · 03-31-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmer2

I quite like MaCallan but I find it a little overpriced to be honest. This may sound crazy but bang for your buck some Irish blended whiskies are actually really quite good - Jamesons or Bushmills on the rocks are both really easy to drink. You could always step up to Johnny Walker Black (not red, red isn't good) which is decent as well.

Another good one is Jura Superstition; that's a tasty concoction. Oh, another good one is Auchentashin 12 year, quite moderately priced as well.

Even though I'm half Irish, I can't bring myself to enjoy Jamesons or Bushmills (except the odd shot). I find they are way too sweet or something.

I LOVE JW Black and when I can afford it Gold. Probably one of the best blended Scotchs out there.

LChoy · 03-31-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmer2

I quite like MaCallan but I find it a little overpriced to be honest. This may sound crazy but bang for your buck some Irish blended whiskies are actually really quite good - Jamesons or Bushmills on the rocks are both really easy to drink. You could always step up to Johnny Walker Black (not red, red isn't good) which is decent as well.

Another good one is Jura Superstition; that's a tasty concoction. Oh, another good one is Auchentashin 12 year, quite moderately priced as well.

I don't have much experience with the blended scotches. I basically learnt to drink scotch by comparing the cheapest blends my friends and I could find, and work our way up to a nice double malt scotch.

From the movie spygame (no youtube clip)

Tom Bishop: I thought spies drank martinis.
Nathan Muir: Scotch, never less than twelve years old.
Tom Bishop: Is that right? Agency rules?
Nathan Muir: My rules.

DFO · 03-31-2010, 05:33 PM

I recently picked up a great bottle of Macallan at duty free - the Whisky Maker's Edition that's part of a '1824 collection'. It is easily the best Macallan I've had to date (been through the regular 10 to 18yo bottles).

Pastiche · 03-31-2010, 06:28 PM

Bought a bottle of Red Breast pot still Irish Whiskey the other day. Delicious.

Locke · 03-31-2010, 07:28 PM

Glenmorangie - Nectar D'or - Great stuff!

Actually the new stuff I bought is great, I really like it, Penderyn, its a Welsh Whiskey rather than scotch, but thats just a naming issue, its a nice, smooth single malt. Beautiful stuff.

Mad Mel · 03-31-2010, 07:43 PM

When I was a lad, I drank myself into violent illness with Johnny Walker Red. The kind of enduring wretchedness where you can smell the stuff coming out of your pores for two days afterward... that was pleasant. I've had similar experiences with other alcohols, but any of them I've gotten over it and am quite happy to partake again. Except scotch. One whiff, and the gag reflex kicks in.

That said... I'm gonna give it another go. Give me your recommendation for a very nice bottle of scotch, the sort of bottle you'd give a friend if you were trying to get them into enjoying the stuff. I'm not loaded, but not destitute either; I'd spend $60-80 if that is reasonable.

Edit: probably something fairly mainstream, as the Oz selection of scotches may differ from that in Canada.

Berger_4_ · 03-31-2010, 07:50 PM

I'm partial to Johnny Walker Black myself, but what do I know.

Moose · 03-31-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lchoy

Looking forward to trying a few other peaty ones
- Ardbeg
- Aberlour
- Lagavulin

Highland park is another milder one I want to try

I really like Ardbeg, I just recently got a bottle. It's nice and smoky, so if you're looking for peat that would be a good choice.

Aberlour isn't peaty (at least Aberlour 10). Its a very 'meh' highland malt. Of the 10 single malts I have, its my least favorite by a fair margin. To each his own, but I think its not worth buying.

I am a big fan of Highland Park, its probably my favorite malt I've bought. Their 12 year old is great. Its a bit peaty, but not as peaty as an Islay, as they start off drying the malt with peat, but they finish the process with coal. The peat on the island of Orkney is a bit different too, because its so far north there are no real trees that grow there, so the peat is a slightly different composition than other locations in Scotland. I tried their 18, 25, and 30 as well. Their 18 was awesome, definitely the best quality for the price in their range.

One cheaper Scotch that I bought on a whim was Glenfarclas 12. I was pleasantly surprised. Its a middle-of-the-road highland malt, but it has a really interesting finish that kind of reminds me of Chai spice. I drank most of the bottle during the christmas holidays.. it was a nice fit.

FanIn80 · 03-31-2010, 09:15 PM

I used to be a scotch drinker back in the day...

"Scotch and rocks... two fingers, hold the rocks."

Winsor_Pilates · 04-01-2010, 12:45 AM

Scotch rookie, but really liking it lately. Early favs are Oban and Talisker.
What's a decent, affordable Scotch?
Best bang for your buck vote?

flip · 04-01-2010, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Scotch rookie, but really liking it lately. Early favs are Oban and Talisker.
What's a decent, affordable Scotch?
Best bang for your buck vote?

I think Glenfarclas, the one mentioned by the poster before you, is pretty decent. I also think JW Black is nice and smooth.

Pastiche · 04-01-2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Scotch rookie, but really liking it lately. Early favs are Oban and Talisker.
What's a decent, affordable Scotch?
Best bang for your buck vote?

Aberlour definitely. $45 a bottle and solid character and flavours.

Olao32 · 04-01-2010, 05:19 PM

Looks like the next one is set for November 7, 2010. $85/ticket. Well worth it IMO given you can try multiple different types of scotch to see where your tastes lie.

Source

flip · 04-01-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olao32

Looks like the next one is set for November 7, 2010. $85/ticket. Well worth it IMO given you can try multiple different types of scotch to see where your tastes lie.

Source

Hmmm. I'm going to have to see if I can get some half price tickets again.

LChoy · 04-04-2010, 01:32 PM

For those in Edmonton, I checked out the Bothy, an Edmonton Scotch Bar, last night
http://www.thebothy.ca/clientpages/home.ami

Tried the Lagavulin 16yr and the Glenmorangie 18yr

Lagavulin probably the richest and smokiness scotch I have ever had. Had a nice finish to it

Glenmorangie is much more subtle, but has an intense iodine taste to it. Not a great fan of it

They had good food too. Enjoyed some good meat and cheese served with bread and fixings

Definitely a good place to check out if you like Scotch