Any Scotch drinkers in the house?

[CrunchBite]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Anyone have any insight on Tamnavulin 14 yr? I had a glass of it at Buchanan's and enjoyed it. Seemed to be a little weaker tasting then other Scotch's I have tried. Anyone had any before is it good or junk? Should I try and hunt down a bottle or look elsewhere

If you enjoyed it then find a bottle of it. Who cares what other people think about it?

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by CrunchBite

If you enjoyed it then find a bottle of it. Who cares what other people think about it?

It was only 1 oz. Could have been the icecubes watered it down to a nice flavor and I will never be able to duplicate it again.

Also from looking on that Alberta Liquor site no one sells any in the city so if someone can offer a comparable that would be great

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

It was only 1 oz. Could have been the icecubes watered it down to a nice flavor and I will never be able to duplicate it again.

I'm still a rookie, but that's precisely why I like a little bit of ice (usually just one rock) in my scotch. Each sip is a different strength and flavour.

[CaptainYooh]

Scotch tasting guides at the distilleries we've visited all advised against using ice in Scotch. In fact, they recommended warming the glass in your hands before drinking. One of the strength tests they suggested was sniffing the glass to see if the alcohol vapours are hurting your nostrils at all. If they are, then the Scotch might be a bit too strong for your taste buds, in which case a teaspoon of normal spring water added to a glass would both weaken the Scotch slightly and make it release more aromas.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

It was only 1 oz. Could have been the icecubes watered it down to a nice flavor and I will never be able to duplicate it again.

Also from looking on that Alberta Liquor site no one sells any in the city so if someone can offer a comparable that would be great

Yeah, those #######s at Big Ice are just hording it all making sure the little guy can't get any for his scotch at home. It's a travesty I tell you!

That's half the appeal of scotch. Buy something you've tried and liked, then play around with how you drink it to see if you can figure out what works best for you.

[LChoy]

For anyone interested in Toronto, the McCallan brand is doing a free tasting tour

http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/raise-the...ion-9906580850

sessions are filling up fast

[LChoy]

One more link, a scotch tasting map

http://simplyscotches.blogspot.ca/20...lavor-map.html

[LChoy]

EDIT: Double post

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by Lchoy

For anyone interested in Toronto, the McCallan brand is doing a free tasting tour

http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/raise-the...ion-9906580850

sessions are filling up fast

Very handy, thanks.

I'm just starting down the scotch road and am really enjoying it. I'm not a big drinker at home but find I really prefer a glass of scotch to a glass of beer these days. I have picked up a Macallan's 12 yr and Glenfiddich 18yr so far and I think I am going to grab a bottle of Oban 14yr today as I gave it a try last week and thought it was very good. So far its all been good.

[MRCboicgy]

Was given a bottle of Bruichladdich 10 (in the powder blue tin, which I just adore). As a bourbon guy, I'm enjoying the fact its unpeated, and different from the other scotches I have here and there. When I found it's about $55/bottle, I realized it's something I'll keep in my cupboard.

[19Yzerman19]

Hoping there's some CP expertise that can make me a few suggestions in different price ranges for new scotches I haven't tried yet, that would cohere with my particular tastes. Because while I have a decent understanding of what I like, I do not know what makers actually produce a dram that meets with those preferences.

I don't really like the super woody, super peaty stuff. Not a Laphroaig guy. What I mostly drink is Balvenie - the Doublewood is my go-to under $100 scotch, but I also have a bottle of 14yo carribean cask, 17yo sherry cask and the signature. I also really like Highland Park's 18yo.

For my birthday last year a couple of colleagues got me a bottle of Aberlour Abunadh. I really like this one, despite it being a bit more of a kick in the teeth than my usual Balvenie, as it's cask strength. So, I'd say the power behind the scotch isn't what dissuades me from some of the more aggressive Islays out there, as much as the actual flavour profile.

Third point - scotch is not my usual whiskey. I'm a big bourbon drinker; I have 20+ varieties in my closet at any given time. So sweeter stuff isn't a problem here, and it goes along with that that stronger whisky isn't an issue and probably gives some background on my peat aversion. I can drink Booker's or Blanton's Gold bourbon all day.

Any pointers as to what I should go for? I'd like to hear about scotches in the $80-200 range, or so. I think if I was dropping coin on something in the mid $200's, I'd be getting a Balvenie 21y/o Portwood, but I'd be interested to hear about other alternatives +$200 just out of curiosity.

EDIT: Oh, and I take my scotch neat with a tiny bit of water - like a few drops at most.

[cavalera403]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Hoping there's some CP expertise that can make me a few suggestions in different price ranges for new scotches I haven't tried yet, that would cohere with my particular tastes. Because while I have a decent understanding of what I like, I do not know what makers actually produce a dram that meets with those preferences.

I don't really like the super woody, super peaty stuff. Not a Laphroaig guy. What I mostly drink is Balvenie - the Doublewood is my go-to under $100 scotch, but I also have a bottle of 14yo carribean cask, 17yo sherry cask and the signature. I also really like Highland Park's 18yo.

For my birthday last year a couple of colleagues got me a bottle of Aberlour Abunadh. I really like this one, despite it being a bit more of a kick in the teeth than my usual Balvenie, as it's cask strength. So, I'd say the power behind the scotch isn't what dissuades me from some of the more aggressive Islays out there, as much as the actual flavour profile.

Third point - scotch is not my usual whiskey. I'm a big bourbon drinker; I have 20+ varieties in my closet at any given time. So sweeter stuff isn't a problem here, and it goes along with that that stronger whisky isn't an issue and probably gives some background on my peat aversion. I can drink Booker's or Blanton's Gold bourbon all day.

Any pointers as to what I should go for? I'd like to hear about scotches in the $80-200 range, or so. I think if I was dropping coin on something in the mid $200's, I'd be getting a Balvenie 21y/o Portwood, but I'd be interested to hear about other alternatives +$200 just out of curiosity.

EDIT: Oh, and I take my scotch neat with a tiny bit of water - like a few drops at most.

If you like the sweet stuff I would look into the Dalmore Cigar Matl (no age statement) or the Tomatin 18
The Aberlour Abunadh I really enjoy as well but when you are up in that 60+% range I do find that if I add a little more water than normal to bring it back down into at least the low 50% to high 40% range you get a bunch more flavor without killing your taste buds with the alcohol

[kermitology]

Tomatin 18 is awesome.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

...What I mostly drink is Balvenie - the Doublewood is my go-to under $100 scotch, but I also have a bottle of 14yo carribean cask, 17yo sherry cask and the signature. I also really like Highland Park's 18yo...

What you are describing are balanced Scotches. Have a look at the taste map below; it's good and pretty useful for a beginner. Anything in and around the centre sector of the map would be balanced. Anything in the NE sector would be peaty, smoky and rich, so avoid it, if it's not your thing. Anything in the NW sector would be smoky and peaty with shallow taste, so avoid it as well. Stay on the south site of the map. Auchentoshan and Glenlivet Scotch would both be in your taste preference region, I think. If you're looking for cheaper stuff, try Glenmorangie 12 (something like $40 at Costco).

[Schraderbrau]

Just picked up a bottle of Oban 14 and Dalwhinnie 15, gonna be a good night!! Great prices at Costco, like 30 bucks less a bottle then at the store by my house.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

Just picked up a bottle of Oban 14 and Dalwhinnie 15, gonna be a good night!! Great prices at Costco, like 30 bucks less a bottle then at the store by my house.

You picked up two staple superstars. My only advice is that in my experience the Dalwhinnie doesnt keep very well so drink it within a few days.

[19Yzerman19]

Hahaha, "no babe you don't understand I have to get drunk, otherwise it'll all just go bad!"

That flavour map is awesome. But now I need one for every scotch on the shelf at the liquor store...

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by Locke

You picked up two staple superstars. My only advice is that in my experience the Dalwhinnie doesnt keep very well so drink it within a few days.

I've sampled both tonight and no complaints. Both are very good.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

...
That flavour map is awesome. But now I need one for every scotch on the shelf at the liquor store...

Not really. Good Scotches are only a few, unfortunately. There are some time-proven favorites. These are manufactured with certain flavour stability that get drinkers hooked up on it. Once people got to know their taste in Scotch, they tend to stay with the names they like, unless they start learning Scotch stuff at tastings and from books; then you get really hooked up.

Balvenie 12 DoubleWood is one of the most popular Scotch whiskeys in the world (and in Scotland also, in fact), because of its sweetness and smoothness. Scotch snobs, like me, say it's for those who can't take the real Scotch (but secretly, I actually like Balvenie too and drink it when my Scotch buddies are not around ).

[MRCboicgy]

Watched a bunch of old Ralfy videos and was inspired to go try Bunnahabhain 12. Will be sipping that during the game tonight. I think I'm finding the Islay ones are the ones that I actually enjoy when doing the Scotch route.