I've never been a fan of Scotch whiskey, preferring Bourbon or anejo Tequila on the rocks instead for something to sip on. However, I recently tried The Sassenach blended Scotch whiskey which I found to be smoother and less harsh tasting than the other Scotch brands that I've tried and rather enjoyed it. Has anyone else tried it and if so, what were your thoughts and how did it compare to other brands that you've had/ prefer?
OT: Question for Scotch lovers.
- Thread starter alden1
- Start date
Never tried it. But I'm curious what other scotch brands you've tried.
beaced B1G Fan of BUTTER SCOTCH.
Which Johnny Walker? Chivas is okay, Dewars - blech!
Doesn't sound like you've tried any good single malts. That's the place to start.
It's okay, but definitely not one of my favorites. Will always go with something else if available.
Those are not really good scotches, IMO. Just looked online and the price of good Scotch seems to have skyrocketed recently.
If you like smooth, you might want to try Aberlour 12 or 16. They're pretty good and pretty smooth. Not crazy expensive.
I really like Macallan 18, which is pretty smooth, and which I think I was getting for around $240 or so a bottle. But it's currently listed at $416 at my local liquor store.
Also like Balvenie 21, but I don't even see it listed locally. A bit less expensive than Macallan, but really good and pretty smooth.
But once it goes on the rocks or mixed with soda...it just doesn't matter lol
If I am going on the rocks- the usual suspects that OP mentioned are all fine. Going neat- it has to be a good single malt. Just can't bring myself to be dropping $100+ on a bottle of booze. Funny this is- I drop that all the time on a bottle of wine which is only good for a single sitting. Go figure lol
I hear you.
Ironically, I pretty much always drink scotch neat and will spend a lot of them. Whereas I am content with a red wines that go for between $5 - 30$. I'd spend more but I have had super expensive wine that I didn't like nearly as much as some $5 wines. Like you said, go figure. No explaining taste.
10 years ago- wouldnt have touched a under $20 wine. I've sat there at home with a bottle of 97 Plumpjack Cab with a pepperoni pizza. I did have some cheap ones but used them for cooking and from experience(certain friends and almost all family) But now- The wife and I usually drink the $5-30 range wines.I hear you.
Ironically, I pretty much always drink scotch neat and will spend a lot of them. Whereas I am content with a red wines that go for between $5 - 30$. I'd spend more but I have had super expensive wine that I didn't like nearly as much as some $5 wines. Like you said, go figure. No explaining taste.
The scotch- I can't sit there and just have a finger or two neat. 1/4 of the bottle will usually be the norm if I decide to have a night with a good scotch, burbon etc. So- the expensive stuff would really add up.
And again- when most friends and family are over- the Chivas/dewars etc are just fine for them.
If you're just starting out none of the really high end bottles will be worth the $. Macallan 12yr ( either one) is reasonably priced ($75), smooth and not peaty @ all. My go to for tailgate and general have one before dinner. Not a fan of the Smokey varieties (Oban for example). Johnny Walker blue is another one to try without spending big $. Try a bunch and you'll find your own sweet spot. There are tastings around if you want to try before you buy. Just do a search.
Alden, as some have said, you should try high end blended or single malt. For everyday or when I'm out at a restaurant, I like Johnny Black and soda with a twist of lemon. If I drink Scotch neat I love Johnny Blue and a new one I discovered by SIA (rated 96 points). It too is blended. I've never been a big fan of single malts, but when I've had them I prefer Glenfiddich 14 or 15 years old.
Three of the worst. Try some single malt or if blended try monkey shoulder perhaps
Same exact thing for meI hear you.
Ironically, I pretty much always drink scotch neat and will spend a lot of them. Whereas I am content with a red wines that go for between $5 - 30$. I'd spend more but I have had super expensive wine that I didn't like nearly as much as some $5 wines. Like you said, go figure. No explaining taste.
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It's pretty good, right? Given the low price, I was very surprised the first time I had it. A pleasant surprise.I have this currently
Canels had it $20 off with bottle card.
Well... you say that. And I don't necessarily disagree, at least not entirely.
But I never liked scotch much until I bought my dad a Macallan 18 for his birthday years ago and we hung out and had some together. I've since had Macallan 12 and it definitely doesn't suck. But it's not nearly as smooth as the sherry casked 18. So I'm not entirely sure my addiction to decent scotch would've formed with just the 12. No way to know now. I keep eying the $7K+ bottles of older Macallan and wondering. Just a matter of time, I suppose.
I did some research on the smoothest brands. I wanted to try something different and it was #2. I was walking down the aisle and I saw the red sticker. I checked to see if it was the 12 or 16 year.
It was the 12 year so picked up a canister $64 for $44 is a deal for single malt scotch. Yes was pleasantly surprised by it.
I had 3 fingers Friday night watching football. I plan on buying another one this week before the sale ends.
Dalwhinnie double matured 15yr, very clean somewhat smokey
Lagavullin is outstanding, nice pete flavor
Yamazaki is outstanding but very pricey
Macallen and Glenfiditch are very good too
Glenlivet is a good 'cheap' scotch
johnny walker black, chivas, dewars, are awful imho
Lagavullin is outstanding, nice pete flavor
Yamazaki is outstanding but very pricey
Macallen and Glenfiditch are very good too
Glenlivet is a good 'cheap' scotch
johnny walker black, chivas, dewars, are awful imho
If you want something less hardcore any lowlands scotch is good. As mentioned Oban is a good selection. Cragganmore is also worth checking out. Macallan is also a good bet. Another one to try would be Balevenie Double Wood.
My personal favorite would be Highland Park 18, a highland selection or Oban a lowland.
My personal favorite would be Highland Park 18, a highland selection or Oban a lowland.
My gf has a bottle of Small Batch Straight Bourbon from Asbury Park Distilling. I tried few sips of her’s, one night, on the rocks and it was the first time I even somewhat enjoyed whiskey.
Any suggestions for learning to enjoying it? I so want to like it.
Any suggestions for learning to enjoying it? I so want to like it.
Trying not to kill the guy's budget out of the gate. Haha
The 18 is sweet but pricey. He can get a good idea what he likes then expand. My advice is never let other people tell you what you should like or do. Discover it for yourself. Everybody's taste and preferences are different. The folks talking wine hit it on the head. There are terrific $30 bottles and ****** $180 bottles.Also the flip side. It's what YOU like that really matters.
Sipping some 12 as I type. All this whiskey talk made me thirsty. Lol
Not just the quality and the price, many Aberlours are very high in alcohol. I think I had a few in the 94+ range. It really stretches the bottle.
One of my favorite to give to friends just starting their Scotch journey: Glenmorangie 10 yr.
Smooth, clean, tasty, relatively cheap, very approachable. They have others that are more interesting and complicated, using sherry or port casks, etc. But, 10 year is just plain….good. I almost always buy a magnum when I see them on sale. Plus, prolly the most sexy bottle on the market:
Smooth, clean, tasty, relatively cheap, very approachable. They have others that are more interesting and complicated, using sherry or port casks, etc. But, 10 year is just plain….good. I almost always buy a magnum when I see them on sale. Plus, prolly the most sexy bottle on the market:
Can’t beat Macallan 12 (double cask or sherry cask) for a quality single malt. Glenlivet 15 is also worth a try as an affordable and smooth good tasting non-peaty single malt. I always have a bottle of Macallan 18 for occasions but 12 is my go to.
I rather like Talisker Storm and Oban Distiller's Edition. The combo of smokiness + sherry finish works for me really well. Bowmore 12 Enigma which was a duty free thing got me hooked on that flavor combo (unfortunately it was discontinued). Very BBQesque.
A good suggestion IMO. For something sherried, I would suggest Glendronach 12 which can be purchased here for around $54.One of my favorite to give to friends just starting their Scotch journey: Glenmorangie 10 yr.
Smooth, clean, tasty, relatively cheap, very approachable. They have others that are more interesting and complicated, using sherry or port casks, etc. But, 10 year is just plain….good. I almost always buy a magnum when I see them on sale. Plus, prolly the most sexy bottle on the market:
Currently on my shelf I have available:
Glendronach Port Wood
Bunnahabhain 12
Ardbeg 10
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Lagavulin GOT 9yr
Lagavulin 11 yr Offerman Guiness Cask
Laprhoaig 10
Laprhoaig 10 Sherry Oak
Tomintoul 12 Olorosso Sherry Cask
The Balvenie Doublewood 12 yr
Tamdhu Batch Strength (116 Proof)
Aberlour A'Bunadh (122 Proof)
Tomatin 18
Bowmore 12
Kirkland Sig 24 Yr Sherry Cask (Costco sold out in one day last week)
Kirkland Sig Islay Malt
Glenmorangie 10
Glenmorangie 14 yr Quinta Ruban Port Cask
Glenfiddich 12 yr
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Compass Box Peat Monster
Big Peat Small Batch
Johnnie Walker Black
I just recently finished a bottle of Tomatin 14 YO Port Cask finish which I really enjoy. Love me some port finished scotch.
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Wow, nice rack. That Aberlour is nuts good. Plus with the water you add, you‘ll get like an extra 1/3 bottle out of it.
Dewars-blech? I have tried every blended under the sun and dewars hands down is the best blended out there. Straight up, rocks, with soda, Dewars is the best blended out there including all the JW labels. Just because its about $40 for 1.75L bottle does not mean Bad scotch. I love scotches and as far as blendeds go Dewars is the best for my palate. Anyone who says differently is a scotch snob who uses price as their guide and not their taste buds!
I much prefer Glendronach 12 to Macallan 12 if I am in the mood for sherry cask scotch and it is cheaper too.
When I started drinking Scotch, the only thing in the cabinet was Dewars White Label. Add a little soda with lemon or lime, and that was great at the time. Scotch has a wide range of flavors and levels of "smoothness". The older the aging, the smoother the finish. The strong peaty single malts are not for everyone, no less a beginner.
The only real way to know what you like and don't like is to start trying. From the suggestions above you have a great start and a wide variety.
Bourbon is a somewhat sweeter drink. If you like sweetness, consider Bourbon. Again, a wide variety. The older the age, the smoother the finish.
Nothing better that pouring a good drink, while tailgating, in the cold!!
The only real way to know what you like and don't like is to start trying. From the suggestions above you have a great start and a wide variety.
Bourbon is a somewhat sweeter drink. If you like sweetness, consider Bourbon. Again, a wide variety. The older the age, the smoother the finish.
Nothing better that pouring a good drink, while tailgating, in the cold!!