Scotch Whisky - Blended or Single Malt, What do You like?

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

At the risk of sounding sacrilegious - Drambuie makes me very happy!!
Another Tas astronomer introduced me to it.
The book Raw Spirit by the now deceased God Rest his Soul Iain Banks is an enjoyable ride through some of Scot's distilleries in various classic cars-with sampling notes.
Graz

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by OzStarGazer

I live very close to a bottle shop. Any recommendations for a beginner? Something that will make me happy, but not sick?

When I first read books on the subject, one said Glenfiddich was perfect for beginners to cut their teeth on. I think that the worst recommendation I've ever come across.

To my untrained taste buds, the single malts which have Highland, Lowland and Speyside written on them are relatively mild compared the the Islay ones, though they are stronger than the blended Scotch whiskies. Those that have Islay written on them are meant to be the real Man's drink - lots of peat and smokiness (and plainly from the responses, we have a lot of real Men around here).

Fortunately, you don't have to fork out big amounts on big 700ml bottles to find out what you are partial to. They do sell sample pack - like three 50ml bottles of various Glenfiddichs ($25), and three 200ml bottles of "Classic Collections" (including the Islay Talisker and Caol Ila for $70 per three bottles) and two packs of 200ml bottles of Glenlivets ($40). Thus you can get a feel of what is your thing without winding up with lots of expensive bottles that you really don't like much.
Regards,
Renato

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by graham.hobart

At the risk of sounding sacrilegious - Drambuie makes me very happy!!

Graz

Drambuie is great stuff.
Don't forget to also try the very similarly styled but $20 cheaper "Dubliner", which uses Irish whisky instead of Scotch whisky.
Regards,
Renato

[OzStarGazer]

Thank you, Renato. A sample pack is a good idea!

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by OzStarGazer

Thank you, Renato. A sample pack is a good idea!

I always use the calculator on my phone to see whether I'm getting a good deal on the sample packs, by comparing proportionate volume costs to that of full bottles. Surprisingly, every time I've bought a sample pack, the prices were on par on a volume basis - so it wasn't like one was paying a big premium buying the smaller bottles (which is often the case when buying the smaller bottles of most other liquors).

But it is worth while looking around - those sample packs seem to often be on sale in one shop or another.
Cheers,
Renato

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Renato, as mentioned in my initial response, if you attend some tasting nights a whole new world will open up for you.....

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

Renato, as mentioned in my initial response, if you attend some tasting nights a whole new world will open up for you.....

My local bottle shop has a staffer who is a Scotch Whisky aficionado, and he runs whisky tastings from time to time - some are national sponsored events (like World Whisky Day https://www.danmurphys.com.au/liquor...rld-whisky-day ), but some are small evening events that he hosts, because he enjoys spreading the good word. He knows that most of his regulars will walk away with a bottle or three of something new to try, and if some new people come in for a tasting, they may be converted, or they may decide they hate the stuff - but at least they will have learnt something.

Try asking at your local Bottle-O, if they have someone who knows his stuff. (Hint: Don't open the conversation by asking "What goes well with Pepsi Max?" )

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by Renato1

Fortunately, you don't have to fork out big amounts on big 700ml bottles to find out what you are partial to.

Heaven help you if you discover that you are partial to Ardbeg 1974 Double Barrel Islay - $20,000 for a pack of two x 700 ml bottles:
https://www.danmurphys.com.au/produc...h-whisky-700ml

Admittedly, that price does include a bespoke leather gun case holding the whisky, 8 solid silver drinking cups, and a few other accessories.

Oh yes, and "air fares to Scotland for a 5 day, all expenses paid tour including personal visits to Glenmorangie & Ardbeg, clay pigeon shooting, gala dinners, 5-star accommodation and much more".

[OzStarGazer]

I had a friend who died tragically in 2013 who really liked to have a good drink so when I think of drinking I always have to think of him. His last words to me were (copied and pasted):
"I drink a large glass vodka to your health. Please drink two for me !"

I didn't and then he died... It will be a bit hard to drink without him...

[DaveR]

Originally Posted by OzStarGazer

I had a friend who died tragically in 2013 who really liked to have a good drink so when I think of drinking I always have to think of him. His last words to me were (copied and pasted):
"I drink a large glass vodka to your health. Please drink two for me !"

I didn't and then he died... It will be a bit hard to drink without him...

A nice tribute.

The only time I drink alone is when I am outside cooking dinner on the BBQ which seems to go better with a glass of something nice. Apart from burning the sausages it is a good time for quiet contemplation and occasionally remembering absent friends.

[OzStarGazer]

Oh, I had never met him in person. I met him online in a group for "nerds". We had online Bacardis together, but not really in person, but I still have to think of him every time I think of drinking...
He also had a passion for astronomy (do we like to drink more than average people? do we like to evade from this world more than average people?). A pity I can't tell him about my scopes, show him photos etc.

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

Renato, as mentioned in my initial response, if you attend some tasting nights a whole new world will open up for you.....

Thanks again for the advice - I might look into it at a later date if my passion grows and I can find somewhere not that far away from home that does it. I just bought that bottle of Lagavuliun which I'll try later on tonight.

Regards,
Renato

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by julianh72

My local bottle shop has a staffer who is a Scotch Whisky aficionado, and he runs whisky tastings from time to time - some are national sponsored events (like World Whisky Day https://www.danmurphys.com.au/liquor...rld-whisky-day ), but some are small evening events that he hosts, because he enjoys spreading the good word. He knows that most of his regulars will walk away with a bottle or three of something new to try, and if some new people come in for a tasting, they may be converted, or they may decide they hate the stuff - but at least they will have learnt something.

Try asking at your local Bottle-O, if they have someone who knows his stuff. (Hint: Don't open the conversation by asking "What goes well with Pepsi Max?" )

I was unaware of World Whisky Day - now I just have to wait till the 16th May next year.

Surely I can't be the only person on the planet who savours Cola and whisky? People have been ordering it in pubs since I was a lad - they must have liked it.

Perhaps there are many such closet cola drinkers - too ashamed to come out into the light of day.
Regards,
Renato

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Cola and Whisky or Whisky and Dry (Ginger Ale) is pub entry to spirit drinking, like Rum and Coke.
When your taste buds mature and demand something a bit better is when you throw away the mixer to learn about the real thing.

Now a good Appleton Estate Royal white rum is something to enjoy definitely without the coke !!

[OzStarGazer]

Originally Posted by ZeroID

Cola and Whisky or Whisky and Dry (Ginger Ale) is pub entry to spirit drinking, like Rum and Coke.
When your taste buds mature and demand something a bit better is when you throw away the mixer to learn about the real thing.

Now a good Appleton Estate Royal white rum is something to enjoy definitely without the coke !!

Ah, yes, I see what I mean. When I mention "Bacardi" I usually mean the flavoured one (not pure) too. Still nice for an entry level.

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by ZeroID

Cola and Whisky or Whisky and Dry (Ginger Ale) is pub entry to spirit drinking, like Rum and Coke.
When your taste buds mature and demand something a bit better is when you throw away the mixer to learn about the real thing.

Now a good Appleton Estate Royal white rum is something to enjoy definitely without the coke !!

Believe it or not, I've never heard of Whisky and Dry Ginger Ale. As I detest the latter, I won't be trying it though.

Don't forget that most of the world doesn't like the real thing of single malt Scotch, but instead prefers it blended down with neutral grain whisky (a chap named Mr. Usher discovered this fact, and thus made fortunes for whisky makers in Scotland).

I like to think of myself as Mr. Usher Mark 11 - blending the real thing down with something that wasn't then available to Mr. Usher.
Cheers,
Renato

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Originally Posted by Renato1

Believe it or not, I've never heard of Whisky and Dry Ginger Ale. As I detest the latter, I won't be trying it though.

Don't forget that most of the world doesn't like the real thing of single malt Scotch, but instead prefers it blended down with neutral grain whisky (a chap named Mr. Usher discovered this fact, and thus made fortunes for whisky makers in Scotland).

I like to think of myself as Mr. Usher Mark 11 - blending the real thing down with something that wasn't then available to Mr. Usher.
Cheers,
Renato

What !! No Ginger ??
An awesome ingredient in food and drinks. Asian food just wouldn't be asian food .... without ginger. How do you eat Sashimi without pickled ginger ? Best thing for settling an upset stomach and crook head ... especially if you have had a few too many single malts the night before .
Each to their own as they say. We've always got fresh ginger, pickled ginger and ginger syrup in the pantry and get through it for sure.

[OzStarGazer]

To be quite honest I don't like ginger either. I once bought a juice with ginger and carrot I think and I just couldn't drink it...

[alocky (Andrew lockwood)]

The only thing that gets blended with my single malts is me.
My personal favourite whiskey quote was from the character 'George Cowley' in the series 'the Professionals'...
'And for your information, Bodie, there's no such thing as a particularly good pure malt: They're all good'.
Cheers,
Andrew

[g__day (Matthew)]

A decade or more ago I would have said Lagavulin, Dalwhinnie or Oban where my favourites (and all come from the same region - give or take 5kms). Nowadays its The Lark distillery from Hobart, Tasmania that I would posit is around one of the best in the world Was drinking some of the 14 year old (1999) vintage just last night and it was brilliant!