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Longhouse posted:Inspired by the descriptions in this thread, I just bought a half-bottle of Laphroaig 10 as my first try at malt (kinda risky choice, but hey). Well, really I had tried a sip many years ago, when my parents bought a bottle, and then hated it. Was curious to see whether my taste buds had changed. And sure enough, I certainly recognized it, but thought it tasted kinda neat. Although I have to get used to it somewhat; can't imagine being able to drink much of in one go. Feels like I need to don protective clothing because it's so overwhelmingly much. Laphroaig certainly is a high risk first Scotch and I would say not representative of most Whisky. I actually find Laphroaig too medicinal for me really. If you like the general feel of Laphroaig but find it's a bit strong then I can certainly recommend some other ones.
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Jul 13, 2012 08:38
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| # ? May 9, 2024 13:42 |
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I tried some Bruichladdich last night, and maybe it is just me, but it tasted horrible. If I hadn't watched the bartender pour it, I would have thought it was straight moonshine. No peat at all, which would be fine except that there was no mellowness at all, it just had a very strong alcohol burn. Not enjoyable at all, and especially not what I was expecting (I had just had a glass each of Oban and Bunnahabhain). The only thing I can think of is that it was entirely unaged, which is where the harshness came from.
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Jul 13, 2012 19:59
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Young Bruichladdich tastes like Aloe Vera lotion smells. It's very oily and does have a slight whiff of acetone/nail polish remover. I'd stick to the Port Charlottes and if you want to play around, find someone to pour you the latest Octomore.
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Jul 14, 2012 12:54
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I haven't tried it yet but I heard their new 10YO is good.
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Jul 14, 2012 13:35
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Aramoro posted:Laphroaig certainly is a high risk first Scotch and I would say not representative of most Whisky. I actually find Laphroaig too medicinal for me really. If you like the general feel of Laphroaig but find it's a bit strong then I can certainly recommend some other ones. It's kinda like recomending a big bitter craft beer IPA. It shows you an extreme of one style, but even if you don't like it hopefully your realize there is more flavor to beer than bud light. Got a bottle of Redemption Rye and Redemption High Rye Bourbon because both were on a good sale. I like the play of the sweeter Bourbon mixed with Rye much better neat, and it made a mean Manhattan. Who makes Redemption? The internet says most likely the Bulliet people in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Which is wierd, because I found Bulliet's Rye to be unpleasantly dry and spicy.
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Jul 14, 2012 17:38
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If you live in the US and are looking for some decent single malts, but your local liquor store doesn't have much in the way of stock, I'd recommend a trip to https://www.royalmilewhiskies.com I'm a Brit serving with the USAF over in Colorado and I've had difficulty trying to get hold of a few decent bottles that didn't cost a home owners loan to purchase. So I tend to save up and buy 6 or 7 bottles at a time and they last me for a good while. It also saves on import taxes. On a final note, if you're looking for something a little smoother for the beginner, I'd suggest taking a look at a Mannochmore or an Auchentoshan. Even the 12yrs are a great place to start and wont break your credit rating either! Hope that helps.
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Jul 14, 2012 22:58
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Jahoodie posted:
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Jul 15, 2012 01:05
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Capt_Jaegerbomb posted:If you live in the US and are looking for some decent single malts, but your local liquor store doesn't have much in the way of stock, I'd recommend a trip to https://www.royalmilewhiskies.com My goto local/online shop is K&L Wines, but you can also try Binny's and others.
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Jul 15, 2012 01:14
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kidsafe posted:I can't see how shipping something from a UK based whisky shop would be cheaper than an established US specialty shop. Colorado is fairly relaxed on alcohol shipping laws in particular so you have pretty much access to any online shop. Thanks for the link, I'll be browsing that one later on. I only mentioned the Edinburgh based website as they also get some of the rarer or limited run malts from the local distilleries, such as Glenkinchie. Just thought it may be useful to have an extra source for special occasions.
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Jul 15, 2012 05:51
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I used http://www.masterofmalt.com/ to get the Yamazaki Sherry Cask, they have some other interesting stuff as well. But generally the duties on alcohol are more expensive in the UK than in Holland, so if I buy a bottle of whisky at my local shop it will be cheaper than buying it directly from the distillery in Scotland.
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Jul 15, 2012 09:46
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Recently got me a bottle of j. Walker gold label as a total whisk(e)y newb, having read rave reviews of it. The owner of the liquor store also recommended me a glenfiddich 18years as something of similar quality. I was pretty clueless of it and just went with the gold label. I am thoroughly enjoying the gold label, it is so smooth when one is only used to red label and other cheap mixed blends. My question however, which other blend/type would be a good fit for me? Perhaps a nice single malt, not too sharp on the pallate for a newb? Any suggestions?
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Jul 15, 2012 21:42
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Letifa posted:My question however, which other blend/type would be a good fit for me? Perhaps a nice single malt, not too sharp on the pallate for a newb? Any suggestions? I haven't tried Johnnie Walker or any other blends. Glenlivet 12 is probably a good bet for a milder single malt.
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Jul 15, 2012 23:21
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spankmeister posted:I used http://www.masterofmalt.com/ to get the Yamazaki Sherry Cask, they have some other interesting stuff as well. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 05:46 on Jul 16, 2012 |
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Jul 16, 2012 05:36
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Letifa posted:Recently got me a bottle of j. Walker gold label as a total whisk(e)y newb, having read rave reviews of it. I like Glenmorangie, the 18 was amazing. Love J.walker in general as well, black and double black are my main drinking choices.
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Jul 16, 2012 11:54
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SeaTard posted:I tried some Bruichladdich last night, and maybe it is just me, but it tasted horrible. If I hadn't watched the bartender pour it, I would have thought it was straight moonshine. No peat at all, which would be fine except that there was no mellowness at all, it just had a very strong alcohol burn. Not enjoyable at all, and especially not what I was expecting (I had just had a glass each of Oban and Bunnahabhain). Could it have been a Cask Strength one? I've never had that experience from a Bruichladdich
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Jul 17, 2012 15:56
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Aramoro posted:Could it have been a Cask Strength one? I've never had that experience from a Bruichladdich The quality of whisky can vary from bottle to bottle, even if it is rare. I had a glass of Glenmorangie Lasanta Sherry Cask that had an awful sulfur taste to it to the point of me almost pouring the class out.
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Jul 18, 2012 04:26
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I had a similar experience recently. I happened to get two bottles of Laphroaig quarter cask as gifts (lucky me!). I opened the first one and it didn't taste like I remembered, no depth, it didn't have that underlying sweetness that balances the peat. I decided to open the second bottle and do a taste test and the second one was spectacular, exactly like I remembered, peat, smoke, sweetness, medicinal, awesome! Something was off with that bottle, just goes to show that bad bottles show up from time to time. I ended up giving it to my brother who confirmed that it was bad (but he didn't mind).
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Jul 18, 2012 05:08
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NightConqueror posted:The quality of whisky can vary from bottle to bottle, even if it is rare. I had a glass of Glenmorangie Lasanta Sherry Cask that had an awful sulfur taste to it to the point of me almost pouring the class out. Oh yes you do get bad ones rarely or so I've heard. I've drunk a lot of whisky and never come across one luckily. Just what he described sounded a lot like what people get if they drink a cask strength neat without knowing.
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Jul 19, 2012 20:23
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So what's the consensus on how low quality you can go with a bourbon for a mixed drink and still make a drink that tastes good? Does it matter at all? My only previous experience with bourbon in mixed drinks was Jack and Coke in college, which was what everyone else drank and was easy to order. Now that I've actually gotten into drinking straight scotch and bourbon I still want a mixed drink every once in a while but don't want to use my expensive stuff. Should I stick with something middle tier like Maker's? Or should I just be grabbing 1.75s of Evan Williams off the bottom shelf for 18 bucks? In bars should I just be ordering well poo poo for maximum value to taste? The drink I've taken a liking to is a gold rush if it matters at all, probably not since its like every other mixed drink you can make (booze + sugar).
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Jul 19, 2012 20:39
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I like Evan Williams fine in bourbon drinks, but I am not specifically a bourbon fan. For gin drinks, or rum drinks, that I have I find most well liquors to be unsatisfactory largely because I like the base spirits a lot, and have a lot of context as to which varieties I like and dislike &etc. I'd suggest trying the well drinks, and seeing if they work for you. ETA - there is also a cocktail thread where you could ask this question.
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Jul 19, 2012 20:44
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zonacat posted:So what's the consensus on how low quality you can go with a bourbon for a mixed drink and still make a drink that tastes good? Does it matter at all? A lot of guys will say its a sin to mix up a decent bourbon or scotch because generally speaking the mixing is taking away from the quality, but if it tastes good mixed I don't see a problem. I need to try a gold rush. I can imagine it masking a rougher bourbon and make it nice and easy to drink but will a good bourbon stand up to those flavours or just get washed away?
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Jul 19, 2012 20:59
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zonacat posted:Should I stick with something middle tier like Maker's? Or should I just be grabbing 1.75s of Evan Williams off the bottom shelf for 18 bucks? In bars should I just be ordering well poo poo for maximum value to taste?
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Jul 20, 2012 00:11
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MOAR posted:A lot of guys will say its a sin to mix up a decent bourbon or scotch because generally speaking the mixing is taking away from the quality, but if it tastes good mixed I don't see a problem. Yeah, if it tasted good mixed who cares. It isn't like you're going to be dumping cocktails into people who just want a neat dram. I would say the only issue I'd have with doing it myself is price. If you can get 99% of the taste for 50% (or less!) of the price, why the hell not? I've managed to purchase a bottle of Sazerac Rye. Smoother than Bulleit by far, and if it weren't for the fact that my local store only has 3 bottles (they only get seasonal shipments) I'd make it my go-to instead of Bulleit. What cracks me up is that it's distilled/bottled by Buffalo Trace (who make an all right bourbon for the price -$25-30/bottle- if your taste leans a bit sweet) but is a New Orleans brand. e: Sazerac (it doesn't say so on the bottle but I think it's 6yo) over a single icecube is wonderful, but you want to drink it neat to bring out the citrus notes and get the full flavor of the stuff. If you can find it in your local booze store, it shouldn't be more than $30-35. FAUXTON fucked around with this message at 10:28 on Jul 20, 2012 |
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Jul 20, 2012 10:01
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Hey whiskey goons. I have a little over a dozen sets of Teroforma Whiskey Stones left over from a tasting where a bunch of jerks didn't show up. Posted over in SA Mart. I'm going to eat some shipping expenses on them, but I'd rather send them to goons than random eBay people.
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Jul 20, 2012 17:58
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zonacat posted:So what's the consensus on how low quality you can go with a bourbon for a mixed drink and still make a drink that tastes good? Does it matter at all? Bourbon is interesting in that you can go to the so-called "bottom shelf" and still find really great whiskeys that can be drank straight up if you want. For example, Very Old Barton 100 Proof runs about $11.99 to $13.99 and has more character and flavor (in my opinion) than some "top shelf" bourbons like Maker's Mark. That's not to say it doesn't have a few rough edges, but it goes monumentally well in mixed drinks too. Some other great value Bourbons are: Old Grand Dad 100 proof Old Weller Antique 107 Evan Williams Wild Turkey 101 (a personal favorite) So yes, buy cheaper if you're going to mix, but it doesn't necessarily mean you have to buy rotgut either. There are some great values out there.
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Jul 20, 2012 18:56
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Elmer T. Lee single barrel is a really fantastic value at my local place. I think it's like $24 and it's awesome.
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Jul 20, 2012 19:40
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So I figured I would report back. A gold rush with Rebel Yell tastes exactly the same to my pallet as the ones I made last weekend with Bulleit. I tried Rebel Yell because it was on sale for $10 bucks a 750 and I figured I would try some other suggestions from here next time. Plus it sounded cool Hooray for saving money on mixed drinks so I can buy more Lagavulin 16 at Costco before it disappears again.
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Jul 21, 2012 00:38
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zonacat posted:Hooray for saving money on mixed drinks so I can buy more Lagavulin 16 at Costco before it disappears again. What the gently caress? Your Costco stocks Lagavulin 16? For how much? All we get out here is their Kirkland Brand 100 proof bourbon and a smattering of cheap scotches.
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Jul 21, 2012 02:10
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Kirkland brand stuff has surprised me - their vodka is manufactured by Grey Goose. They also have an anejo tequila that is really solid for the price. They're almost approaching Trader Joes in terms of store-brand shock value.
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Jul 21, 2012 02:23
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NightConqueror posted:What the gently caress? Your Costco stocks Lagavulin 16? For how much?
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Jul 21, 2012 06:54
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FreelanceSocialist posted:Kirkland brand stuff has surprised me - their vodka is manufactured by Grey Goose. They also have an anejo tequila that is really solid for the price. They're almost approaching Trader Joes in terms of store-brand shock value. I bought a Kirkland brand Macallan 15 that unfortunately isn't that good. It's much harsher than I expected and is going to be a pain to finish.
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Jul 21, 2012 13:11
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If you ever get the chance, look out for "Monkey Shoulder" http://www.monkeyshoulder.com/index.php I haven't seen it much in the US. In fact, I have relatives bring me over a bottle or two when they come visit. But I believe you can get it over here, although I'm not sure where exactly. It's a really smooth blend of three other single malts (Glenfiddich, Balvenie and one other I can never remember). It's actually relatively "sweet" as blends go and really opens up when you add a splash of water. That's my recommendation of the day 
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Jul 21, 2012 15:44
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Capt_Jaegerbomb posted:If you ever get the chance, look out for "Monkey Shoulder" Yeah never seen it in US, it's everywhere in UK. Here's the Binnys link for anyone interested. http://www.binnys.com/spirits/Monkey_Shoulder_Blended_Malt_Scotch_Whisky_163546.html
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Jul 21, 2012 17:29
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NightConqueror posted:What the gently caress? Your Costco stocks Lagavulin 16? For how much? It was 51.99, and they stocked it for about 4-5 months last year and got it in again this year. I went yesterday and its up to 64.99, and they are just about out of stock, at least on the floor.
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Jul 22, 2012 21:45
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Just invested in the first single malt I've ever purchased for myself. Fancied jumping right in to an Islay and they had no qc left. Tried an Ardbeg 10 but thought it was quite expensive for its age and went for a Bunnahabhain 12, seemed to have a nice and fairly subtle peaty note and quite a sweet full body. Anyone else tried this one, any thoughts?
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Jul 23, 2012 13:12
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Jakabite posted:Just invested in the first single malt I've ever purchased for myself. Fancied jumping right in to an Islay and they had no qc left. Tried an Ardbeg 10 but thought it was quite expensive for its age and went for a Bunnahabhain 12, seemed to have a nice and fairly subtle peaty note and quite a sweet full body. Anyone else tried this one, any thoughts? Yea Bunnahabhain is probably the least peated of the Islays, and is more or less the "old" style of Islay before big peat came into vogue. The Ardbeg 10 is a great whisky, don't let it's age fool you.
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Jul 23, 2012 13:21
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spankmeister posted:The Ardbeg 10 is a great whisky, don't let it's age fool you. This. It's a kinda trap a lot of people fall into that older means better or that younger whisky should always be cheaper than older whisky. A 10 year old Ardbeg is better than an 21 year old Old Pulteney if you like peaty whiskies. In fact of the 10 year old peaty whiskies the Ardbeg is the best.
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Jul 23, 2012 14:09
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Yeah it was nice but it was out of my price range too really, and I was unsure of whether to go peat crazy for my first bottle, or whether to go for something slightly more representative of 'normal' scotch. I thought the Bunnahabhain was a happy medium, pretty happy with it really. I was thinking about just going for the Highland Park 12, but didn't get a chance to taste it so thought I'd go for the one I knew I liked. I'd not actually heard of the Bunnahabhain before, is it a small distillery or just overshadowed by the likes of Laphroaig? One other question; a friend had some spare whisky and offered me one of the bottles, and I'm not sure which to choose. One's a Glen Orrin blend, and the other's just Morrison's brand Bourbon. Is it worth getting the Orrin to drink neat or is it swill? My understanding is that it's an Aldi special or something but I dunno, couldn't really find out much about it. If I didn't I'd get the bourbon and just make Old Fashioneds with it. Any opinions for a whisky novice?
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Jul 23, 2012 14:47
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Bunnahabhain is a small distillery but I think it also suffers from being an oddfellow of Islay malts as well. If you want a peaty whisky you won't want it, if you want non-peated you'll look to Speyside or Lowlands probably and forget that Bunnahabhain exists. The Bunnahabhain 12 is a great whisky especially if you get the newer bottlings where they bumped the ABV up to 46%
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Jul 23, 2012 15:02
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Yeah this is one of the 46% ones. What effect does a higher alcohol content generally have on a whisky anyway? Does it just give it a bit more fire or does it do something to the actual flavours, bring them out etc.?
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Jul 23, 2012 15:15
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