Scotch Whiskey 101

“LMAO.”

“Last night we were at our friends farm eating dinner and drinking wine. We "retired" to the living room where I sampled to exceptional Highlands (unsure what they were). Then they brougth out the 1987 Lagavulin.

It was my first Islay. Holy frikken #&%!$! Salty Peatness from Heaven. I enjoyed smelling it almost as much as drinking it.

The next morning we went out and fed the cows "bung apples". In the herd was a shy new arrival, an "oreo" bull, or Belted Galloway. I think he's trying to develop a new breed...”

“He said bung apple”

“


”

“Imagine my surprise when I went to Israel National Radio for the latest shows Yishai & Malkah Fleisher were discussing kosher scotch. It was very interesting because they got into the Torah and the hallaca (law) of the whole issue.

http://www.israelnationalradio.com/Asx/Yishai-th-2.asx”

“I keep getting people telling me I need to try Glenmorangie. Anyone try it?”

“Had some Saturday evening after deer hunting at my buddy's place (he's the buddy that can afford such things).”

“How did the hunt go Gremlin?
Or does the fact that you were at your buddies drinking scotch and not skinning a deer answer that question?”

“Just been reading through this thread over some of Laphroaig Quarter Cask. Some good stuff that, possibly my favourite at the moment, but there are still a whole lot of Scotch Whiskies out there for me to try...

Nigal: to answer your question, You do need to try Glenmorangie. I have only had some of the 10yo Glenmorangie Single Malt on two occasions, i think (a friend of mine has a bottle), and it was a very good whisky. You might think otherwise with this coming from somebody drinking Laphroaig :) but its not anywhere near as peaty or as, shall we say, distinctive, as Laphroaig, I think. It is nevertheless one of the best Scotch Whiskies I have tried.”

“I've never had Laphroaig but the other Islays I've had I liked a lot. Is it stronger or more rough?”

“Actually, Laphroaig is the only Islay whisky I have had. But from what I have read and heard from other people, it is much more strongly flavoured. I have heard it likened to "Smoke in a bottle". Two little extracts from Wikipedia's Laphroaig entry: "Laphroaig is considered one of the most strongly flavoured of all scotch whiskies" and "Laphroaig is an acquired taste, even among whisky drinkers".

I was definitely surprised at my first taste, but it has grown on me a lot. I would not say it is rough, but it does have a very strong flavour, but I can't compare it to other Islays as I have not tried any others myself.”

“Not sure I'd care that much for it then. I keep seeing the Mcallens Cask Strength and have been tempted but when it says on the bottle it is intended to be served with a splash of water, you're looking at some strong stuff. LOL!”

“I think in terms of peat strength, Ardberg is tops, followed by Laphoraig, then Lagavulin.

Laphoraig is next on my list to try.”

“The splash of water does not mean it is strong. You will find that a large number of whisky tasters and professionals in the field will tell you to put a splash of water in it to release the aromas and flavours. Even in a whisky like Glenmorangie, which (in my opinion) is is not very strongly flavoured (it has a unique and very interesting flavour and is a great whisky tho). With Glenmorangie especially I found the splash of water story to be true.”

“My first try of Laphoraig tasted like ripe dishwater. However, I will try it again, as a local restaurant is having a Scotch tasting soon.
My first taste of Oban was like a little glass of heaven. McCallen's is still my go-to and never lets me down. Love the taste of sherry on the top of it.
Last Christmas, my daughter brought me a bottle of Bruichladde straight from the Isle of Sky. Good stuff, for sure.”

“My brother is going to try to get me a bottle of Bunnahabhain (northern Islay whisky) for Christmas, it depends on how the airlines view liquids these days, after all of the recent goings on. I hear that it is a lot more mild than the southern Islay whiskies (Ardberg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin) in the way of smoke, peat and all that. I look forward to that.

I will say that my first try of Laphroaig was surprising, but it grew on me and I do enjoy it.”

“I had my first shot of scotch in Toronto last week. Glen-something. Not fiddich. Glen Parker?”

“Glen Grant?”

“Glen Cambell?”

“Glen Close?”

“Glen Gary, Glen Ross?”

“* Glendronach Single Malt
* Glendullan Single Malt
* Glenfarclas Single Malt
* Glenfiddich
* Glen Grant
* Glen Keith Single Malt
* The Glenlivet
* Glenrothes Single Malt
* Glentauchers Single Malt
* Glen Moray Single Malt”

“* Glen Albyn Single Malt
* Glencadam Single Malt
* Glen Deveron Single Malt
* Glendower Single Malt
* Glen Eden Single Malt
* Glen Garioch Single Malt
* Glengoyne Single Malt
* Glenmorangie
* Glen Ord Single Malt
* Glenrothes Single Malt
* Glentromie Single Malt
* Glenturret Single Malt”

“Glenkinchie
Glengyle
Glen Scotia”

“Glen: A narrow valley.

Apparently quite a few of these in Scotland were suitable for whiskey production.”

“It was Glen Parker.

This stuff:

http://themikestand.blogspot.com/2006/05/scotch-watch-inaugural-edition.html”

“OK. Found Glen Parker. I suggest something nicer the next time around.

:p”

“btw - i, and others, seem to be unable to discern the distiullery that produces Glen Parker. Another reason to avoid "it".”

“I don't know. We were at an English pub of some type and it came with a friend's meal. He knew I was only a bourbon drinker so he gave the scotch to me.”

“after a bit of looking around, I came across this:
http://www.angusdundee.co.uk/eng/james_parker.htm

it would appear that Angus Dundee Distillers Plc is the producer of Glen Parker. They seem to own a number of labels. Anybody know of them? I also spotted some bad reviews of Glen Parker...
They also own the following range of whiskies:
Angus Dundee
Glencadam (simgle malt)
Mackillop's Choice
Scottish Royal
Tomintoul (single malt)

Tomintoul and Glencadam have their own distilliries tho.”

“There site seems to be a bit lacking in info, no?

http://www.angusdundee.co.uk/eng/homepage.htm

Why can't I find them here:

http://www.thewhiskyguide.com/Misc/All_Whisky_Distilleries.htm”

“Probably explains why it came free with the meal.

I'm fairly confident it would all taste the same to me, regardless of price or reputation.”

“Whats the best kind of whisky for making broilermakers?”

“Something cheap for boilermakers.”

“I finally tried a blend that I didn't hate. A buddy of mine gave me half a bottle of Dewers he had bought. I put it on a bit of ice and could barely taste it. Quite a switch from the Chevas Regal crap.”

“Just started reading a brilliant book:

Scotch Whisky A Liquid History. by Charles Maclean. I'm only to the 1790's but it's a fascinating read. I feel compelled to share:

From some contemporaries (Dean Ramsay & Henry Mackenzie), discussing "regular drinking parties":

'I was keeping as free from the usual excess as I was able, and as I marked companions around me falling victims to the power of drink, I myself dropped off under the table amongst the slain, as a measure of precaution. Lying there, my attention was called to a small pair of hands working at my throat. On asking what it was, a voice replied, 'Sir, I'm the lad that's to lowse the neck-cloths' [i.e. untie the cravats of the guests and prevent apoplexy or chocking from vomiting].'

"Visitors were astonished, and often dismayed, by the level of hospitality shown to them throughout Scotland."

'When a gentleman gave an entertainment, it was thought necessary that he should press the bottle as far as it could be made to go. A particular good fellow would lock his outer door to prevent any guest of dyspeptic tendencies or sober inclinations from escaping'.

"One English guest at a laird's house in Angus, who fled from the dinner table, was pursued to his bedroom by his affronted host, together with the rest of the company, armed with bottles and glasses. And the door the unfortunate guest turned and said: 'Sir, your hospitality borders on brutality'."

"'These were the notions of a people in whose eyes the power of swallowing whisky conferred distinction, and with whom inability to take a fitting quantity was a mark of a mean and futile character. Sad to tell, the funeral rights of Highland chieftans were not supposed to have been properly celebrated except that there was immoderate and often fatal consumption of whisky...at the last funeral in the Highlands conducted according to the traditions of the olden times, several guests fell victims to this usage, and actually died of the excesses.'"


"This attitude to drink is summed up by a story about a group of gentleman who had been drinking together in a club in Glasgow. They had been at it for several hours when it was noticed that one of them number had been keeping quite for some time."

"'Whit gars Garskadden luk sae gash?' (What makes the laird of Garskaddan look so ghastly?), asked the laird of Kilmardinny. To which Garskadden's neighbor replied: 'Garskadden's been wi' his Maker these twa hours; I saw him step awa' but I dinna like to disturb gude company!'"”

“What timing. I was going to look around here for some info on Scotch.

Anyone have any favs, or new flavs they enjoy? I'd like to buy some to have on the trail. Looking for a good, all around scotch that non-scotch drinkers might enjoy.”

“$20-$25 bottle: McLealands (any flavor is good. this is the best single malt for the money.
$25-$30 bottle: The Glennlivet is one of my favorite 12 year olds.

$30+: McCallans is simply one of the best scotchs made imho.

I'd stay away from blends and go with single malt. If you don't care for the peaty or smoke flavors try a nice Irish whiskey like Bushmills or Jameson. It doesn't have the scotch taste to it.”

“I've recently been seduced by Islay's but they are not for non-scotch drinkers. I think Speyside's are similar...ish to bourbons.

Haven't really gotten to the other regions yet.”

“oy vey!
last edited: 1/04/07 1:02:51 PM”

“"one of my favorite 12 year olds - any other thread and this might be taken wayyyy out of context. ;-)”

“DULP! Thanks for sparing me the embarrassment. LOL!”

“Thanks, folks.

nigal -- Are those prices for 1/5ths?

Damn good thing my crutch is beer. I'd be broke drinking that stuff.”

“Yeah, it's for fifths. I'd try the cheaper McClelland’s first because it is not as much of an investment and it is a good example of what scotch is like. Plus I just love it. Or, you can stop at a local watering hole and try a single glass. Most places will have Glennlivet on hand. That's a good place to start.

http://www.mcclellands.co.uk/homepage.aspx”

“Macallan 12yr old is about 45 for a 750.”

“"Macallan 12yr old is about 45 for a 750."


Yikes! That's like 20 cases of Old Killdonkey Light.

"I'd try the cheaper McClelland’s first because it is not as much of an investment and it is a good example of what scotch is like. Plus I just love it."

I'll try it. Hiking next weekend and I needed some good treats for the kiddies.

Thanks for the help again.”

“Yes but it is comparing bottom shelf to Stratoshelf.

Whereas you can add mixers to bottom shelf vodka,bourbon, whatnot, Scotch Whisky is neat or with ice.

But i do agree with Nigals assessment of McClelland”

“I thing I like to do is have maybe a couple beers first. It makes the scotch go down smoother and it intensifies the effects of the scotch.

I'm really into the Irish whiskeys right now. My wife bought me a three bottle sampler thing with the tiny bottles of Bushmills. The Bushmills 10 year old single malt was awesome. I also got a big bottle of Jamesons 12 year old that was so damn smooth and yummy after a couple beers I drank half the damn bottle before I knew what happened.”

“ahhh, but the bottom shelf scotch tastes good in hot chocolate on cold nights around a campfire....”

“"I also got a big bottle of Jamesons 12 year old that was so damn smooth and yummy after a couple beers I drank half the damn bottle before I knew what happened."

The last thing I need right now is a new hobby. lol!

This whole thing has stricken my curiosity. Before the wife goes out for her meeting tonight, I think I'm going to have to purchase some and have a sample.”