scotch

I've sampled most of the scotches that are in average canadian liquor stores, and the best one to me is the Glenfiddich special reserve, aged 12 years. it's a little more than $40cnd for 750ml. Compared to Johnnie Walker Black Label (12 years), the Glenfiddich is far superior. Hope this helps.. and scotch is the best compliment to a fine cigar my friend, excellent decision.

Yeah, Glenfidich is great. I also like Glenlivitt (sp?). Seems like scotch that starts with Glen tends to be very good.

Johnny Blue Label is even better but it's more expensive than a Ferrari so I doubt it's an option.

shmoove

Undoubtably THIS whisky!

Glenfiddich is good yes. I also like Glenmorrangie (especially the port variant and the 18 year old). If you'd like something with a bit more of a bite then I recommend getting a Genfarclay's 105 (60% vol). The latter whiskey isof a type known as "casket strength whiskey", at least that's what we call in here in Holland. It's typically a bit stronger and also a tad more expensive than the regular single malt whiskeys.

As to the difference per type of whiskey: IIRC blended whiskeys are whiskeys made up of mixing whiskeys from different caskets in order to get a contunious taste (whiskey taste varies per casket). So, no matter what bottle of whiskey form a certain brand you buy, each bottle wil taste roughly the same (somewhere in between the worst and best caskets). Malt whiskeys come from a single casket so there's more variation between bottles. You can have an exceptional bottle, but you can have bad luck and get a below average bottle (though never really bad). I don't know double malt whiskeys but I presume that's what you call the casket stength whiskeys I spoke of earlier.

Now, for whiskeys like Glenmorranie there's even more variation. You can have port, madeira and other variations. There's a reasoning behind this: Whiskeys aren't aged in whiskey caskets but in imported caskets that used to hold other drinks such as port or maderia. The first batch of whiskey to age in such a casket usually tastes a bit different because it absorbs the flavours of the drink that was in it before. These are sold under their different variant's name. IIRC there's an historical reaon as well: Scottish and Irish Whiskey makers were obliged to import their caskets from the new world (nowadays know as the USA).

Glenfiddich is quite drinkable and the best selling single malt, but isn't all that great. Glenmorangie is far better, Glenlivet(again sp?) is quite good. I personally like Islay malts of which Ardbeg is my favourite, LaPhroig will be easier to get hold of and is good as well. Dalwhinnie is very nice, but slightly more expensive. I've heard very good things about Achentaushen(not a clue on the spelling) Treewood, but have never tasted it myself.

If this is your first bottle of Scotch whisky then I'd probably advise going for something mainstream, but slightly better than Glenfiddich, so Glenmorangie is a very good choice. Fortunately there are very few bad single malts(in my experience), so as long as it's a single malt it should be pretty good.

[EDIT] Sorry Sander, you're not quite right on the definition of single malt. Single malts are a blend, but only from the same distillery and they're purely whisky. The age refers to the youngest cask used in the blend. To qualify as a single malt this age needs to be old enough, I think it could be 8 years, but I'm not sure. Blended whiskys are blends from multiple places and are mixed down with something else, I can't remember what. You can get whisky that's from a single cask and it has a particular name. But it's very rare and VERY expensive, it's not something you'll be able to get from the average off-license. I've never come across a double-malt, I doubt they exist, although I'm prepared to be proved wrong. [/EDIT]

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Original post by higherspeed Fortunately there are very few bad single malts(in my experience), so as long as it's a single malt it should be pretty good.

True, but if you want to play safe then stay away from the variant tastes (like port or madeira) and the casket strength whiskeys. They have quite a smokey taste and a much stronger after taste then regular single malt whiskeys and not everybody likes that. To play safe I wold go with a 10 or 12 year old singel malt. I recommend Glenmorrangie. I never met someone who drank whiskey and didn't like it.

Yes, the Islay malts are distinctively very smoky, especially Ardbeg and Laphroaig. I agree with your recommendation. As for people not liking whisky, I've met quite a few, mostly women I suppose, but certainly not all.

Sorry, I meant that I never met anyone who liked drinking whikey but did not like the taste of Glenmorrangie [embarrass] I know plenty of people who don' t like whiksey at all.

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Original post by Panties My parents gave me some money for my birthday. Having just ordered cigars, I need to blow the rest of it on scotch. I know nothing about scotch and need some suggestions. My brother said anything aged 12 years is good. What's the difference between single malt, double malt, and blended?

Uhm, if you know nothing about scotch, then just get a bottle of famous grouse (or whatever) and be done with it. You won't appreciate the difference, so don't waste your money on a single malt. Once you've learned to taste the differences, go buy some real whiskey, as in Irish whiskey (sorry, but I am constitutionally obliged to say that! [grin]).

Not being mean, but you wouldn't buy a ferrari if you couldn't drive, would you?

Another shout for Glenmorangie.

Mmm, scotch. Yes, this is a man's drink. I also suggest bourbon, not quite as spicy as scotch, but very similar. I used to enjoy Vodka, but it's very important to only get the good stuff (or filter the bad stuff).

The only brand of scotch I have sampled is Dewars. It was pretty good. As for bourbon, I stick to Jim Beam.

I'm quite disturbed by these flavored liquors like the Smirnoff flavored vodkas, Captain Morgan's flavored rums, and Schnapps. They're like freaking liquid crack. Stay away from them, I've only known women (and one questionable man) to drink them. Whiskey shouldn't be easy to drink.

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Original post by Sander Glenfiddich is good yes. I also like Glenmorrangie (especially the port variant and the 18 year old). If you'd like something with a bit more of a bite then I recommend getting a Genfarclay's 105 (60% vol).

Good call! Have bottles of both the Glenmorangie (Port Wood finish) and the Glenfarclas 105, probably best watered down a bit though. Glenfiddich is ok, but the other two are better imho.

well not to get off topic but, if your smoking cigars with fine liquor, id suggest a nice bottle of cognac or port wine.

Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Talisker are an aquired taste, very peaty. I love them, but I know some people can't stand them (eathens). They are quite different for the highland malts, probably not recommended for someone not used to strong whisky.

Cragganmore is my drink at the moment, more accessible, but I like a change from time to time. Any single malt scotch whisky does the trick for me, really. One very easy to drink and very nice as well is the Black Bush (Irish whisky). Or Cardhu (a bit light to my taste).

Glenmorangie, Glenfarcas, Glenlivet, ... hmmm.... reminds me, I've got to get a new bottle.

EDIT : and I'm not a big fan of those port-flavoured whisky. It's just used to clean the barrels, as far as I'm concerned. :)

As for little gift-wrapped 'samples' of whiskies, I'd stay away from them. Drink it like a man, for god sakes!

The important thing about drinking scotch is to have some bourbon and beer handy as well. You're gonna get high, man, you're gonna get loose.

CM

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Original post by oliii EDIT : and I'm not a big fan of those port-flavoured whisky. It's just used to clean the barrels, as far as I'm concerned. :)

Just get Port and get done with it :) - it'll give you the worst possible hangover.

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Original post by Conner McCloud The important thing about drinking scotch is to have some bourbon and beer handy as well. You're gonna get high, man, you're gonna get loose. CM

haha, awesome.

A little offtopic, but why don't you try some vermouth?
I got a bottle of Martini (red) yesterday, and I am really enjoying it :)

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Original post by Raduprv A little offtopic, but why don't you try some vermouth? I got a bottle of Martini (red) yesterday, and I am really enjoying it :)

uhg, vermouth, what a way to ruin a perfectly good bottle of vodka.