High Roads & Low: The CHUD Scotch Thread

I'm a Cragganmore man. Talisker is peaty as fuck...I have a hard time drinking it neat.

I like vodka!

Ah yes...scotch. Once you acquire the taste for it, nothing else will quite suffice. My brothers turned me on to scotch when I was in college, and I've had the pleasure of introducing my really good friends to it over the years.

I tend to dislike the really peaty scotches; Talisker and Laphroaig are ones that I avoid if possible, although I won't turn them down outright if they're offered to me.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: MaCallan is nectar of the Gods. I've yet to really find one that can beat it for overall taste and finish. MaCallan 12, in particular, is fantastic for the price point. There's absolutely NOTHING wrong with Cragganmore or Balvenie, though.

For blends, I tend to favor Johnny Walker Green over anything else. Blue is good, but it's waaaay overpriced for what you get. Frankly, I like the taste of Green better. Green is also getting easier and easier to find in bars and liquor stores which is awesome, as it's far superior to Red and Black. Gold is kinda hard to find; it's good, but really no better than Green in my opinion.

I've been working on a bottle of Glen Garioch for a few weeks. I like it. It's lighter, smooth honey taste and works well neat. Mine is an 8 year but apparently the 12 years are much better. Alas, I am a cheap bastard.

Johnnie Walker Red tastes like barbecue sauce.

I'm no aficionado yet, but I stocked up on some single malts last fall when I went to the Caribbean, and I'm still going through the process of trying them out. So far, I'm a fan of Balvenie and Glengoyne. Does anyone have vendor recommendations? This hobby is expensive.

I've only ever tried the doublewood 12 year.

Fuck me...you're absolutely right with that observation. I don't know if I'll ever be able to drink Red Label again without thinking of Famous Dave's, now.

Another good entry scotch for you new enthusiasts is Glenmorangie 10. It's fairly easy to find and the price point is generally pretty reasonable for those that are wanting to try a new scotch without breaking the bank. It smooth with a hint of honey to it. Once you get used to this one, you'll want to dive into the more exotic tasting scotches.

RE: Glenmorangie -

I honestly don't remember if I've tried any of the other vintages. If I did, it must not have been all that memorable. The 10 year is pretty decent, though; it's also exceptionally easy to find in almost any liquor store (it seems to be one of the common stock single malts). It's certainly better than Glenlivet, which I find to be virtually undrinkable.

Judas made me discover the MacCallan, and damn is it good. Even the 10 years is superb. And the Johnny Walker Green Label, which ain't bad at all. Surprising, considering the Red and Black labels, which should be sold as engine lubricants.

But I'm still a Glenmorangie man, and the Glenmorangie's Quinta Ruban is my favorite. That smell of chocolate is phenomenal. When I want some peat, the Lagavulin 16 years is my friend. Those 2 are high recommendations.

Tried the Talisker 10-15 years (ok), the Laphroaig 12 years ( great, but it drinking alcoholic sea water) and the Glenlivet 10 years, which is quite bad.

Bottle = bought. Thanks, Martin!

I find that William Grant and Aberlour both function as reasonable ‘everyday’ Scotches. Decent taste, affordable price, smooth enough for the occasional scotch coffee. My uncle is a scotch enthusiast so every year I get bottles from bizarre little distilleries from Scotland. This year I got some Speyside single malts and they were absolutely incredible, usually I’m not a fan of peaty whisky but these were absolutely great even though the name escapes me at the moment I think one of them was a Talisker, will have to check my collection of labels when I get home (I often take the label from bottles I’ve particularly liked so that I can keep a record of what to drink).

To be honest the only scotches I’ve ever had a particularly averse reaction to have been Bells and Teachers which are cheap single malts which have the distinct taste of tires. Terrible, terrible, stuff that I can’t believe people wilfully drink. Never heard of Johnnie Walker, will have to investigate.

FYI the best Scotch I ever tasted was a bottle of Glen Grant’s that was from a line specifically designed for consulates and embassies. I actually think it was from the French consulate.

There's a Glenmorangie tasting at my favorite booze shop tomorrow night and I'm looking forward to tasting some of the other varieties. I'm really interested in trying that Qunita Ruban mentioned above.

As mentioned already, the Macallan 12 is good. I'm also a big fan of Dalwhinnie (the single malt, not the blends). Johnnie Walker Blue is fantastic but I would never buy it for myself--there's simply too many other good scotches that are way less expensive.

Iggy, I think the appeal of single malts is, as with wine, the terroir. A good blend can be phenomenal in how it combines and accents different characterstics, but there is something wonderful about the sense of place that you get from a single malt. It's really just as much a product of a particular location as wine is.

Here's a dumb question. Do Scots call it scotch, or is it just called whiskey in Scotland?

It's Whisky in England and Scotland. Whiskey with an e is Irish.

Also Blends tend to be the most popular in Scotland itself, from what I can gather the Single Malts were designed specifically for import. Although paradoxically all the best Whisky companies in Scotland make their products exclusively for export, so the finest Whiskys in the world are only available in places like Japan (who are the #1 drinker of Whisky in the world)

I've been a Glenmorangie drinker since Connor MacLeod ordered it in the original "Highlander". The 10-year is good, but I've found it's worth the couple of extra fin notes to pick up the 12-year old, with the Sherry wood finishing just edging out the Port Wood version. Quinta Ruban, by the way, is the new branding name for the 12-Year old Port wood finished, with "La Santa" the name for the Sherry Wood, but I hate marketers so refuse to use those titles.

I honestly didn't know that it was a re-branding. But the port wood finish sure makes my mouth happier.

Anyone has impressions on the Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or or the Astar?

If it's featured in the tasting I'm going to tomorrow, I'll let you know.

If you would, please make note of the price points on those scotches.

Damn, so many of these to try. I've already spent so much money due to Iggy's cigar thread. Why do you guys hate my wallet so much?

I've tried a couple of Islay scotches, and can honestly say I don't dig them as much as they tend to be more peaty.

I've only tried a few of the expensive brands, sticking with the blends and the cheaper single malts, but I'm looking to branch out more. If you guys are looking for a decent cheaper single malt, give McClellands Highland a try. You won't find a better bottle of scotch for under $25.

Ok fellow Scotch-drinking Chewers, I'm back (kind of drunk) from the Glenmorangie tasting at Baltimore's fabulous store "The Wine Source." The tasting was done by Glenmorangie's David Blackmore (not one of the 16 men), was free, featured full pours, and was awesome. I learned that the Glenmorangie stills are the tallest in Scotland, were originally designed to produce Gin, and are the reason the their basic offering is a 10 year instead of a 12 (the spirit produced from the stills is incredibly delicate, and at 12 years is far too astringent if only aged in American Oak). He was tasting the full lineup and, honestly, they were all great.

Everyone is familiar, I assume, with the basic 10 year. Apparently, it's what they all drink at the distillery; I guess it's sort of the table wine for the men of Tain.

There are three 12 year old varieties--10 years in American oak, and another 2 in specific casks. As mentioned already, the Quinta Ruban--port casks--is fantasitc. Very chocolatey and rich with an oakey (just a hint) finish. Great stuff. I picked up a bottle.

The Lasanta is aged in sherry casks and is also very smooth with a little more of a syrupy character than the Quinta, with ginger rather than chocolate as the noticeable characteristic. Very good.

The Nectar d'Or is fantastic. Great for a summer day, it's incredibly clean and refreshing. This one is matured in Sauternes barriques. It's sweet, with just a hint of peaty flavor (though Glenmorangie doesn't use Peat, apparently, so none of their lineup is smokey).

Moving on, the Astar was up next. This is a new (within the last month) offering. It's a "cask strength" whisky matured in (apparently) casks made from hand-selected trees cut from the Ozarks. The distillery owns the logging rights and they go and pick the trees they want to use. This stuff is FANTASTIC. I picked up a bottle of this, as well. It's bottled at almost 115 proof but it is super-smooth and the only one of the offerings that I drank totally neat. It's definately got strong salted caramel characterstics and is overall very creamy. Wonderful stuff.

The 18 year was next. I asked why if the 10 year was determined to be the best length of maturation for their spirit, their was an 18 year. Apparently they mature the spirit for 15 years (I think it was 15), pull out 30% for further maturation in sherry casks, and then after 18 years recombine the two to create the 18 year. It's amazing. A really very, very excellent single malt and I'd probably take this over any "luxury" Scotch any day.

Last was another new offering, the Signet. This one is a totally different spirit, distilled from the roasted coffee malt and barley that stouts are brewed from. It's very good, but not really Scotch like at all. Very strong coffee flavors, very thick and creamy. It's almost like a cognac or something. Interesting stuff.

All that was missing was the 25 year, which is no surprise.

Prices for each:

10 year - $43.99 ($36.99 at the store)
Lasanta - $59.99 ($49.99)
Quinta Ruban - $59.99 (49.99)
Nectar D'Or - $64.99 ($59.99)
Astar - $69.99
18 Year - $149.99
Signet - $189.99

Thanks for taking one for the team, Mushnik. Great report.

Yeah, I'll drink a bunch of Scotch for everyone's benefit anytime. Let me know what you guys get, I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

On Judas' recommendation, I tried the Macallan today. So very nice, and not at all what I expected. I prefer it to the Balvenie.

Glad that you liked it. Truly, the Macallan 12 is the standard against which all others must compete. I'm definitely going to try the Quinta Ruban soon, though.

Thanks to you, it's not a choice of whether I'll grab the Nectar d'Or or the Astar, but when I'll get both.

But just before that, I have to refuel my Macallan 12 years and the Lagavulin 16 years to maintain the stocks.

Hey! I'm crossing the border in 2 weeks! Duty-free, here I come!

Actually, I just picked up a bottle of Auchentoshan Classic at the state store for shits and giggles. $17 on sale, $21 regular list price.

There is no age listing, but it tastes young. I'll be generous and say maybe 8 or 9 years old.

It's surprisingly smooth, with some citrus and vanilla hints. Not as blatant as the reviewers would tell you, but to the nose that knows, they are detectable.

My fiancee, who is not a whisky drinker, actually enjoys it... although I have informed her that only a Sassenach pollutes good whisky with ice. Whereupon, she informed me to go fuck myself. True love, indeed!

Overall, a very enjoyable snootful, and you can't beat the price with a stick! They have a varied range of whiskies from the young Classic, to a 21 year old, and several special editions. I'll post my thoughts on them as I try them.

Here's the link.

http://www.auchentoshan.co.uk/whiskies/

Based on Nick's post and other people's recommendations, I tried Dewar's 12 yo last night. I have to say I was not very impressed. Perhaps it was my palate but it was very bland. With most scotches (granted this is a blend so maybe this has something to do with it) I can taste oak, cinnamon, or woodsy notes, but the drink I had last night was found wanting.

I will definitely give it another try, but for now, I am not a fan.

Brother Matalo: Macallan 12 will hopefully be your next purchase.

Matalo,

If you are in the market for a good blended whisky, you might like The Famous Grouse. I cut my drinking teeth with this one many moons ago. It tastes of ass and hi-test to a 13 year old, but the 42 year old finds it more full bodied and consistent than Dewar's or Johnnie.

Plus the MacAllan is used as one of the blend whiskies, and it make a huge difference. Give it a go.

I'm only about 3/4 through the thread at this point, but I just wanted to say thanks to you lot for getting this thread fired up.


Although I've been drinking Scotch and holding it as my favorite alcoholic beverage for the past 7-8 years, I've only begun to barely scratch the surface of really good single malts.

I've mainly been a blend/cheap single malt guy (due mostly to price considerations). I'm fond of Chivas Regal (vomit for most of you guys, I'm sure) mostly.

Looking forward to diving in and checking out some of these finer single malts you all are recommending. Now... if I could just find a fucking decent JOB!

Welcome aboard, Joey. Please voice your opinion of any our suggestions as you try them!

I did recently have a glass of one of The Belvenie at our local "famous" Irish Pub recently, and it was quite nice. Not sure exactly which one it was though, as a friend ordered it.

I've been getting really into wine the last few years, and I'm getting better at picking out the intricacies of that drink. But as for Scotch... I haven't yet adjusted my palette or become keen enough to start picking out things like peat, etc.

I will say this though, your choice of this month's guitarist is excellent.

Try a glass of Laphroaig sometime and you'll come to understand how too much peat can really overwhelm a scotch. It has its fans, but I'm not one of them.

Glad that you like Gilmour. I've received more PMs on him than on any of my other guitarists so far.

I'm more of an Irish fan myself but everyone should try the Glenrothes 1994. Just an amazing Speyside with a toffee tone that's incredible. Just a hint of peat and some citrus notes make for a highly complex little scotch.

I also like the Blair Athol 18 year old from 1998. Very quiet scotch with hints of cinnamon.

For a whiskey, you have to try the Middleton Very Rare. So smooth, so flavourful, an amazing drink from an amazing distillery.

Poker night tonight at the bar.

Macallan 12 year old is the choice drink tonight!

Exactly. I'm getting more used to it, but I don't really dig the peaty taste. I'm skeptical whenever someone mentions an islay scotch, because both of them I've tasted have had an overwhelming peat taste.

Yeah, the Laphroaig ain't my thing.

For peat, I look to the Lagavulin 12 years, whose peat ain't overwhelming.

What time do you want me there?

In all seriousness, have a great time and enjoy the scotch. I look forward to reading your thoughts on it.

I think I enjoyed it a little too much. I would not like to be any of my coworkers today. I am useless. Got home from poker night about 2:30 AM. Got up at 6 AM.

Now, from my vivid recollection, I certainly enjoyed this more than Glenlivet. I recall a heavy body. It was very floral, with a woodsy, cinnamon taste. As stated earlier, I imbibed a little too much, so I would definitely need to try this again for a clearer headed review.

Right now, the pounding is making typing hurt.

Hair of the dog, matalo. I'm glad that the scotch didn't let you down

Bowmore is probably the introduction for the peatier varieties. Laphroaig is definitely an acquired taste, although I find after the initial bite that it's actual quite mellow and warming. I really like it as a winter drink.

The port aged Glenmorangie has been one of my favorites for awhile. It's one of my go to drinks. I know it's about taste, but I just love the color of the cask strength Macallan.

I tend to keep a variety on hand at all times. Something from Islay. Auchentoshan, which I find light enough to be an ideal summer option. Glenmorangie or Macallan. And usually some wildcard.

Bought a bottle of the McClellands for shits and giggles.

All I can say is this.

iomarca móin i cab

Which in Gaelic means, " Too much peat in mouth "