BS: Question about Scotch

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Elmore
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 04:27 PM

Times are tough. Used to drink Red Robin (Irish) or The Dalmore. Now we drink Passport with a teaspoonful of Drambuie.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,songbob
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 04:07 PM

I don't drink as much whisky as I used to (and I never was a big toper anyway). My stomach rebels. However, I can take a little now and then, and I do drink hard cider (Strongbow and Woodchuck Dark and Dry are a coupe of good 'uns) and rum & coke (or Dark & Stormy -- dark rum and ginger beer) on hot days.

That said, my favorites have been the less-peaty ones, of which Knockando is my particular favorite. I've had MacCallan (sp?) and Cragganmore and Oban and (of course) Laphroig. In fact, we once made it a project to at least taste each of the brands mentioned in "Bottle of the Best", though we avoided, as the singer did, Teacher's, Grant's or Haig. Of the ones we did taste, Glen Farclas was top-notch, the others just okay.

Probably because my stomach demands it, I put a sliver of an ice cube (never a whole one!) in my glass. It seems to smooth things out.

I have a bottle of Tobermoray (sp?) unopened, which we're holding till we have our ritual watching of "I Know Where I'm Going," which features radio-phone messages to the Isle of Tobermoray (as well as a delightful ceilidh scene and snippets of folksong here and there). What will we encounter when we taste Tobermoray? Is it peaty, smoky, strong or smooth or what? Will I like it?

Thanks

Bob Clayton
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1866385923/hokey-dokey-music-cd-project

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 10:24 AM

The good thing about alcohol that you don't like, it can be added to the cooking.

Bad move. Never use wines for cooking that you would not otherwise drink. Apart from anything else it stops you getting the perk of attacking the bottle while you cook!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bainbo
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 10:02 AM

"Alcohol that you don't like"

No, I'm sorry. You've lost me.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 08:04 AM

The good thing about alcohol that you don't like, it can be added to the cooking.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 01:14 AM

I agree. Thanks for starting it, Kendall. I've learned a lot.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 09:08 PM

This has become a very interesting thread. Thanks all.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 07:36 PM

A little smoke is okay, or the flavor of the barrel, but that is an interesting map to help characterize what it is we've been discussing here- and avoid something that is over the top in a particular flavor. I'll put a copy of that with my little list of your recommendations.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 07:05 PM

That whisk taste map that Bainbo posted set me back a bit... it lists Highland Park up in the middle of 'smokiness'.... but I never really thought of it as smokey at all. Now, I see reviews that say: "Highland Park distills their single malt Scotch from hand-turned malt, a considerably aromatic peat .."

Perhaps it is the type of peat that keeps it tolerable to my non-expert taste buds.... I just know that I do not care for Lagavulin or Laphroig.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 06:35 PM

...ahh, but Springbank is not a Speyside! It is a Campbelltown... one of only 3-4... most of which come FROM the Springbank distillery....but is is wonderful!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bainbo
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 06:02 PM

way

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bainbo
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 06:01 PM

...when I came across it propped up in a couple of bars in Glasgow.

I should make it clear it was the map which was propped up in a bar. Not me. Not to start with, any

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Beer
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 05:57 PM

If yer not to far away I'll come over.
ad.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bainbo
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 05:57 PM

I found this whisky taste map a useful guide when I came across it propped up in a couple of bars in Glasgow. I didn't need any encouragement to try something new, but this gives you confidence to order something that's likely to be to your taste.

On the chart, Aberlour is veering towards rich, rather than light, but delicate, rather than smoky.

I once explained to a barman that I found the peaty Islay malts too overpowering, so he pointed me in the direction of Old Pulteney, and it has now become my malt of choice - especially when it's on "Rollback" at Asda, as it is at the moment; £21 instead of £27 or £28. But I've enjoyed some of the other Highlands or Speysides when I can get them: Springbank, Glen Ord and Oban, which I first tried when we were staying not too far from Oban. Like wine, it aways seems to taste better in the place it's come from!

I find whisky is good for any ailment, as well, not just colds. It doesn't actually cure anything, but after two or three I stop caring that I've got it ...

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 05:51 PM

Might break out the Glen Garioch (pron Geerie) later!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Paul Burke
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 05:51 PM

Al- you bin drinkin' zoider? I've never known you so romantic before...

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 05:34 PM

I'm just having a nightcap, a very large Ardbeg 10year old, gorgeous.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 03:02 PM

Add cold water. I keep a wee bottle of spring water in the fridge for this very purpose. Tap water is not suitable for the job.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: gnu
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 02:30 PM

I was at a pub last night and two large ladies were seated nearby and talking with very thick accents. I asked, "Are you girls from Scotland?" One said, "Wales you idiot." I apologized and asked, "Are you whales from Scotland?"

Yes, I know that has nothing to do with thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 01:45 PM

ah 'Jim', Jock McTavish obviously never had a Bottle of the Best

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 01:31 PM

I have a bottle of Johnnie Walker double black that I'd give him.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 06:53 AM

I `ad that Jock McTavish, the single malts connoisseur, in my cab the other day. `ed come down to the Smoke to do some whisky judging. `ed obviously `ad a good time cos `is sporran was all round `is backside.
I said, "Morning Jock, it looks like you did the business last night."   
`e said, "Aye Jimmie there were some bonnie drams to be taken."
I said, "Tell me Jock, as man with your experience, what do you reckon is the best whisky then?"
`e said, "The best whisky laddie? It`s the cheapest!!"

Whaddam I Like??

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 10:39 PM

Grouse is a fine start... I would never turn a dram of it down.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 10:32 PM

Okay, I picked up a bottle of the Famous Grouse, much better than the Johnny Red Label - that can stay in the cupboard for visitors who like the smoke. I added a little water, but it seems too warm at room temperature. I'm going to have to wean myself off the cold drink by adding at least one cube, guys.

I saw several of the others, but I'd left my list behind. Next purchase I'll try a single malt.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:48 PM

Just the good bits....

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:47 PM

I never did understand the percentages on the side of the bottle - is it important? What does it tell you?

I can't help feeling its a pity to confine this thread to whisky - there are so many wonderful experiences to be had with wine, and brandy and other stuff that I don't know about I suppose.

When you're in in Spain and you uncork a rioja, and that fabulous tarry smell...that promises a wonderful robust taste of Spain itself. Theakstons Old peculiar - quaffing a glass, freezing your nuts off, overlooking a fabulous view like Monsall Head - perhaps with a few Kettles crisps, and some wonderful friends for company.

Booze....you wrote my life.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 03:30 PM

Apostrophes are not a requirement among friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 02:35 PM

Oops, just noticed errant apostrophe. Humble apologies.

--nipped by a mud elf

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 02:20 PM

Good one John, and when the old man wakes up next morning he has someone to blame!
         Slainte Mhath!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 01:20 PM

Wan drink maks a new man o' ye.
An' then the new man wants a drink an aw.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:07 AM

I rarely drink at all, and even then, a shot of Scotch just before dinner. However, if Gordon or Dani are about.....It's lucky that I see either of them so infrequently.

Who was it who said, "I know my limit, but I always pass out before I reach it"?

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 03:44 AM

This is a commercial site that has loads of information about Whisky (and Whiskey):

Royal Mile Whiskies

They explain all about the different whisky regions and the individual distilleries. They say it's fine to drink whisky any way that you like, but also tell you how to taste whisky like the blenders do.

They stock single malts from about £20 a bottle up to a 70 year old Glenlivet at £13,000 - limited to one bottle per customer!

The staff get to try free samples supplied by the distilleries and their tasting notes are posted on the site. Nice work if you can get it...

They have six varieties of Aberlour from £27 to £185 - they all sound delicious!

Enjoy!

LFF

PS No, I'm not on commission or related to the organisation in any way - alas.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Louie Roy
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 10:54 PM

I only drink anymore when I'm alone or with somebody. Louie Roy

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Jon Corelis
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 10:19 PM

I follow W. C. Fields's rule: not a drop between 5 am and noon.

Jon Corelis
The sweet nightingale: A Cornish song

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 06:30 PM

LOL... yup... it goes either to a collector, or to the local recycle authority. (*we have an excellent one...they take almost everything!*)

(I HATE hangovers... it's been many years since I had a serious one.)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 03:53 PM

Bill D, it's always nice if you can remember the pleasure of the good drink the evening before, not suffer through a headache the next morning! I hope, when the time comes, you'll recycle that hard copy responsibly. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:48 PM

"...a whisky fuelled night..."

I don't have those... for whatever reason, I have never enjoyed any drink after a certain point. 3 beers or 1-2 shots of whisky is about my limit. I guess I am just lucky...and it's cheaper!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: maeve
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:46 PM

Stilly, thanks for taking my suggestion in the spirit I intended it. It's none of my business how anyone handles drinks or food or anything else of the sort; I do like friends to enjoy their experiences to the fullest.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:42 PM

(In the photo, the book on the left is older, and gives a lot of history and sen-technical info, as well as lists & reviews of well-known brands. The others are illustrated check lists and brief reviews....one by Michael Jackson (No, not that one - this one, who died a few years ago

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Jim McLean
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:36 PM

I drink Lagavulin with about three quarters whisky to one quarter water. There is an old Gaelic saying when translated states 'choose your company before choosing your drink'
I have always found this very true in the past as a whisky fuelled night can result in great singing and playing or a punch up!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Silas
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:23 PM

SRS no.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:23 PM

SRS... I use them as reference mostly - to get an idea of what I 'might' like...but I also just browse them at times. When I started there WAS no internet with reviews of everything imaginable.

And yes... I have several books on beer also. I also used to subscribe to a beer magazine. The beer bottle collection is really getting out of hand, and I have just begun a project to photograph it and get rid of the 'hard copy'. *sigh* ..hobbies are easier to start than to stop....

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 01:08 PM

Attitude adjustment can involve a drink, resulting a mellow attitude, Silas. Try it before you type next time. I saw your remark - but better to simply go back and retype with the caps off, no?

Bill D, you're reading books about Scotch or use them as reference? Based upon photos I've seen of your beer bottle collection, you must have an entire library of beer books!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 12:54 PM

Here is what I am faced with right now

All bottles are getting low.

I got the Springbank for Christmas, and am savoring it s-l-o-w--y.
It has the tiniest hint of peat, and an unusual 'saltiness'...but it an exceptional whisky! This only the 2nd time I have had it, and I will drop hints for future occasions.

(I also have a half-full bottle of some strange animal called "GlenGyle", 8 yrs. old... which simply says 'malt whisky' ..bottled in Scotland. It was also a present, and is used only in emergencies. Kinda rough stuff.)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Silas
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 12:51 PM

"Shouting (all caps) is not a really tactful way to participate in a conversation, Silas."

I did not realise that I had the caps lock on when I was typing and could not be arsed to retype the bloody thing, and I apologised for it, if you actually bothered to read trhe post yopu would have seen that.






Tit.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 12:44 PM

With ice, water, or straight, like Kendall says, that is up to the individual for their preference. And ice is the model I've been exposed to, but I'll give it a try the other ways. Shouting (all caps) is not a really tactful way to participate in a conversation, Silas. I recognize that at the end of the drink I wish I could taste it better, so probably with a little water is the next way to try it, for a consistent taste from first to last. Thanks, maeve.

My wine preferences are to find good-tasting varieties under $10 a bottle. A lot of the high-priced labels regularly lose to the moderately priced wines in blind taste tests. I poke through the various brands and prefer to find European and other off-shore wines that have an actual place they come from (a specific river valley, usually, not the blended grapes from all of California and Oregon, for example). Red is usually room temperature, white is usually chilled. Rose usually chilled. I don't care for really sweet red wines. I like the white Kabinett German wines in the summer and there are some good US labels, I pick up Fetzer's white zinfandel or gewurztraminer if I don't see a German wine I want (or can afford).

I don't really care for the bottle of Scotch I picked up most recently so it will stay in the cabinet waiting for a drinker who likes that level of smokiness. I'll take a list, gleaned from this discussion, to see what else is out there that is in my budget.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: deepdoc1
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 10:31 AM

Another vote for Lagavulin. Macallan is good. Haven't tried Aberlour yet. One thing I've noticed is that Scotch is made much better when brung by a friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 05:56 AM

This is another drink I have no idea about other than Grouse because once a year coming up to Christmas it is advertised on television so often. I remember receiving a miniature bottle of an 8 year old real Scotch Whiskey once as a gift that was really nice and smooth. But to go and buy I would not have a clue. As I am not familiar with the taste of various whiskey, brandy or vodka brands I tend to get the cheap supermarket brands. It seems to me that men have a better sense of taste when buying spirits.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 04:48 AM

"Adding water only dilutes the strength of the whisky."

I've found that on visits to distilleries it has been generally recommenended that the product is best taken with just a small dash of water. Supposedly the small infusion of water opens up the aromas and taste. Personally I prefer to take it completely straight - and no doubt others prefer just a bit of whisky with their water. Ones own perogative I suppose. I wouldn't think of putting anything expensive in a whisky mac though. The ginger overpowers the whisky anyway so a bog standard blend will suffice. I believe whisky and coke is popular amongst young drinkers in Spain. Again I suspect you'd might as well put any bog standard blend in that too.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Beer
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:33 PM

Louie,
I had no intentions of knocking it. I just wanted an explanation. Thanks and I will give it a try next time I get a bottle.
I mean it. Thanks.
Adrien