BS: Question about Scotch

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 04:18 AM

I always loved that line by Eddie Condon

'Gene Krupa's drums trickle through the piece like bourbon over ice cubes.'

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: scouse
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 05:21 AM

It's so nice of a beautiful lady to buy me a bottle of the Aberlour 12 year old every year on my Birthday, which is in December and that of course sets me up nicely for Christmas and the New year festivities..
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:49 AM

I was bought a bottle of Dallas Dhu last Christmas, and let me tell you. I was gobsmacked. I have had 2 wee drams from it, and it's my 'Special events' bottle now.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bruce MacNeill
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 09:01 AM

I had "Any bottle of Scotch old enough to vote" on my Christmas list. My son, who doesn't drink, had to ask questions but we settled on " If it sounds like it was named after a golf course, or is Glen-something that's a start. He gave me a bottle of Glenfarclas 25. I think that's aged in Sherry barrels and has a sweetness to it but it's a good sipping whisky. Generally, Glenlivet is fine with me. For a blended, I generally drink Chivas because it is generally available and generally dependable. Around here, redneck territory, I frequently can't get better than Dewars but at least Dewars has no carcinogens so I can drink it as a health food. Someone above mentioned "Sheep Dip" and I always wanted to try that if for no other reason than the name but it was very expensive when I saw it in the states.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: maeve
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 09:28 AM

Stilly, try the single malts, at least, with a dribble of good water in place of ice. The temperature difference and the dilution of melting ice decrease the richness of flavor for me...every ten years or so when we can afford a bottle. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Louie Roy
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 10:23 AM

Bruce Sheep Dip is expensive but worth every penny   Louie

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Ed T
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 10:46 AM

Last year a few friends joined me in a Scotch tasting event.
We enjoyed trying the many brands.

There was a big plate of Hors d'oeuvres, meat on crackers. They were very good.

Each time someone approached the plate to take one, my friend would say, "that was the best haggis I have ever tasted". When they oveheard this, each person walked away with a look of uncertainity.

(Maybe I posted this before. The scotch impacted my memory)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 10:56 AM

When we visited the Glenmorangie distillery we were offered a dram of it, and the lady who did the tour suggested a bit of water. Now, how does that differ from an ice cube?
We Yanks prefer cold drinks to warm drinks. Get over it.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Silas
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 10:59 AM

iTS YOUR DRINK AND ITS YOUR MONEY AND IF YOU WANT TO WASTE GOOD SCOTCH BY STICKING ICE IN IT ITS UP TO YOU - BUT JEEZE - WHAT A WASTE.

(Sorry about the caps)

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: EBarnacle
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:00 AM

If the blender had wanted to dilute the elixer of life, the water would have been added at the distillery.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Jon Corelis
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:02 AM

My top vote for Lagavulin, followed closely by Talisker, then Highland Park. The first two insanely expensive, but as an ancient poet pointed out, money ain't gonna do your dead ass no good.

Jon Corelis
Being here has caused my sorrow: a Scottish song

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:13 AM

(not ALL of us Yanks require ALL drinks to be cold... *grin*. 'Good' beer/ale and 'good' Scotch are diminished by over chilling... but to each his own)


the 'experts' claim that a small amount of water allows the odor & flavor to be released more completely.....but the followin old joke is a warning.

"Old joke:

Two Scotsmen are talking. Giok has been to visit Andrew, and is about to leave.

Andrew- "So, Giok, my friend....would ye tak a dram afore ye go?"

Giok- "Och..and I don't mind if I do!"

Andrew gets a glass, pours some Scotch, and then adds some water and hands it to Giok, who sips at it.....then sips again, with a quizzical look on his face.

Andrew says, with a touch of pique.."Now, Giok, the whisky- it's not to your liking?"

"Oh, no...no....it's fine....I was wondering though..."

"Wondering? wondering about what?"

"Weel...when you poured it, did you add the water or the whisky first?"

"Ah, Giok..ye were right here...ye saw me do it! And I always put the whisky in first."

"Oh...right, right...of course! I'll be comin' to it, then!"

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Beer
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:23 AM

O.K., now there are questions about water or ice being added and I can understand as I have done both. With the cheap scotch I always add a little water of 2 ice cubes to take away the harshness. But I must ask this question. What is it with adding MILK? Sounds like a terrible thing to do, but can someone give an answer?
Ad.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:28 AM

".. can someone give an answer?"

Sure... if they ruin tea & coffee that way, why not everything else? Or maybe they own cows...

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Beer
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:40 AM

Not exactly the answer I'm looking for. Haha!!, good one.
ad.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: eddie1
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:51 AM

Re Kendall's question about the differnce between water and an ice cube - ask the captain of the Titanic!

Without wishing to be boringly technical, most whiskys (and whiskeys) go through a process called "chill-filtering", This effectively kills of the living enzymes in whisky and ensures uniformity whether a whisky is bought in the UK or New Zealand. Adding water only dilutes the strength of the whisky. Ice will certainly kill off some of the more delicate flavours.

You can buy whiskies marked "Not Chill-filtered" where the flavour and after-taste is altered by adding water.

There is no such thing as "the best" whisky. We all have different tastes and even these change according to our moods.

Generally I prefer single malts but I make one exception. Grants, makers of "Stand Fast" and other good paint-removers, produce an excellent blended whisky which is laid up in casks previously used for real ale. Beautiful taste! https://www.grantswhisky.com/uk/discover-our-whiskies/ale-cask-finish/

Happy drinking!

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:52 AM

lady who did the tour suggested a bit of water. Now, how does that differ from an ice cube?

Captain, the difference is this:

Water - particularly a little spring water at the same temperature as the malt - can bring out the flavour of the malt.

Ice deadens the flavour and kills the aroma - no harm, I suppose, for a blended whisky mixed with a dry ginger, but not good for an expensive malt.

You Yanks may well prefer drinks cold, on the whole, but not all drinks taste good when cold. Would you drink a good red Burgundy or Bordeaux wine which had been chilled? If you do, you're killing all the flavours of the wine. Your choice - and your taste loss.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Silas
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:56 AM

Chill filtering is common for the US market, but almost unheard of in the UK. Th eidea is that if it is chill filtered it does not go hazy or cloudy when you put ice in it. No serious UK scotch drinker would dream of putting ice in malt whisky, it ia akin to putting custard on your sunday dinner.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Jon Corelis
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:02 PM

Before I first visited Britain, I was a little worried, since I had heard that in Britain they drink their beer at room temperature, and I like my beer ice cold. But it turned out to be ok, since when I got there I discovered that in Britain, room temperature is ice cold.

As for the water, I like malt Scotch with about half as much chilled, still mineral water in it, Evian for choice.

Jon Corelis
Euripides' Hippolytos: A performance version with music

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:02 PM

Cap'n that was cask strength you had in your glass that day. You need to add water to that.
Apart from which I always add a wee splash of water to a dram, it releases the flavours. Try 'nosing' it both before and after adding water, and see the difference.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:40 PM

What is the basic ingredient of whiskey? WATER.

Let's make a deal, you drink it to suit you and I'll drink it to suit me.

In other words, You don't should on me, I don't should on you.

At least, I don't consider Budweiser real beer!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:41 PM

I looked over the single malt selection at the local government store this morning. There were 250 ml bottles of Glen Breton Ice selling at $49.95 each, about $200.00 a liter. I bought a bottle of their rum instead.
Glen Breton Ice

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:44 PM

I have a Brother who thinks Black Velvet is good whiskey, and he makes it better by adding Diet Pepsi! Now, there's a REAL colonial!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:47 PM

MY brother used to drink "4 Roses".. he finally gave up everything alcoholic....

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:55 PM

I have no right to tell him he is wrong, and he has no right to call me a snob. We have different opinions and that is that.

I like my Guinness cold too.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Silas
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 12:56 PM

Hey Kendall, you drink it just how you like it mate, its just a shame that some of us think you may be missing out on the real and subtle flavours that get burned out when it is too cold.

I was in a bar in Bushmills a few months ago. A party of people, their nationality is not really relavent, came into the bar. Bushmills do a 21 year old whiskey that is about £25.00 a shot. This guy ordered a round of these that is six glasses and asked for them on the rocks. The barman, and all credit to him, said that unfortunatly, the ice was a little too warm at the moment and asked if the customer would have it without! They did, and they came back for more.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 01:07 PM

Well I guess if you ask a question, you're not guaranteed to like all the answers you get.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 01:20 PM

I asked for opinions on Scotch, not opinions about how I take it.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Ed T
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 01:40 PM

I have read that the relatively low priced and not that bad tasting "Famous Grouse" blended is the biggest selling whisky within Scotland.

True?

Cutty Sark Scotch blended is not my cup of tea. But, it seems like it was so for USA President LB Johnson, a president who some referred to as "raw and boisterous".
Cutty Sark

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 02:24 PM

Well hush my mouth.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 02:45 PM

A great name doesn't mean a great product.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 02:56 PM

My personal favourite is Ardbeg Uigeadail from Islay, 54.2% abv. fabulous whisky.

My current bottle of Aberlour A'bunadh is 60.1% abv. both of these I drink neat, the only acceptable thing to put in a good malt whisky is...............another.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 03:00 PM

The actor Johnny Depp although teetotal is reputed to order a glass of Lagavulin just to smell it, no report of who gets it afterwards though.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 03:02 PM

A good sour mash bourbon never should be taken with ice.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 03:30 PM

George Dickel No 12. Thanks to Dick, I developed a love of this Tennessee Sour mash whisky. Find it hard to buy in thr UK though.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Beer
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 03:36 PM

Set up another case bartender! The best thing for a case of nerves is a case of Scotch.
W. C. Fields

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 07:46 PM

Q, who says so?

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Louie Roy
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:00 PM

Beer you asked why add milk to good scotch. It add adds a smooth taste that is unmatched and before you knock it too much try it you might like it. Another thing if you have ulcers it is a drink your stomach can handle with no after effects or heart burn of course if you don't over do it Louie Roy

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:16 PM

I'm with Dave Hanson on the A'Bunadh - and I love Robin Laing's song about it! I might add a wee bit spring water since it's cask strength! And if you go to a whisky tasting you'll find how different the same whisky can taste neat and then with progressive amounts of water added.

John Mackenzie mentions Caol Ila, but there are so many of them! On holiday in Islay we got presented with a "menu" at the bar of all the Islay whiskies, and I think the various Caol Ilas took up 2 whole pages!

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Joe_F
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:18 PM

"The ice was a little too warm at the moment" -- diplomacy par excellence! That got & called for a nip of room-temperature Scotch -- only Dewar's, I'm afraid, but it's the thought that counts.

Subject: RE: BS: Question about Scotch
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:30 PM

"..diplomacy par excellence!"

I saw a slightly different diplomacy once...I also like good Irish


Many years ago, before I learned about good Scotch I was in Los Angeles, Cal, for a meeting, and after the meeting a group of us went to a 'daylight' bar in this fancy hotel..(wide open, lighted...lots of potted plants)...and up comes this waiter in a red jacket..a distinguished fellow with white hair and an English accent....and enquires what we would like to drink.."Ahh.." says I, "I don't suppose you have Irish?"..

"Well, not really, " replies the VEDDY formal fellow, with a slight twinkle in his eye..."..we have Bushmills.."

so I grinned at him and ordered a brandy....

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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....