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Food & Wine Ground >> Whisky Recommendations
| 10/18/07 12:16 PM | |
rsbeer
Edited: 18-Oct-07 Member Since: 10/14/2003 Posts: 18 |
I've just started to gain an appreciation of Single Malt Whiskies, and am interested in reading any recommendations that members here have. So far two of the Whiskey's that I've enjoyed the most were a 14 year old Oban, and a 12 year old Talisker. The only Whisky I've found myself unable to drink was a bottle of Ardbeg, which had a very strong peat flavour which was too much for my taste-buds to take. |
| 10/19/07 9:11 AM | |
|
screwtop wine
Edited: 19-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 373 |
Talisker is an Islay malt, as is Ardbeg. However, aedbeg is definitely an aquired taste, not something most people would start Scotch explorations with. You might want to try Lagavulin. |
| 10/19/07 10:28 AM | |
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rsbeer
Edited: 19-Oct-07 Member Since: 10/14/2003 Posts: 19 |
Thanks, I'll look for Cragganmore. I've seen Lagavulin and Macallan at the local Wine/Spirits shop, so I'll make those my next purchases. |
| 10/19/07 1:02 PM | |
kot1k
2 
Edited: 19-Oct-07 Member Since: 03/15/2002 Posts: 4425 |
I'm a big fan of Macallan. I think it's a very balanced, flavorfull scotch. If you like a strong, particular flavor, you wont get that with macallan. I think it has a bit of everything. The best scotch that I've ever had has been Macallan 18 (can't spring the cash for the 25). I found it to be better than many older scotches I've tried. After a while, when you get acustomed to the different flavors, you can hit up the islays, like laphroig or bowmore for a more intense peat taste. Many Bourbons are wonderful as well, so don't overlook American brands just because they aren't scottish. |
| 10/19/07 3:11 PM | |
|
rsbeer
Edited: 19-Oct-07 Member Since: 10/14/2003 Posts: 20 |
Yes, you're right. I'd be happy to hear any Bourbon recommendations as well. I did try Makers Mark once and thought very highly of it: that's the only Bourbon I've tried though. |
| 10/19/07 3:28 PM | |
|
mteub
18
Edited: 19-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 16633 |
knob creek.... |
| 10/19/07 5:38 PM | |
|
MCC
Edited: 19-Oct-07 Member Since: 12/11/2002 Posts: 4568 |
caol ila 12 or 18. also you should eventually try some cask strength singles. |
| 10/19/07 7:54 PM | |
|
klgambit
Edited: 19-Oct-07 Member Since: 04/27/2006 Posts: 44 |
For beginner scotch drinkers i would stay away from the islays, I think the highland scotches are less peaty and more welcoming to new drinkers. Bourbons are my favorite spirit ill go ahead and give some of my favs in the lower price range. Eagle Rare 10 year, W.L. Weller 12 year (or any other Weller for that matter), Elijah Craig 12, Makers Mark, Wild Turkey 101 and Rare Breed, Knob Creek and Old Forrester come to mind. Im not a fan of rye but Rittenhouse makes the best rye whiskey ive had. |
| 10/20/07 6:44 AM | |
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rsbeer
Edited: 20-Oct-07 Member Since: 10/14/2003 Posts: 21 |
Thanks for the help, I'll make a note of the Bourbons. |
| 10/20/07 10:38 PM | |
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HarryLime
Edited: 20-Oct-07 Member Since: 03/15/2002 Posts: 3783 |
Scotch -- Lagavulin 16 is amazing, but very peaty. Bourbon -- Wild Turkey Rare Breed is the shit. If you're willing to spend a little more: Pappy Van Winkle 15 or 20 yrs are both very rich and delicious. Some of the best values in american whiskey are Rye -- it has a similar flavor profile to Boubon, but does tend to be dyer and more spicy: Rittenhouse 100 proof is about $15.00 a bottle and is easily the best value whiskey. Period. Wild Turkey Straight Rye 101 also pretty great, but a more intense than Rittenhouse. You have to really like rye whiskey to dig it. Wild Turkey is also coming out with a Russell Reserve Rye at 90 proof . . . can't wait to try that one. |
| 10/21/07 4:45 PM | |
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HarryLime
Edited: 21-Oct-07 Member Since: 03/15/2002 Posts: 3785 |
effinggood is correct, but it's really an apples/oranges sort of comparison . . . single malt scotch is a very different experience than Bourbon. Sure, it's all whiskey, but the flavor profiles are very different . . . I'll never settle for one when I want the other. There are some pretty good values in blended scotch . . . Famous Grouse and White Horse are good whiskys and both can be had for under $20.00. |
| 10/22/07 9:22 AM | |
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shibbytastic
35
Edited: 22-Oct-07 Member Since: 09/22/2005 Posts: 2989 |
I think that there are some very good values in single malts. If you have a good liquor store there are a lot of good malts for under $30. The big name blends are expensive because of the marketing campaign (Johnny Walker), and the famous houses like McCallan are pricey as well but there are a lot of good distillers out there. I like bourbon but I find it too sweet for my tastes and prefer scotch. |
| 10/22/07 9:37 AM | |
|
MetaDevil
1
Edited: 22-Oct-07 Member Since: 06/21/2006 Posts: 766 |
I used to drink Lagavulin by the pint glass with a couple of ice cubes. That was an expensive habit. I'm not much of a neat whiskey drinker, though. |
| 10/23/07 3:53 PM | |
|
Lurken
Edited: 23-Oct-07 Member Since: 03/02/2004 Posts: 3373 |
Woodford reserve |
| 10/26/07 7:46 PM | |
|
guy1
9
Edited: 26-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 4242 |
I am a Knob Creek fan myself, makers is good too. Pappy Van Winkle is quite an experience. I have never had Rye, what is the taste difference in comparison to regular Bourbon. |
| 10/26/07 8:53 PM | |
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klgambit
Edited: 26-Oct-07 Member Since: 04/27/2006 Posts: 58 |
Rye = More spicy, Wheat = More sweet. |
| 10/27/07 9:23 PM | |
|
Polaris
5
Edited: 27-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 1550 |
Rye is good stuff, it's a shame more companies don't make it! I use to a be a real big Whiskey guy (I've cut down my drinking...for now atleast), but I have NEVER been a fan Bourbon. I really don't like it for some reason, and have always had a hard time understanding how so many people enjoy it. |
| 10/29/07 4:46 AM | |
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needless
Edited: 29-Oct-07 03:51 AM Member Since: 10/26/2007 Posts: 0 |
Being from Kentucky, it's my cultural duty to drink Bourbon. :) My preferences, in order of choice, would have to be: 1. Basil Hayden - slightly more expensive than some, but the smoothest whiskey I've ever had - you can even convince sworn whiskey haters to drink and enjoy it. 2. Bulliet - best Bourbon for the price, period. The old-west style bottle is a nice bonus. 3. Knob Creek - Great stuff, although 100 proof takes some adjustment IMO. 4. Maker's Mark - Obvious choice, you can get it almost anywhere. The only one I don't feel guilty mixing with coke. 5. Elijah Craig - Good stuff, usually lower priced than the above. It has a slightly more "rich" flavor than the others, which is great in small amounts, but it's not something you want to drink a lot of in one sitting. |
| 10/29/07 12:28 PM | |
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guy1
9
Edited: 29-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 4253 |
good info |
| 10/29/07 3:03 PM | |
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Tomato Can
66
Edited: 29-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 16799 |
"Rye = More spicy, Wheat = More sweet." Wheat whiskey? |
| 10/29/07 10:13 PM | |
|
mijo
Edited: 29-Oct-07 Member Since: 03/13/2002 Posts: 972 |
Woodford Reserve is a great whiskey, but try some Scotish Whiskies. Bushmills is the best. |
| 10/29/07 10:42 PM | |
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Tomato Can
66
Edited: 29-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 16812 |
I prefer Jameson to Bushmills. |
| 10/30/07 12:07 AM | |
|
scab1
6
Edited: 30-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 1604 |
"but try some Scotish Whiskies. Bushmills is the best." Bushmill's is Irish, not Scotch. "Wheat whiskey?" Wheat is part of the mash for some bourbon, like Maker's Mark and W.L. Weller. |
| 10/30/07 12:21 AM | |
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bigwilly
Edited: 30-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 3174 |
has anyone tried "Suntory" Whiskey |
| 10/30/07 9:16 AM | |
|
Tomato Can
66
Edited: 30-Oct-07 Member Since: 01/01/2001 Posts: 16813 |
"Wheat is part of the mash for some bourbon, like Maker's Mark and W.L. Weller." Perhaps, but by definition a bourbon has to be corn-based, just like rye has to be rye-based. |
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