Scotch??
big chunks
Posts: 1,607 ✭
Can anybody recommend a good scotch for a beginner, never really drank much of it looking to get into it, also a good scotch to pair with a stogie
0
Comments
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
yamman
For what it's worth, I find Oban 14 to be a very approachable, 'entry-level' scotch so to speak (and I only say entry-level in terms of $$$... Scotchs get expensive, really friggin' fast)
¨Only two people walk around in this world beardless - boys and women - and I am neither one.¨
I drink Jamesons Irish Whiskey as a once in a while with a little ice (takes a some of the bite out of it). When I really want a good pairing I drink Aberlour. A friend introduced me to it about 8 months ago and since then anyone I give some to really enjoys it. The 12 is $50 a bottle but worth giving it a shot.
Scotch is ONLY produced in Scotland. Outside Scotland, it is Whisky (or Whiskey as the Americans spell it). It can be single malt or blended and is typically aged in ex-American Bourbon barrels (sometimes finished in different barrels, sometimes even spending its entire life in barrels other than Bourbon). Without getting into too much detail about the actual production, it's important to understand defining characteristics of different regions (just like wine, Scotch produced in different regions of Scotland will have vastly different characteristics and notes):
Highland: These are often the best introductory scotches, along with Speysides because of their rounded nature. Often having a touch of smoke, it is not too overpowering but balanced by notes of grain and fruit.
Speyside: Technically a part of the Highland region, these scotches are very interchangeable with highlands - very round, little smoke/peat, grain and fruit.
Lowland: Only a few working distilleries still in existence in this region - Auchentoshan being the standout - these scotches tend to be light, grassy and floral, though sometimes can have a bit of bite as they're often not aged very long in order to preserve the light nature.
Islay: Scotches from this area are very bold with notes of peat smoke, iodine, salt water and the sea air, these can be an acquired taste and often difficult for beginners to wrap their pallets around.
Islands: Technically another part of the Highland region, these scotches actually resemble the Islay style. Not always being quite as smokey with a bit more sea air and pepper notes.
Campbeltown: This region was once a huge producer but now functions more like the Lowlands, in that only 3 or 4 working distilleries still exist. It was once considered part of the Highlands but has re-established itself since. These Scotches also have the distinct peat smoke and sea air characteristics of their Islay and Island cousins.
Cheers!
Tell your wife it could be worse. Have her talk to my girlfriend. I'm up to two liquor cabinets (one very large, the other much smaller but I think I'm over 100 bottles now), an overflowing 35 bottle wine fridge and about 15 cases of aging beer in the cellar.
http://www.theglenlivet.com/classicrange/
My local liquor store has it on sale too, so I got a little sample of it. It was a little harsh for my liking, but I prefer a smoother sweeter scotch. It wasn't bad by any means just didn't fit my taste.
My favorites these days for single malt would be Glenfiddich 12 or 15, Scapa (I highly recommend, but they quit making the 14yr), and Aberfeldy. All of these can be found for less than 50 or 60 bucks. As far as blends go, I like 12 year Dewars, Johhny Walker Green Label (I think they're discontinuing this), and you can never go wrong with Dimple Pinch.
Not expensive at all, if you can get it shipped, online stores have some great deals. Worth getting a bottle to drink and a bottle to age.