Whisky

[brew-T]

I am a beer guy. That is for sure. But I am almost as much a whisky guy. I love my single malts. What preferences do you have?

I like smokey ones and the best i`ve ever had was a vintage from Laphroaig. 26 years and still maturing....

What is your brand and why?

brew-T

[Stodbrew]

I, too, am a huge single malt fan. The pride and joy of my collection is a 25 year old Macallan. Absolutely delicious. Incredibly mellow, nice flavors of malt, oak and vanilla.

I don't have just one single brand, though. I like to try them all. Oban is good. Ardbeg. And one I just tried the other day: Bunnahabbin (sp?). Delicious, as well.

[davesarman]

I'm a novice at single malts, but am intrigued by them. When I went to Scotland in '01 we toured a distillery on the whisky trail and sampled several. I was amazed at how just adding a bit of water to a single malt can just open up all these other flavors that were not apparent if tasted straight. I'm sure I don't have the terminology correct, but, hey, I was a beer novice at one time too!

[ray m]

I have never been able to understand the fascination with whiskey. I have no doubt that described flavors are indeed present in various brands. My problem is that every once in awhile I'll try a couple sips, and all I perceive is alcohol taste and nothing else.

I really envy those people that can detect/taste the really enjoyable flavors of whiskey. I'm just one of those people that can't.:(

[MeridianFC]

I like Islay! Laphroaig is probably my favorite, though I'll no turn down a glass of Ardbeg, Bunnahabhin, Lagavulin, etc. My favorite Laphroiag is the 10 and the 30.

[Jeff Lockhart]

Tullamore Dew is probabaly one of my favorite whiskeys. It is a single malt Irish and quite nice. On the Scotch side, I am enjoying a 12 year old Glenfarclas and a younger Glen Morangie.

I prefer them less smoky/peaty/seaweedy than some of the Islay scotches. But like Stodbrew, I like to try them all.

Slainte,
Jeff

[MiScusi]

Whiskey is the only liquor that I just cannot drink. Unless it's drowned in 7 up so I can't taste it all. I use to be a big rum fan but now I don't really like to drink liquor much at all. Captain Morgan's Private Stock is the best though.

[GooseIslandFan]

Favorite Bourbon is Woodford Reserve.
Favorite Scotch is Balvenie Port Wood 21year old.
Favorite Irish whiskey is Paddy. Unfortunately they dont sell it in the US so find a friend who is traveling to Ireland and have them bring you back some.

[xtalman]

Ahhh whisky the other great drink. I generally like most single malts I have tried, though I prefer ones from the Islay region. This ties in slightly to the Sherlock's Home thread, I was only vistied there once in the mid ninties, but beside the beer selection they had a wonderful selection of single malts. If I recal the malt menu was about 5 pages of very small type. Sad to hear they closed.

[I'mRocketMan]

I tried the Woodford Reserve on a Trans Atlantic flight once.... Great bourbon.

I am a single malt fan in addition to beers. Favs are Dalwhinnie Double matured Distillers edition (1984); Lagavulin Double matured Distillers edition (1988); Glenmorangie straight from the wood (I love to taste the phase change as a drop of water hits the whiskey); among others!! :D

[BluesHarp]

I'm more into Bourbon than Scotch, although that is mostly because I don't often get the opportunity to drink a premium Scotch...I spend too much on beer already!

As for Bourbon, Maker's Mark and Knob Hill are not bad for medium range Bourbon's.

The trick is to shake them with ice, then strain into the glass; as with Scotch, it really brings out the sweetness and some of the more subtle flavors.

[brew-T]

I once got hold of a small bottle of cask strength Caol Ila. At around abv 60 you definitely needed water to be able to taste anything. Being from Islay it is smokey but not as much as Laphroaig and the others. It is a little sweet but still has that peaty peppery taste. It is a very good single malt and I warmly recommend it.

Not really sure about this, but someone told me that Caol Ila distillery sold most of their stuff to companies making blended whisky. And that they just lately have started to promote/sell it as a stand-alone single malt. A good thing that they do.

[chazwicke]

I prefer single malts too. I have several bottles of differing ages at home and at the beach. Recently my MIL was visiting and she asked for a sip. I gave her some 15 year old Glen Fiddich. She loved it and now has it in their home.

I also like to try tequilas on occasion. At the beach in the summer. And I do love a well made Marguerita.

Some Baileys after dinner once in a while.

I also like Grand Marnier on small ice cubes.

98% of the time I drink beer.

[SoxyinMO]

Favorite Bourbon is Woodford Reserve.

Oh man, that is wonderful bourbon! I got some on a clearance aisle last year for a mere $16.00. I kid you not! What a great bourbon

I like the Highland malts, Dalmore, for example, not as demanding as Laiphroig, but oh so delightfully malty.

[studentofbeer]

i too like whiskey, especially islay malts, but haven't tried many. trader joes sells many a single malt, but i don't know enough about what to get. i know i like the laphroig 10, but would be happy to branch out to other offerings. i think they sell 3 different glenmorangie 12 year, each aged in a different barrel. they also have a private label supposedly from a good distillery. and many more i can't remember. if anyone is a whisky shopper at Trader Joes, any recommendations?

[gallowd7]

Islay whiskies are my favorite. An interesting blend I got in Scotland called Black Bottle 10 yr. is a blend of all min 10yr old islay malts. Excellent.

If I'm not going for heavy peat, I like Strathisla or Craggamore.

But there are just so many to choose, you really need to find a taste and go with it. I've had several gift bottles of really expensive stuff that I can't stand.

[brewmonkey]

I have enjoyed a nice whiskey, bourbon, scotch and keep some around the house for those days when a guest may choose it rather then a pint.

However, I generally stay clear of distilled spirits with the rare exception of tequilia which must be in either a margarita or vodka in a bloody mary or as a vodka martini.

If I drink a wee to much with distilled spirits I turn in to a very mean drunk, and that's not cool.

[xtalman]

Originally posted by studentofbeer
if anyone is a whisky shopper at Trader Joes, any recommendations?

I am still a novice on good whisky, but TJ's selection over all is good and I don't think you will find anything too bad. There private label is from two distilleries, Macallan and either Alberlour or Ardmore. They are both ten year old and the price is good. My personel favorite from TJ is Bowmore, I think it is a 15 or 17 year old.

[studentofbeer]

thanks, i think i'll just take a stab at one sometime soon then.

[chazwicke]

You won't be diappointed in single malts. I have on occasion had one i liked less than others. in fact there is a bottle that someone gave me a few years ago here in my office that I sampled at the time and have never tried it again.

[I'mRocketMan]

Perhaps your palette has changed, Chaz? Maybe it's time to try it again?

[fretlessman71]

Boy, if I could only have booze in my office... :D

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by I'mRocketMan
Perhaps your palette has changed, Chaz? Maybe it's time to try it again?

Good Idea!:D

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by chazwicke
You won't be diappointed in single malts. I have on occasion had one i liked less than others. in fact there is a bottle that someone gave me a few years ago here in my office that I sampled at the time and have never tried it again.



What kind is it, chaz?

[chazwicke]

10 Year old Isle of Jura. It was a gift. I'll try it again.

[Stodbrew]

I've not had it, but I know several people who enjoy it. I'll have to try some, too.

[I'mRocketMan]

I guess from the name it is an Islay? That means it's gonna be smoky/ peaty...

[chazwicke]

I put it out on my desk. Tomorrow evening I'll do a new sampling.:)

[brew-T]

I think Jura is an island of its own. It was a long time since I tasted it but if I remember correctly it is a much more mellow whisky than the ones from Islay.

brew-T

[gallowd7]

From the man who is actually more of a Whisky guy than beer guy: Michael Jackson

Isle of Jura
Nose
Oily, lightly piney, earthy, salty, dry.
Palate
Sweetish, soft, malty, oily, slowly developing a slight island dryness and saltiness.
Finish
A little malty sweetness and some saltiness.
Comment
A lovely aperitif.

He gives it a 7.5

Jura is an individual island. Don't trust a label, ex. Isle of Skye is a blend with no Talisker, the only Skye malt.

[kevin]

Originally posted by ray m
I have never been able to understand the fascination with whiskey. .:(

Thats interesting Ray considering you live in the Bourbon Capital of the world. Last year we toured the Makers Mark and Jim Beam distilleries. I tried to drink it like a socal but it still goes down with a grimace.

[chazwicke]

I sample the Jura this evening. If I can. My kidney stone is moving today and causing some pain.:(

[brew-T]

sorry to hear that, Chaz!
Maybe some Isle of Jura will ease the pain? :)

[I'mRocketMan]

Chaz, if you find that you still don't care for it, pm me and I'll get you the addy to send it to! :D

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by brew-T
sorry to hear that, Chaz!
Maybe some Isle of Jura will ease the pain?

Now that is an idea! I have not taken any percocets yet. :D