cigar and a drink?

[buzz]

Lagavulin - has a very distinct flavor - probably not for the novice scotch drinker, but it's definitely worth a try - a bottle is a bit more of a commitment, as it's not cheap
Oban - very smooth, more classic scotch tasting, but again, a bit expensive.
Balvenie Doublewood - benchmark. Actually, start here. Great taste, very smooth, the bottle is pricey, but definitely worth it.
Auchentoshan - might have a hard time finding this one, but if you do, it's another good one, too. Shouldn't be an outrageous price.
Laphroaig - great, cheap. Actually, scratch that, it's fabulous and cheap. This should be the everyday drink of the casual scotch drinker.
Glenlivet - good, and it's what got me hooked on scotches, but I don't reach for it so much anymore. Maybe I'm burned out on it now. I've gone through lots of bottles of it, and just don't appreciate it as much anymore. Also, I'm really only a fan of the 12 year - the 18 and 21 years don't do it for me.

Nice little review. I am curious since I haven't tried all of these - Have you tried the Macallan and if so, where would it land in your line-up?

-Buzz

[mrtr33]

Nice little review. I am curious since I haven't tried all of these - Have you tried the Macallan and if so, where would it land in your line-up?

-Buzz

Sorry, I've tried it, but I don't seek it out. Maybe it's worth another try. Any particular type of Macallan you prefer?

[buzz]

Sorry, I've tried it, but I don't seek it out. Maybe it's worth another try. Any particular type of Macallan you prefer?

I have only had the 12 year and like it for an everyday drink. I have tried a couple fingers of the Lagavulin 16 year and Laphroaig 10 year because I heard they were good baselines to start with. I didn't care for Laphroaig at all compared with Macallan, I remember it being a little harsher and I couldn't pick as many flavors from it.

Lagavulin is a little too expensive (but definitely is tasty). I think the last I looked it was around $100 a bottle.

I've been waiting for a scotch tasting night here in town. I really enjoy good wine and scotch, and cigars offer the same sort of experience - I agree with you though about combining them, it is difficult for me to focus on the cigar flavors when the drink has them too.

-Buzz

[mrtr33]

Lagavulin is a little too expensive (but definitely is tasty). I think the last I looked it was around $100 a bottle.

It might be your liquor tax laws. I've seen it around here for around $70.

I've been waiting for a scotch tasting night here in town. I really enjoy good wine and scotch, and cigars offer the same sort of experience - I agree with you though about combining them, it is difficult for me to focus on the cigar flavors when the drink has them too.

I've been enjoying Ports with the cigars, or sometimes like an irish whiskey.

Why wait on someone else to come up with the scotch tasting? Why not start it up yourself? Someone is bound to take you up on your offer - introduce a bar owner to the B&M owner, or vice-versa.

[buzz]

I've been enjoying Ports with the cigars, or sometimes like an irish whiskey.

Why wait on someone else to come up with the scotch tasting? Why not start it up yourself? Someone is bound to take you up on your offer - introduce a bar owner to the B&M owner, or vice-versa.

For our honeymoon my wife and I drove up Highway 1 and went to Sonoma to do some wine tasting. We brought home a couple dozen bottles, one of which was a port from Loxton. The winery buys grapes from other vineyards, which I don't normally like - but they sure make a good port. The owner is from Australia and was really nice. I would love to break that port out this winter to enjoy with a cigar, but the wife says it has to be opened for a "special" occasion...

Good idea, I'll suggest the scotch tasting idea with my favorite local brewery here (Nimbus - www.nimbusbeer.com). Side note if anyone finds themselves in Tucson I highly recommend the Oatmeal Stout from Nimbus - let me know when you are here and I'll buy the first round.

-Buzz