Scotch

**rsanz** · 01-14-2007, 03:51 AM

Geeze all this talk of scotch has made me break out an Ardbeg (my current favourite), chuck a 60's Avengers DVD on and light up another gar (5th of the day)

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When drinking scotch, I highly recommend going the single malt route and drinking it neat, or with a few drops of water (not tap water). I don't recommend pouring scotch over ice, unless you must drink a blend.

Aaahhh... Ardbeg, nice cigar and Emma Peel

. Bliss.

Rich

My 2nd favourite tipple at present is Abalour

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420seth · 01-15-2007, 09:29 PM

Yeah, my scotch knowledge is a little behind my cigar stuff but I am working on improving it.

**drew_goring** · 01-28-2007, 08:17 PM

Well, I got out to a Scotch tasting last night. Tried about 20 different varieties ranging from $30-$200+/bottle. I really didn't have a Scotch that night that I didn't like. I really wish I would have thought ahead so I could take some pics and write some notes about the Scotches that I really liked. I ended up going with a bottle of Bowmore 12 year to get me started. Good stuff...really peaty and smoky. I think I like that in a Scotch.

420seth · 01-29-2007, 01:40 AM

Scotch is tight dude. You should try some Irish whiskey as well. they are similar yet totally different. And the irish whiskey seems to be a lot cheaper or the selection is lowsy I am not sure.

**Quint** · 01-29-2007, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by rsanz

When drinking scotch, I highly recommend going the single malt route and drinking it neat, or with a few drops of water (not tap water). I don't recommend pouring scotch over ice, unless you must drink a blend.

Most manufactures recommend adding a splash of water to the Scotch, single malts included. I would recommend any newbie to the scotch world have it over ice and slowly reduce the amount of ice as your taste matures until you enjoy it with just a splash. Instead of a few drops of water I usually put in 1 small ice cube or on occasion have it neat.

420seth · 01-29-2007, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Quint

Most manufactures recommend adding a splash of water to the Scotch, single malts included. I would recommend any newbie to the scotch world have it over ice and slowly reduce the amount of ice as your taste matures until you enjoy it with just a splash. Instead of a few drops of water I usually put in 1 small ice cube or on occasion have it neat.

I go neat all the time. I don't like watered down booze. Cheapens the buzz

**drew_goring** · 01-29-2007, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Quint

Most manufactures recommend adding a splash of water to the Scotch, single malts included. I would recommend any newbie to the scotch world have it over ice and slowly reduce the amount of ice as your taste matures until you enjoy it with just a splash. Instead of a few drops of water I usually put in 1 small ice cube or on occasion have it neat.

Exactly. I talked to a blender right out of Scotland at this tasting and the general consensus was that no matter if Scotch is 43% or Cask Strength, it is designed to be consumed at approximately 30% alcohol. This means watering it down slightly. It was very informative. Lots of very knowledgeable people there willing to talk your ear off. I would recommend that anybody who has a chance to go to a tasting do so. Definitely worth the price of admission

**Quint** · 01-29-2007, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by drew_goring

Exactly. I talked to a blender right out of Scotland at this tasting and the general consensus was that no matter if Scotch is 43% or Cask Strength, it is designed to be consumed at approximately 30% alcohol. This means watering it down slightly. It was very informative. Lots of very knowledgeable people there willing to talk your ear off. I would recommend that anybody who has a chance to go to a tasting do so. Definitely worth the price of admission

Thats how I was introduced to scotch it was actually an Scotch and cigar dinner. Awesome time and very educational. We got to sample from various manufacturers, blends to top shelf single malts and learn about each. Also 3 or 4 cigar manufacturers were there so we got about 13 different sticks as well, and talk with them. On top of that it was a gourmet restaurant that served a 5 course meal all for $75.

**Roham** · 02-01-2007, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by Quint

Most manufactures recommend adding a splash of water to the Scotch, single malts included. I would recommend any newbie to the scotch world have it over ice and slowly reduce the amount of ice as your taste matures until you enjoy it with just a splash. Instead of a few drops of water I usually put in 1 small ice cube or on occasion have it neat.

That's the advice I was waiting for

Words to live by. I always add a drop or two to my shot of scotch, but I add so little water I still consider it neat... It is just a way to open the boquet a little bit.

Like I told you the night we had the herf, what ever scotch you decide to drink, just take your time. There is no rush, or time limit. As you taste buds mature so will the speed at which you can/want to drink it. Glad to see you are trying it out, and even happier to hear you went to a scotch event. Where was it at?

**MadAl** · 02-01-2007, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Roham

That's the advice I was waiting for

Words to live by. I always add a drop or two to my shot of scotch, but I add so little water I still consider it neat... It is just a way to open the boquet a little bit.

Like I told you the night we had the herf, what ever scotch you decide to drink, just take your time. There is no rush, or time limit. As you taste buds mature so will the speed at which you can/want to drink it. Glad to see you are trying it out, and even happier to hear you went to a scotch event. Where was it at?

Saw a program on Scotch whisky on TV a few weeks ago, they always add a small amount of water, and NEVER ice! I decided to follow that advice since it came directly from a master distiller.

**drew_goring** · 02-01-2007, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Roham

That's the advice I was waiting for

Words to live by. I always add a drop or two to my shot of scotch, but I add so little water I still consider it neat... It is just a way to open the boquet a little bit.

Like I told you the night we had the herf, what ever scotch you decide to drink, just take your time. There is no rush, or time limit. As you taste buds mature so will the speed at which you can/want to drink it. Glad to see you are trying it out, and even happier to hear you went to a scotch event. Where was it at?

It was at the Unicorn pub downtown in one of their private areas. I scored some tix from a geo-tech firm. I really surprised myself at how much I could drink and still feel fine. I remember getting a glass at the bar...must have been cheap stuff and I had trouble choking it down. I still remember my last glass...an amazing Islay from 1973.

**LeojVS** · 02-03-2007, 05:27 PM

with scotch, or whisky for that matter, I would get a single malt, 18 yo as a start. How you drink it is up to the individual, but... as rules of thumb, dont mix with anything other than water. Dont put ice in them, a master distiller in scotland was saying it does bad things to it. (?) just put a little water in it so it takes the bite off it It shouldnt be burning and making your eyes water. Like a good cigar, let it sit in your mouth for a while. Enjoy the taste on your tounge, then swallow, dont inhale

in saying all that, when camping, in order to get written off, I get some cheap stuff, mix it with coke, and smash it down. if its cheap, its not that good anyway, so treat it how youo wish!

**bigtoys** · 03-03-2007, 01:37 AM

Try Balvenie Doublewood, Talisker (smoky).
For more $$, try Macallan 15 yr old Fine Oak

Looking forward to trying these:

**aceswired** · 03-03-2007, 01:42 AM

Coming to the party way late, but since Scotch is another of my passions, thought I'd weigh in. For a newbie to Scotch, I'd strongly recommend starting with a quality blend. The newbie palate just isn't ready to appreciate a single-malt. Single-malts don't necessarily taste better, they just have more character and more unique overtones. A good 12-year blend like Pinch is an excellent place to start for a newbie. It's affordable and it's damn good Scotch.

You'll reach a point in time where single malts are something you'll want to enjoy for their uniqueness. But for me, blends are the place to start and develop a palate.