cigar and a drink?

[mrtr33]

You know I've tried the single mat and there is something about it I just can't grasp. I do enjoy it but I keep going back to Black. Is there any specific single malt that you suggest I try?

My personal favorites, in order:


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.

There are a couple more I can't think of right now.

I should also qualify this mini-review to mention that I don't normally drink scotch with a cigar any more. I don't know, personal preference, but I find I have a hard time enjoying both at the same time, because I'm trying to pick out flavors and what-not with each of them.

I also never EVER dilute the scotch with anything - water, ice, soda, milk, whatever. I don't dilute it for the same reasons that I don't put steak sauce on a steak after it's cooked.

[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

[CoventryCat86]

My personal favorites, in order:


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.

There are a couple more I can't think of right now.

I should also qualify this mini-review to mention that I don't normally drink scotch with a cigar any more. I don't know, personal preference, but I find I have a hard time enjoying both at the same time, because I'm trying to pick out flavors and what-not with each of them.

I also never EVER dilute the scotch with anything - water, ice, soda, milk, whatever. I don't dilute it for the same reasons that I don't put steak sauce on a steak after it's cooked.

I too like the Islays more than most other single malts. Talisker is a nice one too.

I love Ardbeg, Caol Ila and I managed to get my hands on a bottle of Port Ellen which is FANTASTIC! My favorite (and most the most ridiculously expensive bottle in my collection) is Ardbeg "Lord of the Isles" which is almost impossible to get these days. I also have a 30yo Bowmore kicking around here. A less peaty Islay is Bunnahabhain and I have a bottle of that as well. It's much lighter than the regular big-name Islays like Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Earlier this evening, I had a few fingers of Ardbeg Uigeadial. At 108 proof, I can't drink it neat, I have to drop in an ice cube or two.

Bruichladdich is the only Islay I've never tried (well I also haven't had the new ones, Kilchoman and Port Charlotte since I don't think they've been around long enough to sell any product yet).

[VictorMJR66]

I just bought my first bottle of Zaya rum.
Wow!
A very nice, smooth rum. Sweet but not too sweet. I haven't tried it with a cigar yet, but it will be a rebuy just for sipping either way.

Thanks cigarsarge, and "search."

[mrtr33]

I too like the Islays more than most other single malts. Talisker is a nice one too.

I love Ardbeg, Caol Ila and I managed to get my hands on a bottle of Port Ellen which is FANTASTIC! My favorite (and most the most ridiculously expensive bottle in my collection) is Ardbeg "Lord of the Isles" which is almost impossible to get these days. I also have a 30yo Bowmore kicking around here. A less peaty Islay is Bunnahabhain and I have a bottle of that as well. It's much lighter than the regular big-name Islays like Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Earlier this evening, I had a few fingers of Ardbeg Uigeadial. At 108 proof, I can't drink it neat, I have to drop in an ice cube or two.

Bruichladdich is the only Islay I've never tried (well I also haven't had the new ones, Kilchoman and Port Charlotte since I don't think they've been around long enough to sell any product yet).

Thanks for the insight. I doubt I'll ever get the opportunity to drink some of those rarer bottles. Good to know, though. Given the opportunity to drink a 108 proof scotch, I don't know what I'd do in regards to dilution.

Who makes that Port Ellen you were mentioning? Is that from the Caol Ila line? Is there a year of Caol Ila you prefer? I've never had anything from that distillery. I have found that I don't always prefer the older whiskeys - I much prefer the Glenlivet 12 year over, say, the 21 year or something like that. Just my personal preference, but then again, I've only been drinking scotch for about 10 years now - pretty much a newb in that department.

My parents just got back from England/Scotland and toured the Glengoyne distillery there. They brought me back a bottle. It distinguishes itself from others by claiming it air-dries it's barley rather than drying the barley with peat smoke. But sometimes, when done right, I like that smokey taste. I resisted the urge to open up the bottle and try some - it was really late, and I was really tired. Highland malts are hit-or-miss with me: I enjoy Oban and Dalwhinnie - Dalmore and Glenmorangie, not so much.

[buzz]

Had some Balvenie 10 year last night - not bad at all. A little too sweet for me (honey taste), but goes good with a cigar.

-Buzz

[ashauler]

Had some Balvenie 10 year last night - not bad at all. A little too sweet for me (honey taste), but goes good with a cigar.

-Buzz

10 year? Was it Founders Reserve?

[buzz]

10 year? Was it Founders Reserve?

Yessir. My wife really liked it - her exact quote was "this is way better than that other stuff you drink".

-Buzz

[ndv21]

I won a bottle of Glenfiddich single malt at a white elephant game with the family. Can't wait to try it. It will be my first single malt!

[buzz]

I love Ardbeg, Caol Ila and I managed to get my hands on a bottle of Port Ellen which is FANTASTIC! My favorite (and most the most ridiculously expensive bottle in my collection) is Ardbeg "Lord of the Isles" which is almost impossible to get these days. I also have a 30yo Bowmore kicking around here. A less peaty Islay is Bunnahabhain and I have a bottle of that as well. It's much lighter than the regular big-name Islays like Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Earlier this evening, I had a few fingers of Ardbeg Uigeadial. At 108 proof, I can't drink it neat, I have to drop in an ice cube or two.

I had a couple fingers of Ardbeg 10 year last night with a cigar. Not bad, very peaty with maybe some lemon taste. Got a good deal on it at totalwine too - $50

-Buzz

[ggiese]

I had a couple fingers of Ardbeg 10 year last night with a cigar. Not bad, very peaty with maybe some lemon taste. Got a good deal on it at totalwine too - $50

-Buzz

Ardbeg - good stuff!

One you may wish to consider that has some of the Ardbeg characteristics, but is not so "in your face" (with the peaty-ness) is Oban. It's produced between the West Highlands and the Islands - so it has (I think) some of the best characteristics of both. I've quite enjoyed pairing Oban with a good cigar.

I personally like the Speyside Scotches. Craggenmore and Dailuaine are two of my favorites. Much lighter than the Islay's - citrusy, is the best way I can describe them.

...and Highlands Scotch - Dalmore. Momma was good to me and picked me up a bottle of the Dalmore King Alexander III last Xmas. I haven't opened it yet, but the samples I've had have blown me away...

[buzz]

I have almost picked up a bottle of Oban twice now - I'll have to grab it on the third look. I think I have only seen the 14 year - should I seek out a different age?

-Buzz

[Cigarbear]

The 14 yr is the youngest as far as I know but the 18 yr is well worth the coin if you can spare it. Oban has been my single malt of choice since visiting Scotland in college. I completely agree with George about it being a good balance between the Highlands & Islands. It's peaty but not so strong as Talisker and its ilk.

[Eville]

Hopefully I will be able to pair this with a cigar tomorrow, because I think it would do extremely well. I am drinking a Goose Island Bourbon County stout. Simply amazing.

[ggiese]

The 14 yr is the youngest as far as I know but the 18 yr is well worth the coin if you can spare it. Oban has been my single malt of choice since visiting Scotland in college. I completely agree with George about it being a good balance between the Highlands & Islands. It's peaty but not so strong as Talisker and its ilk.

Have you tried the Dalmore Gran Reserva (formerly their "Cigar Malt")? It's a Highlands Scotch. To me - just a wee bit different, but it has many of the same rich, earthy kinds of characteristics (including the peaty-ness) I like in Oban. And - it also pairs very well with a cigar.

[mrtr33]

Have you tried the Dalmore Gran Reserva (formerly their "Cigar Malt")? It's a Highlands Scotch. To me - just a wee bit different, but it has many of the same rich, earthy kinds of characteristics (including the peaty-ness) I like in Oban. And - it also pairs very well with a cigar.

I've tried the Dalmore on several different occasions - can't do it. Maybe the Gran Reserva is different. Maybe.

I'm a big fan of the Oban as well. It's my second favorite.

Picked up a bottle of Old New Orleans Rum - Cajun Spice and drank the better part of the bottle while throwing darts with the father-in-law a few weeks back. Don't know if ya'll can find it where you are at, but it's really tasty!