Good drams of SMS - Single Malt Scotch

[badbadboy]

LOL Not everything triple B..lol besides our learned new scotch member has a 2006 join date with no posts until now. This is definitely Not his first rodeo.

Enough about that. I just really like scotch. been to a lot of scotch tastings and appreciations. We actually have a group of 10 of us that get together once every 3 or 4 months with 4 bottles or so that perhaps no-one in our group or maybe only a couple has had a chance to taste.

Not an expert at all I do enjoy a great single malt at the end of the day. I know what I like and I know what I don't like.

Surprisingly many of us agree or disagree with each other. I'm not a huge peat drinker. I prefer less smoke actually. But i will drink them and enjoy them.

I too enjoy a large dram and hardly ever drink any other hard stuff except the occasional demon Tequila.

I was merely pointing out to the OP that the Cask Strength Whisky's are meant to be cut with water or ice. Try drinking it neat and you will know because your eyes will roll back in your head.

What kind of cigars do you smoke?

Great idea. Computer going off and out to smoke a Diplimatico #2 with a microbrew hoppy IPA

 

[badbadboy]

My personal favourite - Oban, neat, room temperature, mini snifter.

But, let's face it, there's no such thing as bad whisky, just some better than others. I've drunk 40 or 50 different Scotches, and there isn't one that I would flat out refuse if offered to me.

I understand that some people prefer Scotch with a little water, ice or soda, but I don't understand mixing Scotch with soft drinks or juice. Mixing Scotch with anything sweet is a travesty.

Oban is my #1 fav. When their distillery burnt down and there was a world wide shortage it went from $60 (in Alberta) to $124 in BC. Sigh, that is a beautiful Single Malt. Still have an unopened bottle a that I have saved for some reason. Win a lotto and I will open it

Glenrothes is a nice drop that doesn't break the bank at $79.

http://www.theglenrothes.com

I have been drinking more high test IPA's of late or good VQA Pinot Noir or Syrah's.

 

[badbadboy]

Damn that IPA sounds good... I've Had cask strength full on no cut before (but not 2 fingers..lol) . yes it is pungent, extremely strong bite and hard but it's a sippers drink. The flavors are ENORMOUS though.

Lagavulin Cask Strength does separate the men from the boys. I had to cut it with a about a shot glass of water to make it enjoyable. Full strength is not enjoyable IMHO.

 

[badbadboy]

The most complex spirit I've ever tasted was a port. It belonged to a billionaire client and he said it was 'priceless'. I'd never tried anything like it before and I was fascinated by the combination of flavours I could pick out from one powerful sip. It was worth savouring.

Sounds delicious! Problem is with Port if you have too much man do you feel it the next day. A single small port shot is such a tease because the flavours are so complex. It is a fortified wine so you are getting a shot of brandy at the same time FYI.

 

[de los Santos]

You may have only two posts but have put your finger on the pulse of the Lounge quite succinctly. BJ is the resident expert on "EVERYTHING".

Ahhh thanks for noticing, kind sir. BadgerJohn does seem annoying but in my experience, just an eager enthusiast full of harmless hot air. They can be great to have around and do contribute in their own way.

But I will defer to those of you who have had more time with the guy lol

Believe or not though, I do enjoy drinking cask strength straight up on occasion! Most times though I'm halfway drunk and the alcohol content does little to inhibit my enjoyment. lol And to BadgerJohn's point, i also find a cask strength whiskey ideal for mixing or making cocktails. Old Fashioneds and Sazeracs are quite tasty. The alcohol helps all the liquid ingredients.

 

[barny-stinson]

Ahhh thanks for noticing, kind sir. BadgerJohn does seem annoying but in my experience, just an eager enthusiast full of harmless hot air. They can be great to have around and do contribute in their own way.

But I will defer to those of you who have had more time with the guy lol

Believe or not though, I do enjoy drinking cask strength straight up on occasion! Most times though I'm halfway drunk and the alcohol content does little to inhibit my enjoyment. lol And to BadgerJohn's point, i also find a cask strength whiskey ideal for mixing or making cocktails. Old Fashioneds and Sazeracs are quite tasty. The alcohol helps all the liquid ingredients.

Old Fashioned is VERY deliscious, but I would use Makers Mark bourbon, not cask strength scotch for that one LOL.

The thing I like about scotch is it is a manly drink, but it can be consumed however the hell you feel like. Ice? No ice? Cold glass? Warmed glass? Water? No water? Drink what YOU like.

 

[Chef99]

My faves:
Finlaggan Old Reserve - Smokey, good "winter" scotch
Double Wood - delicious, rich, very smooth
Dahlwinnie - a bit lighter, great anytime

At one time I liked Laguvilin - very smokey, very peatie,... too heavy and I nevev did finish the last bit in the bottle...

If you want to try out a great scotch tasting event, check out the Hopscotch Festival in the fall.... http://www.hopscotchfestival.com/vancouver

 

[mimi]

I love Scotch; there's never a hangover. Neat, and on occasion, a twist of lemon zest or lime (sacrilegious, I know)

Once, a friend's husband bought her a bottle of premium Scotch; it had some stamp of approval by the Queen, no less, and cost a fortune...it was horrid. She called me over to sample and see if it was just 'her', but, I couldn't stand it either. Very peaty, I would say granite over peat, linger in the peaty bit for a while. It tasted like dirt. We had fun taking swigs and spraying it into the fire and watching the fire erupt into little bombs...which sounds kinda sexy, but really involved a lot of spit and chin wiping..lol

 

[mimi]

There are tours of the Scotch distilleries in Scotland, and one day that is a holiday I hope to take. 'hiccup'

 

[de los Santos]

Old Fashioned is VERY deliscious, but I would use Makers Mark bourbon, not cask strength scotch for that one LOL.

Then you may want to try a cask strength bourbon! Or any other high percentage selection. Have you tried Knob Creek? Makers is great but don't believe they have a cask strength bottle. You might enjoy Knob Creek and their Single Barrel 60% bottle. When I mentioned cask strength whiskey, I meant all the variations of the brown stuff, scotch and bourbon included. I have a great straight rye whiskey at 64% that is very appropriate for those pre-Prohibition whiskey cocktails like the Old Fashioned.

I know most don't mix single malts in cocktails but don't see why not. Why can't one enjoy it in all variations? That's like saying I will only eat truffles on their own or cheese on their own. Am I to miss out on truffles or cheese with pasta or eggs or steak? I mix some of my single malts in Whiskey Sours. The nose and the palate surprisingly remain true but i enjoy the sweet/tart finish.

 

[vanperb]

You might enjoy Knob Creek and their Single Barrel 60% bottle. When I mentioned cask strength whiskey, I meant all the variations of the brown stuff, scotch and bourbon included. I have a great straight rye whiskey at 64% that is very appropriate for those pre-Prohibition whiskey cocktails like the Old Fashioned.

Knob Creek and their Single Barrel straight is a bit much me. I imagine that's the stuff they use to sterilize surgical instruments in a pinch.

 

[barny-stinson]

That is indeed correct I am only interested in tasting and discussing single malt scotch - distilled, produced AND bottled in Scotland. Anything else is Whiskey with an E.

The very first scotch I ever tried was McLellands 12yr Speyside and thought it was absolute shit. What did I expect from a sub-$30 bottle. Not much I guess. The stuff was drinkable only on the rocks and perhaps that's why I started drinking other malts also on the rocks.

Based on my very limited experience I will stick to Highland and Speyside malts, and eventually trying Islay.

Would be interesting to keep this thread alive throughout the year to follow me on my journey to scotch wisdom LOL.

Glenfarclas, Oban, Auchentoshan, Macallan all very high on my list of scotch to try. And for Islay it seems Laphroaig 10yr is THE scotch to try, albeit in the heart of peat land.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

off the topic, but my dad told me once that before WWII, the standard liquor strength sold in b.c. liquor stores was proof (aka 100 proof) or 50% alcohol

they reduced the standard strength to 30 under proof (70 proof) or 35% alcohol as a war measure, but never returned to the old standard after the war

 

[Toon]

How did I miss this thread?

I started drinking scotch about 6 years ago - initially, just blended JW red (yuck), then moved to the Black, and finally discovered SM scotch with a simple 12 YR Glenfiddich. At each move, I thought I have discovered scotch heaven.
Ah, how times have changed.
Currently enjoying a nice Lagavulin 16.

Haven't been to any scotch tastings yet, but I must. BJ: remind me!!!

 

[barny-stinson]

Hop Scotch this year is in November. Many months away.

As an update : I have tried my current bottle of Glenfiddich 18 year neat, water back, and on the rocks. Neat - way bigger after taste that lingers for a long time, but alcohol burn prevents full range of flavor. Also the smell is stronger and better so I suppose from an appreciation standpoint, it has to be neat. Water back - tasted diluted, wasn't a fan. On the rocks - kills the smell, but opens the flavors completely without the alcohol burn to savour the broad range of tastes, albeit at the expense of a longer aftertaste.

I am in one word - torn.