Woodford Reserve - great bourbon
Buffalo Trace - great/ cost effective bourbon
Jamesons - very soft Irish Whiskey
There was a wink with that comment and it is a few drops of water that's added not a massive dilution, as i said add a bit then try and so on til you find it to your taste
But the jugs ect are known as tourist tat anyway
Oh and Jon when i was last in one of the smws bars in Edinburgh I asked the stewards opinion on water in whisky and they said if it needs water it's not been bottled right
Johndoh ill note I didn't say don't add water I said don't make it into pop
I'll try a drop or two some times a teaspoon in 50ml but I drink mainly cask strength stuff that's 50/60 abv but generally I prefer neat but I always play around a bit at first
Johndoh ill note I didn’t say don’t add water I said don’t make it into pop
I wasn't saying it was you.
Oh and Jon when i was last in one of the smws bars in Edinburgh I asked the stewards opinion on water in whisky and they said if it needs water it’s not been bottled right
Seems a bit odd considering the smws generally do cask strength which often benefit from a bit of water to dilute it down to standard 40-45%ish.
The other flaw is all our tastebuds vary so a perfect strength for me can be too strong for someone else and hence either they will think whisky is a bit crap or alternatively they could add some water and enjoy it as well.
There was a wink with that comment
Don't worry, after drafting several furious replies I gave up and decided to take it in the spirit intended 😉
That's why I asked them as ita all high abv, like I say some like a drop some like non, and some it seems like a lot 😉 heck some like ice, when i was last in islay the bar man refused to serve an American who wanted laphroaig 18 with ice and coke, he said ill serve you the 10 or nothing for that lol
Fair enough jon I figured you were meaning me apologies
13thfloor 'spirit' I like what you did there 🤭
Agree with the Glenmorangie suggestions. Nice, balanced, not too over the top, very easy drinking. Can't go wrong!
I think a few of the ideas (Bunnahabain, Balvenie Doublewood, etc) are possibly a bit far down the 'christmas cake' route - I do love them (I'm ekeing out my bottle of Bunnahabain because I can't bear to finish it) but if that turns out not to be the OP's taste then perhaps not the best place to start?
I had a great bottle of Glen Scotia the other year. A bit of sweetness and a bit of peat, but not excessive in either direction, so possibly a good intro? Looks like they've redesigned their range now (sigh) but the equivalent bottle seems to be this one which is currently on offer for £25 at Morrisons. If it's remotely like the one I had then that's a bargain. It's 35 everywhere else.
So are you all saying the glug of Teachers I had in my young teens is not representative of the whisk[e]y industry? 'Cos I'd have rather used it to clean my brushes tbf...
BTW if you have a waitrose nearby keep having the odd check in there as they often have really odd reductions on that aren't online the other day I got a douglas laing the gauldrons meant to be 45 reduced to 37 but it was marked down to 20.49 in one near me but not in other but one near my mate had other stuff reduced but not that, I got a Glenrothes 10 for 17 once too, very random but worth a look if you have one local
Glenmorangie was my gateway too.
Ever tried a Godfather? (Scotch whisky and amaretto with a slither of orange peel)
So are you all saying the glug of Teachers I had in my young teens is not representative of the whisk[e]y industry?
Teachers has one thing going for it: it's better than Bells.
As for water,
The whole point of adding water isn't to dilute it, it's to separate out flavours. You only need a couple of drops for that. Some whisk(e)ys explode, typically those at the peatier end of the spectrum, some die.
why on earth do distilleries make these otherwise?
Because people give them money if they do.
Jameson’s is very sweet. Nice enough but not something I’d want to offer someone just getting into whiskey.
I was given a bottle a couple of years ago. Made hot chocolate with it after rides.
Then once there was room in the bottle, filled it with blackcurrants from the garden. The resulting liquor tastes like a very grownup version of cough medicine!
Jura and Old Pulteney would be where I would start
I’m no expert, but I’m quite partial to Tamnavulin which I’ve found on offer and bought a couple of times. Speyside and fairly fruity/sweet so pretty drinkable for a scotch.
The other option (where I started) is a Japanese whisky. Hibiki is very light and sweet, I think most Japanese whiskys are.
Just book a weekend at the Mashtun and make use of thier advice.
I would also suggest the Fiddichside, where I enjoyed a few new malts to me at the weekend. Even better the holiday cottage attached is basically in the pub garden. It's basically full with 8 people in there...
On they “what whisky?” Question, I’d offer Talisker, Jura, highland park or old Putney for easy glugable drams.
As a curveball alternative - I’ve stayed at a couple of AirBnB’s the last few years that have had a surprisingly decent whisky selection with honesty pot (last one last week in Boat of Garten). You could always take your partner away for a nice weekend away and if you chose the accommodation right, will get to taste a good selection of drams at “good value”whilst winning some brownie points at home and having a nice time away.
I think that’s a win-win-win.
@matt_outandabout - I really like that suggestion you’ve made, I’m not a whiskey drinker so going to a proper whiskey bar with accommodation and food seems ideal.
Being a typical Englishman I’ve never ventured to that area of Scotland in winter, what would the road conditions be like? Best waiting until May sort of time?
Being a typical Englishman I’ve never ventured to that area of Scotland in winter, what would the road conditions be like? Best waiting until May sort of time?
There's more local than me on here.
The road will be kept open in all but the worst of weather. Don't let the winter put you off - the walks and views are fantastic, and the fireside and food all the more welcome after a bracing walk.
The only downside is that a good few businesses close for the winter, usually October to March.
Winter can be awesome. If its clear the views are unreal.
Roads are mostly OK as its not a shock like it is down south.
Plus less people and zero midges make it my preferred time.
If you fancy a couple of nights away the Highlander Inn do a winter offer where you get the room for free if you spend the equivalent cost in the bar on whisky. They have an extensive selection and the only thing I'll say against them is they're not dog friendly.
http://www.whiskyinn.com/tariff.html
As for whisky to try don't rule out heavily peated ones. The first I tried that I actually enjoyed was an Ardbeg and I know a couple of people who aren't keen on whisky generally but think Octamore is amazing.
Laphroaig and coke or Fever Tree Ginger beer for the win, superb combo.
bigdug - you're a philistine.
There are no rules. I am only talking about whisky here. Drink what you want mixed with what you want. My preference is neat or with just a drop (literally) of water. Don't rule out blends. Look for an age statement in my opinion a decent guide to quality.
All I ask is that you drink enough to keep distilleries in production but not so much that the price goes up.
You asked about whisky and then got loads of recommendations for Irish and blended stuff!
So?
He didn't. He asked for recommendations thus:
So, if I wanted to experiment with a smooth but warming evening sipping drink where would I start? And is Whisky and Bourbon different in this sense?
whilst asking if whisky and bourbon were different. Hence the Irish, Welsh, Japanese and other recommendations came flooding in.
I would love to be able to say I was really, really edgy, and hip, and only wanted to drink eye-wateringly expensive age-statemented expressions of the purest and most unadulterated cask-strength masterpieces ever casked and bottled. But I like supermarket single-malts (as well!) , and, lord help us, Jameson.
ok thanks for all the advice! Just out some Jura Journey - discounted at Sainsbury's to £22 btw - in the basket for Christmas!
Ralfy talks sense, all 3 bottles around the £40 mark and all integrity bottlings.
Smooth and flavorsome has become my go to now, rather than peated. So tend to stick around the Speyside/Highlands.
This is right, I think when learning your way around whisky it is really worthwhile understanding the geography/regions. In summary, if you know where the whisky came from, you can have a pretty good guess how it easy it is to drink. Highland and Speyside are easiest to drink. I'm no whisky nerd, but understanding the basics of regions really helps me avoid wasting money!
This is a good read
Regions Guida
Aldi Islay Malt @£16 is very good a. the price and b. as an introduction. I'd sip a bit, reflect on what it tastes like, then put 2/3 Ice Cubes in, let them melt, and be amazed at how it changes to an actually nice sweetish sipping thing.
Proper grown ups use a dash of water but I am a savage.
Being a typical Englishman I’ve never ventured to that area of Scotland in winter, what would the road conditions be like? Best waiting until May sort of time?
Spent a year living in Moray, right in the middle of whisky country. If I turned right from my door to Dufftown and Aberlour, I’d encounter Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Craigallachie, Singleton, Aberlour, MacAllan to name but a few in 10 miles. Go left and I’d be at Glenlivet, Tamnavulin, Tomintoul.
One of the best local whiskies I found is Glenallachie, from just outside Aberlour - nicer than an Aberlour 12
The road from Dufftown down through Glenrinnes carries on to Tomintoul and Cockbridge over The Lecht, the most frequently closed road in the UK. Winter 2020 was pretty exceptional - we had snow on the ground pretty well from Christmas Eve until April and at one point we were snowed-in for 10 days as it was too deep and set solid the snowplough couldn’t shift it. From April onwards you should be OK.
There is a Snowroads 90 mile signposted drive that takes in some of the area.
I now live 500m from the Tobermory distillery
find a whisky bar
VERY VERY MUCH THIS ^^^^
I mean whatever you like is whatever YOU like but why spend money until you have an idea.
and ask for advice.
Yeah once you find one and can say what you like about it then do this...
At the risk of being lambasted ... French aged
https://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/michel-couvreur-whisky-brand/
I know a few places sell in the UK...
D. Byrne & Co. Fine Wines Ltd in Clitheroe started AFTER I gave my cousin a bottle and he asked them to start supplying.
As a teenager with underdeveloped taste buds, you would have liked completely different to what you now will.
The whisky bar suggestion as a great one. Find a few mates who like a dram, then have a pleasant night out trying a few.
I like the edgy Islays, so no point me recommending you anything as you won’t like it.
Many years ago we had a thread on Japanese whisky, of which I have many from my time out there, but the good ones aren’t available here now for any sensible money. The bottle of Nikki Taketsuru 21y/o i picked up for £30 will set you back £300 now!
Oh dear, a monster has been created. I had to try the Jura in case I needed another Xmas drink to replace it. Gosh, it’s smooth, warming yet doesn’t burn, I can taste the flavours and the essence of whisky is obviously there. What’s more, the story of the Island on the tube has hooked me in.
I bloody love it, and there must be a gazillion more to try!
The whisky exchange festivals are a good way to taste lots of different whisky and get some advice for about the same price as a single bottle
Kryton57, I feel your request for beginners whisky is actually a great reflection of the snobbery that can pervade these things, if you like supermarket blends, then enjoy them. That being aid there are some good people here that have given good advice, I would get small taster packs, or go to a decent pub with a rep for decent whisky and try a few.
I am still a total ignoramus when it comes to understanding the production and vagaries of the flavours, but I do knwo the ones I like and following yur nose can be very rewarding.
I feel your request for beginners whisky is actually a great reflection of the snobbery that can pervade these things, if you like supermarket blends, then enjoy them.
I understand your point but I asked becuase I didn’t want to try something that’d make me wretch (again) and leave me devoid of understanding whisky for the remainder of my life becuase of a poor experience. So not a snobbery, a genuine desire to experience something I can appreciate and learn about.
Not accusing you of snobbery, I think people have a fear of trying stuff due to the snobbery that is associated with "taste", its the same with wine, art, good food, Bakewell type products, bike brands...
I'm reccomending that you ignore that and explore for yourself with abandon.
I'm a bit weird really because I like cask strength without water. I drink it very slowly taking tiny sips and love the buzzing feeling on the tongue as it gets anaethsetised.
Dry Jan is done, so I'm starting of the weekend with some well know aka "off the shelf" Irish and Scots mix:
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Well done, and enjoy - interested to know what you make of them as I know nothing about whisky. 🙂
Teachers has one thing going for it: it’s better than Bells.
Exactly my opinion, arrived at through personal experience before I discovered Glenfiddich. I dallied with Southern Comfort for a brief period, but not long after, someone suggested Jack Daniels.
Nowadays, it’s only financial constraints that stop me trying all sorts of different whiskies. One I think the OP might like is The Sexton, an Irish single malt from Dublin. Very smooth, almost creamy.
Over Christmas, I thought I’d see if I could assemble a collection of whiskies from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland - not too difficult for three of those, but I wasn’t sure about England, until I came across a review of a variety of whiskies, and one was English, not only that, but from a brewery that I was very familiar with - Adnams. They also do a Rye Malt, which is what I bought. I also bought a Penderyn, a Ben Bracken Islay, and an Irish whiskey, from Teeling Whiskey Company. It’s matured in barrels from a ginger beer brewery in London, which gives it a lovely ginger tang. My mate gave me a bottle of The Sexton as well.
Seems there’s a number of English distillers, I hadn’t realised there was a long history in the past of distilling all over the country. There’s even a small distillery setting up in Bristol.
All of those above are very good indeed, too.
