scotch ?

[Dark Metal]

Woah bro, you're projecting.

[mrd]

Re: Red vs. Black: Theres a huge difference between the two, but frankly you're overpaying compared to the other options available. That being said I'm still a fan of both. Black is my favourite "sipping" Whiskey, a drink you can have a couple of and really enjoy, without being too complex or overpowering in any way. Sometime I like to put about 1/8th of an oz of Drambuie with it to add a little honey sweetness to it.

I prefer most of my Whiskeys coldish, achieved with a medium sized ice cube. For single malts I prefer r/o water for the ice as it helps taste the range of flavours without adding any other tastes.

As far as the labels and ages on single malts, I suggest looking up the different regions and their general attributes for basic flavours then try each to decide if you have a preference. I won't turn anything down, however Islay's are my favourite. Smokey, peaty, earthy.

The great thing about Scotch right now is its to easy to try such a variety. Figure out what your palette prefers by trying a bunch.

Suddenly I have a craving for a glass.

[obsidian]

That's how it starts...

[vesp]

On whisky related subject - I recommend giving "Raw Spirit" by Iain Banks a read.

As a native of Scotland, bestselling author Iain Banks has decided to undertake a tour of the distilleries of his homeland in a bid to uncover the unique spirit of the single malt. Visiting some of the world's most famous distilleries and also some of its smallest and most obscure ones, Banks embarks on a journey of discovery which educates him about the places, people and products surrounding the centuries-old tradition of whisky production. Using various modes of transport - ferries to the islands, cars across the highlands, even bicycles between bus stops - Banks' tour of Scotland combines history, literature and landscape in an entertaining and informative account of an exploration in which the arrival is by no means the most important part of the journey.

As well as being informative about his whisky self-education, it's a good read because it's written by Iain Banks

[plained]

ok thx from the replys , yes like i said ive seen the various brands as mentioned.

I'm seeing you there dm with your collection !

I would like to ask a few questions if you dont mind, i havnt done any people asking and i havnt done any internet research on it either.

I know scotch has many mega-critical fans, i'm not like that, i'm just checking it out and deciding how i feel about it you know?

first a little bit about my alcohol uses.

I only ever 1 - 1/2 drinks max unless its a once in a while situation or some such.

i have been usually drinking vodka straight up and got bored so i decided to try sctoch.

like i found the red experience like drinking kind of a "man booze perfume" if that makes any sence, it seemes to have tobaco'e smokey leathery, everything like that type, the flavor fills my mouth and just kinda lingers there.

the black to me was very different, its flavour seemes less gimmicky and more pure , ie: to me less sugary? and the flavor did not linger at all, it just kind of rapidly recedes into itself , its really novel !

now my questions to you is about what i read on bottles.

single malt? blended? whats that about ey

new, aged and more aged? why what?

and lastly maybe some anecdotes and sentiments about your own passion for scotch!

not canned copy paste bollock i want your take ey

I am not judging you or trolling you, its just a current mini passion i'm trying and i like only personal special insights ey

Re: Red vs. Black: Theres a huge difference between the two, but frankly you're overpaying compared to the other options available. That being said I'm still a fan of both. Black is my favourite "sipping" Whiskey, a drink you can have a couple of and really enjoy, without being too complex or overpowering in any way. Sometime I like to put about 1/8th of an oz of Drambuie with it to add a little honey sweetness to it.

I prefer most of my Whiskeys coldish, achieved with a medium sized ice cube. For single malts I prefer r/o water for the ice as it helps taste the range of flavours without adding any other tastes.

As far as the labels and ages on single malts, I suggest looking up the different regions and their general attributes for basic flavours then try each to decide if you have a preference. I won't turn anything down, however Islay's are my favourite. Smokey, peaty, earthy.

The great thing about Scotch right now is its to easy to try such a variety. Figure out what your palette prefers by trying a bunch.

ey thx for your insights

when i went to purchase i scanned the prices and they generally said 25-30 or 50-60$ (and a few outside those ranges as well)so i figured i'd start withe the regular 30$ kind first so i would see later if i could tell an improvement, in the back of my mind that may be why i chose johnny , because i would compare those to for value using my absolute total newb status.

but yea black all day over the red ! i'm not a rich guy so i certainly wont be mr.black exclusively!

I would like to find a 30$ kind thats more "black like" to me that means less sweet , more defined, and less lingering flavor.

also i just drink it straight up and i wont be changing that as far as i can tell, yea it may not be right, but its why i went to spirits, i like the taste, smell, and feeling of straight up.

i will keep my eye open for Islay brands to check out!

[plained]

On whisky related subject - I recommend giving "Raw Spirit" by Iain Banks a read.

As a native of Scotland, bestselling author Iain Banks has decided to undertake a tour of the distilleries of his homeland in a bid to uncover the unique spirit of the single malt. Visiting some of the world's most famous distilleries and also some of its smallest and most obscure ones, Banks embarks on a journey of discovery which educates him about the places, people and products surrounding the centuries-old tradition of whisky production. Using various modes of transport - ferries to the islands, cars across the highlands, even bicycles between bus stops - Banks' tour of Scotland combines history, literature and landscape in an entertaining and informative account of an exploration in which the arrival is by no means the most important part of the journey.

As well as being informative about his whisky self-education, it's a good read because it's written by Iain Banks

eey thank you that looks awesome i love reading!

[plained]

new, aged and more aged? why what?

aging is important for quite a few liquors... anything brown, really. before aging they're all essentially the same - some source of sugar (grain, sugar cane, potato, agave, etc) fermented and distilled. if you stop there you have your various white liquors: vodka, light rum, light tequila. you can throw in some herbs and have gin or various schnapps (don't).

once you throw it in a barrel for a while it will take on color (brown) and flavor (various) from the wood (and/or whatever was previously in the barrel... i've had some nice scotch that was aged in port barrels). longer aging in theory means more flavor, smoother flavor, and more expensive.

lots of good info there thanks menkent

its brown because of the barrel! i did not know!

[plained]

ey whats the story on single malt vs blends

whats the stories there?

[vesp]

A "Single Malt" is just the malt whisky product of a single distillery, using their particular whisky creation process.

A blend is just that -a blended bottle of "Single Malts" (and other additions to adjust flavour) from more than one distillery.

[Dark Metal]

Islay isn't a brand. Its one of the 4 Scotch regions.

[vesp]

idd.. I think there are quite a few Islay distilleries.

Off the top of my head, Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Bowmore are all Islay Whiskys, and they are all different

edit: just re-read the posts, to be fair he did say he would look out for Islay brands, not "the Islay brand".
Anyway, there are 5 Scotch Regions again since Campbeltown was given it's regional status back.
http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/

[menkent]

A "Single Malt" is just the malt whisky product of a single distillery, using their particular whisky creation process.
A blend is just that -a blended bottle of "Single Malts" (and other additions to adjust flavour) from more than one distillery.

you'll see the same thing in wines - many are blends, but sometimes you'll see something labeled as "single vineyard." that doesn't mean it's better. some people may say it better highlights the individual character of the region... but you could also claim that it leads to "one-note" whiskey. if nothing else the single malts are trendy.

[plained]

from diff distilleries ey

I did not know that

[plained]

hey you guys!

are any of you in the know about the American whiskeys>

I am interested and i have not done any research at all again, just asking at the best place ey here!

[menkent]

what about them? just get a bottle of Bulleit (bourbon or rye, both are good) and you're pretty much set.

[plained]

ey menkent are those 2 meant to drink straight?

[plained]

I got a bottle of grants ale cask scotch yesterday
havnt tried it yet.

[menkent]

ey menkent are those 2 meant to drink straight?

you could drink either straight, though i generally add a splash of sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters to make a manhattan.

[plained]

I have thought about bourbon but I don't know what ones are good for straight sipping

[HM-PuFFNSTuFF]

Elijah Craig

[plained]

hehe thank you for the suggestion Bri!