I am a Bourbon drinker who is interested in trying Scotch. Some of the Bourbons I drink are Blantons,Knob Creek,Makers Mark and Larceny. I know very little about Scotch. I have been told the way to go with Scotch is a single malt. What are your recommendations.
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February 09, 2020, 10:55 PM
Windhover
The term "single malt" is often misused. It only means that officially, the whisky is made with 100% barley malt from the same distillery. A single-malt from Speyside is going to taste mightily different from a single-malt from Islay.
That said, I think someone who is used to sweeter whiskey like Bourbon is most likely to appreciate something less peaty, usually from Speyside, or Highland, or even Lowland. Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Macallan are your typical Speyside. Auchentoshan is a good Lowland Scotch. Glenmorangie is a good brand for Highland Scotch.
My personal favorite of the "entry-level" Speyside is Glenlivet 15 year-old French Oak. A bit pricey, but easily found. Glenfiddich 15 is also quite good, as is Macallan 12, in similar price point. Glenmorangie is harder to find, but also pretty good particularly Nectar D'Or.
February 10, 2020, 04:36 AM
PD
For me, Blanton’s is the Holy Grail. Sure, there are more expensive bottles and I’d have better luck finding a unicorn than finding Pappy’s at list price. If you have a discerning palette for good bourbon why would you drink liquid peat moss?
Taste testing on your own will be expensive. Find a liquor store in your area that does occasional sampling/tastings or a bar that offers flights.This message has been edited. Last edited by: PD,
February 10, 2020, 04:42 AM
Gibb
My personal favorite is the Balvenie Caribbean cask.
After aging in oak whisky barrels, it's finished in a rum barrel that gives it a slightly sweet and smoother taste.
It's not cheap, but I always keep a bottle on hand.
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February 10, 2020, 04:52 AM
GA Gator
I am a bourbon drinker and occasionally get scotch and when I do I choose a speyside. Craigellachie is really good. Macallan is good. There are a bunch of others. One thing to keep in mind the price for entry is quite a bit steeper than bourbon. Where bourbon is $30, $40, $50 a bottle good seaside is $50-$70.
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February 10, 2020, 05:37 AM
Oz_Shadow
Glenlivet 12 is a great one to start with. Macallan 12 is a step up from there. (Speyside varieties)
The smoky/peat varieties are entirely different and not recommended to start. (Islay varieties). Very different.
It’s hard to try a lot without buying full bottles but holiday packages often include tiny bottles of the longer aged versions.
February 10, 2020, 07:20 AM
V-Tail
If you would like to try some, uh, "unique" Scotch whisky (note that Scotch is "whisky," others are "whiskey" with an 'e'), I have instant karma for you if you want to stop by my hangar and pick it up.
If you don't like the taste, you can always use it as paint thinner or de-greaser.
If you want to ease into single malt whisky, I would recommend starting with Bunnahabhain which has relatively little peat smokiness but has some interesting sea air notes that will be very different from the sweet bourbon you are used to. It is unlike the neighboring Islay malts which are known to be smoky and peaty.
After Bunnahabhain, move on to Macallan for that sherry and bourbon cask layering... or maybe Glenmorangie for much of the same plus a citrus flavor on top.
If you are still in the game, you may want to go back to Islay and try Ardbeg, Lagavulin or Bowmore for that peaty punch the island is known for. You may like it, you may hate it. Personally,I love it.
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February 10, 2020, 07:52 AM
MikeinNC
The Macallan. 12 year old sherry cask. They have several different tastes including Fine Oak,Sherry, and double cask....all of them are good but I prefer the sherry finished.
It has gotten pricey, but for once in a while it’s worth it.
Glenmorangie is another good one, very light flavor.
Scotches change according to region, so BEWARE....some of them are peeeee-Tay!
Plus, never mix a single malt with anything other than water or ice....it’s a waste of good whisky. If you are mixing drinks then use a blend...famous grouse comes to mind
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February 10, 2020, 08:15 AM
Pipe Smoker
Have you considered Irish? Similar to Scotch, but without the peaty medicinal taste. I switched from Bourbon to Irish.
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February 10, 2020, 08:43 AM
Wayniac
My favorite, although not a single malt is “Grand Old Parr”. It’s slightly sweet and very easy to drink.
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February 10, 2020, 09:47 AM
46and2
As a Bourbon and Rye drinker, primarily, I like:
Balvenie Doublewood 12
Glenfiddich 12
Glenmorangie 10
The Macallan 12
Red Breast 12 for Irish
February 10, 2020, 11:53 AM
Ronin1069
quote:
Scotches change according to region, so BEWARE....some of them are peeeee-Tay!
As a none-scotch guy, when you say “petey”, is the the near lysterine taste I get with some scotches, including expensive one?
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February 10, 2020, 12:00 PM
lyman
quote:
Originally posted by 46and2: As a Bourbon and Rye drinker, primarily, I like:
Balvenie Doublewood 12
Glenfiddich 12
Glenmorangie 10
The Macallan 12
Red Breast 12 for Irish
Balvenie doublewood is mightly tasty,
my go to favorite is Caol Ila, but it is very very smokey,
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February 10, 2020, 01:11 PM
YellowJacket
Macallan and Dalwhinnie.
I am not really into smoky, earthy, or peaty scotches. Dalwhinnie is technically both a speyside and a highland scotch and, while it has a bit of smokiness, is more crisp and fruity and malty.
Macallan is a little less smoky. There is a double cask Macallan that I keep around in a 375 (simply because I don't drink it very often at all) that I like because it has more of an oaky spiciness along with a lot of the rich, sweet bourbon flavors like toffee and caramel.
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February 10, 2020, 01:24 PM
sig operator
Glenlivet 12 y.o. Johnny Walker Black Dewars 12 y.o. Chevas Regal 12 y.o.
These are usually available in miniatures, so you can try them without a great expense. Find what you like and do not like and let us know. Then we will make more suggestions from your tastes.
This is a good question! For my taste, there is "peaty" which is an earthy or medicinal taste that comes from the waterused in the distillation... most often a stream that comes to the distillery after seeping through a peat bog. Not as unpleasant as it sounds... your mileage may vary, a difference of opinion makes a horse race, to each his own... etc. Etc. Etc.
Then there is "peat smoke" which is an earthy aroma taste/odor in single malt Scotch that varies greatly from campfire smoke, hardwood smoke or any other kind of smoke you get from a fireplace.
Both of these conditions carry phenols through to the finished whisky... and give it a particular flavor.
As I understand it, some persons are more sensitive to these phenols than others and don't find the smell and taste pleasant. I am not one of these people. If you have unopened bottles of Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Kilchoman or Bunnahabhain... send them my way. Laphroaig you can keep... because I draw the smoke line just short of Laphroaig.
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February 10, 2020, 04:52 PM
GT-40DOC
As a devout Bourbon drinker, I find NO scotch to be palatable!!! It tastes like a very poor grade of moonshine to me!! YMMV
February 10, 2020, 05:04 PM
46and2
It all has a slight Medicinal taste to me, all Scotches. Peat or Iodine or something ever so slightly skanky.
Even the best Scotch tastes like delicious medicine, to me.
Bourbon, while also being called medicine in a more loose colloquial sense, doesn't taste anything like any medicine I've ever tasted.
