I am not a Scotch drinker, I have had it, but not something that is on my go-to list. Hell, I barely drink at all anymore....but, I have an attorney that I send a lot of cases to that each year, as a thanks, gets me a bottle of scotch. I very nice gesture (and I dont care if it is rot gut and top shelf) and it is appreciated for the thought, but being I know nothing about scotch, should I serve this to guests, i would like to know something about them.

One is Glenlivet 12yr Single Malt and the other is Johnnie Walker 12yr "Black Label". Inform away.

Personally, the Glenlivet 12yo is a good standard scotch that can be served neat or on the rocks.

The Johnny is better for someone that wants a mixed drink, scotch and soda, or to be served after a few glasses of the Glenlivet (after two pours, I doubt I could tell the difference, and probably wouldn't care if I did! )

I wouldn't call either of them spectacular, but they're both good. Your guests will appreciate them.

Personally, I prefer a Macallan 12yr or 15yr. Occasionally I'll break out the Aberlour 12yr or The Dalmore 15yr. Good stuff.

Not a Scotch connoisseur by any means, but I know that Glenlivet 12 is from the Speyside region. I consider it a good "basic" single malt Scotch. You can also get Glenlivet at 15, 18, and 21 year ages (with the price going up exponentially )

I'm not familiar with the Johnny Walker brand, but am pretty sure they are "blended".

Just as an aside, a good Scotch is to be enjoyed neat, or with a little ice, to be sipped and savored. When I have guests over, if they intend to use whisky to make a drink or toss back a shot, I do not give them good Scotch.

Yes, suitable for serving to guests. Neither the best nor the worst.

Mr. kablammo stated what I would have said.

Any Glen . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GNoto7sVRc

Pretty much as mentioned above those are middle of the road (taste) Scotches.
I would put Macallan on that list but maybe a step up.
Good for safe gifts as individual tastes can vary.
As opposed to a "Peaty" Ardbeg or Laphroiag which are "great" but an acquired taste that not all Scotch drinkers appreciate.
Hey, it's Scotch ~ what could be bad?

quote:

Originally posted by Gibb:
Personally, the Glenlivet 12yo is a good standard scotch that can be served neat or on the rocks.

The Johnny is better for someone that wants a mixed drink, scotch and soda, or to be served after a few glasses of the Glenlivet (after two pours, I doubt I could tell the difference, and probably wouldn't care if I did! )

Took the words right out of my mouth.

JW Black is my go-to mixing Scotch when I want a Scotch and Ginger Ale.

Glenlivet is a single malt, which means all the whisky came from one batch of malted grain. As said, it is good whisky, if not spectacular to afficionados. It is mild in flavor, and somewhat light.

The Johnnie Walker is a blend, which means it can come from different batches of malt. This makes it easier for the distillery to make a consistent product. It is also a good whisky, if not spectacular.

Scotch snobs prefer single malts. But blends can be very good. One thing about single malts is that some have some very distinct flavors.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jhe888,

You guys are Awesome! Thank for the info!!

jhe nailed it. Don’t be embarrassed to serve either but don’t expect anyone to be wowed by them.

quote:

Originally posted by zipriderson:
Any Glen . .

Glen Miller, Glen Campbell . . .

(I have been waiting for a long time to use that line)

Islay fan myself, but the dew of the glen should be always appreciated in whatever malting....

Johnnie Walker Black is actually a sipping Scotch. It's the Johnnie Walker Red that is intended for mixed drinks. There is actually a rather wide range of Johnnie Walker Scotches. While I am certain that I'll probably miss a few you have in price low to high the Red, Black, Double Black, Green, Blue, and probably a Platinum somewhere in the mix. BTW, there are also a multitude of the Johnnie Walker Blue. The run of the mill Blue usually retails for about 200 dollars per fifth but there have been some special reserve releases of the Blue that can fetch 50,000 dollars per fifth. That's the thing about Blended Scotches, some variants may have a fair bit of whiskey that is pulled from a 100 year old or older cask.

Personally, I cannot tell the difference between the Double Black and the Blue so I naturally gravitate to the Double Black. However if the budget is a bit pinched a bottle of the standard Black can stand in quite well. For me the major difference between the two is the Double Black just a tiny bit smoother going down.

BTW, my BIL has a bottle of Jameson's Special Reserve that is only available in the factory store that is the smoothest whiskey that I have ever experienced. Those looking for an alternative to Scotch or Bourbon may want to consider trying a premium Irish Whiskey because some are excellent.

PS; this thread is one I probably shouldn't have wandered into. Because until the Cariologist says I am 100% healed from my Heart Surgery I have to be 100% alcohol free. Note, I'm hoping that will happen in mid January. At that point I'll be in a bit of a quandary as to what to break the fast with. One option is a shot of Double Black, the second option is a shot of Blanton's Single Cask.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
One option is a shot of Double Black, the second option is a shot of Blanton's Single Cask.

Hope you are cleared soon and have a complete recovery.

I just had a discussion about Blanton’s with my doc yesterday. I feel safe in saying Blanton’s is doctor recommended.

It’s filtered through dead people and critters. Bourbon isn’t.

It’s also an acquired taste.

What does Glenlivet taste like for someone really only familiar with Jack Daniels?

Like others have said, Glenlivet is a middle of the road single while the black is actually a great blend- but not for mixing....johnnie red is fine for mixing...

xxxxxxxxxxxx

For gift giving:

The Macallan 12- single malt....not peaty, nice favors, do not mix it , it's meant to be drank neat or with a dash of mineral water or one ice cube

The Macallan-Fine Oak 10yo...

If you know they guy likes smokey flavored..Johnnie Walker DOUBLE black

it's bad form to mix scotch so If you are not sure then just ask!

When I had my stroke, one of my co-workers brought me a bottle of Dewars-The Ancient (I think it's 12yo) and after the doc said I could imbibe again, it was suprisingly good with a chunk of ice..

There are a lot of whisky's out there from blechhhh to OMG this tastes like a giant took a piss thru a tire that was on fire and drained thru a swamp...into this glass....

and there are some that will taste like a mix of almond, fruit, maybe some wine flavor and have the color of amber and honey in the sunshine...

enjoy!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeinNC,

Glennlivett 12 year is a good scotch and my favorite (unless you go to 15/18 year).

Johnny walker black is liked by some people and has a following that's fairly strong......but to me it's like the Bacardi of the rum world......a name and it tastes like turpentine. It's a blended scotch.....