My brother (who doesn’t care for it either) and I, along with our wives, will soon be touring Scotland in a rental minivan. We’re doing a Scotch whiskey tour in Edinburgh, and will visit some distilleries around the country. I’m not sure if it’s the peat that we struggle with…probably. If I’m not mistaken, the primary difference between Irish and Scotch is the peat smoke. I like some Irish, and always have a Redbreast 12 on hand. Scotch Whiskys we might seek out? My brother’s father-in-law was a Scotch drinker and his favorite was Oban; both of us have tried it and thought it was good. As it happens we’re spending a night there. I’m rambling, sorry. Any advice?

I like to keep it simple, a little bit of most is good. This eve I’ve had beer, rum & whiskey, no reason to discriminate. Punta Cana will do that to you.

Luv a fine scotch but am not a fan of peat. You will want to focus your tasting to the Highlands and Speyside varieties................

I also love scotch but find that the heavily peated ones taste like band aids. I prefer Highlands and Speysides

The Macallan doesn’t taste like peat. when my taste fully recovers I will enjoy a double.

I'm sorry for the hardship you have to go through.

I heard there's a whisky there that's banned; you can try some.

Dalwhinnie is the scotch I tell people to try if they don't like scotch. The distillery is about 100mi north of Edinburgh. It is "the highest" of the Highlands distilleries with water from a loch at over 2000' ASL.

Scotch is very different depending on the regions. Ask for some Speyside varieties. Run from Islay.

Macallan, Glendronach, and Abelour are three Speyside whiskies that are mainly aged in Sherry barrels and do not have any peat except for special editions. You'll want to avoid Islay whiskies like Lagavulin, Laphroig, or Ardbeg as they will be heavily peated and smoky whiskies.

For basic entry level single malt stuff, it's hard to go wrong with Glenlivit or Glenfiddich. If you don't mind blended whisky (malt and grain), Johnny Walker has a large variety to try.

For a sample of every style, Oban and Talisker seem to capture Scotland in a bottle with a little from everywhere.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
The Macallan doesn’t taste like peat. when my taste fully recovers I will enjoy a double.

I have a bottle of Macallan 12, I can’t say I like it. Maybe it’s not the peat.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I'm sorry for the hardship you have to go through.

I heard there's a whisky there that's banned; you can try some.

I hear the tone of your voice, but the post was only about sampling Scotch whisky. The trip itself, will be spectacular, and we are all getting really excited.

Generally most lowlands and highland scotches don't have peat. Glenmorangie, glen moray, glendonarch.

If you're going to be in Edinburgh check out the Edinburgh Gin Company very fun time.

Talisker is one of those brands that I always have on hand. Highland Park 12 is the other. Both have a touch of peat and smoke, but its well balanced and doesn't overpower the whisky. Islay brands are not all peat bombs. Bowmore and Bunnahabhian come to mind. For the highlands Glenmorangie Quinta Ruben is one of my very favorites. It like the Bunnahabhian 12 has an almost sweet cognac finish.

Many many scotches aren’t peated. Many are aged in sherry casks. I love peat but dislike sherry.

Assuming you liked the Oban 14 you’re ok with a lightly peated malt to a point. Where it becomes too much is something you’ll have to figure out. Oban 14 is aged in ex bourbon casks.

There are two Macallan 12 yrs. Both are sherried.

Others have suggested Glenmorangie and Dalwhinnie. Those are very good light bodied inoffensive pours at the entry level.

If you’re interested in trying different scotches on your trip find a well stocked bar or shop and let them know what you like and what you don’t like. Knowledgeable staff can use that info to point you in the right direction and many place will let you sample or take half pours as part of a flight. You want to avoid anything more than lightly peated and probably anything with more than a moderate sherry influence. That leaves plenty of scotch to try.

The Glenmorangie I mentioned is finished in a port cask. The Glenmorangie Lasanta is finished in a sherry butt, but I don't think that one is as good. I've always had Lagavulin 16 as my special occasion bottle, but I think when it runs out Remy Martin XO is going to replace it. The one peat bomb I play with on occasion is Ardbeg Uigeadail. But, I only get that when I find a righteous sale.

quote:

Originally posted by berto:
Many many scotches aren’t peated. Many are aged in sherry casks. I love peat but dislike sherry.

I'm the opposite. Prefer the sherry casked, can tolerate regular scotch, and dislike the peet.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
The Macallan doesn’t taste like peat. when my taste fully recovers I will enjoy a double.

I have a bottle of Macallan 12, I can’t say I like it. Maybe it’s not the peat.

If you don't like Macallan, it's definitely not the peat.

Two years ago I discovered Highland Park 12 year. It is smokey/peat, but not overpowering like Laughroig.

There are graphs online to help decide on a Scotch.

If you’re looking for distillery to visit, I’d suggest Glenfarclas. Great location, great whiskies. Near the town of Aberlour.