Whisky and Scotch Recommendations

Ranger Rick wrote:

Looking forward to trying it!

#WhiskyAdvent came and went, and it was glorious. If you want to read all of my notes, I posted every day to Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RangerRick/statu...

Anyone here trying an infinity bottle?

A refresher: The concept of the Infinity Bottle is so named because as long you have whiskey in the bottle, at least a few drops of that very first whiskey remain. You add as you go, pouring in few ounces here and a few there, and the flavor of the whiskey changes with every pour. You’d think adding just a little bit of whiskey to the whole of your blend wouldn’t change it much, but most of the time, you’d be wrong. It’s never the same, and as long as you keep adding to it, it’s bottomless.

I got a decanter for Christmas, so I'm giving it a shot, as it seems like the perfect way to handle all the bottles with a splash or two remaining. Started with some High West bourbon as a base, added some Glenmorangie, Penderyn, and Ardbeg Corryvreckan over the time since, and I'm digging it. It's fun. Got something slightly smokey with some honey hints at the moment.

Just bought one. We'll see. I'm excited.

Another good thing to do with the dregs is make egg nog or sangria. Even if it's high quality whiskey, you just end up with high quality drinks.

Ran out of scotch so while me and wife were at dinner we sauntered into a beverage shop that was next door and I found Belvanie (probably my favorite scotch brand right now) double wood for a really good price. Very much looking forward to trying it out.

For Christmas, my wife told me to pick up a more-expensive-than-usual bottle of scotch for myself. I did a quick search for recommendations and wound up grabbing a bottle of Auchentoshan Three Wood. It's really good! Definitely sweeter and smoother than most scotches I've had, but very tasty.

I also wanted to try mixing bourbon in my annual carton of egg nog instead of the usual spiced rum, since bourbon seems to be the more popular mixer. I didn't want to get anything expensive, so I found an article ranking some under-$15 bourbons, and found two of the top five. Old Grandad was decent, but pretty strong tasting. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is really good, especially for $13. Totally drinkable neat, and at that price, I don't mind drinking it more often. I tend to be stingy about drinking more expensive stuff. I might try the Evan Williams black label next, which is cheaper and also supposed to be good.

Evan black is my table whiskey. It is great for the price.

I tend to semi-regularly find Maker's 46 or Woodford Rye on sale for $27 or so, and, at that price, I've never found anything to beat them. They're both incredibly tasty, and still have enough of that bourbon/rye edge to them I don't forget what I'm drinking.

I got a bottle of 1792 Full Proof for the holidays and it is worth. I think it has usurped Noah's Mill as my favorite bourbon. It is very spicy and strong.

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Anyone here trying an infinity bottle?

That sounds simultaneously disturbing and intriguing.

Fredrik_S wrote:

Ran out of scotch so while me and wife were at dinner we sauntered into a beverage shop that was next door and I found Belvanie (probably my favorite scotch brand right now) double wood for a really good price. Very much looking forward to trying it out.

That Balvenie Double Wood is one of my favorites. Their Caribbean Cask is also very tasty.

I spent last night playing CK2 and sipping my way toward the end of my bottle of anCnoc 12. Once I polish off that bottle and the rest of my Glenfiddich 12, I'll have to make a resupply run. I'm thinking of grabbing a new (to me) Islay, perhaps some Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, or Bowmore, along with some Bourbon. A friend of mine from work has suggested that I try Caol Ila, but I've never seen that on the shelf at my local store.

Also: did you know that obirano's google doc from the OP of this thread is still out there? It was started in 2010 and hasn't been updated since 2015.

That Caribbean Cask is outstandingly delicious.

I had that at a dinner out a few weeks ago. It was very tasty. I almost got a bottle of that instead, but decided to try something new.

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Anyone here trying an infinity bottle?

Yep! I bought a decanter back in November for this purpose. So far, these are the whiskeys I've contributed to it, in the order they were added:

Knob Creek 100
Jameson black barrel
Gentleman jack
Wild turkey 101
Elijah Craig

I received a bottle of Highland Park for Xmas, and even though I really like it, it's quite peaty, and I've decided not to pour any peaty scotch into my infinity bottle. Everything else is fair game.

Chaz wrote:

For Christmas, my wife told me to pick up a more-expensive-than-usual bottle of scotch for myself. I did a quick search for recommendations and wound up grabbing a bottle of Auchentoshan Three Wood. It's really good! Definitely sweeter and smoother than most scotches I've had, but very tasty.

During the holiday break from work, a friend and I were at a local bar that we've been to many times. I was browsing the scotches on the shelf for something new, and Auchentoshan Three Wood caught my eye. So, of course, I got a dram of it, and it was delicious! I definitely intend to buy a bottle at some point.

Hrdina wrote:

That Balvenie Double Wood is one of my favorites. Their Caribbean Cask is also very tasty.

While I was at the liquor store about a month ago, I noticed a sample pack of three Balvenie whiskeys (image) that included the double wood and Carribean cask. They were all very good, especially the Carribean.

Hrdina wrote:

I'm thinking of grabbing a new (to me) Islay, perhaps some Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, or Bowmore, along with some Bourbon.

Have you tried an Islay scotch before? I've only recently gotten into scotch/bourbon as I've been trying everything I can get my hands on because I want to brew up a whiskey stout so need to find the perfect one to use (that's my excuse anyway). Anyway, I'm only asking because I would definitely say to try it somewhere that does tastings before committing to a bottle. I was at a bar a couple weeks ago that did flight whiskey tastings and I picked 3 at random and one was from Islay. I could barely drink it. I had to pretty much throw in all the ice I had to get through it (didn't want to waste it! ). Definitely not something I would try again. It was like drinking a glass of iodine. After words I googled it and apparently that's the trademark of an Islay whiskey. Some people like it, but it just wasn't for me.

Chaz wrote:

I also wanted to try mixing bourbon in my annual carton of egg nog instead of the usual spiced rum, since bourbon seems to be the more popular mixer.

Fun fact- Spiked eggnog can be aged. A few years back I made a batch of eggnog with rum, cognac, and bourbon, courtesy of this fine gentleman- Alton Brown's aged eggnog Was amazingly smooth when we removed it from the back of the fridge and cracked it open for Christmas a year later.

Apologies if this has already been posted.

Watched this on Amazon last night. Really well done.

Neat - The Story of Bourbon

Vega wrote:
Hrdina wrote:

I'm thinking of grabbing a new (to me) Islay, perhaps some Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, or Bowmore, along with some Bourbon.

Have you tried an Islay scotch before? I've only recently gotten into scotch/bourbon as I've been trying everything I can get my hands on because I want to brew up a whiskey stout so need to find the perfect one to use (that's my excuse anyway). Anyway, I'm only asking because I would definitely say to try it somewhere that does tastings before committing to a bottle.

If you've got a lot of spare time, you can scan backward through this thread. I've only been drinking scotch for a relatively short time, but I've tried and enjoyed a number of Islay malts - Lagavulin 16 & 8, Ardbeg 10, Kilchoman & Laphroaig, roughly in order of preference. I could buy a bottle of Lagavulin every time I go to the store and not regret it, but want to broaden my horizons a little.

I did get that same advice from other people, and started out with a glass of Lagavulin in a bar, only finding out later that my Islay experiment cost my boss $30!

JC wrote:
Chaz wrote:

I also wanted to try mixing bourbon in my annual carton of egg nog instead of the usual spiced rum, since bourbon seems to be the more popular mixer.

Fun fact- Spiked eggnog can be aged. A few years back I made a batch of eggnog with rum, cognac, and bourbon, courtesy of this fine gentleman- Alton Brown's aged eggnog Was amazingly smooth when we removed it from the back of the fridge and cracked it open for Christmas a year later.

I want to make that, but every year, I forget until it's too late. I really need to set myself a reminder on the calendar next October or something. Maybe I can finally try making glogg at the same time too.

Hrdina wrote:

That Balvenie Double Wood is one of my favorites. Their Caribbean Cask is also very tasty.

A friend of mine from work has suggested that I try Caol Ila, but I've never seen that on the shelf at my local store.

Yes! The Caribbean cask was what introduced me to Balvenie and it's my very favorite.

I can second Caol Ila. It's not as smoky as other islay and is very tasty.

Fredrik_S wrote:
Hrdina wrote:

That Balvenie Double Wood is one of my favorites. Their Caribbean Cask is also very tasty.

A friend of mine from work has suggested that I try Caol Ila, but I've never seen that on the shelf at my local store.

Yes! The Caribbean cask was what introduced me to Balvenie and it's my very favorite.

I can second Caol Ila. It's not as smoky as other islay and is very tasty.

I look forward to seeing some Caol Ila on a store shelf some day.

I ended up getting a bottle of Bowmore 15 "Darkest". I almost came home with a bottle of Bunnahabhain Port Charlotte instead (or possibly in addition).

I usually drink my scotch after dinner, but had an early glass tonight in honor of the Eagles' win. My first impressions of this bottle are very favorable. I'm looking forward to more.

Had some Talisker 18 year old recently, and was a little surprised to find that while I enjoyed it, it seemed a bit lacking in character compared with the 10 year. Beautifully smooth and certainly tasted good, but it's almost like taking off the rough edges somehow made it a less interesting drink.

Hrdina wrote:

I'm thinking of grabbing a new (to me) Islay, perhaps some Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, or Bowmore, along with some Bourbon. A friend of mine from work has suggested that I try Caol Ila, but I've never seen that on the shelf at my local store.

I have a bottle of Bunnahabhain, and it's definitely at the "Laphroig" end of the single malts - very very peaty, with an almost TCP like after taste (TCP is a disinfectant here in the UK). Just to say it's an aquired taste, and while I'm not disliking it it's unlike I'll buy it again. IN the time I've had it I've bought and finished some Talisker Port Ruighe, Jura Superstition and a bottle of Campbelltown, so it's not exactly something I'll go to above anything else. Caol ila is very nice though.

Vega wrote:
Hrdina wrote:

I'm thinking of grabbing a new (to me) Islay, perhaps some Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, or Bowmore, along with some Bourbon.

Have you tried an Islay scotch before? I've only recently gotten into scotch/bourbon as I've been trying everything I can get my hands on because I want to brew up a whiskey stout so need to find the perfect one to use (that's my excuse anyway). Anyway, I'm only asking because I would definitely say to try it somewhere that does tastings before committing to a bottle. I was at a bar a couple weeks ago that did flight whiskey tastings and I picked 3 at random and one was from Islay. I could barely drink it. I had to pretty much throw in all the ice I had to get through it (didn't want to waste it! ). Definitely not something I would try again. It was like drinking a glass of iodine. After words I googled it and apparently that's the trademark of an Islay whiskey. Some people like it, but it just wasn't for me.

Bunnahabhain 12 is a fantastic choice. It has some smoke, but it's very light compared to other Islay. They sherry comes through surprisingly well. The 18 year is very good, too, but I've only seen it in stores once.

Chaz wrote:

For Christmas, my wife told me to pick up a more-expensive-than-usual bottle of scotch for myself. I did a quick search for recommendations and wound up grabbing a bottle of Auchentoshan Three Wood. It's really good! Definitely sweeter and smoother than most scotches I've had, but very tasty.

Back in the dark days before I liked whiskey we had a bottle of that around. I kick myself now for not having enjoyed it. My wife picked it up because it’s Dooce’s favorite.

I also wanted to try mixing bourbon in my annual carton of egg nog instead of the usual spiced rum, since bourbon seems to be the more popular mixer. I didn't want to get anything expensive, so I found an article ranking some under-$15 bourbons, and found two of the top five. Old Grandad was decent, but pretty strong tasting. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is really good, especially for $13. Totally drinkable neat, and at that price, I don't mind drinking it more often. I tend to be stingy about drinking more expensive stuff. I might try the Evan Williams black label next, which is cheaper and also supposed to be good.

I have settled on Evan Williams as my go-to booze. I only drink booze neat; I give all these recipes some side-eye truth be told. And while it’s not the best-tasting ever it’s got a really satisfying flavor and I can drink a little every evening/other evening without feeling like I’m spending a lot.

I’m between booze at the moment but maybe I’ll pick some up tomorrow.

MeatMan wrote:
Chaz wrote:

For Christmas, my wife told me to pick up a more-expensive-than-usual bottle of scotch for myself. I did a quick search for recommendations and wound up grabbing a bottle of Auchentoshan Three Wood. It's really good! Definitely sweeter and smoother than most scotches I've had, but very tasty.

During the holiday break from work, a friend and I were at a local bar that we've been to many times. I was browsing the scotches on the shelf for something new, and Auchentoshan Three Wood caught my eye. So, of course, I got a dram of it, and it was delicious! I definitely intend to buy a bottle at some point.

Turns out that "some point" ended up being today. A few friends and I went to a restaurant that just opened a couple weeks ago in a nearby suburb, and before we left, I remembered that there was a good liquor store very close to where we were that I'd been to a year or two earlier. I quickly noticed that they had 3 varieties of Auchentoshan: Three Wood, Bartenders Malt, and 12 year. After browsing the rest of their scotch selection, I decided to pull the trigger on the Three Wood, which was $73.

It's darker than I remember at the bar, and it tastes even better than I remember. Subtle smoke and wood with dark, fruity notes from the two sherry casks. I'm definitely going to make this bottle last a good while.

Hrdina wrote:
Vega wrote:
Hrdina wrote:

I'm thinking of grabbing a new (to me) Islay, perhaps some Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, or Bowmore, along with some Bourbon.

Have you tried an Islay scotch before? I've only recently gotten into scotch/bourbon as I've been trying everything I can get my hands on because I want to brew up a whiskey stout so need to find the perfect one to use (that's my excuse anyway). Anyway, I'm only asking because I would definitely say to try it somewhere that does tastings before committing to a bottle.

If you've got a lot of spare time, you can scan backward through this thread. I've only been drinking scotch for a relatively short time, but I've tried and enjoyed a number of Islay malts - Lagavulin 16 & 8, Ardbeg 10, Kilchoman & Laphroaig, roughly in order of preference. I could buy a bottle of Lagavulin every time I go to the store and not regret it, but want to broaden my horizons a little.

I did get that same advice from other people, and started out with a glass of Lagavulin in a bar, only finding out later that my Islay experiment cost my boss $30!

I'll need to do that. Didn't know this thread was here until I saw the recent posts (probably just ignored it since I wasn't drinking whiskey until recently) and when I saw the mention of "Islay" and "new to me" my red flag went up. But I now I see you meant those particular brands were new to you, not Islay scotch itself.

So, I've tasted a lot over the last month or so (basically every 50ML sampler airline bottle of scotch or bourbon available in VA ABC stores) and I definitely lean towards the scotch side. There's been a few bourbons I liked, but mostly there's something just too syrupy and sweet about them. It's probably pretty pedestrian but my go to scotch at the moment is Johnnie Walker Black. It was the very first one I tried so it kind of got the whole thing started. A few weeks later we had Christmas Eve dinner at a nice restaurant and my brother-in-law and I splurged a bit and had JW Blue after dinner. It was noticeably smoother and better, but no way I'm going to spend that much on a regular basis. The regular bottle is something like $230 and I actually found one ABC store in the area that has 50ML bottles for $20 each.

Anyway, was in the shop today and found there's a Johnnie Walker Double Black, so picked it up on a whim. I also found a new 50ML I hadn't seen before that was a Macallan Double Cask 12 year so had to grab that. When I skimmed this thread earlier I thought I remembered seeing something about "cask" and "double" so thought it might be it. Now I see the actual mentions were "Balvenie double barrel" and "Balvenie Caribbean Cask", so fail on my part. Most of the sampler bottles are only a couple bucks but this one was $10 so figured it must be good. Guess we'll find out.

MeatMan wrote:

It's darker than I remember at the bar, and it tastes even better than I remember. Subtle smoke and wood with dark, fruity notes from the two sherry casks. I'm definitely going to make this bottle last a good while.

If you get your whiskey "on the rocks" at bars, I've noticed some bartenders tend to not only drop some ice cubes, but they shoot a bit of water in the glass which dilutes the color. I was at a high end restaurant the very first time I ordered a whiskey after dinner and it came in a tumbler with a giant 2 inch ice sphere and nothing else. So far, everywhere else I've ordered one it's come in a tumbler with ice chips and watered down. I'm tempted to order it neat from now on with ice on the side.

JC wrote:

Apologies if this has already been posted.

Watched this on Amazon last night. Really well done.

Neat - The Story of Bourbon

Awesome, thanks, added it to the queue. Maybe it will change my mind on bourbons.

After adding this I noticed these others as well (if you have Prime)

Scotch! The Story of Whiskey (3 parts)
and
Whiskey - The Islay Edition

I maybe didn't like the Islay scotch but I love seeing the history about these things.

I mean, the right and proper way to drink whiskey is neat with a few drops of water. Smart people tell me that making it cold just dulls the flavors (which is why Coors is supposed to be drunk ice cold so you don't actually taste it). But you do want to add a tiny bit of water to do something with the molecules that makes there be more flavor.

Chaz wrote:

I mean, the right and proper way to drink whiskey is neat with a few drops of water. Smart people tell me that making it cold just dulls the flavors (which is why Coors is supposed to be drunk ice cold so you don't actually taste it). But you do want to add a tiny bit of water to do something with the molecules that makes there be more flavor.

I prefer to start neat and then add a few drops later to see if it changes anything.

I used to occasionally put a small bit of ice into the glass, but that adds way too much water.

The box for the Bowmore 15 I just bought recommends that you warm the glass with your hands.

Ya, I'm not at that point yet. If I'm trying something new for the first time I'll always start neat just so I can taste it by itself, but after that I'll throw in some cubes to mellow it out. As a beer/wine drinker I still find most of them pretty intense on their own, but I assume that comes in time.

I got a few of those giant ice sphere molds to use those at home. The large surface area tends to mostly chill the whiskey and it melts very slow so it doesn't water it down too much, but I find it smooths it out some.

Vega wrote:
MeatMan wrote:

It's darker than I remember at the bar, and it tastes even better than I remember. Subtle smoke and wood with dark, fruity notes from the two sherry casks. I'm definitely going to make this bottle last a good while.

If you get your whiskey "on the rocks" at bars, I've noticed some bartenders tend to not only drop some ice cubes, but they shoot a bit of water in the glass which dilutes the color. I was at a high end restaurant the very first time I ordered a whiskey after dinner and it came in a tumbler with a giant 2 inch ice sphere and nothing else. So far, everywhere else I've ordered one it's come in a tumbler with ice chips and watered down. I'm tempted to order it neat from now on with ice on the side.

For the last several years, I always take my whiskey neat. I think my perceived difference in color is simply due to the bar being very well lit, plus the fact that the bar top is made of a bright metal, kind of like a fake copper color.

Chaz wrote:

I mean, the right and proper way to drink whiskey is neat with a few drops of water. Smart people tell me that making it cold just dulls the flavors (which is why Coors is supposed to be drunk ice cold so you don't actually taste it). But you do want to add a tiny bit of water to do something with the molecules that makes there be more flavor.

I follow the rule that says to only add a few drops/splash of water if the proof is 100 or higher, because doing so to a whiskey that's only 80-90 proof usually dilutes/dulls the flavor rather than enhancing it.