Scotch. Scotchy scotch scotch.

[KingNerd]

I'm just dipping my toes into properly nosing, tasting and generally developing a feel of Scotch. My first true bottle that I bought, nothing really expensive, was this.

http://liquorama.net/dewars-aberfel...480&gpla=pla&gclid=COPdrKvwpskCFdgVgQod5uMFDA

I decided to give it a try after having seen several great movies and shows prominently feature my favorite characters drinking Scotch and talking about it. This led to research which seemed to be full of connoisseurs that were just as, if not more picky, as wine drinkers are known to be. I really want to try a bottle of this.

http://www.liquorama.net/lagavulin-16-year-old-islay-single-malt-scotch-750ml.html

I tried it last night as recommended, I have yet to try it slightly watered down as recommended in some places to "kill the burn" with a teaspoon of water, I tasted it at room temperature with no ice or anything like that which is supposedly overkill on the watering down of the drink. I sipped it, enough to cover my tongue but not enough to drown my tongue in nothing but alchohol flavor, I tried different levels of "sipping" to see if I was doing it wrong but I don't think I was.

I've got to say, it's harsh, doesn't taste good at all and literally has a smokey taste/smell/feel to it like everybody says BUT I'm having problems smelling anything other than the alchohol or tasting anything in particular. I was hoping for a variety of flavors that I could try to sift through but the overwhelming harshness of the, I guess, iodine flavor of the whiskey made me almost a little queasy after the third sip.

I'm beginning to wonder if these "specialists" are just making up shit or if since I'm new to the flavor (and thus still have all my taste buds that have yet to be murdered by this stuff) I can't pick out the specifics.

Random post I know, who's a scotch guy here give me some advice!

 

[Phil]

I am not a scotch guy but my dad is, he loves Glenlivet, I think when it comes to drinking stuff like scotch or vodka or any kind of straight liquor you have to give it time and even after that you must drink it anyways because lets face it nothing is more cool than a man with a real drink in his hand!!

Or you could water it down and just act like your drinking straight scotch that way you still get drunk and look cool!

 

[Soven Taliesyn]

All those tastes and smells are from the true enthusiast.

Think of it this way, either tea or soda pop, if you drink a lot of either you'll be able to tell the differences between different brands. Same thing with wine and scotch connoisseurs.

I tried scotch once (my best friend likes the stuff), I found it foul and horrific. Like beer it's an acquired taste. One that you have to acquire a lack of taste whatsoever just to tolerate.

If you really want to get started on scotch. I would ask the true enthusiasts which is a better, not to expensive one you can ease yourself into. Other than that.....you could just give up the idea and move on.

 

[chrizz]

moved to Off Topic :D (sry scotch isn't really Star Citizen, or is it?)

 

[KingNerd]

moved to Off Topic :D (sry scotch isn't really Star Citizen, or is it?)

Didn't know there was an off topic lol! Thanks for moving it, my bad :)

 

[Soven Taliesyn]

Didn't realize alcohol is off topic for test. :D

 

[CSTalon]

Not a Scotch guy, i had a small incident with whiskey in college, and am now unable to drink anything along those lines..

BUT! I have a buddy who is a fanatic for the stuff, and his favorite thing recently has become Octomore:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/bruichladdich/bruichladdich-octomore-5-year-old-scottish-barley-whisky/

not sure its your speed, but might be worth a look.

 

[TexasSkulls]

My friend and I both love scotch, but we have 2 entirely different approaches. He will pour a glass at room temperature and with no ice at all. He loves it that way; I hate it. I like mine slightly chilled and watered down. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is with actual scotch ice cubes, i.e. the giant square or ball ones. Because you're using a single cube, and it has less surface area but more volume than many smaller ice cubes, it will not melt nearly as fast. You're left with a slightly chilled, slightly watered down glass of pure greatness! Try it that way before you give up on scotch!

 

[MzHartz]

I love scotch. But I also like the taste of liquor.

Whether or not I put ice in my scotch depends on how lazy I am that day really. I never do water, if I want water, I just do an ice cube instead. I think it's easier to drink with an ice cube than straight and warm.

I would recommend Jameson Gold or Scapa. I think both are smooth and easier to drink for someone who doesn't have a taste for scotch yet. Neither are peaty.

Although, maybe you just don't like scotch?

 

[KingNerd]

I love scotch. But I also like the taste of liquor.

Whether or not I put ice in my scotch depends on how lazy I am that day really. I never do water, if I want water, I just do an ice cube instead. I think it's easier to drink with an ice cube than straight and warm.

I would recommend Jameson Gold or Scapa. I think both are smooth and easier to drink for someone who doesn't have a taste for scotch yet. Neither are peaty.

Although, maybe you just don't like scotch?

I'm going to try the kind I have tonight which is "peaty" as they say in descriptions of it with ice. Perhaps I just don't like peaty and in that case, if I don't get used to it I'll stop drinking it lol. I will try it for a week or two, one glass a night to see if I can catch the taste. I'll also get a second bottle, something you recommended, and see if perhaps it's the peaty part or the entire scotch part that I don't like lol

 

[WarrenPeace]

It's not that I don't like scotch. It's just that I'll drink most anything before scotch.

 

[MzHartz]

I'm going to try the kind I have tonight which is "peaty" as they say in descriptions of it with ice. Perhaps I just don't like peaty and in that case, if I don't get used to it I'll stop drinking it lol. I will try it for a week or two, one glass a night to see if I can catch the taste. I'll also get a second bottle, something you recommended, and see if perhaps it's the peaty part or the entire scotch part that I don't like lol

A scotch is peaty when it smells like a magic marker.

 

[EpilepticCricket]

The single best way to find out what you like and don't like is to drink it.

I'd recommend going to a bar (a nice bar like a cigar lounge or some other similarly low-key, classy place) and talking with the bartender. A good friendly bartender will be willing to do half shots so you can try different things. Take notes and ask questions. Learn about flavor profiles. A good bartender knows his drinks!

There's nothing I hate more than buying a bottle of something on a recommendation, only to discover that I don't like it. Scotch can get very expensive (Johnnie Walker Blue anyone?) you don't want to be stuck with something you can't drink. There's also 5 different kinds of scotch. Just because you don't like a single malt doesn't mean you don't like Scotch. It means you don't like that single malt. Try a blended grain, or a blended malt, or a different single malt!!

I'm a bourbon and whiskey man myself, but Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, and Wild Turkey all taste like bottom shelf swill to me. That doesn't mean they're bad or that I don't like bourbon. It means I don't like _those_ bourbons.

The exact same thing goes for wine, whiskey (or whisky if you prefer), tequila, vodka, rum, soda, bottled water, fruit juice (you wouldn't avoid fresh apple juice just because you don't like Bolthouse Farms would you?), and literally every other drink ever made.

Hope this helps you in your search and let us know what you find that you like!

 

[MzHartz]

The single best way to find out what you like and don't like is to drink it.

I'd recommend going to a bar (a nice bar like a cigar lounge or some other similarly low-key, classy place) and talking with the bartender. A good friendly bartender will be willing to do half shots so you can try different things. Take notes and ask questions. Learn about flavor profiles. A good bartender knows his drinks!

There's nothing I hate more than buying a bottle of something on a recommendation, only to discover that I don't like it. Scotch can get very expensive (Johnnie Walker Blue anyone?) you don't want to be stuck with something you can't drink. There's also 5 different kinds of scotch. Just because you don't like a single malt doesn't mean you don't like Scotch. It means you don't like that single malt. Try a blended grain, or a blended malt, or a different single malt!!

Good points!

I found out which scotches I liked from having a bartender that let me try them. (I did the same with vodka, cognac, and tequila.) I'd try a couple different shots every week. We also have an irish pub in town that has scotch flights and sometimes holds scotch tastings.

The two I recommended are expensive. But you won't be stuck with something you can't drink. If you don't like them, feel free to send them to me.

They're also both single malt because that's what I prefer. I have a friend who prefers blended. I actually have to be careful of the ingredients in blended, but the ones I have had I still find very tasty.

 

[Drakewulf]

Got to agree that a big lump of ice does it for me too! Lagavulin is a cracking choice so stick with it my friend. If you can find a bottle, Oban is also really nice too.

If all else fails, gin calls.....................but no cucumber - I hate cucumber in my gin!!

 

[Egriz]

Whiskey snob here. I hope you people aren't talking about taking actual shots of scotch. You'll make me cry.

Macallan 12 is a good starting point. Glenfiddich 12 is another good one that won't break the bank. Lower cost than Macallan.

Neat.

 

[CSTalon]

Whiskey snob here. I hope you people aren't talking about taking actual shots of scotch. You'll make me cry.

Macallan 12 is a good starting point. Glenfiddich 12 is another good one that won't break the bank. Lower cost than Macallan.

Neat.

Do heffalumps and woozles come in onzles and twozels to gobble the whiskey you prize?

 

[EpilepticCricket]

Whiskey snob here. I hope you people aren't talking about taking actual shots of scotch. You'll make me cry.

Macallan 12 is a good starting point. Glenfiddich 12 is another good one that won't break the bank. Lower cost than Macallan.

Neat.

Lol. No, I'm not intending for anyone to shoot scotch. But, generally speaking, a half a shot is enough to make an initial judgement on weather you'll like a drink.

I'm also a fan of Glenfiddich. Have you tried their Bourbon Barrel Reserve? I've been meaning to get a bottle, but haven't yet.

 

[Barthanes]

*opinion*
Half glass of ice, two fingers of at least 12yr Single Malt. Speyburn or Glenlivet. Smooth.

 

[MzHartz]

Whiskey snob here. I hope you people aren't talking about taking actual shots of scotch. You'll make me cry.

Oh god no! What a waste of money that would be...