Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Scotch

That's classic. I'm going to have to try that.

I guess Harry Morgan will be playing Mike in Axiom: The Musical

I recently got talked into trying out scotch on another forum I frequent, and had Macallan 12 year recommended as a good starting point w/ scotch. I agree. It's smooth, has a great initial sweetness, just the right amount of heat combined with a warm honey/vanilla finish. I'm sure it's probably pretty simple for the seasoned scotch aficionado, but I like it.

I saw that head-fi link a couple weeks ago and was overwhelmed. Nevermind the amount of scotches there, the combined cost of all those scotches combined is the really overwhelming part. Good scotch is 'spensive!

Laphroaig ... my personal favorite single malt scotch. Tastes like it was aged in a smoked inner tube. Incomparable!!

Dewar's 12 is always nice.

Glenfiddich goes down smooth as well.

Just my $0.02

Scott

Hi Rick,

I am no connoisseur either but I do enjoy a glass after a dinner out or a special occasion.

The trouble with buying for somebody else is that Scotches can be extremely distinct in flavor. The differences can be so pronounced that a Scotch drinker may enjoy one brand but think another is akin to bath water. Some taste smooth, others harsh. Some taste very strongly of wood, others smoky (tobacco, not smoked meat ;-). Some seem a bit fruity, others spicy, others taste like seaweed. You could actually list flavors almost indefinately.

Oh and Yes, that's right I did say seaweed. Some Scotches actually include seaweed as an ingredient. It's subtle in some but the one bottle of Scotch I ever gave away because I didn't like it at all, tasted like sipping seaweed brine.

So, in short it helps to find out what he likes. In my area, you can not get a decent bottle of Scotch for under $50 dollars but I suspect you can where you live.

When I buy my regular Scotch to keep around the house for guests, my favorite is the $80 dollar, 18 year old Glenlivet. It is flavorful but light on the peatiness and is generally a safe bet to serve to guests who might not be brave enough to try more extremely flavored varieties.

I have also recently become a fan of Oban. It's also pretty mellow and a safe serve to guests but I'm preferring the flavor right now.

For special occasions, I'll experiment with a brand or year I have never tried yet but keep the Glenlivet nearby just in case. Experimenting with all the different extremities of tastes is part of the fun of drinking scotch.

So I can't comment much on prices but since Scotch is often flavored by the region it comes from, I'd suggest that any of the Glen....s are traditional a laess radical blend and safest for a gift purchase.

I do appreciate all the suggestions but unfortunately this little town doesn't offer most of them. I did however find Dalmore 12 so that's what I bought. From reviews it seems to be a safe bet.

Finally something i know a little bit about.

well if you're just getting started in scotch i would recommend a glenlivet 15 year old. You should be able to pick that up for about 50.

I personally prefer slightly smokier scotches. Talisker is a safe bet if you want a slightly smoky, but still very smooth single malt. It is beginner friendly as well, but will cost you 70+.

If you want extra smoky you can go with either an ardbeg or a lavagulin. The lavagulin is like a cigar in a glass. And remember good scotch is best drank near in a snifter glass at room temperature or slightly above it. Some like to put in a few drops of water to help release the aroma, but i do not do this.

Murph.. I agree about the glenlivet it is always a safe bet. If you haven't tried yet I recommend talisker. It is like a mix of a 18 year old glenlivet and an ardbeg.

As far as the seaweed. I remember the first time i drank Belvenie. I thought i was drinking sea water. I hated it.... but learned to love it. Some scotches are an aquired taste.

Yup, I've bought a bottle of Taliskers or two in my time. I enjoy it. it's about as smoky as I like to get though. A cigar in a bottle has yet to become an acquired taste for me.
I have not yet tried Ardberg, but it is time to purchase my Christmas bottle, so you have just saved me some decision time at the shelf.