Noob to Scotch Whiskey

[Zmilin]

I've never been a spirits drinker, at least not neat or on the rocks. I've mixed and enjoyed but only recently have I ventured out of my comfort zone.
I've been smoking more now that I have a place to go and a buddy has been there with me in my resurrected cigar hobby. Well, he and his SO we're with me on night and I had something on the rocks and it wasn't bad but it wasn't a good experience overall.
FF to a vacation in Cancun where I decided if I was going to try I might as well do it where I didn't have to worry about wasting it (all inclusive resort). That week I had more Johnny Walker Red on the rocks than I care to look back upon, then through Duty Free I decided to pick up a bottle of JW Blue.
Well shit! Turns out it's not so bad and I kinda like it BUT that JW Blue is pricey stuff.

So...how about some recommendations for a noob to build a pallet for some good stuff. I need it to be smooth and easy drinking because if it burns I wont like it

Have at it!

 

[JDog]

Glenmorangie Original

It pairs well with a cigar and little peat. Basically it's priced well, has some richness while not having too much smoky. It's my go-to everyday single malt scotch.

 

[sean]

Glenmorangie Original

It pairs well with a cigar and little peat. Basically it's priced well, has some richness while not having too much smoky. It's my go-to everyday single malt scotch.

I also like Glenlivet and Glenfidich for the same reasons.

 

[99TRILLS]

Glenmorangie Original

It pairs well with a cigar and little peat. Basically it's priced well, has some richness while not having too much smoky. It's my go-to everyday single malt scotch.

This is my go to scotch as well. It's got a lot of flavor for the price point.

 

[StocktonJohn]

Highland Park. ..great easy drinking scotch.

 

[Monsterdg]

Johnny Walker makes good stuff in general, I went to a tasting of theirs once and they let us taste each Scotch in the blend (for black). Great education.

Red and Blue are night & day. Red is made to be mixed (cola, etc.). Blue is their top end. Black is good, I personally like Green (said to be discontinued but still available in the wild).

I'm mostly a bourbon guy, but try Glenmorangie 10, it's not over powering and widely available for a good price (~$30). Good place to start.

 

[Jmphotog]

Bowmore 12 is one of my favs .. Drink it neat.. If needed with a stone

 

[jcolan1]

I've been interested in getting in the Whiskey as well. A cousin, some friends, and I plan on starting a little whiskey club which will hopefully ease me into it. I used to dislike red wine, now I love it. Some things are better when you get a proper introduction in to it. Since my whiskey club hasn't started, I too would be interested to hear what you guys think is a good starting point.

 

[crperkins]

Talisker 18yr
By far my favorite to date.

 

[Smoqman]

Talisker 18yr
By far my favorite to date.

It's an acquired taste for some, but I couldn't agree more. Talisker is an often overlooked and underrated, top-notch Scotch Whiskey.

 

[rfraser]

Talisker 18yr
By far my favorite to date.

It's an acquired taste for some, but I couldn't agree more. Talisker is an often overlooked and underrated, top-notch Scotch Whiskey.

I am going to have to try out Talisker.
And my everyday is Glenlivet 12. I once got to try MacCallens (sp?) 25. Wow! That was so damn smooth, but its pricey, like $660!

 

[Jesse]

Glenmorangie Original

It pairs well with a cigar and little peat. Basically it's priced well, has some richness while not having too much smoky. It's my go-to everyday single malt scotch.

I also like Glenlivet and Glenfidich for the same reasons.

Glenlivet 12 yr is one of my favorites and always have a bottle at home. Costco sometimes has them for about $27 a bottle, if you have a Trader Joe's by you they normally have it in stock for about $23 a bottle.

I'm also a fan of Macallan 18 yr & 25 yr.

Johnny Walker makes good stuff in general, I went to a tasting of theirs once and they let us taste each Scotch in the blend (for black). Great education.

Red and Blue are night & day. Red is made to be mixed (cola, etc.). Blue is their top end. Black is good, I personally like Green (said to be discontinued but still available in the wild).

I'm mostly a bourbon guy, but try Glenmorangie 10, it's not over powering and widely available for a good price (~$30). Good place to start.

What he said, red is the bottom and blue is the top end. Personally I like black and blue the best, I have yet to try green.

 

[dpricenator]

Balvenie Double wood
& Balvenie Carribean Cask

Good stuff, and due to the differnet woods used in the aging/finishing barrels it has some great rum notes that don't show up in you r standard Sherry cask scotch.

 

[Clint]

Easy...Buy several bottles of 18 year old or higher, and send them to me. I will sample each one, and make a recommendation on which ones to purchase....

Seriously. The Glenlivet 18 has to be the best bang for buck at a little over $40.

 

[StogieNinja]

It all depends on what you want to drink. Find out what you had with your buddy, that'll help, and tell us what you liked and what you didn't like about it. What do you like better about the JW, and what do you wish you could change?

Honestly, if you're looking for "smooth and easy drinking with no burn", scotch may not be for you. A Canadian whisky or Irish whisky might be more what you're looking for. I'm no connoisseur, but my favorite scotches are favorites because of the warmth and complexity they bring!

That being said, like cigars, it can take a while to develop a palate for the stuff, so push through no matter what! As you drink more of it, you'll grow to appreciate the burn and the complexity they can offer. In fact, I'd recommend buying a bottle of Lagavulin, and trying a dram every so often as you sample other bottles. Over time, you'll find that your palate is beginning to appreciate it!

In terms of recommendations for smooth and easy drinking single malt, look for highland or lowland scotches... the Islays are (as a generalization) more peaty and have more of a burn to them. Glenlivet 12 is a very affordable single malt that's very approachable. Glenmoragie and Dalwhinnie are also both fairly mild and smooth and not bad price-wise. The older they are the (as another generalization) smoother they get, so if you can afford the higher years, go for it.

And remember, my recommendations come with the StogieNinja Scotch Guarantee: if you try a scotch and dislike it, I will drink it for you!

 

[Zmilin]

Well...
We've been frequenting Smokey Joes lately (the Wa guys will know about this place) and the night I decided to heed the advice of my buddy I asked for a taste of the Blantons (technically a bourbon I think). One of the guys that works there made the comment that it was a shame to spoil it by mixing. I can't say I enjoyed it.

Later that night my buddy had me taste the JW Blue he was drinking and it was smoother than most whiskey I had up to that point (which wasn't much).
FF to Cancun and it was cup full of JW red over ice. After a week of that I started getting used to it and even the bite at the end wasn't bad.

JW Blue is much smoother. I can say that now that I have a reference. It doesn't burn like the red did at all. Its very enjoyable expect for the price tag. Thats what Id like to change... the price. If I could find something enjoyable that won't kill the wallet per shot that would be good.

We were at Smokey Joes yesterday and he was drinking some Lafroig. Interesting aroma and the taste was reminiscence of something but I couldn't remember what. It did have a bite to it though.

 

[jrhertel]

Macallan 18 and Oban 14 are both great picks

 

[Monsterdg]

The Blantons I'm familiar with is a bourbon. Like anything else, drink what you like, how you like it. Personally, I like my bourbon on the rocks, my scotch with a splash of water.

I'm surprised that everyone is drinking JW Red neat or on the rocks; it is make for a mixer, but again drink how you like it. However, I would recommend that you try things (at least once) how they were intended, I would hate for someone to be put off by Red neat when it's really not designed for that.

One thing I found for me if someone is telling me to try something new at a restaurant or bar, is order what they are telling you to get, and then ask them to try a bite or a sip. Then ask, is this a good one? I've had people talk things up which I've not liked, only to find out it was not prepared well, too sweet, all booze, etc. For example, the difference between a candy sweet margarita made with Jose Cuervo and a bottled mix, and a real one with real tequila is night/day. A lot of people think they don't like tequila when they really just don't like Jose Cuervo.

 

[bballbaby]

Balvenie Double wood
& Balvenie Carribean Cask

Good stuff, and due to the differnet woods used in the aging/finishing barrels it has some great rum notes that don't show up in you r standard Sherry cask scotch.

Holy Smokes!!! It's a dprice sighting!!!!!! Like the rare Architeuthis.

 

[Highlander]

My favorite budget Scotch is the Famous Grouse. it's a blend but has good flavor and is inexpensive. I bring it to partys - especially if people there I know are going to mix it with coke -a cola. (shudders at the thought)

As has been said, Glenfiddich and Glenlevit are good single malts nd my fav to have with a cigar/pipe and not too pricey in the 12 year bottles.

I prefer the Highland lines myself, lowland scotch tends to taste "medicinal" because of the type of pete used in the process. For instance, lagavulin, loved by Ron Swanson is a lowland scotch and to me tastes like cough medicine. Some people love them - to me I don't like it until I'm 3 glasses in, lol.

As with cigars, drink what you like, but only mix soft drinks with that Canadian stuff.