Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Every 10 Years Forum SHAKES Discussion Forum - Let's Talk Scotch Whisky

Recently, in order to have something to hold onto, but something that I wouldn't want to have too many of, I started trying scotch. Unfortunately, I've discovered that there are many different kinds, all of which must be sampled. I've also discovered that scotch afficionados (as opposed to scotch drinkers, but they may nbe one and the same, come to think of it) are quite opininionated about their scotch likes and dislikes.

It's not an inexpensive undertaking either. That's another reason to limit consumption. I've limited my tasting to single malt scotch. So far, I've tried two highland single malts - Dalmore 12 year, which is a bargain here ($24), Dalwhinnie 12 year, which is not ($54); and two Islay (pronounced Eye-la, I've learned) single malts - Lagavulin 16 year ($65-$75) and Laphrohaig 10 year ($45).

The Islay single malts are incredible. They're very smokey, in fact after a few sips, you feel like you've been sitting around a campfire all evening breathing in the smoke. Also, I think this would appeal to former smokers. Your mouth tastes like you've just smoked a cigar. The Lagavulin is the most interesting and that bottle I'm going to drink very slowly.

The highland single malts are less interesting to me. The Dalwhinnie is very mild and sweeter. My mom calls it a Lady's scotch. The Dalmore is kind of what you expect scotch to taste like.

Anyway, I'm a neophyte at this. Anybody a scotch lover?

I'm no expert, but you are off to an excellent start. I prefer the darker, peaty single malts.

Laphrohaid is excellent.
Ardbeg is nice among the cheaper ones.

Note to any neophytes (Semi probably already knows this one): Stay away from "blended." That basically means that the leftovers of different batches are tossed together - literally the "bottom of the barrel."

Wow, we've got a spinoff. (Nothing constructive to add.)

The blends started during Napoleonic wars when the upper crust English were cut off from their supplies of brandy, port, champagne and wine by the continental blockade. Faced with the prospect of having to stoop to gin they discovered scotch. The blending mellows out the malt whisky using grain or corn spirits.

I'll say there are some okay blends if you just wanna have a drink. Price is the guide. And the words "Blended locally from imported Scotch Whisky." describe that stuff to clean jet engines.


Now back to the real stuff.

I love Dalwhinnie with dessert. I find it goes well with chocolate of all things.

Usually, I like the Speysides malts. The good thing here is that there's so many to try and I admit several occasions where I sampled so many that I couldnt remember the ones I liked. I definitely like Cragganmore.

Sometimes I'm with Kent and wanna have one of those smoky islays. I had a shot of 120 proof 25 year old Talisker last time out, it was like a rush of warmth all over at once.

Now I must stop, or I'm going to have to hit the tasting bar at the liquor store, and that usually means I buy something.

Talisker! How did I forget Talisker! more great stuff.

I saw Talisker at the liquor store, but it was around $100 - a bit too steep for me. Maybe I'll get it on a special occassion, or as a gift.

Kent, I'll bring a bottle of Lagavulin to the San Diego con.

Excellent! I'll bring something nice as well.

I'm not an afficienado, but I do enjoy scotch. I think Dalwhinnie is my very favourite, but I always enjoy trying a new one.

I'm not up with the fancy-schmancy names of some drinks - but isn't Glenfiddich a type of scotch whiskey - or is that Chivas Regal?

LAM, that's a research project for you. I want you to come back with the top two single malt scotch's from each region in Scotland. Then part (b) of your assignment is to discuss the merits of blended scotch whisky. You'll be graded.

Will I have to wear a kilt if I fail?

No, we'll let you continue to wear your muu-muu.

I love a good scotch.

I had a $20 glass once that was fantastic. (I didn't have to pay for it myself, which is why I splurged.) Wish I remembered what it was now...

No, you only earn the honor of wearing a kilt if you succeed.

Had another glass of Lagavulin tonight. Perfection.

I have to say I'm pretty unfamiliar with Scotches. In fact, all I've ever had is Chivas Regal, and I don't even know if thats a single malt or not.

Perhaps its time for my ever expansive drinking experience to grow again?

Cobie, I've never had a Chivas Regal. But I believe it's a blend. My dad used to drink scotch. In fact scotch was probably the very first liquor I ever had -- when we were sick as kids, my mom would give us a couple of tablespoons of scotch and honey to help us sleep. (Isn't it weird - nowadays, that would probably be considered child abuse). However, I never acquired a taste for scotch and always avoided it. Last month, though, while visiting my mom, she gave me a glass of Caol Ila single malt, which she told me was very expensive. I actually liked it and thought I'd give scotch a try.

Chivas is one of the premium blends, I personally like it more that JW black.

I went to a Johnnie Walker tasting put on by Diageo a while back and they showed pictures of the room where the "blender" does his work.

There are shelves of several hundred single malt scotches of varying ages and vintages along with more neutral tasting grain whisky. On another shelf there were bottles of Johnnie Walker from different batches years apart.

Single malts can vary from year to year or batch to batch so the blender uses the palate of malts to reconstruct a blend that's the same as the same as it was 10 or 20 years ago. S/He does this subject to constraints depending on the blend. For example Johnnie Black or its rival blend Chivas Regal contain only whiskies that are at least 12 years old.

not a Chivas fan.

Scotch!! That's one of the alcohols that's strangely absent at the University of Casual Sex'n' Booze. Guess I'll just have to bum some off the old folks in SD.

(Or not, since I'm still a baby.)

Psst ..... Kent .... let's not waste the good stuff on her. She won't know the difference.

Or dress in full drag?

two mutually exclusive modes of attire, LAM.

I heard that.