If this already exists, feel free to put a link to the proper thread...I searched and found a bourbon thread but alas , no whiskey thread which makes me think my search-fu failed....
But, in case there is not already a whiskey thread:
This thread shall be dedicated to all types of Whiskey.
I will try to make some sort of index up here, as more information is added.
*This is a work in progress...
Whisky / Whiskey
"A type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash"
Each of the subcategories will be defined and include recommendations at different rough price points. Please feel free to post up a recommendation and I will try to get a rough price estimate....
Scotch
Map of Scotch Regions
Spoiler!
There are very strict rules as to which whiskies can be called Scotch. To be called scotch firstly and foremost, the whisky must be made in Scotland. Second, it must be made according to a manner prescribed in detail, by Scottish law. For more see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_whisky
Single Malt Scotch
To be a "single malt scotch" the whisky must be a "scotch" (duh!) and ALSO be made of ' only water & malted barley at a SINGLE distillery via batch distillation' (see here: LINK)
Blended Scotch
Must be a scotch (see above)..but: Most whisky is blended. It is easier and cheaper to make better tasting whisky than if you attempt the difficult talk of making a single malt. Master blenders do tastings and come up with blends of many different whiskys to achieve a result that they feel is desirable.
Bourbon
Bourbon whiskey is a type of American whiskey: a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name is ultimately derived from the French Bourbon dynasty, although it is disputed whether Bourbon County in Kentucky or Bourbon Street in New Orleans inspired the whiskey's name.[1] Bourbon has been distilled since the 18th century.[2] The use of the term "Bourbon" for the whiskey has been traced to the 1820s, and the term began to be used consistently in Kentucky in the 1870s.[1] While bourbon may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the American South in general, and with Kentucky in particular. As of 2014, the distillers' wholesale market revenue for bourbon sold within the U.S. is about $2.7 billion, and bourbon makes up about two-thirds of the $1.6 billion of U.S. exports of distilled spirits.[3][4] (Wikipedia)
American Rye Whisky
In the United States, "rye whiskey" is, by law, made from a mash of at least 51 percent rye. (The other ingredients of the mash are usually corn and malted barley.) It is distilled to no more than 160 U.S. proof (80% abv), and aged in charred, new oakbarrels. The whiskey must be put into such barrels at not more than 125 proof (62.5% abv). Rye whiskey that has been so aged for at least two years and has not been blended with other spirits may be further designated as "straight", as in "straight rye whiskey".[1]
Irish Whiskey
Most Irish pot still whiskey is distilled thrice, while most (but not all) Scotch whisky is distilled twice. Peat is rarely used in the malting process, so that Irish whiskey has a smoother finish as opposed to the smoky, earthy overtones common to some Scotches. There are notable exceptions to these rules in both countries! (Some Irish whiskeys use peat, many Scotches do not)
Japanese Whiskey
Japanese Whiskey production first began around 1870. They started out by trying to emulate Scotch Whisky. Areas of Hokkaido are known to have climates similar to Scotland, and the difficulties of single malt production make it such that mainly Japanese whisky is blended.
I never post, just lurk, but I felt inspired to chime in on this one. I acquired a taste for Scotch a few years back and my wallet certainly regrets it. But I have sampled quite a few different offerings and have a decently well rounded bit of knowledge.
Based on what you've said about your tastes, I would recommend two in particular. One is the Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, and the other is Cragganmore 12. Both are Speysides with a rich flavor. I personally find the DoubleWood to be the best Balvenie and that includes their much more expensive offerings.
Personally, I love Islay whiskeys. I even go nuts for Octomore which I do not recommend unless you really want a heavy peat flavor. One that I would recommend you try is Bruichladdich's Laddie Ten. It has a great flavor profile, but not an overwhelming smoke or peat flavor. It would be the one I would suggest to anyone wanting to try an Islay, but who is on the fence about that style. Another choice in the same boat is Talisker's Amoroso Cask Distillers Edition. The only issue is the Talisker is about $80+ a bottle (by me -- NJ) and the Laddie Ten can be had for under $50 (think I paid $46 last time).
As far as something more American, High West did a small batch distillation called Campfire. It is a blend of rye, bourbon, and an Islay. Sounds bizarre, at least I thought so when I read the label, but it is absolutely delicious.
This is probably one of the few topics I love to talk about because there is so much out there and I'm always interested in trying something new.
The following is a list of some other Scotches (not already mentioned) that I stock regularly at home. Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions if you think I might like something else.
Ardmore Traditional
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte
Caol Ila 12 year
Dalmore 12 year
Dalmore 15 year
Lagavulin 12 year DE
Lagavulin 16 Year
Laphroaig 10 year
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Oban 14 Year
Talisker Storm
Edit: That was ridiculously long for a first post. Apologies. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Indian Chief:
I never post, just lurk, but I felt inspired to chime in on this one. I acquired a taste for Scotch a few years back and my wallet certainly regrets it. But I have sampled quite a few different offerings and have a decently well rounded bit of knowledge.
Based on what you've said about your tastes, I would recommend two in particular. One is the Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, and the other is Cragganmore 12. Both are Speysides with a rich flavor. I personally find the DoubleWood to be the best Balvenie and that includes their much more expensive offerings.
Personally, I love Islay whiskeys. I even go nuts for Octomore which I do not recommend unless you really want a heavy peat flavor. One that I would recommend you try is Bruichladdich's Laddie Ten. It has a great flavor profile, but not an overwhelming smoke or peat flavor. It would be the one I would suggest to anyone wanting to try an Islay, but who is on the fence about that style. Another choice in the same boat is Talisker's Amoroso Cask Distillers Edition. The only issue is the Talisker is about $80+ a bottle (by me -- NJ) and the Laddie Ten can be had for under $50 (think I paid $46 last time).
As far as something more American, High West did a small batch distillation called Campfire. It is a blend of rye, bourbon, and an Islay. Sounds bizarre, at least I thought so when I read the label, but it is absolutely delicious.
This is probably one of the few topics I love to talk about because there is so much out there and I'm always interested in trying something new.
The following is a list of some other Scotches (not already mentioned) that I stock regularly at home. Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions if you think I might like something else.
Ardmore Traditional
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte
Caol Ila 12 year
Dalmore 12 year
Dalmore 15 year
Lagavulin 12 year DE
Lagavulin 16 Year
Laphroaig 10 year
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Oban 14 Year
Talisker Storm
Edit: That was ridiculously long for a first post. Apologies.
I should come over to your house and we can have a tasting. I have a bottle of Clan McGregor and some Dewars that I can bring. PM me. [Reply]
I tend to flip back and forth between Glenlivet and Chivas. I like burbon and a good crown royal as well. I'm pretty much an exclusive whiskey drinker. I'll have other mixed drinks from time to time but a good whiskey on the rocks is what I prefer. That and the occasional manhattan.
I also love a good cigar with my scotch. Not sure how many cigar smokers we have on here but I feel like the two pair nicely. [Reply]
I like Scotch - I'm mostly a bourbon man these days. I like Talisker & Highland Park and any of the 'rarer' J Walker blends if you're buying but it doesn't have to be a single malt to suit me, I love JW Black and my more or less daily pour is the 'Black Bottle' - an Islay blend that's worth looking for.
I learned to drink Scotch back in the 70's when blends were about all the bartender had on hand. My old favorite from those days was Teacher's Highland Cream. It's gone thru a few changes since then (all those 'single malts' used to be blended up into these good older blends, until they got to be too desirable and sold on their own - the old blends lost some magic, I'm sorry to say).
But if you're looking to make my favorite Scotch cocktail, try a big pour of Teacher's or your fave w/a smaller pour of Drambuie (1 part Drambuie to 3 parts scotch) This is a Rusty Nail, one of Humphrey Bogart's favorites - and mine. It's always tied up w/'end of a hunting day' in my mind - once the guns are cleaned and put away, you pour a Rusty Nail.
If you like a Manhattan, make one w/blended scotch instead of bourbon for a Rob Roy, if my memory serves (my memory sucks these days)
If you'd like to try a good alternative to Scotch or Bourbon - try a glass of good Irish whiskey. I like Bushmill's 'Black label' - a great, older blend. There are fancier bottles, but you'll never go wrong w/the 'Black Bush'.
Originally Posted by srvy:
That is some good stuff for a rye. My problem it is so limited and hard to find. You feel like an old prospector striking gold when you find a place that got its hands on some.
God, come to Iowa and the shit is everywhere.
I used to like Templeton, but that stuff gives me Whiskey face.
Now the only thing I can drink is Bourbon and it must be Cedar Ridge. [Reply]
This thread makes me feel like I have to turn in my man-card. Liquor gives me a sharp pain in the pit of my stomach that feels like somebody is driving a nail through my gut. The only alcohol I can tolerate pain-free any more is the lightest of beers. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Graystoke:
God, come to Iowa and the shit is everywhere.
I used to like Templeton, but that stuff gives me Whiskey face.
Now the only thing I can drink is Bourbon and it must be Cedar Ridge.
Isn't the distillery still in Iowa? Im not a huge fan of Rye Whiskey but that one is good. If you want rye whiskey face get ya some Old Grand Dad 100 proof. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Indian Chief:
I acquired a taste for Scotch a few years back and my wallet certainly regrets it.
Ditto. Started drinking single malts around 2000, but they have become very expensive. I now have to save up for a special bottle once or twice a year and drink them infrequently to make them last longer.
In the past 3-4 years I've switched to bourbon as my everyday pour with my cigars, as they are one-fourth to one-half the price of single malts. They're not as complex as most of my single malts, but they're good and smooth and go well with the smokes. [Reply]
When I was young, an older friend of mine once told me that if you manage to get a taste for Scotch, you have a drinking problem. Why I took that to heart was the fact that this guy was full blown alchy...
At any rate, it's only been in the last 10 years or so I have really started to enjoy Bourbon's and Scotches, with Scotches coming in the last few years. One thing I have noticed is that over the last few years I can really tell the differences between the two. Whereas, when I was young couldnt even get the glass under my nose.
I'd say I'm partial to bourbon's at the moment if not for the fact that scotch does tend to get pricey. Anything out of the Buffalo Trace distillery and I'm good. My first taste of bourbon, was Pappy...it was so smooth it converted me from a gin/vodka exclusive drinker. [Reply]
