Scotch Drinking 101

[PaleRider]

Originally Posted by Blowtorch

I should have read the thread on JW Blue before posting this. It looks like the JW Red would not be a good intro to drinking scotch. I'll pick up the black and see how it goes.

mrreindeer,
I think I'll take a page from your playbook and p/u a couple different brands and see what I like. If after that I am still forcing myself to like it I'll probably resign myself to the fact I'm not a scotch drinker. Scotch and cigars just sound like they would be a natural pair.
Thanks for sharing the experience.

The Dalmore 12yr. old is very smooth and what I started down the slope with. I am having a raging good time with Aberlour now. And Tzaddi turned me on to Nicaraguan Rum!

Ahh....the cliff....er ah..I mean..the Slope, thats it, the gently rolling hill called the slope.

[LynnB]

I'm pretty new to Scotch, just started with some JW Black a couple years ago. I perfer it neat, but never was overly excited about it. Tried some JW Blue as well, I don't think I"m experienced enought to enjoy it. About a year a go I was introduced to a line by Jon, Mark & Robbo's. It's kind of blended for dummies, runs about $30 a bottle and is really tasty. The three names relate to the three differant veriaties of Scotch, you have Peaty, Spicey and Smooth. I highly recommend them if your just wetting your palet so to speak. They can be hard to find, I can't find them here in TX, but picked some up in Denver.

[SailorJack]

I wouldn't judge Scotch by JW red. It's not very good IMHO. Have you tried any Irish Whiskey? If you can find it I would recommend John Powers Gold Label I can get it for about $20 and it is probably the smoothest whiskey I have ever had. As for Scotch I can't afford any of the high price single malts but for the price I really like Teachers Highland Cream. Same price as JW red but as good as JW black. It received a gold medal from Whiskey Magazine.

[WeekendSmoker]

[quote=SailorJack;2004657]I wouldn't judge Scotch by JW red. It's not very good IMHO. [quote]
I've got to agree. I think that JW red is pretty much a sure way to get turned off to Scotch. Unless you can "taste through" the initial harseness that JW Red has it has too much bite for a beginner. May I be so bold as to suggest a blended scotch such as J&B or a single malt like The Glenlivet. Even JW Black is fine. They all are relatively smooth, available in pretty much any bar/restaurant and may enable you to prevent yourself from making a face while trying to swallow it. JW Red just has this particular harshness in front which does not work well (for me that is). YMMV.
WeekendSmoker

[Blowtorch]

I'm taking everyones advice and shelfing the JW Red for now. Plan on sampling one of the many suggestions posted. I'll let everyone know how it goes.
Thanks,
Gene

[Les Paul]

Started with JW Red.....then JW Black. Then single malts.


Lagavulin 16 and Springbank 15 were the nails in the coffin. TKO.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

Started with JW Red.....then JW Black. Then single malts.


Lagavulin 16 and Springbank 15 were the nails in the coffin. TKO.

Balvenie 17 and Laphroig 30 yr sherry casks, put a fork in me!!!!!

[kayaker]

I'm getting a bottle of Lagavulin 12 cask strength for Christmas, because my wife loves me.

[WhoDeySchenk]

Originally Posted by kayaker

I'm getting a bottle of Lagavulin 12 cask strength for Christmas, because my wife loves me.

YUMMY!

[GatorBob]

My first scotch experience was a glass of Dalmore 12 Yr Cigar Malt on the rocks. At the time I thought it tasted like cologne (not that I would know what cologne tastes like). Since then my taste buds have fallen in love with single malts. My favorites include Dalmore 12 yr Cigar Malt (ironically), Macallan 12 Yr, and Dalwhinnie 15 Yr.
Cheers!

[MikeC]

Originally Posted by Blowtorch

I'm taking everyones advice and shelfing the JW Red for now. Plan on sampling one of the many suggestions posted.

I found the best thing to do is head to a local bar or steak house that has several good scotchs on hand. Then you can try a glass for $5 to $10 (depending where you live) instead of a bottle for $40 and up.

btw, my vote goes to Clynelish.

[teeznutz]

Started with JW Black and never looked back.

Just had JW Blue and MaCallan 18yr the other day. Simply Bliss!

Going NEAT is the way to go!

My favorite scotch is Grand Old Parr but definltely hard to find here in the states. Anybody got a reliable source to purchase?

[MadAl]

JW red is pretty much a mixing blend, even at the JW tastings they tell you it's great with Ginger Ale and is meant to be mixed. I really like Black and Green, Gold is good but I like Black better. Have had Blue it's just too smooth for me.

For an intro Scotch, I'd recommend a Highland, Knockandu and Macallan got me.

[paperairplane]

I started with Passport and ginger ale "highballs" waaay back. By college, I was mostly drinking Stoli, with the occasional Dewars thrown in... then JW Black (which I still drink a lot). My go to would be Macallan 12yr - the local martini bar makes a nice Rob Roy (perfect, with a twist).

I prefer the smoother, more charcoaly to the tangier, peat mossy Scotch.