Scotch Drinking 101

[Blowtorch]

Ok this is going to sound stupid but. I'm going to post this anyway. I enjoy many different alcoholic beverages including wine, beer, whiskey,bourbon,gin,voldka,rum etc.
Scotch is the only thing I could never take a liking to and it's been years since I've even tasted it. Recently I rec'd a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red and thought I'd give it another shot. I'm planning on having it on the rocks since this is how I drink bourbon , rum and a few other things.
I know many of the finer things in life are an acquired taste.

My question is how did you scotch drinkers get started ?

[Andyman]

I started with a bottle of Macallan 12yr - Thats all it took.

[WhoDeySchenk]

My getting into scotch is an easy one. I have Scottish blood running through my veins. I go across the pond every 3-4 years for 2-4 weeks at a time to visit the family. Been to many distilleries. I love everything about scotch, it's my #1 drink of choice. Love the history behind it, how it's made, and the complexity of the flavor. I'm not a big fan of scotch on the rocks, unless it's a cheaper blend. I Always drink it neat. But, if you're new to it, the ice will lighten it up for you, just don't put too much in, a cube, maybe 2. ENJOY!

Originally Posted by Blowtorch

Ok this is going to sound stupid but. I'm going to post this anyway. I enjoy many different alcoholic beverages including wine, beer, whiskey,bourbon,gin,voldka,rum etc.
Scotch is the only thing I could never take a liking to and it's been years since I've even tasted it. Recently I rec'd a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red and thought I'd give it another shot. I'm planning on having it on the rocks since this is how I drink bourbon , rum and a few other things.
I know many of the finer things in life are an acquired taste.

My question is how did you scotch drinkers get started ?

[JCK]

My first experience with scotch was a Rusty Nail somewhere around Banff... Let's say it wasn't the best experience.

I pushed Scotch on myself years to follow mostly for work reasons. After a while, I did develop a taste for it. It's my whiskey of choice now.

If you don't take to the JW Red, try some other blended or Single Malt varieties. Although JW Red may be a staple for many, it's not one of my staples. I prefer JW Black.

[scottw]

My father always enjoyed it and I really got interested when my brother received a gift of a 29 yr old GlenMorangie. I had me a few drams of that and I was done!

[jledou]

While still not my favorite drink of choice, I got started through social engagements at work and it took me several tries to find some that I truly liked.

There is a wide variety out there and so take a chance to try new brands/labels when you get it.

[vtdragon]

I've got a sweet tooth so I've always preferred having a Manhattan when having some whiskey. A friend of mine has been a dedicated Dewers drinker for years though, and that is what he serves me when I'm at his house. Never one to turn down free booze, I've imbided on his Dewers for a while and have come to kinda like it. So I thought I'd try some other scotches and discovered [SIZE=2]Dalmore Single Malt 12 Year scotch. Now there is a drink! There is such a difference from Dewers to the Dalmore single malt that I started trying othe single malts, Wow, are there ever differences. Some are sweet, some are earthy some are smoky some are various combinations of the above. Here is where personal taste really comes into the discussion. Try different ones, you will like some and dislike others but it sure is fun exploring.[/SIZE]

Above all ....enjoy!

[Denny32]

I have had many cheaper bottles of scotch and never really cared for any of them. I always thought it must be an aquired taste.

Then one day while reading a book, the author, (Neil Peart the drummer for RUSH) kept talking about having a glass of the "The Macallan". I wanted to try whatever it was he was driking. I had no idea what type of libation was The Macallan. So off I go down to the store to try to find it. The salesman looked it up on his computer and we head over to the Scotch row. So I bought a bottle of the 10yr and 12yr. WOW. Tis much better than anything I remember from years past. I now always have a bottle of the 12yr on hand. I belong to a bagpipe group and there are about 30 of us and we drink more than a few wee drams after practice. Since then I have tried some outstanding scotch.

I do not recommend being too cheap when shopping for scotch. You will be well rewarded for the extra few bucks spent.

[mrreindeer]

Originally Posted by khubli

I pushed Scotch on myself years to follow mostly for work reasons. After a while, I did develop a taste for it. It's my whiskey of choice now.

If you don't take to the JW Red, try some other blended or Single Malt varieties. Although JW Red may be a staple for many, it's not one of my staples. I prefer JW Black.

Like Ji, I kind of pushed Scotch on myself; some of it spilled...

But this is pretty much my very recent story about diving into the Scotch bottle, er, slope: http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=195028

Short story: I've been curious about Scotch, have tried to like it but it's taken some time. I have a generous neighbor and his bottle of JW Blue remains intact in my cupboard awaiting his next visit because I refuse to drink any without him. In the meantime, I'm currently sampling, er, pushing myself to drink JW Black (a blend, like your JW Red), Dalwhinnie 15 year (Single Malt) and Chivas Regal 12 (a blend). I picked up the Dalwhinnie on recommendations from kayaker & Scottw who are very knowledgeable & helpful.

It's still taking some getting used to, but I want to like it. It's like when I was a kid forcing myself to try (and like) Perrier. I never did then but now, hey, that bubbly stuff is tasty!

I've learned with help from my brothers on here that the JW Red is something used for mixing. Not much more $$ is the Black and it's not bad but nowhere near as smooth as the Blue which is way overpriced. My neighbor is nuts. I'm not quite sure yet how to tell the difference between a 'blend' and a 'single malt' but I'm still doing my tastings to find out. I'll pour small pours of each the JW Black, Chivas Regal 12 & Dalwhinnie 15 that I've now got to try and then finish off with a glass of whichever one I'm feeling at the moment.

Originally Posted by WhoDeySchenk

I'm not a big fan of scotch on the rocks, unless it's a cheaper blend. I Always drink it neat. But, if you're new to it, the ice will lighten it up for you, just don't put too much in, a cube, maybe 2. ENJOY!

I too don't drink it with ice. My neighbor had his JW Blue in a freakin' Big Gulp cup full of ice... but I have taken kayaker & Scottw's advice of adding a tablespoon of water to the glass if it's just too much for me at the time. Try it neat, then if it's too strong, add the water, but just a little at a time. Start with a tablespoon.

Scotch packs a whallop...it sure is strong, burns the nose upon sniffing but damn it, for some reason, I'm going to like it....one of these days!

[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.

[mrreindeer]

Originally Posted by Blowtorch

Scotch and cigars just sound like they would be a natural pair.
Thanks for sharing the experience.

Ubetcha; and that's exactly why I keep forcing myself to like it!

[yellowgoat]

The Balvenie 12y Double Wood did it for me. I guess I lean more toward the sweet side of scotch.

Enjoying one now.

Cheers!

[BarneyBandMan]

I started a few years back with a Glenlivet 12 yr--now really enjoying their Naddura

[kayaker]

My point of no return with Scotch occurred when I was introduced to Dalwhinnie. It's a very smooth whisky. I guess I'm a natural though, because I quickly fell in love with Lagavulin next, which is a very peaty challenging Scotch. I have friends who are Scotch lovers but won't touch it.

I started free falling down the slope a couple of years ago when I decided to host a tasting for some friends and I to do some blind comparisons. I ended up with what was left. Then I started going to a bunch of tastings, learning and buying and enjoying. Now a have a modest assortment in the cupboard.

[heavyd]

My first experience with Scotch was JW Blue. I loved it and bought a bottle at Costco two months later for $160. I've hit it a few times, but I'm content just looking at the packaging....beautiful.