Need a good single malt scotch . . .

[DRSTHEMAN]

Stick with the johnny walker label.....simply the best

[eggs]

MaCallan 18 year is much smoother than the 12 IMOP. The Balvenie PortWood 21 is a great scotch.

[calhounhusker]

Originally Posted by DRSTHEMAN

Stick with the johnny walker label.....simply the best

He asked for a single malt, JW is a blended scotch. Johnny Walker is decent enough, but I'll take a good single malt over it anyday.

Originally Posted by eggs

MaCallan 18 year is much smoother than the 12 IMOP. The Balvenie PortWood 21 is a great scotch.

I thought the 12 was damn smooth. Didn't have that bite at the end that most scotches do. I'll have to try the 18 year sometime.

[Frodo]

I really liked this entry from BigToro:

Originally Posted by Bigtotoro

Welcome to a slope as slippery and as expensive as the cigar run. There has been quite a bit of recommendation for the Glens, so I'll add one more. Spend a little more and move up to the Glenlivet 15. There is a pretty significant difference in smoothness. I'd also like to throw in a vote for The Glenrothes. They are generally used in Cutty Sark, but occasionally one will come along and be bottled as Glenrothes. Price can vary from $40+. Dalwhinnie makes a nice 15. Also, I enjoy 15 year old Laphroaig, myself. My wife's theory is that you want to look for as unfussy a label as possible. Name, where it's from, how old. Glenrothes label actually has notes from the master distiller describing the flavors in the vintage.

And I also like the suggestions of Balvenie Doublewood - I think it won the best "Bang for your Buck" award a couple of years ago. My $0.02 would be Glenlevit Naddura. It costs more, but it is Cask-Strength so you'd have to monkey around with adding water. Still has the Glenlevit character but more icing-sugar than fruitiness in flavour.

[calhounhusker]

Originally Posted by Frodo

I really liked this entry from BigToro:



And I also like the suggestions of Balvenie Doublewood - I think it won the best "Bang for your Buck" award a couple of years ago. My $0.02 would be Glenlevit Naddura. It costs more, but it is Cask-Strength so you'd have to monkey around with adding water. Still has the Glenlevit character but more icing-sugar than fruitiness in flavour.

I bought the Balvenie Double wood a couple days ago. Had a glass of it with a Alec Bradley Family Blend last night. Good cigar and a fairly good scotch. I will enjoy that bottle.

[McCleod]

My favorite single malt is 12-year old "Talisker." Kinda spicey, but goes really well with a good cigar.

[TiggaBob]

If you like peaty flavours (which is very hit-or-miss) like Laphroaig, I recommend the Lagavulin 16 y.o., though it is a bit pricey. I find the flavour tastier and more complex than the Laphroaig. My personal favourite at the moment.

Although technically not a scotch, you may also be interested in trying the Yamazaki single malt whiskey 12 y.o. by Suntory (think of Bill Murray in Lost In Translation). It's got some sweet honey tones and is very smooth. I think it won an award a few years ago for best single malt whiskey.

And throw me in as another fan of the Balvenie Doublewood. It was my first scotch!

I should also note that I don't have any notes about pairing these with cigars. I just started smoking cigars a few weeks ago so I'm still smoking them with water to develop a palate for them.

[Frodo]

What I've found (only one yr trying) is that scotch pairs better with cigars when it has at least some sherry casking in it. The sweetness from the sherry contrasts with the smoke from the cigar I guess. The Balvenie Doublewood is sherry finished I believe.

This is just my opinion however. I remember reading someone likes Crown Royal with cigars. If that is true, then it's a great thing - having found something that works for you that you don't have to spend a fortune on.

[Ehlonya]

Macallan 15 Fine Oak ($55-70), great with most cigars, it has an orange sweetness, some vanilla, hint of wood, caramel/chocolate quality on the palate.

Or you can go with the Aberlour A'bunadh ($45-60), ultra sweet (candied apple), caramel, toffee, a bit of smoke, it is cask-strength so it will be very hot when sipped neat.

If money isn't an issue, then go for a Macallan 18 Sherry Oak ($140-190), excellent, well-balanced, smooth as a babies bottom, beautiful caramel, toffee, orange, vanilla, hint of spice, hint of wood.

If you are on a budget, then go with the Balvenie 12 Doublewood ($35-50), to me it's on the young side, Semi-sweet, fruitish sherry, vanilla, smoke.

As I describe the above, you might've noticed I don't like peaty (Bruichladdich), salty (Jura), medicinal (Laphroaig), smoky (Talisker), however if you like those characteristics you might want to try a blend known as Johnny Walker: Green Label ($35-45).

[shunoshi]

The best I've had to date so far is Glenfarclas 17 yr. This scotch really blew me away.

[rajuabju]

Balvenie 15 or Caol Ila 12 are both good choices , IMO

[rajuabju]

I should also add that if a more expensive Scotch is an option... Glenrothes 91 or 85 are both amazing options.

[Frodo]

None other than Richard Patterson (master blender for Whyte & MacKay) recommended Glenfarclas or Glenrothes as well as The Dalmore as good choices for pairing with cigars in an interview. Interestingly Glenfarclas or Glenrothes are not part of the Whyte & MacKay stable.

[Dr_Wogz]

Caol Ila. by far the best I've had.
Bowmore 12yr comes a close 2nd..
Genmorangie woud be 3rd, but haven't had it a long while!
And I'm a "freind of laphroig" wiht my one little square of land. (Got it with my "1/4 cask" bottle)

There was once one called Kardu...

[MrJerry]

Go for the Dalwhinnie 15...call me after you've bought a bottle or two, I show you how to drink it!