If I am buying one liquor to drink with my cigars

[fizguy]

what should it be?

I am a beer drinker and like lots of different beers. I have wine occasionally and prefer red wines like pinot noir, not too sweet. The only liquor I have ever had was a little single serving bottle of Canadian Mist whiskey or something like that....probably crappy compared to good stuff, but it was tasty enough.

So I would like to go buy a small bottle (but not a single serving mini-bottle) of some type of whiskey (scotch, irish, bourbon, etc). Something to drink on its own or with a cigar. Let me know what you recommend (keep in mind I am a newbie when it comes to this) and why.

Thanks!!

[galaga]

Since you know you already like it, why not get a bottle of Canadian Mist. Then at a later time, you could get a bottle of something else. Had some good flavors out of a bottle of Jameson 12 YO last night.

[pnoon]

The Glenlivet 12 year old single malt scotch. Runs anywhere from $20-$30 a bottle. This is a good starting point for single malt scotches which pair nicely with cigars.

[Ivory Tower]

You could get a selection of minis of single malts, so that you could taste a variety and then choose your preference. Not too cost efficient, but not a bad way to go.

[croatan]

My favorite widely-available and relatively inexpensive single malt is MacAllan 12-year old. It's mellow and smooth and won't overpower most cigars. I've never like Glenlivent, personally--but, like cigars, one great thing about scotches is that there are different strokes for different folks.

If you really want to experiment with different drinks, why not go to a place that has a decent bar where you can smoke and order a couple of different ones over the course of the evening? You'll pay more per glass but you may be able to decide what you like and don't like and won't get stuck having an expensive bottle of something you don't like.

I'd suggest trying a couple types of liquor, as well. Maybe a scotch (e.g. MacAllan), a bourbon (e.g. Maker's Mark), an Irish whiskey (e.g. Bushmills), and a glass of Kahlua at the end of the evening?

[rumballs]

Originally Posted by pnoon

The Glenlivet 12 year old single malt scotch. Runs anywhere from $20-$30 a bottle. This is a good starting point for single malt scotches which pair nicely with cigars.

Exactly what pnoon said.

[tnip23]

the Dalmore cigar malt scotch is a good intro scotch, especially to go with cigars as it was blended for just that purpose. it's got a nice carmel taste with just a little peat.

[Rploaded]

I really like Bowmore Single Malt Scotch in a 21 or 25 year variety. I find this brand to be very smooth and comfortable on most pallets.

Just my.02

[TU09]

Personally, if I were just getting into whiskey I would stay away from single malt scotches and probably blends as well (technically whisky). No reason to spend the cash for something like that when you probably won't notice the difference and scotches also lack the versatility (can't mix) of whiskeys. There are plenty of good bourbons and tennessee whiskeys that will cost less and still offer you a good intro. A 375ml (since you said small bottle I'm assuming this is the size you are looking for) of Makers Mark would probably be a good choice and runs about $14. If you really want to try scotch I started with and was very pleased at the time by J&B Rare, also $14 for a 375ml. For a little less, Jim Beam (bourbon) and Jack Daniels (tennessee) are the two top selling american whiskeys and both worth a look.

Like I said, it is probably best if you don't start 'at the top' with single malts but work your way up to them, would you have started into cigars with an Opus? I know if a single malt had been my first whisky/whiskey I would not have been impressed. Of course everybody's taste buds are a bit different and these sugestions are only based on my own experiences.

[rumballs]

Originally Posted by TU09

Makers Mark would probably be a good choice and runs about $14. If you really want to try scotch I started with and was very pleased at the time by J&B Rare, also $14 for a 375ml. For a little less, Jim Beam (bourbon) and Jack Daniels (tennessee) are the two top selling american whiskeys and both worth a look.

Personally, the only way I've ever been able to drink any of those is in a whisky sour. I've tasted them straight but never wanted more than a sip. Glenlivet is the first whisky of any type that I thought actually tasted good on its own...

[StogieGuy]

I recently got hooked on Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon.

At only $20 a bottle (at least at the Virginia State Liquor store) it's a bargain and it's really, really good. IMO, it is as good as my other favorite Bourbon - Blanton's - but at only half the price.

[JMAC]

Originally Posted by StogieGuy

I recently got hooked on Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon.

Awesome stuff and a bargain to boot. I also love Maker's Mark.

Scotch is difficult to recommend as there are so many different flavors based on the different regions. Bourbons can be very different as well but it's nothing like an Islay malt vs. a Highland malt IMHO.

As a beginner, agood choice for you may be Crown Royal. Lots of people swear by it.

Happy drinking!

[benatlexus]

Glen Livet 12yrs old...cant go wrong!

[jcarlton]

If you like Glenlivet 12 then you like a Scotch that is light on the peat. My bet is that you might like good bourbon like Knob Creek ($25) or better, Bookers ($52). Makers Mark is also very good and reasonably priced ($23). I noticed that another post in this thread had the Makers at $14 but I assume that the prices depend on where you are. There are lots of great Whiskies out there, I think the best advise you will get is to try them at you local bar and only buy bottles of what you know you like.

Cheers

[RPB67]

Buy a single malt scotch.

I prefer something 12 or 18 years old. I favor Macallan or Glenlivet.

I also like Dalmore Cigar Malt, this is a go in-expensive one for you.