Single Malt Scotch

[GOAT LOCKER]

Originally Posted by Nely

I was just about to post a thread about this, I wanted to try single malts because I keep hearing they go great with cigars, but I did not know where to start. I just remembered that my Johny Walker Green Label is a single malt. Guess I'll start from there and then take some suggestions from this thread. Thanks!

Just watch out for that Blue label!!! My wallet regrets trying that stuff

GoatLocker

[cwaddell_1]

Originally Posted by RICigar

"Any Glen will do"

Damn, you beat me to it!!

But seriously, The Dalmore makes a cigar malt that is, dispite the hype, pretty good.

[Nely]

Thanks Paul for that info man! It seems like you know your stuff!
I think I'll be picking a bottle of Bowmore.

[shelvingunit]

Originally Posted by RICigar

"Any Glen will do"

Funny, I'm kinda the opposite...I haven't had a "Glen" that I would buy again.

Maybe the person txmatt knew who said "In Scotch the Glen prefix means its for cooking with." is right.

I don't mean to be bashing the glens, but in my experience (although limited) I have not been to impressed or heard of people raving about them.

For under $40 the Bowmore 12 is a very smoky complex single malt, one of my favs so far.

[Nely]

Went to my liquour store and the botlle of bowmore was 49$
Guess i'll have to shop around

[shelvingunit]

Originally Posted by Nely

Went to my liquour store and the botlle of bowmore was 49$
Guess i'll have to shop around

Ooops. I actually bought mine on special for $35. I think the usual retail is $43 here in VA, cheaper in MD or PA.

[Eichen]

I've enjoyed Ballvenie (12 yr I think) and Highland Park. I remember my first sip of Highland Park tasted like good English style pipe tobacco to me. HP's gone up in price rediculously at my local shop though -- $8-10 in the last year.

Right now draining a bottle of Chivas Regal (I know, blended). I'm really digging this stuff. Anyone have some tips on value Scotch (blended or non)?

Hey, where'd my Scotch go?

BTW there's a good article on Single Malts at Cigar Weekly.

[magno]

...for the times when I need a sweeter single malt. (It's also a bit of a bargain at about 55 bucks a bottle here in Va) . I also love the Sherrywood Glenmorangie and The Glenroths Speyside single malts -- prefferably the 21 year old.

Laproaig is, like you said, a tough scotch. I've yet to be able to drink it without wincing. The bottle looks intimidating, too -- not warm and fuzzy like Glenmorangie or Balvenie.

Originally Posted by 1f1fan

I just started getting into single malt scotch.

So far I have an Aberlour 10 yo, Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 yo and two Islay malts; Laphroaig 10 yo and a Bowmore 12 yo.

I like the fruity/spicy taste of the Aberlour and the pungent peat smoke taste of the Laphroiag (WARNING!!!! This scotch doesn't come with training wheels!)

The Bowmore is also an excellent Islay single malt, still very peaty, but less pungent. The Glenfiddich is good and has a very smooth finish however, I find it less complex than the other malts I have.

Just wondering if there were any other scotch fans here. If so, what are your favorites?

[partagaspete]

Here is why I love Glenlivit. I find it to be the perfct blend not to smokey not to peaty, with a bit of sweetness. All the other scotches I've had and loved all are time and place specific. Oban is a great summertime scotch whereas say...Lagavulin is a very smokey winter scotch. If your just starting out I would recommend the 12 y/o Glenlivit or even glenfiddich than go whatever direction you want from there smokier go darker sweeter go lighter adn read the labels the will let you know what the profile is about.

However; I do not usually drink scotch with my C-gars I find it overpowers the smoke. My fgavorite (i know this is a different thread) is probably Gunniess or Boddingtons.

Fin

T

[Heartpumper]

Originally Posted by txmatt

As a result I have been exploring Bourbon this year. I keep Knob Creek on hand and am giving Van Winkle 15 year a go (have it on order). If it turns out to be as good as people say I will likely drop the $80 for the Van Winkle Pappy 20 yr.

-Matt-

We host an annual Xmas party at our home for about 50 people. A dozen or so cigar smokers. Some hearty drinkers.

The bourbon offered was Woodford Reserve @$39, single malt scotch was Highland Park 25 y/o @$170. We went through almost two bottles of Woodford Reserve, only a third of a bottle of Highland Park. (8 bottles of Dom Perignon, 16 bottles of red wines)

[shelvingunit]

Good suggestions partagaspete.

I would not recommend a big Laphroig or Bowmore to a scotch newbie, actually Glenfiddich Solera reserve was the first single malt I tried. I found it very smooth, the finish was great. Then I tried other more complex single malts and the Solera reserve just doesn't do it for me anymore. I will reach for it when I want something light, well rounded and refreshing. But this time of year I find myself going for the smoky malts.

Originally Posted by mango

Laproaig is, like you said, a tough scotch. I've yet to be able to drink it without wincing. The bottle looks intimidating, too -- not warm and fuzzy like Glenmorangie or Balvenie.

mango, if you have some left I'll drive up and take that tough, intimidating single malt off your hands for you! I love that stuff! It's like a forest in a bottle.

[PaulMac]

Also for scotch newbies, ya can't go wrong with many of the lowland scotches. My recommendation is Auchentoshan Select. Very smooth and approachable, and can be found for under 20 a bottle. Most people I have introduced to it (and scotch through it) have really enjoyed it.

PaulMac