Author Topic: WSC Scotch, Whisky, and Whiskey Aficionado's (But no Bourbon) (Read 19742 times)

Hound · « **on:** April 10, 2012, 08:35:41 am »

Figured this needed to be started.

Picked up a new bottle of scotch on Friday, Balvenie Doublewood. Definitely enjoyed it.

What else does everyone like?

Tenacious_B · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2012, 08:51:57 am »

I always wondered why there was a food thread, beer thread, cigar thread, but no scotch thread?

anyways...

I Like islay scotch's generally, but I'll try any of them...

Faves:
Laphroaig 18 year
Laphroaig Cask Strength
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Ardbeg Alligator
Lagavulin 16 Year
Macallan's Cask Strength
Kilchoman - Something in a blue box I got from Kensington wine market, I think it's only a 3 year but it's incredible.

Staples:
Ardbeg 10 year
Macallan's 12 year
Highland Park 15 year
Peat Monster

There's a bunch of others I have at home (got about a 20 bottle 'collection') that I'm forgetting at the moment.

Hound · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2012, 09:10:07 am »

I've tried quite a few of Islay scotches (Ardbeg Blasda, Ardbeg 10yr, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Bowmore 12yr, Bowmore Tempest, and Lagavulin 16yr) and I am just not a fan of the peat.

I am more a fan of the smooth scotches, even if they're not single malts but blended.

Currently in my collection:

1. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban.
2. Balvenie Doublewood
3. Johnnie Walker Blue
4. Johnnie Walker Gold
5. Johnnie Walker Green
6. Johnnie Walker Black
7. Amrut single malt peated cask strength

I could do without the JW Gold and Black.

THE EDJ · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:16:03 am »

Should change the title to "Whiskey Aficionado", since there are other good whiskey's that aren't of the scotch variety

I've recently been enjoying Calgary's own Alberta Springs 10 Year rye whisky. I'm pretty new to whiskey and am still acquiring the taste, but that stuff is very smooth and very enjoyable to sip on.

Tenacious_B · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:18:27 am »

Quote from: THE EDJ on April 10, 2012, 10:16:03 am

Should change the title to "Whiskey Aficionado", since there are other good whiskey's that aren't of the scotch variety

Lies.

Hound · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:31:51 am »

Quote from: THE EDJ on April 10, 2012, 10:16:03 am

I've recently been enjoying Calgary's own Alberta Springs 10 Year rye whiskey. I'm pretty new to whiskey and am still acquiring the taste, but that stuff is very smooth and very enjoyable to sip on.

Just FYI, it's a "whisky" since it's made in Canada, not a "whiskey". I haven't tried the 10yr yet but I may pick it up.

I'm a fan of changing the title but as long as no one talks about bourbons.

THE EDJ · « **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:34:50 am »

Quote from: Hound on April 10, 2012, 10:31:51 am

Just FYI, it's a "whisky" since it's made in Canada, not a "whiskey". I haven't tried the 10yr yet but I may pick it up.

I'm a fan of changing the title but as long as no one talks about bourbons.

Learn something new every day.

Hound · « **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:36:10 am »

Quote from: Tenacious_B on April 10, 2012, 10:18:27 am

Lies.

I am a fan of Irish Whiskies, in particular Bushmills 16yr.

katalyst · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2012, 12:00:42 am »

Quote from: Hound on April 10, 2012, 09:10:07 am

I am more a fan of the smooth scotches, even if they're not single malts but blended.

i find i am too, at least, for now. do you have any recommendations other than what you listed in your current collection? (i have mostly JW at the moment and have tried the balvenie you mentioned)

also, not a scotch but i think crown royal limited is a pretty good whisky

Hound · « **Reply #9 on:** April 11, 2012, 08:26:14 am »

Quote from: katalyst on April 11, 2012, 12:00:42 am

i find i am too, at least, for now. do you have any recommendations other than what you listed in your current collection? (i have mostly JW at the moment and have tried the balvenie you mentioned

I could recommend a bottle and you may not like it at all. It's best to go to a liquor store that has bottles opened for tasting and find something you like.

Campbell Liquor Store in St. Albert has quite a few open and if you ask, they will let you sample quite a few and even give you suggestions on what to buy. I went in there wanting a bottle of Glenmorangie Nectar D'or but after tasting it, it wasn't for me. I ended up trying the Balvenie and buying it.

katalyst · « **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2012, 11:28:57 am »

^ true

st. albert is a bit of a hike for me, haha. does anyone know any places in calgary that offer scotch/whisky sampling?

Tenacious_B · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2012, 11:39:22 am »

Quote from: katalyst on April 11, 2012, 11:28:57 am

^ true

st. albert is a bit of a hike for me, haha. does anyone know any places in calgary that offer scotch/whisky sampling?

Kensington wine market.

lynx440 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 11, 2012, 11:42:08 am »

Quote from: Hound on April 10, 2012, 08:35:41 am

Picked up a new bottle of scotch on Friday, Balvenie Doublewood. Definitely enjoyed it.

This is a very good scotch. I liked it a lot.
I have Auchentoshan 12 yr
Ardbeg 10 yr
MacAllan 18 yr
I'm all over the map as far as the ones I like. I love peat, but I also love Sherry finishes.
I tried a Glenrothes 1985 vintage last weekend...holy cow was that good. I was unworthy.

Hound · « **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2012, 12:16:52 pm »

Quote from: lynx440 on April 11, 2012, 11:42:08 am

I tried a Glenrothes 1985 vintage last weekend...holy cow was that good. I was unworthy.

Was that your most expensive/prestigious bottle of scotch you tried?

lynx440 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2012, 01:15:24 pm »

Well, I tried so many different scotches at Drams and Draughts last year, I may have had something more "prestigious"...but as of late, the Glenrothes was probably the oldest.
Anyone who is a Scotch fan cannot miss Drams and Draughts at the Winspear in the fall. It is a "must attend".

4stAir · « **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2012, 09:20:56 pm »

Quote from: katalyst on April 11, 2012, 11:28:57 am

^ true

st. albert is a bit of a hike for me, haha. does anyone know any places in calgary that offer scotch/whisky sampling?

Crowfoot liquor store has a pretty large selection with usually no less than 12 different bottles open for tasting at a given time, and they're always changing them around.

Hound · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2012, 08:53:57 am »

Quote from: lynx440 on April 11, 2012, 01:15:24 pm

It is a "must attend".

I am going to try to make it this year. Sad I missed out on last years.

RatFink · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2012, 10:48:18 am »

Quote from: Hound on April 10, 2012, 09:10:07 am

I've tried quite a few of Islay scotches (Ardbeg Blasda, Ardbeg 10yr, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Bowmore 12yr, Bowmore Tempest, and Lagavulin 16yr) and I am just not a fan of the peat.

I am more a fan of the smooth scotches, even if they're not single malts but blended.

Currently in my collection:

1. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban.
2. Balvenie Doublewood
3. Johnnie Walker Blue
4. Johnnie Walker Gold
5. Johnnie Walker Green
6. Johnnie Walker Black
7. Amrut single malt peated cask strength

I could do without the JW Gold and Black.

How is the Amrut? I'm looking at buying one of their products as a post-exam gift to myself.

Hound · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2012, 11:03:18 am »

Quote from: RatFink on April 12, 2012, 10:48:18 am

How is the Amrut? I'm looking at buying one of their products as a post-exam gift to myself.

I enjoy it and everyone I have let taste it enjoys it as well. The bottle is cask strength though (62.8%) so I find it needs a bit of water to tame it.

teacherman · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2012, 11:30:21 am »

Sorry guys, but I just have to. Every time I open this thread, I keep expecting this guy to show up.

Carry on

Hound · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:42:34 am »

Anyone try Tullibardine Rum Finished scotch?

rex 123 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:58:39 am »

No one has mentioned the Bothy? Does that mean it's not worth going to?
Hound, funny how you like the green over the gold and black I was the same way.
My go too's are MacAllan 12, Oben 19 distillers ed. and JW Green.

Tenacious_B · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:04:06 am »

Quote from: rex 123 on April 13, 2012, 08:58:39 am

No one has mentioned the Bothy? Does that mean it's not worth going to?
Hound, funny how you like the green over the gold and black I was the same way.
My go too's are MacAllan 12, Oben 19 distillers ed. and JW Green.

I hit the Bothy about 5 times a year, expensive but the food is incredible and the Scotch selection is fantastic.

It's a good way to try some Scotch's that you normally wouldn't take a risk on if you don't like them.

Hound · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2012, 10:21:17 am »

Quote from: rex 123 on April 13, 2012, 08:58:39 am

Hound, funny how you like the green over the gold and black I was the same way.

For $45, I find the JW Black quite lackluster. I'd rather buy a bottle of Crown Royal Black or even a bottle of Famous Grouse. I do like JW Gold but at that price point, there are a ton of other scotches I'd rather have.

RatFink · « **Reply #24 on:** May 19, 2012, 10:48:11 pm »

I picked up a bottle of the Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whiskey (3rd best whiskey in the world in 2010) and am very impressed so far.
Not as hard to drink as some scotches I've encountered (Caol Ila for instance), but very very tasty.
To my uneducated palate it comes across with your expected whiskey flavour off the top, but finishes with a lovely smooth smokey (I describe this flavour as like those fake bacon bits) flavour.
To any of you who have opened a bottle of Caol Ila and smelled it, you know the smell/flavour I'm talking about.