Consolidated "Scotch - Best & Worst, recommendations, questions" thread
Nov 28, 2011, 6:08 pm
#242
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,731
I know this is a ridiculously old qoute but it needs to be said...
Talisker is one of the (few) must drink whiskies. Definitely a benchmark, whether you like it or not. The other "must" is Lagavulin (particularly the 16 yo). Also interesting to try is Laphroaig (very iodine-tasting!) and Ardberg. Really superb. My other favourite is Macallan, particularly the older ones (e.g. 25 yo). For these it is best to use a brandy snifter or a burgundy wine glass (big bowl to let you swirl it and concentrate the aroma). Some of the whiskies -- but not all -- benefit from adding a drop of water ... literally a drop, it seems to break the surface tension rather than dilute the whisky. The better ones cannot be drunk with ice, without destroying half their impact.
Neither one of us are really whiskey drinkers, so we still have the majority of the open bottle sitting at home. Probably a bad idea to let it sit open that long, I don't know. A sip here and there is enough for me.
Nov 29, 2011, 5:17 am
#243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
Around 2006 (coincidence?) I visited my sister in Aberdeen. Me not knowing anything about whiskey decided it would be a good idea to buy something for my then boyfriend. I can't remember which store it was, but I picked up a bottle of 16 year old Lagavulin for about $50. The thinking was that we'll open it on my husband's (then boyfriend) 50th birthday in 2010.
Neither one of us are really whiskey drinkers, so we still have the majority of the open bottle sitting at home. Probably a bad idea to let it sit open that long, I don't know. A sip here and there is enough for me.
Neither one of us are really whiskey drinkers, so we still have the majority of the open bottle sitting at home. Probably a bad idea to let it sit open that long, I don't know. A sip here and there is enough for me.
2. Nothing wrong with having a bottle open that long. 43% alcohol doesn't go bad.
Dec 4, 2011, 9:52 pm
#245
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
I've heard that after lengthy exposure to air inside an open bottle (particularly as the % of air to scotch increases) the flavors in the whisky will change. Can't really vouch for that personally.
Dec 9, 2011, 8:11 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Wanted to chime in again with a short anecdote. My wife, brother and father and I went to dinner at a very good local place. We had reservations, which they were unable to honor at the designated time (or anything close to it). To his credit, after about 20 minutes of waiting in a crowded foyer, the host asked if he could get us drinks. I said "sure - three scotches and a vodka". Granted, these were on the house, so I won't complain too much, but they served us J&B. I choked it down and made a mental note to never drink that particular brand again. Not to mention that the bartender handed me the bill (which the host quickly took back) and when I peeked inside, each drink was about $10. For J&B? 
Dec 9, 2011, 10:54 pm
#248
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
The Glenrothes 1994 - about $75 at any decent liquor store
Costco's house brand, Kirkland Signature - $50-80ish for 12-18 yr if you can find it. It's generally available only in small quantities, and around this time of year. It's made by Macallan.
Old Pulteney 21 - about $110 online. Recently rated the best scotch around by some critic on PRI
Costco's house brand, Kirkland Signature - $50-80ish for 12-18 yr if you can find it. It's generally available only in small quantities, and around this time of year. It's made by Macallan.
Old Pulteney 21 - about $110 online. Recently rated the best scotch around by some critic on PRI
Dec 9, 2011, 10:56 pm
#249
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
Got a shipment earlier this week....
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Singleton 12yr
Yamakazi 12yr
Hakushu 12yr
Glengoyne 17yr
Waiting for one more box to arrive next week.
Dec 10, 2011, 4:18 am
#250
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,963
As a Scot, I've been reading the last couple of pages in horror! 
Please do not, under any circumstances, put ice in your whisky - it only disguises the taste.
Tap water is perfectly fine, and to be encouraged to taste. Personally, I find there are some which I like better with a touch of water - all Laphroigs, for example; and others which I prefer without water - Talisker 10, Highland Park 18, for example.
And of course, if you are drinking cask strength whisky (typically up to 60%), water is a necessity.
Indeed, for those of you wanting to try something different, I would suggest exploring single-cask, cask-strength bottlings. Because they are single-cask, they are not the bog-standard which you would expect, and you can find some real gems.
Please do not, under any circumstances, put ice in your whisky - it only disguises the taste.
Tap water is perfectly fine, and to be encouraged to taste. Personally, I find there are some which I like better with a touch of water - all Laphroigs, for example; and others which I prefer without water - Talisker 10, Highland Park 18, for example.
And of course, if you are drinking cask strength whisky (typically up to 60%), water is a necessity.
Indeed, for those of you wanting to try something different, I would suggest exploring single-cask, cask-strength bottlings. Because they are single-cask, they are not the bog-standard which you would expect, and you can find some real gems.
Dec 10, 2011, 4:29 am
#251
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,963
Would be interested to hear how you get on with the Japanese bottles - I've heard good things.
Dec 10, 2011, 2:54 pm
#253
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,044
Dec 11, 2011, 2:30 pm
#254
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
Dec 11, 2011, 4:30 pm
#255
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
As a Scot, I've been reading the last couple of pages in horror!
Please do not, under any circumstances, put ice in your whisky - it only disguises the taste.
Tap water is perfectly fine, and to be encouraged to taste. Personally, I find there are some which I like better with a touch of water - all Laphroigs, for example; and others which I prefer without water - Talisker 10, Highland Park 18, for example.
And of course, if you are drinking cask strength whisky (typically up to 60%), water is a necessity.
Indeed, for those of you wanting to try something different, I would suggest exploring single-cask, cask-strength bottlings. Because they are single-cask, they are not the bog-standard which you would expect, and you can find some real gems.
Please do not, under any circumstances, put ice in your whisky - it only disguises the taste.
Tap water is perfectly fine, and to be encouraged to taste. Personally, I find there are some which I like better with a touch of water - all Laphroigs, for example; and others which I prefer without water - Talisker 10, Highland Park 18, for example.
And of course, if you are drinking cask strength whisky (typically up to 60%), water is a necessity.
Indeed, for those of you wanting to try something different, I would suggest exploring single-cask, cask-strength bottlings. Because they are single-cask, they are not the bog-standard which you would expect, and you can find some real gems.
I personally prefer ice in my Macallan 12 yr but prefer my Macallan 25 neat. Usually by the time I drink it, most of the ice in my glass is still there. So the only water mixed in with my Macallan is the small amount that melts while I drink my scotch. I have added water to Cask Strength Macallan. That does seem better with water. If I'm trying a scotch for the first time (Jura, Talisker etc) I will try it neat before I decide whether to add ice or water.