Whiskey recommendation thread

[Phage]

So many whiskys, so little time. Try each one neat by the measure in better pubs till you find one you like.

[ik9000]

Whisky and whiskey are 2 different things.

The good stuff is from Scotland and Scotch Whisky is a protected trademark like Parma Ham, Champagne and the like. There are very strict requirements for something to be called a Scotch whisky such as it has to be made in Scotland, and matured, and bottled there.

A single malt whisky is the stuff I'd go for. This, by law, has to have been oak aged in a barrel "used no more than 3-4 times (or thereabouts)" (sic), for a period of at least 9 years (IIRC) and which is made, matured and bottled in Scotland and all the whisky in the bottle has to have come from a single distillery. A single malt can be a mix of different casks from one distillery provided they have all been suitably aged, and then struck + bottled on the site at the same time. Eg Talisker 57 North (gorgeous and at 57% potent too). Most single malts are just from one cask however - but it should be noted that the whisky in the bottle is often diluted from its cask strength - otherwise the alcohol content would be way more than the circa 30-35% of most whiskys.

The longer a whisky has matured in the cask, the more evaporation has taken place. The richer the flavours and the more expensive the whisky will cost. There are other tricks such as transferring the whisky to a sherry cask, or port cask to help it absorb different flavours and enhance the whisky's characteristics.

A blend by contrast is a mix of a number of whiskys from various distilleries, such as Bells who mix from various places including Blair Athol (who also do a reasonable single malt, honey sweet hmm-hmm). They typically range from awful (only to be had with mixers or for baking) to moderate (vaguely palatable but best mixed), and the odd one is actually rather nice on its tod. Bells I'd only mix, though in its defence it was drinking through a bottle of this neat when after I got a horrendous viral infection that rendered me unable to speak at all nor to swallow without wincing, that got me into whisky to begin with. Famous grouse is similar, but slightly nicer IMO. If you can get Famous Grouse Black that is nicer still and goes really well with ginger beer.

A good single malt should never be mixed with anything, not ice (deadens the flavours), nor water (loses the subtleties) and certainly not soft drinks. There are pubs in Scotland which will refuse to serve you if you ask for "a single malt and...". That's what blends are for

Speyside whiskys come from the north east of Scotland along the River Spey to the Moray Firth. They tend to be less smoky since they aren't made using peat as the fuel in the malting process. They therefore don't have the smoky peaty taste/aroma some assume all whisky has. They can be slightly easier to get into for newcomers to whisky and honey, lemon, slight peach even, flavours make them rather pleasent to drink. Eg Glenfiddich

Whiskys from the islands and western Scotland (and Irish Whisky) are peaty and have varying flavours. Talisker (made on Skye) is indeed a cracking whisky, and the Talisker Distillers Edition (sweetened in a sherry cask) is one of my favourites - spicy, and with a nice smokey finish but not overpowering. I find Laphroaig (definitely not a Speyside whisky - I think it's made on Isla) not too bad, though I have to be in the right mood as it's a bit harsher on my palate. Definitely don't have it with chocolate caramel. Taste conflict

Another interesting Whisky to try - if you can find it - is the Glenfiddich Rich Oak (14 years matured, and sweetened in a sherry cask). Just picked up a 1l bottle at the duty free for £31 - bargain.

Whiskey aka bourbon is US in origin. People argue about Kentucky vs Tennessee and some argue one is whiskey the other bourbon but SFAIK the regs define them all as bourbon. JD, Makers Mark, etc. There are nice bourbons, but the cheaper stuff even by these manufacturers is IMO only good if it's with a mixer. I'm not a bourbon hater and often have JD and coke on a night out if the bar's range on tap/wine list is unappealing. Also the bourbon industry benefits the whisky industry. Bourbon/whiskey can only be made in new casks - therefore they have to get rid of the casks and they do so by selling them to? You've guessed it, Scottish Distilleries who use them 3 or 4 times or thereabouts to make proper whisky.

Get ye into it laddie. A wee dram is a fine sup for a winter's day.

[Zak33]

WELSH WHISKY

http://www.welsh-whisky.co.uk/whisky...ngle-malt.aspx

Penderyn finished in madeira barrels... I should WORK for these boys.. I suggest it to everyone.

it is HEAVEN

[ik9000]

WELSH WHISKY...

Penderyn finished in madeira barrels... I should WORK for these boys.. I suggest it to everyone.

sounds interesting Happy to give my opinion on it should someone send me a sample
(in the name of research obviously)

[Flibb]

Head down to a good pub or bar and try them, saves a lot of cash compared to buying bottles you dont get on with. If you have a wetherspoons near you they often do a reasonable range of single malts, the blends they carry can be a bit mediocre though. If you decide to visit a specialist whisky oub / bar make sure you check the prices (really good ones will have a menu), have a look here for some tasting notes and an idea of some not too extreme prices, have seen prices of over £250 a shot!! http://www.saltbar.com/Salt_Drinks_Menu.pdf

To be honest I am not that bothered with penderyn, for mys tastes its ok but nothing fantastic. There is even an English Whiskey now, then again Japan and Canada do some good examples as well.

my choices for a get you going couple of bottles are
Bailie Nicol Jarvine (BNJ), its a blended session whisky, not too bad on the pocket. Just about to finish my current bottle.
Cragganmore 12 year old, nice example of a Speyside.
Talisker 10 year old, nice peaty whisky
Laphroaig quarter cask. Very strong tasting, good idea to add water.
Scapa. Probably my favourite. They stopped doing my favourite 14 year old, just found out they now go for £60 a bottle. Think the standard is 12 year old now.

Just a couple of notes, nothing wrong with adding a bit of water, its down to how you like the taste, most tasting session involve adding differing amounts of water as it can bring out the aroma and taste. I also add a single bit of ice if drinking in the pub, just extends the drink a little bit for me. Also worth noting that blends can be either a blend of differing sinlge malts (sometimes called a blended malt), or they can be a mix of whiskys and have added grain alcohol. One style is not better than the other, they are just different. In fact blended malts can cost more that single malts.

[ik9000]

To be honest I am not that bothered with penderyn, for mys tastes its ok but nothing fantastic. There is even an English Whiskey now, then again Japan and Canada do some good examples as well.

Japan has the world's largest distillery IIRC.

Just a couple of notes, nothing wrong with adding a bit of water, its down to how you like the taste, most tasting session involve adding differing amounts of water as it can bring out the aroma and taste. I also add a single bit of ice if drinking in the pub, just extends the drink a little bit for me.

Ultimately it's a matter of personal preference, but I've found that for me adding ice deadens a single malt and leaves it tasting very different - rather weak and flat - much like adding a lot of water will do (similar to how really weak tea just tastes thin). Try it for yourself and find what you like, just I fear some people never get past having ice/lots of water and get to enjoy the flavour of unadulterated whisky.

Also worth noting that blends can be either a blend of differing sinlge malts (sometimes called a blended malt), or they can be a mix of whiskys and have added grain alcohol. One style is not better than the other, they are just different. In fact blended malts can cost more that single malts.

Any suggestions for a good blended malt?

[Flibb]

When on Skye last year I visited Talisker distillery and the Gaelic Whisky company. Rather liked Poit Dhubh which is a blended malt. Keep meaning to try Monkey Shoulder.

For a good blended scotch (included grain alcohol) I tend to go for BNJ, have a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label which I cant summon up any enthusiasm to finish.

[ik9000]

When were you at Talisker? I was there end of August - got such a good tour of the place. Fortunately my g/f's brilliance meant we were staying within walking distance which helped no end

Someone else mentioned Monkey Shoulder to me. Unfortunately when I hear the name I find myself just drifting off to memories of Monkey Island and the monkey wrench and the resultant nostalgia trip means I forget what we were talking about in the first place...

[Flibb]

When were you at Talisker? I was there end of August - got such a good tour of the place. Fortunately my g/f's brilliance meant we were staying within walking distance which helped no end

Not long after you, we were up there in September. We spent a week in Perth and then drove across to Skye. W went past one of Diageos places, assume it was a bottling plant, couldnt believe the size of the place. seemed to go on, and on, and onnnnnn, and then they were building sime new bits

[peterb]

Laphroaig is not Speyside, it's from Islay

I recommend Edradour 10 year but hard to come by although you can buy online

You, sir, are absolutely right! I stand corrected!

[Pilgrim_uk]

What about a nice wee Whyte and Mackay. Although cant abide the peaty whisky's (You know who you are ). I tried some Japanese whiskey in a pub in Glasgow at Christmas it was not bad very smooth and buggered if I can remember the name of it. Also used to like a Macallan.

Drink it Neat or with water to make it last. None of that cocktail nonsense.

[Flibb]

Anybody tried Fireball, its a cinnamon whiskey liquor thing. Had free samples in the pub a while back, all I can say is

[Rob_B]

Since you seem more into bourbon-y stuff go for Woodford Reserve, I'm no whisky fan myself but a nice bourbon goes down a treat!

[Pilgrim_uk]

tried Fireball, its a cinnamon whiskey liquor thing.

Somebody in my office loves the stuff. Have seen it for sale in Asda up here but don't think I would splash out for a bottle.

[ik9000]

For a good blended scotch (included grain alcohol) I tend to go for BNJ, have a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label which I cant summon up any enthusiasm to finish.

I've heard JW Green label is nice, but never tried it myself. Can't say I'd go out of my way to try it, but maybe someone will offer me some at some point, who knows. Had red label on a BA flight, though that's fairly standard fare I guess - nothing to write home about but nicer than Bells IMO.

used to like a Macallan when I had the chance.

yes, it's not bad. My g/f parents introduced me to that. Scottish family ties FTW.

[Hicks12]

Im going to say this.... I like Southern comfort and lemonade !

Its truely an awesome drink, easy very easy and refreshing almost like shandy . Ive always been a cider drinker and after having SC ive had it pretty much all the time, ive tried to get into other whiskeys but i just cant stand the after taste for some reason , only time ive enjoyed JD was when i had about 7 pints on cidre and someone offered to share their bottle of jd with me, was a lovely drink then but since ive been unable to like it .