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Thread: Whisky

  1. #1
    The Irish Drunk! neonplanet40's Avatar
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    Whisky

    So, living in Scotland, when I visit friends, it is normal to be offered a 'wee dram' of whisky.

    I think I am developing a little taste for it on occasions. However, I have no whisky at home.

    I am keen to get some small samples and try them so I can maybe get one which I like and which I can share when people visit!

    So, Hexites.... Any ideas/opinions/ recommendations?

    Also, where is the best place to get small samples or can you not do this?

    Thank you
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    Missed by us all - RIP old boy spacein_vader's Avatar
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    Re: Whisky

    Quote Originally Posted by neonplanet40 View Post
    So, living in Scotland, when I visit friends, it is normal to be offered a 'wee dram' of whisky.

    I think I am developing a little taste for it on occasions. However, I have no whisky at home.

    I am keen to get some small samples and try them so I can maybe get one which I like and which I can share when people visit!

    So, Hexites.... Any ideas/opinions/ recommendations?

    Also, where is the best place to get small samples or can you not do this?

    Thank you
    I won't offer any particular recommendations as it's all personal preference but the Scotch Whisky Association is a good place to get your head around the different types (single malt, blend, aging etc.) and the different regions (such as Islay or Speyside,) which tend to have their own styles.

    From there you have 2 options, either find a pub/bar that does a broad range of whisky's and try a few from the different regions (not necessarily all on one visit!) and see which you like or get some miniatures. Any large branch of the big supermarkets (particularly Tesco IIRC,) will do miniature bottles of the big brands. It'll tend to be their cheaper malts but it might help you find a style or styles you like, which you can then look into further.

    Within the styles as you go up the price range you tend to find the whiskys become less harsh rather than drastically changing flavour so I wouldn't go much north of £30 a bottle until you know you like (for example) a peaty or smoky whisky.

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  4. #3
    MCRN Tachi Ttaskmaster's Avatar
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    Re: Whisky

    Like Spacein says, try several from each region to see which ones you like, then explore further.
    I seem to like Speyside most.
    My favourite is Balvenie.

    Incidentally, Noble Isle make a range of 'water and whisky' soaps which use actual whisky extract from the Balvenie distillery. It's awesome!!

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    Re: Whisky

    Quote Originally Posted by neonplanet40 View Post
    Also, where is the best place to get small samples or can you not do this?
    You most certainly can. I recommend drinks by the dram:

    http://www.drinksbythedram.com/

    purchaseable through:

    https://www.masterofmalt.com/samples/

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    Re: Whisky

    Alternatively, keep your eyes open for local whisky tastings - I'd be very surprised if they didn't come along occasionally, even in Scotland (they can't assume that everyone already knows what whisky tastes like, surely). I've done a couple over the years; it's how I discovered that I hugely prefer Scotch to Irish, plus they tend to be a good laugh

    Also look out for any specialist shops - many will happily let you taste a few samples while you peruse the shelves (there's a really good one in Manchester who've always got a number of bottles open to tempt you with).

    If neither of those options is available up north, you could always explore such events south of the border and visit some friends

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    Senior Member Smudger's Avatar
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    Re: Whisky

    If you're ever on the West Coast, the Loch Fyne whisky shop in Inveraray is really good. We ended up getting a few bottles from them. Advantage: the roads to get there are really good if you like to press on, the scenery is spectacular, you get a drink when you get there. Disadvantage: don't have more that a snifter if you're driving back. Maybe take it easier on the way back, or stay the night.

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  12. #7
    Bagnaj97
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    Re: Whisky

    Often if you go to a good independent wine shop they'll have a decent selection of whiskies that you can sample.

    Personally I'm a fan of rich, sweet whiskies - Aberlour 12yo is my go-to

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    Re: Whisky

    Oh man, I don't really believe in having a regular "go to" whiskey, there is just too much variety. I've a membership to the SMWS which is great.

    I'd also recommend http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/ for having some really interesting varieties.
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    Re: Whisky

    Cardhu Gold Reserve Single Malt:

    https://groceries.asda.com/product/m...FaUD0wod_0oC9Q

    There are some English whiskeys which are nice too,but I assume this is more for Scottish ones!!

    BTW,if you have not tried Japanese Whiskey,it really is worth it.

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    Re: Whisky

    [PEDANT]
    Whisky is Scotch
    Whiskey is Irish or American
    [/PEDANT]

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    Grumpy and VERY old :( g8ina's Avatar
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    Re: Whisky

    Laphraoig, quarter cask if I can afford it. Sheer bliss, BUT not for everyone, very smoky, peaty, with a heavy TCP afterglow.

    Or, Jura, Talisker, Aberlour, Ceol Isla, Jura, or Jura (I like Jura).

    Comments as above,m find a club, a tasting session, or a good shop. If you are ever up Elgin way, there is (was ??) a superb shop up there, cannot remember the name but they used to buy up stock of distilleries that were closing down, they kept em in bond and slowly release em as specials.

    Im rather happy that there is a VERY small English distillery very local to me that are slowly releasing "English Malt Spirit", its 3 yr old right now and is already stunning, gawd only knows how stunning it will be as a 12 yr old ! A great Speyside feel to it, but the malt finish lasts for ages. Tove Mill - a name to look out for in future.

    http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Northam...sh-malt-spirit
    Cheers, David



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    Senior Member MaddAussie's Avatar
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    Re: Whisky

    Find a good independent off licence that will let you try a sample, I have found one that is great.

    My current whisky cabinet (ignore the Pimms!)



    From left to right back to front.

    BenRaich 15 year portwood finish
    Genmorangie - Quinta Ruban
    Cardu Gold Reserve
    Teelings Small Batch
    Glenfiddich IPA
    Abelour 12 year old
    Jura Superstition
    Yamazaki distiller's reserve
    Tail Singleton Tailfire
    Auchentoshan American Oak
    Laphroaig 10 Year Old
    Penderyn Bourbon Cask (I think)

    I like them all but I have to be in the mood for the Laphroaig as I'm not a fan of the peated


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    Re: Whisky

    Quote Originally Posted by g8ina View Post
    Laphraoig, quarter cask if I can afford it. Sheer bliss, BUT not for everyone, very smoky, peaty, with a heavy TCP afterglow.

    Or, Jura, Talisker, Aberlour, Ceol Isla, Jura, or Jura (I like Jura).

    Comments as above,m find a club, a tasting session, or a good shop. If you are ever up Elgin way, there is (was ??) a superb shop up there, cannot remember the name but they used to buy up stock of distilleries that were closing down, they kept em in bond and slowly release em as specials.

    Im rather happy that there is a VERY small English distillery very local to me that are slowly releasing "English Malt Spirit", its 3 yr old right now and is already stunning, gawd only knows how stunning it will be as a 12 yr old ! A great Speyside feel to it, but the malt finish lasts for ages. Tove Mill - a name to look out for in future.

    http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Northam...sh-malt-spirit
    I live near Northampton, will have to check that out! I'm also a Jura fan.

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  26. #14
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    Re: Whisky

    The Cardhu was really smooth!!

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    Senior Member MaddAussie's Avatar
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    Re: Whisky

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    The Cardhu was really smooth!!
    Yeah it is, It was on special in Tesco a while back, I'm on my second bottle! The Glenmorangie is gorgeous too!

    The 15 year old Benraich is lovely too, but has been replaced by a 21 year old and has consequently taken a price hike, I will treat myself for my birthda


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    Re: Whisky

    Quote Originally Posted by MaddAussie View Post
    Yeah it is, It was on special in Tesco a while back, I'm on my second bottle! The Glenmorangie is gorgeous too!

    The 15 year old Benraich is lovely too, but has been replaced by a 21 year old and has consequently taken a price hike, I will treat myself for my birthda
    Its on offer for £25 at Asda,and I thought it was very nice for the money. Also,yeah it sucks when a tipple you like is replace. When it came to bourbon,Elijah Craig 12 was really great for the money,but they replaced it with a multi-age blend which is not as good,and the same went for the Japanese Hibiki which they did the same. Sad days!

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