(Vanity) For Grown-Ups only: What's the best Single Malt Whiskey?

20Sep03 | yankeedame

[yankeedame]

With fall/winter comin' on, I need to lay in a wee bit of SMW (strickly for medicinal purposes only you understand)

I've always brought Glenn-Lyvet(sp?) but I know I'm probably missing some great SMW out there. Suggestions please?

[balrog666]

Ask and you will be answered!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Every single malt will have a slightly different sting. Enjoy a Drambue while you're searching.

[gr8eman]

Highland Park...18 Year Old

[The KG9 Kid]

I think Balrog is right, but I drink tequila.

[fso301]

The kind my uncle makes down in the mountains of North Carolina.

[Frank_Discussion]

Yes.

[Paladin2b]

Damn straight...Laphroaig is the champ of single malts, hands down. It's an acquired taste, though.

[Frank_Discussion]

Just joshing. I'm a big Glenlivet fan myself, though Glenmorangie is hard to top in my book.

[Cpu]

The best thing I can recommend, is that you buy a fifth of each and invite me over for a taste test.

cpu

[quidnunc]

The Balvenie though many would say The Macallen.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"Strictly for Medicinal purposes only you understand."

Yeah, Right! Snakes are all in hibernation and one can't have too much snake bite remedy on hand, just in case it turns out to be an unseasonably warm, snake friendly winter.

Just stock in a years supply of whatever is on sale, it all has a curative effect on cabin fever, it is sometimes so curative that one is tempted to just ignore spring, summer and fall, and hold out for another winter.

[auntdot]

You guys hit the two I would recommend.

Highland Park is very smooth, and is a great way to introduce people to single malts.

Laphroaig is my personal favorite, but it does have a taste of iodine that even I can pick up (not a real great palate here).

All of them are good however.

[.45MAN]

Well to start with there are more than a hundred SMW's so where to begin Myabe you should try them all.... Glenfiddich special reserve 18yr is one of my favorites I have about a half a bottle left at the moment. Unless you go to the better eateries you won't find many to choose from. I can attest to that and in some cases you get a blank stare when you say "what do you have for single Malt.They almost never bring it in the right glass either

There's Highland, Lowland and Islay. Then the ages any where from 5years to 40years. if you can afford it... I do like the Glenfiddich I also like the Glenmorangie a Highland from the North of Scotland..

[KC_Conspirator]

Johnnie Walker Blue, but its damn pricey.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"but I drink tequila."

Big deal! Do you eat the worm?

[.45MAN]

Laphroaig, is a bit too medicinal for me....

[strela]

Glenfiddich.

You're welcome.

[tbpiper]

Cardhu, Lagavulin, Oban, and many others. It's all very subjective. Get some friends over, have everybody bring a different bottle, and have a good time tasting. (you may want to pick a long weekend to do this)

[Age of Reason]

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/08292003

Scroll-down that page to listen to "Ronnie Cox Cuttysark’s Single Malt Whiskey Expert looks into the history and science of scotch manufacturing."

[.45MAN]

The one think that amazes me is the change in taste as they age Even the same brand, 10 ,12 15, 18 20, 25. All have their own special flavor and aroma...

[Cicero]

To some extent it depends on your taste. Most single malts are aged in old whiskey casks shipped from the U.S. that were earlier used to make bourbon in. (Don't ask me why.) Some of them are also, as I recall, aged for a while in casks that were used for sherry or port, I forget which, and shipped from Spain. This gives a somewhat different taste.

As a rule, of course, the whiskey that is aged the longest is the best.

[.45MAN]

That should be only used behind the ears as a perfume

[jocon307]

"...invite me over for a taste test."

Me too!

[yankeedame]

"...cases you get a blank stare when you say "what do you have for single Malt.They almost never bring it in the right glass either..."

I found this while surfin' the web.

Single Malt Whiskey Glass Riedel - Vinum ($19.99)

Is this the right kind of glass or just a gimic by this company?

It also says you're supposed to add a wee bit of water to the drink "to bring up the bouquet". Is that for real? (I knew you were never to add ice, but I didn't know about adding water.)

[Grammy]

Mr Grammy loves Bowmore Mariner.
I however, liken it to sucking on a handful of wet peat moss.

[Prodigal Son]

If you're talking about the stuff made in Scotland you must spell it whisky (no e) ;-)

I prefer Islay Whisky to Speyside. I personally like Bowmore 18 yr old but can't afford to drink it :-( Highland Park is very nice too (even though it's not from Islay). Not many distilleries still do their own floor malting. Bowmore does, I don't believe Highland Park does though (but it's still good).

[Prodigal Son]

Johnnie Walker Blue

JW Blue is blended isn't it? Not a single malt.

[Prodigal Son]

Most single malts are aged in old whiskey casks shipped from the U.S. that were earlier used to make bourbon in. (Don't ask me why.)

Aye, Jim Beam supplies a lot of distilleries here with casks. Many are aged in both- first the Beam barrels and then in Spanish sherry casks. The Sherry casks give it a taste and they both (Beam and Sherry) serve to color the whisky.

[gr8eman]

That is correct!!

[Caipirabob]

BUMP for experience and opinions I value next time I buy.

[hellinahandcart]

Any "west coast" product will be superior, with a modest "smoky", or "peaty" flavor. Laphroig is the most radical "peat" flavor....I would reccommend the Bowmore for its value and well balanced flavor.....any "Islay" product will be satisfactory....also consider the Bruichladdich, and Oban. Any of these are winners and will provide a great winter refreshment.

(This is advice from hellinahandcart's brother)

[in the Arena]

Porfidio ping...pricey though...

[kenth]

There's no worm in tequila. There's a world of difference in something like El Tesoro and the usual smoke flavored turpentine.

Scotch: The Balvenie

[Savage Beast]

Excellent idea, Pipe. A friend invited me to a whiskey tasting a few years ago. I had forsaken all drinks for wine. He concentrated heavily on Islays, served them straight. I fell in love with Lagavulin. Since then I haven't been without it, though I'm still in love with wine. (Men are fickle. They want it all.)

[Savage Beast]

Some one gave me some North Carolina mountain moonshine several years ago. I was surprised at how good it was. He explained that the recipes, dating from pre-historic times, were brought to the Appalachians by the original Scottish and Irish settlers and that the whiskey was still made as it always had been. I drank it undiluted, like a liqueur.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You are corect. Tequila is worm free. There are some nice, aged tequilas, just like aged Scotch and Irish whisky.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"There's no worm in tequila."

I have spent half my life to date, along the Mexican border and can attest to the fact that fermented cactus juice alone, does not make genuine tequila.Calling it Tequila without the worm, is like calling imported booze Scotch without feeling just a mite superior to those who prefer American beer instead.

Conservatives are people who get their laughs from people who blow their retirement on trying to impress people who are turned off by their juvenile efforts to impress them.

Please, spare us as well as your self.

[meyer]

Ahhhh! I like Laphroaig. Very thick, peaty flavor. Tasty.

Right now (well, not right now, but in the last couple of evenings), I've been 'sampling' a bottle of Dalmore 12 Y.O. single. Not bad, a little milder and smoother, but I like the "rougher" stuff better.

I'm still in the learning stages when it comes to Scotch. I generally pick up a bottle of single malt every couple of months to see what the different areas and brands provide in flavor.

[F.J. Mitchell]

THe whole world loves know nothing know it alls. No one has said that the worm in tequila was not just as aged and smooth as the tequila that pickled it's delicious little body. Unlike the rats and other vermin that accidently drown in the aging vats of every and all alcoholic beverage, these worms are specially selected and sanitized, just like the bottles that they and Tequila are sealed into.

Worms in tequila were put there on purpose. Rat hair, tape worms and flies you find in Scotch, Irish and Canadian Whiskies are there by accident and probably never sanitized.

I'll take my tequila with a worm if you don't mind, and when I can no longer afford the best, I'll Stoop to ingesting Tequila without worms,or Scotch, Irish and Canadian, just like those who don't know any better.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Still in the learning stages huh? Still such a novice at choosing an adult beverage that you must wait for some self proclaimed genius to tell you what beverage you like the taste of?

Taste it for yourself-If your friends come over and sneer at it-tell them to bring their own bottle next time-if you are willing foir there to be a next time.

[F.J. Mitchell]

A sterefoam cup, one hundred for a dollar, would serve the purpose just as well.

Are you serious or just mocking assinity? A glass is a glass-a container is a container, except that a waxed cold drink cup, should never be used for a hot drink. That is a no no in society.

[The KG9 Kid]

Good tequila doesn't come with worms.

Disco-era gimmick.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Disco-era gimmick, my ass!

THe worm in tequlia has been a reality, from the day that a thirsty Mexican Squeezed more juice from a cactus than he could use right away, and accidently bottled a worm that had fallen into the fermenting cactus juice while he slept.

Why must the Disco era dingle berries claim credit for things that began before their grand parents were born?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

A bottle of Mexican liquor containing a worm tastes like Tequila and is related to Tequila. But its not Tequila.
Ask you bartender.

[edchambers]

"but I drink tequila."

Big deal! Do you eat the worm?

Actually Mezcal has a worm Tequila doesn't.They aren't quite the same thing.The worm is put in there as evidence it comes from the Mezcalito cactus. Supposedly the worm only lives in that cactus, the same cactus Mezcaline is made from.I think Tequila is made from the Agave? Not sure not much of a tequila drinker these days.

[edchambers]

One more thing about Tequila good tequila doesn't have to be expensive.Most of the cost is in advertizing, Souza white which used to be around 8$ a bottle is much smoother than the well advertised Cuervo gold or even the 1800.

[ThanhPhero]

I believe the wormy tequila is mescal.

[Ronin]

Although distilled far, far, far from the Highlands of Scotland, Japan's Suntory Hibiki and Suntory Yamazaki labels are pure paradise for single malt drinkers. I have no idea if they are even available outside Japan.

For basic tipple, I am fond of Famous Grouse, but that's blended.

Drambuie in strong black coffee is my favorite weekend, vacation morning eye-opener (once each blue moon, that is). I don't have any in stock at the moment.

[meyer]

Still in the learning stages huh? Still such a novice at choosing an adult beverage that you must wait for some self proclaimed genius to tell you what beverage you like the taste of?

I never said I was a novice, nor did I ask the advice of anyone else in choosing my favorite scotch. I simply said that I'm in the learning stage. I've acquired a list of those that I like and it is much longer than the list of those that I don't like. But I haven't tried them all, nor have I studied the various areas in which certain types of Scotch are made.

There's more to the beverage than just drinking it - there's a good deal of history and geography that goes with Scotch as well. Perhaps not important if one only drinks for the pleasure of flavor, but its interesting to know something about the fine beverage called Scotch IMHO.

Taste it for yourself-If your friends come over and sneer at it-tell them to bring their own bottle next time-if you are willing foir there to be a next time.

Absolutely - I have very few friends that will drink scotch in the first place, and the few that do will share and discuss the fine beverage. For the others, I will share beer and such. They're good people as well, but they aren't Scotch drinkers. I can accept that. :)