paranoid Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Not quite, at the tasting I went to with the guy from singlemalts/duncan and taylor we were advised that some whisky can benefit from a few drops of water to open it up, but not all. It very much depends on the whisky in question.This.(I didn't scroll down when I was told I was "incorrect") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Really there's not many rules about drinking whisky. However you enjoy it is up to you. The only thing you really shouldn't do is put ice in it. Kills the flavour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Jack Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Not quite, at the tasting I went to with the guy from singlemalts/duncan and taylor we were advised that some whisky can benefit from a few drops of water to open it up, but not all. It very much depends on the whisky in question.True, and I would say a few drops at most, a splash sounds too much. And tepid water, not cold.Possibly getting into whisky geekdom here though. We'll be spitting it out next... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paranoid Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 The only thing you really shouldn't do is put ice in it. Kills the flavour.Yeah, we did the Highland Park tour when we were up in Orkney a couple of weeks ago, and the little English man was very forceful with the other people on the tour at tasting time about ice. I got the feeling he knew I knew better because he directed that particular rant at everyone else, then shrugged at me. Very strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paranoid Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Possibly getting into whisky geekdom here though. We'll be spitting it out next...Not in my fucking house we won't be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Stu Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Obviously you mean shit blended whiskys. There are actually good ones on the market that would also be a waste to mix with anything.Though I can see an argument for using decent whisky in a proper cocktail like a whisky sour or rusty nail. Like cooking with wine, if you're not prepared to drink it you shouldn't be prepared to cook with it.I don't think I've really had a decent blended whisky, I tend to go for what I know, but yes I'd agree with that. I don't usually have whisky cocktails either, but if I get a margherita I want decent tequila in it, meaning not Jose Cuervo which is hell in a bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scorge Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Glenfiddich 21 y/o and Talisker 18 y/o are my personal faves. Both are quite pricey though.Peckhams range wasn't too bad, but for the more obscure stuff you need to visit the specialist shops on a whisky-tasting event. Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum is a cracking wee place for this. Dunnotar Wines down here also do them fairly regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTickingTime-Bomb Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 You guys all own me at whisky knowledge, but I thought I'd leave this here.Whiskies of Scotland, Scotch WhiskyMy mate works there and his dad is a manager. It has some great guides and information for tasting tours etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaki Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'm partial to a grouse, ice and watter when I'm too full up on the beer. As well as enjoying the aromas, swilling the whisky around your tumbler, holding it up to the light and arguing endlessly about which year is the best let's not forget that whisky has a long and successful history in this country and beyond of getting people blootered. That glow, that warmth, that burning in your stomach, the slurring of your words. Heaven. I also put a lump in my malts but I'll try to stop that on the advice above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Easy Wishes Posted November 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Looks like I've been misinformed re: the water...didn't really think about treating different malts differently, so thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tam o' Shantie Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 The guy in Stonehaven has an 'off the shelf' list of spirits, some astonishingly expensive which = 'fine' I suppose.Lucy got me an export strength Rum from him that cost a fair bit, but was pretty fucking fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Discovered recently that most of the whisky from the highly regarded Fettercairn distillery actually goes into supermarket own brands.And you can add me into the Laphroiag (sp)=TCP club, somebody bought me an unsolicited double at a wedding once and I felt obliged to drink the bastard, gadz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaki Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Discovered recently that most of the whisky from the highly regarded Fettercairn distillery actually goes into supermarket own brands.And you can add me into the Laphroiag (sp)=TCP club, somebody bought me an unsolicited double at a wedding once and I felt obliged to drink the bastard, gadz.You want a drink? No thanks, I'm OK just now. C'mon, I'm buying. What do you want? No, I'm quite alright thank you. I've just got a pint. A wee nip then? No, seriously, thanks but no thanks. What's your tipple? I'm fine, seriously. (five minutes)Here's a double Laphroaig for ye son. Bottoms up! I hate it when that happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Easy Wishes Posted November 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 You want a drink? No thanks, I'm OK just now. C'mon, I'm buying. What do you want? No, I'm quite alright thank you. I've just got a pint. A wee nip then? No, seriously, thanks but no thanks. What's your tipple? I'm fine, seriously. Quoted for accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaki Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Sainsburys are selling Laphroiag Quarter Cask at the moment, it's bottled at 48% and it's probably the greatest whisky I've tasted in years. The extra woodiness masks the alcohol somewhat so it is possible to forget that you're drinking something a bit more heady than usual. Or alternatively go to the General Health Shelf, buy a bottle of TCP and stick a couple of burnt twigs in it when you get home 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Easy Wishes Posted November 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Sainsburys are selling Laphroiag Quarter Cask at the moment, it's bottled at 48% and it's probably the greatest whisky I've tasted in years. The extra woodiness masks the alcohol somewhat so it is possible to forget that you're drinking something a bit more heady than usual. As for blends, I've always found Monkey Shoulder and Baillie Nicol Jarvie perfectly acceptable. Perfect for cocktails, at any rate.Expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoonie Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Good thread! I was at an Ardbeg tasting a month or so back and discovered a beauty in their Blasda - it's as clear as I've seen a whisky and has almost a marzipan taste to it. an absolutely beauty.As well as that, I'm a big fan of Jura Superstition which is quite a sweet whisky compared to most of those discussed so far. Equally, the peatier ones aren't for me, particularly Lagavulin which was perfectly summed up above by the idea of burnt twigs in TCP!I always have several bottles of Fettercairn on the shelf because a local to me back home and it's nice (plus I can get it cheap!) and at the moment I'm also enjoying an Old Pulteney. Apart from that, there are a tonne more in my cupboard and I'll always seek out a new or unusual one if I see it on my travels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaki Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Good thread! I was at an Ardbeg tasting a month or so back and discovered a beauty in their Blasda - it's as clear as I've seen a whisky and has almost a marzipan taste to it. an absolutely beauty.As well as that, I'm a big fan of Jura Superstition which is quite a sweet whisky compared to most of those discussed so far. Equally, the peatier ones aren't for me, particularly Lagavulin which was perfectly summed up above by the idea of burnt twigs in TCP!I always have several bottles of Fettercairn on the shelf because a local to me back home and it's nice (plus I can get it cheap!) and at the moment I'm also enjoying an Old Pulteney. Apart from that, there are a tonne more in my cupboard and I'll always seek out a new or unusual one if I see it on my travels.Speaking of "local" and "cheap" I remember a holiday to SW France which involved nipping in to Andorra to buy a bootful of whisky to take back to where it was made because it was so much cheaper than buying it there. How does that work?! (I understand how it works really, but it still strikes me as odd)I never have a tonne in my cupboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinnell Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I have to say I'm a Macallan man myself but for a change I do enjoy Talisker. My all time favourite has to be Macallan Fine Oak 12 year old. I remember asking for a bottle of this in a whisky shop in Edinburgh. Then promptly walking out when it turned out the guy serving me was American and trying to recommend 'better' whiskies. Sorry but I can't take advice on whisky from some bourbon drinking yank. As for the water debate. I have to say it depends what whisky you're drinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paranoid Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Sorry but I can't take advice on whisky from some bourbon drinking yank. A bit of a blinkered, bigoted view, non?o_O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairyScaryMark Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Incorrect.Whisky needs a splash of water to release the full aroma/flavour.I disagree, while some Whisky benefits from water (particularly the non chill filtered cask strength Whisky) but I personally rarely add water to any standard malts. In saying that, I tend to like the strongest of flavoursOut of the 'standard' malts, my favourites are, Isle of Jura and Bunnahabhain. I also find Chivas Regal to be a very nice blend.I've generally found a reasonable selection of malts in most medium-large supermarkets and in Oddbins or similar.This Whisky Castle in Tomintoul is a great shop if you happen to be going out in that direction. The guy who owns the shop is a bit of a character and lets you try stuff. They also have a website. He also said most people prefer non chill filtered and cask strength Whisky when they get to directly compare.whiskycastle.index.htmWhen I went in I tried a couple of different Whiskies and came out with a 'Smoking Bunnahabhain' from Adelphi Whiskies. You absolutely should add water to this sort of thing.Adelphi Distillery HomeMy favourite Whisky is 'Smoking Islay - unfiltered, cask strength (it has solid bits in it)' from Blackadder Whiskies. The one without the solid bits is also good but not nearly as full flavoured.Blackadder Whiskies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairyScaryMark Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Sainsburys are selling Laphroiag Quarter Cask at the moment, it's bottled at 48% and it's probably the greatest whisky I've tasted in years. The extra woodiness masks the alcohol somewhat so it is possible to forget that you're drinking something a bit more heady than usual. It was on special offer a few weeks ago for 23, down from 30, I think.Will be heading to Sainsburys when I get a chance. That stuff is definitely to be recommended and at 23 is a bargain for a Whisky with that much taste.edit: sorry for the double post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paranoid Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 My favourite Whisky is 'Smoking Islay - unfiltered, cask strength (it has solid bits in it)' from Blackadder Whiskies. The one without the solid bits is also good but not nearly as full flavoured.Blackadder WhiskiesHell yeah, that stuff is awesome. Have you tried Ardbeg Supernova? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoonie Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 Was out at the weekend on another ale and whisky binge and had a lovely Scapa 16 as well as this other whisky recommended by the barman which I can't recall the name of. He said that the company just bottle whiskies, they don't distil them, and the one we had was tremendous. Anyone know of a bottler like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Was out at the weekend on another ale and whisky binge and had a lovely Scapa 16 as well as this other whisky recommended by the barman which I can't recall the name of. He said that the company just bottle whiskies, they don't distil them, and the one we had was tremendous. Anyone know of a bottler like this?Duncan Taylor's in Huntly do that:Duncan Taylor Cask Strength Scotch WhiskyThey buy selected casks and do limited bottling runs. The whisky shop right at the bottom of the royal mile, just before you get to Holyrood does it as well I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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