Finished my first bottle of Scotch

[nortac]

I recently finished my first bottle of scotch, Famous Grouse, and found it quite enjoyable. It took a bit getting used to, having previously been a fan of mixed drinks. I have begun a bottle of The Black Grouse and find it not that much different. I suppose that since it is only blended that it is a far cry from an actual Islay peated scotch. For my next bottle, I was wondering if I should next select a standard single malt or jump to a straight Islay. I suppose the answer will not be dissimilar to "Try All the Tobacco!". What say you gentlemen?

 

[whavens]

I would go the Single Malt route first. The Islays are a bit much for me and I have been drinking Scotch for 25 years. But as with most things here YMMV. Maybe try a nice 12 year old Single Malt and see what you think of that.

 

[brucea]

I started with the Islay and really enjoyed it. My first bottle was the Laphroaig triple wood from there I think I bought one bottle from each Islay distiller before I finally went to other wiskeys . I really enjoyed the Islay. I have had the Black Grouse which is a Islay blend. I think for the price it is great but if you really want to see what peaty taste is all about go for the full on Islay. Some people like the Islay in cold weather only so you may want to take that into consideration.Right now I am enjoying a bottle of Glenmorangie Lasanta , very different than the Islay but very nice too. It is aged in Sherry casks for two years to bring the age to 12. I would suggest that one too if you want a sweeter scotch to try. Either way have fun

 

[ReAndyMator]

If you liked the Black Grouse try some Glenrothes. That's the bulk malt that's in Black Grouse. No peat though.

 

[chinthbaba]

Salutation my fellow scotch drinkers.
Just finished mcallan 15.
been a scotchie for 5.

 

[acesn8s]

If you liked Famous Grouse, Highland Park is one of the single-malts in it. HP12 is a nice middle ground scotch. It has peat, but not a lot like most Islays.

 

[Legion]

Famous grouse is one of my favourite less expensive blends. Black grouse is ok as well, although nowhere near as phenolic as the box would have you believe.

Sure, get an Islay and jump in feet first. If you don't like it right away it keeps. You can have another go at it later, or give it to visitors who enjoy that sort of thing.

 

[PDman]

Go for gold. A bad experience with a subpar Islay and you're ruined. Try a bottle of Lagavulin. Jump in with both feet.

 

[tronsistor]

Glenfiddich is very good IMHO

 

[Beerhunter]

It has been many years since I had glenfiddich is indeed a creat scotch. However my first sip was straight from the bottle. That was not a good experience for me. But it was better that the the walker products.

 

[HOT-AS]

I recently finished my first bottle of scotch, Famous Grouse, and found it quite enjoyable. - snip - I have begun a bottle of The Black Grouse and find it not that much different. - snip - What say you gentlemen?

I say you have a good tolerance, writing here so intoxicated

 

[badgertourist]

Try a few down the pub before buying a bottle?

Once you leave the more commercial blends behind you are entering tiger country! If you have enjoyed a peaty whiskey before then you will probably learn to love it- but some people can't drink them at all!

 

[nortac]

I opted for Glenfiddich 12 as my first single malt, enjoying some now, very nice.

 

[darinpix]

My wife is a great fan of single malts, but not super peaty ones. Glenlivet is her tipple of choice - reasonably priced, very smooth, great value.

I prefer cognac...

 

[the_edski]

You rang?




But seriously, the Glenfiddich 12 yr is a great single malt for the 1st bottle. If you like Black Grouse, then you will surely appreciate the flavors a nice Islay such as Laphroaig can provide. If you want something close to it, but not an Islay, you can try Talisker. It's peaty and smoky without being that "in your face" as an Islay can tend to be.

 

[nortac]

You rang?

View attachment 337697


But seriously, the Glenfiddich 12 yr is a great single malt for the 1st bottle. If you like Black Grouse, then you will surely appreciate the flavors a nice Islay such as Laphroaig can provide. If you want something close to it, but not an Islay, you can try Talisker. It's peaty and smoky without being that "in your face" as an Islay can tend to be.

All in due time as funds permit,LOL. Not at all timid about trying a full on Islay, but since I'm new to Scotch and hadn't had a single malt yet, I thought it best to educate my palate with a SM before diverting over to Islays without a broader frame of reference. Plus, I had just bought a couple nice Bourbons and that depleted my ethanol allowance for the week! Once the Black Grouse is gone, which won't be long, I'll pick up an Islay, Probably Laphroaig.

 

[Larry C in Texas]

At the risk of being shouted down, I suggest you branch out even further and try a good American Rye Whiskey. The rye takes out some of the extreme (to me) sweetness of the whiskey. I was a scotch drinker for 40 years - I didn't like bourbon at all - when I tried some rye and really like it. You can get a good rye (Dickel Rye, Bulliet Rye) for under $25 and it's a very nice change from scotch. Scotch is still a great drink, but it's not the only whisky/whiskey game in town.

YMMV.

 

[YetiDave]

Try a bottle of Jura - it's almost as readily available as Famous Grouse is over here so I'd imagine a fair bit's exported. It's a nice single malt and fairly inexpensive compared to Talisker et al. It's also head and shoulders above Grouse in terms of quality

 

[Legion]

Try a bottle of Jura - it's almost as readily available as Famous Grouse is over here so I'd imagine a fair bit's exported. It's a nice single malt and fairly inexpensive compared to Talisker et al. It's also head and shoulders above Grouse in terms of quality

It's also a bit over three times the price, at least in Oz.

 

[wvridgerunner]

Salutation my fellow scotch drinkers.
Just finished mcallan 15.
been a scotchie for 5.

How did you like the Mcallan 15? Just bought a bottle and haven't broke it out yet. Waiting a shipment of fresh cigars to go with it.