Gonna educate myself on whiskey

[Legion]

A little while ago I received as a gift a educational night, and a tasting, of Japanese Whiskey. I actually found it very interesting, and I learned a lot about tasting, and the production of whiskey, and how Japanese whiskeys compare to scotch, which is what I normally drink at home. It also gave me the opportunity to sample some whiskeys which I could never justify paying for under normal circumstances.

So now I think I need to take that education a little further. My plan is to buy one bottle each pay day.

Now, normally I drink less expensive blended scotch. My budget isn't huge, and booze here costs roughly double, compared to some parts of the US. So bare that in mind. But I am prepared to pay a bit more than my usual bargain basement budget to further my education.

So the first bottle of my course is a bottle of Laphroaig 10yo. It is one I have tried before, and I really enjoy, so I'm starting with something which I know I like, just to get the ball rolling. (I got it on sale, $70 for 700ml. It is normally around $90. You see the constraints I am up against here )

So where should I go next? Over the years I have been lucky enough to sample a number of nice whiskeys, and I kind of know what I like, but I am trying to mentally wipe the slate clean, and look at this with a new analytical eye. I want to try a nice cross section of what is offered in the world of whiskey, and I am happy to try a variety of stuff. Single malts, blended, and country of origin does not matter. I just want a broad education.

Recommendations will obviously be considered based on local availability, and to a lesser extent price. I would love to try obscure Scottish single malts, made in numbered batches, with certificates of authenticity included. But in reality I am a working Joe, so they may have to wait.

 

[djh]

Please let us have your thoughts on the Laphroaig- then I may be able to suggest some other suitable ideas.

Generally, however, for different regions, I would start with:

Speyside: Macallan (lush from sherry cask) or Glenlivet (fresh and grassy)
Islands: (apart from Islay, which you have covered) Highland Park (beautifully balanced and wonderfully flavourful)
Highlands: Dalwhinnie
Lowlands: Auchentoshan

Irish: Redbreast

American: (there are many different styles to explore here from the ubiquitous Jack Daniels to Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark etc. Availability will be a big question (and pricing probably as well) but there are also a number of smaller producers turning out excellent product.

JapaneseI have limited experience, but) Yamazaki was a worthwhile drop.

 

[Luc]

I'm a huge fan of Canadian Club the original. The 12yo seems to be strange tasting a bit to me but then, that was a few years ago, I need to try it again. The CC is like my "daily" whisky (actually, when I want some which is not on a daily basis). It has strong caramel notes in it and that's why I really enjoy it.

Being in Oz, try the Tasmanian Larks. That was pretty awesome out of the Australian whiskey that I tried.

This might help you: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/127134-Australian-Whisky

If you go back to the American whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel is nice for the price IMO.

 

[SamF]

Good recommendations from djh, particularly the Highland Park, which is just excellent. If you like the Islay style i.e lots of peat, smoke, medicinal, saltiness, I really think you out to try Ardbeg 10yo which is to my mind the best single malt produced on Islay. Lagavulin 16 is also worth trying as well if you like Islay. Unlike Laphroaig and Ardbeg, it's older and has much more sherry cask influence. It's not quite the kick in the teeth Laphroiag or Ardbeg are, but is still big on smoke and peat, but is a bit more refined.

I'd rate the "big 3" Islay whiskies in the following order: Ardbeg>>Lagavulin>>>>>Laphroaig. It's a YMMV thing obviously, and that's not to say Ardbeg is objectively better than Lagavulin or Laphroiag, they're all excellent whiskies and I'd not turn my nose up at any of them, and I think everyone with a liking for peated whisky should try all three. If you don't like the Ardbeg at first, I'd recommend you stick with it. It's a very challenging whisky. I hated it at first, but it's in my top 3 now with Highland Park (12 or 18, both are great) and the Aberlour A'Bunadh (big sherried Speysider, that may be difficult to find ain Australia as it is single barrel, cask strength, limited batch stuff, but it's excellent, and well priced at £35, best value for money scotch I know of). Caol Ila is also another good Islay, which for some reason I've not tried, but it's meant to be very good.

Lastly, don't be afraid to add water to your whisky. I use bottled water as my water is hard, but if yours is soft you can just use tap water. I've not found a single malt yet that's not better with at least a couple of drops of water. I generally add a teaspoon as standard to most of my whisky. YMMV obviously and it's about finding what works for you.

 

[cody6766]

Once you build a collection, I suggest you do side by side tastings. Taste 3-4 from the same region, the next time taste 3-4 from different regions, then taste 3-4 different types of whiskey. This will sharpen your palate and help you understand the similarities and differences across the whiskey world.

Scotches I love: Highland Park, Laphroaig, Aberlour, Balvinie, Dalwhinnie, Glenroths, Glenmorange,
Good American Whiskeys: Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, Bullit Rye, Makers Mark. Some like Jack Daniels whiskeys. They make some quality stuff, but I just don't like it. Look for single barrel or gentlemans jack
Don't forget the Irish and Canadian stuff and try some American ryes. The whiskey world is a big one.

 

[Legion]

This is good, i'm getting some consensus on types so far (which also match the opinion of ralfy.com, which I have been looking at over the last few days). I'm a big Laphroaig fan, and I want to add a bottle of quarter cask add some point. I love the peat, more for the smell than the taste. But Laphroaig is pretty damn tasty, with seaside notes and a little sweetness to counter the smoke.

I'll let you know what I get next.

 

[gruntedshaves]

Ive had, evan Williams, all sorts of jack, glenlivet and a few others. theyre all great. I gotta check out those ones youre talking about.....stay away from glenlivet though. lol. I remember one day I went all out on it with a few friends, I ended up crying and calling everybody in my phone. it was a crazy night....didn't know how to explain everything in the morning.

 

[Hunter]

I love the Glenlivet. But if you want good Canadian whisky I would suggest you try Crown Royal and Crown Royal Black.

 

[saltypete]

I'd second the reccomendation for Aberlour A'Bunadh, an outstanding sherried whisky. However it runs a little over $100 AUD at Dan Murphys, although occasionally it drops to 90 odd dollars. The Aberlour 10 year old is very good. Not in the same league as the A' Bunadh but half the price.
Glenfarclas 12 year old and The Balvenie Double Wood are also fine drops (approx $80 AUD).

For smokey peated whisky Talisker 10 year old can be had for less than the cost of Laphroaig and is an interesting contrast. Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Bowmore and Bruichladdich ( if you can find it ) are all worth checking out. If your budget extends to the Laphroaig Quarter Cask then try it. It's my favourite Islay malt but one I rarely have the coin to buy.

We don't seem to get the same volume of American whiskeys here but I have found Wild Turkey Rare Breed to be outstanding and every bit as complex as a scotch whisky.

Being in the same boat as you regarding prices, my tactic is to watch Dan Murphys website. When something is discounted ( as Laphroaig has been of late) , I'll buy a bottle. They have some decent specials if you bide your time.

Pete

 

[packersfan117]

Jack Daniel's is rotgut where I am from; Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark, and Knob Creek are all amazing.

 

[Legion]

I'd second the reccomendation for Aberlour A'Bunadh, an outstanding sherried whisky. However it runs a little over $100 AUD at Dan Murphys, although occasionally it drops to 90 odd dollars. The Aberlour 10 year old is very good. Not in the same league as the A' Bunadh but half the price.
Glenfarclas 12 year old and The Balvenie Double Wood are also fine drops (approx $80 AUD).

For smokey peated whisky Talisker 10 year old can be had for less than the cost of Laphroaig and is an interesting contrast. Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Bowmore and Bruichladdich ( if you can find it ) are all worth checking out. If your budget extends to the Laphroaig Quarter Cask then try it. It's my favourite Islay malt but one I rarely have the coin to buy.

We don't seem to get the same volume of American whiskeys here but I have found Wild Turkey Rare Breed to be outstanding and every bit as complex as a scotch whisky.

Being in the same boat as you regarding prices, my tactic is to watch Dan Murphys website. When something is discounted ( as Laphroaig has been of late) , I'll buy a bottle. They have some decent specials if you bide your time.

Pete

Thanks mate. I was down at Dan Murfs in my lunchbreak today. I'd gone there with the intention of getting one of recommendations above, but found my pockets were not deep enough. I particularly wanted to give Highland Park a day in court, but it turned out to be over $150.

So I cheaped out and bought some Teachers, which is recommended on ralfy.com as a good inexpensive blend. Meh. It'll get the job done, but is certainly no better than my usual dram (Famous Grouse, more often than not, or whatever looks good on sale.)

 

[saltypete]

Thanks mate. I was down at Dan Murfs in my lunchbreak today. I'd gone there with the intention of getting one of recommendations above, but found my pockets were not deep enough. I particularly wanted to give Highland Park a day in court, but it turned out to be over $150.

So I cheaped out and bought some Teachers, which is recommended on ralfy.com as a good inexpensive blend. Meh. It'll get the job done, but is certainly no better than my usual dram (Famous Grouse, more often than not, or whatever looks good on sale.)

The younger HP (12 year old) is about half the price of the 18 and well worth a go. IMO it combines the best aspects of sherried and peated malts into an enigmatic and luxurious dram. I've never tried the 18 and for $150 I don't see it happening anytime soon, but the 12 is really good.

Pete

 

[SamF]

Yeah, the 12 is lovely stuff.

 

[arghblech]

Old Pulteney 12
Highland Park 12
pretty much any Bruichladdich
Springbank 10

 

[JM]

I'm guessing Aussie means Australian? I would recommend looking around your backyard and try some Australian whiskies. For a few years now I've done just that and tried all kinds of Canadian whiskey and have recently learned to love and appreciate them. When it comes to Aussie whiskies I've always been interested in Australian whiskies after reading reviews, such as Bakery Hill and Limeburners single malts but never had a chance to try them.

Here are my recommendations and I'll go in a slightly different direction:

Canadian => Alberta Premium (100% rye, that's higher than American rye) and Alberta Springs (almost 100% rye depending) if you can get them. I'm not sure if you can obtain a bottle outside of Canada but I find reviews from around the world so maybe they are going international. Both are really affordable (around $23 for 26er in Canada, fifth in the US or 750mil) premium Canadian rye whiskies. Dark Horse is another Canadian that is getting some buzz. Dark Horse is a little higher in price.

Blended Scotch => Don't be afraid to drink blended Scotch. Brands like Teachers Highland Cream are consistent blends and offer you a good whiskey for a good price.

American => Wild Turkey 101. As a whiskey drinker, not some fancy connoisseur, Wild Turkey is just great tasting with lots of flavour. I don't use 101 for cocktails but prefer to use Jim Beam which makes a mean whisky sour.


jm

 

[saltypete]

I'm guessing Aussie means Australian? I would recommend looking around your backyard and try some Australian whiskies. For a few years now I've done just that and tried all kinds of Canadian whiskey and have recently learned to love and appreciate them. When it comes to Aussie whiskies I've always been interested in Australian whiskies after reading reviews, such as Bakery Hill and Limeburners single malts but never had a chance to try them. jm

The big chain bottle shops do stock a few Australian malts. The problem is price. The cheapest bottle I've seem is 80+ dollars and the dearest over $150. For that kind of money you can pick up any number of top notch Scottish single malts. It's a shame because according to esteemed reviewers (Ralfy, Jim Murray) some of these Aussie malts are excellent. Ralfy says in one of his reviews that our government should be supporting and promoting these local distilerys in the same way they support our wine industry. We have a good product but it just can't be competitive with prices that are so prohibitive. Pete

 

[JM]

That is expensive. I believe the Canadian gov 'helps out' Canadian whiskey distillers. Our whiskey can be as low as $21 for a 26er.

 

[Legion]

The big chain bottle shops do stock a few Australian malts. The problem is price. The cheapest bottle I've seem is 80+ dollars and the dearest over $150. For that kind of money you can pick up any number of top notch Scottish single malts. It's a shame because according to esteemed reviewers (Ralfy, Jim Murray) some of these Aussie malts are excellent. Ralfy says in one of his reviews that our government should be supporting and promoting these local distilerys in the same way they support our wine industry. We have a good product but it just can't be competitive with prices that are so prohibitive. Pete

That is expensive. I believe the Canadian gov 'helps out' Canadian whiskey distillers. Our whiskey can be as low as $21 for a 26er.

+1.

I was looking at the Aussie stuff today, and I want to give it a go, but it costs more than stuff with pedigree that has come half way around the world. Not fair.

 

[genghishahn]

Glenfiddich 15
Balvenie 12
Oban 14

Being a brown liquer man, I'd say that I'm pretty lucky to work at a restaurant that has a pretty awesome selection of American small-batch whiskeys and bourbons. I'm just starting to work my way through it all, but here are a few that I like:
High West Double Rye Whiskey
High West Son of Bourye
Leopold Bros.
Bulleit Rye
Redemption High Rye

Hudson Four Grain and Willett Estate Bourbon are next on my list of things to try.

Scott

 

[Legion]

I had the day off work, so I ventured a bit further afield, hunting razors and stuff in the wild. No luck there, but I did find a store that stocks Highland Park 12. It is still a week until pay day, but you don't look a gift horse in the mouth, as my grandmother used to say.

I am now patiently waiting until the sun passes over the yardarm so I can give it a try.