Losing my Scotch noobness Tonight! Thanks to B&B ;)

[goby]

I'm 44 and I've never had Scotch. I see you guys talking about it, and since you were spot on regarding Proraso, the 3 T's, and witch hazel, I thought I'd give Scotch a try.

A little background: I've tried really expensive wines and I don't get it. I don't really like $2.00 wines, but if you get up to $10 a bottle I'm happy. $25.00 a bottle wine is way too much (for me---it might be fine for you).

Beer on the other hand.... I LOVE well made "expensive" beer. I can't stand Bud or Miller, but give me a Samuel Smith, Bass Ale, or Sierra Nevada Tumbler (brown ale) and I'm happy. Price really doesn't matter, because I only drink one beer a night... no more, no less.

So I went to the best liquor store in my small town where I'm sure everyone here gets their Scotch (and shaving supplies).... CVS. Sorry guys, but I'm an hour from an decent source of liquor. I got a bottle of Johnny Walker Red because it was on sale and I figured it was probably a decent brand.

So now that I bought my first bottle of Scotch, what do I do with it? I'm staring and it, and it's staring at me. Do I put it one ice? Do I put water in it? Do I drink it fast like John Wayne at a bar or really, really slow.

Help!

 

[dpm802]

I'm 44 and I've never had Scotch.

I was about the same age when I discovered Scotch (I'm 56 now) and I've been trying to make up for lost time ever since. Now, I don't drink anything else. JW Black on the rocks is my default drink, but when I really want to do it up right, I get some Single Malt like Talisker, Oban, or Laphraoig.

So now that I bought my first bottle of Scotch, what do I do with it? I'm staring and it, and it's staring at me. Do I put it one ice? Do I put water in it? Do I drink it fast like John Wayne at a bar or really, really slow.

Help!

Here's what JW has to say about their Red Label.
http://www.johnniewalker.com/en-us/redlabel/

You can't go wrong with any way you decide to drink it.

You probably already know this, but don't drink on an empty stomach. And don't mix Scotch with other drinks like beer or wine in the same session. In fact, I've found that I can't even have JW Red and Black in the same evening ... I drink either one, or the other, but not both.

I like Scotch because it gives me a nice, clean buzz. Its gets me where I want to be in a hurry, and when I stop drinking, I sober up really fast. I can have fun, but still be functional. There's never a hangover unless I really, really over-do it.

 

[Granaura]

After a glass or two you won't really care what you do with it...

Then tomorrow you can start appreciating it anew, knowing what excess will cause!!

Enjoy the pink elephants!

 

[goby]

Wow... it's strong!! I'm drinking it "neat" in a 'Scotch' glass that came with a set of glasses from Target.

I've drank about 1 oz, and yes.... I'm buzzed.

Did I mention that it's strong?

 

[DE Shaver]

I'm 44 and I've never had Scotch.

You poor, unfortunate soul.

So now that I bought my first bottle of Scotch, what do I do with it? I'm staring and it, and it's staring at me. Do I put it one ice? Do I put water in it? Do I drink it fast like John Wayne at a bar or really, really slow.
Help!

All of what you mentioned can be done with Scotch. Many vendors of Scotch recommend you add some water but how much depends on the brand. I tend to drink my Scotch neat (with no water). Here are my recommendations...

- Enjoy your Scotch and drink it slow. It's not a race so just sip gently at it. Savour the flavour.
- Swirl the Scotch in your glass to generate a little aroma and to note its consistency/viscosity.
- I don't use ice as tends to dull the taste and bouquet.
- Get a Scotch whisky glass so you can 'nose' or enjoy the aroma. In the meantime, use a tulip shaped glass if you have one.
- If you put water in your Scotch, use filtered or bottled water. Avoid tap water.
- Do not drink Scotch to get hammered or intoxicated. There are lesser beverages that would suffice for that role.

Finally, there are no rules so enjoy your Scotch anyway you like.

 

[BladeDE40]

Now that you've had the red...next time you are at a bar ask for a glass of the JW Blue...its a nice smooth scotch.

 

[johnniegold]

Now that you've had the red...next time you are at a bar ask for a glass of the JW Blue...its a nice smooth scotch.

Make sure you are sitting down when you get the bill.

 

[RF1963]

Now that you've had the red...next time you are at a bar ask for a glass of the JW Blue...its a nice smooth scotch.

That is one hell of a financial jump!

 

[pedro083]

When i drink a blend like johnny walker is ( Ps my blend of choice is black bottle) I tend to drink it with a little lemonade. But a malt is always straight no ice unless a cask strength then just a little water.

 

[taffy]

Not a huge scotch drinker, but when i do have a glass, on the rocks, nice little sips to get the tatse around your palate, be carefull, there are so many brands around you will want to try

 

[BladeDE40]

That is one hell of a financial jump!

That's why I recommended a glass and not buying the bottle...the black is nice too and is my go to JW...the blue is nice for special occasions, but definitely worth a try.

 

[dpm802]

Now that you've had the red...next time you are at a bar ask for a glass of the JW Blue...its a nice smooth scotch.

I'll be turning 60 in July, 2014 ... I'm planning to celebrate with JW Blue. (Currently in the $200 range for a 750ml bottle.)

BTW, all B&Bers will be invited to share a virtual shot with me.

 

[BladeDE40]

I'll be turning 60 in July, 2014 ... I'm planning to celebrate with JW Blue. (Currently in the $200 range for a 750ml bottle.)

BTW, all B&Bers will be invited to share a virtual shot with me.

Can you buy liquor at Costco...or does NJ still have Puritan liquor laws? It's much cheaper there...

 

[Poulin]

I've been a scotch fan since I was about 21. I drink it on a cube or two if it's good scotch, or with soda if it's cheap bar scotch.

I appreciate a rusty nail every now and then too.

 

[dpm802]

Can you buy liquor at Costco...or does NJ still have Puritan liquor laws? It's much cheaper there...

I had a Costco membership, and let it expire in July. I don't remember seeing any liquor for sale there.

The problem with Costco is that they sell most of their products in bulk. I don't know if I want to buy a dozen tubes of toothpaste at one time, or buy a 10 pound pack of roast beef when all I want to make are a few sandwiches to take to work with me.

Costco is great if you're trying to feed a large family. For a single guy, the bargains are marginal.

I got my membership because I needed a new set of tires, and they were offering $70 off on a set of four Michelin. Besides, they're the only ones I know of that fill the tires with Nitrogen.

After I got the tires, I made very few purchases there, so I let it expire at the end of the membership year.

 

[miss_esquire]

Kudos to you for trying scotch. I hope you enjoyed what you purchased. I personally drink scotch neat, but that requires a good quality scotch. I cannot recommend enough to you the Macallan 12, 15, or 18 year+ scotches. Mixers are for a medium or low quality scotch, but if you truly want to treat yourself its worth the money to get a good scotch for your cabinet. Drinking scotch neat should be savored. You won't be sorry.

 

[jwcarlson]

My advice, try some single malts... and get a "scotch buddy" and coordinate your purchases. Between the two of us we've purchased Glenlivet 12, Laphraiog 10, McCelland Highland, Balvenie Double Wood, MacAllan Elegancia, Clynelish 14 yr, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruben... I think that's it right now.

If I get this new job that I interviewed for on Tuesday I will be buying a special bottle... nothing too crazy but I might spend around $100 maybe?

 

[goby]

Well I've had the Johnnie Walker Red a few nights. And a few mornings... it goes great with coffee (ok, just joking about that)

I went to the Liquor Barn to get some ideas. They had tons of Scotch, but after buying the Johnnie Walker Red last weekend, I really wanted some beer. So I bought a couple of 6 packs, which I'm excited about, and talked to the guy about Scotch. He convinced me to buy a mini of Glenfiddich 12 year old for about $3.50, and suggested either Canadian or Irish Whiskey. I bought a mini of Pendleton Canadian Whiskey

BTW, the Johnnie Walker Red doesn't seem that expensive. I've never measured what I'm drinking, but I'm guessing it's between 1 -2 oz. I have 3/4 of a bottle left. That means that it really isn't that more expensive than my beer a night habit.

 

[noahpictures]

I can relate with the OP. I like expensive beer and $10 wine bottles (no difference detected from the more expensive bottles).

goby, you must try Glenlivet 12 Single Malt. It is so much better than blended scotch; it tastes awesome. Many consider it a "gateway" single malt scotch.

Cheers,
Noah

 

[goby]

I can relate with the OP. I like expensive beer and $10 wine bottles (no difference detected from the more expensive bottles).

goby, you must try Glenlivet 12 Single Malt. It is so much better than blended scotch; it tastes awesome. Many consider it a "gateway" single malt scotch.

Cheers,
Noah

Is Glenfiddich 12 Single Malt close enough? They both start with "G."


If not, I'll give Glenlivet a try next time.