Scotch

[MarkCO]

I am not a big Scotch drinker, unless it is Scotch Ale, but I'd like to have a bottle on hand for special events, entertaining here and there, etc. I did some research and narrowed it down to two recommended brands under $50 that I can pick up a Applejack. So anyone have a preference between the two? If you have a better choice under $50 that Applejack carries, all ears.

HighLand Park 12 year Single Malt or William Grant & Sons Monkey Shoulder Blended

[Ramsker]

I've been working through bourbons, mostly . . . Bulleit, Larceny, Elijah Craig. But my hands-down favorite so far is Breckenridge . . . it's very smooth and tasty.

[meatman]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year

[Sawin]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year

Absolutely

[Zundfolge]

Laphroaig 10 year.

[SamuraiCO]

Balvenie great choice. So are the Isle of Jura line of scotches.

[MarkCO]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year

Thanks, that look like a strong contender.

[Sawin]

Thanks, that look like a strong contender.
Prepare yourself to become a scotch drinker. Balvenie's very good.

[MarkCO]

Prepare yourself to become a scotch drinker. Balvenie's very good. Neat, with ice water, on the rocks, or ice stones?

[meatman]

Prepare yourself to become a scotch drinker. Balvenie's very good.

Balvenie turned my dislike for scotch around 180 degrees. I like to call it the gateway scotch.

[meatman]

I prefer neat. A splash of water or a single ice cube if you must.

[Lurch]

Balvenie's Doublewood is a great all around whiskey it will please all scotch drinkers. If it doesn't they either don't drink scotch or don't know scotch.

[SamuraiCO]

Most I will drink neat. If they have a lot of tannin's then an ice stone is nice.

[MarkCO]

Balvenie's Doublewood is a great all around whiskey it will please all scotch drinkers. If it doesn't they either don't drink scotch or don't know scotch.

I figured the COAR15 collective was better than the general google searches. I don't know Scotch, but what I have been given by friends so far has been good enough for me to enjoy it. :)

[SamuraiCO]

I will remind my brothers here that there is a great single malt whiskey from Texas that drinks a lot like a scotch. Can only buy in Texas so if you have business, friends or family from there have them bring you a bottle.

Rimefire mesquite smoked whiskey.

[Blowby]

Balvenie PortWood when it was about $70 but now it's out of control.

[Doc45]

Head over to Pint's Pub on 13th Ave (about the only good reason to go to downtown Denver lol). You'll be able to taste an almost infinite variety (if that's of interest) and get some great suggestions.

[MarkCO]

Head over to Pint's Pub on 13th Ave (about the only good reason to go to downtown Denver lol). You'll be able to taste an almost infinite variety (if that's of interest) and get some great suggestions.

I can't stand DT Denver, nor cab rides home. :)

[Rucker61]

Laphroaig 10 year.

On a scale of nought to ten, no one has ever given it 1-9. It's my favorite but I don't know if I'd pick it for someone's only whisky. Oban, Glenmorangie, Maccallan seem like nice choices.

[Sawin]

Neat, with ice water, on the rocks, or ice stones?

Neat or with a single cube is how I prefer it. Ice stones don't work.
2 cubes at most if you want to experience a wide spectrum change from the first sip to the last, assuming you let the ice melt and finish it along the way.

[Sawin]

I also like Laphroaig, but it is very heavily peated which some people do not like.
Macallan 12 is also a good choice.

[Sawin]

I will remind my brothers here that there is a great single malt whiskey from Texas that drinks a lot like a scotch. Can only buy in Texas so if you have business, friends or family from there have them bring you a bottle.

Rimefire mesquite smoked whiskey.

Balcones Single Malt No. 1 is from TX and beat out long standing whiskey's from around the world this year in a blind taste test, including true Scotch Whiskey's like Balvenie and Macallan. I haven't tried it yet, but it's getting a lot of attention this year.

[huntnfishn5280]

Johnnie Walker Black Label is my favorite blend for the money. Aberlour, Talasker if I can afford it, and Laphroaig for the peaty extreme. Best prices at Argonaut.

[20X11]

Oban "Little Bay"(around $60) or Abelour 16yr (around $70)

[MarkCO]

Got a bottle of Balvenie Doublewood 12 year, AND since it was on sale for 50% off, a bottle of Laphroaig 10 year as well.

[Sawin]

Got a bottle of Balvenie Doublewood 12 year, AND since it was on sale for 50% off, a bottle of Laphroaig 10 year as well.

where is this sale you speak of?!

[MarkCO]

where is this sale you speak of?!

Applejack, 32nd and Youngfield.

[wctriumph]

Lot of good scotches out there for under $50. If you don't drink it yourself, pick out a blended scotch, easy to drink and no one gets too picky about them. A Johnny Walker Black, Buchanan's, heck, I've never seen anyone turn down a Famous Grouse on the rocks.

[BladesNBarrels]

I've never seen anyone turn down a Famous Grouse on the rocks.
I see Famous Grouse in a lot of novels, especially by W.E.B. Griffin.
I tried it a few years ago and thought it was pretty good.
I am not a Scotch drinker, as it was the first alcohol I drank when very young, and I had the proverbial "coming of age" hangover.
How does it compare to other name Scotches?
Did not mean to hi-jack the thread!

[MarkCO]

Hi-Jack away. I bought two to try, and the topic is actually interesting to me.

[Rucker61]

I see Famous Grouse in a lot of novels, especially by W.E.B. Griffin.
I tried it a few years ago and thought it was pretty good.
I am not a Scotch drinker, as it was the first alcohol I drank when very young, and I had the proverbial "coming of age" hangover.
How does it compare to other name Scotches?
Did not mean to hi-jack the thread!

I am a huge Griffin fan and a big scotch fan, but I don't care for Famous Grouse. I'd rather have Johnny Walker Red.

[MarkCO]

Just had some Laphroaig 10 year. Smoke and Iodine was my first impression. Added some water and I liked it a little more, brang out a saltier more earthy taste.

[Firehaus]

Spend an extra $50 and get a bottle of Lagavulin 16. If it's a bottle that's not going to be drank very often, you might as well get more bang out of it when you do.

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[Gman]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year
Bingo!

The Balvenie turns out great product.

I was invited a number of times to Johnny Walker events where they had you taste single malts from the various regions, neat, and with a little water. It's amazing the complexity of flavors brought out by a little water.

I liked the comment about The Balvenie being a "gateway scotch". I was turned off to scotch in my college days with the likes of Usher Green Stripe. It tasted like tequila gone bad. I asked for some assistance from the folks at Lukas Liquors about 20 years ago, and they had their scotch buyer talk to me who was just back from Scotland. He pointed me in the direction of The Balvenie. He told me that the Stewart family would rather pour a scotch into the ground than sell a bad product. My preference has always been bourbon, but I also love a good scotch.

THE BALVENIE’S DAVID STEWART PRESENTED WITH HIS MBE BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN (https://uk.thebalvenie.com/news/the-balvenie-s-david-stewart-presented-with-his-mbe-by-her-majesty-the-queen)


he Balvenie’s Malt Master David Stewart has been presented with his MBE by Her Majesty The Queen for services to the Scotch whisky industry at a ceremony in The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland.

David has dedicated 54 years of his life to the Scotch whisky industry. His pioneering techniques have had a profound impact on Scotch whisky production methods used today. He is renowned for his ground-breaking work particularly around ‘cask finishes’ for The Balvenie and has developed a number of award winning whiskies enjoyed and loved by whisky drinkers all over the world.

Commenting on his MBE, David said: “I feel very humbled to receive this award. I started my career as a whisky stocks clerk in 1962 and I didn’t expect to become a malt master. I feel incredibly proud. I’ve been very fortunate to work for a family run company and it has allowed me the freedom to experiment throughout my career. It’s a privilege working in this industry so to be rewarded and recognised in this manner is very humbling.”

“I’ve received a number of messages from people all around the world. I’d like to thank those who have been kind enough to congratulate me on the award and to all of the wonderful people I’ve worked with since I started almost 54 years ago.”

David has also been recognised with a number of high profile industry awards throughout his career, including the Grand Prix of Gastronomy by the British Academy of Gastronomes, and lifetime achievement awards from the International Wine & Spirit Competition and Malt Advocate magazine. He has also been named as an Icon of Whisky and a Master of the Quaich.

Simon Hunt, CEO of William Grant & Sons, said: “David’s dedication, skill and modesty have made him one of the best-loved and respected craftsmen in the business. David’s MBE is a testament to how well respected he is. He is considered to be one of the greatest master blenders and we are incredibly proud of him.”

*An MBE or Member of the Order of the British Empire is an honour awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to individuals recognised for a significant achievement or outstanding service to their profession or community

[funkymonkey1111]

I generally don't care for scotch (i think it tastes like dirt)--but i do like that Balvenie double wood.

Famous Grouse is a blended scotch. To some, that's automatically bad. It's not bum wine, but not on the high end, either. It's sorta in the Jim Beam strata (and i'm not knocking Jim Beam--its my favorite bourbon, even over the hoighty toighty small batch stuff)

[kpp80202]

Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, and Glenfiddich are great for beginners. And by that I mean they are very smooth, but not too much of anything (like too smoky, too peaty, too Britney, etc.)

[TheSparkens]

Chivas for me, for when I am wanting something with a little more, to me, true to my taste it is Balvenie both must have only two ice cubes bathed by the alcohol.

[Tim K]

Macallan is my go-to. I like one ice cube for the first one, neat after that.

[MarkCO]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year was good. I liked it a lot more than the Laphroig 10 year. I might have to try a few others, but if I was offered Crown or Scotch, it would still be Crown.

[bczandm]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year
My favorite by a mile. As a backup I d suggest Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, most people appreciate them as better quality brands with a neutral flavor.

[moose76]

For another $20, treat yourself to a bottle of Oban 14, no water or ice needed, light and very smooth. For a blended, I like Dimple Pinch.

[brutal]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year was good. I liked it a lot more than the Laphroig 10 year. I might have to try a few others, but if I was offered Crown or Scotch, it would still be Crown.

JD, Jameson, or my new favorite, Tullamore DEW (yes it's a blended). But I will also drink a little Scotch if that's all that's offered. Prefer them not too awful peaty(tastes like dirt). Getting stinky passed out drunk/hungover on JW Black when I arrived in Germany some years ago certainly sways my preferences.

I'll take my whiskey/bourbon with 2-3 cubes please, unless I'm going to milk it, then I prefer one of those large single ice balls/rocks. If I'm drinking scotch with a friend, it's usually just to try something new and will be neat.

[Teufelhund]

I'll echo the love for 12yr Balvenie Doublewood. For an extra $12, the Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask (rum finished) is one of the most unique single malts I've had, and it is fantastic. MacAllan is probably my favorite, the 12yr being my go-to for single-malt. I've had the MacAllan 18 a few times on special occasions, and boy do I wish I could afford it more often. That's the best whisky I've ever tasted.

If I feel like I'm going to have more than a couple glasses, I stick with a bourbon because they're considerably cheaper. Bulleit, and Breckenridge are really easy to drink and have great flavor. Stranahan's is good too, but it's overpriced.

Always neat or with a single cube. I have some whisky stones my wife bought for me, but they seem to leave minerals in my glass. Any recommendations for better brands or am I just doing it wrong?

[Irving]

Always neat or with a single cube. I have some whisky stones my wife bought for me, but they seem to leave minerals in my glass. Any recommendations for better brands or am I just doing it wrong?

They make stainless steel ones. I'd caution you to be careful not to chip your teeth with either stones or steel though.

[theGinsue]

I'm not a whiskey drinker as I've never really appreciated the taste of any of them. Instead, I prefer a good gold rum or gold tequila.

That's not to say that I don't have plenty of whiskies in my collection (that's really what it is with the whiskies too, more of a collection than something I intend to drink). Those of you old enough will remember that many years ago states used to put tax stickers across the top of the bottles and caps. I have a bottle of Seagrams VO with a 1972 tax sticker and a bottle of Cutty Sark with a 1976 tax sticker. Of course, I have Jim Beam bourbon and Jack Daniels in the collection as well.

About 3 years ago I decided that no self respecting gentleman (Ginsue a gentleman? Let's leave that comment alone for now, shall we?) should be without a decent Scotch in his collection so I picked up a bottle of 7yr Glenmorangie. Not the best choice, but a fella has to start somewhere. A few months ago one of my wifes employees gave her a bottle of 12 year old HighLand Park. Now, we're getting somewhere.

After reading this thread, I decided that I needed to get myself a bottle of 12yr Balvenie Doublewood. Well, today my wife comes home with some Christmas presents from co-workers. Among these was the coveted Balvenie from the same employee that gave her the HighLand Park. (She's wondering if this employee has a family member who owns a liquor store and/or if he thinks she's an alcoholic.)

I can now truly call myself a gentleman. Because nothing goes better with Scotch, it's now time to get my cigar selection going again. While I'm partial to Cuban Romeo Y Julieta's, I'll probably end up with Dominican Montecristos or Cohibas.

[MarkCO]

You sir are a fine Gentleman. [Beer]

[earplug]

If your going to add water or ice be careful on its taste/purity. Water has a powerful effect on Scotch.

[ruthabagah]

Laphroaig 10 year.

Laphroaig all the way for me. Best damn scotch our there for the price.

[Dave]

You can usually find Glenlivet 15 for 50-60 a bottle and I've always liked it. I got spoiled for scotch though, for my 21st birthday my uncle sent me several bottles of Glenlivet 21 and a box of cigars from a country not to be named.

Lately my whiskey of choice has been bourbon, Breckenridge and Makers Mark being what I have on hand right now.

[Waywardson174]

Cardhu 12. Balvenie is good, but Cardhu is truly superior for the price point.

[Marine24]

Interesting thread. I've sampled a number of single malt scotchs with Glenlivet being the most frequent but lately have enjoyed anejo tequila instead. Don Julio 1942 is a nice one to add to the collection and enjoy.

[Bentsight]

Late to the party but another enthusiastic vote for the Balvenie DoubleWood and if you have some time to burn check out their site
www.thebalvenie.com/warehouse24

[Rucker61]

Laphroaig all the way for me. Best damn scotch our there for the price.

My very favorite . I got a personal tour of the distillery one color December in the late 90s. The locals on Islay drink the cheapest whiskies, because they're Scottish.

[scratchy]

I'll switch between tequila and scotch. A Don Julio Anejo is every but as tasty as a Balvenie depending on mood.

[kpp80202]

Mmm, tequila. I'm a big fan of Espolon. Under $30 and exceptionally smooth. Jose Cuervo Traditional (not that Gold stuff) is great for budget tequila.

[funkymonkey1111]

Anyone tried the Kirkland Scotch from Costco? they have a 16 year old single malt for $90. they have a 24 year old blended, and a 10 or 12 year old Islay.

Their wines are generally rated well.

They also had a bottle of Caol Ila for $119. (and a bottle of "last drop" scotch from 1964 for $3K).

This was at the one costco in littleton that sells booze in-store.

[Zman]

There was an article somewhere I recently read discussing who bottles the Kirkland scotch ... I'm sure it could be googled. Anyway, pretty positive reviews for it.

I've been cycling through various Irish whiskeys lately ... good stuff.

[Firehaus]

Just had to share, I'm sure its wonderful, but damn...

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[hurley842002]

Just had to share, I'm sure its wonderful, but damn...

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WOW, I've had a fair amount of Balvenie, but nothing of that caliber.

[Bailey Guns]

Better run out and buy 2 of those....

[Gman]

How is that not in a safe?

[MarkCO]

Yowser!

[Firehaus]

How is that not in a safe?

Im sure it will be after Costco gets tired of cleaning the drool and finger prints off the glass.


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[Gunner]

How is that not in a safe?

Probably a "Fake" or " Demo" not the real thing.

[kpp80202]

Good Lord. I couldn't imagine drinking something that expensive.

[Sawin]

Good Lord. I couldn't imagine drinking something that expensive.

No kidding! I'm a huge scotch fan, but TALK ABOUT PISSING AWAY YOUR MONEY!

[kpp80202]

TALK ABOUT PISSING AWAY YOUR MONEY!

Literally.

[MarkCO]

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year

Just an update. Have tried several of the Scotches recommended on this thread so far. The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year is my favorite. The Laphroaig 10 year, if it is an acquired taste, I am not sure I have enough years left to get there. :)

[Gman]

The Laphroaig 10 year, if it is an acquired taste, I am not sure I have enough years left to get there. :)
I don't care who you are, that's funny right there. [Coffee]

[brutal]

JD, Jameson, or my new favorite, Tullamore DEW (yes it's a blended). But I will also drink a little Scotch if that's all that's offered. Prefer them not too awful peaty(tastes like dirt). Getting stinky passed out drunk/hungover on JW Black when I arrived in Germany some years ago certainly sways my preferences.

I'll take my whiskey/bourbon with 2-3 cubes please, unless I'm going to milk it, then I prefer one of those large single ice balls/rocks. If I'm drinking scotch with a friend, it's usually just to try something new and will be neat.

I've taken a shine to the Tullamore Dew 14 year single malt neat. However, at $70 a bottle, it's a little on the pricey side, but not ridiculous if you don't share and keep it to yourself. [Coffee]

[opie011]

Just had to share, I'm sure its wonderful, but damn...

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And I thought my Macallan 18YO bottle was expensive!

[husky390]

I was at Tipsy's last weekend and they were selling Macallan 12 year for $62.99/bottle! I used to pay $45/bottle for that two years ago. It's good, but not $63 good.

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[Firehaus]

You should really check out the liquor at Costco. They had Johnny Walker blue for $149.99


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[MarkCO]

You should really check out the liquor at Costco. They had Johnny Walker blue for $149.99


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Honestly, I don't drink enough for the price to matter that much. I'd rather pay a few bucks more to a Mom & Pop, Local Company, or at least a company whose values are not opposed to mine...so I don't shop Costco since they don't check any of those boxes for me.

[MarkCO]

Best glass for enjoying a whiskey...Scotch or other...IMHO, is the Bodum Pavina.

[Aloha_Shooter]

http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/11/04/world-s-most-expensive-whiskey-revealed-as-scam.html


The world’s most expensive whiskey has been exposed as fake – after a Chinese businessman paid $10,000 for a single shot.

A dram from the unopened bottle of “Macallan 1878” sold for the four-figure sum at a Swiss hotel in July – making it the priciest glass of single malt ever flogged.

But whiskey experts smelled a rat after news of the sale broke and Sandro Bernasconi, of The Waldhaus Hotel in St Moritz, called in investigators to examine the $300,000 bottle.

[kpp80202]

Just had a couple glasses of Macallan 15yr Silver Oak at a friend’s house. Damn, it was good. Don’t know the price, but I wouldn’t pay over $60 for it.

Also, the PSA of the day: Tipsy’s on C470 and Bowles has Talisker Storm ($100) for just under $50. It is good, but “full flavored.” More like Laphroaig than Balvenie, though nothing is really like Laphroaig.

[asmo]

though nothing is really like Laphroaig.

Chew a mouthful of Band-Aids while sipping iodine -- tastes just like it.

Or as a very famous scotch reviewer once put it: "Tastes like a burning hospital".

[husky390]

Happy birthday to me. It's good but not as good as their La Santa.

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