Scotch

[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

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.