Whisky, how can I develop a taste for it?

[theaxe]

I love the idea of whisky, something to sip while sitting in a wing-backed chair in front of a roaring fire. Lovely.

However I can't stand the stuff. I assume it's just a taste to be acquired and with a holiday coming up I'm thinking of giving it a go.

So my questions are:
1. What would be a good 'starter' whiskey? Something with more subtle flavours I guess. I'm happy to spend a fair bit (since I figure it'll take me ages to finish the bottle)
2. Should I be putting ice/water in it? It seems strange to water it down but I believe it's fairly common.
3. Any other advice?

[Fotic]

Which whiskys have you tried?

My wife claimed to hate whisky, when I first met her, but it transpired that she just hated rubbish whisky and really enjoys peaty, smoky ones.

[Craikeybaby]

You get used to it. Get a decent single malt, or maybe try a few different ones, for instance, something peaty like a Talisker is a very different taste.

[theaxe]

Fotic said:

Which whiskys have you tried?

My wife claimed to hate whisky, when I first met her, but it transpired that she just hated rubbish whisky and really enjoys peaty, smoky ones.

I've tried some Jamesons' on a company trip once and also some 'peaty' stuff from scotland that had a very stong flavour.

[Fotic]

theaxe said:

Fotic said:

Which whiskys have you tried?

My wife claimed to hate whisky, when I first met her, but it transpired that she just hated rubbish whisky and really enjoys peaty, smoky ones.

I've tried some Jamesons' on a company trip once and also some 'peaty' stuff from scotland that had a very stong flavour.

Jamesons is a whiskey (with an e) as it's Irish. Totally different taste on the whole.

Did you try the peaty stuff neat or with water?

[Vocal Minority]

theaxe said:

I love the idea of whisky, something to sip while sitting in a wing-backed chair in front of a roaring fire. Lovely.

However I can't stand the stuff. I assume it's just a taste to be acquired and with a holiday coming up I'm thinking of giving it a go.

So my questions are:
1. What would be a good 'starter' whiskey? Something with more subtle flavours I guess. I'm happy to spend a fair bit (since I figure it'll take me ages to finish the bottle)
2. Should I be putting ice/water in it? It seems strange to water it down but I believe it's fairly common.
3. Any other advice?

If you have tried peaty and it isn't your thing, try a Highland one, like Dalwhinnie, which is pretty easy to find - expensive game to go round buying bottles of to try though!)

It isn't uncommon to water down, but only very lightly, the idea being that it means more of the flavours get through and the taste of the alcohol is subdued. IMHO the water should be the same again absolute max.*

Ice is a no no with single malt scotch.

• when adding the water, pour it gently down the side of the glass into the whisky, and try not to disturb the surface too much

[vixen1700]

If you don't like the peat, try a Speyside like an Arbelour or Glenlivet and see if you like that. Or try a Highland Glenmorangie.

As mentioned, Talisker is worth trying as it's very different. Couldn't get my head round it to start with, but try and always have a bottle on the shelf these days.

Personally I think you develop a taste for the Islay drams after time. Bowmore, Laphroag and Ardbeg are something you really can develop a taste for after time of drinking various other whisky. A splash of water added and the flavours really open up.

Been drinking and buying bottles of single malt for only two years now.

[warp9]

As mentioned Glenlivet is a very easy drinking opener. A good session malt. Build up to Talisker as it's a bit of an acquired taste. I found it useful to compare whiskies side by side as it's a really good way to appreciate the different tastes and flavours. Adding a few drops of water definitely helps bring out the flavour, but I personally wouldn't put as much as the same again as I find it looses the punch. Contrary to the whisky purists, I always drink a malt with a single ice cube. Horses for courses and all that.

The best way to develop a taste though is to drink a lot and frequently!

[Jayyylo]

I've found the Dalwhinnie 15 and Jura 10 to be very easy drinking. The Jura has a bit of a honey taste which makes it easier for first time whisy drinkers. The Dalwhinnie 15 is smooth which also helps with first time drinkers.

In general, the older a whisky is, the smoother it will be (less throat burn), but the price also increases with age.
If you go to a proper whisky shop you'll be able to get some real advice and possibly a few little tasters if they have some open bottles.

[PRTVR]

warp9 said:

As mentioned Glenlivet is a very easy drinking opener. A good session malt. Build up to Talisker as it's a bit of an acquired taste. I found it useful to compare whiskies side by side as it's a really good way to appreciate the different tastes and flavours. Adding a few drops of water definitely helps bring out the flavour, but I personally wouldn't put as much as the same again as I find it looses the punch. Contrary to the whisky purists, I always drink a malt with a single ice cube. Horses for courses and all that.

The best way to develop a taste though is to drink a lot and frequently!

Agreed, the difference in whisky can be large and finding one you like even harder, I use to drink the normal supermarket fare, until my daughter bought me a bit more expensive bottle, Glenrothes single spayside malt, the taste was like night and day,
It was marked up as full spicy oak and vanilla, the taste was so smooth a big difference to what I was use to drinking.

[Mr E]

My standard whisky for those who don't like the stuff is a decent 10 year Talisker single malt.

[Mr Trophy]

OP, I was in the exact boat like you.

I started tasting "decent" Whisky, now I drink & collect.

A suggestion would be - Dalmore 12 year old.

[zcacogp]

Fotic said:

Which whiskys have you tried?

My wife claimed to hate whisky, when I first met her, but it transpired that she just hated rubbish whisky and really enjoys peaty, smoky ones.

'Zactly the same with my wife!

And the day she tried some Caol Isla I realised the size of my whisky collection had effectively halved ....


Oli.

[Johnnytheboy]

Drinking it with up to 50% of (good) water improves the tase in my view and makes it a lot less fiery.

[theaxe]

Thanks guys, this is great. I'll head down to a specialist to see what they recommmend, but I'll certainly keep some of the bottles mentioned in mind.

[vladcjelli]

Mrs Cjelli and I both thought we hated whisky, until we had a night in a B&B in Callendar a good few years ago. Think it was called The Poppies?

Anyway, we sat in the bar with a couple of other guests, and had a tour of Scotland via various types of whisky, accompanied by the landlord. This went on long into the night, as the landlord was waiting for some guests from the continent who had been delayed.

Turns out there are nice ones out there, you just need to try a good few back to back, while someone knowledgable guides you through them.

As mentioned above, mixing it with water makes a heck of a difference.

[calibrax]

Surely the best thing to would be to buy a selection of miniatures, see what you like, then get a full size bottle of that?

[paul99]

Deffo Dalwhinnie, nice smooth easy drinker. Also Glenmorangie is a good starter Whisky.

Edited by paul99 on Wednesday 30th July 19:48

[mrsshpub]

paul99 said:

Deffo Dalwhinnie, nice smooth easy drinker. Also Glenmorangie is a good starter Whiskey.

I thought Glenmorangie was Scottish, not Irish……...

[paul99]

Good point