Recommendations for a smooth whisky please.
Discussion
That was the case for mass market whiskies, yes, but blending was how you made whiskies, it was an art, and they made exclusive ones and less exclusive ones. I would say that blending was one of the most highly skilled jobs in the industry. Single malts were dreamed up by marketers in the 1960's, from a very local drinkers habit, and what a brilliant idea, makes whisky directly comparable to appellation controle wines and collectable, as well as reduce the need for blenders. But it is not necessarily better, for the most part they are worse.
Just try Chivas Regal and let us know what you think.
Just try Chivas Regal and let us know what you think.
So said:
Can anyone suggest something really smooth to be consumed just with ice please?
Left field choice, Penderyn, Welsh whisky, very smooth.http://penderyn.wales
If you want smooth then you won't go wrong with any of the Speyside whiskies IMO.
Interesting discussion about blends - the likes of Chivas, based on their locality, are likely using a lot of Speyside single malts but by the fact that it is called a blend and not a blended malt, they will include grain whisky too. It can be hard for a novice like me to differentiate these good blends from the cooking whiskies like Grouse, Bells, Whyte & Mackay etc. other than by trial and error. This probably accounts for some of the popularity of single malts.
Interesting discussion about blends - the likes of Chivas, based on their locality, are likely using a lot of Speyside single malts but by the fact that it is called a blend and not a blended malt, they will include grain whisky too. It can be hard for a novice like me to differentiate these good blends from the cooking whiskies like Grouse, Bells, Whyte & Mackay etc. other than by trial and error. This probably accounts for some of the popularity of single malts.
BigMacDaddy said:
Yamazaki 10 and 12-year-olds are both lovely and smooth, I had the fortune of being bought a bottle of the 10 and it's my go-to for special occasions (when I'm on my own of course, it's too good to be handing out willy-nilly 
)
Reading through the thread, I started to think no one has suggested Japanese - aside from Yamazaki mentioned, Hibiki would also be a good option.)All of this is a bit pointless. You really need to try them. Taste is peculiar and what you consider 'smooth' might be quite different to someone else, especially as you only have one point of reference.
For example someone mentioned Bell's as a cooking whiskey, but I find it quite smooth, and we have already had one idiotic comment about using ice.
So I don't think there is a right answer, you're just going to have to try a few things.
Did you like Glenmorangie?
For example someone mentioned Bell's as a cooking whiskey, but I find it quite smooth, and we have already had one idiotic comment about using ice.
So I don't think there is a right answer, you're just going to have to try a few things.
Did you like Glenmorangie?
red_slr said:
The mrs bought me a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label at Christmas and I am not a big drinker but its almost all gone.
Having tried green, blue and gold label i think black label is the best tasting to me. a bottle of blue label as a gift is not to be sniffed at, you are a very lucky man.
OP: a bit left field but i would also consider a nice saki in your shortlist. I find the trend for pall these single malt whiskeys that taste like medicinal mouthwash and cost a bomb tiring.
Real men drink cask strength. ☺
Age is what smooths a whisk(e)y (or indeed any spirit), although not all climates are equal. A 12 year old bourbon is significantly smoother than a 18 year old Scotch for example.
Just polished off a glass of 39 year old Armagnac - now that is smooth.
Try Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and thank me later.
Age is what smooths a whisk(e)y (or indeed any spirit), although not all climates are equal. A 12 year old bourbon is significantly smoother than a 18 year old Scotch for example.
Just polished off a glass of 39 year old Armagnac - now that is smooth.
Try Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and thank me later.
InductionRoar said:
Real men drink cask strength. ?
Age is what smooths a whisk(e)y (or indeed any spirit), although not all climates are equal. A 12 year old bourbon is significantly smoother than a 18 year old Scotch for example.
Just polished off a glass of 39 year old Armagnac - now that is smooth.
Try Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and thank me later.
Thank you.Age is what smooths a whisk(e)y (or indeed any spirit), although not all climates are equal. A 12 year old bourbon is significantly smoother than a 18 year old Scotch for example.
Just polished off a glass of 39 year old Armagnac - now that is smooth.
Try Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and thank me later.
I am going to call into Weavers in Nottingham today to see what they can offer.
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