Whiskeys For Beginners
Discussion
I'd like to try some different whiskeys just because I think I'm missing out.
I'm so basic and chavy that all I can say is that I enjoy the odd chaser with last orders down the 'spoons.
I've only ever bought the odd bottle of Jack or Jim Beam but would like to start tasting the proper Scotch stuff.
Saw this today in Waitrose and I only think it's good as it's 18 quid off !!
Any advice of any , easily obtainable, whisky's ?
I'm so basic and chavy that all I can say is that I enjoy the odd chaser with last orders down the 'spoons.
I've only ever bought the odd bottle of Jack or Jim Beam but would like to start tasting the proper Scotch stuff.
Saw this today in Waitrose and I only think it's good as it's 18 quid off !!
Any advice of any , easily obtainable, whisky's ?
Depends if you know what flavours you like, Talisker is quite a peaty one so fairly strong tasting. Some love that, some less so.
I tend to start with a speyside as they're a bit less extreme tasting, something like Singleton of Dufftown is often in the supermarkets fairly cheap. Aberlour and Balvenie are also sometimes on offer and don't think you'd go far wrong with any of those.
A sample set might not be a bad idea as you get a few bottles in 1-2 shot sizes so can see what you like, although it's like 5-10 shots for same price as that entire bottle! But good to know for future purchases... Quite a few decent ones here: https://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set/price/
I tend to start with a speyside as they're a bit less extreme tasting, something like Singleton of Dufftown is often in the supermarkets fairly cheap. Aberlour and Balvenie are also sometimes on offer and don't think you'd go far wrong with any of those.
A sample set might not be a bad idea as you get a few bottles in 1-2 shot sizes so can see what you like, although it's like 5-10 shots for same price as that entire bottle! But good to know for future purchases... Quite a few decent ones here: https://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set/price/
it's currently the nearest supermarket to walk too - I won't make a habit of it !!There's always something on offer somewhere.
Islay Vs Speyside in general. Islay's are quite smoky/peaty. Speyside smoother. Talisker is probably the BMW/Audi option. Not as cheap as Ford, pretty accessible. Highland park is cheaper but a bit stronger. Caol Ila is searingly strong.
Add a few drops of water. A few drops. Not a deluge. If you want to understand all the guff about chocolate biscuit sherry cask flavours etc, hold it in your gob for a minute or so
Accompaniments... 85 % cocoa choc.
Edited for moron auto correct.
Islay Vs Speyside in general. Islay's are quite smoky/peaty. Speyside smoother. Talisker is probably the BMW/Audi option. Not as cheap as Ford, pretty accessible. Highland park is cheaper but a bit stronger. Caol Ila is searingly strong.
Add a few drops of water. A few drops. Not a deluge. If you want to understand all the guff about chocolate biscuit sherry cask flavours etc, hold it in your gob for a minute or so
Accompaniments... 85 % cocoa choc.
Edited for moron auto correct.
First of Jack/Jim bean is not whisky its bourbon.
2nd best way to find out your tastes is to go to a decent bar that has a few whiskies and try them you. You need to know what you like before diving into a full bottle.
I for instance really like a Scapa but my brother would much prefer a Laphroig . 2 people from the same family with totally different taste in whisky.
2nd best way to find out your tastes is to go to a decent bar that has a few whiskies and try them you. You need to know what you like before diving into a full bottle.
I for instance really like a Scapa but my brother would much prefer a Laphroig . 2 people from the same family with totally different taste in whisky.
You won't go far wrong with this to start with
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/jameson-tri...
Treat the journey as a marathon rather than a sprint, take lots of time
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/jameson-tri...
Treat the journey as a marathon rather than a sprint, take lots of time
Spevs said:
You won't go far wrong with this to start with
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/jameson-tri...
Treat the journey as a marathon rather than a sprint, take lots of time
Thats Irish WhiskEy the OP asked for Scottish Whisky. https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/jameson-tri...
Treat the journey as a marathon rather than a sprint, take lots of time
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/2219/glen-gran...
Something like this would be a good place to start I reckon
Something like this would be a good place to start I reckon
SlimJim16v said:
sherman said:
Thats Irish WhiskEy the OP asked for Scottish Whisky.
He asked for both and Jack is whiskey. Yes they are both whiskey. They are not whisky.
Jacn daniels contains 80% corn which scottish whisky does not.
https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-gb/vault/our-mash
Most things Speyside is probably the best starting point. Although I am from there so a little biased.
A decent bar as noted above gives you a chance to try a range without forking out on a whole bottle. Go at a quiet time when you can take your time and taste properly. Add water to taste I small amounts incrementally.
A decent bar as noted above gives you a chance to try a range without forking out on a whole bottle. Go at a quiet time when you can take your time and taste properly. Add water to taste I small amounts incrementally.
2gins said:
There's always something on offer somewhere.
Islay Vs Speyside in general. Islay's are quite smoky/peaty. Speyside smoother. Talisker is probably the BMW/Audi option. Not as cheap as Ford, pretty accessible. Highland park is cheaper but a bit stronger. Caol Ila is searingly strong.
Add a few drops of water. A few drops. Not a deluge. If you want to understand all the guff about chocolate biscuit sherry cask flavours etc, hold it in your gob for a minute or so
Accompaniments... 85 % cocoa choc.
Edited for moron auto correct.
Highland Park is from Orkney NOT Islay. It's a couple of hundred (in fact 361m) miles away. Also it's NOTHING like a heavily peated Islay malt and one that I would say is very good for a beginner. As is the Balvennie. Try them with a drop 1:10 of soft water to malt. No ice and savour the flavours and aromas.Islay Vs Speyside in general. Islay's are quite smoky/peaty. Speyside smoother. Talisker is probably the BMW/Audi option. Not as cheap as Ford, pretty accessible. Highland park is cheaper but a bit stronger. Caol Ila is searingly strong.
Add a few drops of water. A few drops. Not a deluge. If you want to understand all the guff about chocolate biscuit sherry cask flavours etc, hold it in your gob for a minute or so
Accompaniments... 85 % cocoa choc.
Edited for moron auto correct.
sherman said:
In the opionion of one State in America from what I can gather. If it was made anywhere apart from Tennesse in USA it would be a bourbon.
On 4 May 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a “distinctive product of the United States.” The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 CFR 5) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.
Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).
Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels.
Bourbon may not be introduced to the barrel at higher than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).
Bourbon which meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years, may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon.
Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.
If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.
Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon.
sherman said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
sherman said:
First of Jack/Jim bean is not whisky its bourbon.
Jack Daniels is not a bourbon, it's a whiskey . Heaven's Door is a Tennessee Bourbon.
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