I'm a beer guy, looking for suggestions to ease my way into Scotch, Whiskey, Burbon..

Going from beer to harder liquors takes a little bit of getting used to. I haven't been drinking Scotch for a long time, but I've tried quite a few malts as my friends and I got together and started a Scotch club to share the costs of trying new malt. I like Scotch just because of the availability of many good, Scotches at reasonable prices.

If you really want to taste the Scotch, ice will detract from the flavour, but if it's too hard to enjoy, it's not bad to use a little ice. I will say though that adding a splash (a couple drops worth) of water does open up the Scotch a lot and let more of the flavours come through.

One of my favourites, and one that I think is good for new Scotch drinkers, is the Balvenie Double Wood, which has great honey sweetness. If you're used to drinking cheaper blends, there's a huuuge difference between good single malts and cheap blends. Let me know if you are looking for any other suggestions.
 
MadAl said:
Saw a program on single malts, a master distiller said not even to add ice cubes. They effect the single malt. Splash of water is all.
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Ice cubes (and anything cold, for that matter) "numbs" the flavour of the drink, so for those who are a bit unsure of whether they like scotch or not, it might be a good way of easing yourself in. The splash of (room temperature) water does the opposite, it enhances the flavour, although some malts really can't take any water. You'll have to experiment with that. Do use quality bottled water, though. Tap water might contain some odors or chemicals that might ruin the taste. The recommendation is to use the same water that the distillery is using, but that's a bit extreme, I'd say... :)


As for some recommendations, try the more "easy" malts first. Something from Speyside, or maybe something that has been aged in a sherry cask, those tend to be a lot smoother than the "bottled smoke" from Islay. Oh, and although it isn't Scotch (it's an Irish blend), Bushmills' Black Bush is really nice. By far my favorite among the "non-scotch" stuff. It's really smooth, with a nice fruity and vanilla-like flavour.
 
zipa said:
Ice cubes (and anything cold, for that matter) "numbs" the flavour of the drink, so for those who are a bit unsure of whether they like scotch or not, it might be a good way of easing yourself in. The splash of (room temperature) water does the opposite, it enhances the flavour, although some malts really can't take any water. You'll have to experiment with that. Do use quality bottled water, though. Tap water might contain some odors or chemicals that might ruin the taste. The recommendation is to use the same water that the distillery is using, but that's a bit extreme, I'd say... :)

As for some recommendations, try the more "easy" malts first. Something from Speyside, or maybe something that has been aged in a sherry cask, those tend to be a lot smoother than the "bottled smoke" from Islay. Oh, and although it isn't Scotch (it's an Irish blend), Bushmills' Black Bush is really nice. By far my favorite among the "non-scotch" stuff. It's really smooth, with a nice fruity and vanilla-like flavour.
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Excellent advice, Zima. I'd add Highland and Campbeltown to the list. Found that Campbeltowns have a great honey, vanilla thing going on.
 
jkim05 said:
One of my favourites, and one that I think is good for new Scotch drinkers, is the Balvenie Double Wood, which has great honey sweetness.
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the Balvenie kicks ass! And I tried the double wood, nice. Abelour is another great Speyside and they have a double wood as well.
 
beauregard said:
I would bet that a really good rum would go well with a cigar.
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I like a glass of Captain Morgan over ice with a cigar from time to time. My only problem with that is I have an uncontrollable urge to stand up, prop my foot on something with my fists on my hips. :chk:chk:chk

Sorry.. couldn't resist... but the Captain and I are friends...

Michael
 
mspringfield said:
I have an uncontrollable urge to stand up, prop my foot on something with my fists on my hips.
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Poser!


JK, actually I think there is a pose off. You should do one with a cigar and send it in.

I was almost going to suggest a spiced rum but I was afraid this thread was getting worn a little thin with all my previous suggestions. Since you brought it up.... I was given a Vanilla rum a few years ago that would probably pair nicely with a few cigars I have like the Rocky Patell Decade (which I think has the flavor of spiced rum in it anyway).

Don't get me started on Liquors or I'll start pairing Bolivars up with Irish Cream and $hi#. (Gran Mariner, Kaluah, frangellico.... we amy need a new liquor thread).

I know nothing about pairing conac, grappa, brandy or port... so you'll get a break from me there. Would be happy to hear any suggestions on that though.
 
So I've read the entire thread and can't seem to come up with a general consensus on which scotch is good to start a beer guy out with , being that I'm a beer guy also . I once posted a similar thread on Port and came out with 2 to try , Grahams SixGrapes and Fonseca Bin 27 and have since enjoyed both with cigars . So whats the scotch rookie to start out with or should he try whiskey first ? :ss
 
beauregard said:
Poser!


JK, actually I think there is a pose off. You should do one with a cigar and send it in.
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LOL. I have been called worse...

Maybe I should. I can just imagine myself in my yard trying to set something up with tons of camera gear. My neighbors already worry about me.
 
Bubba -NJ said:
So I've read the entire thread and can't seem to come up with a general consensus on which scotch is good to start a beer guy out with , being that I'm a beer guy also . I once posted a similar thread on Port and came out with 2 to try , Grahams SixGrapes and Fonseca Bin 27 and have since enjoyed both with cigars . So whats the scotch rookie to start out with or should he try whiskey first ? :ss
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Scotch is whiskey...:ss

But I did post up here:http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=152725
 
Scotch is whisky. Then you have Tennessee whiskey. Bourbon is also a whiskey. Scotch suggestions: The Glenlivet 12 or The Macallan 12 for starters. Nice expressions of the Speyside style. Balvenie double wood and aberlour are also exellent suggestions. I would not start out with Islay (heavy smoke, some say iodine flavors), but you will graduate to them, I am sure. (I like Laphroaig for an Islay.) For bourbon, try Makers Mark as a starter. Nice wheated bourbon that is lighter than some. If you want to move up from there, Woodford Reserve and Elmer T. Lee are nice. Don't know much about rum, but I've had Bacardi 8 and it was pretty tastey. The problem you are observing is there are so many whisky/eys and so little time!
 
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