OT: Scotch Drinkers, what is a good one to try?

My current collection includes:

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

Talisker 2017 Distillery Exclusive

Dalmore King Alexander III

All purchased during my trip to Scotland last year.

Also have a Lagavulin 16 from Christmas.

As a beginner I’d recommend something from Auchentoshen (lowlands), Glenmorangie (highlands), or Dalmore (also highlands). I mostly drink big, peaty/smoky scotch these days, but I wouldn’t start there.

Using ice is a no no for sure. But if you must, use one large ice cube. Then transition to stones, then to water, and eventually neat (unless you’re drinking cask strength, then water is always recommended).

Good luck! Slainte!

But if smooth and affordable is a goal try irish “Paddy”. The bottle looks budget but the taste is smooth and mellow like you said is a preference.

Also most people think ice helps. It doesnt, it actually creates a different kind of bite. Room temp with a splash of water (or more if needed) is the way to go. I actually had a glass warming next to a fire one time and it got a little warm (probably 90 degrees) and it was really good. To each their own though. I am but a toddler in this world.

He's a vodka man - been hitting the stuff lots of years so they all end up there - but he is the type that buys a lot of stuff and can and does drink all, bourbon, scotch, you name it. He likes to buy a lot of booze so he goes for the mid range in both price and quality based on feedback. Asked him about this and he says both Walkers, Red and Black, Cutty Sark(I'll admit I  drank that in the Nam for a few minutes), someghing called Glenvle and Highland Park. He named off a few more, but this will get you started. That Cutty is only a memory, but I must ask, why do you want to go there? I tended bar in the EM club and there was a  guy from Chicago-came in every day- and drank Johnnie Walker, both label colors. He swore it was the best stuff ever made. 

Give Monkey Shoulder a try. Ok price and solid

Scotch is an acquired taste much like tequila. Most humans won’t understand how you can stomach it. I drank cheap tequila in college to get drunk and it grew on me. I’ll never understand how scotch grows on a person.

But, if the local bar had had 10 cent scotch shots on Thursdays I probably would have preferred it eventually.

The thing about scotch is the price point for a bottle, of course.  I actually did my learning at a good whiskey bar, where at least you don't have to spend $50+ on a "guess."  Just make some notes from this thread, go to the bar and order a few to try, or better yet, find a bar that offers whiskey flights.  Nothing teaches you better about what you like than being able to compare them in one sitting.

Drink Irish whiskey.

You’re a guy who takes his bourbon watered/iced down. Nothing wrong with that, but it probably means some of these suggestions aren’t great for you. You want to dip your toes into it a bit. So I’d recommend a blend - blended whisky combines several malt whiskys (single malts) with grain or corn whiskys. These will tend to be a bit easier drinking and a little less variance in flavor (I don’t want to say “variety”, good blends can be great and subtle, but single malts can be all over the place flavor profile wise). Plus it’s good to have blends on hand for cocktails, if you’re into that. An inexpensive one that has some mixed reviews but I rather liked as a novice Scotch drinker was Pig’s Nose. If you want a single malt, try one of the Glens or anything else from Speyside. One of my favorites as someone coming from bourbon is Glenfiddich 14 year Bourbon Barrel Reserve, which comes in a blue package and is aged only in ex-bourbon barrels (most Scotch uses at least some sherry barrels). Obviously it will have some bourbon characteristics on top of a malt base.

Explore Lowlands whiskies, they tend to be calmer and milder. Glenkinchie 12, for example, is light and floral, as is stuff from Auchentoshan.

Also smooth and friendly and affordable (around $60): Highland Park 12, The Dalmore 12, Balvenie 12.

I recommend trying to appreciate the drink straight. Once your palate adjusts, you will reap the rewards. 

If you like bourbon, then the Highlands scotches will probably agree with your palate more than the Islay scotches.  Highland scotches (Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallans) are milder and "sweeter", whereas your typical Islay scotches are smokier and peatier; a very robut flavor profile.  It's important to experiment a bit to determine (many of the higher end bars offer flights of scotch to sample) what kind agrees with you, because it's uncommon for Highland folks to enjoy Islay scotch and vice versa.  Like wine, there's no wrong answer here, it's whatever agrees with you.  Myself, I like my Highland single-malts.

The big thing to consider when dipping your toes into the scotch world, especially with single-malts, is your price point.  You're always going to pay more for scotch than bourbon (a least from a quality equivalence standpoint) so be wary that developing a taste for single malts can carry a hit to your wallet.  I personally drink bourbon more frequently than scotch for this reason.  Your 12 y.o. Glenfiddich and Glenlivets will run your about $36-$38, as will a 10 y.o. Macallan.  I keep these in my home for those guests that I know don't drink scotch regularly, but I don't drink them myself, because I find them a little boring flavor-wise.

In the $40's range you'll find things like the 12 y.o. Highland Park or the 12 y.o. Macallan.  Both very good.

If you're willing to venture into the $50-$65 range, things get much more interesting.  12 y.o. Balvenie Double Wood is a personal favorite of mine.  There is also the 12 y.o. Glendronach (not always easy to find depending on where you live), which is a favorite or my Dad's.  12 y.o. Dalmore is also very good.

Moving into the $80-$100 range is where you'll come across the 14 y.o. Oban, which is spectacular.  Probably my favorite scotch in the sub-15 year age range.  Moving beyond the $100 mark you'll be looking at older scotches, which definitely ups the enjoyment experience.  15 y.o. Dalmore is fanastic, another personal favorite of mine, the 18 y.o. Macallan and Glenfiddich is also very good, although to be honest, once you've ventured into this level of scotch, it's hard to go wrong.

Now if your wallet allows for the occasional extravagance, when you hit the $200 range, you'll be in the 21 y.o. scotches.  Myself, I recommend the 21 y.o. Balvenie.  Beautiful color and smooth as silk.  It's a glorious experience.  Definitely not the type of scotch you'd indulge in on a regular basis, but everyone deserves to spoil themselves from time-to-time.  And if a $200 price on a bottle of scotch doesn't bother you, than forget everything else I said and never let anything younger than 21 years old touch your lips!

Remember to drink them neat or with a splash of water.  Enjoy!

 

Yeah, I am not a connoisseur by any stretch but I do enjoy Oban and you can get it for a great price at Costco. So it's probably worth trying out as a newbie.

A buyer for our liquor board here in Nova Scotia recommended Old Pulteney as good value at the price point. I found I like it and use it as my regular.

I would second the earlier recommendation of Cragganmore for Speyside.

For Islay start with Bowmore: great for beginners who want to try the peaty variety. Move up later.

At Glasgow airport last fall I picked up a bottle of 16-year-old Glen Deveron: very nice.

Individual tastes will vary widely, but think of the joy of discovery that awaits you. (This thread offers some great suggestions; I must try Oban . . . .)

 

Try a bottle of Cutty Sark or some other reasonably priced scotch and donate the difference between that and the top self brand you were thinking about buying to a local charity. Go Blue!

12 year or 18 year are both great.

I'm not a whiskey snob, and will happily enjoy them all.

Bourbon is corn-based and American.

Whiskey is from barley.

There's a difference in taste.

 

One more thing: I've seen people scoff at spending $100 on a nice bottle of Scotch and then drop $80 or more on a bottle of wine.

The bottle of wine lasts one meal. The bottle of Scotch will last months. On a $/pour standard, really good Scotch is a bargain compared to decent red wine.

but for me there's nothing better than Lagavulin 16. However, in A2 it's about $100 or more, so a good second choice for much less $$ is Talisker 10. I think I paid under $70 for the bottle I'm currently working on.

The Talisker is still pretty smoky but less peaty, and it's not bland—it's got a sort of peppery finish to it.

I've just noticed that Lagavulin has come out with an 8-yr old version that's about half the price of the 16. I don't know whether it'll be half as good, but when the Talisker is gone I'm going to give the 8-yr old a try.

Plus there's this:

Ron Swanson describes Lagavulin 16 as "nectar of the gods" and I agree with him.

Go with a blend...Chivas Regal with Vernos (easy on the stomach afterwards). 

~25 years ago, Ashley's used to allow you to pick 5 single malts and make your own flight. Each serving was a half pour/shot (1/2 ounce) and the price was the same as buying two shots, so you got a half ounce "free". Instead of 5 different shots, I would actually get two (3+2). This allowed me to take even more time to compare. I would then pick which of the two I liked best and order a second flight with 2 of that and 3 of a new selection. I would then switch to beer and drink until things got silly. The next morning I would have forgotten which single malt I liked best and have to start all over the next night ....