transplantbillsfan Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) It's simple. Whisky is Scotch. Whiskey is everything else. What do you prefer and why? Personally, Scotch is far and away my preference. And Single Malt Scotch at that. I've tried Bourbon... I really notice that "corn mash" flavor and it almost tastes saccharine to me. Even the more expensive bottles I've bought sporadically just to try to be part of the converted. Canadian Whiskey is a little better, but largely the same. I have Irish roots so I always try some Irish Whiskey around St. Patrick's Day. Last year it was Green Spot, which I wasn't the biggest fan of. This year I'm trying Redbreast 12, which might be the best non-Whisky I've had... mostly because I think it's most similar to Scotch. That and Bushmills, which surprised me. The draw to Irish Whiskey seems to be that it's "smooth." I don't think I like "smooth" in my whiskey/whisky. I like the bite. The bite is where all the flavor is a lot of the time. Anyone else? Are there any crossover Whiskey/Whisky aficionados? So far my favorite candidates of top 5 that I've had would have to be (and notice they're all Scotches): Balvenie Carribean Cask Balvenie 15 year old Oban 14 Johnny Blue Glenlivet Nadurra Non Scotch: Redbreast 12 Bushmills Sounds funny but I really WANT to like a whiskey as much as a whisky... any suggestions? Edited March 7, 2020 by transplantbillsfan
Sundancer Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 I like ryes myself of the whisky family. Favorite of those is Whistle Pig. High West makes a good one too. Favorite but hard to get bourbon is Stagg Jr. But I also like the High West American Prairie that is a little more affordable. Fav scotch is Balvenie doublewood 12. All those will set you back at least $70 a bottle. But I only have a couple drinks of them a month so it doesn't break the bank. Parties break the bank because my friends enjoy them!
row_33 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) I have imbibed many fine Scottish whiskys that I freely admit i have not developed a taste or appreciation of but it’s free and they insist Bowmore, part of the Laphroaig empire apparently, was the most common Edited March 7, 2020 by row_33
row_33 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 Another former neighbour was a Riesling enthusiast, I’m seen as good company to sit around and drink yer booze and talk of any topic. I think I’m about $10,000 owing for top shelf beverages compared to my hostings. Get to know your emigrant neighbours with a good collection.
Mark80 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) 1. Rye - $40-60 sweet spot 2. Bourbon - $40-60 sweet spot 3. Scotch - $75-100 sweet spot 4. Irish - $75-100 sweet spot 5. Japanese - $60-80 sweet spot 6. Canadaian...wait, who really drinks this crap? I have a bit of a problem. I have 30 unique bottles right now and a few doubles. Yikes. Its not really a drinking problem, but a buying problem. For example, yesterday I got Whistle Pig Old World Rye, Old Forrester 1920 Prohibition, and Michters 10 Bourbon. $400 down the hole and I didn't even open any of them yet to give an opinion. Favorites by category: Rye - A Midwinters Night Dram (can't find anymore but I got 3 bottles this winter), Hillrock Double Cask, EH Taylor Rye Bourbon - Weller 12, EH Taylore Single Barrell, Stagg Jr (Barrel proof for your burn and seems to be more available this year) Scotch - Lagavulin 16 (best peated IMO for a reasonable price), Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve (not very peaty, more fruity) Irish - Redbreast 15 (new to this area, my first one besides shots of jameson) Japanese - Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky (again, my first bottle in this space but damn good. If you don't like typical bourbons and you like bite I would recommend the following barrel proofs - Stagg Jr, Elijiah Craig Barrel Proof. Something more "oaky" tasting that sweet - Woodford Reserve Double Oak. Also, you may want to try the family of wheated bourbons. The Weller line comes to mind, but it is difficult to find and highly marked up. Knob Creek is readily available and wheated too. I'd go 12 year or Single Barrel for them. I also have a few unicorns that are fantastic too, but they are so hard to find at a reasonable price I haven't listed them yet. I think George T Stagg is amazing and if you can find it for $250 or under, I would jump all over it. Unfortunately usually its more like $500 especially this time of year because everyone who sells it at a reasonable price has sold them already! Edited March 7, 2020 by Mark80
Gray Beard Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 Based on this chart, the choices in the OP are not smoky (or peaty as they would say in Scotland). In that case, the difference between Whisky and Whiskey is not that significant, it’s just a matter of preference. Throw some Taliskar or Lagavulin into the mix, and then you’ve got a strong comparison. I have found that if I’m in the mood, I don’t hate the smoky ones, but they’re not my preferred choices. I definitely like the Balvenie and Bushmills choices in the OP.
plenzmd1 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 For anyone who is a true whisk(e)y aficionado , this place in DC is a must next time ya in the DMV! As a heads up, not only is the booze good, the food is great. http://jackrosediningsaloon.com/ and for those in Chicago , not only is this place an awesome Bills bar, but also a great whisky bar. They even have a collaboration whisky with Jack Rose. Tell em your a friend of our own @dave mcbride, and good things may happen! http://www.delilahschicago.com/ 1
Tony P Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 If I'm drinking whisky/whiskey, my #1 go-to is Glenmorangie Original 10. Simple, straight forward with a nice rich flavor. Not too "peaty" (which I find very difficult to enjoy). Cheers!
Teddy KGB Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) Makers Mark or Woodford Reserve is always solid for a Manhattan Crown Royal or Jim Beam pairs good with coke or Pepsi. Jameson’s and ginger gets it done too Scotch and Gin goes in the trash can Edited March 7, 2020 by Teddy KGB
transplantbillsfan Posted March 7, 2020 Author Posted March 7, 2020 6 hours ago, Joe in Winslow said: Hate scotch. It's bandaid forward. Those are the Islay Scotches like Lagavulin in particular. Try the Highland Scotches. Glenlivet 12 is the best place to start if you haven't tried it. Around 30 bucks and damn good.
RaoulDuke79 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 I had some ?? last night. Love just about everything crown.
transplantbillsfan Posted March 7, 2020 Author Posted March 7, 2020 8 hours ago, Sundancer said: I like ryes myself of the whisky family. Favorite of those is Whistle Pig. High West makes a good one too. Favorite but hard to get bourbon is Stagg Jr. But I also like the High West American Prairie that is a little more affordable. Fav scotch is Balvenie doublewood 12. All those will set you back at least $70 a bottle. But I only have a couple drinks of them a month so it doesn't break the bank. Parties break the bank because my friends enjoy them! Doublewood 12 is probably like my 6th favorite. Try the Caribbean Cask! 2
transplantbillsfan Posted March 7, 2020 Author Posted March 7, 2020 7 hours ago, Mark80 said: 1. Rye - $40-60 sweet spot 2. Bourbon - $40-60 sweet spot 3. Scotch - $75-100 sweet spot 4. Irish - $75-100 sweet spot 5. Japanese - $60-80 sweet spot 6. Canadaian...wait, who really drinks this crap? I have a bit of a problem. I have 30 unique bottles right now and a few doubles. Yikes. Its not really a drinking problem, but a buying problem. For example, yesterday I got Whistle Pig Old World Rye, Old Forrester 1920 Prohibition, and Michters 10 Bourbon. $400 down the hole and I didn't even open any of them yet to give an opinion. Favorites by category: Rye - A Midwinters Night Dram (can't find anymore but I got 3 bottles this winter), Hillrock Double Cask, EH Taylor Rye Bourbon - Weller 12, EH Taylore Single Barrell, Stagg Jr (Barrel proof for your burn and seems to be more available this year) Scotch - Lagavulin 16 (best peated IMO for a reasonable price), Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve (not very peaty, more fruity) Irish - Redbreast 15 (new to this area, my first one besides shots of jameson) Japanese - Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky (again, my first bottle in this space but damn good. If you don't like typical bourbons and you like bite I would recommend the following barrel proofs - Stagg Jr, Elijiah Craig Barrel Proof. Something more "oaky" tasting that sweet - Woodford Reserve Double Oak. Also, you may want to try the family of wheated bourbons. The Weller line comes to mind, but it is difficult to find and highly marked up. Knob Creek is readily available and wheated too. I'd go 12 year or Single Barrel for them. I also have a few unicorns that are fantastic too, but they are so hard to find at a reasonable price I haven't listed them yet. I think George T Stagg is amazing and if you can find it for $250 or under, I would jump all over it. Unfortunately usually its more like $500 especially this time of year because everyone who sells it at a reasonable price has sold them already! I've tried Woodford Reserve and the Knob Creek Single Barrel and both still have that character I've tasted in every Bourbon that I don't like. 5 hours ago, Tony P said: If I'm drinking whisky/whiskey, my #1 go-to is Glenmorangie Original 10. Simple, straight forward with a nice rich flavor. Not too "peaty" (which I find very difficult to enjoy). Cheers! That's a good one! I love when Costco sells the gigantic bottle for 70 bucks! 1
KD in CA Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 Very much yes to single malts, particularly those from Highland and Islay. Lagavulin 16 is probably my favorite. Others high on the list include: Oban 14 Glenmorangie 12 (w/ Sherry cask finish) Talisker 18 Slowly been working my way through a bottle of Glenlivit -- which has never been high on my list, so really just freeing up space on the liquor shelf. I've been sitting on a bottle of Macallan Rare Cask for a few years now; plan to crack it open when my brother from the UK (who originally turned us onto scotch) visits in June, so very much looking forward to that.
Buffalo716 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 1 hour ago, RaoulDuke79 said: I had some ?? last night. Love just about everything crown. A real man takes like 5 shots of regular crown then bites an apple ?
RaoulDuke79 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 4 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: A real man takes like 5 shots of regular crown then bites an apple ? I didn't want the apple to throw off the taste of my White Claw. 3
Buffalo716 Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 Just now, RaoulDuke79 said: I didn't want the apple to throw off the taste of my White Claw. White claws have a taste?
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