# Best whisk(e)y **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 10, 2000, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092 "2000-07-10T07:28:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vandergeld](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e99b99/32.png) [@vandergeld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandergeld)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/1 "2000-07-10T07:28:21Z")
Single malt: Talisker. Somewhere between the oily Irish pot mash and the Lowland malty whispers lies Talisker. “The lava of the Cullens” to be sure. Bourbon: Old Rip Van Winkle, the 105 proof sleeping giant awakens! Blended: Dewars. Can’t tell you why, it just goes down that way. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/2 "2000-07-10T11:26:23Z")
Single malt: **Laphroaig**. “The most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies” ---
**Author:** ![Occam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Occam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Occam)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/3 "2000-07-10T12:17:19Z")
Crown Royal ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/4 "2000-07-10T13:38:13Z")
I have always liked Glenlivet for a single malt scotch. However, I am beginning to feel that the taste is a little thin (read “my taste is beginning to exceed my pocketbook”). I recently sample an 18 year old Knockander and a 21 year old Benevie (spelling?). Both are Speyside scotches and had similar tastes. But the Benevie was like liquid gold. I don’t think I have ever had anything so smooth. Tinker ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/5 "2000-07-10T16:36:36Z")
The best single-malt scotch (and best liquid overall) I’ve ever tried was Glenlivet 12 year, but that’s out of a field of two, so my opinion is not exactly based on much. I’ll be trying some Laphroig at the earliest possible opportunity. Aside from scotch, my personal favourite is Wild Turkey 101 proof. Harsh, but remarkably refined. Gentleman Jack is pretty good as well, but a bit too mellow for my taste. Actually, the Glenlivet was a bit on the easygoing side as well, which is why I want to try the Laphroig. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/6 "2000-07-10T21:35:54Z")
> [@](#): > > The best single-malt scotch (and best liquid overall) I’ve ever tried was Glenlivet 12 year, but that’s out of a field of two, so my opinion is not exactly based on much. I’ll be trying some Laphroig at the earliest possible opportunity. Several years ago, I engaged in Comparative Alcohol Domestic Analysis (i.e., I poured a shot of each in my living room and tasted them – neat) using Glenlivet 12-year-old and Laphroaig 10-year-old. I found the Laphroiag to be smoother, and to be more flavourful. IIRC, it’s a shade darker too. Your mileage may vary. ---
**Author:** ![T\_G\_I\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@T\_G\_I\_F](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_G_I_F)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/7 "2000-07-10T21:55:22Z")
**Drambuie - The Isle of Skye Liqueur since 1745** ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2000, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/8 "2000-07-11T01:27:01Z")
Drambuie? Don’t drink that stuff, kid. It will rot your teeth. For the scotch, I agree with Johnny. Laphroaig is called for on all special occasions. Normal daily choice is Jameson’s. I am partial to a nice simple Irish whiskey. It also fits my income better. ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2000, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/9 "2000-07-11T03:15:12Z")
How do you pronounce “Laphroaig”? Thanks, Tinker ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2000, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/10 "2000-07-11T03:24:24Z")
I think that Laphroaig is pronounced _laugh-fro-agg_ with the accent on the 2nd syllable. I take it that none of you has ever tried **Oban**. Not medicinal like Talisker or Laphroaig, and not insipid like Dalwhinnie. Unique and wonderful. About $50 Cdn for a 26 oz’er. **Cragganmore** if you’re looking for an aroma so thick you can almost (literally) taste it. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2000, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/11 "2000-07-11T04:43:58Z")
Whiskey? I. W. Harper Kentucky Bourbon. A Bourbon so smooth… The Bourbon that shipped it’s yeasts and such to Canada during Prohibition (so it’s the Bourbon that really can trace it’s history before 1933). Don’t worry, Mothers of River City. You’re kids won’t get a chance to test my temtation. Try to get Harper’s anymore. At least try to get it in most of the U.S. The Japanese seem to have decided that Harper’s is as good as _I_ know it is. And they’re willing to pay a lot more per bottle than I ever did. So they get it! And I get a memory. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2000, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/12 "2000-07-11T06:04:26Z")
Best I’ve ever had: Booker’s 7-year 126 proof. I hear Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20-year 90.4 proof is better, tho. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2000, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/13 "2000-07-11T10:56:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KarlGauss \* > \*\*I think that Laphroaig is pronounced _laugh-fro-agg_ with the accent on the 2nd syllable. > \*\* My Scottish barman (and chairman of the Swedish Whisky Society) pronounces it _lafroi’g_. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2000, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/14 "2000-07-11T11:32:33Z")
The distillery itself says it’s pronounced **La-froyg**. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/15 "2000-07-12T03:39:13Z")
Single Malt: I agree with KG- Cragganmore Bourbon: Old Fitzgerald - I know it’s commercial and all, but I like it. It’s not as sweet as most bourbons are. Overall Favorite- Black Bush ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/16 "2000-07-12T05:14:34Z")
If it weren’t for bourbon I wouldn’t drink any whiskey. I like any proof Wild Turkey or Jim Beam, but basically, if it’s bourbon (and its NOT Ezera Brooks) I’ll drink it. Ezera Brooks bourbon is awful! ---
**Author:** ![oldscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@oldscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldscratch)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/17 "2000-07-12T17:47:45Z")
I have to agree with ricepad that bookers is pretty damn good. One of the best though? Old potrero. The only 100% rye whiskey. It’s done here in SF. mmmmm ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/18 "2000-07-12T22:28:57Z")
Scotches: Glen Morangie or MacClellans. 'Nuff said. Sua ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/19 "2000-07-12T23:03:23Z")
You all seem quite experienced, so let me put another question. What would you say is the best value in scotch–the best taste for the least money, to put it bluntly. (I’m also a Laphroiag fan, BTW, in case that would influence your advice.) ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092/20 "2000-07-13T00:34:52Z")
Jack Daniels’ (not that I know personally, being 18 ;)) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-whisk-e-y/25092.md?page=2)