# Recommend a good Scotch **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 14, 2001, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267 "2001-11-14T04:36:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2001, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/61 "2001-11-30T22:49:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terminus Est \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Floater \* > > \*\* > > So how come that all whisky fanatics, Scottish or otherwise, I know recommend that you blend your whisky with some water? > > \*\* > > You need to hang out with a better class of whisky fanatics. No water. No ice, either. \*\* Waaaah! I’m all confused now! My mates have been trying to get me into drinking decent scotch but whenever I try it neat I find that cos I’m not used to it I can’t taste anything more than the “burn”. (They talk about ‘subtle peat notes and light honey finishes’ while I gasp and reach for a cooling glass of 7-up). I was under the impression that with the finer single-malts some water was needed to “release” certain more complex features of the drink… I don’t want to start on crappy “lesser” whiskies cos the are, well, crappy - but I don’t want to look like a complete prune by asking for water with my scotch. Is is simply a matter of personal taste, or is it genuinely “bad form” to add a splash or two of decent spring water? Oh yeah, and how much water are we talking about here? A tumbler full or literally just a dash? Thanks! – Quirm ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2001, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/62 "2001-12-01T07:28:21Z")
Scotch is something of an aquired taste. I am aquiring the taste for it, but am still rather limited on what I like. I do like the tiniest splash of water (kinda swirl a little water around to coat the inside of the glass them dump out the rest). My favorites are Macallan and Balvenie. I think they are probably the least scotch like of all the ones I’ve tried. Macallan is the only one aged in a sherry barrel the whole time, so I find it has a light, pleasant cognac kinda taste to it and I’ve only tried the 8 year Balvenie, but with the light splash of water, it has a slight orange-honey-ish thing going as it makes your tongue dance around in your mouth. Think barest splash of water with Scotch, Just enough to open up the flavors and nuances, not enough to water it down. Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Maxwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@Jack\_Maxwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Maxwell)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/63 "2001-12-01T16:42:02Z")
For a beginner i recommend Sheep Dip. Very shy on the iodine taste. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2001, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/64 "2001-12-01T16:52:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terminus Est \* > \*\* > You need to hang out with a better class of whisky fanatics. No water. No ice, either. \*\* I think a bar owner from Aberdeen who on a number of occasions has sat in whisky tasting juries together with Michael Jackson is all right by me. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2001, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/65 "2001-12-01T23:49:44Z")
why nobody else mentioned Highland Park??? you guys havent lived it’s the best by a long way. ---
**Author:** ![wireless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@wireless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wireless)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/66 "2001-12-02T01:13:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by detop \* > \*\*My Scotch ? Balvenie, 15 years old single malt, single _barrel_, 50.4 % alcohol per volume. \*\* I’ll second (or third) the vote for Balvinie, but I prefer the 12-year Doublewood - not as expensive as the 15, smoother than the 10. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by diamud \* > \*\*Not a big scotch drinker, but you might want to try a couple good Irish - > Jameson 1780 reserve, nice fruit flavor and very smooth > Bushmill’s Single Malt or Black Bush, very good as well. > \*\* I _used_ to be a Black Bush drinker, but got too many wierd looks when ordering it at the bar. I guess they thought it sounded odd coming from a woman? ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/67 "2001-12-02T02:13:09Z")
I used to drink Glenmorangie but price club stopped carrying it. So now I drink Balvenie and sometimes a’bunadh that my brother in law brings me when he comes down from the big city to visit us country folk. I think the 12 year old Balvenie is about as good as the 15 year old. I keep telling my brother in law to get the cheaper 12 year old but he brings the 15. Oh well, my burdens are many. I also used to always drink it straight until I got a bottle of a’bunadh it is 59.9% alcohol which I found somewhat strong so I put a little bit of water in it. Now I put a little bit of water in all the Scotch I drink. If that offends the sensibilities of some well then you need to relax. Others have mentioned bourbon so I will say that I like Makers Mark. It is certainly less expensive than most of the Scotches mentioned here. I find it to be pretty tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/68 "2001-12-02T21:02:31Z")
\*\* HIGHLAND PARK \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Iguana\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@Iguana\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iguana_Boy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/69 "2001-12-02T21:33:56Z")
For all you people who sang the praises of **Laphroiag** , may I suggest its superior Islay brother, **Ardbeg**? No one appears to have mentioned it yet, but many whisky critics rate it near to perfection. Like the also excellent **Laphroiag** , however, it is not a beginner’s whisky. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/70 "2001-12-02T23:03:21Z")
Famous Grouse ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/71 "2001-12-02T23:03:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > **Canadian blenders are even allowed to adjust the final octane using ethyl alcohol!** Do you have a cite for that? The [law](http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/F-27/C.R.C.-c.870/118843.html) seem to contradict you: > [@](#): > > B.02.016. [S]. Scotch Whisky shall be whisky distilled in Scotland as Scotch whisky for domestic consumption in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom. > > B.02.017. No person shall blend or modify in any manner any Scotch whisky that is imported in bulk for the purpose of bottling and sale in Canada as Scotch whisky except by > > (a) blending with other Scotch whisky, > > (b) the addition of distilled or otherwise purified water to adjust to a required strength, or > > © the addition of caramel. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/72 "2001-12-03T00:00:11Z")
“© the addition of caramel.” weird. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/73 "2001-12-03T00:07:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\*“© the addition of caramel.” > > weird. \*\* Why is that weird? Caramel is a common food colouring. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/74 "2001-12-03T16:43:42Z")
yeah but it’s a bit unnatural for whisky imho. and i repeat why has nobody else mentioned Highland Park? you all know nothing! ---
**Author:** ![Norrybaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9a28c/32.png) [@Norrybaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norrybaby)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/75 "2001-12-03T18:09:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I prefer the moderately peaty malts, such as Talisker mmmmmmm… is my favoured as well, ranking right up there with Bruichladdich. As for the whole water/ice/nothing discussion, I belong firmly in the nothing brigade. But really, as long as you don’t walk into a bar in Auld Reekie and ask for some coke in your Laphroaig, I think you’ll be ok. ---
**Author:** ![Norrybaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9a28c/32.png) [@Norrybaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norrybaby)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/76 "2001-12-03T18:16:25Z")
> [@](#): > > I prefer the moderately peaty malts, such as Talisker mmmmmmm… is my favoured as well, ranking right up there with Bruichladdich. As for the whole water/ice/nothing discussion, I belong firmly in the nothing brigade. But really, as long as you don’t walk into a bar in Auld Reekie and ask for some coke in your Laphroaig, I think you’ll be ok. ---
**Author:** ![jellen92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@jellen92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellen92)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/77 "2001-12-03T22:42:45Z")
Personally, the double sided works great - and the transparent is good for presents. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/78 "2001-12-04T01:29:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\*and i repeat why has nobody else mentioned Highland Park? you all know nothing! \*\* I’d guess that it’s because you’ve already mentioned it about 4 times. Give it a rest. ---
**Author:** ![bagkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@bagkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bagkitty)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267/79 "2001-12-04T03:50:38Z")
I think Big Iron was referring to “Auchentoshan” when typing in “Auchentauchen” and I would strongly agree with the choice as a nice, light, and really affordable single malt. I would also highly recommend Caol Ila, assuming you can get your hands on it (has to be special ordered here in Canada) [my younger brother brought me back a bottle from Scotland and I decided I was glad I hadn’t drowned him as a child]. If you are going to go for blended, I would recommend Teacher’s over anything else (esp. Ballantine’s which tastes like rubbing alcohol and Chivas which tastes like someone has added saccarhine). And ignore the single-malt snobs… drinks what ya likes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-scotch/93267.md?page=3)