# Scotch Whiskey **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [September 22, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728 "2008-09-22T19:55:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/1 "2008-09-22T19:55:19Z")
I’m looking for a good, inexpensive scotch. (Oxymoron?) I’ve found Piper’s for $8.79 a fifth which sounds good to me but how does it taste? I’ll probably drink it neat or with water or soda. Any scotch connesseurs out there? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/2 "2008-09-22T20:11:04Z")
At $10/fifth, I’d be suspicious. It’s probably fine for mixing, but not the sort of thing you’d want to drink neat or even with only a little water. Connoisseurs of scotch whisky (no ‘e’) tend to prefer single malts, which are the equivalent of single barrel bourbon. But they tend to be pretty pricey ($50/fifth is midrange), and not something you want to jump into blindly. I think Johnny Walker Red is a fine blend to start with, as it won’t break the bank, but it’s actually halfway decent. Famous Grouse and Chivas Regal are other popular brands. If you can find a bar that has single malts, try some Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, preferably the 12 year-old varietal. Try them neat at least once. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/3 "2008-09-22T20:12:32Z")
“Good, inexpensive Scotch” isn’t an oxymoron - you don’t have to spend a fortune to get something drinkable. “Scotch whiskey”, however, is. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![TGWATY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/4 "2008-09-22T20:16:45Z")
The Glenlivet is my all time favorite. But I can’t afford to drink it everyday. My everyday drink is Clan MacGregor. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/5 "2008-09-22T20:18:44Z")
Famous Grouse. But for a little bit more you can get Glen Livet, so why bother with the blend? I’d rather stay sober than drink cheap scotch. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/6 "2008-09-22T22:34:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Famous Grouse. But for a little bit more you can get Glen Livet, so why bother with the blend? I’d rather stay sober than drink cheap scotch. In my (Misspent) youth I’ve drank Chevas and fell in love with it. Can’t afford it these days though… ☹ Crown Royal also. Maybe if I quit buying groceries…?? Never had the pleasure of Famous Grouse or Glen Livet. Now let’s see, if I buy a case of Top Ramen for the month… ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/7 "2008-09-22T22:53:52Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > Connoisseurs of scotch whisky (no ‘e’) tend to prefer single malts, Not necessarily. There are some good blends out there, too, that will knock the socks off of many single malts. The trick about single malts is that it takes a very refined and controlled process to get a consistent result, whereas with a blend (as with wine) you can mix until you get the flavor and body that you desire, so with a single malt you are essentially paying for the craftsmanship rather than the taste per se. In Irish whiskeys (which have yet to be overtaken by snooty would-be connoisseurs) no specially distinction is generally granted to single malts, and in fact most Irish whiskey is made from a combination of malted and unmalted grains. (Some shrift is granted to pure pot still, but the end result is still blended.) Indeed, some of the highest regarded Irish whiskeys are blends. As far as blended Scotch whiskys, I picked up a bottle of [url=[http://www.scotchwhiskyshop.co.uk/shop/blended\_malts/406-blended\_malt\_john\_mark\_robbo\_the\_rich\_spicy\_one](http://www.scotchwhiskyshop.co.uk/shop/blended_malts/406-blended_malt_john_mark_robbo_the_rich_spicy_one) which I found to be very nice, quite drinkable neat. I haven’t tried their Smokey Peaty One yet. > [@ultrafilter](#): > > I think Johnny Walker Red is a fine blend to start with, as it won’t break the bank, but it’s actually halfway decent. Famous Grouse and Chivas Regal are other popular brands. Ugh! I have to disagree; I’d rather drink J&B or Cutty Sark than Walker Red. Walker Black is tolerable over ice, but I really prefer to start with Macallan 10 and work upward. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/8 "2008-09-22T22:59:03Z")
Stranger, will you fix the URL? I’m curious. Also, does J&B have anything to John Barr Scotch? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/9 "2008-09-23T01:17:02Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/10 "2008-09-23T01:38:51Z")
What, you just move the thread and don’t contribute anything to the discussion? Sloppy work all around. Hey **Stranger**! Have you cracked your door prize yet? ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/11 "2008-09-23T01:44:35Z")
> [@Jake](#): > > Stranger, will you fix the URL? I’m curious. Also, does J&B have anything to John Barr Scotch? [http://www.scotchwhiskyshop.co.uk/shop/blended\_malts/406-blended\_malt\_john\_mark\_robbo\_the\_rich\_spicy\_one](http://www.scotchwhiskyshop.co.uk/shop/blended_malts/406-blended_malt_john_mark_robbo_the_rich_spicy_one) Myself, I like [Glenfiddich](http://www.glenfiddich.com/lda.html?redirect=/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/12 "2008-09-23T02:32:06Z")
$10 for a fifth isn’t worth the trouble, IMO. You should be able to get a nice bottle of Glenlivet or the Dalmore at your grocery store for under $30. For blends, I know a lot of people go for Dewar’s, but I find it nasty. I’ll drink Chivas if I want a blend (usually something to go in a flask.) ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/13 "2008-09-23T02:32:10Z")
Speyburn is a reasonably-priced single-malt. It’s not as distinctive as some others but I find it quite drinkable. Around here it retails for about $20 a fifth. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/14 "2008-09-23T02:35:10Z")
I’m a fan of Laphroaig and Lagavulin, but if I had to recommend an inexpensive blend (really inexpensive), I’d go for Teachers. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/15 "2008-09-23T03:27:04Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > … the Dalmore at your grocery store for under $30. IMHO, The Dalmore 12 year old is hands down the best single-malt Scotch in the price range. You have to go up significantly in price and age to get a better whisky. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/16 "2008-09-23T03:44:16Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Hey **Stranger**! Have you cracked your door prize yet? To my great shame, I have not yet. There just has not yet been an occasion justifying it to date. It tasks me…and I shall have it. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/17 "2008-09-23T03:46:26Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > For blends, I know a lot of people go for Dewar’s, but I find it nasty. I’m glad I’m not the only one. It’s passable with soda, but then, if you need to do that to a whiskey, why drink it at all? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whiskey/464728/18 "2008-09-23T05:47:41Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > As far as blended Scotch whiskys, I picked up a bottle of [url=[http://www.scotchwhiskyshop.co.uk/shop/blended\_malts/406-blended\_malt\_john\_mark\_robbo\_the\_rich\_spicy\_one](http://www.scotchwhiskyshop.co.uk/shop/blended_malts/406-blended_malt_john_mark_robbo_the_rich_spicy_one) which I found to be very nice, quite drinkable neat. I haven’t tried their Smokey Peaty One yet. > Stranger What a coincidence! My girlfriend and I just this evening on a whim got a bottle of Jon Mark And Robbo (The Smooth Sweeter One), which we’d never even heard of before. It was, in two words, utterly delicious. But probably a bit too expensive for the OP’s purposes ($40 is what we paid).