# Scotch Whisky Advice Please **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 2, 2015, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216 "2015-10-02T06:07:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/21 "2015-10-03T09:37:19Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > so where does the balvinie fall in the geographic scotch map/spectrum? I’ve not been able to figure that out, and like I said, it was ok, but the sherry component took away from it. If I could find one similar to that with out the second wood, I’d try that. > > Far as the Laphroaig, I almost went with that instead of the balvinie, so I am leaning that way. > > Never thought to post this info :smack: I prefer to sip with one maybe two cubes of ice depending if store bought ice (hollow tube type) or frozen in my own freezer (solid actual cube shape) and also depending on if I’m just relaxing, having a smoke and whatnot with the wife (smaller drink) or socially drinking with a few friends (larger drink). > I don’t really have many preferences yet far as scotch goes except for the ice. I’ve tried it neat, with ice and with a few drops to a 1/2 a tsp of water. With ice is what I prefer. And single wood please and thank you. Otherwise, blended, single malt, speyside, highland, lowland, what have you, I’m wide open. > > sampling widely at a bar, around here a good quiet bar without music blasting at eardrum destroying levels or hordes of noisey revelers, a place where one can drink peacefully are getting to be pretty rare it seems to me. I’m more about the very small group social aspects of drinking, a few good friends and family maybe a barbeque or whatever, just chillin and having a drink together. And I just happened to really like the Chequer. (Yes McEwan, couldn’t think of it right off the bat). I’m willing to part with a few extra dollars once or twice a year to satisfy the above and my desire for gustatory adventures and explorations. Just too many varieties out there to stop at the first one that didn’t satisfy the way I hoped. > > Also, if I want to try a scotch that’s a little more spendy, I’m willing to part with the money. Sometimes it really is true that you get what you pay for. hmmm, think I will look into maybe there are tasting groups/clubs or something like locally… > > Anyway, thanks for the suggestions thus far, and for Costco, I’ve seen the liquor cage at ours, I was intrigued but a little scared, cause yanno, Costco is for buying stuff in bulk and :eek: OHMIGAWD BOOZE 😃 Not a geographical map, but here is a tasting map. The Balvenie 12 is in the bottom right quadrant. [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/208291551488431736/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/208291551488431736/) ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/22 "2015-10-03T10:06:17Z")
Like driving, and gun-handling — although on different days — this sort of thing should be taught in schools. Over a year a student could sample about 600 varieties. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/23 "2015-10-03T11:03:52Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Over a year a student could sample about 600 varieties. Just over a bottle and a half a day is ambitious, but do-able, I reckon. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/24 "2015-10-03T11:22:54Z")
Certainly for some of my family; but no, no more than a tot for each sample. ‘ **Tot** ’'s a funny word. Maybe the next great discrimination thing will be children objecting to being called tots and suchlike. And suing. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/25 "2015-10-03T13:56:47Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Just over a bottle and a half a day is ambitious, but do-able, I reckon. I want to hang out with you if a “sample” is a bottle and a half. I don’t think I can help the OP much since Balvenie 12 Double Wood is one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/26 "2015-10-03T14:53:46Z")
well, after reading some of the virtual back issues of SDMB threads on scotch, reading the advice and suggestions in this thread, and doing a little comparison shopping, I’ve discovered that all the whiskies I’d really really like to try are either discontinued or way out of my price range (over $1000 for a bottle, one can dream I guess) Anyhoo, I think next week I’m going to get a bottle of the Balvenie Rum Finish. Not what I had in mind but it looks interesting enough to make me give it a try. Feel free to continue posting suggestions if you like though, as I will read them and make note if it looks like something I’d like. In the interest of well, interest, I will post back to this thread on my impression of the drink. next week or two ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/27 "2015-10-03T15:10:39Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > well, after reading some of the virtual back issues of SDMB threads on scotch, reading the advice and suggestions in this thread, and doing a little comparison shopping, I’ve discovered that all the whiskies I’d really really like to try are either discontinued or way out of my price range (over $1000 for a bottle, one can dream I guess) > > Anyhoo, I think next week I’m going to get a bottle of the Balvenie Rum Finish. Not what I had in mind but it looks interesting enough to make me give it a try. > > Feel free to continue posting suggestions if you like though, as I will read them and make note if it looks like something I’d like. > > In the interest of well, interest, I will post back to this thread on my impression of the drink. next week or two After trying a few different syles _If_ you do find you enjoy peated whisky you are fortunate. The peated stuff tends to be on the cheaper side. ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/28 "2015-10-03T21:21:57Z")
When I first got into Scotch I was a Glenmorangie loyalist, but after trying Macallan, I had to admit it was better. So my favorite “entry-level” single malt is now the Macallan 12 year. Glenmorangie is still good, and it’s fun to try all their different varieties which are aged in different types of barrels. Of those, the Nectar d’Or (aged in Sauterne wine casks) as Ivylass mentioned is very good; the Quinta Ruban (aged in port casks) is my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/29 "2015-10-03T23:21:23Z")
JW Blue. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/30 "2015-10-04T03:44:37Z")
Heh! Saw my oldest nephew today at a family gathering. I’d offered to share a drink of scotch with him a few times when we would get together and barbeque, with him being an avowed kraken enthusiast and declining. He raved that Laphroaig was “Most Definitely The Water Of Life and that Kraken was thusly banished back into the abyss from which it came” ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/31 "2015-10-05T20:44:06Z")
Glen Goyne is a great starter scotch. It’s kind of hard to find, though. Glenmorangie is similar, but a bit sweeter I’m also a big fan of Tomatin. Delicious. Highland Park is a great one if you want to have a whiff of peat, but not be overpowered by it. Age really makes a difference. If you get up to 20 years or more, they’re almost all great. Smooth, but complex. However, you really pay for it, unfortunately. Pretty much any 20 year will cost more than $100 a bottle. I really recommend tasting nights at a good liquor store. We have a number where I live and I’ve learned a ton and tasted some amazing Scotches. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216/32 "2015-10-06T04:29:10Z")
GOOD GRIEF! Don’t know how I forgot this, at a Company Christmas Dinner, ooohhh, about 13 years ago, at a local steak house, the owner of said company had everyone raise a glass of Drambuie in toast to the holiday and another successful year of business (essentially) done. Drambuie is absolutely delightful as an after dinner “dessert” drink. the Balvenie Rum finish, its calling me, must. be. strong… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-whisky-advice-please/733216.md?page=1)