# What's your favorite scotch? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2004, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181 "2004-12-05T06:11:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/21 "2004-12-05T20:41:31Z")
Although I’m not a big scotch drinker (I prefer Irish whiskey), I do like Laphroig. And for a blended scotch, Teacher’s is really good. It tastes not unlike Laphroig. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/22 "2004-12-05T22:22:43Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > 10-year-old Laphroaig (my favourite as well) goes for about $35/bottle at Trader Joe’s in California. Hmm. I know what’s gonna be in _my_ bags when I come back from visiting my family in California over the holidays. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/23 "2004-12-05T23:02:28Z")
Glenfiddich. I’m not a big drinker (except when I’m on a cruise ship, apparently), but when I drink at home, I prefer to drink scotch, and my favorite is Glenfiddich. At my previous job, it was known that I liked it and I ended up receiving three bottles of it during the holiday season. This was three years ago, and I still have a bottle and a half left. ---
**Author:** ![haardvark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@haardvark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haardvark)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/24 "2004-12-06T00:00:02Z")
For blends, I really like Teachers’. For singles, I quite like Laphroaig and Dalwhinnie. I had some Bowmore 15 this summer that was outrageously good. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji\_Kitakyusho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Fuji\_Kitakyusho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji_Kitakyusho)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/25 "2004-12-06T00:57:27Z")
> [@JCorre](#): > > Mine is Macallan 12yr. Its a great scotch. > > Not the ‘Michael Jordan’ of the scotch lineup but definitley a ‘Scottie Pippen’. > > That’s all for now. Sorry, but basketball analogies have no place in this thread. If you must discuss sports, it has to be something along the lines of caber tossing. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2004, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/26 "2004-12-06T01:24:48Z")
> [@Fuji Kitakyusho](#): > > Sorry, but basketball analogies have no place in this thread. If you must discuss sports, it has to be something along the lines of caber tossing. How about, ‘Macallan isn’t the **Alistair Gunn** of the scotch lineup.’? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/27 "2004-12-06T07:20:32Z")
I too want to come hang out with **silenus**. for a blend, I seem to keep getting bottles of Chivas. for single malts I have been working my way though the various different offerings from Glenmorangie. Some good stuff there. I do want to try some cask strength next. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/28 "2004-12-06T07:27:31Z")
I’ve only tried J&B blended scotch which I despise. I’ve heard that single malt is a different story than blended. Any recommendations for a novice or should I stay away? ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/29 "2004-12-06T12:48:17Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I too want to come hang out with silenus. Uh oh! Looks like **silenus** had better lock his liquor cabinet! 😉 > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I’ve only tried J&B blended scotch which I despise. I’ve heard that single malt is a different story than blended. Any recommendations for a novice or should I stay away? Well, I suppose it’s possible that you might hate blended but still manage to develop a taste for single malt, _but_, well, see, I hate scotch; _all_ scotch. You can reverse the equation, too. For instance, to me, there is a _huge_ difference between Budweiser and Sam Adams; it all tastes like bat piss to my husband (don’t ask how he knows what bat piss tastes like; let’s just say it involved a college initiation right. . .). I kid, I kid. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/30 "2004-12-06T13:44:34Z")
Is that scotch as in Whiskey distilled in Scotland? Are the Irish allowed in? ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/31 "2004-12-06T13:44:53Z")
Laphroaig 10. Just a couple years ago, it was like $33, then $38 and this last year it’s going for $43 around here. Scotch prices have really started going through the roof. It’s almost impossible to find a bargain nowadays. $60 for Laphroaig 10 is crazy, though. For Islay stuff, I also like Lagavullin 16 and the Laphroaig 15, but the 10 has it’s charms over the 15. I’m not drinking Laphroiag to have something refined or smooth and I think the 15 takes some of that edge off. I really like Oban, too. And Campbelltown Springbank. Macallan 12 is the Scottie Pippen of scotch. It’s not bad, kind of smooth, but thinks it’s better than it really is, and will never win anything on its own merits. **silenus**. . .the Macallan cask strength? Yikes. It needs too much water just to make it NOT taste like gasoline. I think the alcohol flavor really overwhelms any of the sherry and caramel you can usually taste in Macallan. I’ve seen a Laphroiag cask strength, too, but I had such a bad experience with the Macallan cask strength that I haven’t even tried it. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2004, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/32 "2004-12-06T13:52:32Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > I know what’s gonna be in my bags when I come back from visiting my family in California over the holidays. 😃 > [@Trunk](#): > > Just a couple years ago, it was like $33, then $38 and this last year it’s going for $43 around here. Scotch prices have really started going through the roof. It’s almost impossible to find a bargain nowadays. $60 for Laphroaig 10 is crazy, though. Hm. ‘A couple of years ago’? Might not be $34/bottle at Trader Joe’s, then. I haven’t been in California in 12 months. Still, $43 is better than $60! > [@Trunk](#): > > I’m not drinking Laphroiag to have something refined or smooth and I think the 15 takes some of that edge off. IMO Laphroaig 10 is quite smooth. And I like the peaty taste. (Someone else mentioned it tastes like charcoal.) Once I engaged in a bit of Comparative Alcohol Appreciation. (i.e., a taste test) I bought a bottle of Laphroaig 10 and a bottle of either Glenlivet or Glenfiddich (whichever one comes in the triangular bottle). I preferred the Laphroaig. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/33 "2004-12-06T14:18:49Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Hm. ‘A couple of years ago’? Might not be $34/bottle at Trader Joe’s, then. I haven’t been in California in 12 months. Still, $43 is better than $60! It might be $34 there. It varies state to state and Trader Joes always has a way of getting good prices on things, right? ---
**Author:** ![dasgupta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@dasgupta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasgupta)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/34 "2004-12-06T14:54:57Z")
I’m a Glenmorangie fan myself. I really enjoy the wood finishes, especially Madeira. I can’t seem to find anyone who carries this in New York, so I’m stuck buying it duty free and hoarding it like I’m fearing the apocolypse. I’m also partial to Johnnie Walker Swing - another something I’ve only found once duty free. Very surprising how smooth and woody it was. That too is hoarded. I refuse to finish the bottle just in case I can never find it again. My everyday scotch is Johnnie black. ---
**Author:** ![usar\_jag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@usar\_jag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usar_jag)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/35 "2004-12-06T16:38:09Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I’ve only tried J&B blended scotch which I despise. I’ve heard that single malt is a different story than blended. Any recommendations for a novice or should I stay away? First of all, do not stay away. Find a bar that has decent prices on single malts, and drink one or two in a sitting (always neat), noting what you like and dislike. Remember, it’s the journey that counts… As for a specific single-malt, the one that got me hooked was Oban. It’s reasonably priced, not too complex for the novice with a light, smokey taste. Then, after sampling many, many single malts, you’ll settle on Laphroaig, my current favorite for it’s complex peaty taste. YMMV. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/36 "2004-12-06T16:48:55Z")
“independent bottlings”? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/37 "2004-12-06T17:16:45Z")
Springbank 12 year old from was fantastic but I’ve never found it again. Normally? Highland Park, Talisker and anything that tastes like medicine from Islay. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/38 "2004-12-06T17:46:23Z")
Another Laphraoigh fan. Mmmmmmm. Iodine. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/39 "2004-12-06T17:53:33Z")
Talisker, smokey with the longest of heart warming after tastes. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181/40 "2004-12-06T18:09:13Z")
It’s heartwarming to see that the Islay malts are so well appreciated here. Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Ardbeg, all wonderful. Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain are a little milder, and don’t quite evoke that specific mood. I still want to try Coal lla, and there’s a 30-year bottle of Laphroaig that I’ve got my eye on. It’ll be my birthday gift to me on my 30th birthday, if not sooner. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-scotch/278181.md?page=3)