Whiskey

[O'Hanley]

I figured since we are on the Spirits topic maybe someone would like to school me in my whiskeys now that I am learning my rum lol. I just know mixed drinks and not the higher in sipping spirits

[O'Hanley]

How about Midleton Rare Irish Whiskey?

[Len___T]

had some 18 yr Maclellan (spelling lol) not too long ago with a JDN 1970 Antano Lancero...outstanding imho....first time trying a single malt and I was/am hooked....just got to try and figure out how to tell the wife I want to start trying some single malts lol...read that as another "expensive hobby" lol...len

[O'Hanley]

No kidding lad, this Midleton stuff is over $100 for 750ml

[skipper]

First of all, spell it without the E. Whisky. That is how the Scots spell it and they are the experts. Single malt scotch is a rare treat. Like I mentioned with rum, 90% of the whisky we all tasted when we started out was mixing stuff. Drinking that stuff straight without the ginger ale and other mixers is just wrong.
Single malt means they take barley and malt it. Malting is the process of allowing the seed buds to open and begin to grow. This is when it is at it's maximum sugar content (a necessary ingredient for fermentation. In the lowlands of Scotland this is then halted by burning peat under it. This is why lowland scotch tastes so smokey. Then they make beer. Plain and simple. After the alcohol contents reaches their desired level, they distill it, put it in barrels and age it. This is single malt scotch. The barrels are never new. The alcohol tends to pull some natural wood alcohols form the barrels the first time it is used. This they consider undesirable (so do I) so they buy bourbon barrels from Kentucky or used sherry or port barrels. The aging is much like I said in the Rum thread.
Blended whiskeys like JW has some single malts in it and some grain alcohol. This reduces the price and, in my opinion, makes it a mixing whisky.
Here's an interesting note, JW has no distilleries. They buy all their scotch. They are a blender (started blending teas).
A very very good single malt scotch to try is Dalmores cigar malt. Around $30 per bottle. It is at least 12 y/o (not on the label because it is a blend of various aged single malts). Of course Dalmores makes a lot of other good Whiskys too. I have a bottle of their 21 y/o I got for $300 and have yet to open it.
There are 4 regions in Scotland that makes scotch each with it's own distinctive flavor. Most people like the highlands plain and simple.
Macallans makes one of the best in the world. Their 25 y/o goes for over $600 per bottle. The 18 y/o is up there too. But the 11 can be had for under $70 and is a real treat.
http://www.themacallan.com/default.asp?l=UK&i=default.asp
Another good region not to be overlooked is Speyside.

I would also recommend Balvenie. They have some great double woods (meaning that partway through the aging process they remove the spirits form one barrel and put it in another. Usually a different one, such as bourbon and then a sherry barrel.
http://www.thebalvenie.com/index.html

[O'Hanley]

ty Skip I am learning

[steelertrav]

First of all, only the Scots and Canadians spell whiskey without the "e". Look at any lable of bourbon or Irish whiskey and you will see an e. Point of history, the Irish invented whiskey and called it the water of life (I don't know how to spell the original gaelic). To differentiate their drink from scotch (which was rubbish long ago), the Irish and Americans added an "e" to whiskey so as to distance themselves from the dreck that was scotch (obviously scotch has improved since the late 1700s, early 1800s). Canada, being so loyal to the crown, started spelling it whisky when their distilleries got started. They also refer to ALL of their whisky as "rye" even if it doesn't have any rye in the mash. But I digress.

I go to Ireland every year, and while there I always visit the Midleton Distillery to buy my Jamesons 12 Year Distillery Reserve. I've had the Midleton Very Rare and while I will say its a good whiskey, I wouldn't say its something I'd buy. I'm not what you'd call an afficiando, or knowledgable about the fine nuances of booze. I know what I like and I drink it as cheaply as possible. While at a cigar night at the Leaf and Bean, Jim had 5 or 6 different scotchs. Not one to turn down free booze, I tried them all, and repeatedly sampled the one I liked (I put down a lot of scotch that night). I've paid over $60 for cask strength scotchs but I always go back to my tipple, Jamesons. In fact, I've converted so many people who said they don't drink whiskey straight to Jamesons. Its such an accessible dram. There is no burn, you don't need a chaser, and the flavor is light and clear. Its a good foundation to begin appreciating whiskey. From there you can go to scotchs (distilled two times as opposed to Irish whiskey's triple distillation), and then even lower to bourbons (single distillation). Fewer distillations, the rougher the distillate. My buddy Vince distills his brandy for the cigar crawl 5 - 7 times and it is smoother than a prom queens thighs (but just as risky because it makes you do stupid things).

Other than that, I couldn't tell you what's good and what isn't. I'll take up a glass and if I like it, I'll try another. If I don't, I'll move on. Best thing to do is drink nothing but one brand (I'd go with Lagavulin for scotch) to familiarize yourself with it then try something else. You'll be able to note the differences and decide if you like it or not.

[CSMAnderson]

Skippper not only knows his cigars but he's a whisky expert too. Who would have thought that? Well me for one.

[skipper]

Tis true Trav. I was just being a snob. Whiskey was invented in Ireland, but for my money I like the single malt scotch spelled without the E (which is unique to Scotland). I do not like Canadian Rye at all unless someone has some 7-up handy. And yes, I have had some fine Whiskey form Ireland, but, for me at least, so many of the scotches are simply superb.
I was going to start a thread on Bourbon. This is some fine stuff. If only they would re-use their barrels. I can taste the wood alcohol in anything between 2 and 9 years aged.
Of course we need a Tequila thread.
Nope, I am not an expert but once I learned how to enjoy Whisky I did some serious studying and a whole lot of hands-on research!!! Hic!

As a side note, there are a few micro distilleries popping up here and there. One in Colorado. Colorado Whiskey, aged only 2 years is some of the finest stuff ever to pass my lips! Even at 2 years!!! (they age at obscene temperatures accelerating the process.)

[steelertrav]

Its all personal taste. I agree that Jamesons isn't for everyone, especially if you like the complexity and peatiness of scotch. Red Breast and 12 or 18 year Jameson have a LOT more body than the regular $20/fifth Jamesons, but they don't come close to powerfully unique (described to me as iodine-esque) flavor of Laphroiag (sp?).

Sorry Skip, the whisky spelling is not unique to Scotland. Welsh and Canadian whiskies spell it that way too. I read it somewhere (Smoke magazine article on the rise of small batch Canadian distilleries I think), but I can't bring myself to drink Canadian whisky, so I don't have a label to reference.

[O'Hanley]

Lol, here here to the Irish orgins!!! So I will try some Jameson and some Midleton and if I ever get over to PA a round on me Steel. And why the trip to Ireland every year?

[steelertrav]

My wife and I honeymooned there in 2003. Unfortunately, she lost her fight against breast cancer in Dec 2005. Her wish was to have her ashes scattered at the Cliffs of Moher (the murals on the tanks of my bike). I fulfilled her wish March 2006 and made the pledge to return each year to visit her. I spend about 5 to 7 days there and go where the road takes me. There are a few places I go each time (Midleton Distillery, O'Connor's Pub in Doolin, Harley dealership in Waterford), but I usually stay in different towns each visit. I prefer coastal towns.

[skipper]

A very touching story. So sorry for your loss & happy you were able to fulfill her last wish.

[O'Hanley]

I see, that sounds very serenitous (if that is a word) sorry for the reason.

[DOZER]

Good info all around!

A couple of my favorites are...

Macallan Fine Oak 15yo
The Glenlivet Frech Oak Reserve 15yo
The Balvenie Single Barrel 15yo

I'll leave the Bourbon for that thread but will add Wild Turkey Rye to the list.

[Gingirl]

Posted via Mobile DeviceI am one that has been converted to Jameson's. It is very smooth and enjoyable. This years trip to Ireland took us up north to the Bushmill distillery but could not bring ourselves to purchase any. We did purchase several bottles of Jameson's at the Midleton distillery. Also enjoy the wonderful tasting Murphy's Irish Stout. Guinness has a different taste in Ireland, of course it is poured properly in Ireland. The creamy head on a properly poured Murphy's or Guinness is phenominal.

[Tonto The LI Sidekick]

Here is a link with info that may help.... http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/swa/faq.html

[O'Hanley]

Aye, Guinness is also served at room temp in Ireland

[Tonto The LI Sidekick]

Aye, Guinness is also served at room temp in Ireland

Why that's just un-American! :p :D

[O'Hanley]

lol as well it should be lol

[WWhite]

I believe they serve it at what they call cellar temperature which is a little cooler then room temperature. But I did find this on the Guiness Web Site.
"GUINNESS® Draught is best served at 6°C (that’s 42.8°F), with the legendary two-part pour."

[steelertrav]

Aye, Guinness is also served at room temp in Ireland

Nowhere in Ireland is Guinness served at room temperature. That is a huge misconception about europeans and their beers. In fact, most pubs in Ireland have a Guinness Extra Cold tap that is keep 3 centigrade colder than the regular taps. I asked a publican (bar owner) about the reasoning behind the extra cold tap and was told that it was to get more of the young crowd to drink it. Most younger drinkers over there drink Bulmer's cider as they don't like the taste of stout.

At a minimum, every pub I went into had Guinness, Heineken, and Budweiser on tap, the latter two being brewed at the Guinness brewery as well. Oh, and if someone ordered a American lite beer (Miller or Coors), they drank it over ice. One more weird trend I saw was guys (mostly middle aged and older men) drinking their whiskey mixed with white (clear) lemonade. The pubs get weirder and weirder each year I go!

Ah I could tell some stories about my times over there and the fine folks I met. Good times, all.

[Sam Leccia]

a good canadian whisky is 40 creek....one of my favorite whiskies. And I am a scotch nut.

[O'Hanley]

so lets hear a story???

[maverick21383]

Ahh, a thread for my liking. I too am far from an expert, but I have grown to love Whiskey and Scotch, preferably single malt from Islay (a small island off the south eastern coast of Scotland). As for Irish whiskey, i personally prefer Bushmills and Bushmills Black, but Jameson is a close second. When it comes to Scotch, which i prefer over all, I lean toward those heavy with smoked peat, which come from Islay. I have had and enjoyed Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Macallan. In fact, I have a $125 bottle of 21 year aged Glenfiddich aged in a Grand Reserva Caribbean Rum Barrel. It is very smooth and sweet. Although I usually prefer the peatiness, this is quite delish as a dessert Scotch. As for my usuals, my favorite of all would have to be Lagavulin 16yr (strong peat, stronger oak), followed by Laphroaig 10 year (slight oak, very strong peat), and i just recently tried and quite enjoyed Ardbeg 10 yr, Bowmore 12yr and Bowmore Select. If you want a good quality blended Scotch Whisky that tastes close to a single malt with a more pronounced peat flavor that usual blends, try Island of Geese. It's only $30/bottle so it won't break the bank, and it's a fantastic 'whenever' Scotch. Damn, all this talk is making me thirsty!

Oh yeah, as for Canadian, they're not bad when it comes to 'bang for the buck'. The quality is pretty decent considering how cheap they tend to be.

I just watched a program, Modern Marvels, all about the history of whisk(e)y. It started out with bourbon, covering Jim Beam and Jack Daniels, then moved on to Irish Whiskey (Jameson), then to Scotch, then Canadian Whiskey, and finally to the micro distilleries in which they covered Colorado Whiskey that the Skipper just mentioned. I can't wait to try it out, but i'm glad you liked it Skipper, it gives me some hope!

[NubJob]

First of all, spell it without the E. Whisky. That is how the Scots spell it and they are the experts. Single malt scotch is a rare treat. Like I mentioned with rum, 90% of the whisky we all tasted when we started out was mixing stuff. Drinking that stuff straight without the ginger ale and other mixers is just wrong.
Single malt means they take barley and malt it. Malting is the process of allowing the seed buds to open and begin to grow. This is when it is at it's maximum sugar content (a necessary ingredient for fermentation. In the lowlands of Scotland this is then halted by burning peat under it. This is why lowland scotch tastes so smokey. Then they make beer. Plain and simple. After the alcohol contents reaches their desired level, they distill it, put it in barrels and age it. This is single malt scotch. The barrels are never new. The alcohol tends to pull some natural wood alcohols form the barrels the first time it is used. This they consider undesirable (so do I) so they buy bourbon barrels from Kentucky or used sherry or port barrels. The aging is much like I said in the Rum thread.
Blended whiskeys like JW has some single malts in it and some grain alcohol. This reduces the price and, in my opinion, makes it a mixing whisky.
Here's an interesting note, JW has no distilleries. They buy all their scotch. They are a blender (started blending teas).
A very very good single malt scotch to try is Dalmores cigar malt. Around $30 per bottle. It is at least 12 y/o (not on the label because it is a blend of various aged single malts). Of course Dalmores makes a lot of other good Whiskys too. I have a bottle of their 21 y/o I got for $300 and have yet to open it.
There are 4 regions in Scotland that makes scotch each with it's own distinctive flavor. Most people like the highlands plain and simple.
Macallans makes one of the best in the world. Their 25 y/o goes for over $600 per bottle. The 18 y/o is up there too. But the 11 can be had for under $70 and is a real treat.
http://www.themacallan.com/default.asp?l=UK&i=default.asp
Another good region not to be overlooked is Speyside.

I would also recommend Balvenie. They have some great double woods (meaning that partway through the aging process they remove the spirits form one barrel and put it in another. Usually a different one, such as bourbon and then a sherry barrel.
http://www.thebalvenie.com/index.html
Myself, I am not a scotch fan. I bleed green and orange for Ireland. So I spell it whiskey. I love Tullemore Dew 12 year. Just one cube of ice and a cigar and your set. Also if you wanna go w/ more complex tastes go w/ a nice bourbon. For a decent price, Makers Mark is the best out there and if you have the extra dough to shell out, go for Pappy VanWinkle 23 year. But I honestly would recommend starting w/ Makers Mark. Pappy is prob way to complex of a flavor for you to enjoy just yet. Just always use a splash of water or an ice cube to lower the alcohol content of your whiskey. It brings out the hidden flavors, but if you love the BANG, just do it straight up.

[CigARM]

I like Glenfiddich and some other Speyside scotches, Glenmorangie and Dalmore from Highlands. But a few months ago I bought Laphroaig (this is Islay), and fell in love with it! What a flavor - smoky, intense, mmm... One downside though - IMHO it overpowers the cigar.

[maverick21383]

I like Glenfiddich and some other Speyside scotches, Glenmorangie and Dalmore from Highlands. But a few months ago I bought Laphroaig (this is Islay), and fell in love with it! What a flavor - smoky, intense, mmm... One downside though - IMHO it overpowers the cigar.

If you feel it overpowers the cigar, then try out the Bowmore 12yr or Bowmore Legend, or if you're willing to go with a blend, try the Island of Geese. They're all native of Islay, so they have that smoky flavor, and a hint of oak, but they're not quite as intense as the Laphroaig. If you want to try something even smokier, try the Ardbeg, it's ridiculously smoky, but quite delicious, or the Lagavulin, which is slightly less peaty but you taste the barrel a lot more. The Lagavulin is my favorite.

[skipper]

If your wallet can handle it, the Laphroaig 30 is incredible.

[maverick21383]

I haven't tried that one out yet, but I definitely would love to, but like you said, it might strain my wallet right now. Perhaps for a special occasion.

[steelertrav]

Not to bring Irish politics into it, but in Ireland, only the loyalists Orange (Protestants) in Northern Ireland drink Bushmills. In the Republic of Ireland, the unificationist Green (Catholics) drink Jamesons, Red Breast 12 Year, Powers or Paddy. Tullamore Dew is good, but not many people were drinking it where I went.

[maverick21383]

Well then Travis, consider me color blind because i'll drink it all. Why limit your taste, and faith to one whiskey when you can have them all!

btw, i just noticed your sig, awesome. I love that movie. Hail to the king.

[NubJob]

I would never drink Bushmills. No offense to the protestants. I'm a Hibernian, so not only will I not drink it, its considered a sin. lol. Tullemore and Powers are the two biggest sellers at our club. Jameson takes 3rd. Then of course we sell plenty of Guinness and Smithwicks.

[paint]

Beam Black so smooth it will make you wanna smack your momma!!!