Educate me about Scotch

Preface: I know this info is available in the vastitude that is the internet, and that I could probably find this-- however, I much prefer a discourse to a dissertation so I'd like the community's thoughts here:

My brother was just (honorably) discharged from the Marine Corp after completing a 5 year enlistment. As a parting gift, his CO and squad mates gave him a bottle of scotch to celebrate with--

I am not a scotch drinker, my father is. So this weekend we all got together, and my brother produces his gifted bottle and they start going on and on about how amazing it is--

I have no palate for this stuff, they offered me a glass and I declined multiple times because I didnt want to waste his good hooch on my heathen palate. They both persisted in insisting that I try it, so we set up a litle taste test:

I sampled EVERY whiskey we had....

Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Jack Daniels, Cown Royal,

and then I tried all the scotch

Chivas Regal 12,
Dewar's (white label), Dad's"everyday" scotch
Dewar's 18,
The Glen Livet 12, Dad's "everyay" Singlemalt
The Glenmorangie(sp), Gift from my sister
Balvinnie(sp), gift from my sister
Johnny Walker (Red, Black, Green),

and then my brother's special bottle: The Glen Livet 25...

I understand that there are different 'categories' of scotch, but of the ones that I tried, where do they fall in that spectrum?

I know dewars and chivas and johnny walker? are blended but:
smoky? peaty? salty? it all tasted like booze to me... help me refine my palate

thanks in advance

PS: I failed the taste test
I didnt drink enough to get drunk, didn't even get a buzz on (small samples) but I did clear my palate before each new trial-- I did notice that the GL25 was MUCH smoother, but flavor wise? I got nothing....

ALL were tried in a clean glass, with 1 ice cube, added after the drink was poured. (brother's rule, not mine)

Educate you on Scotch. A tall order but I'll try.

This all relates to the product of Scotland.

I'll start with Single Malt Whisky (SMW). This is the product of a single distillery, made from malted barley and distilled in a pot still. By law all whisky made in Scotland has to be barrelled for three years before it can be called whisky. The age statement on a bottle indicates there is nothing in the bottle younger than that. Distilleries have a taste profile to the different age expressions they sell so will blend, in-house, from the barrels they have to meet that profile. Thus year on year The Glenlivet 12 year old should taste the same (there are incremental differences no doubt but not such to be noticed year on year). Scottish whiskies are distilled twice before barrelling and the distillate is clear liquid. By sheer accident sherry barrels were used to cask the whisky at first. Mainly because there were lots around as Victorian grocers would import sherry and blend their own in-house blend of sherry. It was found that storing the whisky in sherry barrels coloured the liquid and, more importantly, gave the whisky hints of the sherry which had previously been in the barrel. Today there is a ready supply of bourbon barrels (which by USA law can only be used once) and these are broken down, exported to Scotland where they are rebuilt and used to hold the whisky. Whiskies casked in bourbon barrels tend to have a vanilla, honey sort of scent and taste, those in sherry casks are more fruity, christmas cake flavoured. SMWs cover a whole gamut of tastes, strong and smoky to mild to wild and salty. There are six different whisky regions in Scotland and the whiskies vary in flavour and character cross the regions.

Blended Malt Whiskies (AKA Vatted malts) are a blend of malt whiskies (same rules as above) but from different distilleries. This includes Chivas Regal, Johnnie Walker Green Label. If there is an age statement it means the same as for SMWs.

Blended Scotch. This is made using a distillate produced from grain distilled in a column still as a base which is then blended with single malt whiskies to achieve a particular taste in a manner similar to SMWs. Johnnie Walker Black is a top end product in this range as all the whiskies in it have been matured for 12 years. The blends are good, taking some of the extremes of SMWs and marrying them in a base liquid to produce a drink in which the extremes have been smoothed away.

I can't really help you with the bourbons, sorry!

When drinking try to use a tulip shaped glass, pour your dram into it and sniff the contents of your glass to identify flavours, aromas. Take a small sip and see how it tastes, peppery or smooth. Is there a lingering aftertaste. Now add a few drops of water to your dram and repeat the process, you'll be surprised at the difference. I don't add ice, as the cube melts it dilutes the dram.

I prefer SMWs. I believe the double distillation removes the poisons that contribute to a bad hangover. I've never felt rough after drinking SMWs but I have drinking blends. IMHO. If you just want something to help you get smashed, feel the buzz, buy Johnnie Walker Red or similar and add coke. If you want something to savour and enjoy, to linger over and appreciate buy a SMW.

You were on the money with The Glenlivet 25 year old, that is a nice smooth whisky. Glenmorangie is the best selling SMW in Scotland (and they should know a good dram). It is a smooth, light almost delicate SMW. It is made using stills with extremely long necks (when they switched from beer making to scotch they purchased second hand gin stills which have long necks). The heavier more robust elements in the distillation process cannot make it into the condenser hence the smoothness of Glenmorangie.

If you're venturing into SMWs I hope you enjoy the journey. Considering the basic process is the same you'll be amazed at the variety of tastes that await you. If you want to experience smoky, peaty whiskies look for SMWs from Islay, a small island off the mainland. Laphroaig is perhaps the best known of Islay whiskies. It has a very distinct aroma and taste. The distillery uses peat in the heating process which is made up of decayed seaweed. This gives a medicinal, iodine like character to the whisky.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for that explaination as even i understood the content. I have a SMW that i shall enjoy with a new found wealth of knowledge .Bravo and cheers mate

I don't drink very often so I'm in no way an expert, but when I wanted to try Scotch I found this site to be very informative.

RF1963 said:

Educate you on Scotch. A tall order but I'll try....

...Hope this helps!

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It did! thanks for the info-- I had a basic understanding pf what the different terminologies were, but you definitely cleared up the "Age" issue for me (i though only SMW was "Aged" and was confused by the Dewar's 18 and Chivas 12

I have sampled Dewar's in the past, and find it to be ok, I don't like the Chivas very much-- Can you point me toward a "beginner" SMW that leans more toward Dewar's than Chivas, or should I leave those comparisons at the door and try to start fresh?

the beav said:

I don't drink very often so I'm in no way an expert, but when I wanted to try Scotch I found this site to be very informative.

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That site is excellent-- thank you

A good beginner SMW is The Macallan 12yo. Comes from the Highland and is quite nice and rounded.

PharmerMat said:

It did! thanks for the info-- I had a basic understanding pf what the different terminologies were, but you definitely cleared up the "Age" issue for me (i though only SMW was "Aged" and was confused by the Dewar's 18 and Chivas 12

I have sampled Dewar's in the past, and find it to be ok, I don't like the Chivas very much-- Can you point me toward a "beginner" SMW that leans more toward Dewar's than Chivas, or should I leave those comparisons at the door and try to start fresh?

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Glad it helped!

I don't know Dewars so can't really help with an SMW that matches. However The Glenlivet, Glenmorangie and Glenfiddich are all good, smooth SMWs and are the least extreme in terms of taste. I see nothing wrong with bringing your taste perceptions and comparisons with you as you start on your SMW journey, they can help guide you. For example, I really like Port. Glenmorangie do an expression, Quinta Ruban, where the whisky has matured in port casks. I was more than ready to give that a try.

If you can, find a specialist shop or a bar where the bartender knows his business and try to taste a range of SMWs. You can find specialist evenings in which you sample a malt from each of the regions or go island hopping tasting a malt from some of the island distilleries. They can be very convivial evenings, just make sure you use a taxi to get home!

This damn thread is making me crave my favorite liquor (single malt scotch ofc).

If you want it chilled, grab some whisky stones or those re-freezable plastic cubes..try not to use ice cubes. Otherwise, a splash of spring water will do nicely.

PharmerMat said:

I have sampled Dewar's in the past, and find it to be ok, I don't like the Chivas very much-- Can you point me toward a "beginner" SMW that leans more toward Dewar's than Chivas, or should I leave those comparisons at the door and try to start fresh?

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Give Aberfeldy a try. It's the single malt that is at the "heart" of the Dewars blend. It's not the same as Dewars but a number of old blends are "formed" around a single malt that is at the center of what the blender is trying to do. For Chivas it's Strathisla.

BTW, I find it best when starting out on a whiskey journey to find a bar with a good selection and spend a little time trying them out. It's much cheaper than buying bottles that you may end up not liking.

We, your B&B brethren can pontificate on what we all think you "should" try but everyone's palate is different and you'll only know by trying them. Also, you may just not like scotch. It's not required that you like scotch to be a man or anything. Try a few and see if anything sticks. If it doesn't, don't that discourage you in anyway.

BigRich said:

BTW, I find it best when starting out on a whiskey journey to find a bar with a good selection and spend a little time trying them out. It's much cheaper than buying bottles that you may end up not liking.

We, your B&B brethren can pontificate on what we all think you "should" try but everyone's palate is different and you'll only know by trying them. Also, you may just not like scotch. It's not required that you like scotch to be a man or anything. Try a few and see if anything sticks. If it doesn't, don't that discourage you in anyway.

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Good advice! It's not so much that I feel obligated to 'like' it, so much as I know that I probably would enjoy it if I developed my taste-- sort of like beer and wine you know?

PharmerMat said:

I know that I probably would enjoy it if I developed my taste

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Absolutely right. However I don't agree with the attitude (not seen here) that the more "grunty" SMWs aren't suitable for beginners. These are generally Islay malts which have a strong peaty, smoky taste which I think can be enjoyed by anyone.

My father used to describe Chivas as nicely labelled furniture polish as it used to be very cheap for a single malt.

You certainly named some good whiskey there... Glenmorangie is one of my favourite single malts.

At the risk of offending people I'm more partial to a triple distilled (ie Irish) whiskey when it comes down to it, but I've been enjoying some excellent Japanese whiskey of late (Suntory amongst others).

If you are really game for a full flavour hit you could also try a cask strength single malt (typically 60%(~120 proof)). It ill certainly put hair on your chest but they are yet another way of enjoying a fine whiskey...

lister said:

My father used to describe Chivas as nicely labelled furniture polish as it used to be very cheap for a single malt.

You certainly named some good whiskey there... Glenmorangie is one of my favourite single malts.

At the risk of offending people I'm more partial to a triple distilled (ie Irish) whiskey when it comes down to it, but I've been enjoying some excellent Japanese whiskey of late (Suntory amongst others).

If you are really game for a full flavour hit you could also try a cask strength single malt (typically 60%(~120 proof)). It ill certainly put hair on your chest but they are yet another way of enjoying a fine whiskey...

Click to expand...

They make some AMAZING whisky. I'm absolutely stuck on it. Unfortunately, we only get four different bottlings in the U.S. as of right now.

lister said:

My father used to describe Chivas as nicely labelled furniture polish as it used to be very cheap for a single malt.

You certainly named some good whiskey there... Glenmorangie is one of my favourite single malts.

At the risk of offending people I'm more partial to a triple distilled (ie Irish) whiskey when it comes down to it, but I've been enjoying some excellent Japanese whiskey of late (Suntory amongst others).

If you are really game for a full flavour hit you could also try a cask strength single malt (typically 60%(~120 proof)). It ill certainly put hair on your chest but they are yet another way of enjoying a fine whiskey...

Click to expand...

Is Suntory the whiskey that Bill Murray was trying to do a commercial for in "Lost in Translation" because if so, I want to try it, so I can "...be rike Flank Sunatura..." hehe love that scene, and the opening credits of that movie

PharmerMat said:

Is Suntory the whiskey that Bill Murray was trying to do a commercial for in "Lost in Translation" because if so, I want to try it, so I can "...be rike Flank Sunatura..." hehe love that scene, and the opening credits of that movie

Click to expand...

Same company but I think it was a blend he was pimping in the movie. Most of what's come stateside are single malts. Hibiki 12 Year Old is the only blend sold here right now.

Chilled Scotch kills the subtle flavors. You might as well have a Scotch Sour on the Rocks.

While single malts are excellent and in many cases are worth the money, there are some blended Scotches. I highly recommend Isle of Skye blended. It is right up there with the best. Also, Compass Box makes some superb blended malts. Their Hedonism is over priced, but the others are a good value.

I'll add some information:

There are only three distilleries that currently do their own bottling.

1. Springbank in Campbelltown

2. Bruichladdich on the Isle of Islay

3. The Balvenie & The Glenfiddich (owned bt Wm Grant & Sons) in Dufftown.

You also want to find a whisky that is Non Chill Filtered and has no caramel added.

The Bruichladdich range is very smooth, and the distillery even has a song written about it - "The Coast of Heaven" by Robin Laing.

Highland Park gets rave reviews. The Bhunnahabhain (Boone-a-hahven) is imho a better whisky.

The Laphroaig is sweet, smoky and peaty. I love it. I know someone who refers to it as "Listerine With A Kick".

The Balvenie makes magnificent whiskies and you can't go wrong with any of their range.

Ironically, I have been to two Scotch tastings in the past year. Both featured very fine, aged whiskies. In both cases, The Macallan, and The Balvenie, I preferred the "mid range" between 12 and 17 years of age for the combination of smoothness, character, and taste.

If you like Johnnie Walker, one of the main components, iirc, if The Talisker from Carbost on the Isle of Skye.

Slainte!

I'm a big fan of scotch, usually I grab a random Single, my standby is Chivas...cheers and enjoy your drinking!