Johnny Walker black is a decent blended whiskey. I've heard that Coal Ila is actually the majority of the blend.
Ready for some scotch
- Thread starter jwtiger69
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Johnny Walker black is a decent blended whiskey. I've heard that Coal Ila is actually the majority of the blend.
Lagavulin is my all time favorite scotch. The price has gone up in recent years which has led me to find alternatives.
For a beginner I say Johnny walker black. This is because you should see if you like it or not. you shouldn't be drinking scotch with ice...it ruins it and keeps the flavor from opening up.
For a beginner I say Johnny walker black. This is because you should see if you like it or not. you shouldn't be drinking scotch with ice...it ruins it and keeps the flavor from opening up.
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- #23
I did some looking online for recommendation and from here I put together a list of what I will look for. Everything with the stars next to it are ones that I really want to try/look for. Out of this list how would you rank them?
Glenlivet 18 year ****
Glenmorangie Nectar dOr 12 year ****
Glenmorangie 18yo
Lagavulin 16yo ****
TE BHEAG ****
THE GLENLIVET NADURRA 16 YEAR ****
The Macallan single malt 12yo **** (or 18yo)
Laphoriag 10 yo (cask strength)
Talisker 10yo
Highland Park 18yo
Balvenie Doublewood 12yo
Glenlivet 18 year ****
Glenmorangie Nectar dOr 12 year ****
Glenmorangie 18yo
Lagavulin 16yo ****
TE BHEAG ****
THE GLENLIVET NADURRA 16 YEAR ****
The Macallan single malt 12yo **** (or 18yo)
Laphoriag 10 yo (cask strength)
Talisker 10yo
Highland Park 18yo
Balvenie Doublewood 12yo
Absolutely - if you can find it at that price. I have a 17-year Doublewood that I received as a gift, but it's priced at $120+ in the places I looked. It seems that the DW12 is available right at $50. I'm nearly to the end of my Balvenie 15 and it was one of the most enjoyable that I've had, and the DW17 is next.
I also really enjoyed a Lagavulin 16. I drank half and waited eight years to drink the other half. That second half was amazing because it had mellowed considerably...but the Balvenie 15 was better!
Short answer: try the Balvenie DW12. It should be a safe bet, assuming it has the characteristics that you like in a Scotch.
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First post. I had to register just to chime in.
If you have a costco membership I'd recommend checking out their selection.
I just picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 16 at my local one for about $55 here in California. I'd also recommend Oban 14 yr for a intro scotch if you can find it at the right price. (my costco had it for $46). But the selection and prices do vary from costco to costco and state to state. I wanted to pick up a bottle for my dad when I was visiting NJ and they didn't have the Lagavulin and the prices on the other bottles were 10-15 dollars more per bottle =(.
Happy tasting
If you have a costco membership I'd recommend checking out their selection.
I just picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 16 at my local one for about $55 here in California. I'd also recommend Oban 14 yr for a intro scotch if you can find it at the right price. (my costco had it for $46). But the selection and prices do vary from costco to costco and state to state. I wanted to pick up a bottle for my dad when I was visiting NJ and they didn't have the Lagavulin and the prices on the other bottles were 10-15 dollars more per bottle =(.
Happy tasting
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- #26
I do have a Costco membership. Didn't even think about checking them out either.
I picked up a bottle of GlenGrant 10 for $35 yesterday. Not a bad single malt for the price! Still doesn't beat Monkey Shoulder for me, but not much does.
Johnny Walker Black is a good blend, but, for about half the price you can get Black Bottle scotch and I find it similar and just as good.
I tried Black Grouse, I find it just OK. It has a cereal nose and aftertaste which I don't really like. Highland Park 12 is a good one for a beginner, very balanced.
Macallan 12 is another rather inexpensive single malt which is quite good, though I actually prefer the Aberlour 12 non-chill filtered to it. It's higher ABV provides for a longer finish. Both are sherry cask finished which adds to their flavor.
Good luck and enjoy!
I tried Black Grouse, I find it just OK. It has a cereal nose and aftertaste which I don't really like. Highland Park 12 is a good one for a beginner, very balanced.
Macallan 12 is another rather inexpensive single malt which is quite good, though I actually prefer the Aberlour 12 non-chill filtered to it. It's higher ABV provides for a longer finish. Both are sherry cask finished which adds to their flavor.
Good luck and enjoy!
WHA?! Lagavulin 16 for 55 bucks? Buy a case!!
In Florida, it's no cheaper than 99 bucks.
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Talisker is too peppery for me, otherwise
itd rank higher.
Not a fan of Glenlivet
what is TE BHEAG?
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- #32
For a beginner Scotch I would avoid Islay and go for Highland/Speyside.
I know it's not technically scotch but some of the Irish single malts (Bushmills and Jamesons) are easy to drink and won't overwhelm your palette if you are new to whisky. It's what got me started
I know it's not technically scotch but some of the Irish single malts (Bushmills and Jamesons) are easy to drink and won't overwhelm your palette if you are new to whisky. It's what got me started
Reading your posts, it sounds like you have very similar tastes to me (except Caol Ila - I was so excited to try it, and very disappointed in the end). Uigeadail is probably my favorite bottle of all time. The only bottle you mentioned that I have yet to try is the Lagavulin 16. Based on your endorsement, I'm moving that to top of my list for the next purchase
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- #35
a non-chill-filtered, non-coloured blended scotch ... very nice!
I'm fairly new to Scotch drinking but here's my two cents. I've only tried two different brands. I had Dewar's blended scotch and was kind of disappointed with the flavor. It seemed very smoky to me. The other one I have tried is Aberfeldy 12 single malt. I got it as a Christmas present and I love it. It was 10 times smoother than the Dewar's I tried before. I checked the price on it and I can purchase it here in the states for around $40 a bottle. Hope this helps!
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None of the scotches you noted are "bad" choices. I see a bunch that I've enjoyed over the years. Frankly I've found myself further and further from buying new scotches. I got bored and the price points have risen too high. For the money, I'm enjoying bourbons and ryes.
Darri . I couldn't agree more. To some with tons of $, it doesn't matter, but for lots of folks it does. Instead of getting one bottle of great Scotch for $90, you can get three great bottles of Bourbon/Rye.
Some will point to blended Scotch, and while its not a bad alternative, keep in mind that just about all blended Scotch (or Canadian Whiskey) is made of a LARGE % of neutral grain spirit. Nothing wrong with that, but when a blend "brags" of being made up of say 12, 15, whatever of single malts, it is still probably 40 -50% neutral spirit. Just something to consider that hasn't been mentioned in this thread.
Some will point to blended Scotch, and while its not a bad alternative, keep in mind that just about all blended Scotch (or Canadian Whiskey) is made of a LARGE % of neutral grain spirit. Nothing wrong with that, but when a blend "brags" of being made up of say 12, 15, whatever of single malts, it is still probably 40 -50% neutral spirit. Just something to consider that hasn't been mentioned in this thread.
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- #40
To whoever mentioned going to costco... Thanks! I just picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 16yo for $55. Looking forward to try it tonight. Also just ordered a set of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QX2JMA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QX2JMA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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