It burns

[Toothpick]

I wish. I’d have to take it to them. And they all live out of state. I’ll be enjoying it alone. With soda, or waaaaay watered down. I may also ask around work for anyone that likes scotch. But then I risk transporting an open container.

 

[ackvil]

It is an acquired taste. For beginners, I recommend adding one or two ice cubes in a glass before pouring the Scotch. This can help eliminate the "burn" and harshness some experience.

 

[danek]

I’m going to find something to mix this with so I don’t have to waste the bottle. It just isn’t for me.

Scotch isn't very accessible for the unaccustomed palate. A Canadian blend is the most accessible whisky, IMO.

If you want to try it mixed, a Rob Roy is a great drink: think a Scotch Manhattan. 1.5 oz whisky, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, dash bitters, stir and serve up or over with orange twist. A fine single malt might be a bit overkill to use in a cocktail, but oh, what a cocktail it would make.

 

[the_edski]

Scotch isn't very accessible for the unaccustomed palate. A Canadian blend is the most accessible whisky, IMO.

If you want to try it mixed, a Rob Roy is a great drink: think a Scotch Manhattan. 1.5 oz whisky, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, dash bitters, stir and serve up or over with orange twist. A fine single malt might be a bit overkill to use in a cocktail, but oh, what a cocktail it would make.

I learned the hard way that Scotch isn't always a substitute for whiskey. I once made a whiskey sour with Glenlivet 12yr. Absolutely awful. I've grown up quite a bit since then.

 

[Pepin]

I’m going to find something to mix this with so I don’t have to waste the bottle. It just isn’t for me.

Quick easy mix, Drambuie ( a sweet honey/heather based whiskey liquor).

Mix to adjust to you perfered sweetness, serve over ice.

 

[Doc4]

Drambuie

 

[Shave_Rat]

I'm late to the party, but I'm on board with not liking anything that burns. Only scotch I ever had which carried no burn for me was like a 24 year old Glenmorangie. Tasted really nice and complex, but it was liquid gold in the smooth department. Sadly, I found out this was a very limited bottling (which explained why my friend paid like $150 for the three of us to have some at the upscale bar we were at).

If you are still looking to explore something to sip, gentleman style, I just happened up Remy Martin VSOP cognac. It warms it's way down a little, but doesn't actually burn at all, and has some great flavors. Should be easy enough to get a glass to sample at various establishments that are licensed to serve such things.

 

[esswun]

New to Scotch too. I like Macallan 12 and I want to try the 18. I think I'll like any of the Sherry aged whiskys. I also want to try Auchentoshan Three Wood. I heard Monkey Shoulder is pretty good for the price but I have no idea.

 

[Dave in KY]

The burn is like the burn from aftershave............embrace it

 

[MntnMan62]

Had a couple drams of Lagavulin 16 this evening with my neighbor. It's my favorite scotch...period. And no burn. Full of flavor, yes. Burn? No.

 

[FL shaver]

New to Scotch too. I like Macallan 12 and I want to try the 18. I think I'll like any of the Sherry aged whiskys.

I bought Macallan 12 and enjoyed it. My wife then gifted me a bottle of the 18. Yeah, it's good stuff, and smoother than the 12, but I felt the aging eliminated some of the experience somehow. I was a little disappointed.

 

[RobW]

The orange label Glen is absolutely delicious.. There will always be some burn with single malts but this one has some of that oakey sweetness to help calm the fires. I like many of their bottles honestly.

If you're looking to mix it up with something I'd suggest just a little bit of tonic water. Maybe ginger ale if things are really desperate.

 

[migralda]

Hi I'm in the UK, England but about 60 miles from Scotland..
You really need to watch this video..

Whisky should not be drunk neat!! nor with ice but with water to reduce the alcohol content to about 38% (see 6'58")
This guy is a whisky master blender for Dalmore!!

 

[Proinsias]

Had a couple drams of Lagavulin 16 this evening with my neighbor. It's my favorite scotch...period. And no burn. Full of flavor, yes. Burn? No.

That's a lovely malt, one of my favorites. The Islay malts can be rather polarizing, I've seen some funny reactions to first tastings, people are often horrified. That said the Islay malts are the treat of choice on a night out for a big chunk of my friends and family.

I tend to drink single malt straight in a sherry or glencairn glass, occasionally I will add a few drops of water and sometimes if I have good tea on the go I add a few drops of that.

Little sips help to avoid the burn. I've been drinking single malts for 20 odd years and still find if I sip a little too much I need to brace myself.

Mixing single malts makes me shiver but I've had a few single malt cocktails that have been wonderful. After a long chat with a barman at a party he convinced me to have a cocktail with Laphroaig, egg white and other things I have long forgotten. He was correct, it was a damn fine drink.

 

[Proinsias]

Careful if you are searching about this stuff. I got a fright, and then realised I'd just searched for a straight single male.

 

[cursethis]

Hi I'm in the UK, England but about 60 miles from Scotland..
You really need to watch this video..

Whisky should not be drunk neat!! nor with ice but with water to reduce the alcohol content to about 38% (see 6'58")
This guy is a whisky master blender for Dalmore!!

The way you like your whisk(e)y is the correct way to drink it for you.

If someone likes to have their whiskey neat, that's the correct way for him/her to drink it. If someone likes to have their whiskey on the rocks? Same deal. Even if someone wants to have a "smokey coke" and mix coke with Laphroaig... that's cool if they like it.

 

[cursethis]

That's a lovely malt, one of my favorites. The Islay malts can be rather polarizing, I've seen some funny reactions to first tastings, people are often horrified. That said the Islay malts are the treat of choice on a night out for a big chunk of my friends and family.

I tend to drink single malt straight in a sherry or glencairn glass, occasionally I will add a few drops of water and sometimes if I have good tea on the go I add a few drops of that.

Little sips help to avoid the burn. I've been drinking single malts for 20 odd years and still find if I sip a little too much I need to brace myself.

Mixing single malts makes me shiver but I've had a few single malt cocktails that have been wonderful. After a long chat with a barman at a party he convinced me to have a cocktail with Laphroaig, egg white and other things I have long forgotten. He was correct, it was a damn fine drink.

I was enjoying a sampler of a few scotches, and the bartender/manager talked me into trying a Maple Bacon Manhattan (I forget the actual name) that he came up with. It used a Maple Rye with a splash of Laphroaig and garnished with a piece of bacon. I kind of looked at him sideways, but tried it anyway and was pleasantry surprised at how good it was. I mean... I'd rather drink Laphroaig neat, but it was a great cocktail for when the mood strikes.

 

[paintflinger]

Jason, not sure if you've tried it, but making some German Gluhwein is a fun project that involves brandy and very much reminds me of a spicy port.

 

[migralda]

The way you like your whisk(e)y is the correct way to drink it for you.

If someone likes to have their whiskey neat, that's the correct way for him/her to drink it. If someone likes to have their whiskey on the rocks? Same deal. Even if someone wants to have a "smokey coke" and mix coke with Laphroaig... that's cool if they like it.

That is so true, each to their own but guidance from the experts is always welcome in my view.
Whisky is Scottish, Whiskey is Irish.

 

[cursethis]

That is so true, each to their own but guidance from the experts is always welcome in my view.
Whisky is Scottish, Whiskey is Irish.

The Irish used "whiskey" to differentiate themselves from Scottish "whisky". Back in the day, Irish whiskey was the premium liquor of choice around the world, whereas Scottish whisky had lower quality and was "sketchier" overall. So, the Irish added the "e" so that buyers wouldn't confuse the two.