Rick, a Scotch question for you

I purchased a bottle of Scotch for this weekend and was wondering if you had ever tried it.

Signatory Vintage 1989
Single Islay Malt
Marked with Cask and bottle number.
Distilled at Bowmore Distillery

It carries a very unique Peat and Smoke flavor, strong on the Peat.

I found it to be outstanding and am now ruined for life... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You picked the right guy to ask... The Primp is definately a Scotch Kindasewer! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sounds good, but I have never seen in it in our humble little burg..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
art

There two varieties of whisky: Singlemalt Scotch and kerosene. Singlemalt Scotch comes in three varieties: Speyside, Highland, and Islay.

I say drink only Islay whisky's if you've any taste buds at all, but this is only the opinion of a kilt wearing, bagpipe playing son of Alba; and you've got Haggis MacEanruig's word on it.

Haggis,

Your word is good enough for me, this is sinful good Scotch.

Bill:

Never seen it, but now I'm looking for it. I'll find it sooner or later.

Hey, your stock is done. Do me a favor and PM me your addy.

I think there's a bit left in the Macallan bottle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Rick

Is it similar to Laphroaig?...........Boots

Sitka, how would you charactarize my tastes in scotch (so I can sound like I know what I'm talking about)?

I think you pretty well know my likes and dislikes in scotch better than anyone but ...

Like:
Of course, the Dalmore Cigar Malt
LOVE Macallan cask strength
Glenlivit 15
French Oak Finish -- Mmmm
Johnny Walker is acceptable

Give or take
Talisker
Royal Salute 21 year old (Chivas)

Don't
The Dalmore
Dewers (make that Sewers -- yuck)

These are what I can remember off the top of my head. I've tried a few others that I couldn't hardly drink, but can't remember the names.

Cheers!

And believe it or not, Ross is very much a Scottish name!

BTW, rather than "Kindasewer" I'd say "drain" is more apt <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If I have a 15 year-old Scotch on my shelf for 20 years ... does that make it a 35 year-old Scotch ?

Enquiring minds .... ??

... Silver Bullet

(Rust never sleeps)

Boots, logical question on the Laphroaig but to my palate the Morrison Bowmore 15 year old is actually closer to the Lagavulin 15 in that it hits you with the peat right off rather than building up like the Laphroaig. The 12 year old is reminiscent of the old Ardbeg 10 year old prior to closing - (Every true Whisky lover should close his day with a prayer that Glenmorangie are able to rescue Ardbeg financially without altering to more common taste that unique smokiness...!) The 17 is sublime and not reminiscent of anything but itsownself.

Westman, congratulations on your discovery. I work in Scotland a good part of each year and continue to make little finds through recommendation and word of mouth that leave me in awe!

Was it 15 year old when you put it on the shelf?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

About 10 years ago Glenmorangie offered the remaining original Arnberg stock for sale. I heard of it and told my retailer to get me as many cases of 25 year old that he could; he could only get two bottles. One I opened for New Years Day 2000, the other bottle will go with me to the grave.

Now Laphroaig is my choice for an evening by the fire.

Haggis, funny that you mentioned the evening fire......the first place that I tried Laphroaig was by an evening fire just north of lake galbraith, just north of the brooks range in Alaska during an August trip......such memories are made........Boots.....last name......Duncan

If yall haven't tried Jamerson gold, you should.....it's most definately a step above the 12 year old.......he was there by the fire also that evening

A namesake of Duncan drinking Irish Whiskey! (Funny how the Irish use the "e" isn't it?) By Jings Man - don't spread that around should you ever cross the pond to the peaty land!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hey, you can see the islands on a clear day.........Jamerson must of been a scotty in another life to produce such a smooth drink.....eh?

Many a single cask burbons cross these lips from time to time too! Oh well......we won't even talk about CIgars to boot..........another fine drink I had recently was some woodbridge with a touch of oak flavored trout water from a N.C. stream..........there was alot more "oak water" left than the woodbridge..........Boots

Spot
All of your likes are smoooooooth sorts without the peat of the likes of Lagavulin. The cigar malt for example is designed to have a ridiculously short finish to avoid conflicts with the cigar one is supposed to smoke with it.

Check your chest daily and when the first hair sprouts you might be ready to try Laphroig. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You proved you didn't need chest hairs though with the Yang Ling... Not just anyone could have done that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Bet the kilted kind are not near man enough for sure!
art

Quote

If I have a 15 year-old Scotch on my shelf for 20 years ... does that make it a 35 year-old Scotch ?

Enquiring minds .... ??

... Silver Bullet

For a serious answer, it quits ageing once out of the cask and bottled,

Sitka, I had HIGH hope that the Yang Ling might actually put hair on my chest.

No such luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I still can't believe you cracked that bottle for me. While most (likely) wouldn't fully appreciate the act, I certainly do!!!! Good times!

I don't know about whiskey, but I left a 6 pack of Coors in the fridge for three years. I opened one, just to see if it was still good (I was saving it for the Giant Prairie Dog hunt, Muley). The smell could have knocked a buzzard off a [bleep] wagon. Phewwww....had to evacuate the house! Flinch

I've never had any really good Scotch, but since I heard its a common choice out in the county, I usually go with Famous Grouse.

As for Jameson's, I think that's Irish whiskey. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Regards, sse

T
"For a serious answer, it quits ageing once out of the cask and bottled."

Since I don't fit in a bottle, but I would fit in a tank, does that mean if I get tanked I'll stop aging? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Inquiring minds NEED to know! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
art

There just ain't any hope for you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

The last cupple bottles i've gotten were McClellands Highland single malt.

Seemed alot better than Cutty Sark and some of the others I've tryed.

My favorite used to be Chivas Regal, but am liking the single malt better.

Gotta try the Islay.

Virgil B. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Virgil,

Interesting that you should mention McClellands in this particular thread. As mentioned above Westman's whisky, Bowmore is the premier Islay product of the Morrison Bowmore Group which also own a Lowland label Auchentoshan and a Highland, Glen Garioch. Not widely advertised is that Morrison Bowmore Group itself is owned by a Japanese company, Suntory. In effort to boost the bottom line Suntory decided they need a mainstream product to sell at a bargain price so they also acquired rights to the label "McClellands." The secret is that McClellands don't make whisky. They bottle - and what do they bottle? You guessed it...the products of the other distillers of the group, though at a very young age.

Sooooo, your McClellands "Highland Malt" is actually 5 year old Glen Garioch. The point of this ramble, getting back to your wish to sample an Islay is that if you buy a bottle of McClellands "Islay" you'll be getting at a very good price the exact same whisky as Westman's, only at 5 years old. And, the good news is if you can drink the stuff with that much smoke the move up to a premium Islay such as Bowmore itself will be like going from ground chuck to prime rib!

Sorry to all who don't find this interesting, but I LOVE good whiskys and just thought it kind of cool how Virgil's post closed a circle of sorts back to Westman's!

An excellent subject!

There are other regions that produce outstanding single malts as well:
Lowlands, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Northern Highlands ( I guess they could have been summed up under Highlands but there are distinct differences to the regions), Islands, and Cambeltown.

Haggis, I disagree that Islay is the only region that produces good malt. Glenmorangie is my personal favorite from the Northern Highlands - Tain to be exact.

Glenfiddich speaks for itself.

Another love affair for me would be Glen Ord. I, unfortunatley, haven't had a nip since I last visited Scotland but do have fond memories. You can taste the peat. I visited the distillery and wanted to jump in the mash! I have not been able to find it in the States. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

As for Dewers and the like -BLAH! Scots law says it has to be aged 3 yrs before it can be called Scotch, these should be renamed varnish!

Mac - Also a proud American with roots to Scotland!

I drink either Macallan or switch to Irish and go with Jameson 1780, but if any of you more expert can point me toward a real smokey single malt I would appreciate the lead.

I used to go to a bar that the manager would have me taste the interesting Scotchs and Irishs, and once he brought a great smokey nectar out. He would never tell me the name, only that it was his trade secret. I have been trying to find this whiskey or close since.

Fireplug

Fireplug
Lagavulin, Laphroig and Talisker are all smokey/peaty and favorites of mine...
art

Heathens, real whiskey comes from Ireland. Lol. tom

'Tis true, Tom, whisk(e)y does indeed come from Ireland. Whisky is from Scotland. Thus the sayings:

Whisky is for the high bred, cultured and refined - the "e" in whisk(e)y marks it as for "e"veryone else....

or

Whisky is for manly men, whisk(e)y is for the (e)ffeminate.....

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

journeyman
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

that burnt cork stuff you guys like is nasty not whiskey. I know you guys drink it because you can not take the bite of a good irish. lol. tom

Picked up a bottle of McClellands Islay tonight. Goood stuffff!
I just found a new favorite!
Gotta work tomarrow, so I don't dare "sample" to much!
The Islay is good advice....If you like the "smokey" flavor.
The local liquer store has it on sale for $ 18.95 (no sales tax)
Me thinks I'd better go pick up a few more bottles at this price.
Virgil B. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Maybe I should try that one.
That bottle I started this post with cost $48.00 and they went up from there.

One of them is $102.00, and I am itching to try one, but don't dare.....I'll really be ruined. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If hair on one's chest is the prize, I suggest The Balvenie Single Barrel. Many good characteristics and mighty powerful.

From the same distillery, a much smoother sort is The Balvenie Double Wood. Truly good malt whiskey.

Oban works as well.

Now, La Gloria Cubana Double Corona makes my day almost as well as Arturo Fuente Canones. Keeps the skeeters away from the head while picking black morels in April. Don't forget the Punch Pyramide if spicy full flavor is your preference.

Ah, the good things......

Live, uh, well

Thanks for some leads on whisky guys.

I tried one that although good was unremarkable except for the name the other day: Sheep Dip.

Fireplug

Virgil, give the McCallan Cask Strength a try. A little more spendy, but the bottle lasts a loooooong time. Hell, I'm happy just sitting with a small glass all night smelling the stuff <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. One of those where you can swish a little around in your mouth and sit back and taste it for the next half hour. MMmmmmmm. Kids are in bed and the wife has now moved out.... Think I'd better pour myself one and put on a James Bond movie.

Starting to warm up to the bachelor life (grin).

Big Redhead
I have an unopened bottle of Balvenie Port Wood Finish, 21 year old, that was a Christmas present. Am looking forward to it, obviously! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Have found several port wood finishes that really blow my dress up, notably the Glenmorangie which I believe we only see as a 12 year old here.

Also got a 21 year old mostly Speyside blend that will do in a pinch called Lancelot. My b-i-l picked it up for me in the duty-free in Korea.

Fireplug
Sheep Dip was OK a long time ago, but I am afraid the stuff is just terribly harsh anymore... Admittedly, I am spoiled and then some...

Spot
Pour me one, will you? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
art

I guess you all are aware that all scotch is imported by the Kennedy family? At least you are funding the family swimming lessons. Forget the dead and vote for Ted, a blonde in every pond. Bob <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

BOBBALEE,

That was a cruel joke. I hope you're proud of yourself. To think that I EVER put even one penny in Ted Kennedy's pocket......ARGGGHHHHH! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Live well, in moderation

And here all along I thought Ted was on the wagon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

yes he is on the wagon the beer wagon lol. tom

I guess I should keep it to myself that most of my whiskey comes out of a plastic bottle! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I know I've had that kerosene. Ardbeg 1977 is the most I can afford in a decent scotch, but (gasp) I do like Crown Royal. So for my everyday whiskey its Windsor, for camping, hunting and special occasions its Crown Royal, and if I come across a really good cigar out comes the Ardbeg. If you are going to smoke $$$$ might as well drink $$$$.

jackfish,

I never tried Windsor. My "everyday" is R&R. Is Windsor better than R&R?

Live well, in moderation

Windsor Canadian is a cheap Canadian blended whisky. I get it for $13.60 a 1.75 liter. I've never tried R&R, which I take is cheaper than Windsor. I watch for sales on 750 ml of Crown Royal for which I spend from $14 to $19. A 700 ml of Ardbeg is purchased about once a year for about $110 to $125.

I never could get into the Scotch, too much bourbon in the bloodline, I guess.

I found out last week that there is a distillery in Mo. that makes a really good, dry, second use barrel whisky.

Of course, the family would disown me if they knew I was drinking it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

A distinguished Scotsman sits at the bar and orders a glass of 20-year old scotch. The bartender, thinking the old gentleman will never know the difference, pours him a glass of 15-year old scotch for the same price.

The Scotsman spits the offending liquor on the floor and DEMANDS to receive what he asked for. The impressed bartender dutifully complies.

The old drunk that was sitting a few stools away staggers up to the Scotsman and slurs, �Taste this please,� and hands him a glass.

The Scotsman sips, and then spews the drink across the room. �That tastes like PISS!� he screams.

�It IS piss,� says the drunk, �but how old am I?�

My own favorite booze recipe, picked up in Africa...

Go into the forest and find large oil palm tree. Knock it over, allow it to sit for two weeks. Incise tree and collect slowly dripping sap in large clay pot, allow pot to sit all day while fermentation is actively occurring (oddly enough involving bacteria and not yeast).

Distill over open fire in old, rusty 55 gallon drum. Serve in an old soda bottle in a remote, dusty village. Only one glass is needed between every one in the party.

To drink, pretend its water and toss it down (if your body has time to think about it, it ain't gonna happen). Sleep it off lying out in the dust, wake up to chickens and goats looking down at you curiously as they pass you by.

Called "Kill Me Quick" in the local vernacular, admittedly this stuff doesn't bring with it an air of misty Irish hills, banjo-picking Tennesse backwoods or fabled Scottish grouse moors.

On the other hand, ALL hard liquor is rotgut poison, the African variety just being more up-front about it is all.

Birdwatcher

Quote

yes he is on the wagon the beer wagon

I'm on that wagon, myself. Don't know who let him on, It wasn't me. Guess he jumped from the paddy wagon when nobody was lookin.

Regards, sse

Suuure Birdwatcher, tempt us with visions of heavenly nectar - knowing full well the shortage of oil plam trees in Minnesota. You're a mean man.

Do you think a pine tree would work? It might add a gin-like snap...

Had a glass of Glennfidditch (sp?) last night before dinner. I liked it. Though I'm not con-a-sewerish enough to know if it was peaty or smokey or crap, it tasted good. Take a sip, and tastes lingers for awhile. Good stuff.

Talisker. Period

Hiya Jog <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, the way I understand it, if African booze were inftroduced into Minnesota, most folks would die of hypothermia at the close of festivities.

Hiya back.

Hypothermia? Well, at least with the African booze I wouldn't freeze completely solid.

Speaking of barred owls...it's breeding season here. I'm pretty sure I've mention this to you before but it's worth repeating. Of all the sounds I've heard, there is nothing like a bunch of barred owls having a full-scale territorial screechfest on a clear winter's night.

Barred owls aren't big on scheduling such events, but I sure hope you get to hear one someday.

JOG... birds? I think I seen them once on the Discovery Channel.

Bought some Glen Eden last night and will say it is far from the Glenfidditch that I had previously. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />