Booze

[Insel Affen]

Though I'm a Scot with a liking for whisky I find the Islay malts just a little too much like TCP.

I have had some that taste just like that, but I have got to say that I am a firm fan of Lagavulin 16yr old. Caol Isla and Mortlach are also very nice but my absolute fave is Port Ellen. I saw some bottles a few years ago and kept putting off, because the wife said so. Finally threw caution to the wind, ready to buy 2 bottles @ €80 each, got there, sold out. Never forgave her!

On a serious note, I can tell you what I like, it doesn't mean you will. Go to a good whiskey shop and try them. If you are a member of a club, you might even be able to get someone in to a taste testing evening, for a small cost. But your taste buds will tell you. As for water or not, well I always test the same way by taking a sip after each of the below.

1 neat
2 dip my fingers in a glass of water and put 2-4 drops of water
3 pour in some water.

Location is also very important, beer and whisky etc all taste different in their native area, that's why like local beer tastes different on holiday. If you read "Three sheets to the wind" he explains it well.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time on 'research'. 🍺☕️😆

 

[Goatboy]

Single malts are all good and well but a good blend that you can enjoy with or without water or ice or at any temperature and wont break the bank try monkey shoulder

Yeah, someone else happy to drink blends. Give Baillie Nicol Jarvie blend a go. Little known outside Scotland but considered by a lot of us (including a fair few in the Whisky Society) to give a fair few malts a drubbing.
(And it's OK to pop a bit of water or a single ice cube in, whisky benefits from being let down a little to bring out the flavour.
One of my favourite things to do when I had the house up north was to bruise a couple of juniper berries fresh off the bush and pop them into a lightly watered glass of my favourite whisky and sit and enjoy it taking in the view.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[Jack Bounder]

Not a big fan of whisky myself. Just tastes like cardboard....especially Laphroiag. Nasty stuff. I think I'd take Cognac.

 

[santaman2000]

........ Go to a good whiskey shop and try them. If you are a member of a club, you might even be able to get someone in to a taste testing evening, for a small cost. But your taste buds will tell you......

It's a rough job! But SOMEBODY'S gotta do it!

 

[John Fenna]

Not a big fan of whisky myself. Just tastes like cardboard....especially Laphroiag. Nasty stuff. I think I'd take Cognac.

Please send me some of your cardboard to chew on!

 

[bigbear]

Agree re BNJ, a top quality blend !

 

[KayakFisherFinland]

I got 1oz of Estonian 80% Vodka and 2oz of Caol Ila.
None of it goes down neat, so that is plenty of stock for me.
Couple of spoonfulls of CI in my tea just makes life immediately better
The vodka goes with a warm or cold juice or as a desinfectant.

 

[British Red]

If you put Caol Ila in your tea, a thousand islanders will burn you at the stake!


Me, I like ice in it, so they will burn me too!

 

[Harvestman]

Can't stand whisky, in any form, and I have tried some good ones via friends of mine who like to sail their boat from distillery to distillery.

A good port is my preferred tipple.

 

[Insel Affen]

A good port is my preferred tipple.

Ah now, Port mmmmm! Tesco used to do a fabulous white port a few years back. I had the pleasure of tasting an exceptional port, which I had never heard of before, from a Portuguese friend about 5 years back. Unfortunately I can't remember what it was called......mainly due to it being an exceptional port and a very empty bottle.

 

[XRV John]

I am a firm fan of Lagavulin ....... and Mortlach

Man after my own heart. Two of my treats!

 

[tiger stacker]

BNJ discontinued for some reason, shame as i like it too

 

[Goatboy]

BNJ discontinued for some reason, shame as i like it too

Oh no! that's just not fair. Especially when you see some of the muck that's peddled as whisky. I had a look 'round and though you can still get it from some specialist places the price has started to go through the roof.

Like another whisky a mate and I used to enjoy as our regular tipple; Loch Dhu. A black as night whisky and beautifully smooth. We used to drink the local pub dry of the stuff. Now it's going for about £200 a bottle if you can find it.

 

[MartinK9]

For a balance of, over proof / taste / cost & drinkable neat, I'd struggle to go past a bottle of Woods 100 old Navy Rum.

57% by volume, yet as smooth as can be & widely available around £24 - £25 a bottle.

NB currently on offer at Morrisons at £20!!!!

My tipple of choice on winter trips.

 

[British Red]

Like another whisky a mate and I used to enjoy as our regular tipple; Loch Dhu. A black as night whisky and beautifully smooth. We used to drink the local pub dry of the stuff. Now it's going for about £200 a bottle if you can find it.

Try Cu Dubh before the collectors get it


https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-4766.aspx

 

[Goatboy]

I rarely drink these day but had heard of this. Do you know what it's like? At that price I may be tempted to get a bottle. My old partner in crime for the Loch Dhu has a birthday coming up.

 

[British Red]

I'm not a Speyside man, too delicate for me, but a lot make comparisons with Loch dhu.

 

[bigbear]

OK, time to stop this thread before I start spending money and harming my liver !

 

[BenMid]

I'm a fairly inexperienced whisky drinker, but have developed a real fondness for it and it's become my spirit. I have thoroughly enjoyed The Singleton, Aberlour and Dalwhinnie. I'd probably want more than 3oz though!

 

[pysen78]

I've always liked single malts. I try to have a carying stock at home for guests with different tastes.
I'd recommend the McCloud rebranded single malts to anyone not wanting to spend too much but still have a decent drink.

On shelf life of liqour in flasks. I've had whisky go bad in flasks a couple of times. Turns opaque and has a vile metallic taste. My guess is tannins reacting with the metal.