Booze The single malt scotch thread

If you drink it neat (no water, no ice) I STRONGLY recommend the Riedel Sommeliers Single Malt Whisky glass:

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Actually, it's easily big enough that you can add water or even a few ice cubes if you want, but it would defeat the purpose. It's scientifically developed to concentrate the aroma, reduce the strong presence of alcohol and harshness if any, and deliver the whisky to the exact right part of your tongue to maximize it's smoothness, character, and enjoyment. Sounds a bit anal, but it's no joke. IT WORKS!!! It's probably the worlds best whisky glass. Looks great and FEELS great to hold. Once you have one you can't live without it. And just in time for the holidays! :grin: I also have their Sommelier series Cognac glass, and while similar, it actually does make Scotch taste noticeably different then the one above. Riedel has certainly done their homework.

If you like a more traditional heavier glass full of ice and water, Baccarat makes some AWESOME tumblers. They're not cheap, but not crazy either for such a beautiful and substantial piece of cut crystal. Makes an incredible gift for yourself or any Scotch lover who's worthy. Wander in next time at teh mall.

Man you were not kidding. I picked one up last night at my local BevMo and tried the glenlivet 12. Now, I usually drink my scotch with a little bit of ice but with this glass there is no need for it. Not only did the glenlivet taste much different and smoother it also smelled much different. Thanks for the recommendation!!!!
 
i got these ralph lauren glen plaid crystal double old fashions and decanter (no highball) as a gift for mr. box:

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Wow Lunchie. VERY classy.... as opposed to, say... trashy? :grin:

Man you were not kidding. I picked one up last night at my local BevMo and tried the glenlivet 12. Now, I usually drink my scotch with a little bit of ice but with this glass there is no need for it. Not only did the glenlivet taste much different and smoother it also smelled much different. Thanks for the recommendation!!!!

Bitchen! Really glad you like it! SO different, right? Hope BevMo's price was reasonable, cuz I've seen it on the net for an arm and a leg. But worth the investment as it fully maximizes the character of your Scotch and boosts your experience. And cleaned and polished properly you can keep it pristine for damn near ever. Funny thing, Kingslaw, is that now you can never go back. I broke one accidentally and went the very next afternoon to replace it. Even cheaper stuff that I'll drink on the rocks always gets evaluated in this first.

Enjoy! :keg:
 
It was 19.99 per glass at BevMo. I think Amazon has a set of two for $38 but you throw in shipping and it's about the same.

Two thoughts crossed my mind as I was drinking: 1) I'm in trouble, this is going to make me drink way too much and 2) I wonder if they make a travel case for it.
 
It was 19.99 per glass at BevMo. I think Amazon has a set of two for $38 but you throw in shipping and it's about the same.

Trip out.... I just realized there are TWO: The Sommelier series, and the VINUM series. But just from the pics I can't notice any difference whatsoever. I'm sure mine is also the Vinum then, cuz that's about what I paid. The Somm. series version is 50 to 75 bucks per glass. As with their other Somm. series glassware it's probably a thinner, more delicate crystal, but **** that. The shape is EXACTLY the same. Cool! At a mere 20 bones even more reason to buy one... or four.

Two thoughts crossed my mind as I was drinking: 1) I'm in trouble, this is going to make me drink way too much and 2) I wonder if they make a travel case for it.

To your first point, personally, I tend to drink less volume when drinking neat. It's easy to kill a big-ass tumbler when it's watered down. On the case... I know the Somm. series comes in a nice (stiff cardboard) tube, but it's stuffed with paper only for cushion. Here's a thought: how sweet it would be to have a Pelican case like this:

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and pull the tear-out foam so that it snugly fits one bottle and two of these glasses. I just may do this. Thanks for the inspiration!!
 
I meant drink more in that I can see myself having a glass twice a week. Currently, I average a glass every two weeks, if that.

Also, the reason I thought about a travel case was because I would hate to have the opportunity of trying a really high quality scotch without the glass.
 
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Paulatron got me a bottle of this for my birthday yesterday. :good:

My 3rd bottle of real Scotch. First impression is that I definitely prefer it to the 10-year Laphroaig I finished a few weeks ago, but by no means is that a knock against Laphroaig. I'm definitely a fan of that. And to me, both of them are far superior to the first one I bought, Glenfiddich 12.

The Talisker is extremely good, and I'd say after one glass it's not quite as peaty but just about as smokey as the Laphroaig, but the actual flavor of the smoke of the Talisker is more up my alley, a lot more "camp fire"-y. Before drinking it we had chili for dinner, so I'm not sure if it enhanced it or what but I could definitely see what people mean when they give it a spicey taste in the back of the throat. It really leaves a lot of flavor in your mouth and you kind of have to poke around with your tongue to take it all in. :)

Again, to compare it to the Laphroaig, I'd say that one is more salt while this one is more pepper. Really strong nose, too. Very citrusy. I've only had one glass, and based on the other couple bottles it usually takes me a couple to really seperate the flavors, but so far, so good.

Next vacation:

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Just wondering who drinks it and what your favorites are.

A few I like (though I still have many to sample):

Highland Park 12 yr
Macallan 12 yr (or more years if I can get it)
Glenmorangie (port wood)
Balvenie (10 yr reserve or 12 yr doublewood)

While dusting out my liquor cabinet the other day, I discovered I had an unopened bottle of that 12yr old McCallan Scotch. Two diet cokes & scotch later and I have a newfound appreciation for this brand of scotch whiskey. And a partially dusted liquor cabinet. Because I do drink whiskey, I think my next goal is to buy several varieties and figure out which one is my favorite. It's good to have goals, I reckon.
 
This thread had to be restarted; especially since my scotch knowledge and drinking has blown up dramatically (the new personal favorite is Caol Ila 25; excellent dram). After reviewing the different tastes everyone prefers on this thread, I can't believe I didn't push this earlier. I've been dramming with some folks in the LA Scotch Club. And we have been enjoying some great stuff.

Some recent notables include: Stronachie 31, Laphroig 30, Bruichladdich Octomore, Ardbeg Supernova, Glenfarclas 43 Old Malt Cask, and slew of rare and hard-to-find drams. Additionally, the club also arranges for a 14 x 14 arrangement, in which you can buy 50 mL bottles of 14 different scotches. It gives you the opportunity to sample different drams without breaking the bank.

Check it out at lascotchclub.com. We usually have meetings once a month, and for about $20, you can sample from 6 different bottles. The locations vary from members' homes to restaurants in the LA area (sometimes in OC).

Shoot me a PM if you're curious and check out the website.
 
I just had some Johnny Walker Blue Label. Best damn blended scotch I've ever had.
 
I just had some Johnny Walker Blue Label. Best damn blended scotch I've ever had.

i hear that's very good, but for the money it costs, i'd rather buy a single malt.

too bad i can't check out xcheck's la scotch club. i gave up scotch and hard liquor when i found out there was a mini box in me. :(
 
i hear that's very good, but for the money it costs, i'd rather buy a single malt.

too bad i can't check out xcheck's la scotch club. i gave up scotch and hard liquor when i found out there was a mini box in me. :(

My roomate bought the bottle at the duty free shop, so I'll be having more of it soon. Don't worry so much about the Blue Label being a blend, it's easily better than half of the single malts I've had. Trust me.
 
My roomate bought the bottle at the duty free shop, so I'll be having more of it soon. Don't worry so much about the Blue Label being a blend, it's easily better than half of the single malts I've had. Trust me.

i figured as much. :)
and i don't doubt you at all. i've heard nothing but good things about it although the people i know who've tried it would still save their money for their favorite single malts.

after all the violently sick episodes i've had with blends, i've also developed an aversion towards the phrase "blended scotch". (despite how good i hear johnny blue is). lol. don't worry, i'd be inclined to try it once i'm fit to... just not likely to buy a whole bottle.
 
i figured as much. :)
and i don't doubt you at all. i've heard nothing but good things about it although the people i know who've tried it would still save their money for their favorite single malts.

after all the violently sick episodes i've had with blends, i've also developed an aversion towards the phrase "blended scotch". (despite how good i hear johnny blue is). lol. don't worry, i'd be inclined to try it once i'm fit to... just not likely to buy a whole bottle.

I totally understand your position. Fortunately for me, me and this blended whiskey are becoming good friends.

(I'm going upstairs for a sifter glass right now)
:yahoo:
 
Hats off to Johnny Blue. If you're going to drink a blend, it's the way to go.

But for that money (heck for half of the price of Johnny Blue) there are some good 15-21 year single malts and some interesting independent bottlings that have a much more complex flavor profile.

Hope you enjoyed the Blue Mr. I.
 
I got my JW Blue from BevMo for $160 awhile ago, the best price around that I could find, without looking too hard. Everywhere else was closer to $200.
 
Hey there fellow Scotchers. I had mentioned in a previous post that I had been dramming with some locals in the LA Scotch Club. Well, we have a meeting set for Friday July 17 in Sherman Oaks. Check out the page at: The Los Angeles Scotch Club

It looks like the selections are all across the board with a super peaty whisky, a young Macallan, a couple well-aged Cadenheads bottlings and (what looks to be) a interesting Springbank. So we've got peaty, Speyside and Lowland covered.

Price is only $20 if you reserve in advance. Check out the site or PM me for more details. Hope to see you there.
 
Hey there fellow Scotchers. I had mentioned in a previous post that I had been dramming with some locals in the LA Scotch Club. Well, we have a meeting set for Friday July 17 in Sherman Oaks. Check out the page at: The Los Angeles Scotch Club

It looks like the selections are all across the board with a super peaty whisky, a young Macallan, a couple well-aged Cadenheads bottlings and (what looks to be) a interesting Springbank. So we've got peaty, Speyside and Lowland covered.

Price is only $20 if you reserve in advance. Check out the site or PM me for more details. Hope to see you there.

Definitely will. :dancebanana:
 
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