Scotch

[Panache]

Personally I think a great Scotch to begin with, if you have the budget, is Balvenie 12 year old Double Casked. Because of the use of two different types of barrels (one of them from sherry) it has a more moderated flavour than many other Scotches.

The Balvenie Doublewood is my single malt scotch of choice

I also agree with Joe Gondek about Bushmills.

For bourbon, the only one I could imagine drinking straight would be Maker's Mark.

Cheers


(By the by, why is this thread here and not at The Pub? :confused: )

[Andrew Green]

If you are digging for more info on Scotch....it'd be hard to go wrong with this little book:
The Single Malt Whisky Companion. Isbn:0-517-22532-8.
Not only does this give a little history, tasting tips...it also is a nice directory of various distilleries...so it's great if you want to search out a whisky you haven't tried before. It also gives tasting notes on the various makes, and bottlings.

To me, Bowmore makes a fine everyday single malt... it isn't too edxpensive, and tastes great. Not the high end Bowmore... Bowmore Legend.

[turpin]

[QUOTE=Panache]
For bourbon, the only one I could imagine drinking straight would be Maker's Mark.
QUOTE]
Have you tried Woodford Reserve? a friend of mine was a confirmed Maker's man, but when he tried the Woodford at my suggestion he made the switch right there.