Scotch

[Colin]

What he said!

Me, I liked it straight pretty much from the start. But you can't get a better tutotial than from P1M.

The thing with drinking it straight all the time, is that with some of the stronger scotch the alcohol content can burn your taste buds off. The point of the water is to dilute the alcohol not the flavour. I could be off on this, but this is what they have promoted at the tastings I have been too.

As for a starter Scotch, I would say Glenlivet 12 year (I can't stand Glenfiddich 12 yr personally). It's kind of the run of the mill scotch that almost everyone carries. Stay away from the Ballatines, it's horrid. For a bit more bang for your buck, check out the 3 main varities offered by McClellands. McClelland's is owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers, which is in turn owned by Suntory of Japan. The three McClelland's bottlings are, in fact, 5-year-old releases of the three Morrison Bowmore distilleries: Lowland (Auchentoshan), Highland (Glen Garioch), and Islay (Bowmore). This will give you a good intro into the different regions and the different tastes for relatively cheap. When you have tried all those, try the Bowmore cask strength

Here's a good site: http://www.maltwhiskey.com/default3.htm

[Pour1Malt]

The thing with drinking it straight all the time, is that with some of the stronger scotch the alcohol content can burn your taste buds off. The point of the water is to dilute the alcohol not the flavour. I could be off on this, but this is what they have promoted at the tastings I have been too.

...]

aye- exactly richt...

maist malts (an a' blended whiskies) are roon 40-43% alcohol... an dinnae need water...

if ya get a bottle o' "cask strength" malt -the alcohol will bae 50-71%... (a'bunadh is cask strength) an oiny thing o'er 50% will burn yur taste buds aff...

ya need tae put a couple wee drops o water in it - just enough tae lower the alcohol tae 40-43%....

[Ghâshûl]

I'll also recommend Laphroaig, particularly the quarter cask.
In addition I also think the Bunnahabhain is a very good whisky. It's a bit more 'mild' than the laphroaig.

EDIT: remember to read the entire thread first. You can take this post as my agreement

[bikercelt1]

As an interesting side note, my daughter loves Laphroig because the scent and taste reminds her of the time she spent going to school in Dublin. She says the peat smell is just like the air in Ireland. Even though I was only with her there for a couple of weeks I'd have to agree. Every time we drink it she gets a faraway look and I know she's reliving good times.

Jamie

[Mattg]

Great thread! I've been wanting to try my hand, or I should say tastebuds, at Scotch....this is very helpful!

[GlassMan]

I have to admit that I've been pleasantly surprised that the Virginia ABC store near my home is beginning to stock a lot of very high end alcohol. Their Scotch selection is now outstanding, as is their vodka selection.

For those who don't know, in other stores may sell wine & beer for consumption off premises, but only the ABC (Alcohol Beverage Commission) store may sell grain alcohol of any kind.