Starter Whiskey

[tommy_tucka]

Afternoon gents. The last smoke I had I was enjoying it with a drop of whiskey (nikka whiskey from the barrel) and it was my first time of having the pair together, I enjoyed it.

So I'm just looking for a 'first' bottle to get to enjoy when I smoke. I'm not looking to spend big amounts but ?10-?30 price range.

Thanks

[SHAMZ84]

I've not had nikka.. so not sure what type it is.
I would recommend a jura superstition, bowmore, and Glenfiddich 12 yr, aberlour 10yr there's a Aldi one that's one alsorts of awards

These I would say are great to start with until you know what you like


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[mcdee]

Agree with Shamz re Aberlour. A really nice single malt with a similar flavour profile to Nikka f.t.b. A nice blend worth trying is Ballantines. Very smooth and good value.

[jerryr]

There are almost as many whiskies as cigar brands. So what you'll like is very much dependant on the flavours you like. Glenmoragie is a lighter sweeter whiskey, as is a Glenlivet as are the speyside malts. Whereas Talikser and the ilsayand some Jura whiskies are peaty and fuller flavoured. The only way to find out what you prefer it trial and error.

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[Rev Rob]

If you like a smooth whisky then you should look at some of the Irish Whiskey available to you, Tullamore Dew is a real beaut although my personal favourite is the bushmills black bush just a sublime wonderful drink. My local Irish pub is the only pub that serves it close to me and I always do enjoy a bit to much asking the barmaid for some black bush .

But as others have said there are many whiskeys to try and it will depend on your taste.

[Decky]

Try try a 10 year old glencoyne best whisky I have tasted and had a few drams

[SHAMZ84]

Hey Tommy...just had a thought after reading [MENTION=13441957]jerryr[/MENTION] message..have you looked at cgars site to look for a scotch taster set?? Basically have little samples of the different types of whisky available from Scotland.

not sure if this is and Xmas set or something they sell all the time

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[Scooby]

Hey Tommy...just had a thought after reading @jerryr message..have you looked at cgars site to look for a scotch taster set?? Basically have little samples of the different types of whisky available from Scotland.

not sure if this is and Xmas set or something they sell all the time

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I think i've seen those on Masters of Malt... tasting sets

[sheppsea]

I think i've seen those on Masters of Malt... tasting sets

These were what I was going to recommend - I work my way through various Drinks by the dram sets on Master of Malt (who generally seem to have the best prices too). You can build your own ones as well (which I always enjoy doing)

[SHAMZ84]

Just took a look at there site...good collection of tasters

https://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set

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[tommy_tucka]

As usual, brilliant info from you lot. I'm looking at the master of malt site as we speak and I will get a sample selection from there. Thanks

[Scooby]

As usual, brilliant info from you lot. I'm looking at the master of malt site as we speak and I will get a sample selection from there. Thanks

Amazon sell the same tasting sets too, might work out a little cheaper

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_st_price-asc-rank?keywords=whisky+tasting+set&fst=as%3Aoff&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awhisky+tasting+set%2Cp_76%3A419159031&qid=1468149996&sort=price-asc-rank

[Poncho]

Afternoon gents. The last smoke I had I was enjoying it with a drop of whiskey (nikka whiskey from the barrel) and it was my first time of having the pair together, I enjoyed it.

So I'm just looking for a 'first' bottle to get to enjoy when I smoke. I'm not looking to spend big amounts but ?10-?30 price range.

Thanks

Amazon sell the same tasting sets too, might work out a little cheaper
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_st...price-asc-rank

Scooby beat me to it, Amazon often have great deals on small coffret style sets. Another way which is a bit less trial and error is to become friendly with a local skilled barman. Depending on where you live etc, you might be surprised to find plenty of bar staff with a lot of unappreciated skill in mixing cocktails and recommending pairing drinks. Some are also very much interested in cigars.
Finding a place that serves excellent drinks/spirits and also has a smoking terrace is great as it offers a change of scene from whatever your usual might be.

Alex

[the pondering moose]

I was a whisky fan before I discovered cigars (pairing on a good evening was a gateway).

Just my humble opinion, but I've found 20cl bottles to be slightly better than tasting sets, as they leave room for a couple of drams or more, so you can try neat; with a bit of water to open the flavour (though an old friend says the only thing you add to whisky is *more* whisky); paired with a smoke. Also, pallet has a huge effect on the taste of whisky, so trying any malt a few times helps form a better "average".

The range in that sort of size is smaller, but can be a nice way of "accessing" more expensive full size bottles.

As others have said, there are nearly as many labels as varieties of cigar, but they do seem to fall into general families with a few outliers.

Jura is cheap for a single malt, but the iodine quality and vaguely saline finish takes some getting used to.

Bowmore I'd call a safe "middle of the way" for peaty Islay malts (and you can sometimes find their small batch bourbon cask in your price range).

Talisker is one of my faves and ergo deserves a mention.

Glengoyne 10 year old is sometimes in this bracket (I was told supply has been sporadic over the last few years, some sort of distillery calamity)and is an odd one. It's light, pleasant and easy to taste.

Glenmorangie is sweeter and syrupy compared to all the previous and small bottles are definitely out there.

Glenlivet isn't too bad, though I don't rate Glenfiddich, it seems too sweet. But I recognise that's a personal opinion.

Auchentoshan A (for American Oak) is one I've not seen mentioned yet and might be worth a go...

Recently Johnny Walker Black label seems to have been in sale, as a blend, it's very decent. It really benefits from a good nose before any sipping. I also don't see much wrong with famous grouse (though some do), it's a 3-way blend of Highland Park, Macallan and another I can't remember, so hardly rubbish ingredients. Please correct if I've imagined reading that

Forgive my prattling on, I guess I'd say try nearly everything you can and eventually something awesome will crop up, or not. I hope this hasnt come across as patronising...I'm just enthused this afternoon!


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I've seen attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion...

[Paulie2876]

Enjoying this thread, rum is something I have never tried, but I will in the near future

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