Macallan

[jimmy_g32]

I agree completely about trying Laphroaig before you splash out on a bottle...that said, I love the stuff. Try and go for some of the Quarter Cask, if you can get it.

As far as Ardbeg is concerned, I have a particular soft-spot for Uigeadail (which I can't pronounce).

On another note - I've spent hours reading these forums today: really pleased to have found them!

[Simon-JG-hr]

Welcome aboard Jimmy! Head over to the Newbie Greets forums and say hello!

[deltawhisky]

Jimmy, quarter cask is definitely some good stuff. I would agree with whisky77, do try some laph. in a pub or bar beforehand, because I have indeed heard from some of my friends that it is a bit too heavy for their taste. Quarter cask offers a deeper note than the usual stuff, it made a wonderful new years drink last winter.

[larrysputnik]

Macallan

This is my favorite scotch to pair with cigars. I have only ever been able to afford the 12 year so that's all I've tasted. I drink it on the rocks and a splash of water. Another good one to try is the Johnnie Walker Gold label, which goes well with cigars especially since it has a smokey taste to it. This is a blended whiskey, unlike the single malt Macallan. I also enjoyed a Dalwhinnie (spelling?) 18 year old scotch that was absolutely fantastic.

There is a whole culture to single malt scotch that is very much like the cigar culture. It is something I am easing into as well. Good to see the forum expand to include this as well.

[daverave999]

As someone mentioned Ardbeg 10-yr Old here, a friend bought a bottle yesterday for the barbecue. I'm very much a convert! I will be buying a bottle of this.
When I first smelt it I thought "Christ, how can people drink this?" but after a few minutes it was slipping down very easily. I managed well over a third of the bottle myself, and I must say it was a disappointment to move onto Woodford Reserve when we'd finished it!

[celsis]

This is my favorite scotch to pair with cigars. I have only ever been able to afford the 12 year so that's all I've tasted. I drink it on the rocks and a splash of water. Another good one to try is the Johnnie Walker Gold label, which goes well with cigars especially since it has a smokey taste to it. This is a blended whiskey, unlike the single malt Macallan. I also enjoyed a Dalwhinnie (spelling?) 18 year old scotch that was absolutely fantastic.

There is a whole culture to single malt scotch that is very much like the cigar culture. It is something I am easing into as well. Good to see the forum expand to include this as well.

You're right in that the Malt culture is very akin to the cigar culture. In fact the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (http://www.smws.co.uk/) have been known to have cigars and malts nights!

Malts are like cigars. Your tastes can change but only for the better! Enjoy!

[whisky77]

JW Blue label

This is my favorite scotch to pair with cigars. I have only ever been able to afford the 12 year so that's all I've tasted. I drink it on the rocks and a splash of water. Another good one to try is the Johnnie Walker Gold label, which goes well with cigars especially since it has a smokey taste to it. This is a blended whiskey, unlike the single malt Macallan. I also enjoyed a Dalwhinnie (spelling?) 18 year old scotch that was absolutely fantastic.

There is a whole culture to single malt scotch that is very much like the cigar culture. It is something I am easing into as well. Good to see the forum expand to include this as well.

Agree with you on the Gold Label larry, but then again I am from Kilmarnock, where they make the stuff.

If you ever get the opportunity then go for the JW Blue label.Expensive stuff, but absolutely gorgeous to taste.It is like liquid silk, and some of the malts in that blend can be 60 years old.Nothing else like it IMO.

I have a bottle which I am saving fore something very special indeed.

[Major_Tom]

Ah I step away from the forums for a month and suddenly a discussion on my favourite malt comes along.

I'm a great fan of the Macallan Sherry Cask but the Fine Oak is not so good. So for folks looking to tast this stay away from the silver boxes and go for the bronze! Its everything I'd want from a speyside malt - caramel, sweet muesli, burnt toffee and sometimes a touch of sherbert. The smell when you first open a full bottle is fantastic!

And the best thing is you dont need to trek to a special store to get it - I get mine from Tesco.

[deltawhisky]

Sounds good, the Macallan. I'll try a drop of that next time I'm out.

[Ramon]

The Aberlour whisky range is also something worth trying. The 10yr old is very accessible, but if you want to splash out a bit, try the 16 or 18yr old.

A few others worth trying are the Longmorn 16yr, Cardhu 12yr and the Oban 14yr, all very nice.

For something special, try the Mortlach 16yr old, very smooth.

A couple of useful sites about the Mortlach, http://www.awa.dk/whisky/mortlach/ and http://www.maltmadness.com/whisky/mortlach.html

[daverave999]

I tried The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old last night. Quite pleasant but then I don't really know what's good or not yet. Needed a drop of water as the alcohol was a bit overpowering.

[whisky77]

15

I tried The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old last night. Quite pleasant but then I don't really know what's good or not yet. Needed a drop of water as the alcohol was a bit overpowering.

Try the 15yo if you get the chance Dave, it`s in another league alltogether.

[celsis]

Nearly had a domestic incident last night as my wife, out of the goodness of her heart, made me a whisky coffee but used my cask strength Ledaig to do it! There's a half bottle of Grouse for whisky coffee but she used the 59%, ?80 a bottle stuff!

[misterbulgarin]

nothin lika goood cooopa coffeehh

[Simon-JG-hr]

Celsis, one presumes that you used the incident as a good opportunity to educate the fine lady?

Quite pleasant but then I don't really know what's good or not yet.

Simple way of working it out Dave: what you like = good, what you don't like = not good...