What whisky for a beginner

[El Catador]

You say your experiences with whisky haven't gone well so far. What did you try and what didn't you like about it?
I would never drink it with ice personally, maybe some water with the sweeter ones.

As always, the 'voice of reason' has spoken.
Excellent questions and a good tip.
Bravo 'Brother Dave'.


Jock and a Englishman were flying from Edinburgh when the stewardess approached. "May I get you something?" she asked. "Aye, a whusky" Jock replied.
She poured him a drink then asked the Englishman if he'd like one. "Never!" he said sternly. "I'd rather be raped and ravished by whores all the way to America than drink whisky!"
Jock hurriedly passed the drink back, saying "Och, Ah didna ken there wuz a choice!"

oops. . . sorry.

[bambini]

You say your experiences with whisky haven't gone well so far. What did you try and what didn't you like about it?

Well, I must say it's been a few years since i last tried a whisky, and it may just have been a case of not liking spirits at that time and not being able to handle the strength. I think though, that it was the fact that the ones I tried burnt the back of my throat something chronic (but as I say, I would probably be fine with that nowadays).

I also seem to recall that I found them too bitter. Unlike brandy, which has a sweeter taste and is more tangy, my memory of whisky was of sheer bitterness and heaviness.

I couldn't tell you what I had though.

[daverave999]

Jura is probably a good suggestion then, thought you may find that you can force anything down after a while.
The idea of adding water is to dilute it to about 30% strength so the alcohol doesn't overpower the flavour. I take that to be about a third to a half of the amount of whisky you have. [EDIT-Though it's rare that I bother.]
You may find this superb malt whisky map helpful, and a quick glance over the regions will make more sense as each area has a characteristic style. I believe single malt means it come from one distillery.

[Soulmanure]

I'm going to give a word for bourbon--I drink it often, and if you can get a bottle, Woodford Reserve is a fantastic accompaniment to a strong smoke.

[Pandyboy]

If you spell it whiskey it's Irish. Meaning the water of life. Whisky is used for Scotch. They use different ways to prepare the grain. In Irish it is ventilated so you get a more creamy flavour. In Scotch it is not ventilated and has a more smokey flavour.

If you like Brandy Sainsburys do a very good tase the difference xo cru that jpmoore from the forum recommends.

Enjoy tasting.

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[richgirling]

If you're not used to whisky approach the Islays with caution.

I strongly agree with that satch.

I would recommend Highland Park for a beginner, nice deep peat flavours but not over powering.

[linfield100]

Don't bother with the blended one's you can get in most shops. Bell's springs to mind. Bloody awful stuff.
Deanston from Marks & Sparks is a very pleasant malt (One of my favourites). Smokey, Peaty and very smooth. Enjoyed neat with a D4 or RASS is heaven for me.

[senor_robusto]

hello again bambini,
irish 'whiskey' and scotch 'whisky' are 2 different beasts!!! most scotch whisky i've tried is smokey and peaty tasting, not recommended to drink neat or 'on the rocks'!!!! irish whisky, on the other hand, has, IMO, a more refined, smoother taste that can be enjoyed neat!!!! bushmills, jamesons and tullymore dew are my preffered tipple!!! irish 'honey whiskey liqueurs', such as irish mist and glayva are great to pair up with a nice cigar (probably due to the sweetness)!

now, i'm also quite partial to scotch whisky, such as jura, glenfiddich, glenmorangie etc, and drambuie (a scotch honey whisky) is a great wee drink to have with a cigar!!! when i was a student, i drunk bells and teachers, but took a real sickener after a particularly heavy binge........

as for bourbon, mmmmmm!!! i do like the odd wild turkey, jack daniels (original, single barrell and gentleman jack) and jim beam black label......

as for how to take it, most folk here in belfast who 'enjoy' a good whiskey will only 'introduce it to water' just to take the edge of it!!! avoid adding coke or any other mixers, and ice with whiskey is definitely a faux pas....

other than that, i would definitely agree with a couple of minitures before diving into a full bottle!!!! saying that, that's like giving someone a puff of a good cuban and passing it off as a total experience!!!!!! lol!!!!

whatever you choose, take it easy with it, sip over it (don't act the cowboy and fire them into you, lol) and relax!!!! pair it with a good cigar and enjoy the experience!!!! enjoy......

alex

[bambini]

I'm getting a few recommendations for Jamesons or Bushmills as a starting point, so I think I'll start there. Oh, and Payyboy, thanks for the heads up on the Sainsbury's TTD brandy. I'll be sure to check it out.

Thanks y'all. I'll let you know how I get on!

[MarkSDMF]

I think that after you have tried the Jamesons, I would suggest you try Jura, without a doubt. Im sure you will enjoy it.

Wee tip here when you are drinking it. Take literally a sip and let it sit below your tongue behind your back teeth for a second before a little swirl whirl with some air and then down the hatch. Enjoy it, dont see it as something that people do when they smoke a stick. Please... lol.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Can't go far wrong with Jameson's/Bushmill's, though there's no denying their lack of complexity when compared to a Scotch (don't get me wrong though, there's some cracking Irish whiskey). Definitely add a couple of ice cubes or a dash of water. Scotch I'd recommend (wholeheartedly), though stay away from the stronger flavoured ones as a beginner (so no heavily peated and super smokey Islays! - much as I love -em). The Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or is an exceptionally smooth (if slightly expensive) range, well worth a try. Otherwise, the bargain of the year, as far as I'm concerned is a bottle of 18 year old Tamdhu for under ?32... very smooth an buttery, great flavours, nice finish and good price tag.

(Aplogiles for any typos, just been to a cracking reception for Battle of Britain; so good, in fact, that I was able to avoid any digs at the RAF...)

[MarkSDMF]

Actually i think the Glenmorangie is a great shout

[Pandyboy]

My favourite mixer with scotch or irish is canada dry. Try it, makes a nice refreshing drink.

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[bambini]

Jura seems to be cropping up a lot, so I'll add it to my shopping list! Well aren't you a helpful bunch?

[seanbeer]

i keep going back to macallan 18 and Laphorig 10. They have now beoame my house malts. but no guests so far has ever liked the Islay malt. I also like JW black/red labels.

I started off with famous grouse and glenfiddich 10, they are both very easy going.

the trick is to add a dash of water if you find it too strong neat.