What whisky for a beginner

[daverave999]

Nice one Styler! I have to admit right from the very start the Islay malts have been what interested me, so they are still worthwhile trying for those new to whisky.

[Styler]

Nice one Styler! I have to admit right from the very start the Islay malts have been what interested me, so they are still worthwhile trying for those new to whisky.

I was exactly the same! I think we're maybe in the minority though as I know of a lot of people who has been put off of whisky because they tried something like Ardbeg first. Maybe cigar smokers already have well trained palates!

[Simon-JG-hr]

I'm in that boat too. Perhaps we could start a club...

[bambini]

I was given a bottle of Bowmore Legend for my birthday recently. Haven't tried it yet, I'm waiting for my single malt buddy to come round so we can have a go together.

Anyone had Bowmore before?

[Styler]

Yeah, there's certainly nothing wrong with Bowmore. It's got a reasonable amount of peat but not that strong in Islay standards. It's quite easy drinking for an Islay malt, which is always dangerous

[peanutpete]

good post styler good info

[Gordonbcb]

Firstly Irish Whiskey and Scottish Whisky really warrant separate threads........................................... .....

Excellent informative post Styler. Well done mate.

And just to add my tuppence worth, I've recently been enjoying Balvennie when indulging in a Montecristo. Seems to me they make a great pair.

[Seriesteve]

I was given a bottle of Bowmore Legend for my birthday recently. Haven't tried it yet, I'm waiting for my single malt buddy to come round so we can have a go together.

Anyone had Bowmore before?

A couple of bottles down here, very nice quite sweet smooth
Not too west coast, if you don't like it I'll do you a swap
Ss

[mackem keith]

Aye Aye Styler
No doubt a few of these will be making their way across my Lips tonight. As per norm on a wednesday
Have you tried the Glen Dronach 15 yr old Revival yet ? It's a beauty with a Cigar
Ss
"Aye coontin the Minutes"

i'll second that steve a cracking tipple, assuming thats one we traded a while back, definately worthy of a purchase

[spooner]

Wow styler what a great post very informative I love a scotch after mackemkeith got me into it with an auchentoshan which I have to say is my go to malt, however I have tried a lot of others thanks to Keith currently I'm enjoying a dalmore , and with Christmas coming up I hope to have a few stocking fillers. But I'll definatly be using your post and knowledge for some parings....

[captain duff]

Some really good ideas here. My general view would be that if someone likes brandy, but in the past has found the standard and cheaper scottish grain whiskys to be harsh (and they can be), then either try bourbon (very sweet in general terms) or Irish whiskey (I see it as midway between bourbon and scotch). An Irish malt would be great, or a blended Irish like Black Bush should be tried (sweet, malty, no harshness). And of course, as has been said, scottish malts vary greatly (hence them being so good). A good starting point is actually a blended malt such as Johnny Walker Black Label (and don't be put off by ot not being a single malt - it is still a class product). When it comes to single malts I have very varied tastes, but always come back to Talisker

[bambini]

Any chance we can put Styler's post on the wiki? It's getting a lot of love in this thread, and it's really given me a clear idea of what I should be trying and what to expect.

[gt3911]

I have little experience with Whisky, but I do enjoy it.

Last night I finished off a bottle of Glenfiddich 12yr, which I enjoyed. I had to nip into Asda today and thought I best get another bottle in - I was initially wanting to go for something Irish, then a box of Jura was calling my name, I was slightly worried as I only skimmed through this thread, I couldn't be sure if this was discussed as a good whisky or wasn't recommend! I gave in and bought it and happily discovered the name was familiar for all the right reasons.

Looking forward to it