Whisky

[ASC1951]

the penderyn stuff is stunningly good. the GrandSlam special was brilliantly smooth.

I pedalled past that a couple of months ago, on my way to visit the ancestral home in Aberdare. It looked like one of those sheds flogging sheepskins imported from Turkey, so I assumed the whisky would be a mediocre novelty product for the tourists. I see I was wrong.

There again, I would expect Grand Slam to be brilliantly smooth at £42.99 a bottle.

 

[byegad]

Fixed that for you



They don't. More often than not they improve it.

You are drinking the wrong whisky!

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Tastes worse than meths.

That's a rather worrying admission that you know this fact.

Alan...

 

[jayonabike]

I love a good whisky, also a good whiskey. I've just finished off a bottle of Glenfarclas 15. I have a bottle of Glenfarclas 25 also, a very sweet whisky. Balvenie is another favourite of mine, the Signature 12, doublewood 12, & caribbean cask are my favourites. I got a bottle of their limited release Tun1401 batch 5 for my birthday and that is gorgeous stuff. Glenlivet & Jura are often found on my whisky shelf also. The Jura 16 is lovely on a cold winters night. Aberlour Abunadh or their 16 year are also good.
I also love a bourbon, thee are some great ones out there. Wild Turkey 101proof is good, along with Eagle rare 10 which doesn't last long in my house. My favourite(s) though are FEW bourbon whiskey, from a small artisan whisky distillers, and Four Roses single barrel. Rye whiskey is also worth a try, it is very spicy. Wild Turkey, and FEW make a good rye and I've asked for a bottle of Thomas H Handy Sazerac rye whiskey for Christmas.

 

[Cycleops]

The Indian whisky is excellent. I was given a bottle of Amrut a couple of years ago and in a blind taste test of various well-respected malts among friends it came second. It's a belter. Also worth trying is the Welsh malt Penderyn.


GC

We get a lot of Indian whisky here and I have to say that I would only use it to clean my bottom bracket out.

 

[pawl]

famous grouse for me

And me.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

http://www.themacallan.com/home.aspx

 

[Cycleops]

I have a soft spot for Highland Park. I had a dram to celebrate the completion of my LEJOG ride.

Have to agree with you on Highland Park. Glenmorangie is also very paletable.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Highland Park is my choice too.

I hate the people who offer you one then try to adulterate it with water, lemonade, ice or some other pollutant. The big whisky makers spend hours getting the balance of water and distillate just right. Why do people spoil it?

hmmm. if you speak to an expert or go to a reputable whisky tasting there will ALWAYS be water offered to add, ideally from the same source as the whisk(e)y - (e) lets not exclude the Irish - some very lovely stuff comes from near Coleraine in particular.

Next time you pour yourself one, just add a drop of water and watch the surface as you do so, that wormy, oily look that you will monentarily see is the Esters being released giving the true full flavour of the drink and letting you in on the smell and taste and feel that the distiller intended.

If people offer you anything other than water though - you are legally entitled to kill them with fire. (well you would be if if I was global uberlord)

 

[ACS]

Macallan - Speyside

Springbank - West coast

Laphroaig - Small Islands

 

[riggsbie]

Hmmm.....single malts......now where to start.......

Avoid Mackmyra, it gets a decent rating but its a real head shaker, bloody awful !

The same can be said for a few others with decent ratings, clearly good bribes were delivered with some samples ;-)

The 21 year Highland Park is especially nice, Lagavullin is one of my favourites and also try Glenfarcas 21......

I have over 40 single malts and have tried a lot but there are still so many to try and they are all so different.....

 

[Peteaud]

hmmm. if you speak to an expert or go to a reputable whisky tasting there will ALWAYS be water offered to add, ideally from the same source as the whisk(e)y -

So if i buy a bottle from Tesco, do i have to add Tesco water? Can it be Tesco Value water?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Anyone else partial to a tipple? I've recently found a taste for it and currently enjoying a wee dram of highland park 12. Little sweet and quite smoky

DJ

If you like Highland Park (good choice), give Craggenmore, Talisker & Oban a go. they are quite similar and particular favourites of mine

Softer more fruity and floral ones are the regular supermarket staples Glenmorangie & Glenfiddich or if you fancy a challenge to find - seek out a Bladnoch or Cardhu. Stepping up to a more porent and medicinal taste, Glenkinchie, Dalwhinnie, and the most wonderful Islay lot (apart from Laphroaig - gah), Bowmore and Bruichladdich are good intros to the peatier side, making your way up to Lagavulin.

I've tried to keep the list short and mainly to the ones that you'll find readily but go and explore the more esoteric shops and specialists, have a chat and if you're lucky a taste. You would do well to either find a good nearby whisky pub and a good taxi firm to pour you out at home afterwards or invest in miniatures first to see which ones you like and don't. Geographic closeness is absolutely no guarantor of similar taste or feel.

There are also some nice drinkers amongst the blends too, Teachers is one that you can knock back for fun, the low end Johnny Walkers and Famous Grouse, although their gimmicky stuff - e.g. the snow grouse is one for novelty value only not regular purchase for me, but for the love of your palate and taste buds avoid Bells, it is p**s.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

So if i buy a bottle from Tesco, do i have to add Tesco water? Can it be Tesco Value water?

best if you can stick to Highland Spring

 

[jayonabike]

I always add a drop or two of water to my whisky, I find it opens the flavours right up