Scotch Lovers's topics - tribe.net

Local Scotch Tasting Party

JJ — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:57:26 GMT

Hey Fellow Scotch Lovers! I'm ready to start a local Scotch Tasting Club, where we all meet and share a bottle of our favorite Scotches. I've done this many times and have found it to be a great, and inexpensive, way to taste some really great Scotches without breaking my budget! I've tasted the best of the best at some of these parties! I'm located in the SF Bay, but starting up a club in your area might be fun as well. Please write me if you're interested. Here's to fine tasting...

posted in Scotch Lovers - 11 replies

Gluten

wasswasswass — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:40:11 GMT

Does Scotch and other whiskeys have any gluten in them?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 3 replies

RedBreast

Cliff — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:55:22 GMT

Proved to be such a nice surprise. I didn''t think it was going to be as nice as it is.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Johnnie Walker Blue question...

Chad — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 17:04:30 GMT

Ok, please be nice to me even though I'm posting about a blended scotch.

My main question is this: is JW Blue mostly a blend of Islay's?

Reason for asking: My scotch progression started with JW blends...Black to Red in the interest of saving money...Red to Black in the interest of saving taste buds, then to Gold and finally a single $28 shot of Blue. At this point, I bailed on JW and blends all together for the superior single-malt...which had a progression of Upper Highlands, Lower, Speyside, Islay...where I have stayed firmly planted. Now, since my tastes weren't adapted to it at the time...I wasn't impressed with JW Blue. But recently I was told that Blue is a blend if Islays, which caused my ears to perk a bit. Unfortunately, I don't wanna plop another $28 on a single shot of disappointment.

So...back to the main question...is it a blend of Islays and is it worth it?

thx,
Chad

posted in Scotch Lovers - 28 replies

Nihon

wasswasswass — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:33:59 GMT

Went there last week. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. Maybe that is because someone else picked up the check.

I had Bowmore Dusk, Bowmore 25, Caol Ila 27. Dusk was my favorite. But might have to try them again just to be sure, ;)

tried Airigh Nam Biest, Ichmurrin 16 (great smell, no taste) and Hedonism (disgusting, tasted like Malibu Rum. Whoever makes that stuff should be shot).

Went back on Friday but way over crowded and saw a bunch of wankers with mixed drinks. Weekday seems like a better bet.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

Auchentoshan 1962

Chris — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:23:59 GMT

Bottle Number is 039/112
Bottled Date: 16/10/2003
Date Distilled: 12/09/1962

The oldest Lowland ever released, this is a cask strength, single cask bottling limited to only 112 bottles in the world.

Limited edition vintage malt whisky from Glasgow’s distillery, Auchentoshan, designed to reflect Glasgow as it is now – stylish, cosmopolitan, and very individual. This fine whisky is the oldest and most expensive lowland malt ever.

Distillers Tasting Notes
Burnished copper in colour, the body is light to medium. Wonderful complexity on the nose with honey, lemon, orange peel and creamy vanilla, with light almond and leafy notes. The palate is awash with crushed vanilla and zesty fruitiness, overlaid with a light raisin flavor. The finish is light and mild with a satisfying creaminess complimented by a light, mild fruitiness, with just a hint of almond.

The bottle is unopened and will come with original packaging. If you have any questions at all about this item, please feel free to email me at Chris-Arponen@shaw.ca I would be more then happy to answer any questions you may have

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

Prince Charles Water

wasswasswass — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:48:26 GMT

Just got a bottle of Lagavulin 16 year distillers Edition and Highland Park 12. Also a couple bottles of water from Prince Charles private spring, Duchy water. Tried it at a whisky shop during a tasting in Berlin. Good stuff. Great shop on Sophienstrasse. Biggest selection of whiskey I have seen anywhere. Lots of Bourbons too.

During the tasting tried Isle of Jura, Bowmore 16 Port finish, Lagavulin, Highland Park, and a Balvenie forget which one.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 5 replies

Gulp or Sip ???

Bloke72 — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:10:43 GMT

I send to try a scotch by both first sipping it and then by taking a big slug of it.. I think they give you a different experience both ways...

Are you a gulper or as sipper ?

Are there some scotchs that are better sipped ?
Are there others you like to take a big slug of ?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 20 replies

81 year old Scotch

élan — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:04:47 GMT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071209/ap_on_fe_st/odd_whisky_auction_2

NEW YORK - A bottle of 81-year-old Scotch sold for $54,000 at this New York's first liquor auction since Prohibition.

ADVERTISEMENT

An anonymous collector bought the pricey potable at Christie's sale of wines and spirits on Saturday.

The 100-lot auction sold a total of $304,800 worth of rare wine and liquor. The top lot was a collection of 729 bottles of whisky, which went for $102,000.

The $54,000 bottle was distilled at Macallan in Scotland in 1926, bottled in 1986 and rebottled in 2002.

Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933, but New York State did not allow auctions of spirits until this year.

The auction prices include Christie's 20 percent commission

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

On the VERY top shelf....

Bloke72 — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:59:45 GMT

I was just looking at forbes..

Last year, a bottle of Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1937 (one of only 61 the cask yielded) fetched a jaw-dropping $20,000 at auction in New York. "

YIKES !

BUT WAIT ! There is more..
"Macallan Fine & Rare, 1926
$38,000 MSRP when released

The oldest and most sought-after of Macallan's revolutionary Fine & Rare Collection is sold out. But for a mere $3,300 a dram, you can experience this unique Scotch whisky at the Old Homestead Steakhouse in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N"
Source http://www.forbes.com/2007/06/01/whisky-expensive-bottle-forbeslife-cx_pl_0601whisky_slide_2.html

But the I read
"Most decent scotches run around $40 for 750ml, but if you're willing to dig a little deeper, consider Chivas Regal's 21-Year-Old Royal Salute. A combination of fine and rare malt and grain whiskies, the flavor in this $180 bottle is strong and spicy, with a long finish. "

Royal Salute? Had it. NOT worth the money...

Check out the expensive ones at http://www.forbes.com/2007/06/01/whisky-expensive-bottle-forbeslife-cx_pl_0601whisky_slide_2.html

The cheap ones are here http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2007/08/08/scotch-luxe-whisky-forbeslife-cx_ls_0809whisky_slide_2.html

Most of the cheap ones i have not seen....
I have had the "Balvenie DoubleWood Single-Malt Scotch Whisky, 12-Year-Old ' It is nice - but not my favourtie. It is about $60-$70 AUD here,,
The Chivas Regal Royal Salute, 21-Year-Old also makes another appearance there.. As It said - not worth the money. I felt like I paid for the bottle.... I got it duty free and went halves – but here in Melbourne it is about $300 AUD. I would have felt VERY ripped off if I had paid that sort of money..

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

80 year old bottle

brock — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:53:13 GMT

peter dawson with the foil and tax label still on...its a gift for my cuz who will surely drink it...my question is...the seal is broken and it is evaporating...i won't bbe able to give it to him for a while...
do you think i should leave it be? or crack it and seal it?
i realize its more valuable as a salable item w' the taz sticker but i'm more concerned w' quality and evap

posted in Scotch Lovers - 14 replies

Glenmorangie Port Aged

Glen — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 03:25:32 GMT

Any of the liquor stores near me have it for $48 Trader Joes $32.
I happen to love it

Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish

This whisky has been matured in American white oak casks before being ‘finished’ in a specially selected port pipe. With its deep, rich texture and long aftertaste, it’s perfect for topping off a good meal.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

Trader Joe's Brand single malts??

museika — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:57:33 GMT

I saw them yesterday. Does anyone know the specifics of what exactly is bottled? I saw an18 year old MacCallan ( &18 year old Bowmore) for $45. Anyone know if the MacCallan is really the same 18 y/o stuff that you would pay over a hundred bucks for in their standard packaging? Or is it from the same distillery, but a different type of batch? I'm super curious as to what the deal is since it kinda seems too good to be true.... so I'm wondering what he rub is.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 7 replies

Oban

techknow — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 19:52:23 GMT

I love the Oban 14 year, but it is getting pretty scarce around my area. Anyone have any suggestions for a similar malt? I like the amount of smoke that Oban has, not too much, but you can definitely tell that it is peated.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

good scotch in washington state?

Adam — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:11:06 GMT

With our oppresssive liquor control system here... does anyone know of a WSLCB store that has decent scotch?

seattle area... i'm new to scotch (recently really enjoyed my first glass of Glen Grant) and am looking for a place to shop

thanks

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Cheap & good?

squidcorp — Sun, 29 Aug 2004 23:21:30 GMT

Is there a reasonably good single malt that I can afford to try? Say around $30?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 27 replies

Caol Ila

wasswasswass — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:58:22 GMT

good stuff!

posted in Scotch Lovers - 32 replies

I'll Trade you !

Bloke72 — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:18:26 GMT

There is an idea of Trading Scotch.

Register your interest and city here and see if you can hook up with other scotch traders in your city...

The idea was born here...

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

Bowmore 25 Year

Daniel — Thu, 25 Mar 2004 01:58:41 GMT

I have a chance to get a bottle of this for cheap (80 dollars) how is it and is it worh the money that I might pay for it? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

posted in Scotch Lovers - 3 replies

Time for a new one

Geoff — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:43:04 GMT

I have a small but eclectic single malt collection. I have decided that it's time to open a new bottle, and can not decide which.

- Ardbeg Uigeadail
- G&Mac Caol Ila 1988 (17 yr)
- Tobermory 10yr
- Glen Grant Cask Strength 14yr

This isn't bragging - if I had a hundred to choose from, that would be bragging. :-) I'm just looking to start a conversation.

Though I prefer Islay malts to Speyside (and have never tried the Tobermory) not opening that cask str. will be difficult.

Thoughts?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 13 replies

Rye?

GothicJames — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:23:49 GMT

Anyone like it? Tried Old Overholt recently and it is gooood. Much liking rye.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 1 reply

Glenfiddich Solera Reserve (15yrs)

flashgirl — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:43:02 GMT

Anyone try it? It's on sale at the WASLCB--says something about three types of casks--and sherry overtones---worth $35?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 13 replies

Late barrel aging anyone? Anyone?

timbo — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:57:53 GMT

So, due to the recent discussion about old scotches, I began wondering what would happen if one took a not so good scotch and placed it in the appropriate barrel/cask/wood keg for further aging? Anyone tried that? I suspect that it might work and allow one to actually hone a bad scotch into a passable one...if one were patient enough that is. Certainly seems possible...

posted in Scotch Lovers - 1 reply

Band of Brothers

GothicJames — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:10:24 GMT

Anyone watch "Band of Brothers"? Remember that scotch that Lewis Nixon was always drinking, Vat 69? It really does exist. Had it at the Lufthansa first class terminal last week. Not bad. Prefer 21 y.o. Glenfiddich. ;-> Still, seeing it through me for a loop b/c I'd never heard of it.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

Johnnie Walker Gold Label

Pagan Wilde — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 01:30:57 GMT

I have usually preferred Single Malts, but this may be the best, most yummy, scotch I've had. And it's a blend.

Hi! My name is Pagan. I really like scotch. I love the whole fetishistic nature of tasting, reading reviews or the labels, the aesthetics of bottle design and the rest of the packaging. There are so many different things to savor.

Does anyone else have the Gold Label as their current favorite?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 14 replies

Largest selection of Scotch?

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:49:17 GMT

I don't know the name of the place but a client was telling me the other day that there is a sushi bar at the end of the block from Rainbow Grocery on Folsom that has the largest selection of scotch in San Francisco. Anyone confirm or deny this?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

LA's shrine to whiskey culture is now open

yinyangdi — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:44:38 GMT

Actually, it's just the soft opening right now; official grand opening is on May 10th.

SEVEN GRAND is on the second floor of the old Brock's Jewelry/ Clifton's Silver Spoon Cafeteria building on Seventh Street; just look for the neon stag’s head btwn Grand & Olive.

There are over 100 whiskeys on the menu (bourbon, Scotch, and Irish, Canadian and Japanese whiskeys) "ranging from $5 - $120 a shot" along with approx. 12 beers on tap. No food yet, but there are a few places that will deliver or that are within walking distance for chow before/after the lovely amber elixirs.

I've been to Seven Grand twice in the last two weeks and like the ambiance a lot; the room is gorgeous and sexy (even with all of the taxidermy mounts), the bartenders are knowledgeable and attentive, and the bar … 'tis beauteous.

psst: and speaking of taxidermy, check out the fantastic diorama throughout and especially in the ladies' loo!

Seven Grand
515 W. Seventh Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 614-0737
http://www.sevengrand.la/
M-F 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. (closed on Sundays?)

for more detailed info check out:
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2007/04/16/entertainment/entertainment05.txt

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Irish single malt: a couple questions

aharondrum — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 22:35:14 GMT

I have been tasting a couple of the Irish single malts (Knappogue castle and Tyrconnell); much lighter than most Scotch whiskies, I find. In any case, does anyone know some of the basic differences in the distilling and aging processes between Irish and Scotch single malts. The Knappogue says on its label that the whiskey is distilled and then aged for nearly a decade (bottled in 2005), but it doesn't advertise its aging on the front label. Instead it lists 1994 as a vintage, as wines do. The Tyrconnell says nothing at all about aging the whiskey. The Tyrconnell also is a fuller body, spicier and peatier than the Knappogue. Anyone have some recommendations for comparing?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

Black Scotch

wasswasswass — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 06:15:01 GMT

Met someone recently who was talking about black scotch.

Anyone know anything about it?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 15 replies

What makes a good scotch?

Paul — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 20:38:03 GMT

I'm a scotch novice - I like it, but I have a hard time defining what I like about it as distinguished from other whiskies. Just saying "I like it" is true enough, but somehow intellectually unsatisfying. So I have two question, the answers to which I'm hoping will help give me a framework for my own "scotch experience."

What do you all find are the distinguishing qualities that appeal to you in scotch above other liquors?

And how do you personally distinguish a good scotch from a really great one? Or put another way, what are your favorite qualities in a given scotch as compared to others?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 28 replies

New find, For Me!

Brian — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 03:49:47 GMT

Hey group, New guy here, sort of. I brought back some scotch from the UK last year, under the impression that is was not a
mass produced line. When I got back to the US I tasted my new bottle of Jon,marc,and robbo, the smokey one. I really liked
it, maybe not as complex as talisker, but pretty darn good. I paid 42lbs in the UK, I found it hear in DFW for $24.00.
It's not a bad back up.

The other (I'm sure not new to this group) is Johny walker Green, A blend as I understand is a single malt blended with grain alc and
other singles. Johnny green is a blend of single malts without the added grain alc. Not to bad.

The Smokey One
Brian

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Venetian

patti — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:39:15 GMT

My slightly-paraphrased conversation with a cocktail waitress at the Venetian last weekend:

"What kind of singlemalt scotch do you have?"

"I'm not sure. Name some."

"Lagavulin?" She shook her head. "Laphroaig?" Nope. "Caol Ila? Bowmore?"

I'd struck out, and I feared that if I left it in her hands, I'd get some blend.

"OK. Bring me anything that starts with Glen. Glenfarclas. Glenlivet. Glen-anything."

posted in Scotch Lovers - 9 replies

Duty Free

gotbeats — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 22:41:53 GMT

My friend is going to England for business trip. I asked her to pick up some scotch for me. Is it cheaper there to buy scotch compared to here? Thanks!

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

Glen Moray 30

GothicJames — Thu, 25 May 2006 23:11:02 GMT

Anyone had Glen Moray 30? Gift from a boss. Wondering whether I should drink it or just save it for display.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 5 replies

easing into the Islays?

http://www.myspace.com/burningrhino — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 03:40:41 GMT

I'm new to the world of single malts. Recently stolen from premium Tequilas. I find it easy to love the highlands but the Island singles hit me like a ton of bricks. However, I would like very much to aquire a taste for these wonderfully aromatic spirits. Anybody got ideas about a good progression to help me ease into the Island single malts? I have tried Lagavulin and a little Laphroig.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 24 replies

Whiskies of the World?

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 21:04:13 GMT

I was just talking to a friend of mine who goes to Whiskies of the World every March and it seems like they have a lot of Scotch's as well. Anyone here gone?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 5 replies

Cragganmore 12 - Speyside

zigo — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:30:18 GMT

Im currently working through a bottle.

I dont know much scotch-tasting speak. Im wondering if anyone here has tasted it and could point out some adjectives and describers for me to taste into..

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Shall we taste?

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 03:01:12 GMT

Anyone interested in getting together as a group to go out and taste test? I'm sure there's at least a couple of decent scotch bars to choose from here in San Fran. Who's game?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 18 replies

Northbay Tastings?

http://www.myspace.com/burningrhino — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:12:34 GMT

Anyone know of any formal tastings in the Northbay? Santa Rosa. Scotch bars?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Ardbeg

Joe — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 02:38:15 GMT

The best Whisky on this Planet IMHO

posted in Scotch Lovers - 4 replies

miniatures?

kÍ¶ød — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 02:39:04 GMT

i want to have a tasting--just me and a friend--on the cheap. i've been to some local liquor stores (jersey city/hoboken) looking for miniatures and found one highland box collection:
benriach 10 yr
glen keith 10 yr
longmorn 15 yr
strathisla 12 yr

online there seem to be some places in the uk but the shipping charges double the cost of the order when sending to the states. i'm not finding many sites in the states though that have a good variety. i wanted more of a variety than these four...an islay or two...even some more highland samplings...

does anyone know of any online stateside liquor stores with a good variety of single malt miniature bottles? what about any liquor stores in new york city anyone recommend i go to for the same?

thanks

posted in Scotch Lovers - 7 replies

The new Scotch Blog Forum

Kevin — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:42:57 GMT

For those of you familiar with The Scotch Blog, I wanted to let you know I've started a new Scotch Whisky-focused forum called Whisky101 <www.whisky101.com>
The difference? participation by "Resident Experts" who can answer your questions.

The forum just started this week, so help us get it up and running .

For those of you NOT familiar with The Scotch Blog, it's the internet's foremost news and commentary site, with regular participation by Scotch Industry insiders. www.thescotchblog.com

Thanks
-Kevin

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Blended Scotch

Skott — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 19:07:34 GMT

Okay, I know everybody love Single Malt, myself included, but where does everybody stand on blended?
I have glanced through a guide book on Blended Scotch and it author claims to like some blended scotch as well as single malt.
Personally, I have not tried many blended assuming it to be of inferrior quality. So I ask you all, my fellow scotch lovers, where you stand on Blended.

Skott

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

Oban

JaSion — Sat, 28 Feb 2004 06:18:35 GMT

It is my favorite whisky. Anyone else in love with this pure liquid smoke?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 10 replies

Aberlour? O My God this was good

Jaguar — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 06:59:30 GMT

Ok, I am a die hard McCallan Drinker. 12 is the old standby, Love the 18, have a bottle of sherry finished cask strength I've been hoarding and savoring. Anyway, was out the other night and felt like something with a sherry finish, the bartender recommended Aberlour a'bunadh.... O My God this was amazing. Full and rich while with that great sherry finish. This just made my short list. Anyone know anything else about this scotch?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 15 replies

Rusty Nails

Skott — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 05:18:40 GMT

Has anyone heard of Rusty Nails? It is a coctail made with Drambue and scotch. I tend to think of it as a holiday drink and thus have been getting in the mood recently. Do any of you drink this? What sort of scotch do you find works best?

Skott

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

Raw Spirit - Iain Banks

Shawn — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 02:10:04 GMT

Just finished this travelogue/tasting notes/rant and for a scotch lover, it's enjoyable from cover to cover.

For those who aren't familiar with Iain Banks, he's a Scot who alternately writes "regular" and science fiction. He doesn't seem to be well known here the US, but for anyone who likes their fiction (and their scotch) straight-up, he's worth checking out (try Use of Weapons, or Complicity or Whit for starters.)

Oh yes, Macallan Cask Strength is the perfect accompaniment.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

the macallan tastes like caramel

Thu, 03 Mar 2005 20:56:52 GMT

don't ya think?

mmmm, yummy caramel scotch.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 5 replies

Going to Scotland

subject51 — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 01:55:33 GMT

Does anyone know of anything I should try to find there, that we can't get here?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 12 replies

Bloody Joseph?

Eleph- — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 02:24:47 GMT

Anyone try a Bloody Joseph (a Bloody Mary with scotch instead of vodka)?

Pretty good.

-Elephino

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Caol Ali 18 year liter bottles at Heathrow Terminal 3 Duty Free Shoppe!

timbo — Fri, 06 May 2005 17:24:23 GMT

Yes, they're available in the duty free shop on your way back to whereever it was you came frome and I've got mine for...£32! 43%, not cask. That's $60 in dog dollars! Get them while the deal lasts. I tried the 12 year at the free tasting table and, well, they had Ardbeg 12 there too. However, for the steal this is it! Get them while the deal lasts! Note that the 12 year CA was going at somewhere around £24 (probably more like 22 after the 10% off) and I now regret not picking up a bottle of that too; it was younger and more alive in retrospect. Still, I've got my Laphroig to keep me happy in that arena. The 18 year has a bit more prestige and is for less refined pallets than Laphroig anyways. (Let's see if that starts any fights!) When leaving London, you know what to do...

The really good news is that Caol Ali is ramping up for some foreign exporting, according to the woman manning the tasting table. No more wandering around at night in a daze, dreaming of a faraway islay...? The mind wanders...back to the bottle...

--End over enthusiastic tranmission from Rocket X1--

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

1985 bottle of ballantine's finest blended...

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 23:52:25 GMT

my boss has a bottle of ballantine's he received in payment for accounting services back in 1985. he doesn't recall what it was marked at, but he thinks it wasn't cheap, whatever that means. the bottle is shaped like a cuervo 1800 bottle, with the nifty stopper (this one has real cork on it) and everything. it doesn't mention an age, which i think is odd (unless it was kinda crappy or fresh). it does have a tax sticker on it, if that might hold any useful info. anyway, it's another 20 years old now and my god, it is delicious. does anyone know anything about this yummy scotch blend?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 3 replies

Scotlad/Feis Ile 2005

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 18:18:10 GMT

Is anyone in this tribe planning to go to Feis Ile this year?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Tasting notes - Tomintoul 32

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 09:11:54 GMT

Greetings. Not sure if anyone is interested, but here are some tasting notes of an independent bottling of a 1973 Tomintoul 32 year old bottled by D&M wines and Liquors in San Francisco:

Nose: spirity, honey and fruit notes, hints of pepper and pine and wax

Taste: spicy, buttery, creamy notes, hints of leafy sweetness fruits wild flowers

Finish: long, spicy finish

Impressions: Opens up nicely but at 32 years except the softening to occur after about 20 minutes after you pour. At 43% the palate is kind of spirity. It stands up to water well. On the scale of less than 70 being a dram that loudly and embarrassingly shouts "who brought this??!!!" while a 90-plus point whisky is the kind of dram to spurn cults and bizarre religious sects, I'd say this is solidly a low-80 point malt. I wouldn't spit it out but when the bottle is empty I won't wax poetically either. In general the D&M offers have always been solid good drinking malts and this is no exception. Nor is it remarkable...

Similar to: Inchgower, Glenlossie, Glenallchie
Others you might try: Glen Moray

PS: I uploaded some files you might want to look at in conjunction with this review.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 1 reply

Johnny Walker

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 16:52:09 GMT

What is the consensus on Johnny Walker Blue Label?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 8 replies

God I love scotch

theshaman — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:23:23 GMT

it is good

posted in Scotch Lovers - 1 reply

single malt tasting club

Ronar — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 06:23:48 GMT

I'm planning to start a tasting club with a few of my friends. After much thought, my concept is something along the lines of a scotch co-op. Each member would contribute a pre-determined dollar amount, and then someone would go whisky shopping for the event. At the tasting, each member would get his/her proper proportion of each spirit in smaller glass bottles. In other words, if there were five of us, and we bought four bottles, we would each get 150ml of each whisky (four 150ml bottles). That way we could taste whatever we wanted that day, and still have some of each for further tasting at home. This is better than a single sitting for me, as I find that I never get everything that's there on the first tasting. We would take turns shopping and hosting, and even if someone couldn't make an event, they could still get their share and participate in the "homework".

Has anyone tried anything like this? Any thoughts or advice are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks!

posted in Scotch Lovers - 1 reply

Lagavulin supply

BnB — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 04:16:39 GMT

I haven't been out looking for a while, so I don't know the state of Lagavulin availability (was very hard to get a year ago). The good news is that I saw it on the shelf in my local liquor store. The bad news is that it was basically $70.

Is the supply of this still spotty? Are prices stable? Trying to decide if buying a bottle now means I'll have one when the shelves are empty later, or if waiting may yield a better price.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 14 replies

What's your favorite?

patti — Thu, 24 Jul 2003 00:09:16 GMT

What's your favorite Scotch?

Mine is Brora, though in general I'm partial to the stronger Islays. Laphroaig is heavenly.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 80 replies

So what's the deal on the drop of water?

BnB — Thu, 30 Dec 2004 22:17:02 GMT

I've read -- and seen, in the case of the free samples of Scotch you can get at Duty Free in Heathrow (why was it again that we tried to break free from that country?? ;-) ) -- that you're supposed to add a drop of water to neat whisky to open it up.

I also heard an opinion by a bartender to the effect that "you go through all that trouble to take water out, and then you just put some back in!" I usually don't, and I'm sure there are areas with tap water you wouldn't want to use, and I'm not crazy about adding more fancy shmancy water infrastructure to my casual scotch tipple.

Is this simply a matter of opinion and preference? Bogus? Legit?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 7 replies

not in the US

Spike — Sat, 21 Aug 2004 01:38:30 GMT

What have you had elsewhere that you wish you could get here in the US?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

Figmo did

smallgrassygnoll — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 01:28:38 GMT

Figmo let the dogs out.

Oooh ooh ooh.

Figmo let the dogs out...to go buy a wee dram of Drambuie for Figmo.

The dogs have not with it retuened.

Figmo is suspicious now.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Zoinks!!

Timber — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 23:05:28 GMT

So while waiting for my flight from London to Los Angeles, I stopped by a Whisky store smack in the middle of Heathrow airport. It had a huge selction, including some very old labels. Most notably was the 60 year old bottle of Macallan, and it could be yours for the low low price of 22,000 pounds. That's a little over $41,000 to me and my fellow Americans. Hmmmm.....new BMW, old bottle of Scotch?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

New Scotch Fancier Here

Paul — Tue, 22 Jun 2004 21:03:57 GMT

Hi! I'm a very-amateur scotch fancier. I got started with The MacCallan 15-year and I'm interested in branching out. Can anyone recommend resources for learning to appreciate the subtleties of single-malt? I'm thinking of tasting tips, a list of reasonably-priced single-malts to try, things like that?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 13 replies

Ardbeg

too_many_milk — Wed, 10 Mar 2004 15:47:02 GMT

Hi all, just found the tribe and, leafing through the "favourite" topic, I'm bemused by the lack of mentions of Ardbeg in there... so this is to redress the balance, as it's probably my favourite distillery (situated right round the corner from Lagavulin).

Anyone else managed to catch a bottle of this? The common find is a 10 year, but there's also a lovely 17 year, as well as some older ones if you can find them. If you're in the UK, head to Oddbins and see if you can pick up the newish (and exclusive to Oddbins :-/) Uigeadail bottling - cask strength, mmmm.

And no, I have no affiliation with them, at all - but I *do* prefer it to 'Vulin so figure it could do with a bit of promotion ;)

http://ardbeg.realise.com/

posted in Scotch Lovers - 15 replies

Jura

Eleph- — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 07:01:31 GMT

Isle of Jura is pretty cheap stuff.

Are any of theirs good?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

johnnie walker private tasting

simbubba — Wed, 12 May 2004 21:30:49 GMT

I remember reading about the johnnie walker private tastings on another thread, and then TADA! I got spam from johnnie walker inviting me to their private event -- tasting & presentation. They're putting them on in san francisco, LA, and dallas. The san francisco one is mon, tue, wed may 17, 18, 19 (don't know about the others).

One of the pages in the registration process gave me the oppoprtunity to give them other people's emails to have them sent an invitation. So, if you wanna go (or if you just wanna be burdened with johnnie walker spam forevermore ;-), message me with your email off list, and I'll attempt to get you invited to this thing too.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

This is sick

patti — Mon, 26 Apr 2004 01:15:50 GMT

I have a recipe for whiskey roasted potatoes, and decided to make them for dinner tonight.

Clearly, this is not a situation that calls for whispers of raspberry and clover, so I looked at the bottles and grabbed the crappiest one I could find. I'm having 12-year-old-Dalmore roasted potatoes for dinner.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

Pronunciation

hotpunkgirl — Wed, 24 Mar 2004 09:54:15 GMT

I don't know if anyone's posted this before, but I stumbled upon a site that's great for those of us who've ever been tongue-tied by best-guessing the names of our favorite Scotches. Each brand (found by its distillery's place on the map) is accompanied by a clickable audio file of a fellow -- who probably went insane by day's end of voiceovers -- clearly annunciating its proper pronunciation. Find the site here:

http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/scotland.html

posted in Scotch Lovers - 9 replies

Scotch News!

theshaman — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 16:26:07 GMT

Oh glorious day of days! I wake up this mornin' with a wee hangover that makes me smile for last night I took a trip to Trader Joe's.

On my shopping list was some scotch, probably the Lismore that has been discussed here before cause it is a decent scotch at a fair price.

When what do my eye's spy but "Trder Joe's" brand scotch! I have never seen this before and I am sceptical...until I read "distilled, matured and bottled in scotland" I also notice that there are 3 varieties: distilled at Aberlour (aged 10 years), distilled at Glenlivet (aged 13) and a third one that started with a B, also a brand name scotch, aged 13 also.

What the hell I say? A sngle malt for $16...give it a whirl. I bought the Aberlour....10 years...not sure if the 13 year varieties were more $.

That is the best bottle of $16 scotch I have ever had. Knocks the Lismore right out of the water. Scotch lovers, if you try it and like it, make sure to let the Trader joe's people know, cause as far as I can tell it is a new product. As a scotch lover on a tight budget at times, this is a gloriuos day!

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

The Dalmore - at Trader Joe's

jcdill — Tue, 03 Feb 2004 06:22:56 GMT

I'm about 1/2 way thru a bottle of 12 year old The Dalmore, purchased at TJs a few months ago. IIRC, I paid ~$20 for the 750 ml bottle, and I'll likely buy another when this one is gone. It's not the most complex single-malt I've tasted, but it's easy to enjoy and easy on the pocketbook.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 2 replies

Extra ticket to WoW

BoyChaos — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 19:44:40 GMT

Anyone wanna go? I'll split the cost... All the scotch you can drink for 40 bucks...

chris

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Suggestions for a traveller?

Timber — Thu, 18 Mar 2004 14:30:47 GMT

I am a relatively novice Scotch drinker but I certainly have been enjoying it so far. My drink of choice so far has been Glenmorangie 10, and I've also tried a few others like Glenfiddich and MacCallan's. I've also tried a couple of blends but find that I prefer the single malts.

So! Here's my situation: I'm in Oxford England for the next couple of weeks for work, and I'm wondering if there are any Scotches that I might find over here readily that would be much harder to acquire in the States. Of course, "hard to get" doesn't necessarily mean "good", and that of course is what I'm looking for. I saw on one of the other threads that Ardbeg (sp?) comes highly recommended, and I'd never heard of that. I've got an Oddbins right across that street that I'm going to stop into later. I just wanted to tap the knowledge here to see if there is anything else I should keep an eye out for. Thanks!

Timber

posted in Scotch Lovers - 11 replies

Signatory scotch

xtyn — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 20:16:58 GMT

I just went to a small, 60-person tasting in San Francisco last night, sponsored by D&M Liquors. They had single barrel expressions from Signatory, and they were amazing.

The featured highlight of the evening was a 34-year-old Springbank, cask strength, with a sherry cask finish.

But there was a final, "bonus" scotch, an Edradour developed by Ian Henderson, that was just lovely.

They offered two Glen Rothes, a 14-year-old and a 30-year-old; of the two we preferred the younger.

Also a marvelous Port Ellen, with a lovely peatiness at the back of the palette and a slight sherry sweetness at the front.

Good scotch, good times.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 1 reply

Are you going to the Whiskies of the World 2004 Expo?

jcdill — Mon, 12 Jan 2004 23:19:40 GMT

I just posted the details as an event. Who here is planning on attending? Maybe we could arrange a tribe-meet?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 10 replies

Longmorn 20yo

BoyChaos — Sun, 29 Feb 2004 03:32:26 GMT

My scotch of the night is a cask strength Longmorn.

It is a nice little speyside. At 59% alcohol, it was a bit too hot for me to drink straight, but a few drops of water made it juuuust right. Not much smoke, not much peat, just a nice tame whiskey.

Any other opinions on Longmorn?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 1 reply

SOS

pedxing — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:44:03 GMT

i was at the liquor store this weeked to buy a bottle of oban for my friend andrew. i was sadly informed that there is a state wide shortage/outage. i have never tried and was very disappointed. help!

posted in Scotch Lovers - 6 replies

Glenrothes '89

blank — Thu, 26 Feb 2004 22:51:55 GMT

I just picked up a bottle of Glenrothes '89, it's totally fab. My new favorite next to the Balvenie doublewood. Lots of sherry notes, some smoky undertones. Not peaty like a Bowmore, but slightly smoky.
Plus the bottle comes with a strange little stand that works great as a cigar ashtry...

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Beginner Scotch

jcdill — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 09:22:09 GMT

I'm looking for a suggestion for "beginner scotch" for someone who doesn't much like alcohol, who prefers fruity drinks or coctails made with Bailey's or Kahlua rather than with gin or vodka. Probably something blended, smooth, easy to like although most people here wouldn't love it - finding it too simple.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 4 replies

HELP!!

pamdesmond — Wed, 11 Feb 2004 00:00:18 GMT

I am having a weird taste-bud thing where Scotch no longer tastes good. It has happened twice now (two different Scotches--ones I usually like). All of a sudden I am distracted by this medicinal rubbing-alcohol taste, you know the one... the kind of taste in cheap vodka. I never noticed it before but now it seems it's all I can taste. Has this ever happened to anyone else? What's a Scotch-loving girl to do???

posted in Scotch Lovers - 5 replies

vicarious tasting

Emmazon — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 04:32:44 GMT

Hi guys! You've listed your favorites and I was thinking about how nice it would be to hear some in-depth descriptions of *exactly why* a certain scotch is your particular favorite...

Aroma, initial experience on the tongue, later notes, etc. Extra points for poetry. I just know there are some true sensuists in this group.

Much obliged,

Emma the newcomer

posted in Scotch Lovers - 5 replies

Where do you shop?

patti — Mon, 28 Jul 2003 05:38:09 GMT

Where are your favorite places to buy good scotch?

In the bay area, I tend to go to either D & M in the city, or Beltramos in Mountain View. Both are very knowledgable, and have a very good selection. They're online at www.dandm.com and www.beltramos.com respectively.

My favorite place, bar none, is Milroy's in London. They're a rather small shop in SoHo that is just wall to wall singlemalts. Not only did they have a Brora when I was there last, they had about five different bottlings! They're online at www.milroys.co.uk.

As I write this, I'm enjoying a 14-year-old Laphroaig, Signatory bottling, un-chillfiltered. It has that typical "HI! I'M AN ISLAY! I will now hit you over the head with smoke and peat" thing going on (which I personally adore), but it's somewhat smoother than the standard-issue ten-year-old Laphroaig.

-Patti

posted in Scotch Lovers - 12 replies

Happy Burns Night

Chris — Mon, 26 Jan 2004 00:13:57 GMT

Today is the birthday of Robert Burns, the Bard of Scotland. In his honor, lift a dram tonight; if you have the intestinal fortitude, find a Burns Society dinner with haggis, neeps and tatties, and whisky.

"Freedom and whisky gang the gither!"

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

What's the Worst Scotch you're ever had?

John — Thu, 06 Nov 2003 04:27:13 GMT

While everyone certainly has their favorites, what are the scotches to avoid?

Skipping the obvious ones (i.e. Don't tell us that Safeway Brand (tm) generic scotch sucks, we all know that :)

posted in Scotch Lovers - 9 replies

WOW

lolacarr — Mon, 03 Nov 2003 23:35:56 GMT

so my grandparents are big scotch drinkers -- they are also children of the depression era so they act like they do not have a dime, and i have gotten in the habit of spoiling them with fine single malts for special occasions.

since my grandma's 80th birthday was halloween, i decided to get her a bottle of single malt that cost as much as years she is old, and i picked up the port wood 21 year balvenie. it is AMAZING. i have to go out and get my own bottle.

perhaps the smoothest tastiest single malt i have had to date... this one comes highly recommended.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 7 replies

kinda funny

pedxing — Thu, 15 Jan 2004 15:54:14 GMT

i was at this steak house sitting at the bar next to an older gentalman. i ordered some JW blue lable (kinda pricey) he said son u arent old enough to drinking scotch that expensive. i ignored him and lit up cigar. he just looked at me and said my eyes must be really bad u look like u r about 25. i said 27. he didnt speak to me the rest of the night. what does my age have to do w/the finer things in life?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 4 replies

Trouble

jimfl — Mon, 12 Jan 2004 02:37:57 GMT

Some folk just don't understand the dramophile's argot. I remember getting some very nasty looks at a gathering where I was winding up a conversation with a fellow who I'd just discovered was a fellow scotch drinker. We had resolved to get together for a couple of drams, and someone happened to overhear the tail-end of the conversation: "Right then. Let's pick up a couple of 12-year-olds and party."

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Pilgrimage to Milroy's

patti — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 23:34:45 GMT

I was in London for thanksgiving, so I made my obligatory trip to Milroy's. Mmmm.

When I arrived, they'd just gotten a new shipment in. The store was filled with boxes, and all of the employees were busy unpacking and admiring the new goods.

My goal was to find an interesting Islay, a Port Ellen if there was a good one available. They'd just received an Old Malt Cask bottling, 25 years old, finished in sherry casks. That would do nicely!

They'd also just received a bunch of miniatures, so I grabbed half a dozen, including a couple different Laphroaigs, a Port Ellen, and a Caol Ila.

One of the most wonderful thing about Milroys is that they give tastes of anything that they have open. I sampled a few things, including a house bottling of Port Ellen, and something rather smooth that they offered my non-scotch-loving mother. Both were quite tasty.

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Dec 25th Single Malt tasting

lrc — Wed, 12 Nov 2003 11:00:32 GMT

I will be hosting my traditional Whiskymas single malt tasting again
on Dec 25th.

I'll send out more detailed invitations, closer to the event.

The short form is that in December 1988 a friend and I decided that
since neither of us were Christian, and therefore neither had anything
to do on Christmas day, we would come up with something fun to do. We
decided to hold a single malt (scotch) tasting.

Over the years the event has become a lot more about getting together
and sharing good company, and less about being a serious scotch
tasting. Sure, 40-50 single malts will get tasted, but many of the
folks there have never tasted single malt before, and quite a few
don't even drink any at the tasting.

Everybody is encouraged to bring wonderful, decadent food to taste
between the flights. The party is held at my house in the Santa Cruz
mountains, and people are welcome, even encouraged, to be prepared to
spend the night. It happens over the course of the afternoon, and the
pace of the drinking is such that hardly anyone actually achieves
drunkeness, though the CHP may argue that point. The day is about
comraderie, not getting drunk.

If you want to make
sure you get an invitation, drop me a note at lrcparty@red4est.com

I am asking folks, whether they'll be showing up or not, to email me
about some of your favorite single malts, or your thoughts on single
malts in general. I'll collect them and link to them off of
http://www.red4est.com/lrc/whisky.html

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies

Yeah, It's blasphemous but...

John — Mon, 29 Sep 2003 16:11:37 GMT

I'm a big fan of Rye Whiskeys.

There. I've said it.

I'm quite partial to Old Potrero, but at the same price as a bottle of 20 year old single-malt, it's not quite worth it.

Anyone else want to speak of the Love that Dare Not Speak it's Name and share their favorites?

posted in Scotch Lovers - 5 replies

SMWSA

patti — Wed, 06 Aug 2003 22:59:50 GMT

I have a few bottles from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and they're universally excellent.

The society buys casks and bottles them at cask strength without chill filtration, and sells the bottles only to members.

They also do the most amusing tasting notes I've ever seen. Here's one from a recent bottling:

Garibaldi Biscuits and Vintage Cars

The make from Orkney's most famous distillery has had a nigh reputation sine at least the 1880s, when it was enjoyed by the Tsar, the King of Denmark, an dother grandees. This example comes from a re-fill butt, is an attractive amber colour and has many of the characteristics we associate with European oak. The first nose is slightly peated, developing towards spagnum moss, then a curious note of Garibaldi biscuits emerges with some nut oil behind. The flavour at full strength is good: sweet, with some ginger and plenty of smoke. Water brings up the European wood character, which in thsi case might be summed up as the aroma of a vintage motor car-- old rubber, polished leather, a hint of exhaust fumes. Fennel was also detected. A pleasant, full mouth-feel; sweet to start, then slightly salty. The smoke lightens in the finish. A wonderful expression of this Orkney classic.

I've also seen one named "Hospital Sheets" and a description of an islay that was "a smoky bag of bacon crisps." Mmmmm.

-Patti

posted in Scotch Lovers - 0 replies