Whiskey/Scotch Thread

[WhiskyPat12]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

That is a really tough question but the easy answer is that it isn't going to be Japanese. Most likely going to be American, slim chance of scotch or Irish for that price point.

What do you prefer, that will help narrow it down. Bourbon, Rye, Scotch (what area), etc.

We're on the same wavelength this morning hahahahahaha

[m630]

Originally Posted by WhiskyPat12

There are a lot of answers to this question, because it really differs in what you are looking for. Here's some rambling notes/thoughts

Just something as an everyday drinkable whisky?
....Japanese though? Tough to find at that price...

Only Japanese at that price point would be Toki, ....though I say just dont drink a starbucks every day and go for the Yamazaki, its so refined for any day!!!

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by WhiskyPat12

There are a lot of answers to this question, because it really differs in what you are looking for. Here's some rambling notes/thoughts

Just something as an everyday drinkable whisky?

• Highland Park 12 is like $45-50, good middle of the road Single Malt Scotch.
• Laphroaig 10yo or Ardbeg 10yo will kick you in the dick with peat smoke for about $50 (another Single Malt Scotch)
• Redbreast 12 is a great Irish for about $50-55

$50 for a Bourbon can get you some good ones, as Bourbon doesn't have the same taxes as Scotch/Irish etc... So the range of 'top shelf' is a bit different

I've heard Angel's Envy is great, but haven't ever pulled the trigger at $50 for a bottle. The forum is already split on Eagle Rare (one of my fav bourbons, although Bourbon is not my strong suit) is like $30-35.


Japanese though? Tough to find at that price...

Thank you. Will look for the 3 you recommended above. Looking for daily drinkable one since the Glenlivet is almost out.

Depending on how I feel when I go in the store, I might just get a bottle of Japanese and try it out.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by m630

Only Japanese at that price point would be Toki, ....though I say just dont drink a starbucks every day and go for the Yamazaki, its so refined for any day!!!

That’s like 3-4 times the price. Lol just looked it up.

[jamesinaz]

I really like the Balvenie 14 Carribean cask and have about 7 more bottles I got from Costco for $60 per stashed away. Yesterday I bought 6 bottles of various through my golf club and here is a recent photo of what tempts me every night. Not tonight though. last night was whiskey tasting and I don't want to drink again ever. Or at least until tomorrow.

Uhhh I need to learn to resize.

[m630]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

That’s like 3-4 times the price. Lol just looked it up.

You can get for 150 at total wines...so 22 biz days a month (avg) @ $5/ day for SB = $110 per month coffee, which makes up the diff!!!

[UncleWede]

Dalwhinnie fits in under $50

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

For $50, what’s the best whiskey? Looked at Hibbiki but that’s like $80.

Remember that 'best' is what you like most, don't get sucked into the older/expensive-is-better trap (but for me, the sweet spot is more like 60-80/bottle for the ones I like best). Basic taste dimensions are peated/not; and finishes (sherry, port, rum, different woods/casks); most of the rest of the advertising descriptions (i.e. "figs and campfire smoke, leading into iodine and treacle' etc.) seem kind of fanciful, often don't match my impressions well - I sometimes suspect they just use one of those 'adjective-wheels' to pull random descriptors.

My 'lower price' go-to's are Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig Quarter Cask. Other good ones (and less peaty) at this price are Oban Little Bay, Glenfarclas 12, Glengoyne 10, Bunnahabhain 12. Johnnie Walker Double Black is also surprisingly good for a blended.

Connemara is a good Irish that isn't too pricey, comes in a peated version too.

Not a huge bourbon taster, so I stick w/ Knob Creek single barrel or Wild Turkey Rare Breed, both cask strength.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

That’s like 3-4 times the price. Lol just looked it up.

Yeah, Toki and Akashi are both sub $50 and Nikka Coffey Grain can be had too. Costco is your best bet - easily $10 cheaper than other places unless they’re doing sales.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Yeah, Toki and Akashi are both sub $50 and Nikka Coffey Grain can be had too. Costco is your best bet - easily $10 cheaper than other places unless they’re doing sales.

Even cheaper would be going to your place and raid your collection. We’re doing a drive sometime in April. Will ping you.

[BMW F22]

So there’s this guy at work who is super knowledgeable about wine. You can give him a name and he’ll tell you some info and tasting notes about it. Was talking to him at one of the wine tasting events we have and he told me that his dad had him taste wine when he was something like 5 or 8 years old. He’s not an alcoholic or anything like that, just very knowledgeable and enjoys wine.

Question is: would you guys let your kids taste whiskey or wine at the young age so that they can develop the palate and be able to differentiate and that knowledgeable about them?

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

So there's this guy at work who is super knowledgeable about wine. You can give him a name and he'll tell you some info and tasting notes about it. Was talking to him at one of the wine tasting events we have and he told me that his dad had him taste wine when he was something like 5 or 8 years old. He's not an alcoholic or anything like that, just very knowledgeable and enjoys wine.

Question is: would you guys let your kids taste whiskey or wine at the young age so that they can develop the palate and be able to differentiate and that knowledgeable about them?

Quick answer: yes.

When I was growing up, my Dad always set a small glass of what they were having (beer/wine) at our table. I likely had my first taste before I could talk.

Having grown up with it, it was never something that was forbidden - and thus more desirable. The guys at school who went nuts with alcohol were the ones who never tasted it until going off to school. The ones who had a small glass of wine or beer growing up had a much more reasonable relationship with alcohol after leaving home.

Edit for clarification: I'm talking about a small glass with a sip or two in it - not a full glass of my own.

[kscarrol]

5 or 8 might be on the young side but yes. As dmatre points out, those who were never allowed to learn responsible consumption were the ones who were out of control once they went to college and didn’t have parents watching their every move.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Not a huge bourbon taster, so I stick w/ Knob Creek single barrel or Wild Turkey Rare Breed, both cask strength.

Those are both excellent choices. If the KC is a store pick they are usually barrel proof and 14-15 years old for under $50 and the Rare Breed is one of my favorite every day drinkers.

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Question is: would you guys let your kids taste whiskey or wine at the young age so that they can develop the palate and be able to differentiate and that knowledgeable about them?

Pretty sure my parents rubbed my gums with whiskey when I was teething so maybe that is why I am so fond of it. I tried beer when I was pretty young but didn't like it. Wine is more of a juice and could be a different experience all together though, not sure I would give them wine. I would give them something I know they couldn't handle...

[suprajjang]

Originally Posted by WhiskyPat12

Anyone have any unicorn bottles they are searching for? Or any unique bottle they have/had and want to brag about?

I would love to get my hands on a bottle of Yamazaki 18 one of these days. I enjoy the 12 year and have been hoping to get lucky finding a 18

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by m630

You can get for 150 at total wines...so 22 biz days a month (avg) @ $5/ day for SB = $110 per month coffee, which makes up the diff!!!

Is Yamazaki that much now? I bought a bottle about a decade ago for $60ish. It was okay for that price, but no where near worth $150.

I just find it lacking any real backbone. It was a great smell, color and initial flavor, but it has almost no aftertaste or mouthfeel. I'd take HP12 or RB any day for a third of the price. For $150 I'm going Red Dot or a Middleton whiskey.

[m630]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Is Yamazaki that much now? I bought a bottle about a decade ago for $60ish. It was okay for that price, but no where near worth $150.

I just find it lacking any real backbone. It was a great smell, color and initial flavor, but it has almost no aftertaste or mouthfeel. I'd take HP12 or RB any day for a third of the price. For $150 I'm going Red Dot or a Middleton whiskey.

Im not a big whiskey drinker, dont like Scotch at all, and dont like a peat taste, but for some reason i really enjoy the Yamazaki. I actually think it has a nice feel and aftertaste, but its very smooth vs hot and harsh that experience with high end scotch. And i only drink in the winter or if at a nice japanese restaurant.

My spirits drinks are single barrel jack and clase azul reposado, though im acquiring a taste for mezcal which could be dangerous!!

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by m630

Im not a big whiskey drinker, dont like Scotch at all, and dont like a peat taste, but for some reason i really enjoy the Yamazaki. I actually think it has a nice feel and aftertaste, but its very smooth vs hot and harsh that experience with high end scotch. And i only drink in the winter or if at a nice japanese restaurant.

My spirits drinks are single barrel jack and clase azul reposado, though im acquiring a taste for mezcal which could be dangerous!!

Oh, it's that exactly. I like my Scotch to push me around and call me names. But for a great, smooth, easy Scotch, Yama is quite good. I just don't like the price creep, but that's going on everywhere right now.

I'm a big Mezcal fan, trying the Alipus varieties currently, but try different brands when we're out. Haven't tried the Clas Azul yet, but will likely grab a bottle soon.

[KRS_SN]

for all of you that enjoy yamazaki i would suggest hakushu 12 year old is nice too.

[m630]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Oh, it's that exactly. I like my Scotch to push me around and call me names. But for a great, smooth, easy Scotch, Yama is quite good. I just don't like the price creep, but that's going on everywhere right now.

I'm a big Mezcal fan, trying the Alipus varieties currently, but try different brands when we're out. Haven't tried the Clas Azul yet, but will likely grab a bottle soon.

... Santa had brought me a bottle of the Clase Azul Durango mezcal and its sublime! But finished the bottle in less than a month so this will become an expensive treat as the next bottle is on the way

[Maynard]

The Japanese whiskeys are designed for the Asian consumer palate, and with an intent to pair with food. In part this illustrates that taste depends a lot upon the complex process of mixing, and even established Scottish brands will change flavor profile for the market sometimes. Even though it isn't my style, the growth of the Japanese distilleries is encouraging - Asian demand has been increasing and buying out traditional sources, and one of my paranoid fears is that the growing Asian markets will do to scotch what they did to the BMW grills. And on a related note, this is why I buy multiples when I find s/t I really like, since later batches won't be exactly the same.

[WhiskyPat12]

Originally Posted by Maynard

And on a related note, this is why I buy multiples when I find s/t I really like, since later batches won't be exactly the same.

This is great advice and I encourage this behavior 😜