@Pavlov I have to disagree. Left to their own devices many of my friends would buy/pour me a Johnny Walker or a Dewars. I'd gladly shell out the cash to sample something new, non-blended, and a little more adventurous.
@eyewerks Most of my more financially fortunate acquaintances would be highly likely to pour me a cheap(er) whiskey. I'd never find nor have reason to complain about anything offered to me by the poorest of my friends.
@Pavlov I guess your rich friends don't care much for you. ;). I never would be anything other than appreciative for whatever was offered to me, ...but my point still is, ...free is not always "best".
@eyewerks I understand, sometimes "best" is relative to the situation, as I am sure we agree. And yes, people with money are generally really, really (REALLY) cheap bastards.
@JonT If you ever make it to Nashville TN. Let me know. We'll go down to the pub and you can sample all three (as well as a lot more) and make an educated drunk decision on that favorite Irish whiskey.
@SIMBM Redbreast is delicious. But the dew encompasses these important things: readily available+relatively inexpensive+incredibly smooth. Redbreast is good, but it falls out of the inexpensive range, and it's not always around at my local package store.
@JonT Be sure to check out George Dickel, made in Tullahoma (halfway between Chattanooga and Nashville). The Dickel distillery tour is worth it. It's a smaller operation then Jack Daniel's, and there's less smoke and mirrors (which is to say there are more, perhaps).
@lumpthar My SO and I got close with a bartender when we were regulars at a bar for a while and he is a big fan of George Dickel. He has a bourbon still tattooed on his arm and had his wedding at a distillery so I trust his judgment.
@SIMBM IMMA ADD WHAT I WANT! Heh. Seriously though, don't have a costco membership, and pretty sure they don't sell liquor in TN. Gotta love blue laws. As far as Connemara, I admit it, haven't tried any. But I do enjoy peated whiskeys, nice and complex. They're just not my "go to" choice. ;-)
I tend to drink a variety of single malt Scotches, although I appreciate a good Rye, Bourbon, or even Canadian whiskey (usually in a mixed drink) from time to time. Each Scotch has its own character, and I can be pretty particular about the one I select on any given evening. My everyday goto bottles seem to be The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich.
@Broseph As I have lived in Iowa most of my life, Templeton Rye was one of those very "special" whiskeys that was always in very short supply in college. Unfortunately, the word got out that not only do they not follow the true recipe, but its actually made in Indiana. I stopped drinking TR after that.
Bushmill's, generally. Black Bush for special occasions. Jameson is alright if there's none around, and most types of whiskey are alright as well (although I'll admit I haven't tried that many)
<3333 Talisker 4eva!! 57 North is my lip-smacking jaaaam. 25 is fucking sublime but I can't indulge in that one too often, alas. And 10 is what I inevitably pour myself when I'm feeling indecisive. (Well, that or Bunny 12 ncf.) Not a fan of Storm or Dark Storm, though. Too shallow. I have an ever-growing collection as I continue to learn and experience and thus acquire. My most recently opened new whisky bottles are Laphroig's An Cuan Mor, a longmorn SMWS, and a Signatory Vintage Tamdhu cask strength. All are mmmmmm tasty complexity. I fuckin' adore whisky! I have a problem with American malts, especially after that infamous article on production and provenance. I won't buy anything American until I've researched it first. My heart was broken over Templeton and I shall never trust again. At least with Scotch I know what I'm getting. Though with the rise of the NAS bottlings... well, we'll see.
@jqubedall the beers? There were over 87,000 in BeerAdvocate's database as of 2 years ago, so it might take you a while. I'm totally willing to help though, split them with you?
I like whiskey a lot, does not like me so much. To much trouble. Sadly, my whiskey days are over. Still have beer and not so troublesome, but definitely not as fun. That's what happens when you get old, hem, I mean older. Oh but the memories, and most of them were worth it. Some not so much. Anyways, I don't need the fancy glasses. So meh.
I prefer a good scotch, and will go for that when I'm out, or celebrating, or whatever… but my go-to at-home whisk* is Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, local(ish) to me and downright drinkable. Their brandy is also good. Their gin was a regrettable experience, however.
I was exclusively Templeton Rye for quite some time during college. It was so difficult to get a steady supply that it really felt like a special treat.
Sadly, after that lawsuit against TR, the cat got outta the bag that not only was it not made in Iowa (actually Indiana) and that they weren't even using the original Prohibition recipe. For that poor business practice alone, I stopped drinking TR.
Instead I focus my whiskey efforts entirely on Maker's Mark. A great whiskey that can easily be served neat.
@RedHot Makers 46 is delicious. A good friend bought me a bottle to crack open whenever the daughter is born. It has been sitting on my shelf, unopened, since October. It has been taunting me...
@dashcloud Are you referring to mixed? If that, then omg, yesssss, Boston sours and whisky macs are my go-to mixed drinks year-round and Miami sunsets (with safari rather than cointreau) my lazy summer drink mainstay. Mmm, i hope to die with a perfectly frothed boston sour in one hand.
@cercopithecoid Definitely agree with this. I mentioned Ballantine's as good and tasty, but if you are going single malt, Speyburn is great for the price.
I like Scotch, and always have a bottle of Macallan 12 on my shelf. In fact, I need to pick another up on my way home from work today, since the one currently on my shelf is getting finished this evening. Thanks for the reminder!
@DaveInSoCal A lot of federal agents seem to reach for Macallen 12. I think The Glenlevit is a superior malt and it usually sells for $5-10 less per 750ml than Macallen. The fact is, there are several Speysides that I'd reach for before Macallen.
@DaveInSoCal lol, cuz Macallan 12 is sweetly bland-ish. Like if Dalwhinnie is blue moon, then Macallan 12 is the sierra nevada of scotch. SNOB MIKE DROP, BOOM. (Nah, nahhh, I get that it's personal taste and everyone's palate differs--I just couldn't resist the opportunity to be grinchy. You do you, boo.)
@goldenthorn Hmm, that came across as distinctly trollish rather than teasing. I'm sorry. How about, as a placating gesture, I proffer that if you like mac12, consider trying macallan cask strength, aberlour abunadh, balvenie 15, and glendronach 15 as variants/alternatives?
I'd recommend that you answer that question for yourself. Next time you pass a liquor store pick up a bottle of The Glenlevit 12. When you get home, pour your self a dram of Macallen and one of the Glenlevit, and compare. I'd advise you to sample The Glenlevit first, as it's more delicate and the Macallen may overwhelm and dull your palate.
Hoo boy, now that's not fair. Some of the whiskies you mention, including the Balvenie 15, are in a different league and cost quite a bit more. The Glenlevit 12 is less expensive and quite satisfying as a daily pour. I do appreciate your taste, though.
@goldenthorn apology accepted! I'll try one of your recommendations the next time I'm at the liquor store. Or better yet I'll head down to the Aero Club bar and sample them all first. Thank you.
@eyewerks not yet. I stopped by Bevmo to grab a bottle and ended up buying a bottle of Glenmorangie recommended by a guy in a kilt. I wasn't a fan, but it's almost gone now so Glenlivet 12 could be a Tuesday buy!
Arran 12-yr. Cask Strength Single Malt. Whistle Pig Rye. Widow Jane Bourbon, small batch made in Brooklyn (worth a visit, they also make Cacao Prieto chocolate on site). Rebel Yell for cooking. Bulleit Rye at the bar.
Thank you, @juststephen . You have no idea how relieved that makes me feel, ...confident that I can enjoy my dram with the knowledge that you don't necessarily disapprove of my consuming it.
Free.
@Pavlov Yup - "The kind I'm not paying for" usually tastes the best.
@Pavlov I have to disagree. Left to their own devices many of my friends would buy/pour me a Johnny Walker or a Dewars. I'd gladly shell out the cash to sample something new, non-blended, and a little more adventurous.
@eyewerks Um . . . maybe a better class of friends is in order?
@Pavlov I actually like some people despite the fact that they may not be as financially fortunate. My point was simply that free is not always best.
@eyewerks Most of my more financially fortunate acquaintances would be highly likely to pour me a cheap(er) whiskey. I'd never find nor have reason to complain about anything offered to me by the poorest of my friends.
@Pavlov I guess your rich friends don't care much for you. ;). I never would be anything other than appreciative for whatever was offered to me, ...but my point still is, ...free is not always "best".
@eyewerks I understand, sometimes "best" is relative to the situation, as I am sure we agree. And yes, people with money are generally really, really (REALLY) cheap bastards.
I can already tell there are going to be fights in this thread, people take their whisk(e)y seriously.
Personally I'll drink anything as long as it tastes good to me, but I'm partial to Bourbon, Rye, and Irish.
Buffalo Trace is cheap but great. I prefer Jameson over Bushmills, though not for Catholic/Prodestant reasons.
@JonT Tulamore Dew > Jameson > Bushmills. But that's my opinion. And it's the only right one. So there. /s
@cj0e now that's the attitude I was looking for in this thread! :)
@cj0e Redbreast
@JonT If you ever make it to Nashville TN. Let me know. We'll go down to the pub and you can sample all three (as well as a lot more) and make an educated drunk decision on that favorite Irish whiskey.
@SIMBM Redbreast is delicious. But the dew encompasses these important things: readily available+relatively inexpensive+incredibly smooth. Redbreast is good, but it falls out of the inexpensive range, and it's not always around at my local package store.
@cj0e I am going to hold you to that! Nashville is most definitely on my list of places to visit.
@JonT Be sure to check out George Dickel, made in Tullahoma (halfway between Chattanooga and Nashville). The Dickel distillery tour is worth it. It's a smaller operation then Jack Daniel's, and there's less smoke and mirrors (which is to say there are more, perhaps).
@JonT Old saying in Colorado: whisky' for drinking, water's for fighting over.
@lumpthar My SO and I got close with a bartender when we were regulars at a bar for a while and he is a big fan of George Dickel. He has a bourbon still tattooed on his arm and had his wedding at a distillery so I trust his judgment.
@cj0e So we're gonna add conditions on our discussion? Your original statement said nothing about availability or cost. Costco carries it sometimes.
Connemara is pretty interesting, too.
@SIMBM IMMA ADD WHAT I WANT! Heh. Seriously though, don't have a costco membership, and pretty sure they don't sell liquor in TN. Gotta love blue laws. As far as Connemara, I admit it, haven't tried any. But I do enjoy peated whiskeys, nice and complex. They're just not my "go to" choice. ;-)
@cj0e I like Dew as well. Nothing to fancy but decent. It's my go-to when a flask is required.
I like beer, it makes me feel happy and mellow...
For me it's a toss up between Bourbon and Scotch, but since scotch tends to be more expensive, Bourbon it is.
Tequila
I'm partial to Jack Daniels. But certainly won't fault anyone else for their preferences. To each their own. The should-be American way.
I tend to drink a variety of single malt Scotches, although I appreciate a good Rye, Bourbon, or even Canadian whiskey (usually in a mixed drink) from time to time. Each Scotch has its own character, and I can be pretty particular about the one I select on any given evening. My everyday goto bottles seem to be The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich.
Currently working on the remains of a bottle of Sazerac Rye, left over from my friend's bachelor party.
It's rather tasty.
@cj0e hmm. not sure what that comma is doing there. Maybe I'll ask the bottle.
@Broseph As I have lived in Iowa most of my life, Templeton Rye was one of those very "special" whiskeys that was always in very short supply in college. Unfortunately, the word got out that not only do they not follow the true recipe, but its actually made in Indiana. I stopped drinking TR after that.
@studerc Ahhhh no way! The story and history behind it makes it, hope that's not true
@Broseph it's true. Templeton has become very tied to the MGP story, though they are just one of many who distill in IN.
Bushmill's, generally. Black Bush for special occasions.
Jameson is alright if there's none around, and most types of whiskey are alright as well (although I'll admit I haven't tried that many)
<3333 Talisker 4eva!! 57 North is my lip-smacking jaaaam. 25 is fucking sublime but I can't indulge in that one too often, alas. And 10 is what I inevitably pour myself when I'm feeling indecisive. (Well, that or Bunny 12 ncf.) Not a fan of Storm or Dark Storm, though. Too shallow.
I have an ever-growing collection as I continue to learn and experience and thus acquire. My most recently opened new whisky bottles are Laphroig's An Cuan Mor, a longmorn SMWS, and a Signatory Vintage Tamdhu cask strength. All are mmmmmm tasty complexity.
I fuckin' adore whisky!
I have a problem with American malts, especially after that infamous article on production and provenance. I won't buy anything American until I've researched it first. My heart was broken over Templeton and I shall never trust again. At least with Scotch I know what I'm getting. Though with the rise of the NAS bottlings... well, we'll see.
@goldenthorn I'm not even sure what all you're talking about but I love your enthusiasm!
@goldenthorn Talisker is indeed delicious, and I agree about the Dark Storm ..a little too smokey, overpowering resulting in loss of complexity.
I'll start trying whisk[e]y once I finish trying all the beers.
@jqubed all the beers? There were over 87,000 in BeerAdvocate's database as of 2 years ago, so it might take you a while. I'm totally willing to help though, split them with you?
So many beers, so little time to try them all.
Never can go wrong with OPB (Other People's Beer.)
But, as for whiskey, Kentucky Bourbon rulz.
I like whiskey a lot, does not like me so much. To much trouble. Sadly, my whiskey days are over. Still have beer and not so troublesome, but definitely not as fun. That's what happens when you get old, hem, I mean older. Oh but the memories, and most of them were worth it. Some not so much. Anyways, I don't need the fancy glasses. So meh.
Ballantine's is actually decent Scotch for the price.
I prefer a good scotch, and will go for that when I'm out, or celebrating, or whatever… but my go-to at-home whisk* is Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, local(ish) to me and downright drinkable. Their brandy is also good. Their gin was a regrettable experience, however.
I was exclusively Templeton Rye for quite some time during college. It was so difficult to get a steady supply that it really felt like a special treat.
Sadly, after that lawsuit against TR, the cat got outta the bag that not only was it not made in Iowa (actually Indiana) and that they weren't even using the original Prohibition recipe. For that poor business practice alone, I stopped drinking TR.
Instead I focus my whiskey efforts entirely on Maker's Mark. A great whiskey that can easily be served neat.
@studerc If you haven't already, try Makers 46. Its a great one to keep on hand and you'll never hear a word of complaint.
@RedHot Makers 46 is delicious. A good friend bought me a bottle to crack open whenever the daughter is born. It has been sitting on my shelf, unopened, since October. It has been taunting me...
Woodford Reserve with an ice cube, or 1792 without.
@parodymandotcom that's the good stuff.
@parodymandotcom Isn't WR the stuff they use in the $1000 Mint Juleps sold at Churchill Downs on Derby Day?
@eyewerks yes it is, but you also get a crappy metal cup!
@JonT As I've gotten older and mellower, so has my whisky.
I'm noticing a distinct lack of whiskey drinks here (thanks @narfcake!)- does no one here use whiskey in a drink?
@dashcloud Are you referring to mixed? If that, then omg, yesssss, Boston sours and whisky macs are my go-to mixed drinks year-round and Miami sunsets (with safari rather than cointreau) my lazy summer drink mainstay. Mmm, i hope to die with a perfectly frothed boston sour in one hand.
@dashcloud like burbon and water?
Knob Creek. Also Laphroig
I like Speyburn, it's affordable and tasty.
@cercopithecoid Definitely agree with this. I mentioned Ballantine's as good and tasty, but if you are going single malt, Speyburn is great for the price.
Whisky sour.
Also Vat 69.
I like Scotch, and always have a bottle of Macallan 12 on my shelf. In fact, I need to pick another up on my way home from work today, since the one currently on my shelf is getting finished this evening. Thanks for the reminder!
@DaveInSoCal A lot of federal agents seem to reach for Macallen 12. I think The Glenlevit is a superior malt and it usually sells for $5-10 less per 750ml than Macallen. The fact is, there are several Speysides that I'd reach for before Macallen.
@eyewerks why?
@DaveInSoCal lol, cuz Macallan 12 is sweetly bland-ish. Like if Dalwhinnie is blue moon, then Macallan 12 is the sierra nevada of scotch.
SNOB MIKE DROP, BOOM.
(Nah, nahhh, I get that it's personal taste and everyone's palate differs--I just couldn't resist the opportunity to be grinchy. You do you, boo.)
@goldenthorn Hmm, that came across as distinctly trollish rather than teasing. I'm sorry. How about, as a placating gesture, I proffer that if you like mac12, consider trying macallan cask strength, aberlour abunadh, balvenie 15, and glendronach 15 as variants/alternatives?
I'd recommend that you answer that question for yourself. Next time you pass a liquor store pick up a bottle of The Glenlevit 12. When you get home, pour your self a dram of Macallen and one of the Glenlevit, and compare. I'd advise you to sample The Glenlevit first, as it's more delicate and the Macallen may overwhelm and dull your palate.
Hoo boy, now that's not fair. Some of the whiskies you mention, including the Balvenie 15, are in a different league and cost quite a bit more. The Glenlevit 12 is less expensive and quite satisfying as a daily pour. I do appreciate your taste, though.
@daveinsocal @goldenthorn those last 2 comments were for each of you, respectively.
@goldenthorn apology accepted! I'll try one of your recommendations the next time I'm at the liquor store. Or better yet I'll head down to the Aero Club bar and sample them all first. Thank you.
@eyewerks I'll give it a try as you suggested. Thank you.
@DaveInSoCal I'm curious if the taste test has taken place yet, and if so what the result was.
@eyewerks not yet. I stopped by Bevmo to grab a bottle and ended up buying a bottle of Glenmorangie recommended by a guy in a kilt. I wasn't a fan, but it's almost gone now so Glenlivet 12 could be a Tuesday buy!
Worth a watch.
(Direct link if the low quality of that youtube bugs you: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scottish-island-islay-whisky-60-minutes/ )
@thismyusername Thanks for sharing. That was great.
@eyewerks makes me want to take a vacation over there ;)
A further little simplistic-but-sweet lovely watch is the fabulous Brian Cox being BBC interesting on whisky: http://tune.pk/video/1074711/addicted-to-pleasure-whisky-bbc-documentary-series
The kind that's in my belly
The kind in Bailey's Irish Cream. I guess Irish?
@lisaviolet Good choice! I do love that. There are other Irish creams- have you tried any?
@dashcloud Just Emmet's. I haven't tried any others.
Arran 12-yr. Cask Strength Single Malt. Whistle Pig Rye. Widow Jane Bourbon, small batch made in Brooklyn (worth a visit, they also make Cacao Prieto chocolate on site). Rebel Yell for cooking. Bulleit Rye at the bar.
None. I'm a teetotaler. Don't drink at all, but I don't think anything is wrong with it in moderation.
Thank you, @juststephen . You have no idea how relieved that makes me feel, ...confident that I can enjoy my dram with the knowledge that you don't necessarily disapprove of my consuming it.