If you like Yamasaki you might consider giving Hibiki a try. Made by the same distillery. A light and tasty whisky.

I have always drank Canadian as I like a milder flavor that can be enjoyed. Crown Reserve chilled. Not a real big fan of a real harsh bourboney taste like Jack Daniels or Beam. I have never tried scotch though. Have wanted to just to experiment with something different. So from what I gather in this thread something milder like a glenlivet 12 or something similar might be a good bet? Other suggestions? Don't think I would be into something with a stout burnt peat bite. Just curious.

I like Crown Royal. Usually I take it on ice, while I prefer my scotch neat. :shrug:

If you also like Crown Royal (not sure if Crown Reserved is similar, as I haven't heard of or tried that one) and your taste buds are like mine, then take a look at Glenlivet 12 ("cheaper" option), and Oban 14 and Macallan 12 for more expensive (but not completely absurd) options.


FWIW, the best scotch I have had is the Glenlivet 25. I haven't had any scotch that was older than that. Some friends and I all pitched in to buy a bottle after one of our buddies made it through open heart surgery to repair a valve issue. I've had Macallan 15 and 18, and honestly can't see why it's worth a penny more than the 12 (which is also excellent).

Had several Balvenies, all of which are good. The 12, 17 (weird number, but whatever) (Madeira cask) and the 21 (Portwood). The friend and I who tried them both agreed that the 17 was quite excellent and, oddly enough, that we liked both the 12 and the 17 more than the 21.

So basically 17 > 12 > 21.

You would think that at least within the same family more aged would always equal better, but it isn't necessarily true in my experience. Other times, the difference is so marginal that it isn't worth the typically gigantic leaps in price.

I would ask what tasting notes you like in the Crown? I think that gives a good idea of what you might like. Milder flavor means you avoid the Islays for certain, and I'd take a guess that you'd like Speysides, like Amnorix pointed out. Oban has some punch to it, (not the burning tire covered in bandaids kind) but a strong flavor profile nonetheless, so I wouldn't start there.

I drink Crown Royal too. When I was in college, I'd shoot Wild Turkey in the bar until I fell off the barstool. Also drank lots of Jim Beam playing all night poker (and doing other things). Now I just drink Crown Royal now and again. I'm much more into quality than quantity when it comes to all types of alcohol.

Going to a dinner party at a friends house tomorrow night. Both he and his wife are huge scotch drinkers. He's got over 3 grand in his cabinet, and I'm gonna taste alllllll of it.

order a dram of Laphroaig 10 year, neat, with a splash of water. Let it wash over you.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/61bipp9FAsw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I was sipping one of these tonight and my daughter said it smelled like a sharpie. LMAO

I love certain types of scotch but do not disagree with your daughter. It tastes about that way too but have friends that love it so I keep trying it. Did you like it early on or was it more of an acquired taste?

Really enjoy what I have had from Balvenie. The 12yr doublewood is my general stable and several of their more aged offerings have also been really good. However, feel like I'm missing something by not branching out but in that price range I tend to stick with what I know.

I liked it fine from the beginning, but my palate is wide open. I love complex and unusual flavors.

I was the same way. First pour and I was in love. Same thing with Lagavulin and Bruichladdich.

Copper Run makes a good whiskey. They set up shop in a Walnut Grove, just a little south of Sprinfield. Very smooth with a nutty flavor and hot finish.

Crown is not quality.

I tried The MacAllan...did not love

I tried Glenlivet 12...meh

A friend bought me a glass of Laphroaig 10...by far the most pleasant Scotch experience to date

I want to try Bunnahabhain
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zn5m5jR3yDk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Getting ready to break into a bottle of Bib & Tucker.

Looks fancy. How do you drink something this fancy?

Out of a Baileys Irish Cream glass because it is the only clean glass I have right now. ;-)

McClelland's Islay is my latest attempt to find a low priced single malt. There is something nasty going on here. The nose is smokey and sweet. Mouthfeel is thin with a touch of oiliness. So far so good. The taste and finish is where everything goes wrong. Astringent, peaty, chemical, saccharine, licorice, dirty sock water. I'll finish the bottle, but I won't be a repeat customer for this regrettable malt.

Just picked up the Laphroaig 15 200th anniversary edition. Impressions to follow.

I find that stuff nasty, but to each his own.

You're up there in the smokey section. Maybe try Ardbeg, Talisker, etc. See link to post with scotch flavor map:


http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...5&postcount=36

I have really been digging High West's rye blends lately. Sipping on Bourye tonight, a blend of 10 and 16 year old ryes with a bit of 9 year old bourbon. Super smooth.

High West does a great job. Their Campfire is one of those bottles I always have to have in stock.

Going here on Saturday: http://www.theflatironroom.com

Check out the whisky list. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.

check what the wifey got me for me birthday

Had me some of this the other night:
http://www.drinks-of-the-world.de/bi...0106,s-600.jpg


Glenfarclas 12 year old speyside

Was very sweet. Fruity and spicy and concentrated explosion of sherry.

Zero peat.

Right off the bat it was almost too sweet and too fruity, but as the ice melted it and it mellowed out, it was very enjoyable.

Its a mid-grade around maybe 50$ a bottle....I enjoyed it ...I wouldn't rush out to buy another one but it would be a great after dinner drink or paired with a desert or if you like fruity/sherry it could be a daily driver.

My recommend is a glass full of ice and pour it deep and wait a bit for it to get all melty and mellow.

So when I went up to Vermont in June, I happened upon a presentation of a small local distillery whose spokesman had the temperament of a 19th century carnival barker. He was talking up their products and offering samples of their vodka, their 'blue agave' (that is, Tequila, except from Vermont), and their Snowfall brand whiskey. The odd thing about Snowfall was that it was clear, which (as he passed out complimentary shots) he explained as being the result of it not being aged in the barrels as most whiskey is. The aging, he explained to the uninitiated, gave it its color as well as the flavor of the wood. As they did not age Snowfall, it had no color, and relied only on the flavor of the grain, which I have to admit was fairly smooth.

Those of us who were there started looking at each other as we downed the samples. "Isn't there a name for whiskey that hasn't been aged in casks?" we each thought out loud, although we all knew the answer. Whiskey that has not been aged in a cask is, of course, moonshine.

Naturally, I coughed up the 35 bucks and bought a bottle. I took it out to Indiana so my better half and I could try some together. Our joint result was that we could mark off the 'tried moonshine' box in our list of life accomplishments, but neither of us were anxious to thunder out to the local distillery to make a habit of it. So, now I have the remainder back here.

Naturally, I'll be taking it to this year's New Year's Eve party, and make my friends drink it. Perhaps we'll use it as Party Foul Punishment Drink. It's only fair.

It's good to live in the South, where the true moonshine is readily available if you know someone who knows someone...

Some of the best liquor is illegal liquor and a pure 'apple pie' moonshine is better than anything you get in the liquor store.

oh...and not to derail the thread...

Anything from Buffalo Trace...Pappy, Eagle, Buffalo Trace...

That's exactly how I feel about Glenfarclas. It is a great after dinner, cold night, sitting by a fire Scotch. I have a 40 year old farclas that has yet to be opened. I'll be sure to post about that once it is opened.

Thats pretty nice


my local haunt is here:

http://jackandtonys.com/

they have a pretty sizeable list too

Awesome.

The Flatiron District in Manhattan was named after the Flatiron Building (23rd St.)

http://www.metropolitanpropertygroup...s/areas/38.jpg

Has anyone had anything from Balcones distillery in Texas?

You ever get whiskey dick pawn?

So a couple weeks ago, I received a groomsman gift from the groom. It was a bottle of Hennessy. I have never had Hennessy before. On the bottle, it says it is cognac. I have heard of cognac several times, but (and I am somewhat embarrassed to admit this) I have no idea what it is. I opened the bottle and smelled it and it smells like whiskey. Is cognac a type of whisky????

This stuff is phenomenal.

http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/im...15362NVBND.jpg

Got some of this from a guy in Chicago. Really nice.

http://www.whisky.dk/images/Koval_Ry...o_40_alc-p.jpg

Abaolutely

Theres a fine line between good whisky dick and bad whisky dick IMO

something around 6-7 whiskies is where the line is

good whisky dick you can **** like a beast and not cum and stay hard forever and she will literally have to beat your cock and suck and **** it super hard to get you to blow yyour load


bad whisky dick....you can either never cum or you actually lose your wood

I try to ride the line of real good whisky dick, around 6 whiskies

No,

Cognac is a type of brandy (grape based alcohol)

Most every place it is called brandy, except for one particular spot in France , if it is made there...it gets to be called Cognac.

Kinda like how only whisky made a certain way in Scotland gets the title of Scotch.

Cognac / Brandy is really really good...probably deserving of a thread.....

If any one of you assholes ever comes and visits me, I live VERY near one of the premier Brandy makers in the world....and have access to some rela good cheap brandy.

got some Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon, good little whiskey for the price, I recommend it.

Also, Tin Cup whiskey made in Colorado is quality stuff...

I've been wanting to try Yellow Spot. I've heard nothing but good things about it.

You should do so. Really great stuff.

Also, I know this isn't whiskey, but Monkey 47 Gin is truly fantastic liquor. Sip it straight up.

http://www.lion-spirits.de/media/ima...in_720x600.jpg

No, but hella coincidence here. I'd never heard of Balcones until last week when someone mentioned it at a Christmas party. I'm going to get some very soon and will report back.

So for what it's worth, I like Hennessy quite a bit also. It's my favorite cognac. I haven't tried that many, and don't know that much about the whole VS, VSOP and that stuff. I'm mostly into scotch and other whiskeys. The only other cognac I know I've tried off the top of my head is Remy Martin, which I did not care for.

As someone else mentioned, cognac is grape-based, thereby eliminating it from being a whiskey. Whiskeys by definition are a grain-based alcohol.

I don't know, maybe it's because I really learned about drinking scotch spending a week in Glasgow, Scotland a decade or so ago, but I just can't fathom putting ice or soda in a good scotch.

Maybe watering it down helps a less than top-label scotch or maybe it's the scotch snob in me peeking out.

Blame it on the proprietor at the Ben Nevis Pub.

Yeah, same. I take mine neat. I use rocks for Crown Royal though. I've had the Hennessey both ways. Don't seem to care much either way on that one. For the good scotches though I think it works fine without anything else mixed into the equation.

Gin is my #2 alcohol after whiskey. I'll have to check that out, thanks. My favorite gin at the moment is The Botanist, made by Bruichladdich distillery.

http://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/media.../g/wg108_2.jpg

http://adventuresinpubs.co.uk/wp-con...old-whisky.jpg
Scapa: The Orcadian 16

This is the latest scotch I've been enjoying. Slight smokey flavor, not too peaty, it's actually one of the smoother scotches I've had lately. If you like a more subtle scotch, I can highly recommend this one.

Nikka whisky from a barrel is brilliant but hard to find. The Japanese apparently asked the Scots for peat, barrels, advice...you name it but the product is stellar and can only be found in certain markets

Makers 46 right now. Better than regular. Best under $50 for sure.

Scapa 16 is a tremendous summer, sitting by the pool Scotch. I love it.

I haven't had Nikka barrel yet, but I do have the Nikka Coffey Grain and it is delightful. It's a grain whiskey though, so not for everyone. Has a distinctive sweetness that malt doesn't possess.

If you guys ever decide to come to Canada, there are 3 very good whiskeys you might wanna try:

-Gibsons finest
-Crown Royal (In honour of your beloved Royals hehe naw just kidding but that's the name of the whiskey)
-Canadian Club

Just scored some Forester's Birthday Bourbon. Gonna give to dad for xmas.

I've been stuck on Balvenie 14/15 lately anyways.

do you seriously think you have to go to Canada to get Canadian club or crown ****ing royal?

Holy shit dumbass, I can get those here next to the Mexican border.

http://i.imgur.com/ORONFrU.jpg?1

**** THE BLUE JAYS

I got a bottle of Eagle Rare. Has anyone had it before?

7 or 10 year? It is decent.

Relax settle down, take a deep breath. Everything is okay. Make sure that pulse of yours don't spike too fast and hard because you'll just wear your heart out.

If you don't know how to breathe for relaxation all you do is say to yourself is one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand as you inhale and then four one thousand, five one thousand, six one thousand as exhale out.

Just saying top 3 whiskeys is Canada. Of course, you don't have to come to Canada to get it, but then there are other options like Canadian Club or Gibsons finest chacha.

10 year

When I was first getting into bourbons, I picked up a bottle of Eagle Rare and really liked it. Now that I've had quite a few more bourbons, I'm not as impressed with ER. There is nothing offensive about it, but it doesn't stand out either. However, it is still a solid whiskey.

My thoughts exactly.

Im calmly telling you to shut your ****ing suck hole

Bought myself a bottle of 17 year old Wild Turkey for Christmas. It's excellent.

LMAO

Stay miserable. It's good for ya!

Please. Who are you anyway?

You don't have the right to tell me what to do. You think I'm gonna listen to you? Hahahaha

And when I don't shut up what are you gonna do about it internet tough guy?

I want to rep the person that had the hidden gems gift idea thread and the person that came up with the whiskey aging barrels. Its probably my favorite gift

My son has become a whisky buff/snob, so for Christmas I got him something called "whisky stones".

You freeze them then put them in your glass, keeps the drink cold but you're still able to drink it "neat" without watering it down.

Cool gift. I see online lots of people prefer it neat. Too strong for me, feels like it's drinking fire. I always let it cut into the ice for 15 min to make it drinkable.

Not a whisky/scotch guy myself, cant stand it... beers and clears only.

Hi. My name is L'll Smokey and I've never really tried out much alcohol before. Would whisky be a good choice for a n00b?

Lew I think it was

Everclear is a good starter or Bacardi 151

Mad dog 20/20

Got a bottle of macallan 25 in my stocking. Guess I was a good boy

Lol. I've always had good whiskey dick. Thank god

Acquired taste. You'll get used to them. Once you do, you'll really enjoy them.

Nice!

Just tried my Eagle Rare. Not too bad. I like Angels Envy quite a bit better