Irish Whiskey/Canadian Whisky/Bourbon/Scotch and so on

[InsomniacInkRoss]

What you got, what you like, what you drinking?

 

I am really exploring scotch right now, and really really like rich smokey scotches like Talisker and Laphroaig. I am trying rocks vs. neat vs. a few drops of water. So far, neat is best for the rich scotches but I like Cutty or J&B on the rocks.

 

I like bourbon too, Maker's Mark and Woodford, always neat. Beam is my favorite for mixing (I don't feel bad about mixing it).

 

Irish whiskey, in my opinion, doesn't greatly vary brand to brand, but it's my go to for shots.

 

Don't really dabble in canadian stuff, and I have never had a rye whiskey.

 

I really don't understand how people like Jack Daniels, and, what bugs me (and I pointed it out elsewhere) is people who think The Knot is a whiskey. It's strong, and it's from Ireland, but it aint whiskey.

[Godspeed]

I dabble in gin on the less than 12 times a year I drink. Hendrick's Gin ( w/ Tocic & a cucumber slice) is my personal favorite. Rehorst's Gin is pretty good, too. I have some Tanqueray Rangpur from a few years back that's great with ginger ale.

 

And that's all I can add to this topic.

[rwa12]

I am a fan of Knob Creek Bourbon, and most scotches. I do not care for the smokier ones. Have a bottle of Glen Livet Reserve French Oak 15 year right now. Very much enjoying it, very smooth. Can't drink blended scotch without rocks.

[And That]

I can't drink scotch any way but neat, especially when the weather is cooler out. A nice warm glass of scotch on a cold winter night is one of the best treats in the world.

 

Talisker 18 year is the best scotch I've ever tasted, and the 10 year might be second.

 

Laphroaig is smooth, but a little too grassy-tasting for me. I like smokier stuff most of the time.

 

Johnnie Walker Black and Glenfiddich are good, solid choices though a bit overrated. I'm going to get around to a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue one of these years.

 

The last bottle I had was a 15 year of The Glenlivet. I've had better, but it's not too smokey if that's not your thing.

 

Glenmorangie makes a lot of good stuff.

[Schlitz001]

I've been addicted to Stranahans Colorado Whiskey for a while now. It's the only whiskey distilled here in the Rockies (that I know of) and it's a robust 94 proof. I'm no whiskey connoisseur, but this stuff is great. A few years ago it was hard to find even in Colorado, but now the website says it's offered in 30 states including Wisconsin. Check out the website here.

[RobertR]

Glenmorangie is my go to, all purpose scotch, although I tend to favor the smokier scotches in the winter. Neat with a splash of water is the way to go. And I second the notion that a warm glass of scotch on a cold winter night is a treat.

 

Robert

[chuckiehacks]

[OldHoss]

I only drink bourbon and I'm really into everything done by: http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/products.php

 

Willet Pot Still Reserve on the rocks is beyond good -- it turned my wife, who generally doesn't like hard alcohol, into a bourbon drinker.

[InsomniacInkRoss]

I'm pretty intrigued by the Stranahans Colorado Whiskey, it isn't easy to be an upstart whiskey maker. I'm not gonna be a snob and question why they don't publish how long they age it, but I would be curious since it is one of the harder hills to climb in making whiskey.

 

I love Rehorst gin! But it is a rare day when I have it.

 

I like Buffalo Trace a lot too.

 

Anyone? Rye Whiskey? What is it? Hows it taste?

[brewblue1]

If you like Laphroig or Talisker, you should try Lagavulin 16. IMO, the best of the Islay scotches and my desert island choice of scotch.

Also, visit The Scotch Malt Whiskey Society and consider joining for access to cask-strength scotch of very high quality for very affordable prices. www.smwsa.com.

My fav bourbon is Booker's, with Basil Hayden's and Knob Creek following closely.

Haven't really explored many Irish whiskeys yet, but Midelton is apparently the bench mark.

Crown Royal is the only Canadian you should even bother trying. Makes the best Manhattans! Has anyone tried the new CR Black? Hear its very good and easy on the wallet.

Also, if you're a whiskey drinker, you should consider investing in some Glencairn glasses. The proper glassware can make all the difference in how whiskey tastes and the Glencairn class is the best. Turns a 12 yr old scotch into an 18 yr old!

JM

[InsomniacInkRoss]

As far as Irish, Jameson is perfectly fine and every place has it. A very easy "go to" whiskey. I will drink Paddy, Tullamore, Bushmills, or Michel Collins just as soon though.

 

Paddy seems to be the hot new irish everyone is talking about.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Usually drink The Glenlivet (12 Year), but recently last had the 15 Year French Reserve and really enjoyed it.

 

Some parishioners gave me a bottle of Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt for Christmas a couple years ago. Seemed smokier than Glenlivet. A nice change-up now in my rotation.

 

Always drink it neat with a splash of water, just as Robert says above.

 

Never had rye whiskey, though I lived not far from Templeton, IA, the home of Templeton Rye. It was reintroduced back in 2006. Supposed to be a Prohibition Era whiskey. Probably worth a try if it's available near you. (Haven't found it out here in PA, yet.)

[berniebrewer4life]

GlenFiddich is one of my favorites, as for Canadian Whiskey, I prefer VO myself.

[Buckylovesbeer]

Buffalo Trace was good before early morning Badger games in college! Have not had it since.....miss it.

 

Keep the info coming, because this thread is making me want to stock up!

[InsomniacInkRoss]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs494.ash1/26990_1394139744140_1551593334_30995976_1691002_n.jpg

 

How I spent my recent birthday.

 

Highland Park's box spoke a good game "A uniquely smooth, balanced single malt, with a rich full flavor and a gentle smokey finish." It's a fine scotch, a little too gentle on the smokey for my preference but very good none the less. It also came with a small bottle of their 18, which I will try soon.

 

 

[jjkoestler]

Re Stranahan's: I had the pleasure of working for one of the Stranahan family's philanthropic endeavors. Not only are they amazing people, but they make some damn fine whiskey. Fun fact: George ( minority owner of Stranahan's Whiskey and owner of Flying Dog Brewery) basically supported Hunter Thompson and let him live in his backyard. He was also responsible for building the cannon that shot Thompson's remains. I heard many stories about the Stranahan kids going to visit Uncle Hunter. When two of the Stranahan kids were younger they went to visit Uncle Hunter. They knocked on the door for a few minutes and walked away when he didn't answer. As they stepped off the porch a blast from a double barreled shotgun blew the door to pieces..... Yikes....

[cbustim]

Whiskey, whether it's Scotch, Canadian, Irish or American is great. There are so many that offer different tastes for each and everyone's pallet.

Canadian and Irish Whiskey's are fairly similar; both are very light and are more appealing to the "new" whiskey drinker. Paddy's is popular again because it is available in the States once again. Most Irish Whiskeys have a similar taste profile with the exception of Bushmills, which I think tastes more like a very light blended scotch.

Rye Whiskey is great if you like that extra hint of sweetness.

My faves:

Bourbon: Basil Hayden's, Maker's Mark and Jim Beam Black (Beam Black is one of the best bourbons for the price out there right now)

Irish: Jameson 18, Midleton and good ole' regular Jameson. While all are best consumed neat or with ice, I recommend Ginger Ale as a mixer for any of the whiskeys (except scotch). Milwaukee's Irish Fest will be running sampling events that allow people to taste several of the Jameson Family Whiskeys for a small fee.

Scotch: For the smoky, Islay scotch, I love Laphroig. Otherwise, The Glenlivet 18Y is terrific. The 15Y French Oak is some of the best single malt out there for the price. I am not a big blended scotch guy, but I do enjoy Chivas 12Y or 18Y from time to time. I find Johnnie Walker Blue a bit overrated for the price.

Canadian: I'm easy. Canadian Club and Canadian Club 12Y Reserve are terrific.

[LouisEly]

Not a Scotch expert - just an amateur getting into it. Has anyone tried anything by Bruichladdich, particularly the 15-year 2nd Edition?

[InsomniacInkRoss]

I just read up on Bruichladdich, being an Islay single malt, I would expect it to be very very good. Terrible website though.

 

I just tried Stranahans the other day. I had a sample from 2 bottles. One was batch 66 and the other was batch 68. They were bought in the same liquor store on the same day. Each bottle could not have tasted more different. Batch 66 was downright bad, musty, tasted like a basement. Batch 68 was much better, and is something I might considering drinking from time to time if not for the $49.99 price tag.