Scotch ...

[pz]

Very smooth

[Smokin Don]

That brings back memories. I used to like scotch too well, while in Alaska, USAF, 1967-68 I was drinking JD green label sour mash and coke, always got hung over when overdone! A friend said drink scotch and you will not have a hangover. It took a few times but got to love it. I usually drank JW red label and he was right you didn't get hungover; you just got high again after drinking some water! About every Fri. night 4 of us sat down to playing double deck pinochle after supper. We each had a fifth of our favorite. I had the scotch with ice and a little water. When the booze was gone we went to the NCO club to finish the night! During the winter months it was usually a repeat on Sat. night and then hit the NCO club Sun. morning for sick call. They had free salty dogs, either vodka or gin mixed with grapefruit juice in a large punch bowl and salt to coat the glass with. I got off the scotch when I came back home.

I stay pretty much with beer but buy some bourbon around the holidays every year. I bought a fifth of Elijah Craig 12 yr. old small batch bourbon 97 proof this year. I like to sip a shot with a beer.

I had to look up your JW Blue, looks like it is about their top of the line. I think I need to try some if the local liquor store has any! Don

[pz]

Sounds like you have a great time back in the days, Don!  Just the kind of memories I like to relive.  I'm relatively new to Scotch - only for the past two years or so, but I'm definitely developing my favorite appellations - Speyside in the Highlands area for the sweet, mellow, smooth, and Islay for the peaty styles.

The blue label is very good to me because it encompasses what appears to be all the Scottish appellations in a single whiskey.

[Ka Honu]

I've never been a great fan of Johnny Walker Blue but not because it doesn't taste good.  It's a nice blend but I just don't think it merits the price tag (at least $140 for 750 ml). There are just too many blends and single malts that taste as good or better to me and are better values. 

As you work your way through the Speysides, try Abelour A'bunadh.  For my money (usually about $55-60) it's the best under $100 bottle on the market.  It's a recreation of an old recipe (from the late 1800s) and since it's aged in sherry casks, is somewhat sweeter and softer than most scotches.  At cask strength (about 120 proof) it can kick your a$$ if you're not careful. Try it with a splash, a cube, or straight - it's almost like three different whiskies.

OBTW, American and Irish products usually use the "whiskey" spelling (but not always) while Scotch whisky is pretty much always spelled without the "e."

[sliding_billy]

Ah, memories.  Scotch was my drink of choice before I quit.  My regular drink was Dewar's White Label, my mid grade was Glenfiddich 12, and my top shelf was Glenlivet 18.  Anything more expensive than that was out of my price range.  I have had JWB and enjoyed it, but I agree that it is overpriced.  Given the choice between it and either of the singles I mentioned, I will take the others even if I am not paying.

[Pam Gould]

I've never been a great fan of Johnny Walker Blue but not because it doesn't taste good.  It's a nice blend but I just don't think it merits the price tag (at least $140 for 750 ml). There are just too many blends and single malts that taste as good or better to me and are better values. 

As you work your way through the Speysides, try Abelour A'bunadh.  For my money (usually about $55-60) it's the best under $100 bottle on the market.  It's a recreation of an old recipe (from the late 1800s) and since it's aged in sherry casks, is somewhat sweeter and softer than most scotches.  At cask strength (about 120 proof) it can kick your a$$ if you're not careful. Try it with a splash, a cube, or straight - it's almost like three different whiskies.

OBTW, American and Irish products usually use the "whiskey" spelling (but not always) while Scotch whisky is pretty much always spelled without the "e."

Have you tried the stainless steel ice cubes? I want some for wine. What do you think? I freeze my whiskey and Vodka..well not freeze but I keep them in the freezer.  Pam .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི

[Smokin Don]

I figured the JW blue was expensive but at $140 I won't be trying any!!  $30 is high end for me!!! Don

[ACW3]

While on a trip to Edinborough, Scoland my wife and I took the "Scotch Experience" tour.  Learned all about the four regions that produce the different "flavors" of scotch.  Got to taste them all, too.  Each one was very distinctive.  All good, too.

Art

[TentHunteR]

OBTW, American and Irish products usually use the "whiskey" spelling (but not always) while Scotch whisky is pretty much always spelled without the "e."

Now that is an interesting tidbit.

[SmokinKat]

While on a trip to Edinborough, Scoland my wife and I took the "Scotch Experience" tour.  Learned all about the four regions that produce the different "flavors" of scotch.  Got to taste them all, too.  Each one was very distinctive.  All good, too.

Art

My mom and I did something similar a couple of years back in Edinborough-- was just fascinating to get to taste the different styles all next to each other and have the differences explained in that kind of hands on experience.  Ardbeg was both our favorite, although the price tag keeps me from indulging my newly refined tastes!   :'(   

[CDN Smoker]

See now were talking whisky on a BBQ forum. That's the more past

My favourite  http://www.gibsonsfinest.ca

 

[fishingbouchman]

Next trip to Hiland I so want do this. Golf and scotch trip.  Sounds just awesome.

[sparky]

crown royal for me.  never been a scotch drinker.  my brother n law loves a good scotch.   

[CDN Smoker]

I will convert ya someday Sparky

[sliding_billy]

One of my favorite drinks (especially great in the winter) is/was scotch and milk (with a little bit of honey).