Alrighty all you scotch drinkers out there… help me out please! :: I’ve decided to give scotch a whirl, and have a bottle of Dewar’s sitting on my counter. Now what do I do? Seriously, do I mix it with water, straight up, or on the rocks? Is there a particular way that’s good for a newbie?
Curious minds want to know,
Andrea ~*~
the-newbie-scotch-drinking-cutie-meldy-pie
Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.
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[ This Message was edited by: aderyn on 2002-11-27 19:24 ]
I don’t drink Scotch myself, but my husband and father-in-law, both single-malt enthusiasts, insist the only way to drink good Scotch is either straight up, or with a little water (not soda) on the rocks.
Take the Dewar’s and see how much of a trade-in you get on a single malt.
Dewar’s isn’t bad for blended scotch but single scotch is distinctly different. I tend to do Dewar’s with a small splash of water (5 to 1).
Macallan 12 year old isn’t my favorite but it’s easy to find, not insanely expensive and a pretty easy introduction.
For a bit more, Dalwhinnie or Glenmorangie aren’t hard to find.
A cheaper way to go is mini-bottles. There is a set of 6 scotches in mini-bottles called (I think) the Classic Malts collection. It has Dalwhinnie, Lagavulin, Talisker, Oban, Glenkinchie, and Cragganmore. It’s something like $30 and while there are better of some/all of the styles, for the price of one bottle of scotch, you get a good taste of all the representative styles.
I believe in Abelour–yes, single malt
is the best. Straight on the rocks
or you take a glass of cold water
and you take a sip of scotch
followed by a sip of water…
‘For malt does more than Milton can
To justify God’s ways to man.’
A. E. Houseman
You know you are cultivating an appreciation for what is called “the waters of life” ?
Actually all the scotch lovers I’ve known(25yrs of associating with Skye Terrier enthusiasts and pipe band members…that’s a lot) do not dilute it at all.
As a winery owner, I prefer the fruit of the vine myself.
Had to edit, I forgot to mention, that if you have not done so, you need to read “Proof” by Dick Francis. I learned more about single and double malt scotch than I ever wanted to know. It’s my favorite of his books.
[ This Message was edited by: cowtime on 2002-11-27 20:35 ]
Cowtime, I rather enjoy the fruit of the vine meself but I thought I’d try to broaden my horizons a bit. How fun that you are a winery owner!! Thanks for the book tip-- can’t ever have too many books!
I haven’t had blended Scotch in ages. I usually recommend The Macallan 12 year old for beginning Scotch drinkers. My personal favorites are Lagavulin and Laphroaig, but they are … uhhhh … extremely flavorful and not to everyone’s taste. I usually take it neat, sometimes with a splash of plain water, no ice.
Have you tried Irish whiskey? It’s somewhat similar to Scotch but without the peat smoke taste.
Take the scotch and pour it down the sink it’s great to clean drains. Then get yourself a good bottle of Irish. Look for Red Breast, tis what the saints drink in heaven
For a real easy intro into scotch I’d recommend Johnnie Walker Black Label. It’s very easy to drink, and not too intense, although it also doesn’t have the character that single malts have. For a first single malt I’d also recommend The Macallan, it’s pretty sweet, and doesn’t have a heavy alcohol taste. I never drink scotch with ice.When drinks are chilled it really kills the flavor, beer is also better when served at cellar temp, if it doesn’t taste good warm, it doesn’t taste good, pour it out and get a real beer.
Take care, Johnz
I have never had a bootle of single malt that I did not like in one or many ways. They are all different and all enjoyable. I can’t say the same for blended.
I just so happen to have a bottle of Glenrothes from Speyside at the moment. To bad I can’t pour a round through the net.
For the true fans of single malts, or the art book collector, you might want to keep an eye out for a book by Ralph Steadman. Hunter S. Thompson readers know who I’m talking about. Titled “Still Life with Bottle” It’s a dead give away for a gift. ‘winks’
Sorry I can’t help much–of all the liquids that have passed my lips (and there has been a variety), the ones I liked the least were Scotch and sherry (no, I didn’t have them together).
When I was drinkin’ the hard stuff, I preferred a good bourbon if I couldn’t get Courvoisier VSOP.
I wouldn’t drink that stuff you have, but someone went to the trouble of giving it to you so - lots of soda and ice. The add more soda and ice.
About the only scotch I’ll drink is Glenlivet (another single-malt). I drink that the same way I drink good brandy - straight up with a glass of ice water on the side.
: I’ve decided to give scotch a whirl, and have a bottle of Dewar’s sitting on my counter. Now what do I do? 
Seriously, do I mix it with water, straight up, or on the rocks? Is there a particular way that’s good for a newbie?
I’ll let you know!
