Question for the single malt gurus

[Warhoover]

First let me say I am very wet behind the ears here when it comes to whisky. Have been a perpetual embiber of rum and "tekillya" for many years. A friend many moons ago (15 yrs) gave me a bottle of 12 y.o. Glenlivet. I had tried it several times and "ok" with it. Since coming here to Xmarks I have read the threads on single malts and noticed that some guys enjoy the 12y.o. Glenlivet, so I got it out of the back of the cupboard and decided I would see if my palate had matured some. Well, I poured a couple of ounces and proceeded to give it a go and my first impression was it was like my mouth was being attacked! But, I continued telling myself it was an adjustment thing. The only way I can describe it is that it has very strong "bite" to me, almost "abusive". I am sorry I don't know how to describe it. I really need to read up on it more.
Anyway, this past weekend I was going to a friends birthday party and stopped by a liquor store to pick him up a liter of his favorite ( and one of mine) Captain Morgan's. I walked by the Scotch case and I noticed Laphroaig. I had heard about it, read about it on here, and saw a show on the History Channel that talked about it. So, what the hey I picked up a bottle of the 10 year old. When I got home, I tried a small dram. A totally different experience. Smooth! Complex flavor, none of that real harsh bite I got from the Glenlivet. I LIKE IT!!!
My question is this, I have read on here that the Islay Malts are something you have to grow into basically. Why would I then not take a liking to the Glen but immediatley enjoy Laphroaig? Is my palate that much out of whack?

Brad

[PiobBear]

I have read on here that the Islay Malts are something you have to grow into basically. Why would I then not take a liking to the Glen but immediatley enjoy Laphroaig? Is my palate that much out of whack?

No, you simply have good taste in Scotch laddie!

[mbhandy]

No, you simply have good taste in Scotch laddie!

When I lived in UK if you asked for wiskey and coke they gave you 3 Kings scotch and coke with one ice cube? maybe....

It was the pits.....

There is GOOD Scotch and BAD scotch.

MrBill

[flyv65]

I *always* drink my single malts with a bit of water (no ice!); it breaks the esters and lets the aroma of the scotch out-I think it's easier to pick out the different flavors present in the malt this way. As for prefering the Islays to some of the more popular/common Speysides, well, it is variety that makes the world go 'round! if you enjoy the Laphroag, try Talisker (a bit less of the classic "Islay" flavor), or Ardberg (buckle up-it is a salty/iodine slap in the face!).

Bryan...I prefer the Macallan cask strength, Glen Morangie Madiera finish, and the Balvenie double wood, myself...

[Livingston]

There is GOOD Scotch and BAD scotch.

MrBill

To slightly miss-quote someone I worked with a few lifetimes ago, the WORST Scotch I ever had was D#$N good.

Of course those at the lower end of good I'll drink with water and ice. BUT the single malts are another story. My wife and I will pick a different one each time we head to the package store just so we can try something new. She has settled on Glenlivet 12 as her malt of choice. Me, I'll go for Oban, Craganmore, Glenfiddich, Glenmoragie Port/Sherry, Balvine 21, Talisker and many more. But my vary favorite, to quote him again, is OP.........other peoples Much less expensive that way.

[Fearnest]

To slightly miss-quote someone I worked with a few lifetimes ago, the WORST Scotch I ever had was D#$N good.

Of course those at the lower end of good I'll drink with water and ice. BUT the single malts are another story. My wife and I will pick a different one each time we head to the package store just so we can try something new. She has settled on Glenlivet 12 as her malt of choice. Me, I'll go for Oban, Craganmore, Glenfiddich, Glenmoragie Port/Sherry, Balvine 21, Talisker and many more. But my vary favorite, to quote him again, is OP.........other peoples Much less expensive that way.

That's how I feel about (most) beers - my two favorites? Free beer, and cheap beer.

[Kilted KT]

Scotch is a strange beast.

Some people start out with the highland or speysides, and swear it off like it is the plague, while others love it.

Some find the Islays ( like myself ) and prefer them almost to the point of insanity. It is very much an individual experience, especially with Laphroaig being as peaty and smokey as it is.

I figure it this way - if you find one you like, try others of the same type ( islay, highland, etc.) and I am fairly certain your will find many different Scotches that you will enjoy.

(word to the wise: when drinking Laphroaig cask strength, take the advise on the bottle and put a little water in your glass. It tastes MUCH better that way)

[Dreadbelly]

I'll probably be hung for this, but I can't tell the difference between most Scotch and Listereen. I don't mind drinking it, but all I can taste is the not so subtle taste of burning dog in my mouth. Or something.

Now rum or red wine, I can taste all of the flavours in there.

Maybe it is a genetic thing.

[Fearnest]

I'll probably be hung for this, but I can't tell the difference between most Scotch and Listereen. I don't mind drinking it, but all I can taste is the not so subtle taste of burning dog in my mouth. Or something.

Now rum or red wine, I can taste all of the flavours in there.

Maybe it is a genetic thing.

BURNING DOG??? If you know what burning dog tastes like, then perhaps that goes a long way towards explaining why your melt your kilts...

[ckelly327]

If I was a single malt drinker I would listen to anything that P1M had to say. For whatever reason I never developed the taste for Scotch Whiskey that I have for Irish Whiskey. There is a relatively new Irish Whiskey called Michael Collins that I found rather smooth and palatable.

It's been a few years since my last Scotch so maybe I'll have to give it a retry soon. I'll have to make a list from this thread before I head to the store.