new to Scotch inform me please.

[sin2001]

So I have a few bottle. I got a buddy wanting rid of a Scotch called Lagavulin single islay malt 16 year. Is this a good scotch he stated he hates granted I like alot he does not. Is this a good Scotch? hows the best way of drinking it? on rocks? or a splash of water? or straight up? Also if you can point me off to some good scotchs I would love it.

[guardsman]

water half and half, you lucky sod

[LandRover]

How do I enjoy Lagavulin and the other fine scotch's of Scotland? Neat. Always. No water, no ice, and please man, NO COKE! I like to enjoy my libations as the Master Distiller intended.

I have had some Highland offerings, and they are quite good. Occasionally I'll have a teaspoon or less of water with my dram to bring out the floral and honey notes. But with my Islay's, I always go neat.

The Laga 16 is a fantastic dram; good onya, enjoy, and I'm off to pour one for myself.

[PEEDYC]

I am not really a Scotch drinker but putting water in a malt is sacrilege. You may be allowed a small amount of ice but NO water. If I do have a Scotch it is always malt and very occasionally I may add a Glayva or Drambuie to it.(Rusty Nail)

[sin2001]

Thanks for the info. I would never add come. That's when jack is for. When ever I have scotch as my dad makes it with ice and water. If I'm going to enjoy the finer parts of life I wish to do it right. That's why I asked. My first dram will be straight and I will take er from there. Y'all toss me some of the names of your scotches so I can toss them on my list. Thanks all.

[Lime]

I am not really a Scotch drinker but putting water in a malt is sacrilege. You may be allowed a small amount of ice but NO water. If I do have a Scotch it is always malt and very occasionally I may add a Glayva or Drambuie to it.(Rusty Nail)

No no no no no no no no... water is good; it really brings out the flavour and adds to a good single malt (some more than others). Read any decent whisky commentator then try it.... you might like it.

[svc40bt]

A few drops of water in a snifter will really bring out the nose, but I don't add anything to Islays as they often taste burnt to me when I add water. Lagavulin 16 is one of my favorites and I am nearly out, so if you don't care for it, I would be happy to take it off your hands.

[LitTrog]

I typically drink my malts neat, but there is NOTHING wrong with adding a bit of water. It does interesting things to the nose and the taste--like Lime said, the degree of change varies with the malt. A heck of a lot of fun to experiment.

Is the Lagavulin a good scotch? I think so, but a malt is good only if you like it.

[guardsman]

sorry guys , whisky is like brandy,never cold. Iced water max half and half

[English Bloke]

Let's see what Big Ralfy at ralfy.com (or in this case you-tube) has to say on the issue.

These are good reviews giving one man's opinion on numerous whiskies. You don't have to agree with him but it does give you a 'heads up' on the less common or more expensive brands before you throw your money at a bottle...

Lagavulin 16 is a fine (if somewhat expensive at around £45 a bottle) single malt. For that reason I save it for special occasions. A half dozen drops of bottled, still mineral water (not tap), a quick swish and a moment to breathe, helps it out in my opinion. It's how I take mine anyway.

There's nothing wrong with adding a dash of water to your whisky. The distilleries add water to knock it down from cask to bottle strength so why can't we add a dash more if that's how we prefer it. My only suggestion would be start neat (as the distiller intended) and add your water (literally) a couple of drops at a time and see where you find the level you like... It may even be you do prefer it neat... or even quite wet.

Ice in my experience kills a malt whisky. It's like ice cold beer, it makes it fairly tasteless to me and spoils my enjoyment.

Soft drinks, cordials and such are best reserved for mixing into blended whiskies like Johnnie Walker. It's up to you though. You need to experiment to find your favourites, but don't be dissuaded by the seeming snobbery of it all. Sometimes all this talk of phenols and citrus notes can seem a bit daunting but it's just a language. It's just words folk use to try and describe what they are smelling and tasting... And the smell is half the wonderment.

I don't bother meeself, I use words like "By eck, that's bloody fantastic" but I do understand the speak when I hear it.

Enjoy your whisky. It cost you nowt so have a play about with a few short measures and see where it takes you.