Just One Whisk(e)y

**GoodGirlGonePlaid** · 28th April 11, 09:34 AM

I tried Lagavulin because of a book character who kept downing it.
Now THAT's dorky!

Thank goodness it's fabulous!

**Redhawk** · 29th April 11, 01:44 PM

My "kids" got me this for my birthday last week... Can't wait to try it

**artificer** · 29th April 11, 02:40 PM

Personally, if it HAD to be one, it would be Laphroiag 10yr Quarter Cask. IF. it HAD to be JUST ONE, mind you.

ith:

**Steve Ashton** · 29th April 11, 02:48 PM

One Whiskey

One word

Penderyn

**Whidbey78** · 29th April 11, 03:16 PM

If I had to choose one whiskey for all eternity...I know I'll be condemned to one of the inner rings for this...it would probably be Maker's Mark.

If it's one Scotch Whisky we're talking about it would be Johnny Walker Black.

Please note that I choose both not because they are the best, but because they can both be found almost anywhere, even out here in the sticks where I am.

Talisker would actually be my first choice of Scotch, but it's a special order item out here and just isn't practical or affordable since I'd have to order a case at a time and I'm probably the only guy in town who would drink it.

**Burly Brute** · 29th April 11, 03:17 PM

My vote is with the two chaps who said Glenmorangie. I am not as seasoned as some, but I especially love the Quinta Ruban. I also don't know the fanciful descriptive words, but it sure wets my whistle and it taste good too!

http://www.glenmorangie.com/our-whiskies/quinta-ruban

Edit: Also, I prefer all my scotch neat...idk if that was a qualifier or not, but figured I would throw it in there.

While on the subject, however, I was wondering something. I have heard that one ice cube will bring out the flavor, is this true?

**Whidbey78** · 29th April 11, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Burly Brute

While on the subject, however, I was wondering something. I have heard that one ice cube will bring out the flavor, is this true?

Opinions differ.

A man I worked for when I was a kid--the guy who turned me on to Scotch in the first place--liked to pour his over ice(never iced it after the pour) but refused to water it. He was very picky about the ice too. I question his sanity to this day.

Personally, I like milder whisky neat, a splash of clean water in some of the more heartily flavored ones, but never ice. I keep my mild stuff mild and let the stronger flavors go crazy--basically I like both ends of the spectrum, but don't play around in between. But that's me and my tastes. I never chill it either as it lessens the flavor. I don't chill any liquors for that matter, and for that reason.

**beloitpiper** · 29th April 11, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Burly Brute

While on the subject, however, I was wondering something. I have heard that one ice cube will bring out the flavor, is this true?

Ice will coagulate oils and esters in the whisky and literally change the flavor of the drink. Also, ice numbs your taste buds--basically puts them to sleep--so that you have less response to flavor.

I always recommend a few drops of distilled water at cellar temperature.. This will disrupt the layer of alcohol that tends to form at the top of the liquid and lower the alcoholic concentration, which will bring flavors out of solution and make the drink more aromatic and flavorful.

**Whidbey78** · 29th April 11, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

Ice will coagulate oils and esters in the whisky and literally change the flavor of the drink. Also, ice numbs your taste buds--basically puts them to sleep--so that you have less response to flavor.

I always recommend a few drops of distilled water at cellar temperature.. This will disrupt the layer of alcohol that tends to form at the top of the liquid and lower the alcoholic concentration, which will bring flavors out of solution and make the drink more aromatic and flavorful.

Considering what you do for a living, I think this discussion is done.

Back on topic?

**CDNSushi** · 1st May 11, 06:11 PM

Back on topic.... Considering the nature of the original question, if I could only choose and drink ONE whisky henceforth, there are two ways of interpreting the problem. The first is from the utilitarian argument. Practically speaking, I suspect the whisky of choice would have to fulfill three main criteria: a) it must be readily available b) it must be inexpensive enough to allow for casual purchase and consumption, c) it must taste good.

Otherwise, the second way of interpreting the problem is from the whimsical, fantastic angle: i.e. the question itself is so unbelievable, unrealistic and fanciful, then in the spirit of living in this hypothetical realm, I may as well choose the BEST, most expensive, rarest whisky that my imagination can muster, because I will assume that I will be supplied with an unlimited, free reserve of it by the same whisky fairy that mandated I choose only one for the rest of my life to begin with!

As I tend to be a somewhat practical person, I choose the utilitarian interpretation of the problem, which leads me to a crossroads as well. The question did not specify whether "whisky" was being limited to the Scottish realm... Or even further, whether the definition would only encompass those whiskies that use the Scottish English spelling of whisky rather than the Hiberno-English whiskey.

But I suspect that reading this far into the question wasn't the intention either, so given that this forum is X Marks the SCOT, I delimit myself to scotches, in the utilitarian sense.

If this question had been asked prior to 2010, I would have chosen: Arran 12 year-old, cask strength. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued and replaced by their 14 year-old.

My choice is therefore: Arran 14yr single malt.

However, I make my choice under protest that I cannot, in good conscience be made to select this particular whisky YET... Since the Arran distillery has only been around since 1995, they have not yet had a chance to release their 18-year old. Therefore, I would also demand to be given till at least 2013 to make my final selection in order to try the Arran 18.