Scotch !

**Kiltboy** · 31st January 10, 05:47 PM

Mercy! Sorry to hear it.

You'll have to have your own tasting. Or keep tabs on Siegels website for some of their sponsored tasting events.

But, you did end up at the Flying Saucer. (A personal favorite spot.)

**MacLowlife** · 31st January 10, 08:10 PM

I can get Balvenie Doublewood 12 for less than Highland Park ( both right around $40 / 750)

**Merlin** · 1st February 10, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

I can get Balvenie Doublewood 12 for less than Highland Park ( both right around $40 / 750)

You prefer the DW12 over the HP18 I take it?

**pipe23** · 2nd February 10, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Merlin

Well...it was a bust. First place had johnny Blue.... that was about their best.
Next place only had Glenlevit 18...
What a disappointment. An irish pub that had very limited scotch.
I did go to Flying Saucer and had a pint of Iron Thistle though.

I'll have to try again next weekend I guess.

I find most Irish pubs don't usually have a good selection of single malts to begin with, and only the best ones have a full selection of Irish Whisky. Your best bet is to try and find a cigar bar or an upscale cocktail lounge for a decent selection. Most pubs and bars tend to stock the same well-known single malts and don't really have the space for a decent selection, thanks to all the flavored vodkas and boutique spirits that are in such demand by today's youth.

**xena** · 2nd February 10, 09:14 AM

Laphroaig. Quarter cask, about 750 ml, about $80.00 Cdn.

Smoky flavour reminds you of being in a warm cabin on cold day. Mmmmmm...

**hallmarktex** · 2nd February 10, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Merlin

Well...it was a bust. First place had johnny Blue.... that was about their best.
Next place only had Glenlevit 18...
What a disappointment. An irish pub that had very limited scotch.
I did go to Flying Saucer and had a pint of Iron Thistle though.

I'll have to try again next weekend I guess.

Go to the Tap Inn in Grapevine on Main street. They don't always carry the same variety, but they always have several choices of single malts that are normally only found at the high priced joints...and they are reasonably priced. Oh, the food is good too.

**Semiomniscient** · 2nd February 10, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by xena

Laphroaig. Quarter cask, about 750 ml, about $80.00 Cdn.

Smoky flavour reminds you of being in a warm cabin on cold day. Mmmmmm...

The Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength and the Ardbeg Uigedal (sp) are my favorites along with Highland park 12. HP 12 is just simply the best value for quality around with such an appeal accross the board.

Cigar bars are usually the best bet for Scotch... pubs are lacking severely.

**Cynthia** · 2nd February 10, 11:25 AM

If you're ever in Dallas, go to Trinity Hall (pdf menu for drinks is here). Sunday afternoon has sessions.

**ForresterModern** · 5th February 10, 07:22 PM

If you ever really want to do some serious scotch tasting you must away to San Francisco to the bar at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on the hill just up from downtown. They have literally hundreds of single malt scotches, most of them being hand bottled with hand written labels from specially chosen single casks specifically picked out by the bar manager and imported by the cask from all the finest distillers in Scotland. Others are special bottlings by Scottish companies that hand sample multiple casks from many different distilleries batches and only buy those they feel have the best and most unique flavors. For instance they had a Whyte & Whyte special bottling of a single cask 15 year old Glenlivet that was unlike anything I had ever tasted---it was as clear as water, very light and sweet with only the slightest smoke and peat overtones, still my second wife's favorite scotch ever, but sadly unavailable anywhere I have looked in person and online. The barkeep really knew his stuff---you just told him what kinds of flavors, strong or mild, light or heavy, smoky, peaty, fruity, and he would go over to either the bar or a long table at the end of the bar where at least 50 different bottles were arrayed, all with simple white handwritten labels announcing the distiller, the year distilled, the age, the bottler, and any other specific identifying details, along with a short description of its overall flavorset. The barkeep was amazing, bring us glass after glass of various styles and brands and bottlings over a couple hours 4 of us spent in the bar as the only customers for the whole time, so he just stayed with us and talked nothing but scotch and scotland. The only bad part was when it came time to pay the tab, as we were not shy about trying many different whiskies and it was not cheap. It was a good thing our hotel was only one block away (uphill unfortunately) as we could hardly stand by the end of the wonderful evening of tasting probably 30 different single malts, most if not all of which I will be unlikely to ever have the chance to taste again. Truly an adventure in single malt scotch heaven. It was also a good thing I was no longer married at the time as my former spouse would have crucified me for the credit card charge (sizable tip included to the barkeep for all the service and knowledge), let alone how loaded I got on all that fine cask strength whisky drunk neat, without even a water chase or wash.

jeff

**Merlin** · 12th February 10, 02:40 PM

OK...so I braved the snow and set out to finally get a taste of Highland Park 12.
It seems Majestic had a special! That's rrrrright.... purchase a .750 of HP12 and get a FREE 50ml bottle of HP18!
Wait....it get's even be'er!

Purchase same on Tuesday and get an additional 20% off! That makes it only $38 for .750 of HP12 and .050 of HP18.

So if my math serves me correctly.... If I buy 13 bottles of this special package on Tuesday.... I'll be getting a FREE .750 bottle of Highland Park 18 !!

Anyhoooos.... here's to ya Scot's out there.... I'm about to take the first snort of the 12!

Ahhhh... The original aroma is almost pungent .... in a good way though. Ye expect it to be overwhelmingly powerful just from the bouquet...but it isn't. Robust oak flavours without a burning alcohol residue.
Ahhhhhhhhh...... very nice.

Now let's compare the 18.
First...cleanse the pallet and wash the class. Here we go. Similar aroma.... first taste is ... very different. I expected it to be more similar but perhaps smoother but it's not at all. Much more oak flavors... a bit smoother too but a cooler oak flavor. I could see how someone could prefer the 12 over the 18.... just a different taste.

OK...so much for all that.... I'm going to play some internet poker and enjoy this single malt the way it was meant to be.... wearing wool socks in a warm office...looking out at the snow.

Ahhhhh....life is good!