Giving the Gift of a Scotch Guide - Your Recommendations?

[mayberry]

It's almost ancient now (2000), but Paul Kennedy's one-hour documentary on Scotch Whisky for CBC radio's Ideas program is an excellent education- interesting, informative, and very, very, thirst-inducing. I appreciate the desire for up-to-the-minute information, but some things, like how to pronounce Glenmorangie, and stories told by those who grew up working in distilleries, etc., are timeless.

It's no longer available from the CBC's online store, but I found it here:
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/...?cookieCheck=1

I think I'll get another for myself, since my old audio cassette seems to have gone missing. I'm smiling with anticipation already.

Cheers,
John

[madmacs]

And, Ladies and Gents, this is how the addiction is spread. Not as quickly as a Zombie apopcalypse (because those afflicted can not convert everyone they meet into a Single-Malt Lover).

Now I'm not too sure about that..

As a long time consumer of alcohol starting at an early age (15, and you thought it was just kids today... In my defense it's legal to drink in the UK at 18) ... I had run ins with blended whiskys (Bells, Grouse etc) which probably put me off whisky for about 27 years... jack Daniels, Wild Turkey, Jamiesons... No problem... Scotch... No thanks...

Obviously this "tainted" view stopped me from exploring any other more expensive scotches... Fast forward those 27 years many of which would have had maybe 1 drink a year (It loses the impact when it becomes legal... lol) and I tried a bottle of Glenfidich 12 year old single malt, and while I suspect that this isnt the most adventurous route, I did find it palatable... I did have to avoid the local habit of adding coke though... Principles huh?

Well long story short... convert them by giving them a decent single malt... Even if they dont like scotch... After that it's just down to where it comes from... Which is part of the journey I plan on investigating after the rest of the current bottle is finished... From Speyside to... ?

Not to hijack the thread, but suggestions welcomed...

[Merlin]

I have begun to document my ratings for each scotch and plan on trying a new one for as long as I can find them. This looks like as good a place as any to discuss my findings.
Every person is going to have different tastes so it's really not possible to tell someone "You are going to love this scotch". I am speaking solely in terms of single malts...which are the only ones I really like.
A Single Malt Scotch Whiskey is the product of one specific distillery and has not been mixed with whiskey from any other distilleries. Single malts will come from one of 4 regions in Scotland...Highlands (my favorite), Lowlands, Speyside and Islay (my least favorite).
It's important to understand the differences in these regions when trying a new scotch for the first time. Any scotch from the Islay region is going to be very peaty. Some people refer to this flavor as "smokey". The reason for this huge difference in flavor is largely due to the water used in the making of the scotch. If you prefer a very dull and smokey scotch..the Islay region scotches are the ones for you. If you prefer a more citrus and fruit flavor..a bit hotter scotch... look for the Highlands.
Todays rating:
Brand: Dalwhinnie 15
Region: Highland
Cost: $45 for .750ml
The distillery is in the Inverness-shire region of the Highlands. They claim that they use water that comes from the highest mountain source of any malt. The source, Lochan an Doire-Uaine, may not be used by any other distillery. I was surprised by this one.
Color: Gold and rich
Aroma: Very light... a bit peaty.
This is what surprised me... Highlands rarely have a peaty aroma. It was slight and pleasant..just different than most Highlands.
Taste: Starts off weak... almost watered down. Lightly peaty (smokey)
Finish: Long, lingering, and intense finish that starts sweetly, then gives way to smoke, peat and malt. Finishes "hot" and high in the chest. You know you just swallowed scotch whiskey moments after it goes down.
I've decided to not list my rating score because that number value is useless to anyone other than me. How much or little I like one of these fine libations in no way is any indication of how much or less you will like it. I hope my descriptive terms might help in your decision to try these.
Always drink responsibly and always drink single malts !