First impressions of scotch

[Spartan Tartan]

Great to hear!

[Cathy McWilliams]

Beware of the intent of jokesters who give you your "first taste of scotch!" it must be almost 20 years ago at a camp-out and a friend who is notorious for jokes was "sharing" a bottle he got. He invited me for a taste and with great fanfare, poured me a shot. I sniffed it and was about to try a small sip. "oh no," he said "you should just toss it back." stupid. I did. It was MacGregor. I gave a repulsive face and commentent: "tastes like the casket it was aged in."
"Don't you mean casket?" he asked.
"No, I think something died in there first."
I have never forgotten that, and I have never let him forget it either. Because of it, I don't like the smokey, peatey blends no matter how aged or smooth someone claims it is.
Sliante

[James Hood]

Perhaps give a try to a "Scotch and Soda," as in the auld lounge tune...?

[mookien]

Congratulations! It sounds like you got a good start on the tastes and enjoyment of Scottish malts. You are right. Scotch is very different than almost any other alcoholic beverage.

Don't worry about "correct" vocabulary. Use whatever description suits your taste (pun intended). You will soon develop a descriptive lexicon - some of it your own and some of it conventional - as you continue to taste a wider range of whisky, especially with friends.

Next, and as time and resources permit, you might try a bottle, or two, of malts with different nose/flavor spectra than Cardhu. Ask a knowledgeable person to make some recommendations. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good variety of good scotch.

Good luck and have fun. Slainte!