Newcastle and Johnnie Walker

[Jock Scot]

I am not really a beer drinker, but a Newcastle Brown shandy does go down well on a hot day, as to Johny Walker, humm well. we don't see much of it over here these days-------------thank goodness!

[Phil]

as to Johny Walker, humm well. we don't see much of it over here these days-------------thank goodness!

Yes, interesting one that. Whenever in Madeira Vat69 is very much in evidence there but not seen here. Obviously some brands mostly go for export. By the way I posted elsewhere - Aldi are selling a 24 year old Speyside malt for £34.99. Well worth a purchase if any still left!

[Nathan]

While I greatly prefer single malt, (I currently have bottles of Laphroiag, Bowmore, Dun Bheagan and Edra Dour on the go) I like to keep a blend on hand for those rare nights when I might want to have more than one or two drams. Especially when entertaining someone who isn't a real aficionado, I switch to a more affordable blended whisky or to MacClelland's or Glen Parker or some such non aged single malt. My taste buds get far less particular after a few.

When I am going to drink a blend, I find the Johnny Walker line and Chivas to be quite acceptable. Though far from complex, they're certainly drinkable.

[TheOfficialBren]

While I greatly prefer single malt, (I currently have bottles of Laphroiag, Bowmore, Dun Bheagan and Edra Dour on the go) I like to keep a blend on hand for those rare nights when I might want to have more than one or two drams. Especially when entertaining someone who isn't a real aficionado, I switch to a more affordable blended whisky or to MacClelland's or Glen Parker or some such non aged single malt. My taste buds get far less particular after a few.

When I am going to drink a blend, I find the Johnny Walker line and Chivas to be quite acceptable. Though far from complex, they're certainly drinkable.

Bingo! I am admittedly far from a connoisseur but that is my attitude as well. Blends have their place. So do single malts.

Scotch is a bit of a rarity and seldom do any bartenders around here know anything about it.

I was at a small, tucked away place the other night watching a friend play some music. This is how small the place is: no draught. If they have no beer tap then don't expect fancy schmancy booze, either. The JW WAS the good stuff there ( I looked carefully).

Please educate me, though. Why the overwhelmingly negative react on to JW? What are some good labels for the beginner and how should I learn to develop my palate? Thanks.

Newcastle beats Corona any day for any reason.

[Jock Scot]

Bren.

Why do you think JW is exported? Might it be that the locals prefer to drink something else? Of course its all down to personal taste and that goes for malts as well as blends. One blend that certainly sells well here in Scotland is Famous Grouse and its one that I am happy to recommend. I don't know if its available your way, but give it a try if you can. The thing to remember is that whisky is a mood drink and when added to what you have eaten the taste will vary. The trick is remembering the times (occasions) that a particular brand tasted like nectar and other occasions when it tasted like tar -------and that is just for one brand! Each brand will have different mood tastes etc, so you have many years of serious research ahead of you and if I can be a boring old duffer for a minute, that does not mean that you have to get drunk, whilst doing it!

[HippieLee]

As far as blends go, I'm still waiting to try a Buchanan's - I have seen it at the store but I wasn't in a position to buy it at the time. (It's not terribly expensive - even for the older stuff - but planets just weren't aligned correctly at the time)

I think it will go well with my Buchanan kilt. ;-) (I might be a little biased in that regard)

I never to down a Newkie Brown. There's a few places around here that have it on tap and I can get it at my grocery store. I like their Werewolf variation too - it's fun! They have a new one in the store that I can't recall the name of but it looks tasty. Will try asap.

I rang in the new year with Laphroaig Quarter Cask, a little bit of Buffalo Trace Kentucky bourbon and some Yuengling beer I had on hand.

Congrats on your schooling! My grandpa got his Master's degree one class at a time - he was in the Air Force in WWII and stayed in through Korea and into the early 60's - he just took classes wherever he was stationed and finished up in Tallahassee at Florida State where he moved after retiring from the Air Force. He was finishing up his Master's and my dad entered FSU and met my mom and now here I am.

Oh, and:

so you have many years of serious research ahead of you

Challenge accepted! (And I very very rarely get drunk. A warm glow to a cool buzz is fine with me. I like a good cigar with my scotch too but I reckon that's optional.)

[TheOfficialBren]

Jock, fair enough. Lol.
Thank you for the advice.

I agree with Hippie Lee. I'm not much of a drinker and getting drunk is certainly not the objective. With all things moderation.

I have seen Famous Grouse over here in several places though I've not had it.

[Manxstralian]

One blend that certainly sells well here in Scotland is Famous Grouse and its one that I am happy to recommend.

Agreed! A great blend, and with Scotch being so expensive here, this is a blend I often see Scots expats drinking.. Especially folk musicians who seem to always have more than "one or two".

Cheers!

Cameron

[sailortats]

Cameron, Cameron, Cameron, are you insinuating that it is possible that expat Scots musicians imbibe a little more than they should? Why who would have thunk it.

[Manxstralian]

Cameron, Cameron, Cameron, are you insinuating that it is possible that expat Scots musicians imbibe a little more than they should? Why who would have thunk it.

I would never imply such a thing... Nor would I encourage them by bringing bottles of "Low Flyer" to their houses and playing guitar with them until the early hours of the morning.

I would never participate in such disgraceful behaviour!

Never!

Cameron