Your personal favorite single malt scotch

[ragged tiger]

On the lighter end of single malts, I prefer Deanston 12 for its smooth and buttery consistency.

For a nice touch of smoke along with a good price point, I like Highland Park 12.

[Brian K]

While your advice seems sensible on the face of it, it really is "penny wise and pound foolish."

I used to teach fly-fishing to absolute novices. I'd hand out a flyer specifying equipment--brand names and such--that was suitable for learning as well as a satisfying experience in actual fishing situations. Inevitably someone (usually three or four someone's in a class of 15-20) would show up with the cheapest rod they could find--Eagle Claw, if that means anything to you (a popular "starting point" brand of fishing gear, etc.). And just as inevitably, almost to a man, those who'd saved...refused to commit, as who should say...could not learn to cast with such equipment and gave up in frustration.( Heck, I had a hard time casting with that equipment and I could cast without a rod.)

Wasted: the money spent on classes, the money spent on equipment, my time, their time and maybe most importantly, their enthusiasm for the sport.

There's a lesson to be had in that story (for those that want it) that applies all across this board.

You're point is well taken, but I think we're mixing apples and oranges here. With fishing equipment I think there's a more direct correlation to the enjoyment of the experience with the quality of rod and reel. Tackle that is not adequate to the task will be unsatisfying no matter what your expectations or level of experience. Scotch whisky , on the other hand, can still be enjoyed even if you're not imbibing one of the finer, and more expensive, varieties. As I stated in previous post, I have even found a few (just a few, mind you) inexpensive blends that are very satisfying. I would not mistake them for high quality beverages, but they are enjoyable.

Sure, I'd love to try 18 yr old, and older, whisky, but I just cannot afford it. It's daunting enough to pay between $30 and $40 for a 750 ml bottle of something lesser, but I can't justify spending more right now. You have obviously had the chance, and the pocket book, to developed a more refined taste than I have. I congratulate you, Sir, and I am happy for you - I will experience a frisson of pleasure on your behalf should you let us know you've tried a new and rare malt with which you are quite pleased. I do, however - with great respect - think it is a bit presumptuous for you to tell me that I am wasting my time when I only buy what I can afford. Were I to buy only 18 yr, or older Scotch, I'd buy a bottle or two a year and that would be it. As it is, I have purchased only 4 bottles of single malt since January and that has been the ONLY alcohol I have purchased. If I stick to the pricey stuff I might as well stop drinking altogether!

Regards,

Brian

[DWFII]

I do, however - with great respect - think it is a bit presumptuous for you to tell me that I am wasting my time when I only buy what I can afford. Were I to buy only 18 yr, or older Scotch, I'd buy a bottle or two a year and that would be it. As it is, I have purchased only 4 bottles of single malt since January and that has been the ONLY alcohol I have purchased. If I stick to the pricey stuff I might as well stop drinking altogether!

Regards,

Brian

Well, I never said that...particularly when it comes to whisky..so perhaps the presumptuousness is more nearly your issue than mine.

I did say that a person could not really appreciate what a distillery has to offer until you get into older, more mature malts.

As a matter of fact, I buy one bottle, maybe two, a year. Sometimes I receive a bottle for my birthday, etc.

In the end,however, the question is whether you want to learn about single malt Scotch or just dabble. Diligent research often involves a level of commitment that most people are not willing to make, especially if they are only casually interested. I don't begin to know as much about whisky as Pour 1 malt does...but think of the time and money he has invested! To good effect, too...both for him and for us.

Beyond that, I can't afford $100.00 bottles anymore than it sounds like you can. But then, good whisky is wasted when it is guzzled. For a daily dram you'd be better off with a blend.

[Brian K]

Well, I never said...that particularly when it comes to whisky..so perhaps the presumptuousness is more nearly your issue than mine.

I did say that a person could not really appreciate what a distillery has to offer until you get into older, more mature malts.

As a matter of fact, I buy one bottle, maybe two, a year. Sometimes I receive a bottle for my birthday, etc........

....... Beyond that, I can't afford $100.00 bottles anymore than it sounds like you can. But then, good whisky is wasted when it is guzzled. For a daily dram you'd be better off with a blend.

Thank you, Sir, for the clarification. You're prior two posts seemed, to my eye, to indicate that it was a waste of both time and money to buy anything younger than 18 yrs old - sort of like buying an Eagle Claw rod for fly fishing.

FWIW, I entirely agree on the question of "guzzling." It has been 30 years or so since I have had more than a drink or two at any one time. I know my limits and I have known enough people in my circle of family and friends who have had problems with alcohol to risk them myself. I am constantly amazed by the younger people I know who will buy expensive bottles of spirits and consume them in large quantities to get drunk. Worse yet, they will adulterate them with various carbonated beverages in order to make them...ahem...palatable. If drunkenness is their goal then there are more efficient and affordable ways of doing it.

When enjoying whisky, blend or single malt, I pour a finger or two into a glass and nurse it a sip or so at a time for quite awhile. The same would hold true for a fine bourbon, cognac or quality liqueur. Good spirits are savored, not gulped.

Regards,

Brian

[DWFII]

Thank you, Sir, for the clarification. You're prior two posts seemed, to my eye, to indicate that it was a waste of both time and money to buy anything younger than 18 yrs old - sort of like buying an Eagle Claw rod for fly fishing.

Brian

No problem.

FWIW, The whole issue and moral of the story with regard to Eagle Claw rods is predicated on my previous quote of "penny-wise and pound foolish." It doesn't make any difference how much you save or how cheap it is, if it doesn't do the job...cast a line in the case of the Eagle Claw or teach you anything about single malts scotches if you are trying to learn...then you've wasted your money.

And nine times out of ten the level of frustration and dissatisfaction generated by such an experience will dampen any enthusiasm for further investments--of time or money.

[Brian K]

No problem.

FWIW, The whole issue and moral of the story with regard to Eagle Claw rods is predicated on my previous quote of "penny-wise and pound foolish." It doesn't make any difference how much you save or how cheap it is, if it doesn't do the job...cast a line in the case of the Eagle Claw or teach you anything about single malts scotches if you are trying to learn...then you've wasted your money.

And nine times out of ten the level of frustration and dissatisfaction generated by such an experience will dampen any enthusiasm for further investments--of time or money.

Trust me, my friend, I may not have tried top shelf single malts yet, but my enthusiasm has in no wise been dampened. I do hope, however, to some day try some of the finer brands.

Now, where did I put that blasted lottery ticket?

Regards,

Brian

[Bigjockneill]

My advice was simply to find a region you like before you start spending money on £100+ bottles, not to avoid them all together! If i was a complete novice to this finest of passtimes and someone had encouraged me to spend such money on a vintage Laphroig/Lagavuilin/Tamdhu i would have seriously considered packing it in! (and punching them in the face!!) first impressions and all that. £30 wasted on such peaty savagery would not be quite as discouraging. Im only slating Islays here to make a point because i dont like them! Not to revert to stereotype tight Scotsman but, 30 quid wasted is better than 120!
A good tasting guide book is a wise investment, I have one by Michael Jackson (not that one, shamone!) which led me to enjoying Bowmore and Bunnahabhain, which i otherwise would have skipped solely because they are Islays.

[DWFII]

The thing is that there is a big difference between the younger and cheaper malts and the older and more expensive malts. Taste, smoothness...aftertaste. Just as there is a big difference between a 16 ounce wool kilt and an 11 ounce poly-viscose kilt or even a denim kilt.

I wouldn't gainsay anyone's right to indulge at any price level they so choose. But if you want to learn about Scotch...and fully appreciate it...you can't do it by sticking to young speysides or a 10 year old Laphroig anymore than you can do it by buying various colours of Johnny Walker.

[Bigjockneill]

DWFII, I dont think anyone suggested sticking to any given age, or region for that matter, but stating the obvious (there is a big difference between the younger and cheaper malts and the older and more expensive malts) doesnt make your point any more valid.
The entry level 10yo is obviously not the best any distillery has to offer but if you prefer a 10yo from the highlands to a 10yo from the islands, where would you spend your £100+ on an older release?!
If you have already identified your region of choice then spend as much as you can, but people tasting their first dram ever, may make it their last dram ever if they purchasing a wildly expensive bottle that they dont like. Region is vastly more important than age for the first timer.
Only with experience can any one appreciate what can sometimes be subtle differences between ages/casks/regions/drinking styles.