Are single-malt whiskey snobs supersad haughty people, or are they on to something?

[ColdPhoenix]

To clarify, room tempurature water is best but I don't think it makes much difference. An ice cube or two will actually chill the whisky while you're drinking it. Can be used if you're drinking cheap and rough whisky and want to mask the flavour....

[Patroklos]

But from what I've heard, adding a little cool water can actually enhance the taste of whisky...

I always drink scotch on the rocks, because I find the coolness and dilution takes the harshness out of it so I can actually taste the various flavors. In my opinion that constitutes enhanced flavor, for some that constitutes destroyed flavor.

I have run into these same snobs. Like I do whenever someone critisizes my drinking selection, I tell them I don't really give a damn what they think because I like it. Oddly enough, the most non snobish scotch experts I have met were in Scotland itself. They were happy to let me drink it however I wanted.

[Agathon]

Single malt is nice. I have an unopened bottle of Ardbeg in my office, as I don't often drink any more (stopping smoking has had something to do with that). Lagavulin (another better known Islay) was my favourite for a long time, but there was a shortage of it when I last tried to buy some in 2005, and I had to wear out a fair bit of shoe leather (the shortage occurred because it was hard for them to predict its boom in popularity over a decade in advance). I bought it for my dissertation supervisor as a thank you (it was a good choice, as it turned out it was his favourite drink and he was really pleased with the gift).

I learned a lot about them from an older Scottish guy who used to run the bar at the hotel I worked at during summers. We'd sometimes try the malts "to make sure they were still alright" . The ones I like tend to be the ones he poured for me back then.

Like wine, there's a fair amount of status symbol dickery and BS that surrounds malts. But if you're an epicure, there's a lot to enjoy. At a guess, I'd say that avoiding talking about malts with people who are just trying to show off and BS would improve enjoyment of them.

The best way to learn about malts is probably to get old of some elderly Scot you know (there were tons where I grew up) and ask them. There's a reasonable probability that one of them will be an old school malt drinker and will be happy to talk your ears off about it.

[Sirotnikov]

I know it's a bit cheap but I like Grant's smokey flavor, and it probably packs the best taste for 9$ per glass.

I have tried better stuff. Glenfiddich 15 is excellent.

[ColdPhoenix]

Originally posted by Patroklos


I always drink scotch on the rocks, because I find the coolness and dilution takes the harshness out of it so I can actually taste the various flavors. In my opinion that constitutes enhanced flavor, for some that constitutes destroyed flavor.

I have run into these same snobs. Like I do whenever someone critisizes my drinking selection, I tell them I don't really give a damn what they think because I like it. Oddly enough, the most non snobish scotch experts I have met were in Scotland itself. They were happy to let me drink it however I wanted.

You should always drink whatever you like the way you like it. Personally I drink with a little water as I think it brings the flavours out.

It is easier to drink scotch quickly if you've added ice and I have done that in my younger days when I wanted to drink a large glass quickly before going out to a party. In my opinion it's a waste of good scotch and now would rather sip it with a little water.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Asher
snoops:
Do you prefer Bourbon? You seem to have a knack for liking things from the SOUTH.

Lately I've been drinking Maker's Mark which is just another mass market bourbon abet one of the better ones. Growing up my dad always had a bottle of Johnny Walker Black in the house since he's from Scotland. Johnny Walker is a mass market scotch but a decent one.

[Asher]

I had some Maker's Mark at one of the Whisky shows. It wasn't bad, but a bit too sweet for me. A guy at work swears by it for use in a Manhattan, which I've yet to try.

[Patroklos]

I have had it in a Manhatten, it is a good choice.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Maker's Mark is a bit sweeter than some other good bourbons. But it's good. I like Knob Creek or Jefferson's Reserve.

[Asher]

I do love the concept of the hand-dipped bottle wax stuff...all unique. Can even tell if the dipper was left or right handed.

[Supr49er]

A topic near and dear to my heart.

Single Malts:
Glenrothes
Highland Park 12yo, 18yo
Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15yo
Macallan 12yo, 18yo
Longmorn
Abelour
Dalwhinnie
Balvenie
Glenmorangie 18yo

And my favorite: Mortlach

Other Whiskys:
Yamazaki 18yo
Johnnie Walker Green
Bushmills Malt 16yo
Jameson
George T. Stagg Bourbon
Sazerac Rye
Black Bottle (Islay blend)
Old Potrero Rye
Jim Beam Black Label Bourbon

[Asher]

Why's Mortlach your favourite? Is it rare? I've never heard of it or seen it, I think.

[Asher]

Mortlach 12 year old is $105 in the socialist province of Ontario.

[Supr49er]

Mortlach is similar to Macallan, but even better.
It's from a small distillery, and hard to find outside the UK.
The Gordon & MacPhails 15yo Mortlach is around $80US.
The 16yo Mortlach is also around $80US.
The Hart Brothers12yo Mortlach is about $75US.

There are several good sites in the US and UK that will ship whisky.

[DanS]

I'm sure that you can get it way cheaper in NYC.