Good whisky/whiskey

[SwampD]

27 minutes ago, Weave said:

Single Malts is a hugely diverse category.  Malt funk is a thing.  You may not enjoy it.  Or maybe its the peat flavor in peated malts that you don’t appreciate.

Before you give up on single malts, try Aberlaur.  It is a Speyside malt that really emphasizes the butter cookie and light fruit flavors.  I don’t detect any malt funk in it at all.  It’s one of my favorites for an easy sipping Scotch.

Pretty sure that’s it.

I just assumed it was the peat that made them scotch.

[ska-T Palmtown]

I think, overall, I am a Rye Guy. Love the peppery burn from a high-proof rye. oh my!

I think I have already outed myself previously as a Metallica fan-boi, so I will say that the Blackened x Willet Rye was one of the finest bottles of Rye I have tried. I am far from a total rye junkie, but I have tried several dozen.

I'd comment on the price point as follows: there are very serviceable, if not very good, whiskies in the under $40 category. Dollar for dollar, a $30 bottle of buffalo trace is hard to beat. But, going up in price point gives you three things:

First: higher alcohol %, or put another way - less water added after they take it out of the barrel. I think that leads to a more intense and enjoyable flavor, just my personal preference. I have a terrible palette, so more intense flavor means I don't have to try as hard! (it also means fewer bottles per barrel are produced, meaning higher price to maintain revenue. Often, the cost per oz of alcohol in the bottle is pretty much the same. pay more, get more).

Second: Aging. This is more important for climates like Scotland where they get relatively small season-to-season variations in temperature/humidity, so you have to store it longer to draw out the complexities from the barrel aging. US single malts (and bourbons, etc) from someplace like KY or TN ... much larger seasonal temperature variances meaning more expansion and contraction allowing for a faster route to more complex taste. I would say beware of shooting for age as a criteria for bourbon, but at least 3 yrs.

Third: experimentation. Trying things like sherry cask finishing or other finishing techniques or even experimentation with wild mash bills results in smaller batches, more handling and higher prices. Hopefully, it pans out with a unique flavor profile that grabs you. One of my true favorites is a Balvenie scotch that was finished in ex-port barrels. Ohhhhh, that sweet hint of raisin at the end! The thing of legend!

[Stoner]

I am not a drinker but I had a shot of whiskey once. Don't ask me what kind. But I had driven pretty much straight through to Florida for xmas some years ago. After hours on I95 with crashes and backups every 10-15 minutes, when I finally reached my destination I jokingly asked for some booze. I really liked it. I liked it so much I decided I better make that my last, and I haven't had one since. I'd be a good alcoholic. I read something once about how people with sweet tooths are at greater risk of alcoholism.

[JoeSchmoe]

3 minutes ago, Stoner said:

I am not a drinker but I had a shot of whiskey once. Don't ask me what kind. But I had driven pretty much straight through to Florida for xmas some years ago. After hours on I95 with crashes and backups every 10-15 minutes, when I finally reached my destination I jokingly asked for some booze. I really liked it. I liked it so much I decided I better make that my last, and I haven't had one since. I'd be a good alcoholic. I read something once about how people with sweet tooths are at greater risk of alcoholism.

Next time ask for PCP.

[SwampD]

16 minutes ago, Stoner said:

I am not a drinker but I had a shot of whiskey once. Don't ask me what kind. But I had driven pretty much straight through to Florida for xmas some years ago. After hours on I95 with crashes and backups every 10-15 minutes, when I finally reached my destination I jokingly asked for some booze. I really liked it. I liked it so much I decided I better make that my last, and I haven't had one since. I'd be a good alcoholic. I read something once about how people with sweet tooths are at greater risk of alcoholism.

I’m on Paxlovid so I haven’t been drinking this week. Ice cream is a great substitute.

[Stoner]

9 minutes ago, SwampD said:

I’m on Paxlovid so I haven’t been drinking this week. Ice cream is a great substitute.

Preferably right after swallowing the nasty pill.

[Weave]

2 hours ago, SwampD said:

Pretty sure that’s it.

I just assumed it was the peat that made them scotch.

Nope.  Making them in Scotland makes them Scotch.  Unpeated whiskys are out there

[LTS]

4 hours ago, Stoner said:

I am not a drinker but I had a shot of whiskey once. Don't ask me what kind. But I had driven pretty much straight through to Florida for xmas some years ago. After hours on I95 with crashes and backups every 10-15 minutes, when I finally reached my destination I jokingly asked for some booze. I really liked it. I liked it so much I decided I better make that my last, and I haven't had one since. I'd be a good alcoholic. I read something once about how people with sweet tooths are at greater risk of alcoholism.

I'll be the exception to the rule. It's not that I hate sweets.. but I can live without them.  That said, I can see how it could play into things for people.