MOST POPULAR BRANDS OF SCOTCH WHISKEY AND THEIR PRICES in POLAND

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Feb 3, 10, 17:12 #31

delphiandomine:

Get out, the word blend is a nasty word ;)

No way. The Green has great taste. A touch smokey, a touch citrus. Since you don't like the peat moss, smokey taste of Islay Scotchs', I suggest the JW Green, its a nice touch of peat and smoke without, "putting hair on your chest."

Harry:

just that all Johnnie Walker products are crap

Haven't tried the Hibiki, mainly because it isnt Scotch. I would try it, just tend to stick to either Scotch or Kentucky Burbon... Mmmm Mmm Good. Pappy's 20 year old Rip Van Winkle, best thing you will ever taste. Too bad it's $100USD, but for once, worth it unlike the huge price for JW Blue which isnt worth it.

TrevekThreads: 30 Posts: 2,088 Joined: May 21, 08 ♂	Feb 3, 10, 19:31 #32
delphiandomine: I'm an utter wimp and found Laphroaig like drinking cheap paint stripper. Ardbeg smells and tastes like iodine. If laphroaig put hairs on your chest, Ardbeg will curl nthem and bleach them in one go.

CzyrycaThreads: 2 Posts: 149 Joined: Jan 25, 10 ♂	Feb 3, 10, 20:59 #33
Trevek: Ardbeg smells and tastes like iodine Id say more of a burning leather shoe taste. Somehow, its good, need to put two fingers of water in though, its one STRONG Scotchy Scotch Scotch!

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Feb 4, 10, 14:44 #34

Maybe you're using the wrong glass.
The glass you drink your Scotch is very important. A whisky tumbler is often considered as the traditional whisky glass. A tumbler is fine if you are drinking a Malt which you already know you enjoy or if you are mixing the whisky into a long drink. However when tasting a Whisky for the first time a tumbler will not do the Whisky justice. The ideal glass for tasting is a tulip shaped glass, this allows the whisky to be swirled around the glass without spilling it, and a tulip shaped glass will also concentrate the aromas in the neck of the glass

CzyrycaThreads: 2 Posts: 149 Joined: Jan 25, 10 ♂	Feb 4, 10, 16:46 #35
polkamaniac: also concentrate the aromas in the neck of the glass The tumbler or snifter, in my opinion just enhance the aroma of the Scotch. It doesn't do anything for the taste. If you believe it does, I suggest you are either a crazy or a scotch/wine snob.

HarryThreads: 59 Posts: 7,996 Joined: May 2, 07 ♂	Feb 4, 10, 17:50 #36
Czyryca: It doesn't do anything for the taste. If you believe it does, I suggest you are either a crazy or a scotch/wine snob. That's completely wrong. Try wine from the cheapest wine glass Ikea sell then try some from a decent wine glass (i.e. one designed specifically for that type of wine): the two glasses will taste like different wine.

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Feb 4, 10, 18:55 #37

Harry:

the two glasses will taste like different wine.

Its letting air get to it. Obviously wine opens up. That is like saying the taste of scotch changes when you add an ice cube...of course it does, it has a different acting agent helping to modify the taste. The glass itself is not changing the taste but the air that is being injected into the wine is what is causing the change. Scotch, and I drink a lot of it, from rocks glasses, snifters, tumblers...out of decanters, bottles, etc. doesn't ever change unless I add: Water, or Ice. The smell, and yes an olfactory does help to give your brain an expectation of what is coming as far as taste goes, does change based on the glass. So in that sense a different type of drinking apparatus does matter. But I digress.

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Feb 4, 10, 20:50 #38

Harry:

Try some good blends and you'll see they can easily be better than single malts

Absolutely agree.

Harry:

Try wine from the cheapest wine glass Ikea sell then try some from a decent wine glass

I'd agree with that too.

Harry:

I'd recomment the 17-year old Hibiki from Suntory.

Whaaaaaatt! ( Dont even mention Sean hallowed be thy name Connery )

Czyryca:

Haven't tried the Hibiki, mainly because it isnt Scotch.

Good lad.

TrevekThreads: 30 Posts: 2,088 Joined: May 21, 08 ♂	Feb 4, 10, 22:08 #39
Of copurse, the other thing is that the intensity of the smell/vapours from the glass also affects the reception on the tongue. If you sniff to much alcohol then it can affect your sense of smell and subsequently your sense of taste, so the glass does play a role.

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Feb 4, 10, 23:19 #40

Trevek:

Of copurse, the other thing is that the intensity of the smell/vapours from the glass also affects the reception on the tongue

I thought I agreed with this somewhat

Czyryca:

and yes an olfactory does help to give your brain an expectation of what is coming as far as taste goes, does change based on the glass. So in that sense a different type of drinking apparatus does matter. But I digress.

But again, it is a trivial amount of change. I think it enhances the overall experience of the scotch...smell is a great sense to have, but as far as changing taste, I don't see it. I think people misinterpret smell for taste and vice versa too often.

I love this topic though!

TrevekThreads: 30 Posts: 2,088 Joined: May 21, 08 ♂	Feb 4, 10, 23:25 #41
According to the mighty wikipedia (so it must be true): Olfaction, taste and trigeminal receptors together contribute to flavor. The human tongue can distinguish only among five distinct qualities of taste, while the nose can distinguish among hundreds of substances, even in minute quantities. So, when faced with the different scents and flavours in a whisky...

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Feb 5, 10, 04:38 #42

Did you know that adding ice to your favourite single malt Scotch whisky is such a shame. Putting ice in your whisky will only reduce the temperature of the whisky, freezing its aroma and the smell, and will only dull the taste of the whisky. Many people do add ice, if you are one of them why not try it without, we assure you it will be like drinking a different whisky.

dtaylor5632Threads: 48 Posts: 4,348 Joined: May 2, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 05:29 #43
Have to disagree with u on that one. Adding ice enhances the aroma. As ice contacts the room temperature Whisky the vapour should give of more aroma from before. Strong flavours that can be found in good Whisky, can be very hard to detect without ice and a splash of water. These extra's broaden the aroma's and flavours;)

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Edited by: polkamaniac Feb 5, 10, 14:34 #44

I agree that a little water will enhance the flavour.
Whether or not you should add water to your whisky is entirely about personal taste. Many who drink their scotch say they do not want to spoil the taste by adding water to it.

However, there are just as many whisky drinkers who say that adding a touch of water, especially spring water will enhance the aroma and flavour of a whisky and bring out the whiskies hidden characteristics. It is worth noting that tap water can contain high levels chlorine and would spoil rather than complement your whisky, if this is the case with your tap water it is best avoided.

The true lover of whisky will drink their whisky with a little clear water. Adding a little water to whisky before drinking will prevent the strength of the whisky numbing your senses and reducing your enjoyment of the whisky. Everyone's tastes varies, so its worth adding just a little water at a time to see what you prefer. Having said all that I think that some whiskies are best without any water added.

HarryThreads: 59 Posts: 7,996 Joined: May 2, 07 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 14:46 #45
polkamaniac: Putting ice in your whisky will only reduce the temperature of the whisky, freezing its aroma and the smell, and will only dull the taste of the whisky. Depends which whisky you're drinking. I'd never dream of putting ice into a snifter of Rosebank but I generally don't drink Hibiki without it (mainly because Hibiki has been designed to be drunk with ice).

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Feb 5, 10, 17:50 #46

I also like to make a cocktail with scotch.There is no set rule for which type of whisky should be used in a whisky cocktail. Although true devotees of whisky could not bring themselves to use a Scotch single malt whisky in a cocktail. They believe a single malt should be drunk alone to fully appreciate and savour the whisky.

You will find blended whisky mix well in cocktails and is the most commonly used whisky in whisky cocktails. The best advice I can give is to use a whisky which you know you already enjoy, whether its a single malt or a blended whisky.

Forfour44Threads: 7 Posts: 63 Joined: Oct 22, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 21:04 #47
convex: Maker's Mark is my favorite bourbon :) Wild Turkey isn't half bad either. Four Roses is a pass. I agree with Makers Mark. But it's 130zlt a bottle. bulleit bourbon is my 2nd fav. 75zlt from Tesco.

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 21:20 #48
Forfour44: I agree with Makers Mark Both Makers and Wild Turkey are very good. Turkey is especially good in a sour. A pretty good middle of the road bourbon is Old Grand Dad. Which is pretty smooth and about 5 bucks cheaper a bottle. Knob Creek is rancid and very pricey.

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Feb 5, 10, 21:26 #49

Johnnie Walkers is for choice here but it beats me why. I've tried whisky from around the world. The Canadians have some decent stuff. Canadian Club and Crown Royal are pretty good. Suntory Zen, as advertised by Sean Connery, is cheap and tasty. I really like the Irish stuff like Bushmills, Jamesons and Tullamore Dew.

As for Scotch, Johnnie Walker Blue stands out from the rest. It is much better than the other 4 JW brands (red, black, green and gold). For value, Chivas Regal is my personal favourite. There is a Makro here and they have a large selection. I can only imagine the dilemma of Americans as America embodies choice. Too much choice is a bad thing, it keeps you in the shop forever.

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 21:30 #50
Seanus: Canadian Club and Crown Royal Not bad, kind of sweet though. Seanus: Johnnie Walkers is for choice here but it beats me why Yeah, I've never gotten the appeal of it either. Paint thinner basically.

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Feb 5, 10, 21:37 #51

There are a couple of types of Canadian Club, one is better than the other.

Scottish blends are often good value for money for non-fussy drinkers. For example, Grants, Whyte&Mackay and Famous Grouse make for a relaxing evening when drunk to the right level. 3 major blackouts make me think otherwise but my faith was restored :)

The Glen whiskies in Scotland are more for connosieurs. I'll never forget the face of my friend when he drank a whole bottle of Glenmorangie. He thought he could sleep it off but woke up as white as a sheet. Glenfiddich is good too. Anything with Glen tends to go down well. Laphroaig is said to be a top whisky, peaty if you like that sort of thing.

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 21:41 #52
Seanus: Glenfiddich is good too. Anything with Glen tends to go down well. Yeah, it's good but very pricey on average.. Sometimes dimishing returns with it. Seanus: I'll never forget the face of my friend when he drank a whole bottle of Glenmorangie. Haha.. I hope he won some money at least. Holy sh.t.

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Feb 5, 10, 21:45 #53

polkamaniac:

The true lover of whisky will drink their whisky with a little clear water. Adding a little water to whisky before drinking will prevent the strength of the whisky numbing your senses and reducing your enjoyment of the whisky. Everyone's tastes varies, so its worth adding just a little water at a time to see what you prefer. Having said all that I think that some whiskies are best without any water added.

Yes, i do whisky tastings and although I prefer mine non-watered, I always suggest people try it with awee drop. Sometimes i have been pleasantly surprised myself. It's probably recommended more for the really intense whiskies, as the water 'liberates the bouquet' by breaking down the intensity and allowing the subtelties to make themselves known.

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Feb 5, 10, 21:48 #54

Some say you pay for quality. Well, many actually. They are malts which undergo rigorous quality checks and are made to compete in the market. Personally, being a Scot, I really feel malts to be overrated. I can appreciate the effort that goes into the maturation process but I'm happy to stick with blends. Diminishing returns, I couldn't have put it better myself. You hit a peak and anything beyond that is for the snobs to battle it out with their BS.

Nah, no money won that day. His life was spared. I remember walking him to the ATM/cash dispenser which was 10 mins away and he was like chalk. Talk about limey Limeys, LOL. A lime would have been just the job for the man.

HarryThreads: 59 Posts: 7,996 Joined: May 2, 07 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 21:54 #55
Seanus: There are a couple of types of Canadian Club, one is better than the other. There are at least five types: regular, 12-year old, 15-year old, 20-year old and sherry cask (8-year old). I prefer the 20-year old but also drink the 15-year old and the sherry cask.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,160 Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 21:57 #56
I wondered about that, I guessed so. I should have said that there were a couple of types available in Japan. I'll never get over finding JW Blue in Izumo, a city with 88,500 residents where the sticks are 5 mins from the city centre. Harry, you seem so informed about many things. How old are you?

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 21:57 #57
Trevek: as the water 'liberates the bouquet' by breaking down the intensity Yeah but if you over do it , you can feck it up. That Davey kid has it right about the ice though, imo. Kind of blends in slowly with the whiskey.. A nice slow release.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,160 Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 22:07 #58
I wish more people would see the value of ice and even a bit of Coke. Too many want it straight as it is without any additions. Whisky is not at at its best that way, IMHO.

TrevekThreads: 30 Posts: 2,088 Joined: May 21, 08 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 22:09 #59
Ugh! i can't even bring myself to quote that! That's what blends and bourbon are for!

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09 ♂	Feb 5, 10, 22:14 #60
There's a lot of whiskey snobs and purists out there, no doubt. It's strange the differing view points about a drink. But it really is that good of a drink.

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