Whiskey: The Awesome Thread

[GaijinPunch]

One thing parenthood has taught me to do, and that's drink alone. Beer goes straight to my love handles and ass, so I've moved on to Single Malt Whiskey. I'm by no means a pro, but I'm educating myself the best I can through trial and unfortuantely sometimes error. Here's the ones I've tried, which are mainly Japanese, with a couple of Scotch whiskeys.

Japanese
Taketsuru 12 Year (Nikka): A very humble single malt. I can pick this up locally at a discount store for 2000 yen. I hate to ruin the rest of the list, but this is the best cost performer. Even if I can afford to only buy the really good stuff, it seems more like an alcohol problem if I'm only drinking 6000 yen and up bottles (even though they can last a week or so if I stretch it out). This is probably the closer to the Yamazaki 10 year than the 12. I find it smoother than the 10, not as smooth as the 12. Way cheaper than both.

Yamazaki 10 Year (Suntory): About 3500 yen at local discount store. Good, but not great, and I don't think worth the money. I would say it's similar to the Taketsuru 12 Year. It is noticeably more rough than the Yamazaki 12 year, even to someone new like me. Seems too pricey for me. I would opt to pay up and get the 12 year just abou every time.

Hibiki 12 Year (Suntory): Good, but too sweet. Very strong. Runs me about 4000 yen for a bottle. Price wise right in the middle of Taketsuru 12 and Yamazaki 12, but not quite my bag.

Yamazaki 12 Year (Suntory): Definitely high quality shit. This was one of the first "good" whiskeys I had, and is what got me excited to try others. The cheapest I can find this is 6000 yen, and it retails for about 8000 if I'm not mistaken. It is super smooth, and for me, just right. It is the splurge price bracket for me, but just barely. I've bought it a few times and it is quickly becoming a good friend.

Yoichi 15 Year (Nikka): Wow! I think this guy one some blind taste tests even against Scotch whiskeys. I was out at a work dinner where I luckily had nothing to do with the bill, and so I decided to give this a go. It was 2600 yen a glass (whoops), but as they say, what the fuck. Definitely primo stuff and should be tried. My local discount shops have it for 9800 yen, but there is a seller on Amazon that has it for about 9000 after shipping. While it's super awesome, I'm still on the fence as to whether it's worth the extra money over the Yamazaki 12 year, as it's 50% more.

Scotch
McCallan 12 Year: I can get this cheaper here than I was able to in the states. I believe $50 at Safeway w/ a discount was what I paid, while I can get it for 3800 yen here. A very well-known name, obviously, but I'd rather have something a bit smoother for the price.

Glenlivet 12? Year: Good, but I don't remember this one that much. It was out at a cigar bar after a long night.

Glenfiddich 12 Year: I'm really impressed with this. It's quite smooth, but some would argue not distinct enough. In terms of cost (locally) it's somewhere inbetween Taketsuru 12 year and Yamazaki 10 year. I would personally rank it above the former but below the latter. A good value.

Stuff to try:
Yamazaki 18 Year (Suntory): This is really pricey, retailing at 18,000 yen a bottle. I think if I look online it can be had for as low as 13,000 yen or so but that's nothing to shake a stick at. For some reason this can be had much cheaper in the US... presumably bottled there. I've seen a seller on Amazon Marketplace sell it for as low as $110. Substantial savings, but I've just not quite brought myself to dive in.

Taketsuru 17 Year (Nikka): Seems to be the direct competitor to the Yamazaki 12. Similar price but not quite as easy to find.

Yoichi 20 Year (Nikka): One can only imagine.

[Skykid]

[antron]

Are you drinking?

[Damocles]

I used to drink a ton of whiskey, but have cut back recently. Anymore, I stick to Woodford Reserve. It's not bargain bin, but it's also not super exclusively expensive.

Gotta love bourbon.

[GaijinPunch]

Can't say I'm a Bourbon fan.

And no, not drinking right now. Ironically, I'm cutting back on the booze in general. Too hard to get up in the morning lately, and I've been working late -- even until about 10PM on this fine Friday evening. Will probably indulge tomorrow night a bit.

[antron]

It was meant to be a quote from Lost in Translation.

Any scotch or fine aged wiskey makes my face scrunch up for about 5 minutes per sip. My sinuses feel inflamed.

It's not the alcohol, I can sip cold vodka like tea.

[njiska]

I haven't had any Japanese Whiskeys lately, but i've come to love The Glenrothes - Vintage 1998. It's affordably priced (~$85 CAD) and about the smoothest whiskey I've ever drank.

http://www.theglenrothes.com/uk/products/vintage-1998/

Any idea if the younger Yochi vintages are good? My only options here are the 10 and 12 year.

[shmuppyLove]

[DEL]

My parents drink ridiculous amounts of Canadian Club, with American ginger ale, ice and slice.
The whisky Bruce Willis drinks in 16 Blocks.

[Kiel]

Whiskey is my jam, I was abou to come into the other thread where you mentioned it but this works out perfect.

Yamazaki 12 is one of my favorites along with the Mccallan 12. Funny you should say that you'd rather get something smoother for the money as I think it's one of the smoothest out there. I have had the 18 year yamazaki and it's fucking great but not worth the extra price over the 12 IMO.

I've tried quite a few scotches so if you have questions on any I can most likely give input on selection $50 and under. I rarely spend more than that on them unless I'm feeling cool. I've been looking to try out the hibiki 12 but the only suntory stuff I can find locally is the 12 and 18 yamazaki.

I've been trying my hardest to find an American whiskey which I deem acceptable at the least and have found only 2 that are worth my time and those are Bulliet rye (Bulliet Bourbon is like rubbing alcohol) and Evan Willams single barrel. Both are cheap in whiskey terms and rather good. Actually the Rye at around $23 for a 750 has one of the best finishes of all the whiskeys I've tried. That being said nothing beats a single malt scotch. And fuck American whiskey.

Also I drink this stuff like a fish so I hear you on how expensive of a 'hobby' it is. As if I don't have enough expensive hobbies as it is.

[drboom]

Bourbon wise, Ancient Ancient Age is a sleeper, sub-$20 a bottle here and stellar. I had a friend who was an actual bourbon taster and this is what he drank religiously.

Connemara is a great sleeper Irish Whiskey with the smoke and peatyness of an Islay scotch. Usually under $40, but it seems to be getting a bit more expensive.

I basically live for Lagavulin cask strength, about $90 a bottle and worth every god damned penny. I'm also a huge fan of Bowmore and Ardbeg, with the later being my go to for Friday poker nights at the cigar shop I frequent. Actually, I'm just heading out in a few to get a bottle and go play poker there!

[drauch]

All I drink is whiskey. But all I drink is Old Crow. I've built up an immunity to cheap, shitty liquor, so that's all I really drink.

[nZero]

All I drink is whiskey. But all I drink is Old Crow. I've built up an immunity to cheap, shitty liquor, so that's all I really drink.

Old Crow Rye is pretty damn smooth for something that's stocked on the bottom shelf.

[Randorama]

Yes, we are getting old.

I can't exactly recall why, but once a man reaches a certain biological maturity, low alcohol beverages (well, below 15% or so) tend to have a terrible dietary and psychological effect. Basically, one gets drunk more easily on stuff such as beer, and bad mood periods during hangover can be terrible.

So, even if I have always drunk liquors of all kinds, I have now made a full switch to a liquor-only drinking policy. It goes to the liver rather than to the love handles, and somehow I don't really get drunk, especially if I stay below three glasses.

I am not too much of a whisky person, myself, but I do like certain Scotch whiskys over others. I can't stand Bourbon, too. I will mention prices in euros, from my local supermarket. It's funny that you mention some Yamazaki scotch-like whiskys I really like, GP. I got a Yamazaki 12 years and a Yoichi bottle for my marriage from my older brother, and father-in-law, the Yoichi *does* gauge even against a true Scotch, e.g. a Glenfiddich.

Anyway:

Talisker: single malt, highly phenol content (i.e. the malt is peated), which means that the whisky feels somewhat salty and strong in flavour. Newbies usually feel that the whisky has been too much in the casks, given its very dry taste. It is an acquired taste, but a good glass of Talisker in winter with a bitter type of chocolate and a good book is the kings' luxury.

Usually, I pay 40 euros for the 10-year one. I may drink the 18-year one, which is a stronger version of the 10-year one.

Johnny Walker: purists may frown upon this choice, but I do like this blended whisky, as it seems to be the only one that can offer a distinctive flavour, without being too strong or peculiar (e.g. Talisker). But first: avoid the red label, that's for the casuals. They use average blends of malt.
One should start from the Black label (12 years), which mixes more and higher-level malts. The double black label has a quite strong peaty taste, much like Talisker.

Green, Golden and Blue labels are aged more and are a blend of quite different malts. They are all acquired tastes, especially the blue, which is perhaps the "peatiest" whisky I am aware of.

While Black Label can be bought for 10 euros, Green marks a steep increase in price, as I can't find it for less than 30 euros. The blue label is rare, and is usually around 150 euros, I think (at least). The special edition "King George V" blue label is easily 1000 euros or higher.

Trivia: Christopher Hitchens called the Black Label as "the breakfast of champions", I think. Also, I drank this with my korean (male) in-laws, at New Year's Eve (Eastern one). It was an awesome night in which the women were out, we were at home while it was snowing outside, and we were eating kimchi dumplings as a snack, while playing Risk.

I think that we need a liquor and rum thread as well, too. And more winter, drinking is awesome in winter. Luckily I am moving to Sweden.

[CMoon]

I've played the expensive whiskey game, and here's what I ended up concluding:

If I'm gonna spend a lot of money, I'd rather have some scotch from the isle of Islay. Laphroaig is a cheap entry point, but Ardbeg (particuarly the Uigeadail) is the way to go if you have the cash. I think I'm out of the hard alcohol games (sorry Rando, I prefer beer and I'm OLD), but I never found anything I liked better than this scotch.

If I'm on the cheap, Irish whiskey is my choice of poison. Way fucking better than Old Crow (sorry Drauch) and only three times the price. No matter how snobbish I get, Bushmill and Jameson never disappoint.

[CMoon]

I basically live for Lagavulin cask strength, about $90 a bottle and worth every god damned penny. I'm also a huge fan of Bowmore and Ardbeg, with the later being my go to for Friday poker nights at the cigar shop I frequent. Actually, I'm just heading out in a few to get a bottle and go play poker there!

You know, I have a bottle of Lagavulin 16 sitting right here, mostly unloved because I think it doesn't come close to the Uigeadail I mentioned in my above post. Is the cask strength lagavulin much better than the 16? Is there a particular Bowmore you really enjoy? I haven't tried them yet. In a world with Uigeadail, I'm not sure I'd recommend spending a lot of money on Laphroaig, but their quarter cask strength is quite good.

[Randorama]

I agree, Laphroaig and Ardberg are excellent, I didn't think about them. This is stuff that is at the same time expensive and an acquired taste, though - I like them both, but I haven't bought a bottle of theirs in ages. Uigeaidail is THE scotch whisky, in my opinion, but then again I am really a peated whisky lover.

Aside: my key problem with both beer and wine is that, if I drink more than one glass/pint, the day after I always feel in a very bad, aggressive mood. Also, regardless of the beer I drink, I always feel dizzy during the first glass. Also, both dramatically lower my libido. With liquor, I never have these problems, and being now married, I really can't afford the last problem.

EDIT: Ok, this post deserves a glass of double black, Stereolab and some time spent gazing at the stars in the chilly night. Luckily the wife thinks I watch pr0n, when I stay alone at night.

[trap15]

Any scotch or fine aged wiskey makes my face scrunch up for about 5 minutes per sip. My sinuses feel inflamed.

It's not the alcohol, I can sip cold vodka like tea.

Pretty much this.

[njiska]

Johnny Walker: purists may frown upon this choice, but I do like this blended whisky, as it seems to be the only one that can offer a distinctive flavour, without being too strong or peculiar (e.g. Talisker). But first: avoid the red label, that's for the casuals. They use average blends of malt.
One should start from the Black label (12 years), which mixes more and higher-level malts. The double black label has a quite strong peaty taste, much like Talisker.

Green, Golden and Blue labels are aged more and are a blend of quite different malts. They are all acquired tastes, especially the blue, which is perhaps the "peatiest" whisky I am aware of.

While Black Label can be bought for 10 euros, Green marks a steep increase in price, as I can't find it for less than 30 euros. The blue label is rare, and is usually around 150 euros, I think (at least). The special edition "King George V" blue label is easily 1000 euros or higher.

Johnny Walker Red Label is a sin against man and nature, but the rest of the line is pretty good. Black is pretty solid. Gold and Green are nice, but not quite as smooth as I like. Blue is massively overpriced.

[professor ganson]

You know, I have a bottle of Lagavulin 16 sitting right here

Same here! I got it this past week, but haven't tried it yet. Really looking forward to it.

I've been enjoying Islay single malts lately. Recent favorites include:

Laphroig
Bowmore
Dalmore (Highland region)

[GaijinPunch]

Really hard to get outside of Japan, but you guys should try the Japanese whiskeys sometime. They're quite impressive. One thing they've done quite well at.

[CMoon]

Really hard to get outside of Japan, but you guys should try the Japanese whiskeys sometime. They're quite impressive. One thing they've done quite well at.

I've spent a lot of money on Yamazaki before. It was good, but was probably overpriced as an import in the US. I remember the label more than I remember the whiskey itself. I've had both the entry level and 15 or 18 year (can't remember now); yes, really good, but I guess the scotch is more memorable for me.

[brentsg]

Really hard to get outside of Japan, but you guys should try the Japanese whiskeys sometime. They're quite impressive. One thing they've done quite well at.

Can I send you some Makers 46 or will customs drink it?

[Ed Oscuro]

"For everyone else in this dump it's Four Roses, but for you I think it's Wild Turkey."

Also, http://achewood.com/index.php?date=03022006

[drboom]

I basically live for Lagavulin cask strength, about $90 a bottle and worth every god damned penny. I'm also a huge fan of Bowmore and Ardbeg, with the later being my go to for Friday poker nights at the cigar shop I frequent. Actually, I'm just heading out in a few to get a bottle and go play poker there!

You know, I have a bottle of Lagavulin 16 sitting right here, mostly unloved because I think it doesn't come close to the Uigeadail I mentioned in my above post. Is the cask strength lagavulin much better than the 16? Is there a particular Bowmore you really enjoy? I haven't tried them yet. In a world with Uigeadail, I'm not sure I'd recommend spending a lot of money on Laphroaig, but their quarter cask strength is quite good.

It is, if you like your scotch strong and heavy. With just a bit of water it really opens up and its fantastic, tons of flavor, tons of body, just an amazing scotch. Bowmore, the older it is, the smoother and less bite and I seem to prefer the standard 10 year over the others for cost and taste.

And I lied, I bought a bottle of Macallan 12 tonight, took home second in the poker tourney. It was a good night.

[sven666]

I think that we need a liquor and rum thread as well, too. And more winter, drinking is awesome in winter. Luckily I am moving to Sweden.

winter here is not what it used to be (unless you move to the very north above the polar circle).

anyways, i like whiskey, single malt and very smokey, i bought a whole bunch of vintage ones last time i was in england but i can never remember their names.
either i get drunk of them = no memory or far more likely my friends drink it all before i get a chance to get aquinted with it...

i do love irish coffe tho so try to keep some cheaper stuff on hand (usually JW black label, yeah the silly shmups reference is as good a reason as any)..

[jonny5]

Jamesons for days, son!

Or as we call it around my place, band juice. We drink it out the bottle at band practice.

I haven't had any Japanese Whiskeys lately, but i've come to love The Glenrothes - Vintage 1998. It's affordably priced (~$85 CAD)

$85 a bottle is affordable? Yeesh. I could never justify spending that much on a bottle of booze. I tend to drink right out of the bottle and I don't sip, I chug. Jamesons tastes good to me; I doubt I would appreciate the finer points of the higher end stuff. The way I drink, usually all I taste is the after taste. But Jamesons straight out of the freezer goes down like water.

[Bloodreign]

I'm not a rich guy, so if I have a whiskey or bourbon, it's either Jack Daniels or Wild Turkey, or while I was on vacation I was on the cheapo Ezra Brooks the entire week. Brooks though felt like I was drinking straight Coca Cola straight, so got some Coca Cola and started just pouring myself a ton of whiskey with a shot of soda on the rocks.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind some straight whiskey, but I like the mixed drinks more myself. I have been lately drinking cheap vodka with an old buddy of mine, a buzz is a buzz as I no longer like to get plastered, just feeling good.

I'm also no expert on alcohol, I just like drinking it now and again for the first time in over a decade.

[GaijinPunch]

Really hard to get outside of Japan, but you guys should try the Japanese whiskeys sometime. They're quite impressive. One thing they've done quite well at.

Can I send you some Makers 46 or will customs drink it?

I can probably find it here if I look hard enough.

[njiska]

Jamesons for days, son!

Or as we call it around my place, band juice. We drink it out the bottle at band practice.

I haven't had any Japanese Whiskeys lately, but i've come to love The Glenrothes - Vintage 1998. It's affordably priced (~$85 CAD)

$85 a bottle is affordable? Yeesh. I could never justify spending that much on a bottle of booze. I tend to drink right out of the bottle and I don't sip, I chug. Jamesons tastes good to me; I doubt I would appreciate the finer points of the higher end stuff. The way I drink, usually all I taste is the after taste. But Jamesons straight out of the freezer goes down like water.

For Scotch I consider anything under $100 to be affordable. It's also not the kind of thing you drink when you're looking to get tanked. That duty falls to Jameison's, Wiser's Small Batch or this strange white whiskey the LCBO has been stocking. Can't remember the name, but it was delicious.