Whiskey: The Awesome Thread

[Randorama]

Njiska: blended whiskeys are not often smooth, single malt ones are the preferred choice for smoothness. I think that reviews can help you on this, as this character comes from several factors in the distillation process.

Sven: Stockholm, which right now is like 4-5 degrees warmer than my hometown (L'Aquila, Italy), and has been like that for a week or so.

I should be working at Uni Stockholm for 2 years. You are in Stockholm, aren't you?

GP: I completely agree, Japanese whiskeys are top notch. I do admit that I would preferred drinking Souchu or Sake, when I was in Japan. Out of curiosity: has whisky become a Southern tradition, in Japan? I was told that the good brands all originate in the Osaka area...my ex-flatmate said so, who is from Osaka, eh.

Also, correction: Uigeadail should be the first choice for anyone, if one likes peatyness. Johnnie Walker blue label is worse, and too expensive.

I need to say that price is seldom an issue for me. I drink with moderation, and strong booze is cheap, here, even imported (non EU) one.

[shmuppyLove]

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

This happened to me when I tried Laphroaig for the first time. And it had an incredible chemical plastic smell to it.

The only fine liqour I've tried that I enjoyed so far was a delicious delicious Remy Martin VSOP cognac. Over ice with a tiny bit of maple syrup.

[Randorama]

You need to drink Martell, ShmuppyLove, or more in general get into Cognac. From what I read, you will simply not be disappointed, especially if you use a shade of orange or syrup.

[Ed Oscuro]

Jack Daniels: cask taste
Crown Royal: like JD, but no cask taste. A blended whisky created for a Royal visit to Canada some years back (incidentally, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was today).

[Kiel]

Has anybody here used whiskey stones to cool their whiskey instead of ice? I personally think adding water to any whiskey is retarded outside of cask strength types because there is already water added to bring it to its target alcohol content. That being the case I never have it with ice but i like mine room temp, the stones are just something I'd like to try

[GaijinPunch]

GP: I completely agree, Japanese whiskeys are top notch. I do admit that I would preferred drinking Souchu or Sake, when I was in Japan. Out of curiosity: has whisky become a Southern tradition, in Japan? I was told that the good brands all originate in the Osaka area...my ex-flatmate said so, who is from Osaka, eh.

If you're visiting or here short term, I would recommend going the sake route. But, I'm a local, and I generally only drink sake with sushi.

I've read conflicting reports on how whiskey was introduced to Japan. A whiskey site (will have to look later) said basically one man went to Scotland to learn it, while the tags on the bottles usually say their CEO is the one responsible.

personally think adding water to any whiskey is retarded outside of cask strength types because there is already water added to bring it to its target alcohol content.

I drink/make high balls regularly.

[Damocles]

Has anybody here used whiskey stones to cool their whiskey instead of ice? I personally think adding water to any whiskey is retarded outside of cask strength types because there is already water added to bring it to its target alcohol content. That being the case I never have it with ice but i like mine room temp, the stones are just something I'd like to try

Whiskey stones won't make your drink ice-cold, only give it a slight chill. If that's your thing, they're better than ice. That being said, cold whiskey, to me, is just...odd.

[Kiel]

Has anybody here used whiskey stones to cool their whiskey instead of ice? I personally think adding water to any whiskey is retarded outside of cask strength types because there is already water added to bring it to its target alcohol content. That being the case I never have it with ice but i like mine room temp, the stones are just something I'd like to try

Whiskey stones won't make your drink ice-cold, only give it a slight chill. If that's your thing, they're better than ice. That being said, cold whiskey, to me, is just...odd.

That's why I said "to cool", cold whiskey would be no bueno.

[Kiel]

I drink/make high balls regularly.

I meant adding water to "open up" a whiskey rather than a cocktail.

[GaijinPunch]

Well, I have it on the rocks usually. Another thing they do a bit over the top here. If you go to a proper scotch bar in Japan, the "rock" is a near-perfectily spherical iceball. Pretty fucking cool.

[Ed Oscuro]

Dude, how much do you think they pay the guy whose job it is to carve and polish those ice cubes?

...wait, he might be Korean.

hmm, I'm talking nonsense and I haven't even touched the sauce

[professor ganson]

I should be working at Uni Stockholm for 2 years. You are in Stockholm, aren't you?

Postdoc? Congrats!

[sven666]

I should be working at Uni Stockholm for 2 years. You are in Stockholm, aren't you?

I live in Gothenburg, sadly Stockholms only arcade (which happened to be the best in the world if you like danmaku/vs fighters) closed its doors just a few weeks ago.

ed: GPs chick below was right.

[GaijinPunch]

I was chatting w/ a Swedish bird (not that way -- a mate's GF) at a bar this past week and she basically said Stockholm is a similar vibe to rather pretentious cities like LA & Paris. Forgot the name of her city but I recall her saying it was south.

[Randorama]

Postdoc? Congrats!

Ah, thank you very much! I will be working as a Lecturer though, via a peculiar contract that is based on a 60% teaching/40% research (write papers, run experiments) workload.

I will finally teach Semantics, my first and main specialization, after having taught TA'ed anything else under the sun. Since I will definitely strengthen my teaching portfolio, and have time to write up and submit a backlog of 11 papers, it could be a good boost for my career.

I am aware of Stockholm's reputation, but I guess that, after having lived in cities which seem to be all about pretentiousness (Rome, Florence, Boston, Sydney, Seoul, Beijing), I should not have too many problems. Aside that, me and wife will have too work too much to notice.

And back in topic.

GP, another stupidly obscure question: do you know if you can visit whisky distilleries, in Japan? I went to visit the Talisker ones, and I actually enjoyed the experience very much. The distillation process for whisky is quite elaborate. So, anyone who likes to know more about the food and drink he buys, would be delighted to discover the centuries of wisdom behind the process.

When I went there, they had a B&B that allowed visitors to stay overnight, as certain types of processes are carried out in the eary hours of the morning. They even allowed us to help out on certain menial tasks (e.g. moving barrels). I'd suggest this experience to anyone, as "food tourism" is really a fascinating thing.

By the way, does anyone like Chivas Regal? I really can't stand any of their products, since they tend to have a fruity taste (12-years has a vague orange after-taste, for instance).

[njiska]

By the way, does anyone like Chivas Regal? I really can't stand any of their products, since they tend to have a fruity taste (12-years has a vague orange after-taste, for instance).

I've had a bottle of Chivas kicking around here for the better part of the year. Can't really say I mind it, but it's far from being a preferred drink. The only Scotch I can't really stand is Highland Park. I find their 12 Year to have a taste not unlike rubbing alcohol smells.

[Randorama]

Ouch, who forced you to try that, Nijska?

...and waitamminute, my gay uncle once said, while we were at a pub with the family:

"I'll have a whisky, please"

Mom:

"After lunch? You want a Chivas, it's a light one".

"No fucking way, it's stuff for faggots"

his mom, my grandma, nodded approvingly. Not sure for what. Then, grandma ordered a Fernet, for good measure.

[njiska]

Ouch, who forced you to try that, Nijska?

...and waitamminute, my gay uncle once said, while we were at a pub with the family:

"I'll have a whisky, please"

Mom:

"After lunch? You want a Chivas, it's a light one".

"No fucking way, it's stuff for faggots"

his mom, my grandma, nodded approvingly. Not sure for what. Then, grandma ordered a Fernet, for good measure.

Funnily enough it was a christmas gift from my Mother. That I happen to no longer call family.

[professor ganson]

Rando, I think a lecturing gig, with some time for research, is actually a better deal than a postdoc, since you get the teaching experience that many employers like to see. And you get to live in Stockholm! I'm really happy for you-- can't really think of too many places I'd rather live for a couple years!

[Ed Oscuro]

Yeah, congrats to Rando, hope you can deal with the indifferent masses though!

About lecturers - this seems to be to be the primary path for most graduate students in philosophy, at least around these parts. Most end up teaching, hoping to write books in their spare time.

[Randorama]

I am happy about your positive feedback, Ed, Todd, but we should stick to the thread's topic, shouldn't we? I am open to discussion in some new thread, in case

I'd like to point out a couple of stinker brands, to save people from throwing away money: Glen Livet and Glen Grant. I find their produce to be horrible, as if someone wanted to sell a blend of *canola oil* and poorly distilled, low-level malts. I am pretty sure that there are several others, so let's sort them out, if we can.

[professor ganson]

Dunno, Rando. Glen Livet is probably a good entry-level scotch, and not a bad value. Jumping right into Laphroig is like having a Russian Imperial Stout as your first beer.

[Frenetic]

Hey guys, if you want to get into some bourbon here are some good bourbons that won't break your wallet that should only cost you a little over $20 for a nice 750 mL bottle. It's really nice to pour out something solid when you are entertaining.

Old Forester Signature(opens up a little bit after warming up, splash of water right away if you don't want to wait)


Wild Turkey 101 (not regular Wild Turkey)


Bottled in bond...cask strength...oh yeah.

Cheers,
--the F-man

[scrilla4rella]

Great thread!! I've been enjoying me some single malt lately. Back home, drinking scotch has been a good way to bond with my old man. The drunk can have a completely different feels from beer. Basically I don't know jack about single malt, to me Johnny Walker Black Label tastes great. It may not be top shelf but compared to Sainsbury's brand single malt, JW is fucking ambrosia. I'll have to check out the Japanese single malts. I've been tempted to get a bottle but most of the folks around me drink pussy-ass chuhai or makkori so I haven't been able to get any good whiskey recommendations. I'll prob buy a bottle this weekend.

[scrilla4rella]

I got this for my professor when I went to London but I forgot to give it to him when I came back. It would be awkward to give it to him so much after the fact. Time to get drunk on a Monday night

[rtw]

I like the smoky single malts i.e.

Laphroaig, Talisker, Ardbeg, Bunahabin, Caol Ila, Bowmore, Lagavulin

I also like some of the cherry casked Macallans around 12-18Y. I was on the Isle of Sky once and got treated to 47year old Talisker, was like drinking cream

I drink them neat or with a wee drop of water to cloud it.

[professor ganson]

Laphroaig, Talisker, Ardbeg, Bunahabin, Caol Ila, Bowmore, Lagavulin

Awesome list! Ardbeg is my current favorite. I still need to try Bunahabin and Caol Ila on your list, though I'm not sure I can get the latter in these parts.

[opt2not]

I got this for my professor when I went to London but I forgot to give it to him when I came back. It would be awkward to give it to him so much after the fact. Time to get drunk on a Monday night

Niiiiiiice.
Glenfiddich 18 is a really smooth drink. Bought it at the duty-free store on the way back from the States for half of what it costs up here. Best $60 I've spent at the duty-free!

[Randorama]

How much should I pay, for an Ardberg bottle? I need to evaluate an offer at the local supermarket.

[CMoon]

Depends on which make, but the Uigeadail goes for something like $70-$80