Spirits

[Jeff_T]

So I have just begun to enjoy and acquire a taste for good spirits, as in sipping/drinking, not guzzling. So I'm looking for suggestions for whiskey and scotch that are some of your favorites, the old fall back, etc. Anything you think a novice should know about...

Forgot to add, what shisha (flavors) would accent these as well? Edited May 1, 2008 by Jeff_T

[mjdx88]

Forgot to add, what shisha (flavors) would accent these as well?

Think cigars Jeff =P, Im an all around fan of JD, Jim Bean both decently priced. Also Woodford Reserve is pretty good whiskey but at 16 bucks for 375ML its pricey not to much more than Jack.

My roommate loves his Jamesons Irish Whiskey, and any decent canadian whiskey.

Alot of people like Johnny Walker, Red and Black Label but that stuff isnt cheap. Im not a fan at all. No wood taste to it at all.

As for pairing its what you like really, its a matter of opinion. I would drink wine I think more with shisha than whiskey. But if you want a night low ball full of your favorite drink I would go with something very strong and bold. Like coffee shisha.

[iron molly black]

For scotch, my favorite is Laphroaig 10-year old, but that may well be out of your price range (the 16-year old is out of mine!), and good old Macallan 12. For whiskey, my fav is Tullamore Dew. Unfortunately, I'm too new to hookah to suggest flavors, but I know my scotch!

I do find that a nice, fresh minty Mojito goes well with a lot of flavors, though.

[Jeff_T]

Forgot to add, what shisha (flavors) would accent these as well?

Think cigars Jeff =P

Never really smoked cigars, so i don't really know.
After class today, I'm thinking whiskey neat, glass of ice water and tangiers clove... Edited May 1, 2008 by Jeff_T

[r1v3th3ad]

wow, I thought this was gonna be a ghost thread...

i like a good HH Jamaican Rum + HH Cola with any whiskey drinks

edit: i think i'm gonna make a ghosts thread now Edited May 1, 2008 by r1v3th3ad

[leadpipecinch21]

i'm a big fan of maker's mark. also if you're just getting in to scotch, try some glennfiddich 12 year. it's not too overwhelmingly strong, and is a great starter scotch. that's where my dad started me, and it's definitely a good place to begin, then move on to peatier and stronger scotches. good stuff.

just be warned, neither of those bottles are cheap, but i think as long as you're not throwing them down all the time and getting shitface wasted off of them they're well worth it and will last a while. Edited May 2, 2008 by leadpipecinch21

[Braavos]

maker's mark is my staple. definitely try it, if you haven't

[iron molly black]

i'm a big fan of maker's mark. also if you're just getting in to scotch, try some glennfiddich 12 year. it's not too overwhelmingly strong, and is a great starter scotch. that's where my dad started me, and it's definitely a good place to begin, then move on to peatier and stronger scotches. good stuff.

just be warned, neither of those bottles are cheap, but i think as long as you're not throwing them down all the time and getting shitface wasted off of them they're well worth it and will last a while.

I agree on the glenfiddich as a "starter" scotch. It is rather tame. I got spoiled this summer on a $200 bottle of scotch, can't even remember the name, at a scotch tasting party. Made EVERYTHING else taste like crap--lol. Would love to be able to afford the "really" good stuff!

[leadpipecinch21]

i'm a big fan of maker's mark. also if you're just getting in to scotch, try some glennfiddich 12 year. it's not too overwhelmingly strong, and is a great starter scotch. that's where my dad started me, and it's definitely a good place to begin, then move on to peatier and stronger scotches. good stuff.

just be warned, neither of those bottles are cheap, but i think as long as you're not throwing them down all the time and getting shitface wasted off of them they're well worth it and will last a while.

I agree on the glenfiddich as a "starter" scotch. It is rather tame. I got spoiled this summer on a $200 bottle of scotch, can't even remember the name, at a scotch tasting party. Made EVERYTHING else taste like crap--lol. Would love to be able to afford the "really" good stuff!

yup...my dad's a scotch buff, so i've gotten to taste some of the nicer(read: expensive) ones...pretty disappointing when going back down to a "cheap" $40 single malt...

[Jeff_T]

So i ended up going with Woodford Reserve. Don't have enough right now to drop about $40-$50 on a bottle, but will soon enough. As far as bourbon goes, this is some good stuff. Yesterday night I had a glass neat, definitely noticed a spicy/smoky taste with some nice sweeter undertones. Tonight I had 2 glasses on the rocks. It was very good on the rocks but lost some flavor, it was also much easier for the novice to drink on the rocks.
A glass neat definitely goes well with tangiers clove.

[bjelder]

crown royal, johnnie walker blue label lol