Rediscovering scotch whisky

[NightShiftCharlie]

Yesterday, I was on the second phase of my search for a good beginner blended scotch. Last time, I sampled J&B, Cutty Sark, and Johnnie Walker Red, ending up in a tie with Cutty and Johnnie Red. This week's contestants were Grant's, Johnnie Walker Black and Chivas Regal 12 year.

First came Grant's. When I first took a closer look at the scotch selection at Westroads Liquors, my go-to candy store, amongst the bottom shelf scotch whiskies like The Famous Grouse, Scoresby, Clan MacGregor and the like was Grant's, made by the same folks who bring you Glenfiddich. I wondered how good their blended scotch could be, and on Friday, I found a shooter bottle of the stuff at Old Town Liquors, my other close by candy store. And so, on Sunday, I started my search with Grant's. After an initial moderate burn, I found out it was pretty smooth, with a flavor that tasted to me kind of like caramel apples.

After an hour later, and a few small bags of chips to clear my palate, came Johnny Black. Very little burn, immense flavor. I finished it in no time at all.

Again, after the sampling, I ate something to clear my palate, and waited for an hour before I sampled the Chivas Regal. It was to me a bit harsher than even Grant's, so I actually added a splash of Vess Club Soda (the other five, I drank them all neat), which improved the situation.

So after two rounds, I've currently got Grant's pegged as my mainstay blend, with Johnnie Black as my "stash" blend. Still looking for more recommondations.

Next weekend: Glenfiddich 15 year, The Glenlivet 12 year (found a shooter bottle Friday at Pick's Liquors), and possibly Jameson.

[Jiggers McCoy]

Well now, Jameson is Irish Whiskey. Not to imply its bad, because it is heavenly, but Scotch is Scotch and Irish Whiskey is Irish Whiskey.

If you a want a cheap, insanely drinkable Irish whiskey, I gotta go with Powers.

[NightShiftCharlie]

Uh, I knew Jameson's Irish. I'm just sampling it with the two single-malt scotches, that's all.

[Chimneyfish]

The Glenlivet 12 year

My single favorite dollar-for-dollar scotch.

[Jiggers McCoy]

Uh, I knew Jameson's Irish. I'm just sampling it with the two single-malt scotches, that's all.

Apologies, you just mentioned it in the same breath as a buncha Scotches, thought I had to school a motherfucker.

Carry on.

[NightShiftCharlie]

On early New Year's Morning, I finally broke open the bottle of Grant's I bought the weekend before. My initial views still hold on Grant's: It's pretty damn smooth for cheap Scotch, almost as smooth as Johnnie Black, with just a moderate burn to let you know you're drinking the cheap stuff. I first tried it with club soda, which reduced the burn a little , but didn't affect the taste that much. Then for my next two, I mixed it with Sidral Mundet (a Mexican apple-flavored soda). Lovely stuff. All in all, Grant's will definitely be my daily drinker, blended scotch-wise.

[Frankennietzsche]

Old Smuggler, carrot juice and beef broth is good for what ails you. Try it.

[Resident Asshole]

Haven't had Grant's, but you are saying it is smoother than Famous Grouse?

[NightShiftCharlie]

I don't know, I haven't tried The Grouse yet. I'm just saying it tastes pretty damn smooth for a cheap scotch.

[captain gonzo]

Grants always gives me a headache for some reason, grouse is my favoured cheap scotch.

[willerror]

Well now, Jameson is Irish Whiskey. Not to imply its bad, because it is heavenly, but Scotch is Scotch and Irish Whiskey is Irish Whiskey.

If you a want a cheap, insanely drinkable Irish whiskey, I gotta go with Powers.

Funny -- someone recommended Powers to me but I'd forgotten he'd said it was a good Irish whiskey. Somehow I got it into my head Powers was Scotch! When I ordered it the bartender looked at me oddly, then clarified the mix-up. I decided to stick with it anyway and Powers then turned into my favorite Irish whiskey.

[willerror]

That said, turns out I've really been digging this Laphroaig 10-year, and am saddened to see the bottle's contents diminish so... It was a gift and restocking it is a bit above my pay grade.

[captain gonzo]

Glenlivet 15 y/o french oak reserve is great stuff, laphroaig quarter cask is a good offering and tomatin is another great single malt.

So many scotches to try and so little money to buy them with.

[Resident Asshole]

Well now, Jameson is Irish Whiskey. Not to imply its bad, because it is heavenly, but Scotch is Scotch and Irish Whiskey is Irish Whiskey.

If you a want a cheap, insanely drinkable Irish whiskey, I gotta go with Powers.

Funny -- someone recommended Powers to me but I'd forgotten he'd said it was a good Irish whiskey. Somehow I got it into my head Powers was Scotch! When I ordered it the bartender looked at me oddly, then clarified the mix-up. I decided to stick with it anyway and Powers then turned into my favorite Irish whiskey.

Powers is awesome. Too bad no one carries it at bars around here. Same with Famous Grouse. They are hands down my favorite "cheap" Irish and Scotch whiskeys.

Although in lieu of that it was Irish night at my local last night, so lots of Jameson was to be had. I cheated and drank Glenlivet 12 also...that's their best Scotch unfortunately.

[TheBigCasino]

That said, turns out I've really been digging this Laphroaig 10-year, and am saddened to see the bottle's contents diminish so... It was a gift and restocking it is a bit above my pay grade.

I don't know if you have a Trader Joe's by you. They sell Laphroaig 10 year for about 30 bucks a bottle. I do hereby declaim, this is the best deal ON EARTH.