Jim Beam sucks (esp. after exposure to good Scotch); blended Scotch query.

You might give Johnnie Walker Black a try. Costs more than most blends, but significantly less than most single malts. There is a little bit of Islay in the blend, but not enough to set off most smoke-peat-phenol alarms. Quite tasty but smooth. JW Red is cheaper, but somewhat rougher.

bill

I was gifted 1.75 L. of JB (better than getting a necktie!). I found it to be an excellent accelerant for the charcoal in my BBQ!!

Two of the more popular blends that I also happen to like are Cutty Sark and the Famous Grouse family (incl. Black Grouse and the recent Naked Grouse).

Cutty Sark is known for soft fruit flavors complemented with a bit of vanilla and oakiness skilfully blended in.

Famous Grouse has flavors of malt, honey, fruit, nuts, and sometimes a hint of something like heather flowers. Black Grouse is a little spicier and smokier, whereas Naked Grouse has a heavy sherry component.

For something a little different, you might also try Sheep Dip, a vatted malt that I find has a very complex and fascinating flavor profile--quite spicy, with sherry and vanilla sweetness but hints of iodine and peat that let you know there's a little bit of Islay in the blend.

Am 02.10.2012 20:15, schrieb Robbie Hatley:

• Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years - production is discontinued, so try to get a bottle as long as you have the chance

• Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve - the successor

• Black Bull 12 Years - very fine blend from independent bottler Duncan Tailor

• The Naked Grouse - the "high end version" from Famous Grouse, a blend of Macallan and Highland Park with a lot of sherry, sweet and spicy

I wouldn't go below this price range unless you want to gulp it down with a lot of ice or mix it with cola. But as it is with the mots blends, you can get a better single malt or bourbon for less money.

Marko

Regarding my blended-Scotch query, Bill Van recommended:

Thanks, I think I'll try the Black. On googling, I see that a store near me is selling it in various sizes, the best value being 750ml for $25.

LOL! Yep, it should be good for that. I think I'll keep the remnants of my bottle for use as adhesive and scum remover.

Thanks for the tips, I may try those in the future.

I'm intrigued with the name "Sheep Dip" as a Scotch whisky brand. What an odd name. I'd think it would turn people off. I wonder what possessed them to use that name?

Marko Renner recommends:

Thanks for the tips.

Waste of a good cola. I tried that with Jim Beam, had to pour the cola down the garbage disposal.

Besides, if I wanted to mix Scotch with something, I think I might try making "Scotch Coffee". Hmmm... one of the milder, creamier single malts like Glen Morangie or MacCallan, perhaps... Put 1.5oz MacCallan 12yo and 1.5oz half-n-half in a 12oz mug, pour in 8oz of hot arabica coffee, stir in 1tsp sugar, and top with whipped cream. I think I'll try that some day.

Around my area, single malt scotch tends to go for $40-$80 a bottle. So unless you're comparing, say, this "Johnnie Walker Blue" I saw on the net for $120/bottle to an Ardbeg at $50/bottle, mostly the single malts are about twice as expensive as the blends.

And more than twice as good! For just C2HO5, cheap Vodka is OK.

In N. Hollywood, CA

Also try the Double Black - has a little stronger peat flavor, but don't remember what it costs. Also Pinch (AKA Dimple) is another good blend that's usually less than $40.

TT

the Famous Grouse family (incl. Black Grouse and the recent Naked Grouse).

You might like to try Snow Grouse.

and oakiness skilfully blended in.

something like heather flowers. Black Grouse is a little spicier and smokier, whereas Naked Grouse has a heavy sherry component.

that I find has a very complex and fascinating flavor profile--quite spicy, with sherry and vanilla sweetness but hints of iodine and peat that let you know there's a little bit of Islay in the blend.

For malts, try Talisker or Jura

Jim Beam tastes like it was aged for about an hour. Horrible, overpriced stuff. I was fortunate to find a bottle of Beam from 1968 so I can confirm that the swill they sell today is nothing at all like it used to be. It was okay in 1968.

Jim Beam is a bourbon, NOT Scotch, so I have NO idea why you'd expect it to BE like Scotch.