I was wondering: does the idea that you should drink whisky neat apply to Bourbon as well or just single-malt scotch?
My drink is normally Maker's Mark borbon on the rocks. I may be missing out on some complex flavors but it sure tastes good on the rocks.
For a special treat -- once in awhile -- I pick up a bottle of Glennlevit or laphroaig.
Laphroaig is fantastic. Too bad it is so expensive or I would drink it more often.
You should drink whatever you drink the way you enjoy it most.
I'm one of those who think that if I'm going to pay big bucks for single malt, I should be able to enjoy the subtleties it offers, and for me that's generally neat, or with a very small amount of water. A couple of ice cubes in my Laphroaig, I find, will mask the flavours and aromas that make it worth twice as much as a decent blended whisky.
cheers.
bill
Taking a moment's reflection, William Anderson mused: | | I was wondering: does the idea that you should drink whisky neat apply to | Bourbon as well or just single-malt scotch?
Generally, it's preference.
Ice is added to cool the drink, but it also dulls the flavour because the cold chills the taste buds. Harsh drinks can be made more palatable with a little ice. Water, only a few drops, can be added too. In several whiskies, this changes the chemical balance of the drink, and releases flavours and aromas that you wouldn't otherwise experience. And, finally, experiencing it neat gives you the experience of the whisky ... for how it actually is.
Having said all of that, I drink whisky neat ... occasionally with a few drops of water. I ordered a Highland Park 12 at a pub recently, and they brought it to the table with ice. I sent it back saying I didn't ask for "on the rocks" I asked for "neat." They brought it back with the ice strained out ... the glass was still cold. I sent that back as well. A lot of bourbons, however, I drink with ice.
I drink all whisk(e)y neat. But I do agree with the previous two posts
100%. You like it on the rocks, then on the rocks it is. You like it with a little water.......On Tue, 12 Apr 2005 22:09:33 -0700, the alleged William Anderson, may have posted the following, to alt.drinks.scotch-whisky:
In a general sense it does, but in specificity it varies.
An excellent choice, but one of the bit harsher Bourbons. Might I ask what prompted you to choose Maker's Mark as you dram of choice?
Try a dram of Henry McKenna Special Reserve, a dram of Four Roses Single Barrel, and a dram of Buffalo Trace, without ice and additional water.
The McKenna is a sweet Bourbon, the Four Roses is a benchmark and the Buffalo Trace has a slightly musty overtone. All of these are significantly less expensive than Maker's Mark.
Well, that's a matter of individual taste. I truly hate Laphroaig (it's the phenols), but love Talisker (mmm... Barbecued whisky). Try Highland- Park, Lagavulin or (for a lighter dram) The Balvenie Double-Wood. All are a bit less expensive (in my neck of the woods) than Laphroaigh.
Slainte, Rob
No particular reason other than I saw it on the store shelf and decided to give it a try.
Less expensive than Maker's Mark. That is good news as I always thought that Maker's is a bit overpriced. My feeling is that Maker's Mark is pretty good whisky that has been able to charge more by its marketing.
If I could find a whisky as good or better than Maker's for less money, I will be thrilled.
In fact, if I could find a good single malt for about, say, $20 a bottle, I would be absolutely thrilled. But I have not seen single-malt for less than around $30.
I have heard that these you have mentioned are excellent.
Look for Eagle Rare. Wonderful stuff, and reasonable as well. Do not know where you live, but here in Northern California Bev Mo carries it.
Loki
If you want to show support to our troops, you can get some ideas of how to do so at:
"William Anderson" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com:
William, where are you located? In the San Francisco Bay Area there are Trader Joe's grocery stores in several cities. They have taken to bottling their own labeled single malt whiskies. Their current selection includes:
10 YO Macallans $21.99 10 YO Aberlour 16.99 NAS "Highland" 19.99 NAS "Lowland" 19.99 NAS :Speyside" 19.99All are drinkable, with the Macallans being a pretty decent dram for everyday consumption, especially for the price.
M $0.02 worth
Just to be pedantic :-) isn't bourbon 'whiskey'?
cheers,
Henry
It is "Whiskey" if you prefer and live in the States (and a few other places). It is "Whisky" in most of the world and especially the world in which Scotch Whisky was first distilled.
Dave - to email me replace "spam" with "comcast" We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
"William Anderson" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com:
Try McClellands Islay or Glen Garioch, my favorite low-priced drams.
If you can find Isle of Jura 10 YO (or even better 16 YO) you might find a winner.... The 10 YO normally is about $20 and the 16 YO normally about $30. One of my favorite, everyday single malts.
Cheers, Gary
My understanding is the Irish use whiskey and the Scottish use whisky.
I like scotch better so I went with their spelling out of respect for scotch whisky! :-)
Will
Excellent. Will look for it. Thanks.
Will
Fantastic. In fact, the next town over from mine does have a trader joe's. Those prices are fantastic. My town does not seem to have any scotch for less than $30/bottle.
What is 10 YO and NAS?
That Aberlour for $16.99, what is it like?
Will
Ah, I see, YO stands for Years Old. Cool.
Will
10 YO = 10 year old, meaning the whisky has matured in the cask for at least 10 years. NAS = No Age Statement, meaning the whisky has matured in the cask for an unspecified number of years (4 or more, and usually less than 10).
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.