Whisk(e)y for beginners.....

Ardbeg is one of the most heavily-peated whiskies out there and bottled at 46%. It's fantastic IMO but a bit of an acquired taste and unlikely to go down well with a newbie.

With whisky I always taste it neat first, and then gradually add water. Adding a wee bit of water can open up the flavour and also knock back the burn from the alcohol. I mostly add a teaspoon of water to a measure of Ardbeg, others it can be a couple of drops or none at all depending on the whisky and my mood. I don't like ice as the chill dampens the flavour.
 
Ardbeg is one of the most heavily-peated whiskies out there and bottled at 46%. It's fantastic IMO but a bit of an acquired taste and unlikely to go down well with a newbie.

With whisky I always taste it neat first, and then gradually add water. Adding a wee bit of water can open up the flavour and also knock back the burn from the alcohol. I mostly add a teaspoon of water to a measure of Ardbeg, others it can be a couple of drops or none at all depending on the whisky and my mood. I don't like ice as the chill dampens the flavour.
I'll definitely try adding water. I need easing in. Bit like starting out wet shaving with an R41 :eek:
 
I've only got into ‘proper';) whisky over the last few years. I've never liked ‘normal' blended whisky like Bells and Teachers.
I started off with a couple of different bourbon's but after a couple of mates encouraged me to try Single Malt's I've never looked back.

I started off with Aberlour 10 year old. I bought a full bottle, a risk but it was on offer* at the supermarket, so rude not to really. The first mouthful was a revelation. Oh my sweet Lord! Just bloody lovely.

I've tried a few over the years and started enjoying the more peaty whiskies more and more. I bought a miniature bottle of Ardbeg and I'm glad I didn't buy a full bottle. It's way too peaty for me. I might as well been drinking TCP neat. YUK!:eek:
I had a bottle of Laphroaig bought for me at Christmas, which has a reputation of being very peaty but I found it easy to drink.:p

As already mentioned Peaty Whiskies are definitely an acquired taste and something you build up to. If you'd like to try a Whisky with a hint of peat, then I'd recommend Highland Park 10 year.


*Aberlour 10 year old is regularly discounted in Supermarkets. You can pick it for £25.00 most of the time. I'd highly recommend it. It's not Peaty at all BTW.
 
I've only got into ‘proper';) whisky over the last few years. I've never liked ‘normal' blended whisky like Bells and Teachers.
I started off with a couple of different bourbon's but after a couple of mates encouraged me to try Single Malt's I've never looked back.

I started off with Aberlour 10 year old. I bought a full bottle, a risk but it was on offer* at the supermarket, so rude not to really. The first mouthful was a revelation. Oh my sweet Lord! Just bloody lovely.

I've tried a few over the years and started enjoying the more peaty whiskies more and more. I bought a miniature bottle of Ardbeg and I'm glad I didn't buy a full bottle. It's way too peaty for me. I might as well been drinking TCP neat. YUK!:eek:
I had a bottle of Laphroaig bought for me at Christmas, which has a reputation of being very peaty but I found it easy to drink.:p

As already mentioned Peaty Whiskies are definitely an acquired taste and something you build up to. If you'd like to try a Whisky with a hint of peat, then I'd recommend Highland Park 10 year.


*Aberlour 10 year old is regularly discounted in Supermarkets. You can pick it for £25.00 most of the time. I'd highly recommend it. It's not Peaty at all BTW.
Cheers Rob - I'll look out for Aberlour in the supermarket. I'm looking out for miniatures at the moment. Loving the advice!
 
Another thing you might want to consider, especially if undiluted Glenfiddich (a fairly sweet malt that's bottled at the minimum allowable alcohol percentage of 40%) is causing unpleasant alcohol burn, is that you might be taking too much into your mouth when you take a sip. It should be obvious that taking the same amount of a spirit as you would wine or beer isn't a good idea. I take the advice of Ralf Mitchell (ralfydotcom on Youtube) and try to take at most half a teaspoon of whisky in a single sip, ideally less. That way, you can enjoy the flavours without being overpowered by the alcohol content. Of course, you'll probably decide to add a drop or two of water to most whisky, though some are better neat and cask-strength malts need quite a bit more, but a small sip of neat whisky need not be that off-putting.

Here are a couple of Ralfy's videos that might be of interest in terms of appreciating whisky:

 
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I think this book: Whisky Classified, by David Wishart, is a good start trying to appreciate a wee dram. (or go straight for the heavily peated hard to get bottles from now closed distilleries that seem to be the inevitable favourite among most whisky snobs :) )
 
Another thing you might want to consider, especially if undiluted Glenfiddich (a fairly sweet malt that's bottled at the minimum allowable alcohol percentage of 40%) is causing unpleasant alcohol burn, is that you might be taking too much into your mouth when you take a sip. It should be obvious that taking the same amount of a spirit as you would wine or beer isn't a good idea. I take the advice of Ralf Mitchell (ralfydotcom on Youtube) and try to take at most half a teaspoon of whisky in a single sip, ideally less. That way, you can enjoy the flavours without being overpowered by the alcohol content. Of course, you'll probably decide to add a drop or two of water to most whisky, though some are better neat and cask-strength malts need quite a bit more, but a small sip of neat whisky need not be that off-putting.

Here are a couple of Ralfy's videos that might be of interest in terms of appreciating whisky:

Thank you for the advice, and videos. Very informative!
 
There are some useful Apps (Android and IOS) for Scotch and whisky. Many distilleries will have web page with tasting notes. My local liquor store has one very knowledgable whisky person.

As a side note, I have found Blackberry Brandy and Daiquiris (rum plus he lemon juice)are better for colds for me. I even use some for preventive medicine during the cold and flu season.
 
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