FabSwingers.com forum: Whiskies for newbie

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Are there any whisky drinkers here who can point me in a direction of a whisky for a beginner? Preferrably a single malt.

Something thats easy on the senses and not too overpowering.

Thanks

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By *ild_oatsMan
over a year ago

the land of saints & sinners

You probably want to try a Spayside Whiskey

I would recommend either Aberlour or Auchentoshan

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By *BWandhusbandCouple
over a year ago

Midlands

Glenmorangie.

Stay clear of laphroaig for a little while, it's a bit of a throat burner.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Auchentoshan is one I've been looking at.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Glenmorangie.

Stay clear of laphroaig for a little while, it's a bit of a throat burner."

I tried one a month of so ago.....cant remember the name but that burnt just smelling it

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By *radleywigginsMan
over a year ago

northwest

I’m not a huge fan. But I’ve got to the point where I can now drink it without retching. Maybe that comes with age! In general I believe the island ones are more peaty than the highland ones.

But.. in terms of recommendations, rather than a name I’d suggest going to visit the distilleries, and learning about what you’re drinking.

Islay is the best place for a distillery tour and it’s a fantastic place to base yourself for a long weekend whilst you visit a dozen or so. You can bus or cycle round them and all have bars where you can have free samples.

I like the ones that are slightly less smokey. Ones with a really super high peat content (laphraoig/ardbeg) might be a little too much for a beginner, and can just taste like a bonfire.

Bowmore might be a compromise.

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By *innie The MinxWoman
over a year ago

Under the Duvet

I used to love Glenfiddich back in the day.

Bet bet is to try a few minatures, see which you prefer.

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By *radleywigginsMan
over a year ago

northwest

Don’t spend less than £40 if you want to enjoy it. And no ice, just a couple of drops of water

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By *good-being-badMan
over a year ago

mis-types and auto corrects leads cock leeds

Are you wanting scotch or Irish whiskies.. there are so many to choose from a lot comes down to personal taste.

Don't dismiss blends so easily some are delicious and have more flavour traits than a single malt..

Glenkinchie is very light ,

Bushmills Irish single malt is very light as well.

Personally Bushmill's original (it's a blend) is a very good drink.

Talisker, laguvulin, laphraig , cael isla.. all very peaty

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Are you wanting scotch or Irish whiskies.. there are so many to choose from a lot comes down to personal taste.

Don't dismiss blends so easily some are delicious and have more flavour traits than a single malt..

Glenkinchie is very light ,

Bushmills Irish single malt is very light as well.

Personally Bushmill's original (it's a blend) is a very good drink.

Talisker, laguvulin, laphraig , cael isla.. all very peaty "

Ideally scotch. Is it the peat that gives it the burn?

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By *radleywigginsMan
over a year ago

northwest

"Are you wanting scotch or Irish whiskies.. there are so many to choose from a lot comes down to personal taste.

Don't dismiss blends so easily some are delicious and have more flavour traits than a single malt..

Glenkinchie is very light ,

Bushmills Irish single malt is very light as well.

Personally Bushmill's original (it's a blend) is a very good drink.

Talisker, laguvulin, laphraig , cael isla.. all very peaty

Ideally scotch. Is it the peat that gives it the burn? "

It’s the alcohol that gives it the burn. The peat that gives it the smoke

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By *ara JTV/TS
over a year ago

Bristol East

They have just resumed making whisky in Thurso, most northerly town on UK mainland.

I don’t drink the stuff but I bought a bottle and my friends seem to like it.

Wolfburn (the name of the watercourse the water is drawn from).

About 46 proof, from memory.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

The reason for asking is a few friends and I are off on a golf holiday through Scotland early next year and making the compulsary visits to distilleries. So it would be nice to sample whiskies now and see how it goes.

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By *ara JTV/TS
over a year ago

Bristol East

If you like the smokey taste, the west coast distilleries are your choice. East coast less so. They make a lovely smooth whisky in Orkney called Highland Park.

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By *good-being-badMan
over a year ago

mis-types and auto corrects leads cock leeds

"Are you wanting scotch or Irish whiskies.. there are so many to choose from a lot comes down to personal taste.

Don't dismiss blends so easily some are delicious and have more flavour traits than a single malt..

Glenkinchie is very light ,

Bushmills Irish single malt is very light as well.

Personally Bushmill's original (it's a blend) is a very good drink.

Talisker, laguvulin, laphraig , cael isla.. all very peaty

Ideally scotch. Is it the peat that gives it the burn? "

Not really the peat is burnt and used to dry the barley.. so the barley picks up the smokey peaty flavour,(bit like curing meat over a wood fire) and when it's used in the production the smokiness comes out into the liquor.

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By *radleywigginsMan
over a year ago

northwest

Great. Have fun. Make your decision based on what they tell you and what you enjoy when you’re there.

Whiskey doesn’t get any better in the bottle, but it doesn’t really get any worse either.

This ain’t some horrible holiday liquor left languishing in the back of a cupboard. It’ll taste the same when you get it home.

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By *izzy RascallMan
over a year ago

Cardiff

Jameson's to help break you in.

Buy some granite ice cubes as they don't melt and give you Irish Whiskey Squash

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By *iscean MaleMan
over a year ago

Darlaston

"Jameson's to help break you in.

Buy some granite ice cubes as they don't melt and give you Irish Whiskey Squash"

I would recommend jamesons too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Glenmorangie.

Stay clear of laphroaig for a little while, it's a bit of a throat burner."

Rubbish, you sip it and let it settle in your mouth allowing it to warm and gently vapourise before swallowing, beautiful.

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By *BWandhusbandCouple
over a year ago

Midlands

[Removed by poster at 15/08/18 17:46:01]

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By *BWandhusbandCouple
over a year ago

Midlands

[Removed by poster at 15/08/18 17:51:01]

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By *uitar_antiheroMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

Don’t know if it’s been suggested yet, but Aberfeldy is a great intro whisky

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Don’t know if it’s been suggested yet, but Aberfeldy is a great intro whisky "

Heard of that. Is it lowland, highland, speyside etc?

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By *icelymarkedplusoneCouple
over a year ago

cardiff

Tescos own blend

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By *irthandgirthMan
over a year ago

Camberley occasionally doncaster

One of my favourites is the Bunnahabhain 12yo single malt. Absolutely stunning soft islay malt. Or try the Balvenie 12yo doublewood.

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By *irthandgirthMan
over a year ago

Camberley occasionally doncaster

"The reason for asking is a few friends and I are off on a golf holiday through Scotland early next year and making the compulsary visits to distilleries. So it would be nice to sample whiskies now and see how it goes."

Distillery tours are great. They do a lot of great limited edition stuff too. But that all depends how deep your pockets are..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Macallan is always a winner. Personally I like the 10 or 15

Glenmorangie is quality too as an entry brand

Dont discount quality Bourbons either.

Wild Turkey is not bad

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By *entleman_spyMan
over a year ago

nearby

I'm not a fan of the Smokey ones mostly in the islay (pronounced eye-ler). I prefer the highland or spayside flavours. My fave currently is the macallan 18, I'd also recommend a dalmore 15 or as stated above the aberlour (I've only tasted the 12). My personal preference is for them to have been aged in sherry casks as it adds a sweetness. I tend to keep the scotch for more special occasions these days, and tend to turn to bourbon as my tipple of the moment.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I’ve really got into whisky in the last year or so. My favourite by far is Glenmorangie but the price jumps - you can get it sometimes for £20 but it’s now between £30-35

Tip! Was in Tesco last week and thought I’d try the Tesco Special Reserve

. Was £14. Bloody hell it was fantastic ... I’d say similar to Glenmorangie although this was a blend. Highly recommend it and I’ll be decanting the next into an expensive brands bottle!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I'm not a fan of the Smokey ones mostly in the islay (pronounced eye-ler). I prefer the highland or spayside flavours. My fave currently is the macallan 18, I'd also recommend a dalmore 15 or as stated above the aberlour (I've only tasted the 12). My personal preference is for them to have been aged in sherry casks as it adds a sweetness. I tend to keep the scotch for more special occasions these days, and tend to turn to bourbon as my tipple of the moment."

Heard the Dalmore is great but its pricey.....unless i'm thinking of the really aged ones. Think i'm leaning towards more lowland and speyside ones.

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By *entleman_spyMan
over a year ago

nearby

You can get a 12 year old dalmore for under £40 I think ...

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By *rickyd72Man
over a year ago

Sheffield

Daft as it sounds, go to Aldi and try their Glen Marnoch. It's a single malt and is only £18. It tastes a lot more expensive. I'm a fan of Auchentoshan too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Some good tips here, great thread

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Personally Laphroaig is a favourite though know it's not to everyone's taste.

Best thing to do is try a few different ones, branded or otherwise. Get small bottles or visit a specialist shop.

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By *od_AlmightyMan
over a year ago

Heaven

"Are you wanting scotch or Irish whiskies.. there are so many to choose from a lot comes down to personal taste.

Don't dismiss blends so easily some are delicious and have more flavour traits than a single malt..

Glenkinchie is very light ,

Bushmills Irish single malt is very light as well.

Personally Bushmill's original (it's a blend) is a very good drink.

Talisker, laguvulin, laphraig , cael isla.. all very peaty

Ideally scotch. Is it the peat that gives it the burn? "

nope ... it's the rock that the water permeates through ... volcanic east coast rocks = harsh burn

islay peat = soft smooth laphroig

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By *ust ClareTV/TS
over a year ago

Settlewick!

It's not a widely known malt, but Edradour is a sweet mellow malt with a slight marzipan finish which is more delicious than it sounds.Springbank is superb too but very expensive.

Dont be afraid of adding a drop of water to release the aromas either

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Bushmills Single Malt...

It's all the rain we get that makes it softer than most Scots whiskies

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By *VineMan
over a year ago

The right place

I prefer the Islay malts, but they are the marmite of whiskies.

Glenmorangie is a very nice smooth one to get started on.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Highland Park 12yr old

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"Auchentoshan is one I've been looking at.

It's nice and tesco sometimes have it @£30

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"Bushmills Single Malt...

It's all the rain we get that makes it softer than most Scots whiskies"

Couldn't agree more I find the Irish ones smoother in general

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By *abrielle247Couple (FF)
over a year ago

PDI Gran Canaria

"Bushmills Single Malt...

It's all the rain we get that makes it softer than most Scots whiskies

Couldn't agree more I find the Irish ones smoother in general"

Bushmills is the best you can buy without doubt. Always have a bottle in the drinks cabinet.

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By *NN23Woman
over a year ago

Scotland

Can't believe Old Pulteney hasn't been recommended yet.

Also I have a subscription to Whisky.me they send out a dram once a month from all over Scotland from big to small distilleries. It's a good way to try something different without the expense of buying a bottle of something you'll hate

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think this is a thing with whiskey, like many other drinks there are so many styles and flavours that its hard to choose one to start with.

I normally drink wine (and i'm pretty much a connesuir) of those.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Can't believe Old Pulteney hasn't been recommended yet.

On a fun note, I always misread it as Old Putney and thought it was distilled near Fulham

haha

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By *NN23Woman
over a year ago

Scotland

"They have just resumed making whisky in Thurso, most northerly town on UK mainland.

I don’t drink the stuff but I bought a bottle and my friends seem to like it.

Wolfburn (the name of the watercourse the water is drawn from).

About 46 proof, from memory."

Think they celebrated their 5 year anniversary this year if I mind right. A guy I work with collects their bottles

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think this is a thing with whiskey, like many other drinks there are so many styles and flavours that its hard to choose one to start with.

I normally drink wine (and i'm pretty much a connesuir) of those."

Try bourbons

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By *arctMan
over a year ago

West of the bann

Yes I agree Jameson is the best for me

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By *uitar_antiheroMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"Don’t know if it’s been suggested yet, but Aberfeldy is a great intro whisky

Heard of that. Is it lowland, highland, speyside etc? "

It’s a highland. My personal favourite atm is the Laphroig triple wood, or the Glenmorangie lasanta. I’ve got about 6 or 7 different ones

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I’m more of a bourbon rather than a whiskey drinker but I don’t mind the odd tot. A few years ago I went on a distillery tour to the penderyn distillery in the heart of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. They do some wonderful whiskeys. Try the legend single malt they do. It’s around £30 a bottle but it’s really delicate to the palate. Well worth a try.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Going to take a punt and edge with the Auchentoshan me thinks.

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By *ild_oatsMan
over a year ago

the land of saints & sinners

"Going to take a punt and edge with the Auchentoshan me thinks.

Good choice.....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Definitely a Speyside, I found Glen Moray a great training whiskey.

Remember a splash of water is a good thing and take your time with it.

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By *ara JTV/TS
over a year ago

Bristol East

"Can't believe Old Pulteney hasn't been recommended yet.

Have you tried the liquer they make at the same distillery?

Stroma.

A Christmas treat!

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By *ySweetLadyWoman
over a year ago

London

My first one was the Glenlivet 12 year old, Speyside single malt, and I really liked it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I dislike blended whisky and also don't like an Islay.

My favourites are: Dalwhinnie, Monkey Shoulder, Scapa, Glenmorangie and I do like a Bushmills.

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By *NN23Woman
over a year ago

Scotland

"Can't believe Old Pulteney hasn't been recommended yet.

Have you tried the liquer they make at the same distillery?

Stroma.

A Christmas treat!

It is lovely, however I preferred the original liqueur. I managed to find a French website last year that were still selling the old stuff for €15 a bottle so we stocked up lol

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By *amperguyMan
over a year ago

Edinburgh

15 year dalwhinnie is very drinkable as is a 16 year old scapa.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Bought a bottle of Dalmore 15 year old for my brothers birthday.

Whisky is a bit lost on me

it’s one thing I wish I enjoyed

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Edged with the Auchentoshan while shopping last night.

Will be sampling it tonight while camping

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Nobody mentioned my favourite; Jura.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Nobody mentioned my favourite; Jura."

I'm sat looking at the paps of Jura

And right next door is Islay.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ooooft.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Are there any whisky drinkers here who can point me in a direction of a whisky for a beginner? Preferrably a single malt.

Something thats easy on the senses and not too overpowering.

Thanks

Newbie whiskey drinker here. I love a Spayside: nice smooth finish.

I was lucky enough to get to Nashville and to Jack Daniels. Since then I’ve been converted to Gentleman Jack for “everyday” drinking.

My absolute favourite is a Japanese single Malt: Yamazaki. My favourite. Get yourself to a decent whiskey bar. A good bar person will advise you and guide you through some of their stock. The main thing is have fun trying them and find your favourite.

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By *abrielle247Couple (FF)
over a year ago

PDI Gran Canaria

We do our own to taste, a bottle of bushmills add honey, cinnamon stick and a cardamon pods and a vanilla pod leave for a week and shake occasionally.

Superb drank by it self no water.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks for the advice everyone. Went with an Auchentoshan and was great.

Sat out camping last night with he fire pit roaring and a glass or two. Perfect!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I like Japanese whiskey but beware its usually stronger than most,50%+

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