Whisky Forum - New guy

HydroRaven · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 15

Hello all!

A friend of mine recently introduced me to the wonderful world of whisky. As I'm sure you can all guess, it didn't take long for me to become a fan. I'm new to the hobby, so I wanted to have your opinions on what I should try first and what I should avoid for now. Here's a little bit about me.

My name is Dave, I live in Tokyo, Japan. I am a cigar smoker, and smoke mostly Cuban cigars (98%)

Whiskies I have tried and liked are the Laphroaig 10 years, Bowmore 12 years, Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist (1990), Blue Hanger 4th release. The ones I didn't care for were the Ardbeg 10 years (strong iodine taste) and the Blue Hanger 6th release (smelled like bad seafood)

I did a quick search for a thread that would suggest good whiskies for starting palates, but unfortunately couldn't find any.

Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to reading what you have to say.

Dave

Alastair · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Dave and welcome to the SMW forum and the wonderful world of whisky.

As you liked Laphroaig 10 i think you will love the Laphroaig Quarter Cask and the more expensive but superb Laphroaig 18.

Have you tried Lagavulin yet? This is another big peaty/smoky Islay distillery. The Lagavulin 16 is excellent and so is the Lagavulin Distillers Edition which is a sherry cask finished Lagavulin which adds lovely sweet fruity sherried notes to the ssmoky Lagavulin.

Away from the big smoky Islay malts i would recommend Highland Park 12 and the excellent Highland Park 18.

Many cigar smokers enjoy a sherried malt along with there cigar, the quality sherried malts IMO are Macallan 10, 12 and the excellent 18 year old - Glenfarclas 15,17, 25 and 30 year old are all excellent - Glendronach 15 Revival.

There are 100's more quality whiskies, i am sure others here will suggest some

HydroRaven · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 15

Thank you very much Alastair for your suggestions. I will definitely write those down and hunt them down in the near future. There's a whisky shop here in Tokyo that lets us sample different whiskies (for a small fee) before we buy them. I will go through your list and let you know what resonates with me.

Quaich1 · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:56 pm Post subject:

HydroRaven · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 15

Thank you very much Quaich1, I'll definitely keep it in mind next time I visit the liquor store.

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

Welcome to the SMW forum.

Seems to me like you enjoy the smokey side of the malt spectrum at the moment. lots of people have recomended some excellent drams that I can't argue with, you could try some of the really peaty stuff, Octomore being the most peated whisky in the world, however, I may suggest looking into a different spectrum of single malts, possibly those with a serry finish, I find that a balance of finsihes helps me find waht I want to drink when im in a particular mood.

All that said, Im very sure you will enjoy your venure into the wonderful world of whisky and you'll find here is a very useful resource for asking questions and seeking opinions.

HydroRaven · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 15

Hello Albo,

Yes, it seems like that smokey/peaty profile is doing it for me now. However, just as in cigars, I do believe in trying many different things to get a good feel of what my preferences are. And who knows, maybe in a few years things I thought I didn't like could suddenly make sense to me. I'm a big advocate for experimentation, so I'll hear and try anything and everything the forum tells me to (within the limits of my budget of course).

Thank you everyone for a warm welcome. I'm looking forward to years of whisky enjoyment in your company.

Alastair · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 1:23 am Post subject:

Away from the big smoky Islay whiskies i would recommend anyone new to Scotch single malt whisky to try the following

Talisker 10 and 18

Highland Park 12 and 18, HP is a great all round whisky with a bit of everything.

Glenmorangie 10 is very good, so is the Glenmorangie cask finishes, Quita Ruban (port cask finish) and Lasanta (sherry cask finish.

Glenfiddich 12, 15, 18 and 21 are excellent

Glenlivet 12, 18 and 21 also excellent.

HydroRaven · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 15

Thank you once again Alastair. I think I have quite a few suggestions to get started, so I'll try those and report back with my thoughts. Thanks to everyone that has helped me so far!

drPete · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 9:46 am Post subject:

Hello
I would echo the Talisker recommendations, and for a huge sherry bomb the Glenfarclas 105 cask strength or an Aberlour.
Enjoy the journey!
_________________
Talisker 18 - the rest are just details

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

HydroRaven · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 15

Will do. Thank you all for your suggestions!

DavidUK · Double Malt Member Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 174

Balblair, AnCnoc, Old Pulteney, Bladnoch, Springbank, Glendronach. kilchoman, all producing excellent whisky at the moment

HydroRaven · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 15

My friend and I had a makeshift tasting yesterday at the store. He introduced me to the Caol Ila and I have to say I really enjoyed it. We tasted the 12 years and it was really good, but then we had a 28 year old and it was simply divine!

Also had some Mortlach 16 years. I wasn't too impressed with that one. Tried the Bowmore 12 again and I tasted something unpleasant about it. It's only when my friend pointed out what it was that I realised it: soap. Definitely not a big fan of it.

My quest will continue.

Quaich1 · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:34 am Post subject: