Looking for guidance

[Chrisb88]

Hi all,

I'm new to whisky drinking and indeed the group, I'm trying to learn as much as I can (which due to lack of friends who dink whisky apart from JD & coke) I thought I'd try a forum. I've tried a couple of whiskies now although never a scotch whisky ( I know I need shooting) so could anyone recommend one for someone still getting to grips?

Another question, how long generally is it before flavours are detected? E.g. A vanilla flavour.

Thanks,
Chris

[DsChief]

check this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCXkAy5XvcU

Ralfy has loads of good info.

I'd add Craigellachie 13 yo. as one to start with

[Timp]

The web site ...maltmadness helped me out and websites such as this have covered most topics so by trawling through all of the sections you will find a lot of your questions answered. I tend to do lots of research on a bottle before I buy... Just views but ralfy is interesting and also serge at whiskyfun...

You have also developed your interest around the time of year when all the xmas marketing crap is just around the corner and the supermarkets will start to discount the standard bottlings, so a good chance to pick some cheaper malts to try.

Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your journey..have fun..

[opelfruit]

Welcome.

As already mentioned, there will soon start to be big discounting on most entry level whiskies in supermarkets so it is a good time to buy.

Entry level whiskies are just that because that is when you generally enter the market. The whiskies at this level are specifically designed to be mainly inoffensive, broad in flavour, reasonably priced and a fair quality. So an ideal place to start as they tend not to overwhelm you but will allow certain flavour and smell profiles to be found.

Initially, Speyside is usually the best starting place, along with the highlands. Each region has is own "style", Speyside being (again in general) the softest and easiest.

Your best bet is for supermarkets as bottles are easy to pick up.


There are a few things you need to be aware of;

Age statements on a bottle of Scotch Single Malt must be the age of the youngest whisky in the vatting. Many casks are mixed together for a bottling and the youngest must be the one declared (if an age statement is included). So you could have 90% 18 year old whisky, 9% 15 year old whisky, 1% 5 year old whisky and you could only sell it as a 5 year old if you put an age statement on it.

There are various NAS (No Age Stated) whiskies on the market. There is no indication what these contain, but the general consensus is they are young - Scotch has to be a minimum of 3 years and 1 day old.

Whisky can be coloured. e150a (Caramel colouring) can be added to Scotch to alter the colour. It's mainly done to give a consistent colour from batch to batch, but it also makes whisky look darker and therefore older and more desirable. Please don't just a whisky based on it's colour unless the bottle states that it is of "natural colour"

Single malt is whisky made in a single distillery and is only made with malted barley. Blended whisky can contain grain based whisky (usually corn). Grain is generally considered to be less good than malted barley. Blended malt whisky is a blend of single malts from various distilleries (more than one).

Scotch single malt must be aged in oak casks, usually these have held bourbon first and then filled with spirit to mature in Scotland. Often now whiskies are "finished" in case that have held other things, like sherry or port. So you could have a 12yo aged for 10yrs in bourbon oak and then finished for 2yrs in sherry casks to alter the flavour.

Whisky is watered down for bottling when it is at 40%. A single cask of whisky can be well over 50% abv so when they are all vatted for bottling they are watered to a bottling strength and most of the time chill filtered.




The first whiskies I'd recommend for a novice would be (usually avaliable in most supermarkets);

Balvenie 12yo Doublewood (Speyside)
Bunnhabhain 12yo (Islay, unpeated)
Dalwhinnie 15yo (Highland)
Highland Park 12yo (Island)
Glenlivet Founder's Reserve (No Age Stated, Highland) - it is young but it's got some good flavours going on an is a good entry level whisky.



Islay is a funny region. It's whisky from the island of Islay and most of the whiskies are made from malted barley that has been peated and the resulting whisky contains a peat, smoky, iodine flavour. Unless you've tried this and like it then its something you should avoid at the start. Island whisky can also be peated, but not as much as Islay, so just be careful.

You can also pick up sample pots from MasterOfMalt. 5 per pack. It's worth doing it to get an idea of what you like.

If you are lucky and live near a decent whisky shop they'll usually provide samples or a try before you buy service.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[jcarrick]

I do find Ralfy extremely annoying, his patter is awful.

A few I would recommend which you should be able to find in most shops and should be within your budget are:

Glenfiddich 15 year old
Glengoyne 10 year old
Glen Grant 10 year old
Balvenie 12 year old Doublewood
Glenmorangie 10 year old
Benromach 10 year old
Old Pulteney 12 year old
Highland Park 12 year old

Other s to watch for if you discover you do have a taste foe Scotch single malt are:

Caol Ila 12 year old
Dalwhinnie 15 year old
Glenfarclas 15
Glendronach 15
AnCnoc 12
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel Sherry Cask
Glenlivet Nadurra 16 year old
Aberlour a'bunadh
Aberlour 16

The list is almost endless which is one of the attractions of Scotch single malt, enjoy.

Cheers

[opelfruit]

....one of the most worrying things I tend to find is the amount of people who put ralfy on a pedestal and view him as an utmost expert. Even he'll tell you he's not an expert...

...and he makes a lot of money from his vlog, so take from that what you will


personally, I find a lot of information he gives out as quickly taken from internet sources, and tasting notes that are more than likely (in the large) "borrowed" from other sources.


He is entertaining though and seems like a really nice bloke, which I why I guess he's popular.


Anyone can write a convincing whisky review using the internet to scrape notes....

just ask sorren (runs away)
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[Carson]

I have to say I do cringe when I see a Ralfy video which I do try to avoid.

Chris there are a few good suggestions above, if it helps I would narrow them down to just 3 to kick off with

Glenfiddich 15
Balvenie 12 Doublewood
Highland Park 12

[sorren]

And with that note from my best friend ( mr Opel fruity ) you better run fast.. Well at my age ok you can do a quick walk.. And just for the record.. My notes are not taken from the Internet.. They print them on the box !!

Anyway, back to topic.. I always find Glenfiddich 12yo is a great starting point.. Simple and not hard to detect those typical fiddich notes.. As for how long will it take, that all depends on you.. Practice and it will come.. Read notes then try for yourself, it will all come eventually..

[opelfruit]

the more practice the better too


a point on tasting notes. Don't pay too much attention to them. They are there to give you a general idea of what the flavour profile is like, but you may taste something totally different. Each palate is unique to don't try too hard to find stuff.

And when someone say "hazelnuts" they may not actually taste hazelnut but rather get a flavour somewhere down inside that reminds them historically of hazelnut.

If you've never eaten umbongofruit then how are you going to get it in a dram? You're not


ride the journey the whisky takes you on. Don't force it and don't take it too seriously.....and most importantly, have fun within your means.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[Blackadder]

I am practicing again tonight

[ralfy legend]

Slagging ralfy lol. He's only giving his view, yet on here everyone's better? Really? Are well, he gave me a good insight into whisky which I never forgot,

[Alexppp]

[ralfy legend]

I wish I was ralfy with all the whisky he's tried hehe, hey I just like the chap and the way he does it and yes at times I don't get his ratings but I'm at a different level, he's just a don't to earth sort of person, but each to their own I suppose

[sorren]

As far as Ralfy is concerned, he does a great job and is well respected.. Although I do think he has gone a little off track recently !! But he still has plenty to say and is probably the best vlogger out there..

[raithrover]

Welcome, I'd suggest the Cragganmore 12 year old. Decent price and widely available it has a nice balance of flavours for a Speysider and may provide you with some direction as to where you should go next.