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Ceaiu Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2020 Posts: 6
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:07 am Post subject: Beginning of a journey? |
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Hello whisky lovers,
I’m a novice to single malt scotches (and to spirits in general).
I’ve stayed away from whisky for the last 15 or so years, as probably my palate wasn’t ready and the ones I’ve tried (i.e. Red Label, Chivas 12) were not the best.
I’m planning to move into a new apartment soon and would have liked to reserve some wall space for a collection of single malts.
So far, I’ve (recently) bought 4 bottles: GlenDronach 21 Parliament, Glenmorangie Signet, Balvenie 21 PortWood and Glenfarclas 25.
On my wish list I have Dalmore King Alexander III, Highland Park 21, Glengoyne 21 and Glenfiddich 21 Rum.
Are those good choices for converting me into a whisky lover?
What else would you recommend (perhaps no peat just yet)? Not planning to have 100+ bottles collection, but 10-15 high end representatives of the top (well known) distilleries. |
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ralfy legend Master Of Malts

Joined: 25 Nov 2014 Posts: 963 Location: Fife
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:30 am Post subject: |
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If your a novice those whiskies are way to good to try now, your a novice so start with a few 40% whiskies glenlivit 12 glenfiiddich 12 glenmorangie 10 highland park 12, bushmills 10 , it takes a while to educate your palate, my first 3 malts was aberlour 12 glenlivit 12and glen moray, those whiskies you’ve got are very nice and will be spoiled on you so drop me a message and I will happily help and educate you hehe, best of luck on your journey, slowly slowly catch the monkey as they say .
Last edited by ralfy legend on Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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TheWM Master Of Malts

Joined: 26 Nov 2012 Posts: 2037 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:45 am Post subject: |
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Some good bottles you’ve bought. From your wishlist I would avoid the Dalmore and the Glenfiddich. You could get 2 bottles of Talisker 57 for that money (as an example) which is far superior IMO.
Keep a general range of everyday drinkers for around £50 and under. Lots of choice and variety. Again, as an example Ardbeg 10 is widely considered one of the best drams of its type on the planet and you can get that for under £40... go discover and enjoy. |
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Southcoast Boy Single Malt Member

Joined: 20 Sep 2020 Posts: 36
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:57 am Post subject: |
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I would have to agree things like the Glendronach are big in flavour whiskies which might be a waste on your non whisky drinking friends and newbies. For cost and something a bit different from the supermarket, I would suggest Deanston 12. Anything from Benromach, and maybe an English whisky cotswolds.
All of which present far better bang for your buck than anything by Dalmore. |
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Ceaiu Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2020 Posts: 6
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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What makes a certain whisky too good for someone?
Is it the price? Assuming price was equal between a Balvenie 12 DoubleWood and 21 PortWood, is the older expression more challenging (off putting) than than the the younger one, therefore not recommended to a newbie?
I understood they get nastier with age, but I thought this happens after 25-30.
My idea was to try the best first.
My experience showed me that going directly for the high end is also cheaper in the long run.
I don't drink too often so don't expect to replace the bottles too quickly. Otherwise, I agree that everything on that list would be too expensive.
I also understand that lower ABV is better for a beginner, but then you can add a few drops of water without being arrested by the whisky police. |
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Southcoast Boy Single Malt Member

Joined: 20 Sep 2020 Posts: 36
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I would have to agree things like the Glendronach are big in flavour whiskies which might be a waste on your non whisky drinking friends and newbies. For cost and something a bit different from the supermarket, I would suggest Deanston 12. Anything from Benromach, and maybe an English whisky cotswolds.
All of which present far better bang for your buck than anything by Dalmore. |
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Ceaiu Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2020 Posts: 6
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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TheWM wrote: | Some good bottles you’ve bought. From your wishlist I would avoid the Dalmore and the Glenfiddich. You could get 2 bottles of Talisker 57 for that money (as an example) which is far superior IMO.
Keep a general range of everyday drinkers for around £50 and under. Lots of choice and variety. Again, as an example Ardbeg 10 is widely considered one of the best drams of its type on the planet and you can get that for under £40... go discover and enjoy. |
Why should Dalmore and Glenfiddich be avoided? Poor value for money, or just poor quality? |
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ralfy legend Master Of Malts

Joined: 25 Nov 2014 Posts: 963 Location: Fife
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like you don’t want to listen to good advice, so waste your palate and your money, when I look back at some of my old posts I shudder in embarrassment, for the better experience time is needed. |
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BigShing Master Of Malts

Joined: 21 Feb 2019 Posts: 281
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Ceaiu wrote: | What makes a certain whisky too good for someone? | No whisky is "too good" for someone by the way you seem to be putting it, I think their point is more that you can go out now and buy yourself a lovely, expensive, complex, old, 25yr old single malt and you can drink it, love it, and at the same time miss all the subtletiies that those 25yrs might be bringing to the malt. Do you want to be someone who understands whisky and can appreciate the elements that are not readily apparent, or do you want to be someone who only drinks high-end stuff because they're "supposed" to be better, and you ain't got time for 2nd class? If it's the latter then I guess my advice would be to buy the King Alexander and Glenfiddich 21yr, I've only tried the latter and I really enjoyed it (I have a soft spot for Rum cask whiskies).
Quote: | Is it the price? Assuming price was equal between a Balvenie 12 DoubleWood and 21 PortWood, is the older expression more challenging (off putting) than than the the younger one, therefore not recommended to a newbie? | Yes I think WM was specifically referring to "bang for your buck" there, Dalmore in particular is a bit like a mini-Macallan, you're paying a good chunk on the brand. A newbie who hasn't sampled and gotten to know a good number of 10/12/14/15/16/18/20yr whiskies isn't going to have the same level of understanding of what is happening to the whisky with age, so comparing a 12yr to a 25yr is basically gonna be a coin toss: Which one do you happen to like more on face value, as opposed to "how wow, I can really see where the extra years in the cask has affected this whisky". I think most "whisky newbs" tend to not understand that older doesn't necessarily mean better in a like-for-like fashion. A 25yr whisky isn't necessarily twice as good or £200 better than the 12yr equivalent from the same distillery. Often you're not moving up, you're moving sideways.
Quote: | My experience showed me that going directly for the high end is also cheaper in the long run. | What experience exactly are you talking about? I think you'd be hard pressed to find a single whisky enthusiast who would agree with you on that point.
I can't stress this enough: There are lots of truly GREAT sub-£100 whiskies out there that will knock your socks off if you choose to explore the world of more affordable, less pretentiously presented, single malts. Trust me, give them a go and you will find whiskies that work amazingly for you and whiskies you hate, but the ones that work amazingly may very well remain your favourites forever, irregardless of price.
I think what it boils down to is that you can have a whisky shelf in your home with a bunch of whiskies that you know are supposed to taste good and they either live up to your expectations or they haven't and will be replaced with time, or you can have a whisky shelf stocked with whiskies that you know and love because you've taken the time to figure out what it is exactly that appeals to you. The latter is always guaranteed to be the cheaper shelf.
It's kinda funny because the thread title is "Beginning of a Journey" but it sounds to me like you want to skip to the end! Nothing wrong with that, but damn, the journey could have been something! |
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Ceaiu Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2020 Posts: 6
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 6:33 am Post subject: |
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BigShing wrote: | It's kinda funny because the thread title is "Beginning of a Journey" but it sounds to me like you want to skip to the end! Nothing wrong with that, but damn, the journey could have been something! |
You've basically nailed it (with the whole post).
I didn't have a taste for scotch for the second half of my lifetime and I've imagined there are more chances to get into it (as a hobby) if I'll start with the ones that are "supposed" to be better.
Whether this exercise will be the beginning of a journey, or it will just end up as collection of 10 expensive spirits that will be wasted on me and my friends is unknown, therefore the question mark in the title.
Anyways, thank you all for the advices so far! |
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Southcoast Boy Single Malt Member

Joined: 20 Sep 2020 Posts: 36
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 6:44 am Post subject: |
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I have to say reading this all back, it comes across as 'I don't drink or like whisky much, but I want a whisky shelf that looks high end and gives me a bit of kudos when I have visitors who I can offer something expensive and look sophisticated.
If that is the case, you don't need any advice here as you are buying and thinking along the right lines already. Dalmore King Alexander sounds perfect. You might want to add the Macallan 18 yo too.
Don't forget to show them your Rolex collection |
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Ceaiu Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2020 Posts: 6
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:01 am Post subject: |
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Southcoast Boy wrote: | I have to say reading this all back, it comes across as 'I don't drink or like whisky much, but I want a whisky shelf that looks high end and gives me a bit of kudos when I have visitors who I can offer something expensive and look sophisticated.
If that is the case, you don't need any advice here as you are buying and thinking along the right lines already. Dalmore King Alexander sounds perfect. You might want to add the Macallan 18 yo too.
Don't forget to show them your Rolex collection |
Funny!
I can't even be mad at your post as I actually had a Macallan 18 on my wishlist but I've intentionally left it out.
I'm also passionate about watches and in my small collection one of them is from the brand you mentioned.
But here is the thing: is not all black and white.
I have bought the watch for myself, and I don't give a F about kudos or people judging me because I spend my own money on things I'm passionate about.
Same with whisky... None of my friends will care because they are not into it. I'm not doing it for anyone else but for myself.
PS: In my country people care about cars and I drive a 2008 Ford Focus... that's how much I care for kudos |
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TheWM Master Of Malts

Joined: 26 Nov 2012 Posts: 2037 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:39 am Post subject: |
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BigShing has really said all that needs to be said.
I’d add. I like an occasional Big Mac. Would I pay a tenner for it? Nope. Even though I dare say I can afford a tenner. It’s just not worth it. I’d rather have my local butcher knock me up a few extremely high quality fillet steak burgers. That’s me. Are you a Big Mac man? Are you the type of person who would pay a tenner on the brand rather than seek out quality? |
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Southcoast Boy Single Malt Member

Joined: 20 Sep 2020 Posts: 36
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:18 am Post subject: |
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Apologies, I am new on this site too and should be more gratious.
Enjoy the journey whatever you choose to do. [/quote] |
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Ceaiu Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2020 Posts: 6
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:39 am Post subject: |
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Southcoast Boy wrote: | Apologies, I am new on this site too and should be more gratious.
Enjoy the journey whatever you choose to do. |
No need to apologize. I know how internet goes...
Thank you! |
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