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Whisky and of course Whiskey

I've tried to like whisky, whiskey, and other dark spirits, but I just haven't been able to get into them. Except for that one time when I was getting poured £25 shots of cognac for £2.50 a shot one night back in the UK that is (wonderfully smooth brandy that was, and shame I will never try it again).

Of course, I could sully them with lolly water of some kind or other and make them palatable, but I understand that this would be sacrilegious to most of you whisky drinkers and can fully empathise with that.

However, if i were to try one reasonably priced whisky that is fairly common and easy to purchase in Australia (remembering my closest Dan Murphy's is 1800KM away in Smithfield, Cairns (I have checked)) which would you all suggest I try?
 
eggbert said:
I've tried to like whisky, whiskey, and other dark spirits, but I just haven't been able to get into them. Except for that one time when I was getting poured £25 shots of cognac for £2.50 a shot one night back in the UK that is (wonderfully smooth brandy that was, and shame I will never try it again).

Of course, I could sully them with lolly water of some kind or other and make them palatable, but I understand that this would be sacrilegious to most of you whisky drinkers and can fully empathise with that.

However, if i were to try one reasonably priced whisky that is fairly common and easy to purchase in Australia (remembering my closest Dan Murphy's is 1800KM away in Smithfield, Cairns (I have checked)) which would you all suggest I try?
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Irish - Black Bush by Bushmills (might be a bit spendier than you would like)
Scotch - Glenlivet 12 - pretty approachable stuff
American - Makers Mark - the classic gateway bourbon
 
Eggy - there is definitely a learning/conditioning curve drinking things that are 37%+ alcohol.

If you struggle to get past the alcohol...

I recommend cutting with some decent water (not tap unless you have rainwater) to begin with. Ice I'm not a fan of as whiskey should be consumed at room (hand) temperature for best flavour IMO. I'm not saying to never have whiskey on the rocks but I think it is better when you know what you like and understand how the ice changes the whiskey.

You might need to go 50:50 to start with or even more dilute. Wherever you need to get to so that finishing a drink is not an ordeal because of the alcohol. By the time you get to the end of your first bottle you will be able to handle neat or with just a few drops of water as your palate will adapt and you will start to crave a greater intensity in flavour :omg: Then you are hooked on the stuff :D
 
I don't think it is the strength of the drink which gets me, it is generally the harshness or the flavour. As mentioned I have enjoyed a nice (expensive) brandy previously because it was not harsh.

Most of the better American whiskys that I have tried appear to be less harsh, but I don't really enjoy the flavour - they mostly seem to be too sweet for me.

I think I might wait until I get back to living in cooler climes before I try again. Room temperature down south and in Europe (where the idea originated from for spirits and red wine) would be considerably cooler than it is here.

I remember my parents going on a bit of a whisky tour when we holidayed in Scotland when I was around 10. Some of the pubs had upwards of 50 single malts available.
 
eggbert said:
I don't think it is the strength of the drink which gets me, it is generally the harshness or the flavour. As mentioned I have enjoyed a nice (expensive) brandy previously because it was not harsh.

Most of the better American whiskys that I have tried appear to be less harsh, but I don't really enjoy the flavour - they mostly seem to be too sweet for me.

I think I might wait until I get back to living in cooler climes before I try again. Room temperature down south and in Europe (where the idea originated from for spirits and red wine) would be considerably cooler than it is here.

I remember my parents going on a bit of a whisky tour when we holidayed in Scotland when I was around 10. Some of the pubs had upwards of 50 single malts available.
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Back in 1985 I was in a bar in Sausalito California that stocked 57 single malts

They charged about $20 per shot (what would that be in today's $ ?))
 
OK guys - time for a thread resurrection!

Flying out today and back at the end of the month. In the next two weeks recommend me another scotch to get duty free - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/spirits/whisky

I already have one of these in the cart - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/balvenie/balvenie-triple-cask-12y-40-1l-1l.html (loved the Double Wood but that is not available)

At home in the cupboard I have one of these - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/glenmorangie/glenmorangie-18yo-70cl-0,7l.html and part of one of these - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/laphroaig/laphroaig-px-cask-48-1l-1l.html

So what sound I throw in guys - another litre never hurt ...
 
What do you like in a whiskey/whisky? (peat/floral/oaky/blended/single/age statement/location preference?) - sitting next to a whiskey expert atm
 
If they've the right batch of Sullivans Cove...
 
Korbz said:
What do you like in a whiskey/whisky? (peat/floral/oaky/blended/single/age statement/location preference?) - sitting next to a whiskey expert atm
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Psmith said:
If you like smoky Islay malts I'm a huge fan of Ardbeg.
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That is the challenge - I'm quite eccletic!

I have a smokey Islay at home, the Laphroaig, and a middle of the road in the Glenmorangie and the Balvenvie Double Wood I finished was aged second on a sherry barrel so had that characteristic.

Basically I have no idea - really I should sample shouldn't I ;)
 
Where are you travelling to (as there may be better range there)?

Mate here just said they do tastings... might also be an option

Just showed him the list, these are the ones he picked out
  • Ardbeg - as @Psmith said, great for peaty flavour
  • Hibiki Harmony - great blended
  • Highland - good for oaky flavour
  • MaCallan - any are good
  • Glengoyne - good
 
Dan Murphy's had a whisky/whiskey tasting evening in CBR a while back - missed out on buying a ticket in time unfortunately.

Travelling to Europe but buying DF enroute can be a PITA - easier to pick up on way back

I've heard good things about the Ardberg @Psmith and MaCallan I've enjoyed before too.

Looking at options:

Ardbeg - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/ardbeg/ardbeg-10yo-1l-1l.html
Hibiki - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au...iki-harmony-master-s-select-43-0-7l-0,7l.html
Highland (Park) - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/highland-park/highland-park-einar-40-1l-1l.html
Macallan - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/macallan/the-macallan-select-oak-40-1l-1l.html
Glengoyne - http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au...ngoyne-distillers-gold-15y-40-1l-tube-1l.html

Some nice choices, hmmmm. Thanks @Korbz
 
@MrT loves his whisky - recommendations mate?
 
Yes, I do like a wee dram from time to time.

From what you have listed, I would pick the Hibiki hands down. It's crazy good. I have a bottle at home, and am sad it's nearly gone. Very good example of the potential of Japanese whisky.

The other one I would buy is this:
http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/aberlour/aberlour-a-bunadh-60-4-0-7l-0,7l.html

Absolutely delicious. And good value since cask strength (I would do 1:1 with water).

Both of those have a sherry sweetness, so if you're into that sort of thing, do it.

If you want a smokey, I also am rather fond of Ardbeg. 10yo is entry level. This is a big step up:
http://www.heinemanndutyfree.com.au/sydney_en/ardbeg/ardbeg-ulgeadail-0-7l-0,7l.html

It's expensive, but they currently have 2 for $190 which I would totally go you halves in :)

But my pick would probably be a sherry oaked whisky because that's what I drink more regularly. And probably the aberlour.

(Update)
Having said all that, these aren't any cheaper than Dan Murphy's. I usually find that to be the case for premium whiskys. Hence I normally buy cheaper stuff duty free (like gin for G&Ts), as there is a substantial saving, and I just get the premium stuff for birthdays or whatever from Dans.

eg https://m.danmurphys.com.au/mob/product/DM_903873/aberlour-a-bunadh-scotch-whisky
 
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I don't like smokey/ peaty whiskys. What floral ones are out there?
 
MrT said:
Yeah, try ones that have been matured in sherry oak. Taste like Christmas pudding.
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Would you have a reasonably priced example in mind? Don't want to jump into the deep end if I'm not going to end up liking it.

So far in my recent experience, Laphroaig tastes medicinal, and Ron Swanson's favourite is way too peaty/ smoky for me.
I've tried others previously but a long time ago.
 
Last time I asked about a reasonably priced bottle of whisky from one of the alcohol guys at work, they started talking in the hundreds. I laughed (whilst quietly having a mild stroke), and moved on. Take all the below for what it's worth from someone that knows very little to nothing about it, just from hearsay.

One of the blokes spoke fondly of the Glengoyne 15yo though I'm not sure that $115 is reasonable :)

To give some context, this is our local brand expert Dan Woolley

Ohh, and Australia's share of Japanese (suntory) whisky is being reduced by 20% vs. LY, so if you want a bottle of Hibiki, Yamazaki, Hukushu and actually see one, grab it.
 
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