TL Whiskey fans? - Page 15

On December 06 2011 05:36 MantiZzl wrote:
I´m a fan of jim beam bourbon. I don´t if it´s a god one but thats the best I get in munich.
U don´t get a raw voice by drinking only whiskey, thats just a romour. if u smoke a cigarres to it u will^^

On November 16 2011 20:29 Artrey wrote:

Hmm. I can connect to this to some degree and I do not think the question is stupid at all (and yes, I think there are stupid questions! :D). Until half a year ago, all I thought when i heared whisk(e)y was that it tastes terribly and I can not stand it. I also had the feeling to vomit every time I tasted rum after an incident when I was 16.. ;D The whisk(e)y attitude also came from some cheap whisky+cola experiences as a teenager.

For me the change really came with Bushmills. I had a Bushmills 16yo at an Irish Pub and then bought a Bushmills 10yo Single Malt myself. Also bought a 10yo Glenmorangie but I did not like it at all the first time I drank it. Same for my first Talisker 10yo. Now within 2-3 Weeks of drinking a dram of Bushmills every 2-3 days, my taste developed insanely. It was totally unbelievably for myself, but within a few weeks, I suddenly liked the Glenmorangie and shortly after even the Talisker. The next hurdle was Laphroig, but since then I really fell in love with all of my whiskys and now I even enjoy some good Rum (Appleton Estate Extra 12yo is a dream!) or even Gin which I never drank pure before. Especially warm. Now it just works and I enjoy the different tastes, which also makes me enjoy cocktails a lot more, as you do not just try to cover the alcoholic taste with fruit (and vodka >.<) but take it as part of the taste mix.

I think the important thing is:
- Start with something easy for beginners (10yo Bushmills Single Malt worked wonders for me, Auchentoshan should work too - I think all the triple destilled stuff is easier to begin with)
- Start in a good mood, not when you are pissed or drunk
- Start with the right glasses (Glencairn or nosing glasses, but sherry glasses will do)
- Smell it. Turn the glass around to let it breath and put your nose into the glass. Smell deeply. Actually the smell is even more important than the taste. It is a huge part of the overall experience. This is why the right glasses are so important.
- Experiment with the whisky. Only take really small sips. Hold it in your mouth for a while. Open and close your mouth while tasting to let some air in. Vary all that stuff and play around. You will notice a lot of differences and details. I probably need like 30 minutes for 1 dram (2.4 cl)...
- Let your taste develop over time. Don't overdo it. Just take a dram from time to time and try to taste the details and enjoy it. You will be surprised how fast your taste changes.
- Keep trying

I made the same experience with my (now) stepfather and my dad btw. Forced them to try it and while at first they were really uncomfortable with the Islay Whiskys, they liked it a bit more every time. They still do not love them, but they can see why someone would appreciate those. But both - who never drank Single Malt before - enjoyed their first Bushmills.

The 10yo Bushmills is actually pretty cheap as well. 20€ a bottle here. Later on you might consider it a whiskey for girls as it is really mild and not does not come with strong flavors, but to get started, I've yet to see something better for a beginner. And even though most Blends are composed to be mild and easy for starters, I would rather suggest to try triple destilled Single Malt, as it is free of Grain Whisky and overall better in quality imho.

Bushmills should pay me with free bottles for this shameless advertising!

On December 07 2011 10:00 Fivyrn wrote:


OK it has been a few weeks here is my update:

I bought the Bushmills 10 year and... I liked it! YAY!

After a week I definitely was able to appreciate the flavor and smells a lot more than at first. It became much less harsh feeling and I was really able to taste subtleties that I could not on my first few tastings. I started wondering about if this was a 'girly' whiskey I wonder what a more full flavored whiskey would be like. before two weeks I decided to make another purchase. I heard someone in this thread really liked Laphroaig 10 year and you mentioned it in your post as well so I got it.

I opened the bottle and almost shit myself. It smelt like burning leather and mesquite to me. I poured a small amount and could barely even get the glass to my lips. I didn't finish that pour and seriously regretted my decision. After some thinking I realized that going that smokey was a terrible idea. I have tried it once or twice since then and it was much easier to handle but I still do not like it (but I have hope that I may eventually).

So now here I am, my set of two Glencairn Whisky Glasses are in the mail and I am searching for something to fill them and would like some help. I definitely want to avoid anything too smokey but besides that I don't really understand the flavor classifications. I am going to guess the Bushmills 10 year was as light and as delicate as you can get. I want more flavour but maybe just a step or two up. Perhaps I should try a Glenfiddich 12 year or a Glenlivet 12 year? Maybe something a touch richer but still low on the smoke scale, thought I sort of want it to be just a touch smokier than the smokeless Bushmills so I can start to get used to it, but definitely still on the low end of smokey.

Thanks for anyone who can help!

On December 07 2011 10:00 Fivyrn wrote:


OK it has been a few weeks here is my update:

I bought the Bushmills 10 year and... I liked it! YAY!

After a week I definitely was able to appreciate the flavor and smells a lot more than at first. It became much less harsh feeling and I was really able to taste subtleties that I could not on my first few tastings. I started wondering about if this was a 'girly' whiskey I wonder what a more full flavored whiskey would be like. before two weeks I decided to make another purchase. I heard someone in this thread really liked Laphroaig 10 year and you mentioned it in your post as well so I got it.

I opened the bottle and almost shit myself. It smelt like burning leather and mesquite to me. I poured a small amount and could barely even get the glass to my lips. I didn't finish that pour and seriously regretted my decision. After some thinking I realized that going that smokey was a terrible idea. I have tried it once or twice since then and it was much easier to handle but I still do not like it (but I have hope that I may eventually).

So now here I am, my set of two Glencairn Whisky Glasses are in the mail and I am searching for something to fill them and would like some help. I definitely want to avoid anything too smokey but besides that I don't really understand the flavor classifications. I am going to guess the Bushmills 10 year was as light and as delicate as you can get. I want more flavour but maybe just a step or two up. Perhaps I should try a Glenfiddich 12 year or a Glenlivet 12 year? Maybe something a touch richer but still low on the smoke scale, thought I sort of want it to be just a touch smokier than the smokeless Bushmills so I can start to get used to it, but definitely still on the low end of smokey.

Thanks for anyone who can help!

On December 08 2011 02:12 Keyboard Warrior wrote:
Im more of a Champagne guy. But I love me some of my dad's Ginger Ale every now and then.

On December 08 2011 01:22 sudo.era wrote:
Whiskey tastes like a repulsive medicine and gets you drunk. I don't think I appreciate it much past that.