Favorite Whiskey?

Black label, bold and smokey

 

If you're into bold and smokey right now then I suggest trying Lagavulin 16. It's an entry level smokey Islay scotch that isn't too smokey or harsh, but still has great flavor. For many people it's their first whisky love. Also worth trying would be Caol Ila 12, since it is rumored to be the whisky blended into JW black label to give it some of that smoke profile.

Those are relatively cheap to try and you'll find Lagavulin at nearly every bar that calls itself a whiskey bar.

 

You're a rock star! Thanks for providing me with these without bashing for not knowing much about them.(photography thread, I'm looking at you). I'll be sure to share some pictures of my experience when the day arrives.

Na zdraví to you friendo!

 

Personally I'd got for Laphroaig 10 before I dropped the extra $ on Laguvulin 16, if you're talking about entry level/budget; the 10 is around $40-50 a bottle depending on where you are, and the Laguvulin (at least around here) is closer to $85. The Laphroaig still gets you big Islay peat, but it's admittedly a little rougher around the edges than the Laguvulin

 

No worries! Man, this stuff is so personal and subjective that there's really no right or wrong answer, and we all start somewhere. Have a great trip and I look forward to those pictures.

sláinte mhaith

 

Dammit I love Laphroaig, but if that was the first single malt Islay whisky I started with I would have freaked out a bit

For buying one (or two) glasses at a restaurant for a special birthday dinner, Lag16 is a safe and delicious bet for most new whisky drinkers.

 

Lol.
My great grandfather was a huge Laphroaig guy, so a sip of his scotch was the first scotch I ever tasted. At 8, it sent me running for the hills.
I didn't really develop a taste for it until I hit my mid-20's.

 

Oh man I bet. Laphroaig is something special. The first time I tried it I sniffed the glass and whipped my head back with an audible "whoa!"

Now it's one of my favorites. I just wish I could find the CS locally.

 

All I will say is beware of heavily peated Scotch (Islay region)if you haven't tried one before. I would recommend trying it at you local bar, on a non-special occasion, first. Big night out, Vegas, great steak - would it be a black mark on the evening if the expensive whisky you bought tasted like bandaids and iodine? To some (I'm one of those) it does, others it's fantastic stuff.

With a speyside or highlands it would be hard to go wrong - think Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, Oban, The Macallan, etc. Not as in-your-face as a Peaty Islay, but tasty nonetheless. My current fav is Oban 14, which I think wluld go great with a steak. But this is IMHO.

 

Funny, as I was typing the post above my sister texted me. This is her introduction into popular, hard to find bourbons. Her SO is getting into bourbons and Scotch, so I thought these would be a step up from sone of the stuff he's had.

 

Oban 14 is fantastic, good call on that one. Have you tried the 18? I'm curious how they compare.

 

Havens had the chance but wouldn't mind!

 

Something new for the collection. Made right here in the 716....

 

Wish I had one of those.

 

If you haven’t tried it yet Macallan 18 @LivinOnEdge

Probably the best scotch I’ve ever tried. Not smoky though.

Good luck and let us know what you get!

 

I'm just beginning my bourbon journey, so far in order it's been:
Basil Hayden
Jim Beam Black Extra Aged
Maker's Mark
Bulleit
Evan Williams Black
Buffalo Trace
and now Knob Creek.

More punch than the ones I've tried so far.
I do like Buffalo Trace, and would like to find some Eagle Rare and also venture into some Four Roses next.

 

I'd say generally speaking, drink a big Cab or Malbec with the steak they'll cut through the fatty Ribeye. Then get a high proof/barrel strength bourbon or a nice scotch to go with your desert. That's how I usually roll anyways. Enjoy dinner!

 

I too am new at the Bourbon journey. I have done the above but also added Bushmills Black Bush, Quietman, Monkey Shoulder, Larceny and Blackened.

 

Definitely check the ABC stores for Eagle Rare, that's where I've always found mine. Some of the Mom & Pop places will have it, but it'll be $15-$25 higher depending on the store.

 

The last Eagle Rare that I got came from Sam's Club and was $26.