Single Malt Scotch Whisky

[robertlouis]

I've only been fortunate enough to have this particular bottle once, while on holiday in Edinburgh. But it was my all time favorite. I'm partial to Glenmorangie anyway, it was the first whiskey I had ever tasted (thanks to the movie Highlander, of all things) and I guess I became accustomed to it's taste. I've got a 12 year bottle of their regular single malt here at the house. But the Burgandy with just a splash of water (same water used in the making of it, I was told) was perhaps the greatest thing ever!!!!

By the way, if someone has some experience with decent water experimentation, I'd be happy to know what people think. I've got city water on tap here, and that's like adding chorine to it, so for at home, I get a bottle of Fiji Water, chill it to about 38 degrees (my normal fridge temp) and add just enough to enhance the taste. It's Fiji, so it's better than tap water, but it still has an odd plastic taste to it. So any tips on better water are appreciated.

You read the rules, JPH.

I refer you to rule #1.

You spelled whisky with an "e".

Yellow card. Behave yourself.

[Prospero]

After a whole bottle can you still speak, let alone spell?

[robertlouis]

After a whole bottle can you still speak, let alone spell?

My dear departed Dad taught me that if you respect whisky it will respect you back. A whisky hangover is the hangover from hell.

Always drink it in a ratio of 5 or 6 to 1, water to whisky. Not in it, but alongside.

[Prospero]

Never IN it at all... ever

[Jericho]

Here...You forgot these!

[nysprod]

You guys ever get into any Auld Stag?

[Prospero]

lol at jericho

[ralyear56]

My favorite now is eighteen year old Talisker, though it is impossible to find now.

[nysprod]

Lol...DanThePoetMan's cat LMAOooo

[Ecstatic]

I am reminded of a lyric by Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band fame, a fine poet/musician and a Scot with a fondness for single malt:

Water is the strong stuff
It carries whales and ships
But water is the wrong stuff
Don' let it get past your lips
It wets your suits and rots your boots
Puts shakes in all your bones
Dilute the stuff with whisky, aye,
Or leave it well alone.

Thus far this thread has heavily favored the single malts of Islay, and I must concur, I favor these above all other types. My favorites include Lagavulin, Bruichladdich, Arbeg, and Bowmore. Outside of the Islands, my next choice are some of the Speyside whiskies, in particular Macallan, Balvenie, and Dallas Dhu.

Two or three years ago I called out Playboy on an egregious error: they had just published a guide to Scotch Whiskey - yes, spelled with an 'e' - and I dressed them down for it. But they ignored my argument, citing a major American (!) dictionary (I forget which one) as allowing the whiskey spelling for the malts of Scotland. We exchanged emails and eventually my letter was even published in their letters section a couple of months after the publication, but they held their ground. Fools.