Good Scotch to Keep Around?

I think you might consider sticking with a blended scotch like a Johnnie Walker in the mid-range. It's safe and good, if uninteresting. When you get into the single malts, each is so different (peaty, oily, etc...and that's their beauty, of course) that your guests might not like your choices if you just have one or two. If you really want to go with single malts, nothing less than 12-year. And, try to get a sampling of the different regions (Islays, Speyside, Lowlands, Highlands, etc.). That's a decent way to cover your bases and have something that's pleasing to most everyone.

CW

 

If you want to keep a couple of malts you could start with just a safe island malt and a speyside malt.*Island malts are smokey and/or peaty and typically have a complex character while the speysides have little peat/smoke and so maybe easier drinking for the uninitiated.

Among the island malts, safe bets are Talisker and Oban, both readily available since they are Diageo brands. Talisker is smokier than Oban. Lagavulin is also a possibility but it is rather peaty.

Amongst the Speyside malts, safe bets are the Glenlivets, Glenmorangie or for the road less travelled, two personal favourites: anCnoc and the Singleton of Glendullan.*

If you have room for a lowland consider Glenrothes and for a highland malt, consider Highland Park.*

Buy a couple and enjoy trying them. For tasting, try them both neat and with small amounts of filtered water. You'll find the water changes the character of the malt, sometimes even just a couple of drops is enough to make a difference.

Best wishes
David

 

First off, no good scotch goes on the rocks but If you must, the Johnnie Walker call was the right one.

Single malt wise, you can stock Glenlivet 12 for little $, Oban 14 for "special guests".

 

Good advice posted above....

Peter Egan once wrote that Innes Ireland always drank "Famous Grouse", a blended whiskey.

There's a Black Grouse as well, I keep them on hand as tribute to him...

 

I'd suggest a speyside scotch and a highland scotch to keep around. If you have hard core scotch drinkers who tend to lean towards more peaty flavors, then also stock an islay scotch. But for most general folks a speyside and highland would be sufficient.

 

Did someone say "peaty"?
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Sorry, way OT but the comment above makes me laugh - thinking of Lloyd Christmas duct-taping the head back on to the dead bird and selling it to the blind kid for a couple bucks.

 

Just bought a bottle of Macallan 21. Always loved the 18 though

 

balvenie 12 or 15 should do the trick.

if you want to spend a bit more the 17 & 21 are also very nice.

 

Balvenie Double Wood.

Yummy enough to put on ice cream.

 

Buy some scotch rocks if somebody asks for it that way. I have some they are great.

 

Heresy! Tell the witches to get out of your house.
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Drinking bienvenie 15 yr while I'm reading this excellent thread.

 

Macallan 10 year is excellent on the rocks or with a splash of Drambouie. For more sophisticated guests, Glenlivet 18 is an excellent value.

 

A great "drinking" scotch. Inexpensive and a great taste, imo.

JW black is also an easy one to keep around.

The peaty comment was hilarious... having drank it, I can honestly say I didn't really care for it

Justin

 

Everyone knows it's not good scotch unless it comes in a plastic bottle and is spelled with an E.

 

That does it.

Too much talk.

I'm picking up a bottle of Laphroig on the way home today.

 

The good thing about the peaty stuff like Laphroig is you can use it to disinfect wounds if you don't want to drink it.

 

Have you tried the Peat Monster (Compass Box Whisky Co)?

 

I've always been wary of products with "catchy" names.

Is it good? The review I read suggest it is good despite the cutesy name.

 

ardbeg Uigeadail and even the 10yr is also more than a bit peaty...

if that's what you are looking for.

 

a bit more rounded than the Laphroaig with more of the smokey peat overtones.

 

I'll tap out before then... not a fan of overpowering peat/smoke.

enjoyed these at a buddies place for t'giving.... a really nice way to end the meal.
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