Food, Drink & Dining Out The Scotch thread

[mad-saint-guy]

Bought a cheap bottle of kakubin.

Terribly disappointing.

Any better Japanese whiskies?

The original Kakubin is a decent buy when you can get it for $40, but keep in mind it's pretty much Japan's Johnnie Walker Red. I don't mind having a bottle around to share liberally when I've got friends over. Kakubin 43 is absolutely shocking though. There's a huge number of great Japanese whiskies out there but they are generally massively over-priced. Prominent, well-known brands are Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu and they're all good whiskies but if you spend the equivalent amount on a Scotch you'll be able to get something much better. Rather than spending $110-130 on Hibiki Harmony or Hakushu/Yamazaki Distillers Reserve I'd recommend picking up something like Kilchoman Machir Bay, Balvenie 14yr or Arbeg Uigaedail which are all amazing whiskies worth every cent.

 

[Demosthenes]

Nothing wrong with a blend. You like what you like. Dismissing blends on face value without tasting them first is pure snobbery in my opinion.

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I switched to blends about 6 years ago, when the single malt craze hit America and the prices went redonkulous. I still keep a bottle of Laphroaig for special occasions, but it's terrible value.

There are some wonderful blends out there, anyone who won't drink them is shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Two airport whiskies. One single malt, one blend.

The blend is the Hibiki Masters Select from Sydney airport. Pretty certain its an airport only type deal.

Probably the most enjoyable whiskey I've ever had. Cost about $100, but there are just a tonne of different flavours and its really smooth. Great bottle as well.

Picked up a Glenfiddich 18 on the way back, haven't opened yet but pretty excited.

 

[Paul Kersey]

Yeah the Hibiki is a DF only bottle. Check the price of the Glenfiddich to what Dan Murphys charges, you'd be surprised. Nice easy drinking whiskey though.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Yeah the Hibiki is a DF only bottle. Check the price of the Glenfiddich to what Dan Murphys charges, you'd be surprised. Nice easy drinking whiskey though.

Yeah that Fiddich wasnt really a great deal in hindsight, but its nice enough. I paid $125 for it, and Dan Murphys has it for $145 online. High end liquor usually isnt discounted much in duty free because taxes are based on alcohol content rather than overall price. So a strong scotch like Abelour Abanudh (or however you spell it) will be discounted more than a 40% speyside.

I went and bought another bottle of Benromach 10, its probably my favourite out of the four I've recently had (Fiddich 18, Hibiki Masters Select, Ardbeg 10 and Benromach 10). I'm new to all of this really, but I think my pallet is starting to develop a bit. All four are quite good whiskeys, but the Benromach 10 just seems so much smoother than the others, but without being 'weak' in flavour.

I can see why people get addicted to not just drinking, but collecting scotch. Its like a hobby. But a hobby where you can get drunk on delicious liquor.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Anyone tried Nikka?

It comes in 500ml bottles and the bottles are really unique, a mate tried it and said he rated it quite highly.

 

[Paul Kersey]

Anyone tried Nikka?

It comes in 500ml bottles and the bottles are really unique, a mate tried it and said he rated it quite highly.

That's one of Nikka's whiskies. It produces many.

This one is my preferred. You should be able to get it at www.nicks.com.au

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_762091/nikka-12-year-old-taketsuru-japanese-whisky-700ml

 

[Paul Kersey]

Today I was at lunch and after we had eaten I ordered 3 glasses of Blantons for our table (nice bourbon and good value). Anyhow, waitress brings 3 glasses and I think I hear her say 'here's the Spreysides'. Thought I must be hearing things and didn't query. I sniff the whiskey and think, smells more like Scotch whisky to me. CBF querying as I am easily pleased and take a mouthful. What a sensational drop. The waitress then arrives with a bottle and says 'thought you might want to admire the bottle while you have your drink'. Benrinnes 21 year old cask strength. $80 a glass. * me. Enjoyed it though.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

So now that Ive been on the single malts for a little while i decided to pick up a bottle of chivas 18 because i used to like it.

I can barely drink it. Just no flavour to it compared to even a much cheaper bottle like Ardbeg 10 or Glenmo

 

[Paul Kersey]

Not a bad blend and won't turn my nose up though a completely different style to Ardbeg. Ballantine's 17 year old is my favourite blend at around that price point, though I have not sampled it since the alcohol reduction.

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[Paul Kersey]

Some early xmas gifts. You like scotch Dee Snider ?

 

[04 Durif]

Has anyone used scotch rocks before? Was thinking about grabbing some to use

 

[cartel]

Yes, i don't particularly like them. If I want to cool the whisky, I reckon ice is better. The first sip doesn't dilute it, and then you different tastes as the ice melts.

Don't use mine, they aren't expensive though so I'd just get a set and see if you like them.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

Ok so ive been on a but of a journey (which is to say i have been drinking a lot of scotch).

Definitely like the islay whiskeys a lot more than when i was starting out. Lagavulin and Laphroaig are sensational. Ardbeg is nice too.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban is a very nice scotch. The port finish is really great.

Glengrant 10 is a bargain single malt at 60 bucks and Suntory Kakubin is my favourite cheapo blend at only 40 bucks.

Nicks is the best website for purchasing online. Right now theyre doing glenfarclas 105 cask strength 1ltr for 105 dollars and Fiddich 18 (the best fiddich) for 100.

Highland Park 12 at 70 or so dollars is a bargain. Probably the best all around style scotch ive had, though i prefer the islay style.

 

[Papa G]

Ok so ive been on a but of a journey (which is to say i have been drinking a lot of scotch).

Definitely like the islay whiskeys a lot more than when i was starting out. Lagavulin and Laphroaig are sensational. Ardbeg is nice too.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban is a very nice scotch. The port finish is really great.

Glengrant 10 is a bargain single malt at 60 bucks and Suntory Kakubin is my favourite cheapo blend at only 40 bucks.

Nicks is the best website for purchasing online. Right now theyre doing glenfarclas 105 cask strength 1ltr for 105 dollars and Fiddich 18 (the best fiddich) for 100.

Highland Park 12 at 70 or so dollars is a bargain. Probably the best all around style scotch ive had, though i prefer the islay style.

This all sounds very bourgeois.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

This all sounds very bourgeois.

Thanks.

 

[Power Raid]

Ok so ive been on a but of a journey (which is to say i have been drinking a lot of scotch).

Definitely like the islay whiskeys a lot more than when i was starting out. Lagavulin and Laphroaig are sensational. Ardbeg is nice too.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban is a very nice scotch. The port finish is really great.

Glengrant 10 is a bargain single malt at 60 bucks and Suntory Kakubin is my favourite cheapo blend at only 40 bucks.

Nicks is the best website for purchasing online. Right now theyre doing glenfarclas 105 cask strength 1ltr for 105 dollars and Fiddich 18 (the best fiddich) for 100.

Highland Park 12 at 70 or so dollars is a bargain. Probably the best all around style scotch ive had, though i prefer the islay style.

scotch night at your place!

 

[cartel]

Anybody tried Castle Rock 12?

Seems to be available at Coles places.

Keen to see how it compares to Johnnie Black which is my usual go-to.

 

[Power Raid]

the world of scotch is changing. it is becoming more and more common for scotch brands not to show age as supply can't meet demand

 

[mad-saint-guy]

I recently moved to Toronto and am sad to say that the whisky scene is pretty ordinary over here. Lots of cheap, but bland Canadian whiskies around and Scotch is about 25% more expensive than in Australia. However good Bourbon and Irish whisky are both significantly cheaper. Can pick up a bottle of Knob Creek for less than $50 and Jameson Caskmates for under $40.

I made the mistake of buying a whisky called Alberta Premium Dark Horse because it's got damn cool packaging. What I didn't realise until I looked up reviews to find out what is wrong with this 'whisky' is that they have actually added sherry to the whisky instead of aging it in sherry barrels, because according to the distillery that yields the same result....it tastes like someone spiked some cough syrup with nail polish.

 

[cartel]

Anybody had any of the aldi whiskies? They have a few single malts etc as special buys.

Their beer is terrible, but their wine to my uneducated palate is good, so not sure about spirits.

Had their cheap bourbon, which was fine with Pepsi Max, but never anything better

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[LanceRomance]

Laphroaig PX is one of the best scotches I have ever had

Duty free only... And not cheap.

 

[04 Durif]

When it comes to wine I'm a big red guy. With the beer it's an IPA all the way. Whisky I have tried many types and varieties but turns out my favourite is Jameson's. I was a bit disappointed in myself for a while for not liking a big peaty style like I thought I should then I thought * it you like what you like.
Kudos to everyone for mixing it up.
No doubt this is the ramblings of a successful Sunday session

 

[LanceRomance]

I bought a bottle of label 5 Classic black based on recommendations.

Those recommendations led me to believe it was a match for Johnnie black or chivas...

It is not a match for those at all more those in its price range. A good mixer.

 

[Power Raid]

not technically scotch but this is amazing



Hibiki