What Whisky/ Cognac?

I read once that modern companies agitate their madeira casks to simulate an oceanic crossing. anyone know if its true?
 
Martel's Cordon Bleu every bit as good as more expensive cognacs but without the fancy bottle.
 
I have tried MANY kinds of scotch/whiskey/bourbon etc. For the budget suggested:
Knob Creek
Woodford Reserve
Famous Grouse

Gollnick, try a bottle of Famous Grouse. One of the best cheaper bottles of scotch I have ever tried and it's my "go to" booze. 100 bonus points if you can list a fairly popular series of books where this is the staple drink.
*HINT* Military themed. :D
 
Just came back from the basement.
Seems like my dad has a lot of whiskey's, mostly cheap though I think.
I found some really interesting stuff. Goldschlagger for one. Maybe it'd be interesting for doing shots, it's got gold flakes inside!
I don't really know my liquor now. My dad rarely drinks now, and has acquired maybe 30-40 bottles if not more in the basement that will probably never be touched, he rarely drinks these days.
Perhaps if I was to take a high res photo (I shoot a 30D, so it'd be fine), and post it, somebody could inform me of anything decent in the Whiskey department, and in general if there are any decent spirits?
 
JaGWiRE said:
.
Perhaps if I was to take a high res photo (I shoot a 30D, so it'd be fine), and post it, somebody could inform me of anything decent in the Whiskey department, and in general if there are any decent spirits?
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Post away.:thumbup:
 
m1marty said:
Post away.:thumbup:
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Will take some photos later.
Man, I keep thinking my dad was an alcoholic in his younger years, then remembering every time we crossed the boarder (I live in Canada) and he bought a bottle of alcohol, or received a bottle as a gift, and never drank it.
 
Bookers is not a good idea if you are not used to liquor. At 126 proof MOL, it will remove all of your internal organs through your nose:D Try the Makers Mark or the Basil Hayden. Knob Creek may be a bit to hot for you also. Makers Mark is a "wheated" bourbon and generally tastes a little less harsh. Some of the Highland single malts may leave you with a taste in your mouth akin to a burning peat bog.......lol Another thing that you may want to try at some point is a good bottle of Calvados (Norman apple brandy)
 
I'm a bourbon guy. Here's a few of my favorites in no particular order. My first encounter with bourban began with Old Grandad 100 proof. It's still a favorite.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, 101 Proof

Ezra Brooks 90 Proof

Fighting Cock 6 Year Old, 103 Proof

George T. Stagg, 2005 Fall Release 15 Year Old, 141.6 Proof

Knob Creek 9 Year Old, 100 Proof Small Batch Bourbon Collection

Maker's Mark 90 Proof

Old Forester 100 Proof

Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof

Old Weller Antique 7 Year Old, 107 Proof

Wild Turkey Rare Breed 108.2 Proof

Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 18 Year Old, 90 Proof


Although I'm not a big Scotch drinker, I do appeciate it. Very partial to Talisker 10 Years Old.
 
Gollnick said:
...NO singlemalt scotch goes on ice. No. Not done. A splash of tempid pure water sometimes. But please, no ice.
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:thumbup:

I fail to understand the American obsession with ice in whisky. Just don't do it.

:barf:

M1Marty said:
...try a bottle of Famous Grouse. One of the best [blends]...
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Oh yes.

maximus otter
 
Just to be a pedant, whiskey comes from Ireland, scotch is whisky!

The words to look for on the label are "single malt". Branded blends like Johnny Walker contain cheaper grain whisky.

Whisky comes out of the still with a high alcohol content and is usually mixed with water to bring it down to a sippable strenth, 40%, before bottling. Some people like to add a few drops more water in the glass.
You can buy "Cask strenth" Whisky, usually around 55-60% alcohol. This has been bottled without dilution. It might be considered "macho" to drink it neat but it tastes much better with some water in. Think of it as buying concentrated whisky! Some people like to mix Scottish mineral water with their whisky, but that might be hard to come by.
Approach the Islay malts with caution! The peat flavour is very much an aquired taste but it is well worth aquiring.
Having said all that, I have never tasted a whisky that was actually unpleasant, except for one which I suspect was a bootleg. Even cheap supermarket branded whiskies are pleasant enough drinks. The good single malts are a revelation though, when tasted properly and savoured.

Andy
 
Gollnick said:
Right about $50, The Balvenie 12-year-old Doublewood Scotch Whiskey. You will not be disappointed.

pt-90545.jpg


http://www.balvenie.com/
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That would definitely do. I notice they've also got your basic MacAllan for right about $50.00 -- a strong, tasty, well-sherried whisky.
 
Roadrunner said:
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/ProductResultsController Bar none this is the best whisky I've ever had. True, it's not cheap, but it's good. Just do like Gollnick said and you'll see, whatever you do DON'T use ice or mix it!!!
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So what? Link to the search results, not the product, lol...
Getting less enticed about whiskey. Was thinking more about my first experience with it and how rough it was when I was doing shots. Also thinking that it's not the right drink for me, I'm not up for this snifter and sniffing process, I just want something to sip on while chilling.
 
I am very surprised no one has mentioned Pappy Van Winkle 20 year bourbon. It is over your intended price but well worth it.
It is by far the best bourbon I've ever had and I *love* kentucky corn squeezings and have tried just about all of em.
 
Jagwire, if you are in or near Toronto this weekend, consider going to the Spirit of Toronto show. http://www.spiritoftoronto.ca/ Over 100 different whiskys, company reps and master distillers on hand to answer question, lectures on various aspects of drinking, understanding and collecting whisky/whiskey. Saturday night May 12. Could be the best $100 booze education you can get. If I wouldn't have to drive for 5 hours the next day to attend, I would be there.
 
I know nothing about Whiskey, or even Whisky, or Scotch, or anything. I tried something my brother had, and all I know is, I liked it...A lot!

It was something like Laphroaig, or similar spelling. What is it?

I've gone about as far as I care to with Beer exploration, and have found my favorites in each style, so I'm ready to venture into something a little more sophisticated, or at least higher proof.:D Wine is TOO sophisticated, so I guess I'll start along the lines of what's being suggested here.

Cool info, either way...

Daniel
 
Daniel Dorn said:
It was something like Laphroaig, or similar spelling. What is it?
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I think that may be the correct spelling. It is a fine Islay single malt scotch. Supposedly their "cask strength" is one of the best scotches commercially available, but I haven't seen any yet. I've had the 10 and the 15, and there's a big difference between the two. The 15 has a very peaty/smokey aftertaste that lingers. It is quite good.
 
JaGWiRE said:
So what? Link to the search results, not the product, lol...
Getting less enticed about whiskey. Was thinking more about my first experience with it and how rough it was when I was doing shots. Also thinking that it's not the right drink for me, I'm not up for this snifter and sniffing process, I just want something to sip on while chilling.
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Don't get discouraged :)

First, on getting sick. Darker drinks usually cause more misery than lighter ones. So, whiskey will work you over worse than vodka. With that said, I can honestly say that I've never gotten sick or hung over. I'm talking about binge drinking every damn thing on the menu (umm, guys. . . you can stop buying me drinks now. . .) whiskey, martinis, stout, porter, cider, etc, and waking up feeling fine the next morning. I might be lucky, but I think it has more to do with the fact that I drink tons of water (before the whiskey, after the whiskey, but please, gods, not in the whiskey,) My general rule of thumb is, if you don't have to pee, you need to drink more water, and if you just took a pee, you need to drink more water. A major factor of getting sick is the dehydration caused by alcohol. Drink lots of water. Peeing while drunk is fun.

Now, on to the drinking part. While Gollnick's advice regarding the imbibing of fine drinks is generally sound, be aware that it's not the only way to do it. My general philosophy is this; you bought the booze, you can drink it any damn way that pleases you. I have similar opinions regarding cakes. Everybody slices a cake differently. Some like to make wedges like a pie, others will section off a quarter and make neat little parallel slices out of that. However, if you baked the cake, then it's your right to cut it any way you like. If you want to take an octogon-shaped plug straight out of the middle, more power to you. Part of the fun of being an adult is getting to make these decisions for yourself. In recent years, I've noticed a growing trend of of folks drinking red wine on the rocks :confused: Now, to my way of thinking, this practice borders on crass, and in the case of some wines, even sinful. But hey, that's not my wine with ice in it, so it's not really my place to get upset. Over the years, I've gained a fair amount of well-deserved humility. Maybe they know something I don't, or maybe that's just what they like. Either way, I'll reserve comment unless asked.

I've enjoyed some very fine drinks out of very cheap glasses. I can't say I've ever lamented the lack of a proper drinking vessel, but if that sort of thing is important to you, then I'm not about to judge. Same goes for sniffing the liquor. Sure, I'd encourage you to try it, but I'm not going to dock you points because you didn't inhale deeply enough. There are six billion people on this little world, and each has their preference. Right now, there's probably someone a lot wiser than me who's sitting around eating beluga cavier on Pringles. Hey, whatever blows your skirt up, buddy. Have a ball.
 
Double Jim Beam with Diet Coke and ice......in a plastic glass from Walmart. Mmmmm.........

TR Graham
Armory USA
 
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