Whisky Tasting

[ZermattGT]

Attended my 4th whisky tasting at one of the best liquor stores in the area. It's held every February and not to be missed. More than a 100 types of whisky from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the USA variants Rye and Bourbon were represented by several distributors.
At this point I download the list in advance so I can plan my tasting accordingly.

You get checked in at the door, age/ID, pay 2 dollars for a small glass snifter for tasting, the proceeds go to charity for the glasses. You receive 10 tickets for free tastes. It's genius. Local resturants set up finger foods, great for cleansing the palete, and this time 28 separate table with distributor reps attending.

This years suprise victory, a bottle of 18 year old Oban Islay Single Malt. I've been trying to get a bottle for years. Almost zero distibution outside the UK. $152.99 US on sale. My m8 Jake and I agreed to split it. Oban 14 year changed all my feelings about whisky 10 years ago. Good Lord this stuff is good.

[john johnson]

there's some good stuff to be had, i have loads bought for me as its my fave tipple. I love Johhnie Walker Blue label , Highland Park is good but it all boils down to what taste you like as some of the peaty stuff is very very raw but popular

[Coxy]

Never been one for whiskey myself up until the last few months where I've enjoyed a tipple of a single malt in the evenings.
A whiskey tasting day sounds like a lethal and fun way of getting drunk rather quickly!!
Or do you just swill it round in your mouth and spit it out like they do with wine, which all seems rather pointless to me!!!!!!

[john johnson]

i be with you on tht one Coxy, i would be totally trolleyed after a few
I never touched the stuff until the wifes dad got me into it and gave me a few pointers , all the wifes family are Scottish so that helped!

[moonwatcher]

Good whisky is Good!

[ZermattGT]

The tasting is usually enough for 2 small sips. One to set it up on the tongue, the 2nd to really explore the flavor characteristics. I think, all told 10 tasting portions probably equals a modest glass of whisky. Calling it 2 fingers would be too much. So not so drunk.

Truth be told, I don't like being drunk. If I have more than one, I have to be in a very familiar place, which I will have no excuse to leave inebriated. Drunk driving is a pet peave of mine. 2 friends gone, one maimed. The lost 2 from other drivers, the maimed one a passenger(drunk) with another drunk friend.

Sorry don't mean to preach, I just think folks can enjoy beer, wine and spirits responsibly.

Johnnie Walker Blue is lovely, possibly a little too refined tho'. Big money for a bottle. I will say that for a new person to become a fan, Blue is a really nice, smooooooth whisky to start with.

[Emjay]

I've got a small bottle of Oban 14 sat in my kitchen, reserved for special occasions

[john johnson]

got some nice glenmorangie at the moment ,black label for necking as and when but green label is great , her indoors gets the blue label in the duty free shops

[Coxy]

Just having a cheeky glass (small measure!) of 10 year Aberlour. And this one I'm really liking.
http://www.aberlour.co.uk/welcome.asp

[ZermattGT]

Emjay, Oban 14 is my standard. I judge all whisky to this nectar. Cheers.

Coxy, Aberlour is excellent, definately a favorite Speyside Malt. At the tasting I had the Aberlour "Abunadh" which was hedonistic, almost Cognac like, lots of sugar. This variety I would save as an apertif. Yummy.