What's your go to scotch? As an adult male I feel it's my duty to learn to enjoy a good scotch.

This laphroig I'm drinking at the moment taste a lot like peat and, well, ash. It's not bad but it's not great.

What should I try next?

Total newb to scotch. Not afraid to spend a few bucks. Want something smooth.

I'm not a scotch guy. The taste of peet reminds me of yard work. Haven't found one I like.

I'm no expert on the whiskey, but I like Oban for the $. I'm Irish. though.

I don't drink a lot of scotch, but a good smooth one is the Balvenie double port

The peat taste is a regional thing. I enjoy it, but I know that not everyone does. The major regions all have their own distinct style. Here's a map. You can click on each region and see some characteristics.
http://www.acespirits.com/scotland-by-region.html

Laphroig is from Islay which is known for heavy peat and smoke taste. Islay has one of my favorite all time smokey singles. The Lagavullin Distillers Edition 18 year is going to cost you some dollars, but is the smoothest smokey scotch I've ever had.

Speyside has complex flavors without all the smoke. Balvenie is a personal favorite there as is Glenfiddich. And Macallan is a popular one that I can't say a bad word about.

Highland region has a couple of my favorites as well. Glemorangie is here and is something I tend to keep in the cabinet regularly.

Hopefully this helps some.

John Walker is good, in all colors.

Chivas is good if you get the high end one, can't remember what it's called.

Ardbeg is delicious if you can find it.

Thanks for the feedback!

I prefer Islay Scotches. Like the taste of campfire in my mouth. Lagavulin my fav, but not cheap. Currently drinking Sheep Dip. I like it better than Laphroig and pretty cheap.

I like peaty scotch as long as it is not completely overwhelming. My personal favorites are Takisker (12 I think) and Springbank 15.

I don't really like the heavy peat Scotches, I'm more of a bourbon guy. My neighbor is from Scotland and has tastings on occasion. Here are a few I have enjoyed at his house:

Oban is a good one to get your feet wet
The Dalmore is one I really like, 15 yr
Highland Park 15
Glenmorangie

I also like the Glenlivet 15 French Oak.

Macallan 15 if you like smooth, delicious scotch.

Every self respecting adult male should have a bottle of Glenlivet (15 or 18) on their bar.

Aberlouer 16 is nice as well.

Oban 18 is spicier than the Macallan 15, but it may very well be my favorite.

For me personally, it's worth spending the $90+ a bottle to make sure i have some good stuff. If I'm looking at spending $55 or so, then I usually get Macallan 12. But if you're wanting to get into scotch and do it right, spend the money to get good stuff. Then just drink it much slower than you do bourbon or anything else for that matter.

Aberlouer I was trying to think of. been a while, but I remember really liking it.

bularry said:

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Aberlouer I was trying to think of. been a while, but I remember really liking it.

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My father- and brother-in-law drink a lot of scotch, so I've tried a good amount with them. I tend to stick to whiskey on my own.

That said, I've enjoyed Oban with them, had my fair share of Johnny Walker Blue and a few others I can't fully recall.

If you're a Costco member, the Kirkland brand is REALLY good for the price. I've read that they've bought runs from Glenlivet and Macallan on different occasions and bottled it as their own.

rjwellman said:

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bularry said:

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Aberlouer I was trying to think of. been a while, but I remember really liking it.

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My father- and brother-in-law drink a lot of scotch, so I've tried a good amount with them. I tend to stick to whiskey on my own.

That said, I've enjoyed Oban with them, had my fair share of Johnny Walker Blue and a few others I can't fully recall.

If you're a Costco member, the Kirkland brand is REALLY good for the price. I've read that they've bought runs from Glenlivet and Macallan on different occasions and bottled it as their own.

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You read correctly. I know for a fact they've had the Glenlivet 18 bottled as Kirkland. If you can get past the obnoxious label, they have some good stuff.

I only buy booze based on labels.

rjwellman said:

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I only buy booze based on labels.

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I need it to look pretty on my shelf.

Or in the brown paper bag.

Dubbicans said:

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rjwellman said:

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bularry said:

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Aberlouer I was trying to think of. been a while, but I remember really liking it.

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My father- and brother-in-law drink a lot of scotch, so I've tried a good amount with them. I tend to stick to whiskey on my own.

That said, I've enjoyed Oban with them, had my fair share of Johnny Walker Blue and a few others I can't fully recall.

If you're a Costco member, the Kirkland brand is REALLY good for the price. I've read that they've bought runs from Glenlivet and Macallan on different occasions and bottled it as their own.

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You read correctly. I know for a fact they've had the Glenlivet 18 bottled as Kirkland. If you can get past the obnoxious label, they have some good stuff.

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what is the price point? that is pretty incredible. I can't believe Glenlivet would need to dump scotch it has been aging for 18 years.

bularry said:

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Dubbicans said:

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rjwellman said:

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bularry said:

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Aberlouer I was trying to think of. been a while, but I remember really liking it.

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My father- and brother-in-law drink a lot of scotch, so I've tried a good amount with them. I tend to stick to whiskey on my own.

That said, I've enjoyed Oban with them, had my fair share of Johnny Walker Blue and a few others I can't fully recall.

If you're a Costco member, the Kirkland brand is REALLY good for the price. I've read that they've bought runs from Glenlivet and Macallan on different occasions and bottled it as their own.

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You read correctly. I know for a fact they've had the Glenlivet 18 bottled as Kirkland. If you can get past the obnoxious label, they have some good stuff.

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what is the price point? that is pretty incredible. I can't believe Glenlivet would need to dump scotch it has been aging for 18 years.

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You'll have to forgive me as it was about 4 years ago when I saw it, but I was floored.

FYI... you don't have to be a Costco Member to shop in their liquor department in Texas.

nein51 said:

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What's your go to scotch? As an adult male I feel it's my duty to learn to enjoy a good scotch.

This laphroig I'm drinking at the moment taste a lot like peat and, well, ash. It's not bad but it's not great.

What should I try next?

Total newb to scotch. Not afraid to spend a few bucks. Want something smooth.

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Laphroig is awesome if you do it right. If it's cold and rainy outside, it's hard to find a better dram.

CTCBear said:

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FYI... you don't have to be a Costco Member to shop in their liquor department in Texas.

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But we also don't get the Costco labeled liquors in Texas. The liquor stores next to Costcos in Texas are actually another company altogether.

I have yet to be disappointed with anything Glenrothes (Speyside Single Malts) has released. Age and price will vary, but everything I have tried has been smooth (as opposed to the experience with peated Scotches describe above).

auvich said:

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I prefer Islay Scotches. Like the taste of campfire in my mouth. Lagavulin my fav, but not cheap. Currently drinking Sheep Dip. I like it better than Laphroig and pretty cheap.

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I'm staring at one called Bunnahabhain

Tried Oban 14 the other day. Try smooth but lacked basically all of the smoke flavor of the laphroig. Sort of polar opposites to me.

They had a John Walker PLATINUM label. Yes platinum.

I may be the only person who drinks cheap scotch, but teachers is my preferred blend. It has a decent smoky profile which is rare in a cheap blend.

Otherwise I love Islays, lagavulin is the crown jewel. Balvenie double barrel is extremely smooth. Oban and talisker are great as well as others have mentioned.

I like blended scotch. A lot of expensive single malts lack character. Similar to patron tequila.

bularry said:

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I like blended scotch. A lot of expensive single malts lack character. Similar to patron tequila.

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I find the opposite to be true.

bularry said:

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I like blended scotch. A lot of expensive single malts lack character. Similar to patron tequila.

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You drink scotch like a peasant, Larry. Blended scotch is unapproachable.

Dubbicans said:

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bularry said:

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I like blended scotch. A lot of expensive single malts lack character. Similar to patron tequila.

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You drink scotch like a peasant, Larry. Blended scotch is unapproachable.

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I admit I'm not a sophisticated scotch drinker

But I like JW black quite a bit. And I'd drink bourbon ahead of most any single malt I've had. And I have had many

bularry said:

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Dubbicans said:

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bularry said:

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I like blended scotch. A lot of expensive single malts lack character. Similar to patron tequila.

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You drink scotch like a peasant, Larry. Blended scotch is unapproachable.

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I admit I'm not a sophisticated scotch drinker

But I like JW black quite a bit. And I'd drink bourbon ahead of most any single malt I've had. And I have had many

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I'm messing with you man. Drink what you like. Even if it happens to be blended peasant juice.

Dubbicans said:

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bularry said:

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Dubbicans said:

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bularry said:

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I like blended scotch. A lot of expensive single malts lack character. Similar to patron tequila.

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You drink scotch like a peasant, Larry. Blended scotch is unapproachable.

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I admit I'm not a sophisticated scotch drinker

But I like JW black quite a bit. And I'd drink bourbon ahead of most any single malt I've had. And I have had many

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I'm messing with you man. Drink what you like. Even if it happens to be blended peasant juice.

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Most Chivas is blended Scotch
Jack Daniels is a sour mash, which is a blended whisky
Crown Royal is a blended whisky
Halle Berry is blended
Moolenium Crunch is a blended ice cream

Not all blends are bad.

Halle Berry may be the epicenter of blends