Cocktails and cigars

[Lilyboo]

The only cocktail I like to drink is a margarita and it does not lend itself to being srunk with a cigar. Much prefer a fine malt whilst smoking.

[bambini]

I'll move my whiskey questions to another thread so I'm not hijacking

EDIT: Done. See here.

[Monkey Nuts]

I suppose beginning drinking whisky with Laphroaig is a bit like your first cigar being a Bolivar - it could just be a bit too much!!

Quite a powerful flavour and some don't care for it at all, but I love it.

Always worth looking what's on offer in the local supermarket - Sainsbury's had ?10 off a bottle of Cardhu last week which is a fine Speyside malt - how could I refuse???? Perhaps you could pick up a 'gentler' whisky to start with for a decent price?

Try a Laphroaig by all means - but please don't be put off all malts if you don't like it - there's some wonderful drinks out there.

[Big J]

theres loads in there, I've never really drank rum before but have started dabblng thanks to the advice of people off here,sailor jerry's is my next experiment it seems to keep croping up in a lot of threads along with havana club.

You may also want to try Flor de Cana and Ron Zacapa...both are very good rum.

[El Catador]

That said, some people love it straight off.

True enough, although it can be a little like 'Marmite' in the love it/hate it reaction it gets.
I started out on mostly 'Speyside' varieties (I was working there) before getting really immersed/obsessive about it. It took me a while before I really got to appreciate some of the more 'pungent' 'Islay' and 'Island' varieties.
Now though, the smokier and saltier the better (especially with the right cigar).

FWIW, I'll fly the flag for the CAMBELTOWN brands.

How does this sound?

Nose

Pungent. Piney, tar-like, intensely smoky, earthy, darkly sherried.

Palate

Coconut oiliness. Resiny. Fruity and phenolic.

Finish

Oaky and very salty. Immensely powerful, tenacious.

[daverave999]

P.S.

Laphroaig can be a little 'hard-core' as Whisky goes, you might do well to work your way up to that one via a few others first (Can't go wrong with a macallan IMO). I'd hate you to give up on the idea based on trying one or two samples you didn't like.

Like cigars, the geographical location of the distillery plays a big part in the taste profile. Worth taking a look at how the differing regions (Lowland, Highland, Speyside, etc) each produce there own distinctive flavour into the brand.



Have fun!

That said, some people love it straight off. I thought all Scotch was nasty until I tried Ardbeg which is very similar to Laphroaig. I really don't get on well with most whiskies apart from the very peaty Islay ones. I had most of a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask on Saturday but a couple of glasses of The Glenlivet makes me want to puke. Strange eh?

[leperaffinity]

If it wet i'll drink it, if it burns i'll smoke it lol. In all seriousness i do find a gin and tonic or a cocktail that is crisp and refreshing cleanses the pallette and i enjoy the cigars more. White russians or baileys based drinks are also nice as they tend to bring out the chocolatley notes of the cigars for me.

this. LOVE a white russian..but make sure its wenniker or kaluah or ill cry haha!

[El Catador]

Laphroaig? ......What am I letting myself in for?

P.S.

Laphroaig can be a little 'hard-core' as Whisky goes, you might do well to work your way up to that one via a few others first (Can't go wrong with a macallan IMO). I'd hate you to give up on the idea based on trying one or two samples you didn't like.

Like cigars, the geographical location of the distillery plays a big part in the taste profile. Worth taking a look at how the differing regions (Lowland, Highland, Speyside, etc) each produce there own distinctive flavour into the brand.



Have fun!

[bambini]

Confession: Apart from a Martini (shaken not stirred of course) I've never had a cocktail.

WHAT?!

Not even a mojito? Right, that's it, grab your coat, you're coming to my house for a lesson in cocktails

Incidentally, some folk might like this website:

http://www.cocktailbuilder.com/

It's great for inviting a gang round and telling them to bring their drinks cabinets with them. Simply plug in what you've got, and voila! a list of every cocktail you can make.

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=Monkey Nuts;111876]

I also enjoy mixing up a few cocktails at home and one favourite is a Long Island Iced Tea.

Confession: Apart from a Martini (shaken not stirred of course) I've never had a cocktail.

[bambini]

Sounds good. I really should get into whiskeys. I like the idea of them, just never quite acquired the taste. Maybe this would be the perfect opportunity

[El Catador]

Going back to the OP, what do people think of Laphroaig? I'm not really into my whiskeys (more of a brandy man), but a friend of mine keeps threatening to invite me over to have a glass. What am I letting myself in for?

The equivalent of a 'good' cigar, but in liquid form.
Lots of peat and smoke and a few salty angels tears!

[bambini]

Going back to the OP, what do people think of Laphroaig? I'm not really into my whiskeys (more of a brandy man), but a friend of mine keeps threatening to invite me over to have a glass. What am I letting myself in for?

[patrickspark]

or a decent cognac or brandy

[Drewmidorn]

A cup of tea with honey... or a white russian!