Whisky for beginners - Where would one start?

[anz3001]

Can anyone recommend a starting point?

I like the idea of a good quailty whisky to compliment my cigar but dont really know where/how to start, I expect its similar to smoking cigars, an aquired taste if you like.

[Joss]

This is a great help- brands listed by the flavour profile- will give you a start point from whichever brand you try first.

[Seegarnub]

This is a great help- brands listed by the flavour profile- will give you a start point from whichever brand you try first.

Excellent! [emoji106][emoji2]


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[anz3001]

One from each corner and one from the middle then?

[Joss]

My personal favourite is Lagavulin but I also like the polar opposite which is Glenkinchie.

[Sligub]

Well whisky, that's a big world but couple of suggestions from the biggest "areas"

Single malts (Scotch)

Auchentoshan Three Wood
Macallen 15
Highland park 12

Bourbon (American)
Blanton's
Col. E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Eagle rare

Rye whisky (US and Canada)
Whistle pig

Blends
Nikka from the barrel (Japanese)
Suntory Hibiki 12 year (Japanese)



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[Sligub]

My personal favourite is Lagavulin but I also like the polar opposite which is Glenkinchie.

Don't know if I would recommend lagavulin as a starting point, I enjoy it but think it takes a while to build up to it.


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[Joss]

Completely agree on that, it wouldn't be a good start point at all given that its pretty unique.

[Sligub]

Almost medicinal


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[oskihen]

For a first couldn't go wrong with a glenfiddich

[Undercover]

It seems so many cigar smokers enjoy whisky, I've often wondered what the fuss is about too - am I missing out on something great?

I've only drunk whisky 4 times in my life - not counting the times I helped myself to the cheap stuff my parents had in the sideboard when I was 9! First time was more than 20 years ago for a Burns Night on board a warship - we spent our mess funds on some amazing stuff (apparently) and I didn't like it. 2nd occasion was a couple of years ago, I ended up drinking Bells or something like that in an officers' mess after far too much beer. I didn't really care too much what it was.

The last 2 occasions have been cigar and whisky events in London - one at 1a St James a few months ago and last night at Boisdale's. I think I finally 'get it' though still don't really know where to start. I was amazed how subtle, complex and varied the flavours were. I'd be the first to admit my taste buds are pretty useless, but I was amazed to find it possible to pick things out. The cigar and whisky really complemented each other, though the cigar had been chosen to go with the whisky.

So, does any whisky go with a cigar, or any cigar go with a whisky?

[Roy_Drage]

I've recently been enjoying Highland Park, I get a slightly sweet taste which suits me. Well worth a look.

[Matt1979]

Whisky??? Surely everyone knows that real men drink Bourbon!!!!

Get yourself some Jim Beam or Buffalo Trace.

;-)

[EdBlackadder]

Asda have a perfectly respectable range of 'Specially Selected' own brand malts from the major areas for about ?20 a bottle. They're not top notch but also not a bad place to start. Similarly Aldi have a bourbon that won't shattter the earth or your bank account which is a good introduction to that style. Buffalo Trace is a lovely drop too but its a bit more expensive.

A good tip is that scotch should be drank on its own (or maybe with a drop of water) but there's absolutely no shame in mixing other whiskies. American, Canadian and even Irish whiskies are generally blended in such a way that this enhances the flavour. Coke or ginger beer are classic mixers. Whisky cocktails are also great, an Old Fashioned is a real treat and a whisky sour when done right is a delight.

[Joss]

Whisky??? Surely everyone knows that real men drink Bourbon!!!!

Get yourself some Jim Beam or Buffalo Trace.

;-)

Thats Whiskey [emoji3]