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Last post 21 years ago by justforfun. 32 replies replies.
Scotch???????
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daveyg2 Offline
#1 Posted: Sun, Feb 16 2003, 11:01 PM EST
Joined: 04-24-2002
Posts: 288
Hey guys,

I am wondering what is a good scotch to go with some smokes. I know next to nothing about scotch so some help could definitely be appreciated. I had a little Chivas Regal (scotch whiskey) tonight with an Astral TVS and it didnt do anything for me. Is Chivas Regal any good or is that why I wasnt psyched at all?? Im more of a beer kinda guy but I dont want to miss out on anything without trying it out first. Anyone know of a decent, sweeter and less harsh scotch?? I know some of you guys love scotch so I figured Im asking the right people.

daveyg2
Danny Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 3:26 AM EST
Joined: 06-21-2002
Posts: 613
Chivas is good, but it's blended scothch, and personally, I prefer a single malt. My go to scotch is Balvenie DoubleWood. If you're new to single malts, start with something from the "Highlands" like MacAllan. It's not as peaty/smokey as an "Islay" scotch. Scotland has distinct areas that produce scotch, and they all have varying characteristics. A good wine shop that carries liquor can help you quite a bit. It's worth it because a good scotch an a good cigar is one helluva excellent combination. Makers Mark bourbon is a good choice too.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 3:33 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,513
Dave, it's been through many trials that ANYTHING that has the name "Glen" in it will be a stand-up scotch. You have to be a fan, and know that this ain't your wife's drink! I shuffle between rums(flavored and white),liquers(Drambuie...),scotch, and cognac(especially Remy!). They compliment the cigars, and leave me in a more relaxed mood!
Sonny_LSU Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 4:21 AM EST
Joined: 11-21-2002
Posts: 1,835
Dave, DMV has just about hit it. Stay away from blends (i.e. Chivas, Johnny Walker, etc.). Some blends are good in their own right, but single malts are the smoothest (except for Johnny Blue....$$$$$). My favorite is Dalwhinnie 15 yr. Has hints of honey and is very heathery, but it does cost between $40-$50 a bottle. So, don't just go get tanked on it (New Years is ok), rather save it for you best sticks. For the money, Glenfiddich is really good, but, again, as DMV has stated, if "Glen" is in the name, you're probably getting a decent scotch.
captainfudgie Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 4:35 AM EST
Joined: 06-23-2002
Posts: 191
If you don't care for Scotch than you may want to try a good Irish whiskey instead. They are not smoky like Scotch and may be more to your liking. Try John Power's Gold Label . This stuff is unbelievably smooth with an almost Cognac like aroma. And for under $20/bottle it is a screaming bargain. It's not #1 overthere for nothing.
If you want something a little sweeter try something from this continent. Either an American Whiskey like George Dickel No.12 or a Canadian such as Seagram's V.O. Gold.

But If you want the Ultimate accompaniment to a fine cigar, IMHO, than have your favorite barkeep prepare you a nice Bourbon Manhattan on the rocks.

It starts my mouth waterin' just thinking about one.

YA' DON'T THINK 9:30 a.m. IS TOO EARLY , DO YA'?
Robby Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 5:00 AM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Glen Morangie 21 year old single malt, or Balvanie 21 Port wood. Here's a hint, DO NOT pour these over ice! Instead, spash about 1/4 the amount of water to scotch in the glass and swill it around. It helps to release the boo-kay :-)
miluns Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 5:48 AM EST
Joined: 01-06-2003
Posts: 199
If you try some scotch and it still does not suit your fancy, try some of the small batch bourbons that are out there. Knob Creek from Jim beam is my personal favorite for special occasions. Regular Jim Beam is my old stand by.

Just my .02


Mike
divnmyk Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 6:04 AM EST
Joined: 06-07-2001
Posts: 461
Daveyg2-

I too like my beer, and there are some great beers that will stand up to a cigar. One of my fav's is Samuel Smith's stout. But I have to second some of the comments about bourbons being a great match with cigars. Makers Mark, Bookers, Knob Creek... what did I forget?
Either way, personal taste should always dictate what you drink with your smokes. Try some different things but always follow your tastes.
cwilhelmi Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 6:21 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
I love bourbon and scotch!

Bourbon - Makers Mark, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, bakers7...

Scotch - MaCallan, Dalmore, Chivas Royal Salute, JW Gold or Blue
daveyg2 Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 8:18 AM EST
Joined: 04-24-2002
Posts: 288
Thanks guys. I am going to try some scotch, bourbon and irish whiskey. All of the above sound good. I hope I dont get too sloppy to take care of the 18in of snow outside. Praise be to whoever invented snowblowers.

Im going to give some of those a shot, Id hate to be missing out on anything good. Even though Im a beer lover, Id like to get some other source of liquor in to the veins every now and then. (Sammy Smith is nice....). Depending on the cigar I like different beers though. Thats another thread...Shall we????

daveyg2
mrkmitch Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 8:44 AM EST
Joined: 11-18-2002
Posts: 990
I agree w/ Robby, the Belvanie 21 is a great smoking companion.
Skatty2hotty Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 10:05 AM EST
Joined: 05-29-2001
Posts: 288
I think there's a good consesus here that the Small Batch collections are great. Love the Knob Creek and Basil Hayden.
Sonny_LSU Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 11:26 AM EST
Joined: 11-21-2002
Posts: 1,835
Robby did post an important point: splash of water. Do not drink it neat....scotch's boo-kay, as he stated, is not released to it's full extent without water. That doesn't mean on the rocks either.....unless you're slammin' it or you are a fast drinker, the cubes will melt and water it down. Drinks that go with cigars vary by the individual......I even read one ol' boy loves Green Apple Pucker with Pimp Sticks!!! WOO! HOO! But, he's not wrong, rather his tastes are just different. Give a good port (Fladgate Tawny 20yr.) a try too.....now that I think about it, by that time, you'll be a flamin' alcoholic!
efm Offline
#14 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 11:31 AM EST
Joined: 01-23-2001
Posts: 499
Call me a barbarian but Scotch is deadly poison. Drink Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey like God intended.
gerber Offline
#15 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 12:29 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 783
I second the motion for Knob Creek and Basil Hayden.

In the single malt category, I really enjoy Dalmore, Tomatin, and Glenlivit.

Also, a new-found favorite--good old fashioned rye. It lies somewhere in between bourbon and scotch. Very yummy with a cigar.
THL Offline
#16 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 3:58 PM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
Laphroag, I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned sooner. You can smell the peat fire.
Tyrconnell for the Irish, or Tullamore Dew, or Red Breast if you can find it.
scottypop Offline
#17 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 4:24 PM EST
Joined: 01-25-2003
Posts: 48
How about some cognac?

I like Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge with a fine smoke after a good meal. $31 a bottle and worth every penny. Think I'll have a little glass now.
daveyg2 Offline
#18 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 5:33 PM EST
Joined: 04-24-2002
Posts: 288
Glenfiddich????? Any good? Someone said "Anything with a Glen in the front is probably good"

daveyg2
Sonny_LSU Offline
#19 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 6:16 PM EST
Joined: 11-21-2002
Posts: 1,835
Fiddich is a good solid performing single malt. Guys, what about Booker's? Damn good single barrel....Jack Daniels barrel proof is outstanding also!
rlr68 Offline
#20 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 8:07 PM EST
Joined: 10-16-2002
Posts: 135
daveyg2:
When I started drinking scotch,I started with Chivas 12. I then moved to Glenfiddich. I currently am stocking Oban and Glenrothes at home. When on the road its easier to find Fiddich, Livet, or Chivas at most bars and restaurants. Scotch is an acquired taste. It will take a few drinks and a few brands to find what you like. I know when I go drinking at the lake-my scotch is always safe from my brother and friends-they can only drink beer and corn whiskey. I wish my cigars were as safe!

Rick-Omaha
daveyg2 Offline
#21 Posted: Mon, Feb 17 2003, 8:12 PM EST
Joined: 04-24-2002
Posts: 288
BTW, how long can scotch stay in a bottle opened or unopened?? I have some stuff here that my friend has and it looks kinda old......i dont want to get some sort of african jungle rot from this stuff.

daveyg2
Robby Offline
#22 Posted: Tue, Feb 18 2003, 4:30 AM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Glen Campbell used to be pretty good.
turnberry Offline
#23 Posted: Tue, Feb 18 2003, 4:08 PM EST
Joined: 12-11-2002
Posts: 915
daveyg2............scotch is not like wine, won't spoil if left in the bottle either opened or not. I suppose if you left the bottle uncapped for quite awhile some of the distilled alcohol may evaporate off, but I can't imagine that would hurt it much.

Glenfiddich, Laphroig and the Balvenies (especially the Double Wood) and the more aged Macallans are my picks.

Try a good tawny port as well. Pretty damn good with a lot of smokes.
eleltea Offline
#24 Posted: Tue, Feb 18 2003, 6:24 PM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
I still have a bit of Balvenie Doublewood left. THL and I agree on almost everything. Laphroaig is fantastic. The smell reminds me of the stuff we used to patch bicycle innertubes with. I loved that smell, and I'm not kidding. Ain't nothing wrong with JW Black, either, in my book, blended shmended. The red is okay mixed with water but sort of reminds me of iodine. I only think of it fondly because my late ex-future mother-in-law used to drink it and I loved her.
SteveS Offline
#25 Posted: Tue, Feb 18 2003, 7:38 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
Glenmorangie (port finish) and Abelour are my #1 choices and I recommend either of them highly ...
the Abelour is perhaps the better of the two for a scotch newbie, but I think the Glenmorangie is the better of the two to accompany a cigar and was my personal choice for my "landmark" birthday celebration last August

Macallen, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are very good, reliable choices ... Laphroaig and Lagavulin are both outstanding single malts I've not seen mentioned yet by anyone, though the Lagavulin is absolutely not for the uninitiated or faint of heart ... Balvenie and Talisker are also considered by many to be wonderful choices, but I have yet to try either myself ...

Davey ... send me a note, would you? ... I've been wanting to e-mail you and cannot find your addy

fromsteves(at)hotmail(dot)com
ribbedturtleneck Offline
#26 Posted: Wed, Feb 19 2003, 9:16 AM EST
Joined: 10-14-2002
Posts: 7
Ditto on the Lagavulin. Divine flavor, but maybe too much for a beginner (pricewise too)
Homebrew Offline
#27 Posted: Wed, Feb 19 2003, 9:48 AM EST
Joined: 02-11-2003
Posts: 11,885
My first Single Malt was Glendranoch Sherry finished 15 yr old. Before this I thought I didn't like Scotch. I think it is the perfect Scotch for a newbe. I prefer Laphroaig now personaly.
Imbibe on :-)
Homebrew
scottypop Offline
#28 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 10:18 AM EST
Joined: 01-25-2003
Posts: 48
Because of this thread I went out and got some scotch. Glenlivet something or other.

I have not acquired a taste for scotch. I swallowed it and had to run and get some cognac to get the terrible taste out of my mouth. It reminded me of egg drop soup. Yuck.
Robby Offline
#29 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 10:28 AM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
hehehe Aye laddy. It's an "aquired" taste.
SteveS Offline
#30 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 12:31 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
that, it must certainly, is ... as are full-bodies cigars ... both of which I seem to have acquired a taste fore ... LOL
hegemonic Offline
#31 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 12:42 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2000
Posts: 1,294
a Chivas rusty nail is perfect for smoking.
883338 Offline
#32 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 8:20 PM EST
Joined: 07-11-2000
Posts: 12
Oban (14yr)
Talisker (10yr)
Laphroaig (??)
Lagavulen (16 or 20yr)
Dalwhinnie (15yr)
Bowmore, a new kid on the block, an Islay similar in taste to Laphroaing but was only $18, no age on bottle or tube
or Bushmills 1608 (12 yr) very nice but've not seen for a while
justforfun Offline
#33 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 9:23 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2002
Posts: 797

Best $ value is the Dalmore 12 yr (at $23 or less). I drink a lot of scotch, and firmly believe this is the VERY best value to be found. In my opinion, DON'T get suckered into a bottle of the Dalmore cigar scotch (it's 8 yrs) and slightly more $ (I think based upon their marketing it to the cigar smokers).

Something very comparable to it (taste and $) is the Dewars 12 yr reserve (although it is a blend). But wow, it sure goes down easy!~~:

I also have never been disappointed withGlenfiditch or Oban - 12 year - they're pretty darned good too.

If you like the taste of peat, and I don't know too many people outside of Ireland/Scotland who do, then try the Laphroaig (very peaty).

Have fun, experiment, and hell, regardless of what you buy, have a few on the rocks, and by the third or fourth, you probably won't care who bottled it.
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