Whiskey Clique

mca47 said:

smile6680 said:

mca47 said:

Bentleyspop said:

The subjects of tonight's private tasting.  

Russell's 13 year is an incredible bottle!  I've never seen one at MSRP, but if I did, it's an immediate purchase!  I did have a pour at a bar a while back and it lives up to the hype for sure!  I have some Russell's bottles (10, 10 single barrel store pick, and another) and 13 is next level!

That's what I hear. Maine is a controlled state. Can only be sold at MSRP. It was at a small store that I hardly ever go in. 

I've been on a hot streak lately. I found two bottles each of Stagg Jr batches 17&18. 

The pros of a controlled state!  Every non-chain liquor store here (AZ) has everything marked waaaay up.
Nice find on the Stagg Jr's!  The only one I have is batch 15, and I got it from a friend who had an extra.  I have never seen one in the wild that wasn't listed for $500 min.  

Stag Jr for $500?  They're nuts.

I picked a couple bottles EH Taylor rye this weekend. I wasn't thrilled the price went up to 70$ though. Hard to turn them down when I haven't seen any Taylor products on the shelf the last couple of years.

Gern Blansten said:

I saw some posts that Buffalo Trace had EHT and Blanton's available the same day on Friday I believe...it was raining like hell so I guess people just didn't show up to wait in line. That would have been a great day to visit.

This was in Maine. I wouldn't wait in line for anything. Maybe when I'm visiting the distilleries down in Kentucky this fall. The last time I visited the distilleries about seven years ago there wasn't really any lines that I can remember. 

josevolution said:

Beginner here can someone recommend a starting point? Southern Comfort is out for me since that was the 1st liquor to get smashed on at 15 years old! I can’t even smell it 

Any specific type you're interested in trying? Each type has its own distinct characteristics. 

I'll be honest, I don't drink a lot of Irish whiskeys, but Jameson is probably the starting point for that type. I know lots of people like Tullamore Dew.

Scotch is going to be more earthy and smokey due to the peat used during malting. I find Speysides to be the most palatable when getting into Scotch. I started with Glenlivet 12 and branched from there. I typically drink either Speyside or Highland Scotches. Glenlivet and Macallan are two that I drink regularly.

Bourbon is going to be sweeter with a lot of caramel flavors. I started with Jim Beam in my college days and that's pretty typical I think. Honestly, I like pretty much any bourbon, but my regulars are offerings from Woodford, Old Forester, and 4 Roses.

Everybody here will have their own recommendations, so just go try them all! I know a lot of Scotch drinkers here really like the peat ones, so maybe they will offer some suggestions on those.

josevolution said:

markymark550 said:

I'll be honest, I don't drink a lot of Irish whiskeys, but Jameson is probably the starting point for that type. I know lots of people like Tullamore Dew.

Scotch is going to be more earthy and smokey due to the peat used during malting. I find Speysides to be the most palatable when getting into Scotch. I started with Glenlivet 12 and branched from there. I typically drink either Speyside or Highland Scotches. Glenlivet and Macallan are two that I drink regularly.

Bourbon is going to be sweeter with a lot of caramel flavors. I started with Jim Beam in my college days and that's pretty typical I think. Honestly, I like pretty much any bourbon, but my regulars are offerings from Woodford, Old Forester, and 4 Roses.

Everybody here will have their own recommendations, so just go try them all! I know a lot of Scotch drinkers here really like the peat ones, so maybe they will offer some suggestions on those.

Thanks for the tips! I’ll be hitting up my Wineguy store they have everything 

No problem! Welcome to the clique!

mcgruff10 said:

josevolution said:

Beginner here can someone recommend a starting point? Southern Comfort is out for me since that was the 1st liquor to get smashed on at 15 years old! I can’t even smell it 

Same here!  I drank way too much of it my freshman year of college and haven't been able to drink it since.

It all depends on your taste buds bud.  I was the odd one that loved islays my first go.  The peater the better imo but maybe try something subtle like a glen livet 12.  If you want to try a little smoke try johnny walker black.  Bourbon is way too sweet for me so I'm usually good for one glass.  My personal fave is makers mark.  Good luck!

Thanks! 

mcgruff10 said:

josevolution said:

Beginner here can someone recommend a starting point? Southern Comfort is out for me since that was the 1st liquor to get smashed on at 15 years old! I can’t even smell it 

Same here!  I drank way too much of it my freshman year of college and haven't been able to drink it since.

It all depends on your taste buds bud.  I was the odd one that loved islays my first go.  The peater the better imo but maybe try something subtle like a glen livet 12.  If you want to try a little smoke try johnny walker black.  Bourbon is way too sweet for me so I'm usually good for one glass.  My personal fave is makers mark.  Good luck!

LOL...that's my same bourbon story. I couldn't even smell bourbon/whiskey for years and then about 30 years ago someone offered me Crown Royal at a party and I drank way too much and almost Jimi Hendrixed myself. Woke up on my back with puke all over me.

I prefer sipping good bourbon now. It can get a little out of hand some nights but I haven't gone over the top again. I think I'm safe now.

markymark550 said:

I would also say be careful with the higher proof stuff (110 and higher). If you're not used to drinking high proof liquor, those can turn you off rather quickly because the alcohol is too overwhelming. If you get one of those, I would start by adding a few drops of water. You can remove the drops for subsequent drinks as you get used to the proof.

Yeah I’m not into high proof alcohol at all will take it nice and slow to see if I can develop a taste for it! 

GlowGirl said:

JeBurkhardt said:

Gern Blansten said:

mcgruff10 said:

josevolution said:

Beginner here can someone recommend a starting point? Southern Comfort is out for me since that was the 1st liquor to get smashed on at 15 years old! I can’t even smell it 

Same here!  I drank way too much of it my freshman year of college and haven't been able to drink it since.

It all depends on your taste buds bud.  I was the odd one that loved islays my first go.  The peater the better imo but maybe try something subtle like a glen livet 12.  If you want to try a little smoke try johnny walker black.  Bourbon is way too sweet for me so I'm usually good for one glass.  My personal fave is makers mark.  Good luck!

LOL...that's my same bourbon story. I couldn't even smell bourbon/whiskey for years and then about 30 years ago someone offered me Crown Royal at a party and I drank way too much and almost Jimi Hendrixed myself. Woke up on my back with puke all over me.

I prefer sipping good bourbon now. It can get a little out of hand some nights but I haven't gone over the top again. I think I'm safe now.

Jim Beam at a party at the Navy Lodge in Norfolk, VA for me. Never again. 

Tequila for me. Can't even smell it.

Uhmm love me some margaritas on a hot day sitting in my backyard barbecue going! But I’m really looking forward to opening my taste buds with some whiskey