Kris' Scotch Whisky Page

(with a nod to the occasional non-Scotch beverage for those rare occasions when you don't want / can't have scotch)
 

Scotch

My love affair with scotch first started about 6 years ago.  That's when I began to enjoy it on a fairly regular basis. First, let's get into some background.
 

Single-Malt vs. Blended

Definitions: A single-malt scotch  is always a malt whisky. Sounds pretty obvious, right?  A blended Scotch whisky is a blend of malt whisky and grain whisky.  Also, just so there are no arguments later, Scotch is not Scotch unless it was distilled and aged in Scotland. Period.

Many scotch enthusiasts will tell you that a single-malt is always better than a blend because blends contain inferior grain whisky.  First of all, grain whisky is not inferior, it is just lighter. A good blend can be the best introduction to scotch for the would-be connoisseur because it does not overpower the way single-malt can.  Second, anyone who has ever tasted Johnnie Walker Blue knows that a blend can be awesome! In general, single-malts are better than blends, but only by the distilleries' choice, not because of technical limitations.
 
 
Name: Aberlour
Area: Speyside
Price: $22
Rating: 6

Aberlour 10 year old is my everyday scotch.  A little bit peaty, not too smoky.  It's easy, doesn't demand too much attention, and will not spoil a palate. 

Aberlour acts as my benchmark, and I tend to describe other scotches in relation to it.

  Name: Talisker
Area: Highlands (Isle of Skye)
Price: $38
Rating: 7

The Talisker distillery is the only distillery on the Isle of Skye. Talisker offers a very rich although simple flavor. Lots of peat gives this scotch a deep, earthy flavor.
 
Name: Highland Park
Area: Highlands (Orkney Island)
Price: $39
Rating: 6.5		 Name: Glendronach
Area: Highlands
Price: $30
Rating: 7

Salty, carmel-sweet, ultra smooth.  Make sure you order a glass of water with this one. The saltiness is good, but makes you thirsty.
Name: Oban
Area: Highlands
Price: $27
Rating: 5

Clean, but lifeless

 Name: Scapa
Area: Highlands
Price: $32
Rating: 5.5
 
Name: Glenlivet
Area: Speyside
Price: $18
Rating: 5

My very first single malt. Unassuming, this scotch helped make single-malts accessible to everyone.  Just a hint of earthiness gives scotch a one-point advantage over its shelfmate, Glenfiddich

 Name: Glenfiddich
Area: Speyside
Price: $19
Rating: 4

Glenfiddich, with its distinctive three-sided bottle, was one of the first single-malts to really gain acceptance in the United States. Very clean taste, almost no depth or complexity. In my opinion, you are better off with a blend. If you like Glenfiddich but want something a little more complex, try Johnnie Walker Black.
Name: Macallan
Area: Speyside
Price: $25
Rating: 6

Links


The Scotch Whisky Association is where I found the great label shots above.  Go there for some interesting bits on the history of scotch, distillery locations, etc.

Bourbon

Cognac