WTA's Alcohol Thread

[coelacanth]

There are so many different brands and types of vodka, I have no idea how anyone can keep track of them.  Personally, I don't care for the stuff - tastes like lighter fluid to me.      Maybe that's why there is such a dizzying array of flavored vodkas.   My wife drinks Grey Goose, another French vodka called Summum and occasionally Ketel One from Holland.   

I was surprised by a friend who gave me a bottle of "Russian standard platinum" vodka as a gift, I don't really drink but its really good. I was curious what other vodkas rank high on your list? I have seen grey goose mentioned previously, but what are some others?

Also if one were to venture into the "finer" whiskey's what would be a good start? I think the nicest I have had was Johnny Walker red and it was fine. With the limited knowledge I have now, I am deciding between gentleman jack or or a different JW (perhaps blue).

If by "finer" you mean better quality ( ie: better ingredients, aged longer, etc. ) there are lots of choices.  If you are fond of Scotch just about anything mentioned on the last page of this thread qualifies.   When most folks step up from the blended stuff to a single malt they usually go for a 10 year old Speyside.  That's a nice step up in quality without having to take out a second mortgage on the house.   They are generally smooth, well balanced spirits suitable for drinking straight or with a little water.  Some examples are  Balvenie, Cragganmore, The Glenlivet, Glen Moray and Speyburn.   

American spirits cover a wide variety.  Two of the most popular are Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ( KSBW )  and Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey.  They are pretty close in terms of quality and the way they taste to most folks.   You can be drinking pretty good liquor in either of those categories for $30.00 a bottle or less.   Some bourbons you might want to try are Bulleit , Buffalo Trace ,  Henry McKenna or Knob Creek and in the Tennessee category Jack Daniels is world famous but I think George Dickel does it better.

[WeTheArmed.com]

[Mississippi556]

. . . If you are fond of Scotch just about anything mentioned on the last page of this thread qualifies.   When most folks step up from the blended stuff to a single malt they usually go for a 10 year old Speyside.  That's a nice step up in quality without having to take out a second mortgage on the house.   They are generally smooth, well balanced spirits suitable for drinking straight or with a little water.  Some examples are  Balvenie, Cragganmore, The Glenlivet, Glen Moray and Speyburn.   

. . . and in the Tennessee category Jack Daniels is world famous but I think George Dickel does it better.

Well said.   JW Blue is outrageously expensive.  I personally fail to recognize its perceived quality beyond the much more affordable JW Black, as far as good blends go.   

But, please, try one of the single malts recommended above.  I'd add two more options for the beginner:   Glenmorangie Original and Highland Park 12.  I usually recommend these two for those who have never tried single malts before.  They may be more widely available than some on Coelcanth's short list above, except that Balvenie's DoubleWood is a nice expression of that distillery that is widely available, and of course The Glenlivet.

Usually when asked by someone that has never tasted single malt, beyond perhaps the very ordinary Glenfiddich 12, I recommend Highland Park 12.  It has everything going for it, but in subtle ways.   It's like a good Speyside but with just a touch of maritime and a bit more smoke.   The so called "experts" typically rate it as the best "all arounder."   Ask a Scot what he or she drinks at home, however, and the answer is likely to be Glenmorangie Original and NOT any blend.

[Canthros]

JW Blue is a lot (a lot) smoother than the Red or Black. I think I prefer the Green, though (more interesting, IMHO), and I hear the Gold is better.

[Mississippi556]

JW Blue is a lot (a lot) smoother than the Red or Black. I think I prefer the Green, though (more interesting, IMHO), and I hear the Gold is better.

Green is very interesting.  It's a vatted malt.  Which means it is a blend of several individual single malts -- no grain alcohol added as in commercial blends.  It is comprised of four individual single malts, bottled at 15 years.  The current line up is Cragganmore from the heart of Speyside, Caol Isla from Islay, Talisker from Skye and Linkwood from the lower Speyside closer to the mouth of the Spey and the North Sea.  I love it, but do not recommend it to newcomers.  Sort of a sensory overload.

The JW parent company, Diagio, owns a huge number of the famous single malt distilleries, over 20, if memory serves me right.  Whisky making in Scotland is a very closed society with all but a few of the distilleries owned by huge conglomerates who work like cartels in deciding which distilleries operate in which years, which batches to release as single malts, which to hold back, which to use for blending, and how much to put on the market at any given time.   They control supply and minimize competition both from product and pricing.  At any given time there are only about 50 distilleries in production, almost all of which are owned by three companies who very carefully coordinate what they do.  They'll deny it, but I know it to be true (a story for another day).

[MTK20]

Green is very interesting.  It's a vatted malt.  Which means it is a blend of several individual single malts -- no grain alcohol added as in commercial blends.  It is comprised of four individual single malts, bottled at 15 years.  The current line up is Cragganmore from the heart of Speyside, Caol Isla from Islay, Talisker from Skye and Linkwood from the lower Speyside closer to the mouth of the Spey and the North Sea.  I love it, but do not recommend it to newcomers.  Sort of a sensory overload.

The JW parent company, Diagio, owns a huge number of the famous single malt distilleries, over 20, if memory serves me right.  Whisky making in Scotland is a very closed society with all but a few of the distilleries owned by huge conglomerates who work like cartels in deciding which distilleries operate in which years, which batches to release as single malts, which to hold back, which to use for blending, and how much to put on the market at any given time.   They control supply and minimize competition both from product and pricing.  At any given time there are only about 50 distilleries in production, almost all of which are owned by three companies who very carefully coordinate what they do.  They'll deny it, but I know it to be true (a story for another day).

I may not know the difference between a single malt or Tennessee mash, etc . But the story you described sounds very interesting. One day you should tell it  . In fact that's kind of why I posted here. It seems like there are quite a few people here with well seasoned taste, I'll make sure to get a "proper" start  .

[coyotesfan97]

Has anyone here had Moab Brewery Scottish Ale?  I'm looking to find here in AZ. I'm hoping Bevmo or Total Wine has it.


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[louie the lumberjack]

Has anyone here had Moab Brewery Scottish Ale?  I'm looking to find here in AZ. I'm hoping Bevmo or Total Wine has it.

I believe it's a 90 Schilling.  Its not bad but nothing to write home about, and I prefer Four Peaks Kiltliffter to it.  Thought the latter may be more because I cannot find it in CO.  Couldn't tell you where exactly to find it back home but I've had good luck picking up hard to find labels at Tops in Tempe.

louie the lumberjack

[Grant]

 One thing that's funny: Is certain alcohol a regional thing?  I've looked for the various Johnny Walker's around here and it's dang tough to find.  Gotta go about 150 miles to the regions "big" city to find any.   I ain't tried it but want to.

   

[coyotesfan97]

Nah it's not 90 Shillings. Here's the link and thanks for the tip about the store. I'll definitely go there.

http://www.themoabbrewery.com/select.html


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[louie the lumberjack]

Nah it's not 90 Shillings.

  Now I have to drive to Castle Rock to see if they still have it. Most of what I buy are bombers.

louie the lumberjack

[Outbreak]

Lately, it's been Shiner Ruby Redbird (similar to Summer Shandy). Tonight, however, I supplied a 12-pack of Shiner Bock (it was cold at the store, Ruby Redbird was not) for the softball game, and oddly, I ended up bringing some home. So time to finish it off.

[coelacanth]

Well said.   JW Blue is outrageously expensive.  I personally fail to recognize its perceived quality beyond the much more affordable JW Black, as far as good blends go.   

But, please, try one of the single malts recommended above.  I'd add two more options for the beginner:   Glenmorangie Original and Highland Park 12.  I usually recommend these two for those who have never tried single malts before.  They may be more widely available than some on Coelcanth's short list above, except that Balvenie's DoubleWood is a nice expression of that distillery that is widely available, and of course The Glenlivet.

Usually when asked by someone that has never tasted single malt, beyond perhaps the very ordinary Glenfiddich 12, I recommend Highland Park 12.  It has everything going for it, but in subtle ways.   It's like a good Speyside but with just a touch of maritime and a bit more smoke.   The so called "experts" typically rate it as the best "all arounder."   Ask a Scot what he or she drinks at home, however, and the answer is likely to be Glenmorangie Original and NOT any blend.

No argument from me on Highland Park.  It is always on the short list.  I actually prefer the Balvenie 10yo to the DoubleWood but there's no accounting for taste.      Glenmorangie is also excellent but is actually not a Speyside but a highland malt as I recall.  I was keeping the list to Speyside's for purposes of simplicity.  They are generally easier to find in stores with limited selection and for the beginner the whole snooty aspect of the single malt afficionado can be a little bewildering and sometimes downright irritating.  To a man who just wants a drink of good whisky anything previously listed will do until he gets his own experience to guide him. 

[Mississippi556]

Something interesting I just picked up.  Balcones Single Malt Whisky.  Haven't tried it yet.  Cask strength - 53% by volume.  Single barrel production.  No age stated.  Waco Texas.  Go figure.   Nice to see something good come out of Waco.

Will report impressions after tasting a dram or two.

http://www.balconesdistilling.com/singlemalt

[MTK20]

Something interesting I just picked up.  Balcones Single Malt Whisky.  Haven't tried it yet.  Cask strength - 53% by volume.  Single barrel production.  No age stated.  Waco Texas.  Go figure.   Nice to see something good come out of Waco.

Will report impressions after tasting a dram or two.

http://www.balconesdistilling.com/singlemalt

Waco you say?!?  . Be sure to tell if it's worth picking up  .

[FMJ]

I had "Black Butte" Porter today.  It's from Oregon.

I am pleased with it.

[coyotesfan97]

Regardless of what your FB friend thought about the Pale Ale Deschutes makes good beer.


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[FMJ]

I trust your tastes in beer (and dogs) better anyway, CF97.

[coyotesfan97]

Sweet


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[Chrissmitty820]

Waco you say?!?  . Be sure to tell if it's worth picking up  .

Figure it would taste a little smoky

:rimshot

[MTK20]

Figure it would taste a little smoky

:rimshot

Not cool  .

[Chrissmitty820]

What? Too soon? 

[Gunnguy]

Once asked someone in my family that made moonshine how old was the last batch he had made.
He said they'd just got through cutting the cord and spanking it.
 

[coelacanth]

Yup.  They usually wait 'til the still quits running before they drink it but that's just so they don't waste any.

[booksmart]

Once asked someone in my family that made moonshine how old was the last batch he had made.
He said they'd just got through cutting the cord and spanking it.
 

Reminds me of the old TV show, AlieNation, where the alien species gets drunk off spoiled milk.

James Caan's character takes a swig, belches, and says "Mmm, that was a good week."

[FMJ]

I had another Deschutes Porter with my dinner which was beef burgundy.

Later on when I shot the s___ with my buddy, I tried a Lagunitas Imperial Stout.  IDK if it was just me or whatever but this beautiful dark stout tasted a lot like Arrogant Bastard Ale which happens to taste very much like Lagunitas IPA for some reason.  Then again the IP is from Lagunitas.  Maybe this brewery just likes hopping up all of their beers.

I am a little curious about their "Pils" pilsner offering.