What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[PhilsFan]

While buying Weller 12 yesterday, one of the salespeople pointed me to a display of Highland Park 12 for $29.95. It got me curious about scotch so I've been checking out the posts in this thread and HP seems to get good reviews. Would HP be a good intro scotch for a guy like me who's never had it, or as a beginner, should I start with another brand?

-Joe

[mozilla]

I am new into Scotch...having tasted quite a few but really never buying a bottle for the home front. While picking up some gifts, I spotted a bottle that peeked my interest a few months past. So, today I am having a pour of ROYAL JUBILEE De Luxe Scotch Whisky 86 proof. From my research, it shows 1991 as the label approval date with not too much more information. Gordon Chasetime is the Propriator.

It is a really wonderful little whisky. Has plenty of smoke with bits of peat and iodine. I wish I could compare it to something but I don't partake in SMSW enough to be accurate...an island would be my guess for some of the blending stock, though it does not say blended or single malt on the label. There is definately some bourbon barrel char in the finish.

I give it the thumbs up. I will try to get my Scotch legs under me for future tasting notes.

BTW, there is no UPC on the bottle.

[Megawatt]

While buying Weller 12 yesterday, one of the salespeople pointed me to a display of Highland Park 12 for $29.95. It got me curious about scotch so I've been checking out the posts in this thread and HP seems to get good reviews. Would HP be a good intro scotch for a guy like me who's never had it, or as a beginner, should I start with another brand?

-Joe

Highland Park may or may not be a good start. It is a very balanced whisky with most of the elements people look for (honey, fruit, smokey peat, oak, etc). However, if you are not used to the slightly medicinal taste of peat smoke, it might be off-putting. It is not the smokiest Scotch on the market by any stretch, though.

The Balvenie Doublewood was the first single malt to really blow me away. It is not very smokey at all, and has a rich, fruity taste with a great finish and an incredible smell. I would definitely recommend it.

The Glenlivet 12 is also well-rounded and probably good for a newcomer. It is usually cheaper than most of the others as well.

But hell, for that price you can't go wrong with Highland Park 12. It goes for $52 in Ontario (Canadian dollars, mind you).

[TBoner]

Michael Jackson has called Highland Park "the best all-rounder" in Scotch. I think it's a great place to start since it's inexpensive and contains the various elements that are most prominent in Scotch - peat, salt, sherry influence, malt, vanilla, etc. - in beautiful balance. If you find an element you don't like, you can then branch out and buy whisky without that flavor component so prominently featured.

Regards,

[JamesW]

I agree with the last 2 posts. The HP12 is an excellent scotch. At $30 it is an absolute steal. I would also pay heed to the advice of getting the Balvenie 12yr Doublewood. I won't say anymore as Megawatt has threatened to quit the forum if I mention it again

[barturtle]

Michael Jackson has called Highland Park "the best all-rounder" in Scotch.

I agree with the gloved one on the HP issue.

[TBoner]

Timothy, so do I, so I'm having a pour from a new bottle: good as any I've ever had. Around here, the 12 can be had for $31 if you know where to look, and I can find the 18 for $66, which is a tremendous value. The 15yo I don't care for so much.

Regards,

[PhilsFan]

But hell, for that price you can't go wrong with Highland Park 12. It goes for $52 in Ontario (Canadian dollars, mind you).

Michael Jackson has called Highland Park "the best all-rounder" in Scotch. I think it's a great place to start since it's inexpensive and contains the various elements that are most prominent in Scotch - peat, salt, sherry influence, malt, vanilla, etc. - in beautiful balance. If you find an element you don't like, you can then branch out and buy whisky without that flavor component so prominently featured.

Regards,

I agree with the last 2 posts. The HP12 is an excellent scotch. At $30 it is an absolute steal.

I agree with the gloved one on the HP issue.

Timothy, so do I, so I'm having a pour from a new bottle: good as any I've ever had.
Regards,

Guys, thanks for the advice....I'll pick up some HP and give it a try!

-Joe

[ILLfarmboy]

We just got back from Iowa City. We stopped in Davenport and had an early supper. It has been a long day. We got up before four this morning and hit the road at five. Anyhow, I had a healthy pour of JW black as a pre-diner cocktail that carried over into the meal. It went quite well with the chicken scampi. A very healthy pour (close to three onces) and it only cost 6.75.

[Megawatt]

Just had some Dun Bheagan Islay 1999. Very smokey and ashen at first. Given time, it opens up with sweet, creamy malt and sherry. Peppery, peaty finish.

Now onto The Arran Malt Single Cask, Napolean cognac finish. It's a cask-strength, unchillfiltered, uncoloured island malt, about as pure as you can get if you don't count the cask finish. Has virtually no taste or smell at full strength. With water, it opens up immensely. It's hot on the nose, with an almost perfumed fruit aroma. On the palate, the fruit is followed by massive spice, an explosion of flavour. It's quite hot, probably due to its youth. Just a bit of peat in the finish, and when you sniff the empty glass.

I must admit that I accidentally inhaled a small amount while taking a sip, and I almost died. IT BURNS! But at the same time, it tasted so good. Something about choking on whisky really brings out the flavour...