Which order to drink both Bourbon & Scotch?

[jinenjo]

I am not sure if this belongs in this section, although it contains relevant content to Bourbon.

This is a question I've been asking myself, so I thought I'd get some additional comments from the forum:

When drinking both Bourbon and Scotch in one sitting (or evening), which order do you prefer?

I have tended toward having Scotch first. Because of the sweeter qualities of bourbon, I treat the whiskey tasting as if it were a meal: savory, then sweet (main course, dessert). I know the question arises as to what style of either whiskey, especially as it pertains to Scotch (i.e. Sherry cask, Islay, etc.), but I typically follow the above rule of thumb.

What say you?

[spun_cookie]

I'd say, start with the bourbon and give the scotch away .. but really, the scotch is lighter, but the peat can alter the taste of the bourbon.. So I say, very light/no peat Scotch first, bourbon, then heavy peat Scotches... my 2-cents

[Chupacabras]

I guess it depends on your style. The "proper" way to drink Scotch is with water, diluting it to a level that's appalling to many Bourbon folks (diluting to 40 proof is not outside the norm). The point of the massive dilution is to keep from anesthetizing the pallet. Bourbon, being the bull in a china shop, should follow since it's best appreciated neat, hence you'll be dealing with a somewhat numb tongue that may not be right followed by the subtler Scotch.

I usually start with one neat Scotch (if I'm going to drink it in a social setting), then drink neat Bourbon whilst making fun of everyone else for not drinking neat Bourbon the way I do.

And Heaven help you if you pour a Limoncello.

[OldJack]

I'd say, start with the bourbon and give the scotch away

Honestly, that would be my approach, unless the host had a particular Scotch they wanted me or perhaps everyone to try. As a rule, I always drink what the host gives me.

Other than that, give me bourbon!

[ILLfarmboy]

Normaly, I would say scotch before bourbon, but spun_cookie's point about peat monsters after bourbon has a great deal of merit. I'm not a real big peat freak and I usualy don't drink bourbon and scotch on the same night so Ill take his word for it.

[jburlowski]

Usually separated by at least several weeks....

[Stu]

As I'm typing I'm enjoying a pour of Elmer T. When my wife gets home, I'll clear my pallet with water and join her on the back deck for a glass of malt. I can go either way as long as I cleanse my pallet in between, but if I had to choose, I'd prefer the Scotch last, since thats what I'm accustomed to having.

[sku]

I think it depends on the particular Bourbons and Scotches you are tasting. The key, of course, is not letting one taste overwhelm the next so putting them in an order where that won't happen. As a result, I tend to go light to heavy. I would put cask strength or strongly flavored whiskies (rye, peated Scotch) last.

I recently hosted a tasting of multiple types of whiskies that I had lined up in the following order:

1. Redbreast 12 year old Irish whiskey

2. Dahlwhinnie 15 year old Scotch

3. George Dickel No. 12

4. Eagle Rare 17 yo

5. Lagavulin 12 yo cask strength

I thought the order worked well.

[dave ziegler]

I always Start With Beer and a shot of Scotch and Finish up with a shot of Bourbon! I love Mixing things up and have been known to drink 2 to 3 different Shots with 2 or 3 Different Beers!

This is done just to see what I can taste the Best since being sick last year and wakes up my Taste when I am having throat troubles!

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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