Whisky / Whiskey / Bourbon

almost universally positive reviews

.. is surely the most likely to impress a new whisky drinker.

Have had some Balcones recently, the Texas Single Malt is superb, as is the Baby Blue Corn Whiskey. Not cheap but so nice for a treat.

I don't mind the Balcones - it's halfway between a bourbon and a single malt for me. Distilled, ironically, near Waco, which is a conservative Baptist haven. Baylor University didn't allow dances on campus until the 90s.

Not had the Baby Blue Corn. Will keep an eye out for it. If you can find the Pappy Van Winkle Rye Whisky give that a shot. Posh moonshine but quite nice really.

.. is surely the most likely to impress a new whisky drinker.

they're all wrong

loving the Laphroaig at the moment when I don't have Lagavulin 16 or Ardbeg Uigeadail on the go.........

best boast post ever^^^
except laphroaig is rank

no, it's not, it's lush....

shuttit tears - where do I know that name from?

no, it's not, it's lush....

shuttit tears - where do I know that name from?

Laphroaig is lovely esp the quarter cask. If you mean username, it's blade runner

blade runner? eh?

BLADE RUNNER - I've seen things - YouTube

^^It's this psychotic runner guy who shoots people - it's on right now, if you have BBC News.

they're all wrong

No.

Because science.

Highland Park

or Macallan I'd say

+1. Was going to recommend Macallan myself, particularly over Highland Park. Macallan is a classic, a fine example of the character of that region and they know how to look after it. Highland Park used to be a classic and they fucked it up. Also, the quality is hugely variable.

As for Laphroaig, I do like it but it's also a bit of a novelty whisky. Introductory only in a "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough" sense. Hence very popular with students and heavy smokers. If you want to try out Islay whiskies, maybe start with Bowmore.

he specified 'not too peaty' hence I thought lowlands might suit

Tah for all the suggestions. I had been looking at a bottle of jura 10 year old. How would that fair? Or would I be better off trying a bottle of teachers/ bells? Jura gets a lot of praise on here I've noticed, so maybe that has influenced the idea of trying it

jura is lovely. all 4 types win over any of that other shite

bleurgh, you'll put the guy off for life with that shite IMO - never have I been so underwhelmed by something that gets almost universally positive reviews - still got 3/4 of a bottle and it's not going down any.....

How long ago did you buy it? I've heard that the latest bottling isn't very good.

Teachers and Bells are just bitter, weak tea.

I've got a bottle of Laphroaig 10 yr I'm realistically a long way from even opening. Was a present, and not my fave, even of the Islays. Anybody want to take it off my hands? Supermarkets seem to have it at £33-34. Any takers at £25, or happy to do swapsies for something else?

I love rum, but no-one else in the house does, dad only drinks cognac or brandy and mum steers clear of spirits. Whats a good introductory choice? Not too peaty either

Its a question that probably gets asked a lot so I should just UTFS

Yamizaki 12 yr

Oliverball

http://www.malts.com/index.php/en_gb/Choosing-Whisky/A-World-of-Flavour/The-Single-Malt-Whisky-Flavour-Map

I've a Glenmorangie 10 yr old, that's not too peaty, but with a nicely balanced flavour. It's very tasty, see where it falls on the map I've linked too, nice and central. Lovely choice, quality dram and a perfect introduction.

I also recommend the Macallan, it may not be what you're looking for, but also very pleasant. My tastes are pretty wide ranging though, see the Talisker 10? Also very tasty, totally different and heavy on the palate.

Good luck

Oh and Hi to all you Whiskey fans out there. First time in this thread for me

I used to live a few miles from Glengoyne Distillery (the southernmost highland distillery if I remember correctly) they don't use peat in their process and so it tastes quite 'light' but doesn't have that trad 'whiskey' vibe, so again, not a good first timer's drink as it's not indicative of a 'normal' whiskey. If the peaty flave is too much then give Glengoyne a try though

Asda doing an own brand 'Islay' and 'Highlands' single malt for twenty dorrah at the moment.

And after a week of testing myself and offering it to 11 other people it is considered a win.

It's not a 12yr plus old by any means but for £20 it's a very good 10yr.

my favourite

Went to Royal Lochnagar distillery today. Mrs Ball bought me a bottle of this for me birthday in a week or two

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-19991.aspx