I just bought a bottle of Glen Morray 12yr. I haven't cracked it yet. Good? Not good? General thoughts? I know it isn't top shelf stuff, but I don't have the means to drop $80 on a really good one.

I can't speak for your choice but I picked up a bottle of Macallan 12 this evening and I have to say, it may be my new goto scotch. It's really "oaky", I love it! I was a Glenlivet man before, might have a new favorite.

I had Glenfiddich 12 yr the other week and really enjoyed that one.

So where does Famous Grouse stand in the scotch world? Good, bad, middle of the road?

If we were talking bourbons, what would Famous Grouse equate to?

I'm asking because I bought a bottle at a duty free shop while on vacation because I wanted to try scotch. Well, I tried it, and either Famous Grouse sucks, or I don't have the palate for scotch. It tastes to me a little like tequila, which I hate.

I'm not sure if I should give some other scotch's a try, or just stick to my favorite bourbons like Blanton's.

I drink nothing under 30.

I'm by no means knowledgable, however I've found that the difference from a 12 to a 20 is pretty substantial. It's enought to make me wait until I can afford a 20. I normally go with Glenlivet.

Famous Grouse is a good affordable scotch that is mild in flavor. Sweet, and a very lite smoke. If you find it offensive, you are probably not going to like some of the more flavor robust scotches out there.

As for your bourbon comparison, I'd say its the jim beam of the scotch world.

Triple 4...Macallan 12 is what got me drinking scotch. It was the first one where I was able to taste the different "flavors" in it. I keep a bottle of it around and take it over a couple ice cubes. Some people drink it straight, but I like it over just a couple pieces of ice in an insulated cup (one of those double walled plastic ones) so the ice doesn't melt too fast.

CinchAg...try a good single malt before you give up on scotch. It takes me the same time to drink a single bottle of single malt as it does a handle of Famous Grouse or Johnny Walker. I don't know if that is because I savor it more or I just want my money to last, but if you can by it in a "handle" (1.75L), it isn't fine enough.

Try an Aberlour as it is priced decently and isn't too smokey and not peaty in any way.

There is a reason they call Famous Grouse the "dirty bird".

Glen Moray is good. You picked out a good one.

Famous Grouse = Jim Beam White. Not terrible, but not really notable either.

The biggest difference between scotch and bourbon is that all bourbons have some level of sweetness to them that is simply not tolerated in scotch. If you can't get past the dryness of scotch, it is never going to fit you palate.

However, the world of scotch is wide and varied. A good highland scotch can go down smooth as water, with nice soft and velvety flavors. A nice islay scotch has good peat and brine and packs a full-mouth punch of flavor.

The real problem with scotch is that it is simply more expensive. To get a scotch that is as good of quality as a heavy hitter like Blanton's, you are going to need to drop $75 or so for a bottle.

If you are serious about trying new things, you should bite the bullet and go to a good bar and try 3 or 4 $12 drams of scotch. Start with a nice smooth highland, then something peppery / leathery, and finish with a big Islay, and see what you like.

If you like blanton's I would think that you would go for something more bold than a highland scotch, so don't stop at Glenlivet.

Speysides are nice as well along with the Highland Malts

Two weeks ago in England. Heaven.

My favorites are the Islay. Particularly Lagavulin 16. It is a very peaty scotch and worth the price at about $80 a bottle.

[This message has been edited by AgNav93 (edited 4/20/2011 3:01p).]

The funny thing is, I'm not a bourbon fan at all. Always seems rough to me. Yet a single malt with a couple ice cubes goes down much smoother. But everyone says that bourbon is sweeter, but to me it's definitely not smoother. I dunno.

FlyArmy,
Those brits know how to drink in a way that we will never measure up to.

Cool, gotta try me some Sheep Dip.

Balvenie doublewood is my favorite 'go to' scotch. Love that stuff and at $40 isn't that bad price wise

My BIL got me into drinking scotch. He drinks the Balvenie Doublewood. I have to say it's not my favorite. I started buying the Glenlivet 12 and have been drinking it ever sense. I bought a bottle of Glenlivet 18 and the taste wasn't worth the extra money. I've been meaning to be buying some other brands and finally made it to Specs yesterday evening and picked up a bottle of Macallan 12. Awesome choice! That **** is gooood! There will definitely be a bottle of that resting in my liquor cabinet at all times. Got lots of other varieties to try though.

The Glen Moray is fine. I Picked some up on sale at Spec's for $30. Sure you can pay more, bt nothing wrong with this stuff. I believe it was owned by one of the more famous distillers and they sold it.

CT - I agree. It ins't so much that they could drink, but they could pound down the ales, cider, and whiskey...and then still be productive at work the next day.

I was very humbled, and I came prepared.

sheep dip


jameson is the best scotch i have tasted

Inspired by this post I bought some Macallen 12 ill let yall know how it is.

Macallen 12 is really good IMO. My problem with scotch is I have trouble sipping and can get torn up really fast. I love it but try not to dring it too often.

Oh my mom and dad told me I would become an alcoholic if I started drinking scotch. It doesn't take me too long to get raked on scotch, but I sleep good for some reason.

Nothing beats a good scotch drunk.

Picked up a bottle of Glenfiddich 15....definitely worth the extra cost over a 12.

glenlivet's not a bad bottle for a low price. It's definitely drinkable

Opened the bottle last night. I was pleasantly surprised. I liked it. Though I wish it had a little bit more smoke, but all in all it is a very smooth whisky

No matter how many I try, I just cannot find a scotch I like. I'm not a big fan of bourbons, either, unless they're mixed with coke. LSRR, try Irish... they're MUCH sweeter than scotch & bourbon, and I can drink Jameson all day (and tried to, once )

I used to dearly love jameson. Then I got down one night and proceded to drink the WHOLE fifth in about 20 minutes. The last thing I actually remember was holding the back of a friends chair and asking him if I could puke in the bathroom or outside....

if you want smoke, you need to try Laphroaig. Once I polish off my current bottle of Laphroaig I believe I will try the Lagavulin 16. I want to try the Laphroaig Quarter Cask and 18yo but I havent found it yet (Specs in Conroe hasnt had it recently)