Newbie

[Kelemvor]

So... I'm severely new to Scotch. Traditionally, I have been a wine drinker and just didn't ever try Scotch because I associated all bourbon's the same and I simply didn't enjoy the taste of bourbon. Fast forward... To be perfectly honest, I had a buddy get me into Scotch and we would drink Macallan on occasion on the rocks. I bought my first bottle of Macallan 10 yr fine oak and started off with a little water and then just started sipping it straight. Honestly, didn't care for it that much at first, but found that it went great with a cigar. Now, I'm really starting to enjoy the taste. I just sip it straight. I bought a bottle of 12 yr tonight and even though I'm obviously no connoisseur, I can tell the difference and am really enjoying this one.

Should I just stick with Macallan even though it's a bit pricey as I already know that I enjoy it, or do I branch out as I've done with various wines over the years?

In general, what category does Macallan fit under? Is it a peaty kind? I can pick out various flavors such as honey, caramel, etc.. but I have no idea what a peat scotch would taste like but I don't think I would enjoy it.

I'm honestly shocked that I'm enjoying this stuff. I find it to be an acquired taste but seem to have acquired it faster than I would have thought. I enjoy a small scotch followed by a glass of wine. Go figure.

[michael]

Welcome to the forum. You can look through some of the Whisky Suggestion threads here: http://www.whisky.com/forum/tags.php?tag=whisky+suggestions

[Brussell]

Macallan bottles over 12 years are pretty pricey. I personally find the 12 year overpriced as well, but that's just me.

And OF COURSE you should stick with scotch, are you crazy?

Macallan fits under the category of sherry scotch, and is made in the speyside region of Scotland. Sherry means it is aged quite a bit in barrels once used for holding sherry wine. Most scotch whiskies are aged in used bourbon barrels, then some distillers put them in other kinds of barrels for a while to give them unique flavors. Sherry whiskies are more floral and sweet.

Peaty whiskies smell of smoke. A lot of people will ask if they have had a pest whisky before by giving names of what they've tried, or will ask if a whisky is a pest whisky. Trust me, you will know when you have peat whisky. You will open the bottle and be certain someone stored a campfire in there. And you'll know you had it because the next morning your mouth will still taste like you ate the ashes of the campfire they stored in that bottle. I'm not a fan of them, but a huge amount of people are. I just can't stand their taste, but I hear it goes well with meat.

I would most definitely branch out. Even after you find a favorite, keep sampling and trying new things.

Also, we are lucky you stuck with us after having the 10 year fine oak. I had to have a friend prevent me from pouring that gag water down the sink (seeing as I had to pay $50 for it).