Hello from Chi-Town... Advise, etc?
 

Hey Gents, its your boy face (cundiff5535) droppin in from Chicago! I am very new to drinking Scotch but, already addicted. To give you some quick background on myself... I was a huge shot guy and to be honest, binge drinker....I would go from Tequilla's to Jager to... really anything that I could throw down in a 1oz glass:)

I transitioned to Vodka and had a very nice Vodka collection (even though this wasnt always the case)! I used to just mix a lot of stuff... Kettle and____ you name it. The thing that I do not like about Vodka, is that the goal (at least for me) is to have as little taste/bite/etc as possible...

As I have gotten older, I have had a few different Bar tending jobs (side jobs)... I call it "having some skin in the game". When I say this, I mean that working in some higher end bar's, folks would often times buy me samples of alcohol instead of tipping me... With that, I have gotten to try out a good amount of different things.

Since I have a family now, a job that doesn't allow me to stay out all night, and actual responsibility... I rarely booze to get drunk... just to enjoy the taste and flavors or what I am diving into. I have found that Scotch is where its at when it comes to this!! I am very new to the game but, I think I am off on the right path (this is where you all say yep... or no, lol)?

Since I am a new guy, all I have to go on is past experience of other booze, what some of my friends tell me, and what I read online/watch online.

I will confess... I have no clue what batch numbers are yet, I don't know edict or even proper drinking glasses for specific Scotches. However-- I am getting somewhat familiar with different regions and distilleries! I by no means have that down yet but, I am hoping with you help I will learn a lot!

This brings me to what I currently own and am sipping on! I have made my buying decisions solely based on what I have tasted in the past, what I have read online, and what one friend who has been drinking scotch for a while says!

Here is whats open in my cabinet... and loving them all!
Aberlour 12
Aberlour 16
Aberlour A'bunadh
Ardberg Uigeadail
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig 15
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
The Macallan 15 Oak
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
Monkey Shoulder
Red Breast 12 (Irish Whiskey)
Woodford Double Oak (Burbon)

I would love to hear what you all think of what I have, recommendations, feedback or help with learning, etc!

I am as addicted to buying different kinds of Whiskey Scotches as I am Firearms... they can both get expensive but, are fun and worth every penny!

Looking forward to hearing and chatting with you all!

Cheers,
Face

Aberlour 12 - I love it for a value whisky. Compares well with Macallan 12 and Balvenie 12 Doublewood.

Aberlour 16 - now THIS is one of my favorites. Spicy, smooth, and just such a great whisky. Offers a lot at a decent price point.

Aberlour A'bunadh - now this one is a POWERHOUSE! I love this whisky, but it is not for the newbie (or at least not for the uninitiated to full-strength liquors!). This compares with Macallan Cask Strength and Glenfarclas 105, but beats both.

Ardberg Uigeadail - outstanding! This is a wonderful Islay at a good price-point. It compares with Lagavulin 12, in that it is a full-strength Islay with a sherry influence.

Laphroaig 10 - good Islay.
Laphroaig 15 - better Islay.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask - great value.
The Macallan 15 Oak
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban - very good, but try the Nector D'Or.
Monkey Shoulder
Red Breast 12 (Irish Whiskey)
Woodford Double Oak (Burbon)


Me, too!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95...010251151c.jpg

Very Very nice!! Huge 1911 fan... I have 15 Kimbers and around 10 Colt 1911's... 5 or 6 Colt Pythons as well.

You own all those in Chi-Town? Chicago? Really? Hmmmm.... I thought Chicago had a ban on handguns...

Regardless, very nice collection. I only have one Kimber, the rest are Colts. The Kimber was my first 1911.

I love my 4" Python. It remains how I bought it: unfired.

Lol, oh yes... Liberal Chicago gun laws...

Fortunately I live in the burbs but label myself as a Chicagoian... Mist folks are not going to know what Mokena is if they live outside the state.

Maybe ill post some pics of booze and pistols:)

I'm sorry, jwise, but that's just a disturbing image...to each his own, I guess.

That's my ATF pic: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Just three of my favorite things.