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Originally Posted by Dale
The iodine aromas and flavors come from a type of peat which is composed of seaweed in its vegetative make up. Point being, not all peated whiskies have an iodine component. The JW Black has very little of it, as it is a blend of many whiskies. That said, you're obviously sensitive to it, but will probably grow to appreciate it in time.
For full effect of it, if you're out in a bar somewhere and see Laphroaig, Ardbeg or Lagavulin, a dram of any of them will show you an iodine component in heavy proportion.
Looking at your other post and like of JD and Bushmills honey, break yourself into the Scottish single malts with unpeated Speyside whiskies - especially those aged in sherry casks. Classic Speyside whisky is known for a fruity and floral aromas and flavors and your Christmas spices. Think fruitcake. Macallan 12, Glenfarclas, Aberlour and Glenrothes are good starters and their base expressions are generally less than $50.
You'll find Macallan in many bars, thus, a price of a drink will save you the better part of $50.
Finally, if you want to try a tempered by sherry cask peated whisky that does have a little iodine component, try Benromach 10. It is a fantastic whisky that has the sweetness of first fill sherry casks and the complexity of classic Speyside with a touch of peat. Very complex. For me, it is probably my favorite 10 year whisky because it gives me a little of every thing I love about whisky.
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This is an incredible post and the descriptions you give are the exact kind I wish all whisky aficionados would use, instead of the spices, flowers and all that wrack most of the recent reviews I've been reading lately.
Also thank you for helping me to at least partially understand that iodine is possibly something I like quite a bit, as I love
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Originally Posted by CaptainHoneySmacks
Well, I would provide an update. I tried Chivas, Red Label, and Dewar's(Sample mini bottles). I managed to get some of the Chivas down, but the Red label was too potent with Iodine for me to be able to take more than a sip. I think maybe Islay and I are simply not meant to be. I think I will shop around and try some of the Speyside. Part of me would feel guilty if I bought a $40 bottle of Macallan and ended up not liking it. As long as it doesn't have the iodine taste though, I shouldn't have a problem with it.
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Don't disservice yourself by judging Islay malts from Chivas, Dewar's and Johnny Walker. I gave away the only bottle of JW I've ever bought and it was Black Label.
If you get a chance, try a taste of Laphroaig 10, and give it a few days of small samplings to see if your palate adjusts to it, as mine did. Now one of my favorites.
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
I too am just starting to try Scotch. I usually drink Bourbon. I opened a bottle of Johnny Walker Red and found it unappealing. What could I mix it with to temper out the iodine flavor. I hate to waste a bottle.
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Whiskies I don't like seem to become normally drinkable with a few ice cubes added.