Question About Single Malts

[Rodrigo]

Hello.
At this very moment, I am going through some sort of love/hate relationship with whisky. I like drinking in general, like drinking beer, wine, and some spirits such as rum and vodka (these two usually combined).

For some months now I've been drinking blended whisky with coke and I really like it, I actually stopped drinking rum and vodka in favour of it. This has made me try it alone, but when I do so, there's something I don't really like. I've researched on how to drink it, I add a bit of water and smell the whisky, then take some sips. Thing is there is something ruining the moment for me when I swallow, and I can't really appreciate what it is. I totally love the taste that remains after swallowing and I also like the smell, it is something to do in the middle.

I've been drinking Johnny Walker's Black Label, Chivas Regal 12 yo and J&B lately. J&B I just can't stand alone, simply smelling it I can tell I won't like it. The other two are way better but I still get this problem.

So what I wanted to ask is, are single malts easier to drink? These blended whiskys might have some whiskys I just don't like, ruining the experience. Maybe trying out some of the not peaty, not smoky single malts could be the best way to start.

Checked the other day and I can get my hands for sure on a 12 yo Glenfiddich, 10 yo Glenmorangie and 12 yo Cardhu (living in Canary Islands so there's not such a variety of malts, will continue searching for other malts). If trying a single malt is the answer, would one of those be suitable for me?

Thanks in advance

[Gwhacker]

I do a survey of local whisky dealers to keep an eye on who's selling what. The Glenfiddich 12 is the only single malt sold at every store I track. I think you can't go wrong with such a popular dram. Personally, I find it light hearted and quite drinkable. Even if you hate it, you'll be able to serve it to any scotch loving guest!

[Rodrigo]

Will try that one out then. Heard about some liquor shop, will go there somewhere this week to see what they have available. Asume it's a matter of trying out different whiskys and finding out the one that suits me.

Thanks.

[Gwhacker]

Originally Posted by Rodrigo

Will try that one out then. Heard about some liquor shop, will go there somewhere this week to see what they have available. Asume it's a matter of trying out different whiskys and finding out the one that suits me.

Thanks.

That's the right idea!

[Arctic Wolf]

My advice is for you to quit doing what you think you should do, and instead do what you want to do. The snobs out there will try to tell you that whisky should be sipped straight or at best with a splash of water.... but the actual persons who do the blending and distilling will tell you a completely different story. I know I have spoken to a few of them.

I sip my single malts with a splash of sprite or 7 up. I don't care what some whisky snob has to say about that. I recently finished a 25 year old bottle of Mortlach and thoroughly enjoyed every sip mixed with sprite except for the few 'Rusty Nails" I drank. Drinking it straight was too much of a challenge for my palate.

The trick is to slowly add your mix until you find the ratio that works for you. Over time this will change and you will appreciate many spirits neat. But its too much to expect of your taste buds to change overnight. Do what tastes good and damn the consequences!

[Rodrigo]

Totally agree, though the main reason I have been trying to drink it with water alone is because actually I really like the taste of whisky when mixing, and sometimes it felt as if mixing it would only take some of that taste away.

Will try adding the mix slowly to find a good ratio, where I can get a good and pleasant whisky flavour.

Thanks for the advice