Whisky With Little Or None Smoke: Macallan Select Oak?

[MacMagnus]

Hi!

I am fairly new to whisky and want some advise to scotch single malt's with little or none smoketaste.

I understand most scotch does have this smoke-taste.

But I wonder if Macallan Select Oak is a good choice for me? I dont really like to much smoketaste.

Im about to visit a taxfree-market in a few days and wonder what I should buy.

So, is Macallan select oak a good choice then?

My favorite whiskey up til now are Bushmills Single Malt.

[drakoskl]

Unpeated malts are the glengoyne and hazelburn. About the select oak macallan it has a slightly smoke hint but I believe you would like it. Personally I prefer the sherry oak macallans to the select oak.

[MacMagnus]

:-)

They have two Glengoynes at the shop; "12 Y.O. Cask Strenght 57,5%" and "17 Y.O. 40%".

I believe the "cask strenght" would be to strong in alcohol for me, but would you recommend the other "17 Y.O." for someone who dont want smoke-taste (unpeated malt)?

How mush smoke-taste does the Macallan have relative to e.g. Famous Grouse?

[drakoskl]

As I said glengoyne uses unpeated malt so it has zero smoke taste so I guess it would be good for you. I would buy the cask strength. The famous grouse is a blend which uses macallan as the single malt. So if you taste smoke in the famous grouse I think you will taste more smoke in the select oak. I wouldn't say that the select oak is a peaty whisky though, as I said a hint of smoke. I don even feel the smoke in the famous grouse (the normal must production one that is)

[MacMagnus]

Thanks for the advise!

Guess I'll go for the Glengoyle then. (I also don't think there is much smoketaste in Famous Grouse, but I imagine there is a little...)

But cask strength? Isn't that awfully strong?

I like to drink whisky whitout water/ice in it... are you saying you drink 60% whisky straight?

[MacMagnus]

I recon if I buy cask strength, and add some water, I will get just the same as I would if I bought 40%?

[drakoskl]

Usually people drink the cask strength whiskies with a little water which releases the flavors and aromas because the high alcohol numbs the taste buds. But I drink it neat. I always enjoy my whisky without anything in it. I guess it's a mater of taste , just experiment a little and you ll find out how you like it!

[MacMagnus]

I think I will try cask strength then! Thanks!

I am sorry if I go off topic, but the "usual" 40% strength you buy at the store, is that just a mix they have made of cask strength and water?

[drakoskl]

cask strength , it differs from barrel to barrel. Every time a barrel is used produces whisky with a lower strength. You can find whisky from 67 alcohol until 42 which are cask strength. But yes the usual 40 percent must production whisky is diluted with water.

[michael]

Originally Posted by MacMagnus

I think I will try cask strength then! Thanks!

I am sorry if I go off topic, but the "usual" 40% strength you buy at the store, is that just a mix they have made of cask strength and water?

Macallan Cask Strength is around 115 proof. I drink it as is and is one of my favorite. It is no longer produced but still in some stores and a good Whisky investment to hold on to.