Searching For The Right Scotch

[Roger505]

I'm a newbie to the scotch world , recently bought a small bar for my office area with some nice decanters .So I thought I would buy some scotch to try it , so far I bought a few bottles but not to thrilled with the taste .Based on my choices , which I will list and tell you what I don't like about them can someone direct me in the direction of maybe a scotch that would suit me well. Cause I've bought a few bottles and really don't want to invest in more bottles of scotch that I don't care for .

So far I bought

Dalmore 12 ... This scotch is ok but the fruit flavor with vanille is to sweet tasting .

Highland Park 15 ... This reminds me of a watered downed dalmore with the fruit taste but with a bite of a spice added to it .

Lagavulin 16 ... This one is way to smokey and peaty for a novice , I thought I would give it a try to see if it would be what I'm chasing after but its not .

The Balvenie Doublewood ...This is another one that has a bit of fruit taste to it , its alright but still doesn't do it for me .

The Glen Levit 12... Doesn't have much flavor stronger alcohol taste to it .

Johnnie Walker Black...I had this a few times and it was ok on the rocks, but the batch I have at my house has a peaty smoke lagavulin taste to it .

What I'm looking for is a strong masculine taste , but not the peaty smoke taste or strong alcohol bite.Something with a little hint of fruit or wood but not so sweet that I feel like i'm drinking a chick drink.

Thanks any help would be good...

[BourbonDrinker]

I'll give you an odd recommendation, inexpensive as well, Johnny Walker Swing. You may have to special order it, but you should give it a try.
It sounds like, from your description above, that you would probably prefer the smooth balanced flavor of a blend. It's been a classic for nearly 80 years, and I've kept a bottle in the cabinet since my college days (a long time). It's a good blend for someone new to whisky, a little sweet from some sherry casks, a little smoke from some Islay, very smooth, no harsh alcohol burn. If it was good enough for the first class bar on the trans atlantic cruise ships, it's good enough for me.
You might like the Balvenie 15 yr single barrel. It has the classic Balvenie profile without the extra fruitiness seen in the double wood. No smoke though. I'm surprised you didn't like the HP 12, maybe it was just too sweet.

[Roger505]

I seen the swing bottles before will give it a try. I think the other scotch's just had to much of a sweet fruit taste to them the sherry cast . What are some decent ones with out sherry or to much fruit.

[BourbonDrinker]

I just saw that you wrote that you had tried Highland Park 15. I've never tried the 15, but it's reviews were not good, and it's been described as unbalanced and too sweet.
Give Highland Park 12 a try. It's not a sweet sherry bomb. Balanced honey, heather, and smoke. Most people like it. For a 12 yr old under $50 whisky it's hard to beat. I think it's finished in Bourbon barrels BTW. It shouldn't be too sweet and it has a pleasant drying finish. The 18 is even better, and smoother.

I'm new member from Malaysia, I have 2 bottles of unopen whisky imported from Scotland to Malaysia since 1965, I can't get any information from internet, maybe the history of this whisky is too old to the internet. I would like to know the market values for this whisky, this is the details, John Dewar & Son Ltd Perth Scotland, White Lable Fine Scotch Whisky Dewar's 750ml.

hopefully can get some information from this forum, thanks to every one.

[Lane]

I am new to scotch but have tried a few so far...here's a good list to maybe try..

Glenmoranige 10yo
The Macallan 12yo
Talisker 10yo
Laphroaig 10yo
Aberlour A'bunadh

I know you said Lagavulin was a bit strong, but you'll learn to enjoy that. Talisker and Laphroaig are pretty strong and peaty too. Ardbeg Uigedal is amazing as well.

[Legion]

You might try Longmorn 15 and 16, Springbank 10 and 15, Glenrothes Select Reserve, Cragganmore 12, and Dalmore Gran Reserva (formerly Cigar Malt). I also agree with the comments suggesting Highland Park 12 and Macallan, but if you go with Macallan and dislike sherry influence you should consider Macallan Fine Oak 15, and no younger.

[peat-lover999]

Originally Posted by Roger505

I'm a newbie to the scotch world , recently bought a small bar for my office area with some nice decanters .So I thought I would buy some scotch to try it , so far I bought a few bottles but not to thrilled with the taste .Based on my choices , which I will list and tell you what I don't like about them can someone direct me in the direction of maybe a scotch that would suit me well. Cause I've bought a few bottles and really don't want to invest in more bottles of scotch that I don't care for .

So far I bought

Dalmore 12 ... This scotch is ok but the fruit flavor with vanille is to sweet tasting .

Highland Park 15 ... This reminds me of a watered downed dalmore with the fruit taste but with a bite of a spice added to it .

Lagavulin 16 ... This one is way to smokey and peaty for a novice , I thought I would give it a try to see if it would be what I'm chasing after but its not .

The Balvenie Doublewood ...This is another one that has a bit of fruit taste to it , its alright but still doesn't do it for me .

The Glen Levit 12... Doesn't have much flavor stronger alcohol taste to it .

Johnnie Walker Black...I had this a few times and it was ok on the rocks, but the batch I have at my house has a peaty smoke lagavulin taste to it .

What I'm looking for is a strong masculine taste , but not the peaty smoke taste or strong alcohol bite.Something with a little hint of fruit or wood but not so sweet that I feel like i'm drinking a chick drink.

Thanks any help would be good...

If you want to start drinking scotch i would highly recommend glenfiddich 12 year or glenlivet 12 year. They are good beginner single malt scotches. Also make sure you add a touch of water to your scotches to really open them up in my opinion.

[jwise]

I would love to hear what you think about Balvenie 15yr Single Barrel. I think it would be a great one for you. I describe it as a pure, raw, malt; complex, yet straight forward. No sweetness from sherry casks, but a bit of vanilla from the bourbon casks.

[BobBarley]

That is a nice starter set. You have some good selections. A Macallan 12 or Glenfiddich 12 would be a nice choice to consider.

I am a big fan of Macallan and Johnnie Walker.