Cost is no object: Scotch or Bourbon?

[YellowSnow]

 

[YellowSnow]

I've prided myself over the years on being a bourbon man first and foremost. But the older I get, I've noticed my palate changing and find myself more and more in the mood for scotch. This really sucks for me because unlike many of you who are rich, I am a pour.

 

[Gilbystaint]

I have retired from this and normally bypass these discussions. I loved Scotch and always considered bourbon was best in coke, then I had a good one, then I loved both.

 

[YouKnowIt]

Pappy

 

[YellowSnow]

I have retired from this and normally bypass these discussions. I loved Scotch and always considered bourbon was best in coke, then I had a good one, then I loved both.

I think we all go through the progression with bourbon- i.e., first with coke, then on rocks, and then if you're a real aficionado, neat with a few drops of water.

 

[YellowSnow]

Pappy

I've never had it, sadly. I wish is was easier to come by but I'm not a connected guy I reckon.

 

[greenblood]

It depends on the scotch.

I'd take Bourbon over the best Lowland Scotch, but the best Highland scotches have no rival.

Islay Scotches are great too, but you kind of have to be in the mood. The peat can be a bit overpowering, which a drop of water usually fixes.

 

[YellowSnow]

I had an epiphany the other day drinking Glenlivit 12 which is cheap ($34 at Costco before tax) and I refer to it as the Coors Light of single malts; BUT it's pretty decent whisky and I'd rather sip on it than $30 bourbon to be honest. Ralfy (ralfy.com) even gives it a malt mark of 83/100 which means it's not total shit.

 

[YellowSnow]

It depends on the scotch.

I'd take Bourbon over the best Lowland Scotch, but the best Highland scotches have no rival.

Islay Scotches are great too, but you kind of have to be in the mood. The peat can be a bit overpowering, which a drop of water usually fixes.

When my wife was last pregnant, she couldn't even be in the same room with me and the Laphroaig.

 

[DeepSeaZ]

Pappy

I've never had it, sadly. I wish is was easier to come by but I'm not a connected guy I reckon.

Used to drink it before it became insanely expensive. It’s good but it’s not worth the price. There is a newer local one I’m into now. Deceptivus.

 

[Gilbystaint]

It depends on the scotch.

I'd take Bourbon over the best Lowland Scotch, but the best Highland scotches have no rival.

Islay Scotches are great too, but you kind of have to be in the mood. The peat can be a bit overpowering, which a drop of water usually fixes.

When my wife was last pregnant, she couldn't even be in the same room with me and the Laphroaig.

My wife didn’t have to be pregnant. Scotches are best enjoyed without the wimnin’ folk,

 

[ThomasFremont]

The ONLY reason not to choose scotch is the insane price. If that barrier gets removed, I’m going to pound town.

 

[YellowSnow]

The ONLY reason not to choose scotch is the insane price. If that barrier gets removed, I’m going to pound town.

Think about it this way: "cheap" single malts are aged 10- 12 years. For cheap bourbon it's 4- 6 typically some some like Eagle Rare being 10 year statements. Elijah Craig used to be 12 year old but they've since back off that (running out of stock of spirit that has been aged that long). You just don't see many bourbons that are more than 12 years old.

 

[greenblood]

It depends on the scotch.

I'd take Bourbon over the best Lowland Scotch, but the best Highland scotches have no rival.

Islay Scotches are great too, but you kind of have to be in the mood. The peat can be a bit overpowering, which a drop of water usually fixes.

When my wife was last pregnant, she couldn't even be in the same room with me and the Laphroaig.

My wife didn’t have to be pregnant. Scotches are best enjoyed without the wimnin’ folk,

Not necessarily... one day my wife came home from a bad day at work and threw down 4 pours of an Oban 14 (I know, cool story, and no pics). I knew right then that I married right.

 

[greenblood]

The ONLY reason not to choose scotch is the insane price. If that barrier gets removed, I’m going to pound town.

Think about it this way: "cheap" single malts are aged 10- 12 years. For cheap bourbon it's 4- 6 typically some some like Eagle Rare being 10 year statements. Elijah Craig used to be 12 year old but they've since back off that (running out of stock of spirit that has been aged that long). You just don't see many bourbons that are more than 12 years old.

Buffalo Trace makes some pretty nice Bourbon

 

[YellowSnow]

The ONLY reason not to choose scotch is the insane price. If that barrier gets removed, I’m going to pound town.

Think about it this way: "cheap" single malts are aged 10- 12 years. For cheap bourbon it's 4- 6 typically some some like Eagle Rare being 10 year statements. Elijah Craig used to be 12 year old but they've since back off that (running out of stock of spirit that has been aged that long). You just don't see many bourbons that are more than 12 years old.

Buffalo Trace makes some pretty nice Bourbon

Yes, all of their stuff is great. They make everything from Buffalo Trace, to Elmer T Lee to Blantons. And Pappy too.

 

[greenblood]

It depends on the scotch.

I'd take Bourbon over the best Lowland Scotch, but the best Highland scotches have no rival.

Islay Scotches are great too, but you kind of have to be in the mood. The peat can be a bit overpowering, which a drop of water usually fixes.

When my wife was last pregnant, she couldn't even be in the same room with me and the Laphroaig.

Laphroaig and Ardbeg can be quite pungent to sensitive noses, but for a non-sensitive palate they are great.

Oban 14 and Glendronach 18 and 21 are my favorite (I actually toured the Glendronach distillery, which was badass, and probably adds to my favortism towards it). Which happen to be Highland scotches. I've always gravitated to Highland Scotches because I find them more balanced. They aren't mild like the Lowland Scotches (I find lowland scotches a waste of time) but also don't quite have the same punch as a Laphroaig or Ardbeg. Which gives them a really balanced and smooth finish.

 

[YellowSnow]

It depends on the scotch.

I'd take Bourbon over the best Lowland Scotch, but the best Highland scotches have no rival.

Islay Scotches are great too, but you kind of have to be in the mood. The peat can be a bit overpowering, which a drop of water usually fixes.

When my wife was last pregnant, she couldn't even be in the same room with me and the Laphroaig.

Laphroaig and Ardbeg can be quite pungent to sensitive noses, but for a non-sensitive palate they are great.

Oban 14 and Glendronach 18 and 21 are my favorite. Which happen to be Highland. I've always gravitated to Highland Scotches because I find them more balanced. They aren't mild like the Lowland Scotches but also don't quite have the same punch as a Laphroaig or Ardbeg. Which gives them a really balanced and smooth finish.

Can't say I've ever had a Lowland single malt. Everything's always been Speyside, Highland or Islay. But because of being a pour, I'm usually only buying 10- 12 year bottlings.

 

[UW_Doog_Bot]

Funny enough, I started my life preferring scotch. Drank a lot of red/black label. It wasn't until I was getting to globe trot with an open booze tab that I started discovering better bourbons that I enjoy. I still can't drink anything like Jack bc it's just too sweet for me but I do enjoy Bulleit quite a bit. If I could drink Macallan everday though I would.

 

[greenblood]

It depends on the scotch.

I'd take Bourbon over the best Lowland Scotch, but the best Highland scotches have no rival.

Islay Scotches are great too, but you kind of have to be in the mood. The peat can be a bit overpowering, which a drop of water usually fixes.

When my wife was last pregnant, she couldn't even be in the same room with me and the Laphroaig.

Laphroaig and Ardbeg can be quite pungent to sensitive noses, but for a non-sensitive palate they are great.

Oban 14 and Glendronach 18 and 21 are my favorite. Which happen to be Highland. I've always gravitated to Highland Scotches because I find them more balanced. They aren't mild like the Lowland Scotches but also don't quite have the same punch as a Laphroaig or Ardbeg. Which gives them a really balanced and smooth finish.

Can't say I've ever had a Lowland single malt. Everything's always been Speyside, Highland or Islay. But because of being a pour, I'm usually only buying 10- 12 year bottlings.

I've sampled them and I don't like them. They are really mild and fell kind of empty. Everyone I tried made me think they were missing something.

Your local liquor store might sell a Glendronach 12, which goes for around $60. You'll love it