Enjoying a glass or two!

I grabbed some Ardbeg recently. It just seems to have all the peat that exists in Scotland in it. I guess I'm just not a fan of the taste yet.

I was big on the Scotch blends (Johnnie Walker Black and Chivas 18yr were in regular rotation) for the longest time (and still dabble in glass here and there). I tried Laphroaig for the first time early on in my whisky days and just couldn't handle it - it was too much everything and beat me down. As I've gotten older, I've come to not only enjoy that peaty smokiness, but actually actively search it out. Those big three Islay malts are the top of the whisky mountain for me, but it's been one hell of a climb and I've enjoyed every dram on the way up.

Dr,. scotch is an acquired taste. FWIW, I would start with blended scotches. Single malts are "different". There is a very good reason that the scots blend their scotches.

Dr,. scotch is an acquired taste. FWIW, I would start with blended scotches. Single malts are "different". There is a very good reason that the scots blend their scotches.

Yep, I've been coming to that same conclusion very quickly! I do really enjoy the Bruichladdich Laddie though, but it's a unpeated single malt. Has an almost effervescent tinge to it. I'm guessing the peat is what's turning me off the Ardbeg.

Any suggestions for some milder singles, or other blends that I should be on the lookout for?

Any suggestions for some milder singles, or other blends that I should be on the lookout for?

The more "popular" single malts like The Glenlivet, Macallen and Glenfiddich are popular because they are easier to drink (and readily available) with all the complexities and notes that make single malts great.

Dr,. scotch is an acquired taste. FWIW, I would start with blended scotches. Single malts are "different". There is a very good reason that the scots blend their scotches.

Yep, I've been coming to that same conclusion very quickly! I do really enjoy the Bruichladdich Laddie though, but it's a unpeated single malt. Has an almost effervescent tinge to it. I'm guessing the peat is what's turning me off the Ardbeg.

Any suggestions for some milder singles, or other blends that I should be on the lookout for?

I'm not much of a scotch man, however, I do enjoy a glass of Aberlour A'bunadh now and then:

http://www.aberlour.com/range/aberlour-abunadh/

Milder scotch blends would be John Begg and McGregor. They're so mild in taste that I just can't abide them.

If you don't like the peaty taste then stay away from Monkey Shoulders. Smokey scotches would be The Famous Grouse Black and Teachers.

I happen to be a fan of Laphroaig and Ardbeg.  In fact, when I was first introduced to Laphroaig, I liked it right away.  However, by that time, I had been sipping single malts for some time and enjoyed the various tastes.  For some reason, I found the peaty medicinal taste appealing and Laphroaig is now one of my favorite single malts.

I am no expert, by any means, but I do agree with ShadowsDad that Scotch is an acquired taste, whether Lowland, Highland, Islay, blended, or single malt.  Once that taste is acquired, though, I find a wee dram one of life's little pleasures.

I happen to be a fan of Laphroaig and Ardbeg.  In fact, when I was first introduced to Laphroaig, I liked it right away.  However, by that time, I had been sipping single malts for some time and enjoyed the various tastes.  For some reason, I found the peaty medicinal taste appealing and Laphroaig is now one of my favorite single malts.

I am no expert, by any means, but I do agree with ShadowsDad that Scotch is an acquired taste, whether Lowland, Highland, Islay, blended, or single malt.  Once that taste is acquired, though, I find a wee dram one of life's little pleasures.

Laphroaig is great..But my go to has been Talisker 10, peaty but a bit smoother and was damn cheap in Asia when I lived there.

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Milder scotch blends would be John Begg and McGregor. They're so mild in taste that I just can't abide them.

If you don't like the peaty taste then stay away from Monkey Shoulders. Smokey scotches would be The Famous Grouse Black and Teachers.

I enjoy bolder flavors myself, just think I'm going to have to ease into the peaty side. Going from a totally unpeated Scotch to Ardbeg was a mistake on my part for sure. I need to find the training wheel Scotch to ramp me up to the big boys.

Oh, I thought you wrote that you wanted milder.

In that case, go back to post 187 and try the blends I suggested, except for Monkey Shoulders. I don't know if I mentioned Cutty Sark. That's not bad either, but a bit sweet for me if I compare it to other scotch. By itself it's fine.

Single malts are nice, but I only buy one occasionally so others would be of more help there. I can't remember one that I've ever disliked.