Scotch, Cognac question.

[Butler1000]

Ceiling Cat. I'm not sure you are aware but especially with Cognac the aging process causes loss. I believe it is 3% of volume each year and is traditionally known as the "angels share".

So imagine how much is lost after 60 years for an XO cognac. Add in type of barrel used, what grapes and year were used and the variety can be quite pronounced.

Same with Scotch. Soil, additives etc can make a huge difference. Don't discount these because your palette may not be as sophisticated. There is nothing wrong with that, but I don't discount it.

It's just that some are faking it.

 

[Insidious Von]

Different strokes and all that... I just find older Scotch a bit more smooth.

Of course, to each their own palette. I prefer rustic over smooth. My preference is the peaty malts from Islay, especially a 10 year old "cask strength" Laphroaig, excellent for $55.00. Of course you can go to the other end of the pay scale, a 21 year old Lagavulin. It has the essence of a very expensive chocolate, I nearly came sipping it. lol

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Ceiling Cat. I'm not sure you are aware but especially with Cognac the aging process causes loss. I believe it is 3% of volume each year and is traditionally known as the "angels share".

So imagine how much is lost after 60 years for an XO cognac. Add in type of barrel used, what grapes and year were used and the variety can be quite pronounced.

Same with Scotch. Soil, additives etc can make a huge difference. Don't discount these because your palette may not be as sophisticated. There is nothing wrong with that, but I don't discount it.

It's just that some are faking it.

It is quite logical that liquids will evaporate out of a wooden cask over time, it takes time, money and resources to get into the distilling business. From what I understand there are hundreds even thousands of individuals and corporations trying to get into the distillery business in Scotland. The regulatory agency will not license them because they want to keep production levels to maintain the profitability of the industry. The price of Cognac and Scotch is bolstered by limiting supply.Producing the product is the easiest step. It is the marketing and promotion of the product that is the most difficult. That is why there are lesser know brands of Scotch and Cognac that are niche products. They exist only because they have been in business for generations. Cognac distillers that produce too much sometimes send their product out of their region to be labeled as brandy and sold at a lower price. Eau de Vie is the distilled product that is aged to become Cognac, but there is an excess produced and it is used to make other products like Rose wines mixed with Eau de Vie. I believe there is no shortage or rareity in cognacs or scotch as the industry can ramp up and meet demand.

So among the affectation of the ritual of drinking is that people think they have to drink a certain way, that if they pay more they get more and that to appreciate a good drink you have to drink it a certain way. How is it that these aficionados are oblivious to the fact that you can get a high quality X.O. cognac for less than half the price of a well known brand. The true worth of a product is based on quality, not solely on price.

If you are a connoisseur of cognac I highly recommend the Pineau des Charentes and the Courvoisier Rosé, a brief explanation of these products are that they are a cognac fortified wine product that is mild and pleasant without the burn of cognac. Suitable to be served to the ladies. Products are limited at the LCBO, a larger selection can be had at the SAQ in Quebec.

 

[lomotil]

Is this a case of: he don't drinks his drinks like I drinks my drinks so he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke
the same cigarettes as me.

I would appreciate it if you do not weasel word it and answer directly.


I await your answer.

Booze is a multi-billion industry driving by many factors, lust,greed, glory, pretense, disciplined knowledge of the product and dopamine receptors in the brain even to name a few factors. Everyone has different motivations except the sin tax man.

 

[jcpro]

Of course, to each their own palette. I prefer rustic over smooth. My preference is the peaty malts from Islay, especially a 10 year old "cask strength" Laphroaig, excellent for $55.00. Of course you can go to the other end of the pay scale, a 21 year old Lagavulin. It has the essence of a very expensive chocolate, I nearly came sipping it. lol

I like the peaty and even the smoky finish Scotch as well, but I have to chase it with soda water to get rid off the after taste harshness.

 

[Perry Mason]

For anyone who wants to begin to understand single malts rather than running off at the mouth: http://www.thefiftybest.com/spirits/best_aged_single_malt_scotch_10_15_year/

I have some Scotch practically every day before dinner, with a drop or 3 of spring water or soda to open it up. My every day Scotch is the 12 year old Balvenie. I like the subtle honey nuances. I also like the Glenmorangies and Dalwhinnies.

For other occasions, I am open to any and all others, but I don't like the very peaty ones.

Perry

 

[esoterica]

i used to like old Talisker 10 years ago. Now I hate it. It's 18 year old Arbelour now that I like. Drink what your taste buds like. Try different things now and then because your tastebuds change.

Except for Southern Comfort. Never drink Southern Comfort!! (J/k).

 

[AdamH]

If you don't like it, don't drink it.. If adding 7up to your Scotch simply makes it "tolerable" then maybe give the bottle away to somebody who might better enjoy it.

Having said that, if you actually LIKE 7up and Scotch, then have at 'er.. I do what I want, and I don't care much about what others think.. Anybody who criticizes you for doing what you want is an idiot..

 

[Insidious Von]

Southern Comfort is a panties remover, it should not touch a man's lips. Others in that category are Tequila Rose and Mateus.

Thanks for that list Perry, very informative. The Tamdhu Sherry Cask intrigues me but I'm not partial to Speyside malts.

 

[b821332]

I like a good Bourbon neet however I prefer to drink Barceló Gran Añejo also neet.
I helped a Russian buy a bottle of Chvas Regal.
I offered him a shot or two of Barceló Gran Añejo.
He never touched the Scotch.

You do know that there is a difference between Scotch which is a blend of whiskies and a single malt, right?

B8

 

[Perry Mason]

Here's a bit more information if you are interested in what goes into making a bottle of Scotch: https://www.thebalvenie.com/the-balvenie/our-distillery

Perry

 

[franci]

For anyone who wants to begin to understand single malts rather than running off at the mouth: http://www.thefiftybest.com/spirits/best_aged_single_malt_scotch_10_15_year/

I have some Scotch practically every day before dinner, with a drop or 3 of spring water or soda to open it up. My every day Scotch is the 12 year old Balvenie. I like the subtle honey nuances. I also like the Glenmorangies and Dalwhinnies.

For other occasions, I am open to any and all others, but I don't like the very peaty ones.

Perry

Have you tried Oban? If so what do you think of it?

 

[Perry Mason]

Have you tried Oban?

No.

Ask the Cat... I'm sure he will give you an opinion. But make sure he understands that you are talking about the Scotch, not Kenobi!

Perry

 

[trouble321]

It's a sin to mix Scotch with anything but water.

Also a sin.

 

[trouble321]

Have you tried Oban? If so what do you think of it?

Excellent Scotch.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Perry, you are arguing without an argument.

No. Perry, I guess you can not back your statement up.

Perry

For anyone who wants to begin to understand single malts rather than running off at the mouth: Could tis be an inference? http://www.thefiftybest.com/spirits/best_aged_single_malt_scotch_10_15_year/

I have some Scotch practically every day before dinner, with a drop or 3 of spring water or soda to open it up. My every day Scotch is the 12 year old Balvenie. I like the subtle honey nuances. I also like the Glenmorangies and Dalwhinnies.

For other occasions, I am open to any and all others, but I don't like the very peaty ones.

Perry

We are not discussing science, we are discussing preference. Scotch and cognac to be precise. One opinion here is as good as another as none of us are master tasters at a distillery. FYI- I know a malt master and only have had a few conversation with him, but that was enough to steer me in the direction of good scotch. At least the ones suited to my taste.

I have never had Oban, so I can not tell you anything about it.

 

[261252]

Scotch is whisky aged in an oak barrel.




Proper Scotch and soda


3 times more soda than blended scotch such as Johnnie Walker Red, Chivas Regal, Ballantine's (rather than single malt)

traditionally served in a highball glass (who gives a fuck?)

stirred not shaken (who gives a fuck?)

add ice (of course)

 

[Insidious Von]

I like the peaty and even the smoky finish Scotch as well, but I have to chase it with soda water to get rid off the after taste harshness.

You must not smoke then, I don't get any after harshness, if so very smart. I've never tried water in single malt, I've heard it opens up the complexity of the drink. I don't sip single malt at leisure, it's strictly an aperitif for me.

 

[Perry Mason]

I've never tried water in single malt, I've heard it opens up the complexity of the drink.

I'll vouch for that. Just 2 or 3 generous drops in about an ounce (not tap water!) does open up the aromas and flavors.

And I agree it is matter of personal taste...

Perry

 

[lomotil]

I'll vouch for that. Just 2 or 3 generous drops in about an ounce (not tap water!) does open up the aromas and flavors.

And I agree it is matter of personal taste...

Perry

Which water do you recommend, distilled, deionized with reverse osmosis, bottled imported such as Avian or domestic bottled such as Aquapure or rain water? What is wrong with Toronto tap water, for the two to three drops, is it the chlorine content. Maybe purist even have an affinity for ice cubes of certain source, perhaps from glaciers if they like Scotch on the rocks!