Whiskey

Cantstandsya

This has probably been brought up before but I am going to ask anyway.

A few times I have tried to get a taste for whiskey but I have always found it pretty unpleasant to the point of being undrinkable. I have persisted though and can now tolerate it slightly more, however, I wouldn't call it a pleasurable experience.

I wonder is whiskey an acquired taste to this extent, should I just give up on it? I love strong beer, especially the Belgian monastery brands, and wine so I don't think the alcohol content is the issue... I'm not sure what it is about the whiskey that makes it so unpalatable to me.

I guess it's worth noting that I don't particularly enjoy other spirits, rum, vodka etc generally make me gag.

Should I persevere? Should I try a particular brand of whiskey as an entry point (the bottle I have at the minute is Johnny Walker Black).

Passenger

Try an Irish Whiskey (Black Bush maybe, as it's a quality and reasonable priced Irish Whiskey). Irish Whiskey in general has a lighter flavour and isn't as 'smokey' as Scotch Whiskey (But that's debatable as there's plenty of variety in Scotch Whiskey). Also add a little water to your dram and sip away and see if your taste buds enjoy it. It's an acquired taste so just give it time and be open to different blends, brands, etc.

Slattsy

Just sample a few in pubs or hotels you go too. Narrow it down and find out what you like and dont.

I was introduced to Laphroaig at a wedding many years ago and instantly fell in love with it. My whiskey obsession started there and then. Bought at bottle a few days later in the CWS
Then i started sampling some here and there and slowly but surely expanded collection!! Nothing beats Laphroaig though.


Sample a Green Spot next time you're out, that'd be a good Irish one to start off with.

irish_goat

Have you tried drinking it with ice and/or water? Would be an easier way to get into it.

Slattsy

irish_goat wrote: »

Have you tried drinking it with ice and/or water? Would be an easier way to get into it.

Should probably clarify here that you shouldnt add any more than a thimble full of water to a decent whiskey.

pa990

Slattsy wrote: »

I was introduced to Laphroaig ... many years ago and instantly fell in love with it.

Nothing beats Laphroaig .

+1

That's the exact whiskey that really got me into whisky as well.

Smokey and peaty.

Cantstandsya

irish_goat wrote: »

Have you tried drinking it with ice and/or water? Would be an easier way to get into it.

I had read that you shouldn't add anything to JW so I had not done this.

Last night I did add one or two cubes of ice and it made a big difference, maybe the taste has finally grown on me but I enjoyed it a lot with the ice.

irish_goat

Cantstandsya wrote: »

I had read that you shouldn't add anything to JW so I had not done this.

Last night I did add one or two cubes of ice and it made a big difference, maybe the taste has finally grown on me but I enjoyed it a lot with the ice.

Tbh, I think if you're paying for it you can do whatever the hell you want with it. Particularly if you're just starting out, water or ice is a good way to get accustomed to the strong taste and then you can always move on to drinking it straight or with only a little water.

Brockagh

Slattsy wrote: »

Should probably clarify here that you shouldnt add any more than a thimble full of water to a decent whiskey.

I would say that you should drink it any way you like it. You can buy great whiskies that are only 40% abv and ones that are over 60% abv.

Cantstandsya

Seems all that effort to "get a taste for it" has paid off the last few days as have been enjoying the taste a lot more.

I am out of Ireland at the moment so I don't have access to a lot of the whiskeys recommended here, I will be sure to sample them on my return home though.

sarkozy

I don't understand people when they say they're trying to 'get into' something which they seem to immediately not like very much. Like the OP, I wasn't a whiskey drinker, or spirits drinker at all for that matter.

But I once found myself stranded in an airport, which the airline compensated me for by paying for me to stay in a nice hotel including drinks vouchers.

I'd heard about some whiskeys and, on a whim, bought a glass of Laphroaig. I wasn't trying to 'get into' anything, I just gave this thing I'd heard about a shot. MY GOD. I'm into my wine, so I was after a sensory experience and I really got one.

I found whiskey sharp and harsh tasting but this was smoky and smooth, especially because you're supposed to add some water to it to open it up. I was converted and from then on built up a very nice little whisk(e)y collection.

So, yeah, I'd start with going into a pub and asking for a shot of Green Spot, sip it slowly (but just swallow it) and let the flavours develop. Then have a Laphroaig (or any peaty Islay whisky), add a little water to open it up and enjoy. No harshness at all.

I do find Talisker 10 overly harsh, though.

syklops

Slattsy wrote: »

Should probably clarify here that you shouldnt add any more than a thimble full of water to a decent whiskey.

Rubbish.

duckysauce

Slattsy wrote: »

Should probably clarify here that you shouldnt add any more than a thimble full of water to a decent whiskey.

why

sarkozy

Slattsy wrote: »

Should probably clarify here that you shouldnt add any more than a thimble full of water to a decent whiskey.

It entirely depends on the whisk(e)y. With a cask strength Islay scotch, for example, you might even have a 50/50 mix.

PhiliousPhogg

Whiskey goes very well alongside a good Irish Red Ale or English bitter, not a hoppy beer though. Just sip the ale, don't drink it too fast, one pint to 2 or 3 whiskeys is good.

Like my whiskey neat personally.

scruff monkey

If you find the taste too strong, try a nice glenmorangie, like mothers milk, smooth as fc*k, also blackbush is lovely solo for the starter.

Bobby The Builder

Cantstandsya wrote: »

This has probably been brought up before but I am going to ask anyway.

A few times I have tried to get a taste for whiskey but I have always found it pretty unpleasant to the point of being undrinkable. I have persisted though and can now tolerate it slightly more, however, I wouldn't call it a pleasurable experience.

I wonder is whiskey an acquired taste to this extent, should I just give up on it? I love strong beer, especially the Belgian monastery brands, and wine so I don't think the alcohol content is the issue... I'm not sure what it is about the whiskey that makes it so unpalatable to me.

I guess it's worth noting that I don't particularly enjoy other spirits, rum, vodka etc generally make me gag.

Should I persevere? Should I try a particular brand of whiskey as an entry point (the bottle I have at the minute is Johnny Walker Black).

I love Whiskey. Particularly Jameson. What i find absolutely unpalatable is Baileys. It's unstomachable, never mind unpalatable.

Kallis000

You should try it with water and ice.
I hope you will enjoy and bought it very nice quality.

jester77

There are a lot of different whiskeys that cover a vast range of taste. The older whiskies go down much easier but can be expensive. Look up some of the whiskey tasting charts and you will get an idea of which whiskeys suit your palette, below is a good one although limited in examples. Still an ok starting point.

Cantstandsya

Finished with the Johnnie Walker Black, enjoyed it. Now I'm onto Hibiki 12 which I have to say is very nice indeed.

Don't think it's easy to get hold of back in Ireland though which is a shame for me.

Brockagh

You should be able to get it at the Celtic Whiskey Shop.