On Scotch

[English Bloke]

There are some good blended whiskys and there is alot of rubbish!! General rule of thumb, cheap = rubbish! Buy cheap if you want to add a mixer.

Famous Grouse or Johnny Walker Red / Black are good quality, consistant (and that's a key thing) blended whiskys and mix up fine with Coke or ginger and/or ice and make for a very drinkable 'long' drink but are also drinkable as standalone whisky and don't NEED a mixer to make them drinkable... If that's what you like these are probably a good choice to get you going. The real fun though, lies in the GOOD stuff!

Talisker 10 year old or Bunnahabin 12 year old are good single malt starters and not stupidly expensive but both exude quality. They are not really that much more in price than the good blendeds. Give them a try and you'll probably never go back to run of the mill whisky. (there are also many others at hugely varying prices ... mind you don't become obsessed.)

In case you do decide to give single malts a go I would suggest the following:

I don't recommend mixing a single malt. OK for blended whiskys like J-W but ginger or coke or even fizzy water for that matter will destroy the subtleties of a quality whisky. If you are going to add a mixer, it's the mixer you'll mainly taste so don't waste your money on a fine single malt!

Drink it from a bowl shaped Brandy Glass rather than a traditional round whisky tumbler (a nosing glass is even better). Hold the glass in the palm of your hand to warm the liquid and use your nose to catch the smell as well as the taste and don't rush it, sippers not gulpers.

You can add a little water but avoid ice. Ice will flatten the whisky so it just tastes like spirit. Add the water progressively until you know what's best for you, you can put the water in but you can't take it out so don't drown it from the off. Start with a few drops and add more so as to find the best balance for you... Try and remember how much water you put in so you can get it right next time. Or drink it neat as I do...

Single malt whisky is an aquired taste but once you've discovered it, it's magic. And be careful and responsible. It's strong stuff!

There's a good website run by a Dutch Bloke (interestingly) called malt madness (google it) which is a mine of useful information and reviews. A wonderful world lies ahead if you want to explore it.

EDIT: Forgot to mention. Some of the Irish Blended is very nice too. Bushmills Original is lovely neat and Jameson's is on a par with Famous Grouse for quality. Both nice blended whiskeys (note the different spelling) and quite subtly different from Scotch.