AN ACQUIRED TASTE:
Adventures of a Scotch Newbie in Richmond, Virginia
CHRONOLOGICAL POSTS:
Scroll down to Post #73 or click here if you just want a list of scotch reviews by region and ranking.
1. MISSION STATEMENT ACCOMPLISHED
My attempt to clarify this blog's raison d'etre - to pass along experiences, opinions, and nuggets of wisdom as a fledgling single malt scotch enthusiast from Richmond, VA. Also to kill time at work.
2. SCOTCH 101: PART ONE (THIS WILL ALL BE ON THE TEST)
Beginning of a 6-part scotch primer, defining 'single malt', whisky vs. whiskey, etc.
3. SCOTCH 101: PART TWO (FIVE-FINGERED SCOTCH PUNCH)
Outlining Scotland's five (some say 6) officially recognized regions of whisky production.
4. HOW TO DRINK SCOTCH (YES, WITH YOUR MOUTH)
Just like prom night, you're probably doing it all wrong.
5. THE SNOZBERRIES TASTE LIKE SNOZBERRIES
What barley goes through to get ready for distillation.
6. 'STILL' GOING STRONG
Detailing the distillation process (and how to make moonshine...in theory).
7. ALL WORK AND NO SCOTCH MAKES JACK A THIRSTY BOY
Roll out the barrel! Why aging scotch in oak casks takes so damn long.
8. GLENFIDDICH 12
The world's most popular single malt. A safe bet when starting out. Single malt training wheels.
9. GLENLIVET 12
America's favorite single malt whisky...from Scotland. U-S-A!
10. MACALLAN 12: SHERRY OAK SERIES
This is what your boss keeps in that locked desk drawer.
11. OLD PULTENEY 12
Scotch for your fishing trip. You should get one of those sweaters.
12. HIGHLAND PARK 12
Craig Ferguson speaks highly of it. He's funny.
13. FOR PEAT'S SAKE
An exploration into why swamp debris is an acceptable (let alone desirable) flavor for whisky. Also, the one with the highly scientific list of scotches in order of increasing smokiness.
14. LAPHROAIG 10 (AND 15, SORT OF)
The peat monster is coming to get you. It's probably under your bed.
15. GLENGOYNE 10
The green scotch. Green as in 'eco-friendly', it's more of a goldenrod hue.
16. GLENMORANGIE 10
Date night whisky. Rhymes with orangy.
17. LADIES' NIGHT
Tribute to the under-appreciated female contributions to the world of scotch, and debunking the myth of the scotch enthusiast sausage party.
18. ABERLOUR 12
The quintessential Speyside malt. A personal favorite for sentimental reasons.
19. MACALLAN 10: FINE OAK SERIES
'New Coke'. Caddyshack 2. Nikki & Paolo on "Lost". What do these things have in common?
20. ARDBEG 10
Speaking of "Lost", here's your 'smoke monster'.
21. TALISKER 10
Best of the Island group in my book, er...blog. I don't have an actual book.
22. GLENKINCHIE 12
Lowland scotch. Part of a complete, balanced breakfast.
23. SHERRY, QUEEN OF SCOTCH
If you've seen a Budweiser ad lately (if it's after 9am, you have), you might wonder what the hell 'beechwood aging' does for beer. I had the same notion with sherry cask aging and scotch.
24. BALVENIE 12
Glenfiddich's sexier cousin.
25. (ISLE OF) JURA 10
Offering free scotch for life if you can find their distillery.
26. GLENROTHES 'SELECT RESERVE'
I have every reason to hate it, and yet I don't. Like tzatziki sauce or Gwyneth Paltrow.
27. EIGHTEEN AND I LIKE IT
Glenmorangie 18 and Macallan 18 reviewed. Break out your checkbook.
28. CUT TO THE CHASER
A palate cleanser discussion of 'Scottish' ale vs. 'Scotch' ale.
29. DALWHINNIE 15
Mountain scotch. Skiing is hard work.
30.CRAGGANMORE 12
The one where I try too hard to make a musical metaphor about complexity work.
31. CAOL ILA 12
Smokestack lightning, emphasis on 'smoke' and 'light'.
32. LAGAVULIN 16
The best things come to those who wait.
33. VIRGINIA IS FOR SCOTCH LOVERS
Two Virginian malt whiskys more or less in the Scottish tradition. Slàinte, y'all!
34. POURING SOME OUT FOR THE HOMIES
The erstwhile homepage while this blog was on hiatus; now it's a list of Scotland's distilleries that are no longer with us.
35. AUCHENTOSHAN 'AMERICAN OAK'
Triple distilled Lowland scotch. You might as well drink Irish whiskey.
36. OBAN 14
A favorite of Nick Offerman, whose opinions on whisky I do not take lightly.
37. TOMATIN 12
Sounds like a foot fungus medicine, but how will it taste?
38. EDRADOUR 10
A weirdly eccentric malt from a quirky little distillery.
39. SPOILER ALERT
When in doubt, throw it out.
40. SPRINGBANK 10
Finally! An elusive Campbeltown malt.
41. GLENFARCLAS 10
Christmas whisky. Hark the herald angels drink.
42. TOBERMORY 10
Isle of Mull malt with an evil (peated, that is) twin.
43. BOWMORE 12
I've tasted scotch I haven't liked before, but this is the first one I've hated.
44. BUNNAHABHAIN 12
The silky smooth side of Islay.
45. HAIG CLUB
Single grain scotch whisky brought to you by David Beckham and Co.
46. YAMAZAKI 12
A Japanese interpretation of single malt whisky, and a damn good one at that.
47. IF IT'S NOT SCOTTISH, IT'S CRAP?
"It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it." Scottish comedian Chic Murray (1919-1985). Sorry, Steven Wright.
48. HIGHLAND PARK 'DARK ORIGINS'
If you should happen to host a secret meeting of the Illuminati.
49. GLENLIVET 'NADURRA' 16
This is waaaay better than the standard 12.
50 GLENDRONACH 12
My sherry amour. Sorry, Steven Wonder.
51. SHOW ME THE WAY TO THE NEXT WHISKY BAR
My 'out on the town' picks for the best scotch selections in Richmond, VA.
52. SCAPA 16
Yacht scotch. Or in my case, hammock scotch.
53. CLYNELISH 14
This enigmatic malt will make you wax poetic. Pun fail, you'll see.
54. DALMORE 'CIGAR MALT RESERVE'
Smells like Clint Eastwood...
55. LAPHROAIG 'QUARTER CASK'
...But this is what Clint Eastwood would drink.
56. BALVENIE 14 'CARIBBEAN CASK'
Yo ho ho and a bottle of...scotch?
57. NETFLIX AND CHILL FILTRATION
You and I both know this has nothing to do with Netflix.
58. DEFIANT AMERICAN SINGLE MALT WHISKY
A team of SCUBA divers created North Carolina's first single malt.
59. GLENFIDDICH 'SOLERA' 15
Sounds like a late model Chrysler, but tastes significantly better.
60. CARDHU 12
The best selling scotch you've never heard of.
61. LAPHROAIG 18
What happens when Scotland's most notorious malt mellows with age.
62. DALMORE 12
An attractive addition to your bar for those who put stock in such things (see also: 'Haig Club').
63. HOLIDAY ROAD
A litany of excuses for pouring yourself dram this evening (mostly just obscure Scottish holidays).
64. EADES 'ISLAY DOUBLE MALT'
A vatted malt created by the Virginia Distillery Company. Better living through chemistry.
65. GLEN MORAY 16
I'm not much of a dessert guy, but that was before I tried this one.
66. BRUICHLADDICH 'ISLAY BARLEY'
As much hipster cred as a grass-fed man bun, but do its skinny jeans fit you?
67. GLENDALOUGH 'TRIPLE BARREL' IRISH WHISKEY
One of these things is not like the other (hint - it's the one from Ireland).
68. TWO MAD SCIENTIST MALTS
The first is out of this world, the second the coolest scotch ever. Both very much in the literal sense.
69. BENRIACH 15 'TAWNY PORT CASK FINISH'
A rockstar malt, worthy of a video featuring Tawny Kitaen.
70. KILCHOMAN 'MACHIR BAY'
Islay's newest and smallest distillery, featuring the rare silent 'c' (e.g. Chanukah, challah bread).
71. SPEYBURN 10
Easy on the palate, easier on the wallet.
72. GLEN GARIOCH 1994 'BATCH 32'
A graduation present from scotch newbie to fledgling connaisseur.
73. LAST CALL
Ranking my single malts experiences, with a few last words about scotch.
73. LAST CALL
Ranking my single malts experiences, with a few last words about scotch.
THIRSTY FOR MORE?
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