Whisky Forum - Starting my Whisky Journey

Philth · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:48 am Post subject: Starting my Whisky Journey

After a few years of sampling and buying different Whisky's I feel at 24, it's time to start building my collection and really taking notice of the flavours and characteristics on offer in each malt.

I have started this month with The Glenlivet 15 year Old French Reserve, which will be cracked open this weekend.

I'm looking to buy a bottle each payday (once a month) between Â£20 - Â£45 for now, building up my collection and increasing price as my wage goes up.

Any'must haves' within that price range? And more importantly, any 'don't touch'. I know whisky is a personal thing, but are there some glaringly obvious, over priced beasties out there?

Also, thinking of getting either NIKKA - All Malt Japanese Whisky or Yamazaki 12 year old as I have never had a Japanese dram, but have heard good things. Anyone have any experience with these?

Any help greatly appreciated

Yours

Whisky Apprentice
_________________
Rugby League - God's game

Fergie · Master Of Malts Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 1744

Bookie · Master Of Malts Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 945

Hi Philth and welcome to the SMW forum

I wouldnt say there are any 'don't touch' malts really, everyone is different and everyones tastes are different.

It is good to start off with the better known distilleries as you often find their whisky on offer especially at this time of year. After a while you will gain knowledge of there different characteristics in taste and style and then start branching off into the lesser known distilleries.

I dont know what you may have tried so far but here is a short list of a few distilleries that produce an excellent core range of whisky:

Glenmorangie
Glenfiddich
Glenlivet
Talisker
Highland Park
Balvenie
Glenfarclas
Aberlour
Auchentoshan
Ardbeg
Lagavulin
Laphroaig
Caol ila

The Nikka Pure Malt Black Fergie mentioned is very good.

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

That's a pretty good list Bookie gave you - you can look them up online on places like The Whisky Exchange to get a brief description on what to expect from each one. (e.g. the Glenlivet would be light and sweet/fruity, completely different from, say, the really smoky and pungent Lagavulin)

A couple more I would add to the list would be Old Pulteney and the Macallan. Oh, and Bowmore!