Whisky Forum - Brand new to whisky. And a non drinker to boot!!!

Oakster

So I decided one day to get some whisky. The catch being that I don't really drink. I used to as a kid but since growing up I decided that I don't like getting drunk and so I drank very rarely. I can't remember why I wanted to get some but I think I'm hooked. Not in an alcoholic sense but in a fascinated one.

I've only been buying 35 or 20cl bottles but so far I've tried Glenfiddich 12 and 15, Glenmorangie - The Original, Jura - Origin and the Balvennie Doublewood 10. Just 2 or 3 glasses at a time.

My favourites are the 12 and the Jura because I can smell the notes that other reviews say there are and then taste some of the flavours. The 15 and the Glenmorangie confuses me as I can't seem to taste much in it other than 'whisky'. The balvennie falls somewhere in between.

All in all though I'm having a good time trying and tasting. For a non drinker it's a strange hobby but I think it's one to stay Smile

I have a money off voucher for a bottle of Old Pulteney so it's either that or a bottle of the 12 or the Jura next.

I do wonder though if I'm trying too many and so don't see the differences. Shall I get the Old Pulteney or buy one I like and work on finding the flavours and notes to build up my knowledge?

sorren · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:56 pm Post subject:

Hi, this is one of those questions that will be best answered by yourself, you have plenty of time to experiment, no need to rush.. There is nothing wrong with buying what you know and really getting to know it.. But you can benefit from trying new bottles.. depending where you are you might be able to go to decent bars, whisky shops and try different expressions, there are plenty of shops that let you try samples these days, you could also buy the bottle you know you like and get miniatures of others to try just I case you don't like them, some online retailers like master of malt do samples and are well priced.. Whatever you decide to do let us know and share in your journey..

opelfruit · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:20 pm Post subject:

I'd still drink whisky if it were alcohol free (provided it tasted the same). If you're getting drunk then your into the wrong spirit, it's not about "drinking", it just happens to contain alcohol. The enjoyment is in the smell and flavour of the various whiskies you can get, so don't worry about being a none drinker.

If you do happen to get a bit swishy after then that's just a side effect of the experience, not the key part Wink

The more basic/entry level malts target the casual drinker, so they try to tick many boxes. In doing so they don't stand out, so the flavours are a little generic. Once you move to the next stage up there is a big difference and much more to separate bottlings. Training your palate and starting to find these new flavours is one of the fascinating things about whisky.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

Oakster · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 5:22 am Post subject:

Definitely not in it to get drunk. I can feel I've had a drink during the first, so 3 is my absolute max!

I'm sticking with single malt scotch at the moment so that I don't get lost in the huge array of choice and I'll have a look around the forum to find some good ones to start with. If there is a list of the beginner ones I'll see what's available near me but I didn't think about miniatures so I'll look for them too :D

I'm restricted to Supermarkets at the moment as there are no whisky shops near me and being a non drinker I don't know which bars may or may not have a good selection to taste. I would hazard a guess that there won't be many as I live in a small village that doesn't even have a shop or a pub Smile

opelfruit · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 6:05 am Post subject:

Oh don't worry, supermarkets are the place most people start out from, just because it's convenient and there are a good range and generally available and well priced single malts. I certainly started from supermarkets. What you're doing at the moment is calibration, you're setting a benchmark for your "whisky" taste and smell and you'll be comparing each new one with previous ones, gotta start somewhere and there's very little point drinking pricey or challenging whiskies until you've got a good benchmark set on "whisky.

You also need to establish your preferences in terms of styles, which will happen as you drink more.

As with everything, some distilleries are more craft than others and those ones are the ones they'll give you that little but extra in terms of experience. Not sure of your supermarket, but Tesco are pretty good with a range of stuff at different prices and 'quality'.

Enjoy!
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

TheWM · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 7:56 am Post subject:

I would add too that trying some inexpensive own brands from supermarkets are a good cheap way to calibrate your tastes. After all, they are not making it and are buying it direct from the distillery. Waitrose, tesco finest and sainsbury taste the difference gives you the chance to try highland, lowland and islay offerings at a knock down price.

Oakster · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:37 am Post subject:

I'm within 15 miles of most Supermarkets which is where I've been getting the smaller bottles from but some only stock the 70cl bottles and like you've all said, there is no point spending money on something that I might not like.

My plan is to get a full Glenfiddich 12 which I did like - which will last a while as my one to get to know well and use as a bench mark for the others - and then use the miniatures/half bottles/supermarket offers to build up my palette.

I'm fascinated that I need to train my nose to distinguish smell! I like that every nose, even from the same pouring, can have a different smell to me and I get that 'Eureka' moment when all off sudden I recognise it and realise that there actually are pear notes, or vanilla, or honey or cinnamon. Very enjoyable :D

sorren · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:39 am Post subject:

Oakster where snouts are you located ?

Oakster · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:41 am Post subject:

In Lincolnshire on the coast between Grimsby and Skegness :D

Diademo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 1255

If you don't want spending money on malts you don't want, maybe is better to order on-line samples from different distilleries (many online whisky shops are now offering them). Samples are great way to discover rather complicated and confused word of single malts (I wish they were here when I was started).

Don't be intimidated by some specialized whisky bars - visit them at off-peak hours, and take your time to appreciate what you are drinking.

sorren · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 12:52 pm Post subject:

If your passing Doncaster and you fancy sampling something, if I have it open let me know and I'll sort a sample or two for you

Oakster · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:02 pm Post subject:

I like the sample and miniatures idea and I've been looking at those this morning - definitely going to be ordering some once I'm more in tune with my nose and tongue!

I'm compiling a list of the next few Whiskys that I would like to try next and I'll post it up, with the reasons why when its done Smile

Then I can look at samples of those.

Cheers Sorren - I'm going to Doncaster on 5th October to drop my girlfriend at the train station but that will be 6 in the morning and I have to go straight back to start work. I wouldn't recommend leaving a discrete parcel under a bench the day before for me to collect in today's climate but if there is anyway I could pick some up send me a message and we can try and sort something out. Razz

sorren · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:40 pm Post subject:

Get your list posted and if I can help out we can sort something out 👍

Oakster · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 4:20 pm Post subject:

So here goes so far. Feel free to dissect, discuss and suggest :D

Despite wanting to stick to Single Malt Scotch I'd like to try the Whisky Bible 2015 winner so in the list is the Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry 2013.

But the scotch list is based on supermarket availability, whisky bible score, online reviews and differing or similar flavours to those that I have tried and liked so far:

Ardberg Uigeadail
Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Highland Park Loki
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
Dalwhinnie 15 year old

I'll keep it to those for now, unless there are some obvious gems that I haven't listed.

opelfruit · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 5:43 pm Post subject:

You'll struggle to get any limited edition without a hefty budget, and that's at time of release. Getting hold of a bygone one is even more difficult and pricey.....so unless you're very very lucky and find someone who will give you a sample, you can probably count the Loki and the Yamazaki out Wink

Other than that, your list is a sound one and provides an experience of various styles, and also happen to all very pretty damn decent whiskies. The Glenlivet is simple and young but actually pretty good for an entry level NAS.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."