Beginners Whisky.

As a teenager with underdeveloped taste buds, you would have liked completely different to what you now will.

The whisky bar suggestion as a great one. Find a few mates who like a dram, then have a pleasant night out trying a few.

I like the edgy Islays, so no point me recommending you anything as you won’t like it.

Many years ago we had a thread on Japanese whisky, of which I have many from my time out there, but the good ones aren’t available here now for any sensible money. The bottle of Nikki Taketsuru 21y/o i picked up for £30 will set you back £300 now!

Oh dear, a monster has been created. I had to try the Jura in case I needed another Xmas drink to replace it. Gosh, it’s smooth, warming yet doesn’t burn, I can taste the flavours and the essence of whisky is obviously there. What’s more, the story of the Island on the tube has hooked me in.

I bloody love it, and there must be a gazillion more to try!

The whisky exchange festivals are a good way to taste lots of different whisky and get some advice for about the same price as a single bottle

Kryton57, I feel your request for beginners whisky is actually a great reflection of the snobbery that can pervade these things, if you like supermarket blends, then enjoy them. That being aid there are some good people here that have given good advice, I would get small taster packs, or go to a decent pub with a rep for decent whisky and try a few.
I am still a total ignoramus when it comes to understanding the production and vagaries of the flavours, but I do knwo the ones I like and following yur nose can be very rewarding.

I feel your request for beginners whisky is actually a great reflection of the snobbery that can pervade these things, if you like supermarket blends, then enjoy them.

I understand your point but I asked becuase I didn’t want to try something that’d make me wretch (again) and leave me devoid of understanding whisky for the remainder of my life becuase of a poor experience. So not a snobbery, a genuine desire to experience something I can appreciate and learn about.

Not accusing you of snobbery, I think people have a fear of trying stuff due to the snobbery that is associated with "taste", its the same with wine, art, good food, Bakewell type products, bike brands...
I'm reccomending that you ignore that and explore for yourself with abandon.

I'm a bit weird really because I like cask strength without water. I drink it very slowly taking tiny sips and love the buzzing feeling on the tongue as it gets anaethsetised.

Dry Jan is done, so I'm starting of the weekend with some well know aka "off the shelf" Irish and Scots mix:

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Well done, and enjoy - interested to know what you make of them as I know nothing about whisky. 🙂

Teachers has one thing going for it: it’s better than Bells.

Exactly my opinion, arrived at through personal experience before I discovered Glenfiddich. I dallied with Southern Comfort for a brief period, but not long after, someone suggested Jack Daniels.

Nowadays, it’s only financial constraints that stop me trying all sorts of different whiskies. One I think the OP might like is The Sexton, an Irish single malt from Dublin. Very smooth, almost creamy.
Over Christmas, I thought I’d see if I could assemble a collection of whiskies from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland - not too difficult for three of those, but I wasn’t sure about England, until I came across a review of a variety of whiskies, and one was English, not only that, but from a brewery that I was very familiar with - Adnams. They also do a Rye Malt, which is what I bought. I also bought a Penderyn, a Ben Bracken Islay, and an Irish whiskey, from Teeling Whiskey Company. It’s matured in barrels from a ginger beer brewery in London, which gives it a lovely ginger tang. My mate gave me a bottle of The Sexton as well.
Seems there’s a number of English distillers, I hadn’t realised there was a long history in the past of distilling all over the country. There’s even a small distillery setting up in Bristol.

All of those above are very good indeed, too.

Dry Jan is done, so I’m starting of the weekend with some well know aka “off the shelf” Irish and Scots mix:

All you're missing is something peaty, try and get a Laphroaig or Ardbeg miniature? (not Bunnahabheinn, it could pass as a cheap Speyside in my experience!)

Has anyone else been to the new Johnnie Walker experience in Edinburgh ? I went last week for a tour and meal, followed by quite a few drinks in the bar, followed by a few too many Old Fashioned in The Register Club. I’m told I enjoyed it. I’ve also developed a cheeky fondness of Black Label for an easy evening drink.

The drop of water question. Some colleagues and I shared a dram of Oban with the distillery manager after a job there. He added more than a drop of water to his but what does he know?

Not drowned either. And he claimed the ideal water was from the same source as the distillery but in reality any soft water will work.

Water? Depends on several things. Different whiskies will change characteristics differently  as you add water. Some don't need any, some will need just a drop to "open up", others can withstand more, but it's all down to you and your palate.  So, start with your whisky of the moment, try it neat, then add just a drop, then keep adding it drop by drop until it achieves what you want it to.  Somewhere along the way you'll find what works best for you with that particular whisky.

I'm afraid you can't cut corners with this method. Commitment and resolve may be required. And of course you might have to repeat the experiment several times with different whiskies. I wish you luck.

My faves, Whisky - Old Pulteney, Whiskey - Redbreast, Bourbon - Makers Mark 46.

Normally drink them neat, but a drop of water can make all the difference.  As peeps have mentioned drink it with whatever you want...........okay within reason😁

Well, Friday night the Jameson went down and I found that mild, easy drinking with a short finish.  Today two of the Taliskers.   I didn’t like the Skye, felt a bit artificial / chemical.  I followed with the Storm, much deeper, smoky and feels like it’d put hairs on your chest, I can imagine it being drunk by a haggard sailor sat in a light house during bad weather.  I liked it, but would drink it slowly and in moderation.

Fun times.