Scotch - for the fall, spring, for their floral/herbal characteristics - I enjoy Speysides & Highland malts, esp. Dalwhinnie, Cragganmore, Macallan; in the Deep winter, typically, bring on the Islay Malts, Ardbeg and Laphroaig. Fire. Smoke. Meat. Good. I do enjoy the balance, smoothness and delicate sweetness of Irish malts, esp. Middleton's and Redbreast. If Scotches are deeply complex, I find Irish triple distillation lends an incomparable finish - what the Germans would call "drinkability." Bourbon, Basil Hayden's, Woodford Reserve, and Booker's. Curiously, although I will do a drop (literally, usually) of water in the peatier/smokier scotches , and only neat among the Irish, I only drink bourbons on ice - esp. Booker's, which I find too viscous otherwise - but cold, cut by just a bit of melt-off - wonderful. Them's my faves. ps: OK: geek fact - many scotches are bracing in their alcohol and bouquet bite, up front - adding a drop of distilled or spring water (never tap - chlorine sucks) or two to a neat poor lengthens the alcohol chain, gentles the initial assault on the nose and pallet, and allows the sipper to enjoy the depth and complex character w/o the desensitizating, evanescent sting of the alcohol. Try it...smell, and sip the scotch w/o any water, remove the glass from the nose, sniff in and out a couple of times to clear the olfactory senses, then add a drop of water and sniff the glass again - the result is (usually) palpable. Adjust the amount of water to allow the full panoply of length, depth, and complexity of aromas and flavors on the nose and palate, without weakening the craft of the distiller, as evidenced in the glass...each palate to its own...
How dare you suggest I adulterate beverages this way. The only thing that whisky should be thrown with is glee!
I liked Maker's Mark when I was a drinker...more of a bourbon, but still....if you take a whiff after swirling it you will find hints of pollen and dirty hooker...and a little airplane glue. Just wonderful. So delightful. It reminds one of a woman that only looks good from behind...mmmmm.....can't you just taste it....exquisite... northpointaiki, I am just playing with you. I like it when someone knows their stuff, and exactly what they like. Have one for me.
Sorry, not to bump an old thread, but thought this was funny - and you come from one of my favorite places, Long Island. Long Island wine, Bass from the sound. A good day.