What is a good brand of Scotch that is a good introduction to that style of liquor?

That is very much a multi-layered question. Blends are more popular. I call them blands. Johnny Walker Black is a good solid example. The red is not good. I am very fond of a couple that are less bland. Teacher's Highland Cream and William Grants are both clearly superior blands in my mind. One good thing about blands is you can get good ones for not much more than you would pay for a good bourbon. I am talking $25 or so.
I prefer single malts. I like the Islay malts, Laphroaig and Lagavulin are my all-time favorites. Islay single malts are not good introductory single malts. I would go with something low end and on the sweeter end like Arbourlor. Not expensive and tasty. If you want to get into the $50 range I would give a very high recommendation to Highland Park. Many scotch aficionados rate it the best all-around scotch whisky on the market. It appeals to all tastes.

Pinch is a pretty good blend.

tophand wrote:
Pinch is a pretty good blend.


I have heard good things about it. I have never tried it.

Thanks for the insight. I'll be toasting one probably next weekend. I'll keep you posted.

www.whisky.com/photos/johnnie_walker/index.html
Theres a photo on there that makes me WANT to be a Johnnie Walker fan very badly.

Duane Long wrote:
That is very much a multi-layered question. Blends are more popular. I call them blands. Johnny Walker Black is a good solid example. The red is not good. I am very fond of a couple that are less bland. Teacher's Highland Cream and William Grants are both clearly superior blands in my mind. One good thing about blands is you can get good ones for not much more than you would pay for a good bourbon. I am talking $25 or so.
I prefer single malts. I like the Islay malts, Laphroaig and Lagavulin are my all-time favorites. Islay single malts are not good introductory single malts. I would go with something low end and on the sweeter end like Arbourlor. Not expensive and tasty. If you want to get into the $50 range I would give a very high recommendation to Highland Park. Many scotch aficionados rate it the best all-around scotch whisky on the market. It appeals to all tastes.

Hi I agree, this is some really good advice! Blends can be good, they tend to be the easier to start with. I like Famous Grouse 12 yr, about $30 (contains some Macallan in it)

My favorites are the Islays as well and if you want to try a good cheap one I just stumbled upon, look for Bowmore 10 yr. $24 bucks! LOL! However be warned the Islay's are smokey and petey. You either love them or hate them.

Also, one of my new favorites is The Lasanta from Glenmorangie it's a Highland and it is double aged (finished in Sherry casks) Very nice, has a hint of sherry/vanilla taste in the end. This brand is the best selling Scotch in Scotland by the way. Runs around $60.

I went down south to my family's home for the 4th and got to try a few thinks various members brought to the party.

Johnny Walker Red is horrid and I'm being nice.

Hardy is not a very good cognac. Its cheaper than the rest for a reason.

I had some very good corn liquor. Suprisingly this was very smooth and not harsh at all. Yum.

I like the smoky, peaty flavors in the Islay single malts ... I wish it were possible to afford them more often than I can ... typically only buy 1-2 bottles of Laphroaig, Ardbeg, or Lagavulin a year.

Actually, Kasino, it is possible to make a very smooth and non-"corrosive" moonshine at home. It has to be made with a high priority on cleanliness, using stainless steel pots, copper tubing, making it slowly, and then aging the stuff for quite a while. It's when it's made too quickly, and with "unwashed hands", so to speak, that you'll get your throat burned to the point of blistering, and end up going blind!!!