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Scotch - a perspective by a ex-Texan, ex-Okie

Some definition of terms might be a good starting point for this. Real scotch drinkers know about "nosing" and then they taste. Both are considered skills to be developed and honed.

Nosing

• pour some whisky in a nice glass and put a little water in with it (water releases the bouquet so to speak).
  
• Cover the glass with the palm of your hand and shake firmly.
  
• Put your nose deep into the glass and take two sharp sniffs
  

For tasting you add the water and swirl the mix in your mouth before either spitting out, or swallowing.

I draw a lot of fire for taking extra water with my scotch or having on ice. 95% of the time that fire is coming from people who do not regularly drink scotch but read some Diners Delight article in some magazine. Fact is good scotch is best enjoyed in every which way. With a 72 Glenrothes I tend to have a few drops of water and straight up. Maybe if they drank more they'd understand :-)

I'm not a big fan of most Syrah so I never tell people how/what to drink in that regard.

Nice Scotch in order I have

• Glenrothes Select Reserve -- once a quarter
  
• Aberlour 12 year double cask - once a month
  
• Jon, Mark & Robbo's Rich & Spicy -- everyday choice
  
• GlenLivet 14 French Oak
  
• Macallan Fine Oak & Macallan in general $$$$$
  
• Glenlivet 12 year old -- everyday choice
  
• Balvennie 12 year double-wood $$$$$
  
• Famous Grouse -- very inexpensive and not bad $
  

And I also have the opportunity to try scotches (some not available anymore) that are in the 300-800 dollar range. Sips...Special thanks to Mr. Snyder is that regard.

Exotics - Once a Year

• Glenrothes 1972
  
• Balblair 1966
  
• Macallan 21
  
• Glenmorangie 1975 Port Oak (one of last bottles left)
  
• Glen Garioch 15 year
  

Every once in awhile I am over at a co-worker/friends house and he has quite the assortment of very high end Scotch (40 and 50 year old). Now that's scotch!