Great list! Lagavulin 16 was my first love......had no idea a scotch could taste like that. Only after my peat monsters could I step back and dip into and truly appreciate the Glendronachs and dalmore’s of the world
Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Join us for the LIVE show on Tuesdays at 8PM Central - we have a great group and it's very chill talking about Single Malts. Cheers! 🥃
Welcome aboard! Thanks so much for watching and I'm happy the info was helpful. :) Glenmo makes some lovely whisky! Solid offerings that are always on my bar! Cheers!
Well as a True Scot ( born on St Andrews day, surname Scott, Highland bagpiper, Edinburgh born and bread) doesn’t get any more Scottish than me. I started to watch and thought, what’s happening 🤷♂️🏴, someone from overseas telling everyone about our whisky........... well I loved it, knowledgable , precise and passionate and I totally loved ur video 👍. It’s taken me 50 yrs to really appreciate whisky, it’s subjective and totally personalised and an amazing spirit. Enjoy and embrace the video and the end product of Scotch whisky. Arrabest from sunny Edinburgh and Cheers 🥃
Oh my goodness!!!! What an absolutely lovely comment! You've got me in happy tears! I love your country and the whisky is fabulous, but my travels there have shown me Alba's most precious resource are the people. My goal is to impart my love for Scotland and whisky to those who are interested and I strive to do the best I can. So, your remarks have made my freaking day! Slàinte Y'all from South Louisiana and thanks again for the support! 🥃🐊
Well hey there, Boo! LOL (It's a NOLA, thing!) Thanks for the comments and yes, Monkey Shoulder is super. Stay tuned for more while I showcase our beautiful state!
When I went into my first bar when I came of age , in Glasgow , I tried a Bunnahabhain 12… I was hooked. A wonderful whisky and anyone I’ve introduced it to agree how lovely it is. Slainte mhath to you all..🥃🥃🥃
Good stuff for sure! I have a review of the Bunna 12 on my blog but want to also do a video for it cause it is SUCH a great dram. And yes, a great suggestion for a beginner. Thanks so much for watching. I'm looking forward to my next trip to Scotland and another dram at the Bon Accord or Pot Still. Till then... Slainte, Y'all! 🥃
I love all your suggestions. I would also throw in Arran, basically any of their cask finishes. I also agree with letting a beginner try a few peated drams. Not sure why people would be scared of smokey flavours seeing as pretty much everyone loves BBQ flavours. You can get the sweet and smokey in many a scotch. Cheers, Lee Ann 🥃🇨🇦🇺🇲
Awesome! Thanks for the comment. I need to get the Arran 10 for sure and definitely need to explore more of the cask finishes. Great comparison to the idea of smoke and BBQ!
Great video. I have had some Glenlivet and Glenfiddich products which were all good and have a bottle of Glefargas 12 going right now which is also very good. I picked up a bottle of Glenmorangie 10 for about $30 mostly because that seems to be on a lot of people's list of where to start with Scotch. I will keep an eye out for some of these and probably pick some of them up. I will not get the monkey shoulder though. Tried that on cruise once and couldn't even finish it.
Thanks for your comment and watching the video. Glad it was helpful. Great score on a bottle of Glenmo for $30! Sorry your experience with MS was not great. :( Maybe it was a bad bottle. Join us on the live show, Tuesdays at 8pm Central some time! Cheers! 🥃
Monkey Shoulder was my gateway into the world of Scotch. I also recommend two other 12 year old for beginners Deanston & Highland Park. Great video and cheers from Scotland.
Thank you! I hope you got some good information from it. Check out the Camp Dram playlist for other reviews and join us for the LIVE show on Tuesday nights - we have a lot of fun! Thanks again for watching!
Great video, thanks. My experience is that the only problem with trying a dram at a whiskey bar is the fact that a 1.5 oz taste cost about 1/4 of the entire bottle!
Great point but I also hate to buy a bottle that I won't ever drink from again. A friend sharing samples is my favorite way to try new things and to share my own whisky. Thanks for watching! Cheers!
Thanks Tony! YOU are the reason this is the first, full-featured video! Your suggestion for a Beginner Scotch video, when we did the Scotch 101 for BSoBR, stuck - so thanks for that! Great suggestions on the Deanstons - both were on my list but I was worried about availability. Beautiful drams! Cheers!
I'm a few years into my scotch journey (and also Baton Rouge based). I'm delighted to see you led with Glenmorangie original. This is still my most solid goto single malt. I love a Macallan but it's the Sony/Apple of Scotch - you're paying extra for the name. For blends, the Kirkland from Costco is absolutely amazing both in tast and in value ($17 for 1.5L!)
Well hey there neighbor! Glenmo10 is super and I totally agree with you about Macallan. Good to hear about Costco - need to hit up a friend who has a Costco card! I've had a couple of the Kirkland Single Malts and liked them. Thanks again for the comment. 🥃
Certainly a great list for beginners. I think as an alternative to Ardbeg 10, Caol Ila 12 is a good choice with around 35ppm as a softer landing on Islay. An alternative to Monkey Shoulders is Johnnie Walker Green 15yo, a consistent and good value blended malt. At about 20ppm, Highland Park 12 can be a good alternative to Talisker 10. They could complement the selection if some bottles in the list are not available in other markets.
Thanks for watching and the comment! Yeah - great alternative suggestions. And the HP12 has a completely flavor of peat than the others. I need to get a bottle of the JW Green. I've had a sample and really enjoyed. Thanks again for the support! Slainte! 🥃
This is a very good list. I agree with every one of your choices. I'd just add that all three Glenmorangie core expressions would be great choices to introduce someone to scotch, with Lasanta standing in for the GlenDronach as a sherry-finished whisky; and it's fun to see how the port and sherry finishes affect the primary bottling. Cheers!
Thanks for watching and your comment, John. Totally agree with you on Glenmorangie - the core range is super value and great tasting. Perfect for those getting into scotch. Join us on Tuesday nights for the LIVE show! Slainte! 🥃🐊
Great video, I will also say it resembles my path, just I am not able to get any Campbletown whisky where I live. That is a pretty cool Ardbeg drawing on your bar, cheers
Thanks so much, Orlando! I do hope you can find some Campbeltown bottles in the future. Many of them are favorites of mine and the Glen Scotia Victoriana is way up on my list! I got the Ardbeg print at the distillery gift store in 2019 when I attended the Islay Whisky Academy. Makes me smile every time I see it. Cheers! 🥃
@@ScotchontheBayou That is awesome! Ardbeg is my favorite distillery, I've been wanting to go to Islay for a while now, but still during the pandemic, hope to do it this or next year, will get souvenir for sure, cheers!
What's your recommendation for a scotch for beginners? 🥃 There are so many to suggest. Here are my suggestions. Thanks for watching. Getting better with each video (even though I mispronounced one of my favorite drams 🤦♀️). Enjoy. Comment. Subscribe. Share! Thanks a bunch!
I am 100% in agreement with Quinta Ruban! And hopefully we can kind of keep it a secret. I also like to suggest the Aberlour 12 yr Speyside which is around $50-$60.
Great video Lee Ann! Flagging this one for friends who are starting out in the scotch world! These are all great suggestions here, even the peaty ones. Like you say, some folks dive in and just love it right away. Some not. But you never know until you try! Another one of my go-to recommendation is often Balvenie Doublewood 12.
Thank you, Michael! Please do share. I made this my first, long form video because so many of my Bourbon peeps were curious about Scotch. Thanks for sharing it to your group. And that's a great addition too - love me some Balvenie! Cheers, friend! 🥃
Nice video. I’d suggest Glen Grant 12 as the best basic speyside. Apple pie goodness. For an introduction to peat I’d say Bowmore 12 or 15, if you didn’t want a second Islay I’d put Highland park as more accessible than Talisker. Also a Sherry/peat combo is good to have on the introductory list.
Great Suggestions, Jason! I've had the GG15 but not the 12. Will need to check that out. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you enjoy the channel. Cheers! 🥃
@@ScotchontheBayou welcome. I didn't know they had a 15. I only see the 12 and 18 here,, and the 18 is north of $250 so I've not tried it yet. :) I am enjoying your videos yes.
But for the Kilkerran, I think it is a great list of starters. I've relied upon Glenmorangie selections for years, now. Kilkerran is entirely unavailable in these parts, as are any Springbank products. I've never tried the Monkey Shoulder, but I do think that folks should be pointed at blends if they want to sample Scotch without a huge dent in the pocketbook. Single malts get pricey PDQ. Your advice for finding a good bar is excellent; I've even been known to suggest the bar at the nicest hotel in town, as they'll be more likely to have a wide selection and know how to serve it.
Thanks for watching and the comment, Kelly! Seems like selection is still pretty hit and miss these days. :( I hear ya about blends as an entry but I'd caution on the right blend as there are some really sub-par offerings that could turn someone off before they get started on their exploration. Blended malts like Naked Malt (formerly Naked Grouse) and Monkey Shoulders would be a great, value-minded choice. New to this list I'd suggest Compass Box Orchard House - EXCELLENT whisky and super price! Cheers, and thanks again for sharing your comment! 🥃🐊
Lee Ann, kickin' list and I agree ... good intro whiskies. Other good ones could be Highland Park 12 (for a bit of peat) and then the gentler Glengoyne 10, AnCnoc 12, Deanston 12 (just for Roy!) and Arran 10. Great video and recommendations. Regards to Mark! :)
Awesome list! You hit all of the bottles I was buying as I started my journey last year! One bottle I really like is the Glenfiddich 14 Ex-bourbon. Such a great nose, my friends all pick up the bourbon notes. Plus, such a beautiful bottle, great glass weight and the triangle shape, so cool on the bar. Cheers Lee Ann!🥃
Why thank you Bobby J! You have gone into overdrive with your journey - I think we are guilty of corrupting you! LOL Can you believe I've never had the Glenfiddich 14?!?!?! Now I'll have to try it. And yeah, that bottle is classy. 🥃😁
I am new to scotch and was looking at Fiddich 14. I don't mind bourbon myself. Could you give me a little more details on how the favours are and any scotches or bourbon it reminds you of ?
@@WaterMelon-Cat good question! Glenfiddich 14 spends all of its time in ex-bourbon casks so it is more about the vanilla flavors, the sweetness, some cherry notes. There are many Scotch’s that are only matured in ex-bourbon casks so they have similar characteristics for nose and palate. Reading up on a bottle can help make a good choice when trying to pick out a new bottle. Cheers!🥃
Great video. I’ve subscribed and am looking forward to more of your videos. On this list I have Ardbeg 10 and Monkey Shoulder. Monkey Shoulder is good, but I prefer and recommend The Naked Grouse, also a Blended Malt. And I’d heard so much about the Ardbeg 10, that it wasn’t as ‘bad’/strong as I’d been anticipating. Yes, it’s heavily peated, but I really like it. One suggestion not on the list to work up to more peated is Highland Park. The HP 12 is really good, and I liked the Magnus run they put out, but it may be harder to find nowadays. Thanks again for the video, and keep up the great work!
Oh Wow! Thanks so much for watching and your comments. Absolutely agree on the Naked Grouse - such a tasty and good value bottle. Glad you enjoyed the Ardbeg. I know it isn't for everyone but if we don't try new things we get stuck on the same stuff. And isn't interesting how different the peat is in that compared to the HP12!?!?
Every now and then I host a tasting for friends or have a few over who want to try some scotch as well. Impromptu I make do with whatever i have at that moment, but always there will be some available, decent and entry level whiskies in the cabinet. I try to indeed show what the spectrum of scotch has to offer, and for contrast I see if I can put an Irish or bourbon in the lineup. You made some excellent choices I reckon. Love Old Pulteney as well, big sucker for the sadly discontinued 17 yo. The QR is brilliant, GM bumping up the age statement from12 to 14 made a significant impact. Good call on gradually increasing on the peat. I found the old benriach 10 curiositas to be a good introduction myself. Cheers
Thanks for the support, Menno and the comments! That OP17 was stellar (thankfully have one last bottle in the bunker!) Isn't it fun to present our beloved elixir to those who are curious and new? I love seeing all their misconceptions fall away. LOL Thanks again, friend. Truly appreciate it!
Hey Lee Ann, great choices with a wide range of Scotch varieties. I was shocked to hear that the KK and Talisker are almost twice as expensive as here in Europe! So you have to bring an extra suitcase for your next trip! ;) Maybe another sweet take on Scotch could be a Glen Scotia Double Cask or if you can get it the Victoriana. An island whisky that comes to my mind is the Arran 10 - and yes, Islands should be a region in its own right.
Thanks for the comments Luna! Prices are kinda crazy. Some things we get cheaper than what they cost in Scotland. Most, though are a good bit more. My area is even higher than other places in the States. Thanks to the US's crazy liquor laws! I MUST get a bottle of Arran 10 as everyone is raving about it. And Victoriana is one of my FAVS - stay tuned for a video on that very soon! LOL! Slainte Y'all!
Good video Lee Ann and good choices. I still buy these whiskies, so not only for beginners (especially the kilkerren). Would also add balvinie 12 double wood , buhnna 12, auchentoschen 12, glenfarclas 10 and for peat what about Laphraiog select?, cheers again Lee Ann.
Thanks David! Yeah, all still on my bar. I brought a Triple Cask home from Laphroaig - had no clue what I was doing then, but really liked it. LOL Great additions to the list. Thanks for sharing them and appreciate your support!
Hi there - thanks for the comment. It kinda depends on which version of Dewar's, at least for my tastes. The base White Label is not really my thing as I prefer a single malt with a higher % of alcohol than this blend. Trouble is that for the same money, it is almost impossible to find a single malt for what Dewar WL costs. Monkey Shoulders is a blended malt (no grain) and a more comparable choice. Dewars 12 year and some of their specialty blends are quite nice. Cheers!
Welcome aboard! You know the saying... it's not the destination, it's the journey! Thanks for watching AND subscribing. I hope you get some good info from the channel. What's been your favorite scotch, so far?
@@ScotchontheBayou Well said. Thus far, the Springbank 15 year expression has been top of the list. I appreciate how the nose continues to open up from pour to 35 mins later. The pallette is complex as new flavors appear behind others.
Great video and you`ve really been spot on with your selection! As a whisky aficionado in the island of Malta in the centre of the Mediterranean, I have a collection of over 100 bottles, including 63 single malts but I must say you`ve convinced me to add Glendronach 12 to my stock! Allow me to add that I would have included Glenfiddich 12, Glenlivet 12 and Aberlour 12 as recommendations for beginners. Well done once again. Great delivery and you clearly are well versed in the subject.
Thanks so much for the comments, Ray! And great additions to the beginners list. 100 bottles is quite the collection. Fun fact: my grandfather was in the Navy during WWII and was aboard the USS Iowa ship that took President Roosevelt to Malta to meet with Churchill and Stalin! So cheers to you and Malta! 🥃
Ardbeg as a "starter" scotch?!? Dear God NO! Thats the quickest way I can think of to scare off potential scotch devotees who aren't prepared for the level of smoke/peat therein. Apart from that, we mostly agree on your selections.
I tried Ardbeg alone and was definitely overwhelmed. Next time I tried it while smoking a cigar and thought it was the best whiskey (bourbon or scotch) I’ve ever had with a cigar.
Yeah, I get it... which is why I suggest to "work your way up" to it with the others. LOL My second dram ever was heavily peated and it was spectacular. But that's me. :) Thanks for the comment and for watching!
Very interesting, Christopher! Environment has a BIG impact on how we taste whisky! One of the many things I love about it. Thanks for watching and the comment!
@@ScotchontheBayou great list Lee Ann. Sometimes the peat just speaks to you. For me, it was Lagavulin 16 that really opened my eyes to the world of peat. I would recommend Lag 16 or port Charlotte 10 for beginners looking to dive head first into peat. These two expressions are a more clean Isla peat with less of the beginner turn-offs.
@@thedurv8434 Thanks for the comment! Lag 16 is a personal favorite too and I know a few folks for which it was a total gamechanger. Love the PC10, too - has a slight lemony flair to it. Appreciate the suggestions! GEAUX PEAT!
Thanks for watching! Blends are certainly an option for beginners. My worry would be the grain content as, for me, it isn't one of my favorite flavors. So this begs the question.... what Blends are good for Beginners???? Perhaps another video is in order?! Thanks again and Cheers! 🥃🐊
My 93 year old mother is a first generation American. Her family was from Scotland. She had her DNA done and she’s 97 percent Scottish. How do I remember this? She tells me multiple times a day! 😂 Scotch was her favorite. In her opinion, if it ain’t Scottish, it’s crap! Stolen from an SNL skit.
Oh my goodness! I had to go back in the video and look. You are correct! I can't tell you how many times I proof read my graphics only to mess up! Thank you for pointing out my mistake - it was certainly not intentional. Cheers! Thanks for watching!
Sadly GD has just changed the labels and removed the ‚non-chill filtered‘, but I think that was after you released your video. So sadly, now you might be correct :(
Great list! Lagavulin 16 was my first love......had no idea a scotch could taste like that. Only after my peat monsters could I step back and dip into and truly appreciate the Glendronachs and dalmore’s of the world
Thanks for watching! Lag 16 is delish! And good for you to hit the peaty ones first. Cheers!
Great selection / line up, Lee Ann.
Thanks for sharing.
Slàinte mhath
Thanks friend! Cheers! 🥃
Great list! thank you for share!
Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful! Cheers! 🥃🐊
Thank you for the suggestions! Scotch seems intimidating to get into, but I'm really starting to enjoy it more and more
Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Join us for the LIVE show on Tuesdays at 8PM Central - we have a great group and it's very chill talking about Single Malts. Cheers! 🥃
Got your video on a RUclips recommendation. Great video... clear and very informative. Glenmorangie's lineup is one of my favorites. Thank you.
Welcome aboard! Thanks so much for watching and I'm happy the info was helpful. :) Glenmo makes some lovely whisky! Solid offerings that are always on my bar! Cheers!
Woah. I have all of these. You're spot on with this list
Thanks! And of course you do cause I've been dropping these hints to you for years now! LOL See! you are turning into Scotchineering! 😏🥃🤣
Well as a True Scot ( born on St Andrews day, surname Scott, Highland bagpiper, Edinburgh born and bread) doesn’t get any more Scottish than me. I started to watch and thought, what’s happening 🤷♂️🏴, someone from overseas telling everyone about our whisky........... well I loved it, knowledgable , precise and passionate and I totally loved ur video 👍. It’s taken me 50 yrs to really appreciate whisky, it’s subjective and totally personalised and an amazing spirit. Enjoy and embrace the video and the end product of Scotch whisky. Arrabest from sunny Edinburgh and Cheers 🥃
Oh my goodness!!!! What an absolutely lovely comment! You've got me in happy tears! I love your country and the whisky is fabulous, but my travels there have shown me Alba's most precious resource are the people. My goal is to impart my love for Scotland and whisky to those who are interested and I strive to do the best I can. So, your remarks have made my freaking day! Slàinte Y'all from South Louisiana and thanks again for the support! 🥃🐊
Monkey shoulder is my favorite😊 Love seeing reviews from someone from home. I'm from NOLA... Cheers!!!
Well hey there, Boo! LOL (It's a NOLA, thing!) Thanks for the comments and yes, Monkey Shoulder is super. Stay tuned for more while I showcase our beautiful state!
Great job, wonderful selection.
Many thanks! Appreciate the comment and you watching!
Loved it! Mirrors some of my journey, but definitely a fan of Glendronach 12 to convince my bourbon drinking friends!
Cool! Thanks! Glendro12 is just so good! Thanks for the sub, too! Cheers! 🥃
I agree with you Lee Ann...Islands should be a region all its own. Thanks for the vid. Great picks all.
Cheers.
Thanks for watching! Appreciate it Jim - now we should start petitioning the SWA about that new scotch region. 😉🥃
When I went into my first bar when I came of age , in Glasgow , I tried a Bunnahabhain 12… I was hooked. A wonderful whisky and anyone I’ve introduced it to agree how lovely it is. Slainte mhath to you all..🥃🥃🥃
Good stuff for sure! I have a review of the Bunna 12 on my blog but want to also do a video for it cause it is SUCH a great dram. And yes, a great suggestion for a beginner. Thanks so much for watching. I'm looking forward to my next trip to Scotland and another dram at the Bon Accord or Pot Still. Till then... Slainte, Y'all! 🥃
I love all your suggestions. I would also throw in Arran, basically any of their cask finishes. I also agree with letting a beginner try a few peated drams. Not sure why people would be scared of smokey flavours seeing as pretty much everyone loves BBQ flavours. You can get the sweet and smokey in many a scotch. Cheers, Lee Ann 🥃🇨🇦🇺🇲
Awesome! Thanks for the comment. I need to get the Arran 10 for sure and definitely need to explore more of the cask finishes. Great comparison to the idea of smoke and BBQ!
Great video. I have had some Glenlivet and Glenfiddich products which were all good and have a bottle of Glefargas 12 going right now which is also very good. I picked up a bottle of Glenmorangie 10 for about $30 mostly because that seems to be on a lot of people's list of where to start with Scotch. I will keep an eye out for some of these and probably pick some of them up. I will not get the monkey shoulder though. Tried that on cruise once and couldn't even finish it.
Thanks for your comment and watching the video. Glad it was helpful. Great score on a bottle of Glenmo for $30! Sorry your experience with MS was not great. :( Maybe it was a bad bottle. Join us on the live show, Tuesdays at 8pm Central some time! Cheers! 🥃
@@ScotchontheBayou I think I was wrong on the Glenmo 10. It was around $40. Something else I was looking at must have been $30
Look at that 80’s hair!!! ❤️ ya Lee Ann!!!
Higher the hair, closer to God! And you should have seen it in the 80's! LOL
Monkey Shoulder was my gateway into the world of Scotch. I also recommend two other 12 year old for beginners Deanston & Highland Park. Great video and cheers from Scotland.
Great selections, David. Thanks for the comment! And HP12 is a great way to get into peat. Such a lighter version than those from Islay. Cheers! 🥃
You make a great video!
Thank you! I hope you got some good information from it. Check out the Camp Dram playlist for other reviews and join us for the LIVE show on Tuesday nights - we have a lot of fun! Thanks again for watching!
I like the way she explains it
Thanks a bunch! Hope the information was helpful. Be sure to check out some of my other reviews! Cheers! 🥃
Great video, thanks. My experience is that the only problem with trying a dram at a whiskey bar is the fact that a 1.5 oz taste cost about 1/4 of the entire bottle!
Great point but I also hate to buy a bottle that I won't ever drink from again. A friend sharing samples is my favorite way to try new things and to share my own whisky. Thanks for watching! Cheers!
Great video! I have all those bottles except the Kilkerran and Talisker.
Thanks Greg! We keep all these as "everyday drams" so it's easy to share with new folks. Highly suggest the Talisker and KK12.
Balanced list👍
Thanks, glad you liked it! Appreciate the support. Cheers! 🥃
Great presentation Lee Ann. For me would insert Tomatin Dualcis/Legacy in those first starter picks. Glad to see you jumping into RUclips. Cheers
Thanks so much Donner! And great addition with the Tomatin for a beginner. Appreciate you joining me on this RUclips Adventure!
Great list! I think I'd have to add either Deanston Virgin Oak or Deanston 12. Loving the content!
Thanks Tony! YOU are the reason this is the first, full-featured video! Your suggestion for a Beginner Scotch video, when we did the Scotch 101 for BSoBR, stuck - so thanks for that! Great suggestions on the Deanstons - both were on my list but I was worried about availability. Beautiful drams! Cheers!
Great suggestions - thank you. The Kilkerran doesn’t make a lot of beginner lists, but is a nice introduction to Campbelltown.
Glad it was helpful! And I appreciate you watching. Kilkerran is making some beautiful whisky.
I'm a few years into my scotch journey (and also Baton Rouge based). I'm delighted to see you led with Glenmorangie original. This is still my most solid goto single malt. I love a Macallan but it's the Sony/Apple of Scotch - you're paying extra for the name. For blends, the Kirkland from Costco is absolutely amazing both in tast and in value ($17 for 1.5L!)
Well hey there neighbor! Glenmo10 is super and I totally agree with you about Macallan. Good to hear about Costco - need to hit up a friend who has a Costco card! I've had a couple of the Kirkland Single Malts and liked them. Thanks again for the comment. 🥃
Awesome list :) Still can't believe I haven't tried Quinta Ruban yet... I'm going to pick up an OP12 soon!!
WHAT?!?!? James, you would enjoy it. Total everyday dram for us. And thanks for the feedback!
Another great video
Thanks again!
Certainly a great list for beginners.
I think as an alternative to Ardbeg 10, Caol Ila 12 is a good choice with around 35ppm as a softer landing on Islay.
An alternative to Monkey Shoulders is Johnnie Walker Green 15yo, a consistent and good value blended malt.
At about 20ppm, Highland Park 12 can be a good alternative to Talisker 10.
They could complement the selection if some bottles in the list are not available in other markets.
Thanks for watching and the comment! Yeah - great alternative suggestions. And the HP12 has a completely flavor of peat than the others. I need to get a bottle of the JW Green. I've had a sample and really enjoyed. Thanks again for the support! Slainte! 🥃
The first Scotch I had was Macallen 12 and then Monkey Shoulder. Then I went all in with Ardbeg and Laphroaig. I Love the Peat.
Love that journey! Jumped right in with the peat! Cheers! 🥃🐊
This is a very good list. I agree with every one of your choices.
I'd just add that all three Glenmorangie core expressions would be great choices to introduce someone to scotch, with Lasanta standing in for the GlenDronach as a sherry-finished whisky; and it's fun to see how the port and sherry finishes affect the primary bottling.
Cheers!
Thanks for watching and your comment, John. Totally agree with you on Glenmorangie - the core range is super value and great tasting. Perfect for those getting into scotch. Join us on Tuesday nights for the LIVE show! Slainte! 🥃🐊
Great video, I will also say it resembles my path, just I am not able to get any Campbletown whisky where I live. That is a pretty cool Ardbeg drawing on your bar, cheers
Thanks so much, Orlando! I do hope you can find some Campbeltown bottles in the future. Many of them are favorites of mine and the Glen Scotia Victoriana is way up on my list! I got the Ardbeg print at the distillery gift store in 2019 when I attended the Islay Whisky Academy. Makes me smile every time I see it. Cheers! 🥃
@@ScotchontheBayou That is awesome! Ardbeg is my favorite distillery, I've been wanting to go to Islay for a while now, but still during the pandemic, hope to do it this or next year, will get souvenir for sure, cheers!
Nice choice. Thums up
Big thanks!
What's your recommendation for a scotch for beginners? 🥃 There are so many to suggest. Here are my suggestions. Thanks for watching. Getting better with each video (even though I mispronounced one of my favorite drams 🤦♀️). Enjoy. Comment. Subscribe. Share! Thanks a bunch!
Glenmorangie original for single malt. Kirkland from Costco for blends.
I am 100% in agreement with Quinta Ruban! And hopefully we can kind of keep it a secret. I also like to suggest the Aberlour 12 yr Speyside which is around $50-$60.
@@christopherblack3261 Right?!?!? QR14 is SO good. I need to revisit the Aberlour 12 - that's a great suggestion.
@@kevincampbell4589 both great value!
It was the Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask that grabbed me by the collar and spiked my interest in exploring Scotch.
Great video Lee Ann! Flagging this one for friends who are starting out in the scotch world! These are all great suggestions here, even the peaty ones. Like you say, some folks dive in and just love it right away. Some not. But you never know until you try! Another one of my go-to recommendation is often Balvenie Doublewood 12.
Thank you, Michael! Please do share. I made this my first, long form video because so many of my Bourbon peeps were curious about Scotch. Thanks for sharing it to your group. And that's a great addition too - love me some Balvenie! Cheers, friend! 🥃
I have Old Pulteney for $35 in my area. LOVE it especially for the price!
That's a steal!!!
Nice video. I’d suggest Glen Grant 12 as the best basic speyside. Apple pie goodness. For an introduction to peat I’d say Bowmore 12 or 15, if you didn’t want a second Islay I’d put Highland park as more accessible than Talisker. Also a Sherry/peat combo is good to have on the introductory list.
Great Suggestions, Jason! I've had the GG15 but not the 12. Will need to check that out. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you enjoy the channel. Cheers! 🥃
@@ScotchontheBayou welcome. I didn't know they had a 15. I only see the 12 and 18 here,, and the 18 is north of $250 so I've not tried it yet. :) I am enjoying your videos yes.
But for the Kilkerran, I think it is a great list of starters. I've relied upon Glenmorangie selections for years, now. Kilkerran is entirely unavailable in these parts, as are any Springbank products. I've never tried the Monkey Shoulder, but I do think that folks should be pointed at blends if they want to sample Scotch without a huge dent in the pocketbook. Single malts get pricey PDQ. Your advice for finding a good bar is excellent; I've even been known to suggest the bar at the nicest hotel in town, as they'll be more likely to have a wide selection and know how to serve it.
Thanks for watching and the comment, Kelly! Seems like selection is still pretty hit and miss these days. :( I hear ya about blends as an entry but I'd caution on the right blend as there are some really sub-par offerings that could turn someone off before they get started on their exploration. Blended malts like Naked Malt (formerly Naked Grouse) and Monkey Shoulders would be a great, value-minded choice. New to this list I'd suggest Compass Box Orchard House - EXCELLENT whisky and super price! Cheers, and thanks again for sharing your comment! 🥃🐊
Excellent 👍
Thank you! Cheers! Appreciate you watching!
Lee Ann, kickin' list and I agree ... good intro whiskies. Other good ones could be Highland Park 12 (for a bit of peat) and then the gentler Glengoyne 10, AnCnoc 12, Deanston 12 (just for Roy!) and Arran 10. Great video and recommendations. Regards to Mark! :)
Thanks so much! And great suggestions! Yes, that Deanston 12 almost made the list! And keep a watch for an upcoming Camp Dram of one of the above! 😉
Awesome list! You hit all of the bottles I was buying as I started my journey last year! One bottle I really like is the Glenfiddich 14 Ex-bourbon. Such a great nose, my friends all pick up the bourbon notes. Plus, such a beautiful bottle, great glass weight and the triangle shape, so cool on the bar. Cheers Lee Ann!🥃
Why thank you Bobby J! You have gone into overdrive with your journey - I think we are guilty of corrupting you! LOL Can you believe I've never had the Glenfiddich 14?!?!?! Now I'll have to try it. And yeah, that bottle is classy. 🥃😁
I am new to scotch and was looking at Fiddich 14. I don't mind bourbon myself. Could you give me a little more details on how the favours are and any scotches or bourbon it reminds you of ?
@@WaterMelon-Cat good question! Glenfiddich 14 spends all of its time in ex-bourbon casks so it is more about the vanilla flavors, the sweetness, some cherry notes. There are many Scotch’s that are only matured in ex-bourbon casks so they have similar characteristics for nose and palate. Reading up on a bottle can help make a good choice when trying to pick out a new bottle. Cheers!🥃
Great video. I’ve subscribed and am looking forward to more of your videos. On this list I have Ardbeg 10 and Monkey Shoulder. Monkey Shoulder is good, but I prefer and recommend The Naked Grouse, also a Blended Malt. And I’d heard so much about the Ardbeg 10, that it wasn’t as ‘bad’/strong as I’d been anticipating. Yes, it’s heavily peated, but I really like it. One suggestion not on the list to work up to more peated is Highland Park. The HP 12 is really good, and I liked the Magnus run they put out, but it may be harder to find nowadays. Thanks again for the video, and keep up the great work!
Oh Wow! Thanks so much for watching and your comments. Absolutely agree on the Naked Grouse - such a tasty and good value bottle. Glad you enjoyed the Ardbeg. I know it isn't for everyone but if we don't try new things we get stuck on the same stuff. And isn't interesting how different the peat is in that compared to the HP12!?!?
Every now and then I host a tasting for friends or have a few over who want to try some scotch as well. Impromptu I make do with whatever i have at that moment, but always there will be some available, decent and entry level whiskies in the cabinet. I try to indeed show what the spectrum of scotch has to offer, and for contrast I see if I can put an Irish or bourbon in the lineup. You made some excellent choices I reckon. Love Old Pulteney as well, big sucker for the sadly discontinued 17 yo. The QR is brilliant, GM bumping up the age statement from12 to 14 made a significant impact. Good call on gradually increasing on the peat. I found the old benriach 10 curiositas to be a good introduction myself. Cheers
Thanks for the support, Menno and the comments! That OP17 was stellar (thankfully have one last bottle in the bunker!) Isn't it fun to present our beloved elixir to those who are curious and new? I love seeing all their misconceptions fall away. LOL Thanks again, friend. Truly appreciate it!
Hey Lee Ann, great choices with a wide range of Scotch varieties. I was shocked to hear that the KK and Talisker are almost twice as expensive as here in Europe! So you have to bring an extra suitcase for your next trip! ;) Maybe another sweet take on Scotch could be a Glen Scotia Double Cask or if you can get it the Victoriana. An island whisky that comes to my mind is the Arran 10 - and yes, Islands should be a region in its own right.
Thanks for the comments Luna! Prices are kinda crazy. Some things we get cheaper than what they cost in Scotland. Most, though are a good bit more. My area is even higher than other places in the States. Thanks to the US's crazy liquor laws! I MUST get a bottle of Arran 10 as everyone is raving about it. And Victoriana is one of my FAVS - stay tuned for a video on that very soon! LOL! Slainte Y'all!
Good video Lee Ann and good choices. I still buy these whiskies, so not only for beginners (especially the kilkerren). Would also add balvinie 12 double wood , buhnna 12, auchentoschen 12, glenfarclas 10 and for peat what about Laphraiog select?, cheers again Lee Ann.
Thanks David! Yeah, all still on my bar. I brought a Triple Cask home from Laphroaig - had no clue what I was doing then, but really liked it. LOL Great additions to the list. Thanks for sharing them and appreciate your support!
Is Dewars a good suggestion?
Hi there - thanks for the comment. It kinda depends on which version of Dewar's, at least for my tastes. The base White Label is not really my thing as I prefer a single malt with a higher % of alcohol than this blend. Trouble is that for the same money, it is almost impossible to find a single malt for what Dewar WL costs. Monkey Shoulders is a blended malt (no grain) and a more comparable choice. Dewars 12 year and some of their specialty blends are quite nice. Cheers!
Just became a scotch person. The journey has been exciting and I'm always looking forward to the next. Keep it up. New subscriber.
Welcome aboard! You know the saying... it's not the destination, it's the journey! Thanks for watching AND subscribing. I hope you get some good info from the channel. What's been your favorite scotch, so far?
@@ScotchontheBayou Well said. Thus far, the Springbank 15 year expression has been top of the list. I appreciate how the nose continues to open up from pour to 35 mins later. The pallette is complex as new flavors appear behind others.
@@athinkingman8840 I LOVE Springbank. Total fan girl! Cheers and enjoy!
Good beginner list.
Glad you think so! Appreciate the support Rae! 🥃😍
Great video and you`ve really been spot on with your selection! As a whisky aficionado in the island of Malta in the centre of the Mediterranean, I have a collection of over 100 bottles, including 63 single malts but I must say you`ve convinced me to add Glendronach 12 to my stock! Allow me to add that I would have included Glenfiddich 12, Glenlivet 12 and Aberlour 12 as recommendations for beginners. Well done once again. Great delivery and you clearly are well versed in the subject.
Thanks so much for the comments, Ray! And great additions to the beginners list. 100 bottles is quite the collection. Fun fact: my grandfather was in the Navy during WWII and was aboard the USS Iowa ship that took President Roosevelt to Malta to meet with Churchill and Stalin! So cheers to you and Malta! 🥃
Small world Lee Ann! Slainte and keep these great whisky videos coming🥃
Ardbeg uigeadail scotch favorite
Wonderful Bottle! Love it Thanks for watching! Cheers! 🥃
Ardbeg as a "starter" scotch?!? Dear God NO! Thats the quickest way I can think of to scare off potential scotch devotees who aren't prepared for the level of smoke/peat therein. Apart from that, we mostly agree on your selections.
I tried Ardbeg alone and was definitely overwhelmed. Next time I tried it while smoking a cigar and thought it was the best whiskey (bourbon or scotch) I’ve ever had with a cigar.
Yeah, I get it... which is why I suggest to "work your way up" to it with the others. LOL My second dram ever was heavily peated and it was spectacular. But that's me. :) Thanks for the comment and for watching!
Very interesting, Christopher! Environment has a BIG impact on how we taste whisky! One of the many things I love about it. Thanks for watching and the comment!
@@ScotchontheBayou great list Lee Ann. Sometimes the peat just speaks to you. For me, it was Lagavulin 16 that really opened my eyes to the world of peat. I would recommend Lag 16 or port Charlotte 10 for beginners looking to dive head first into peat. These two expressions are a more clean Isla peat with less of the beginner turn-offs.
@@thedurv8434 Thanks for the comment! Lag 16 is a personal favorite too and I know a few folks for which it was a total gamechanger. Love the PC10, too - has a slight lemony flair to it. Appreciate the suggestions! GEAUX PEAT!
$45 for Quinta Ruban?
What state do you live in?
Crazy price, right?!?!? I'm in Louisiana and our prices are generally 10% than most other states. But for some reason the QR14 is a steal. Slainte!
@@ScotchontheBayou
Now I know what to look for next time I drive through the pelican state. 🤙
Greetings from Michoacán.
Start with blends
Thanks for watching! Blends are certainly an option for beginners. My worry would be the grain content as, for me, it isn't one of my favorite flavors. So this begs the question.... what Blends are good for Beginners???? Perhaps another video is in order?! Thanks again and Cheers! 🥃🐊
Favorite ardbeg uigeadail
Absolutely LOVE that one! Thanks for watching and Cheers!
Glenmorangie $29 at whole foods
Wow! That's a steal! Thanks for the comment and watching the video!
Peat is another word for dirt.
😂 You are not wrong! LOL I like to think of it as "earthy!" Cheers! 🥃
My 93 year old mother is a first generation American. Her family was from Scotland. She had her DNA done and she’s 97 percent Scottish. How do I remember this? She tells me multiple times a day! 😂 Scotch was her favorite. In her opinion, if it ain’t Scottish, it’s crap! Stolen from an SNL skit.
Real or fiction, it's a funny story... and accurate! LOL! Cheers. Thanks for watching the video!
Aaaarrrdddddbbbeeeggggg OMG!
Yes! Gotta love Ardbeg! Check out the Ardbeg Committee Release video that includes Arrrrrrdddbeg! ruclips.net/video/3n8pFkPo00Q/видео.html
You said GlenDronach 12 is chill filtered. Fun fact - GlenDronach 12 is not chill filtered. Please, don't lie.
Oh my goodness! I had to go back in the video and look. You are correct! I can't tell you how many times I proof read my graphics only to mess up! Thank you for pointing out my mistake - it was certainly not intentional. Cheers! Thanks for watching!
Sadly GD has just changed the labels and removed the ‚non-chill filtered‘, but I think that was after you released your video. So sadly, now you might be correct :(