Yes indeed. Beginners should start with Money Shoulder. Lower ABV makes it easier to consume and the blended malt is better than any entry level blended whisky.
As someone who has recently started his whisky journey, I have tried the following: Ardbeg 10, which was too much the first time I drank it, but gets easier every subsequent time. Bruichladdich the Classic Laddie, which I find too spirity/harsh and regret buying. Glenmorangie 10, which I think tastes cheap and uninspired. Craigellachie 13, which I find bold and interesting in a very very good way. Bunnahabhain 12, which I find to be complex, peppery, and very good. Glen Livet, which is very pleasant. Glenfiddich, which is so easy to sip and better than Glen Livet, in my opinion. Johnny Walker Black, which I find to be the most easy sipping Scotch of all.
Appreciate you sharing your experience… Craigallachie 13 & Bunna12 are great representatives of integrity single malt. I can relate to what you are saying about the Classic Laddie but it does represent the true spirit signature of their barley which is the base of all Scotch. Glenmo 10 @43% I find quite enjoyable but If yours is @ 40% I can understand your disappointment. Glenlivit and Glenfiddich are @ 40% chill-filtered/color added which are great single malt introductions and crowd pleasers but most move on from them as ones journey becomes more experienced. Same with Johnnie Walkers which are a blend of malt and grain, not true representation of single malts, but hey… drink what you enjoy no matter what others say. It’s all about your enjoyment and discovery along your journey. Cheers 🥃
I can only speak to your unpeated list because I still have not been able to develop an appreciation for peat. I have tried all of your unpeated list except Loch Lomond, which I need to get around to at some point. I love most of the stuff on your list, except I really didn't like HP12 (got a burnt rubber taste on the finish, maybe it was a bad bottle) and I prefer Compass Box Spice Tree to the Orchard House. I do think there is some peat in the Orchard House because, if I am not mistaken, there is a fair amount of Caol Ila in the blend. Clynelish, Bunna, Bruicladdich, Glencadam, & Craigellachie are all affordable bangers and are permanently on my shelf. They say Craigellachie is not for beginners, but I tried it 5 months into my Scotch journey and loved it immediately. FYI, the New Hampshire state liquour stores have plenty of Glencadam 10 (and 15) at a reasonable price. They also stock Arran 10 now at a good price, too. The place in Massachussetts where I used to get Glencadam 10 for $50 is out of stock. I need to restock a backup bottle of that beauty real soon, I would hate to run out. Such a great (as the label states) rather delicate whisky. One I would add to your list, especially for Bourbon drinkers looking to slide into Scotch, is the Deanston Virgin Oak, which is a natural offering, 46.3%, and can be had for under $40 in most places. Not quite as good as the Deanston 12, but still really good. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your experience James. Yeah some HP’s can have that burnt tire sulphur note, especially older versions but I kinda like that too. I do occasionally stop at NH stores when traveling North. Good to know they carry GC which still flys under the radar a bit. Love the GC 15 ! Peated offerings aren’t for everyone so you’re not alone there. Cheers 🥃
.If a whisky is 100% malted barley from more than 1 distillery, isn't that a blended malt whisky (e.g. Compass Box Orchard House) and not a blended whisky? Beginners need to clearly understand the difference between a blend malt and a blended whisky! Craigellachie is the best whisky unpeated on this list! Bunna is a good runner up! Laphroaig Quarter Cask is better than the core 10. I like the Ardbeg An Oa as an alternative to the 10 for something different but not as bold and expensive as the Ugie.
Well played, John. Being at the beginning of the journey is quite a wonderful experience! Cheers.
Thanks so much 🙏means a lot.
Cheers 🥃
Dream Team for beginners sounds good and with extra 3% abv in most of them sounds even better. Its perfect list John so well done 🥂🙋🏻♂️
Thanks so much!
Cheers 🥃
A good selection of beginners whisky John, helpful video 👍🥃
Thanks 🙏
Cheers 🥃
First whisky i had to drink straight, was the JW Green. Still like it.
Believe it or not never had that….
Cheers 🥃
Love all of these. Every, single one. Sadly I cannot get that Maclean's nose, but everyone else up there is a great release! Cheers!
Thanks for tuning in 🙏 all good value for money but don’t fret about not getting MN… it’s challenging to keep up with all the new releases.
Cheers 🥃
These are wise recommendations!
Thanks 🙏
Cheers 🥃
Yes indeed. Beginners should start with Money Shoulder. Lower ABV makes it easier to consume and the blended malt is better than any entry level blended whisky.
As someone who has recently started his whisky journey, I have tried the following:
Ardbeg 10, which was too much the first time I drank it, but gets easier every subsequent time.
Bruichladdich the Classic Laddie, which I find too spirity/harsh and regret buying.
Glenmorangie 10, which I think tastes cheap and uninspired.
Craigellachie 13, which I find bold and interesting in a very very good way.
Bunnahabhain 12, which I find to be complex, peppery, and very good.
Glen Livet, which is very pleasant.
Glenfiddich, which is so easy to sip and better than Glen Livet, in my opinion.
Johnny Walker Black, which I find to be the most easy sipping Scotch of all.
Appreciate you sharing your experience… Craigallachie 13 & Bunna12 are great representatives of integrity single malt.
I can relate to what you are saying about the Classic Laddie but it does represent the true spirit signature of their barley which is the base of all Scotch.
Glenmo 10 @43% I find quite enjoyable but If yours is @ 40% I can understand your disappointment.
Glenlivit and Glenfiddich are @ 40% chill-filtered/color added which are great single malt introductions and crowd pleasers but most move on from them as ones journey becomes more experienced.
Same with Johnnie Walkers which are a blend of malt and grain, not true representation of single malts, but hey… drink what you enjoy no matter what others say. It’s all about your enjoyment and discovery along your journey.
Cheers 🥃
Nice selection !
Cheers 🥃
I love the craigellachie 13
All time favorite ❤️
I can only speak to your unpeated list because I still have not been able to develop an appreciation for peat. I have tried all of your unpeated list except Loch Lomond, which I need to get around to at some point. I love most of the stuff on your list, except I really didn't like HP12 (got a burnt rubber taste on the finish, maybe it was a bad bottle) and I prefer Compass Box Spice Tree to the Orchard House. I do think there is some peat in the Orchard House because, if I am not mistaken, there is a fair amount of Caol Ila in the blend. Clynelish, Bunna, Bruicladdich, Glencadam, & Craigellachie are all affordable bangers and are permanently on my shelf. They say Craigellachie is not for beginners, but I tried it 5 months into my Scotch journey and loved it immediately.
FYI, the New Hampshire state liquour stores have plenty of Glencadam 10 (and 15) at a reasonable price. They also stock Arran 10 now at a good price, too. The place in Massachussetts where I used to get Glencadam 10 for $50 is out of stock. I need to restock a backup bottle of that beauty real soon, I would hate to run out. Such a great (as the label states) rather delicate whisky.
One I would add to your list, especially for Bourbon drinkers looking to slide into Scotch, is the Deanston Virgin Oak, which is a natural offering, 46.3%, and can be had for under $40 in most places. Not quite as good as the Deanston 12, but still really good. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your experience James. Yeah some HP’s can have that burnt tire sulphur note, especially older versions but I kinda like that too.
I do occasionally stop at NH stores when traveling North. Good to know they carry GC which still flys under the radar a bit. Love the GC 15 !
Peated offerings aren’t for everyone so you’re not alone there.
Cheers 🥃
.If a whisky is 100% malted barley from more than 1 distillery, isn't that a blended malt whisky (e.g. Compass Box Orchard House) and not a blended whisky? Beginners need to clearly understand the difference between a blend malt and a blended whisky! Craigellachie is the best whisky unpeated on this list! Bunna is a good runner up! Laphroaig Quarter Cask is better than the core 10. I like the Ardbeg An Oa as an alternative to the 10 for something different but not as bold and expensive as the Ugie.
I tried my best given time to explain it but maybe some holes in my delivery. This video could have easily been twice as long…
Cheers 🥃
I have every single one of these, I don't know whether to be happy or concerned.
Don’t worry be happy as they’re all good value for money.
Cheers 🥃
I think I've had 5 - 10 of each of these. More concerning!
@@listenu now that’s experience!