Sunday, March 20, 2011

Climbing the Scotch Ladder for Beginners

I have a friend, let's call him Pete.  Pete, like most people, occasionally drink blends like Johnnie Walker Black, and mostly on the rocks.  On one occasion at a bar, perhaps somewhat intrigued by my scotch obsession, he decided to try a single malt.  Unfortunately, he ordered from the bar-tender a dram of Laphroaig (very strong and smoky).  All it took was one sip from the glass, and Pete began coughing violently and choking.  He later told me that he cannot believe people actually enjoys scotch.  Pete never touched another glass of scotch since then.  

Unfortunately, I suspect Pete's case is more the norm rather than the exception.  Too many people often start off with too advance, and are immediately put off by the pungent taste.  Starting with an Islay (as in Pete's case) is like drinking a Guinness if all you ever had was Bud Lite. 

To help beginners out there still discovering the wonders of scotch, I developed this simple "scotch ladder" guide.  Start off at the bottom rung, and move on to the next step when you feel comfortable with the level you are on now.  This way, it allows your taste buds to develop and adapt, and in the process appreciating, the various flavors of scotch, without them being too overpowering right from the start. 

Your journey starts here.

1. Start with a smooth, light scotch.  Focus is on drinkability.
Recommendations: Cragganmore 12 yr, Glenfiddich 12, Dalwinnie 15 yr
Value selection: Cragganmore 12 yr
Premium selection: Glenlivet 18 yr
Cragganmore 12 Yr

2. Next, introduce some complexity and richness. 
Recommendations: Macallan 12 yr, Glenfarclas 17 yr, Longmorn 15 yr
Value selection: Arbelour 12 yr
Premium selection: Dalmore 21
Macallan 12 Yr

3. Add some light smoke. 
Recommendations: Oban 14 yr, Highland Park 15 yr
Value selection: Glen Garioch 10
Premium selection: Royal Lochnagar 12 yr
Oban 14 Yr

4. Dial up the smokiness.
Recommendations: Highland Park 18 yr, Bruichladdich 10 yr
Value selection: Highland Park 12 yr
Premium selection: Springbank 15 yr
Highland Park 18 Yr

5. Enter the peat man.
Recommendations: Talisker 10 yr, Bowmore 12 yr, Talisker 18 yr
Value selection: Talisker 10 yr
Premium selection: Ledaig 20 yr
Talisker 10 Yr

6. Final stop: Islay
Recommendations: Lagavulin 16 yr, Laphroaig 10 yr, Ardbeg 10 yr
Value selection: Caol Ila 12 yr
Premium selection: Lagavulin 12 yr
Lagavulin 16 Yr
Posted by at

61 comments:

  1. Choms1337March 20, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    omg and you drink this all ?!

    Oo

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  2. elexerdelexMarch 20, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    damn you know a lot of this stuff...
    still a drink on its time is no problem ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Matthew CMarch 20, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Working to cure ignorance!

    I appreciate the informative posts, sir. Keep up the excellent work!

    ReplyDelete
  4. SportsGuyBrandonMarch 20, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    Thanks for the info. Now i'm going to keep it classy.

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  5. MerlyyMarch 20, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Nice, I needed a list like tha :D

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  6. BrutMarch 20, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    Great guide!

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  7. UnknownMarch 20, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Highland Park is one of my favorites by far. It's not too much, not to simple.

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  8. Fix PC Games AdminMarch 20, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I feel thirsty now damn

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  9. T. BanacekMarch 20, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    When I introduce new people to scotch, I recommend Highland Park 12 just because it's so well rounded and relatively inexpensive.

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  10. D4March 20, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Hehehehe... II could've used this a while ago..

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Great way for noobs like me :D

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  12. AnonfourtwentyMarch 20, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Hmmm... I unfortunately usually go for the stuff on sale.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RootYourDroid.netMarch 20, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    I am going to give these a try. THanks for the tips!

    My father loves scotch and I never know what kind to buy him.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Angry LurkerMarch 20, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    How long before moving on to the next scotch level.

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  15. BartMarch 20, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    that looks like death in the morning :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. KUSHtunesMarch 20, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    scotch scotch scotch. down in my tummy.

    ReplyDelete
  17. MoobeatMarch 20, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    great post. im not a big drinker but this gives me a jumping off point

    ReplyDelete
  18. TriperMarch 20, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    I like johnny very much, time to try Islay if it is so strong :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. ArcitaMarch 20, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    very nice guide you have here. this post is actually perfect for me (a beginner). when i'm ready to delve into the world of scotch i will use this for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  20. ChristopheMarch 20, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    This is a fantastic post. Just what I need, since I intend to enjoy alcohol on a more regular basis when I'm living on my own, and I don't wanna end up like Pete.

    ReplyDelete
  21. steveMarch 20, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Im keeping in class every weekend with like beverages ;P

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    great advice. my favorite post so far!

    ReplyDelete
  23. RebeccaMarch 20, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    even though i'm not a drinker i find all this information very interesting thank you for sharing your knowledge

    ReplyDelete
  24. BubiMarch 20, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    good tips thanks

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  25. skinned sheepMarch 20, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    thanks! its kind of like with cigars. start with the light stuff then move towards the more full flavors.

    ReplyDelete
  26. JayMarch 20, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    thanks for the advice! this should be useful for beginners like me, although i've never heard of an of these brands!

    ReplyDelete
  27. ShutterbugMarch 20, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    Thanks for the info. I find it very helpful! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. RabidmooseMarch 20, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    That's a lotta good info, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  29. LoneIslanderMarch 20, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Good info bro

    ReplyDelete
  30. SamMarch 20, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    Just reading this is warming myself up

    ReplyDelete
  31. GMarch 20, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    nice tips on where to begin!

    ReplyDelete
  32. ZakkMarch 20, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Great selection!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Astronomy PirateMarch 20, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    That a lot of drinking to do. Better get started...

    ReplyDelete
  34. CandleintheDarkMarch 20, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Good info! I'll try some of these out. I'm still a newbie

    ReplyDelete
  35. BassislvMarch 20, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    nice info, definitely going to search for them to get started

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  36. edMarch 20, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    good advice, will follow through

    ReplyDelete
  37. TasosMarch 20, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Very informative for noobs like me! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Jessica ThompsonMarch 20, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    That's hella classy man, thanks for the advice

    ReplyDelete
  39. SKS FKFMarch 21, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    These are some good pointers. It's neat to see articles on how to acquire a taste.

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  40. D22 ZoneMarch 21, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Are all scotches the same % alcohol?

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  41. Patti D.March 21, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    nice, thanks for the info

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  42. Franco - TRGMarch 21, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    This is a great guide.
    You really are knowledgeable in regards to scotch.
    Thanks!

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  43. SpikeMarch 21, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    dude, I think you want to kill us all XD

    ReplyDelete
  44. LemmiwinksMarch 21, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    great background on this, bro!

    ReplyDelete
  45. UnknownMarch 21, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    nice selection you made there

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  46. AlphabetaMarch 21, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Excellent walk-through.
    Laphroaig is definitely not for beginners.
    I went to an after-pub party once and they had a bottle - they said they didn't really like it so me and my buddy (the one who's thinking of the trip to Islay) got out the tumblers and pitcher of water.
    Some other people started mixing it with coke & ice so I kept hiding it!

    ReplyDelete
  47. duffboiMarch 21, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    this may be very helpful in the near future. I like evan williams whiskey at this point, i think with a black label. I tried some other options, but never scotch before. I am looking forward to it.

    ReplyDelete
  48. CodyMarch 21, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Useful list!

    Following,
    U Laugh U Lose - For your daily laughs!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Aaron M. GipsonMarch 22, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Well it would be a pretty big stretch to see any of these down here in CR, but I'll keep a lookout. I noted you didn't include any of the Johnny Walker labels as well...

    ReplyDelete
  50. Toast BurntMarch 22, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Thanks for this ladder. One of your earliest posts suggested to start off with the Glenlivet 12, and since then that's what I've been drinking. But I suppose now I have a new goal in my scotch adventures: to conquer this ladder in this order.

    I follow and support those who do likewise.
    toastburnt.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. MeMarch 24, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    wow.. and you've tried these all?

    ReplyDelete
  52. akraterMarch 24, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Neat, thanks for the guide!

    ReplyDelete
  53. PagoMarch 24, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Damn, I'll have to look out for these. Like Pete the closest I've ever had to scotch was Black Label.

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  54. UnknownJanuary 14, 2013 at 11:52 PM

    I had my first scotch about 7 months ago I must say I was much luckier than Pete. I started off with the Glenfiddich 12 year and I fell in love immediately. I have worked my way slowly from the 15 yr and on to the Macallan 12 year. I say slowly because I have to work with the ignorance of the bud light drinkers. This gives me a good guide on which to get them (Pete) started! Wonderful!

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  55. Amelia ShisterFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    This is great! Thanks so much :-)

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  56. UnknownApril 30, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    This is spot on! I actually took a path very close to this... Just reached Lagavulin and found this site looking for the next step :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Blue Oval TechJanuary 27, 2014 at 3:15 PM

    Thank you for taking the time to post this "ladder" for beginners. Three years ago I tried a shot of scotch at an airport bar while traveling. I too, like Pete was blown away with the taste and burn. I found this guide and thought I would give scotch a second try. I just finished my first bottle of Glenfiddich and moving on to cragganmore. I enjoyed the Glenfiddich and found it smooth and very drinkable with strong notes of vanilla and pare on the nose. Thanks again for everything.

    ReplyDelete
  58. UnknownFebruary 18, 2014 at 5:33 PM

    This was really helpful. Today I bought my first bottle of single malt. I stood in the shop, a Glenfiddich 15 in one hand, a Talisker 18 in the other. Knowing nothing about Scotch, and wanting something to get started with, I was completely lost. In the end, I went with the Glenfiddich; the deciding factor being the red leather and steel canister it came in. Had a glass tonight and it was delicious. Your article vindicates my decision, and now I know what to move on to from here. Thanks!

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  59. ToddAugust 28, 2016 at 7:41 PM

    Thank you so much for this list! Long ago, I was Pete. A friend ordered me a glass of Lagavulin and I couldn't finish it. For years I told tales of how that stuff tastes like a campfire in a bottle. Put me off scotch for years. Then I found Johnny Walker Black, then I found Glenlivet 15, then I found this list. Now I'm sitting here with a glass of Lagavulin 16 and couldn't be enjoying it more! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  60. wrathchildJuly 26, 2018 at 3:26 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
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