2. misc-audio
  3. 1133230462

A trick with Scotch Whisky

OK.....it's the Holidays so let's lighten things up a bit.

When I listen to music I often like to garnish the experience with a good glass of Scotch or American single barrel whisky.

One of my favorite Scotch whisky's is Lagavulin 16 year old. It is very good Scotch with a pungent smoky flavor. That's the good part. The bad part is it costs about $65 to $80 a bottle. Recently, on a lark I tried to get the basic flavor of Lagavulin by altering a much cheaper Scotch whisky. The results were suprisingly good. I got about %75 percent of the flavor of Lagavulin for about %30 of the cost.

Furthermore all audiophiles have two things in common; they like to experiment and love to change things. So in the spirit of experimentation I offer the following "ersatz Lagavulin" recipe.

2 - "level" teaspoons of "Colgin Liquid Smoke, natural hickory orginal recipe.

1 - 750ml bottle of Aberlour 10 year old Scotch.

Blend them both together and be careful to only add two level teaspoons of the liquid smoke. Pour into your favorite whisky glass. Enjoy.

That's It! The "ersatz Lagavulin" has a smoky taste with hickory overtones and a smooth sweet finish. My friends and I drink this more than the real thing now.

I welcome any and all similiar experiments (for any liquor) or recipes for a favorite drink.

Cheers and Happy Holidays Audiogoners.

hank

Showing 5 responses by kennyt

kennyt
1,226 posts
 
I'll skip that trick as I don't like my scotchs t be too smokey..

I have taken a liking to the Abelour 15, and bought their upper level scotch, but haven't had a chance to open it yet as I'
m waiting for the kitchen to be done to 'celebrate'
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Ed,

I used to only drink my scotch neat, until my first visit to Cadenhead's in London...

The younger son laughed at me for trying the 62.8% (yes percent, not proof!) single cask neat and told me "aye, you're in a place where we know how to drink our liquor, let me put a little water in that, besides what you just drank is 125 Proof". I did let him, and wasn’t disappointed, though usually drank it neat anyway, if for no other reason than I never had something that high a proof that was pleasantly sippable! Hell, would have gotten to enjoy more of it had I not brought it to a barbecue that a good friend (currently the sommelier @ Bern’s steak house in Tampa, FL (yes Brad! YOU!)) was at and left it in his reach…..

Well, I bought the bottle, and some others, and have been back every trip to London since, and though I will still ONLY drink my best scotches (Mac 25 etc..) Neat with a water back, I often do put a couple cubes in a glass (OK, I am a scotch snob, it’s crystal) and add a touch of H2O...

Ken

As for Ivor’s comment…. I know now why my Linn system sounds so good so often!!!!

I hope the new HT does even better!
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Dirtyragamuffin,

I've looked at your system, and think we've drank together before, but after seeing your stereo, you can't tell me you can't afford good scotch! (If BTW you can't, I could arrange to bring some by for a listen and coctails....)

Edesilva,

Hope the server is still going well, mine is as good as ever.

As for the Mac 15.... skip it and go to the 18. I haven't tried the 21, but feel it to be a cop out to cover the upsurge in scotch demand that led to the unacceptable shortage of Mac 25 (which I am still holding a bottle of for the Xmas open house this year should the kitchen project actually be done by then...Oh and the ridiculous increase in price!)

I do go with a cube or so though.... When the scotch is REALLY GOOD like the Mac 25 I am holding, YES! It will be drank neat, with a water back.

Ken
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Ed,

Try the Abelour 15, ~$45 a bottle, and for the money one of the closest Scothc's to the Mac 18.....

I am just about done with the kitchen, appliances went in today so I am down to paint and trim and the other crap.... The bottle of 25 Mac comes out soon for the grand opening!

If you are in the neighborhood, let me know and come by! You could help me switch out the HT to the new system as the dedicated lines will be done as well!

Ken
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Ed,

That's te bottle I couldn't remember! It's hiding in the box in the back bedroom waiting on the kitchen, which is just some minor trim away from completion!!!!!!!!

Yeah!

This of course also means my new dedicated lines, on their own panel, will be done by this weekend!!!!!!!!!!
More to discover