Top 5 Beginner Scotch: Part 1

[@JamesPalylyk]

The Glenfarclas 25 Y is $450 CDN, Cheesus Christ. Its good thing I already have the other necessitates of life taken care of.. house, big screen TV, paid off vehicles, happy cats, no smoke-based vices. I'll reserve that for a windfall or Christmas bonus. Ty again for your channel.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Yikes that's expensive! I appreciate the comments and support of the channel. Cheers.

[@rhayes458]

Really enjoying this series, Peter! Great work. As a complete scotch newbie, hearing you talk through how you would approach the progression and points to hit on for each pour is really helpful. Thanks!

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Glad you enjoy it! My Irish list is up next. Should be out on St. Patrick's Day.

[@marctestarossa]

Where's the Glenmorangie? Imo an outstanding beginner Scotch. Another one would be the Aberlour 12. A bit more challenging, but still relatively easy to enjoy for someone new. And one of my all time favorites, The Glenlivet 18. It's a bit more expensive (about 70 € here in Germany) but it's one to enjoy, no matter if you're a beginner or not. And the nose is just chef's kiss, it really fills the room when you pour two glasses. I got it as a gift several years ago, but this is one I will rebuy immediately.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Great recommendations. Can't go wrong with any of those. Cheers!

[@JamesPalylyk]

I dig the camera transition when you introduce the... parenthesis... the fill in the details content of your review. Can't wait to try your recommended top 1 & 2.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Check back when you have them and let me know what you think of them. Cheers!

[@jameskane3653]

Just found your channel! Thanks for sharing your inner whisky/whiskey nerd! Thanks for the info, I’m exactly the beginner bourbon looking to try scotch!

[@whiskeyisajourney]

There will be more in the series so stay tuned. Thanks for all the comments. I appreciate it. Cheers!

[@hietanbs]

I'm very late to this, but great video series. Can't wait to watch more!

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I hope you enjoy it. Plenty of videos like this on the channel. Cheers!

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

Nice list. I agree with Monkey Shoulder and Highland Park. I have not had Arran before. I know Glenlivet is super popular, but I am not a huge fan so I don't have it in my collection. I would suggest Glanmorangie Original and Bruichladdich Classis Laddie for novice friendly Single Malts. Also, for beginners, I wouldn't shy away from JW Black. I highly recommend Tobermory.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

The Classic Laddie will make an appearance in part 2 along with another JW. As far as Tobermory goes, I agree. Highly recommended as well.

[@dani351]

Don’t forget the different between a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and a Blended Scotch Whisky. That might be a cool topic for new drinkers too. Monkey Shoulder would be a good example of a beginner’s Blended Malt, just like Naked Grouse if you want something sherried.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Thanks Daniel. Great suggestion I appreciate it. I will be addressing this topic in an upcoming video after this series is finished.

[@dani351]

Keep up the good work! Very entertaining content.

[@thickerliquor]

I absolutely love the Glenlivet 12. Monkey shoulder seems a little harsh to me though. Never tried the Bunnahabhain. Nice review, thanks.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Thanks for watching! Bunnahabhain in my opinion is one of the best on the list. Cheers.

[@philliptoole6439]

The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is most excellent as well.

[@BetterAvecBourbon]

The 14 is much better! But a bit more cost

[@graveshotx]

Great list! Funny enough, I don't think I have 5 "introductory" bottles on my shelf. The best beginner friendly I could do would be Glenallachie 12, Balvenie 14 Carribean Cask, Lagavulin Offerman 11 Charred Oak, Arran 18 and McCallan harmony. Over the $100 mark to be sure, lol.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

That's okay...you can't have a shelf full of beginner stuff all the time. They eventually just take up space as you move through your journey and start reaching for other stuff.

[@philliptoole6439]

That Carribean Cask is super tasty!

[@carlupthegrove262]

Arran is something I've not seen in CA, at least in the Bay Area... I'd love to try some . Thanks this is a good video. I'm not a beginner but I still enjoy your 'reviews'

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Thank you Carl! It took a while for it to show up in Az so hopefully it gets over to California soon. It's a shelf staple for her for sure and would be in my top 10 bottles I would keep if I could only keep 10 whiskies.

[@chuckandrews5339]

Some who are venturing into Scotch, may not want to waste big dollars trying a style they may not like. Some lower dollar choices for some decent Scotches would be: Johnnie Walker red, ( the most sold scotch)- peated, Grand Ol' Parr - peated, Naked Grouse - fruity, Chivas Regal - lightly peated, and Dewar's - fruity. GL

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I agree. When I tried Chivas Regal for the first time I was sold. It was my gateway scotch. I like your list a lot. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@danpost4755]

Nice video. I just found your channel and like the content, so I am a new subscriber. Hello from Tucson, btw.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Welcome! Thanks for subscribing. I hope you continue to like the content. Cheers to you in Tucson!

[@FreedsFirstTime_Whisky_Reviews]

Great list Peter! So many people I know cut their whisky teeth on monkey shoulder. I love it because it chips away the notion that blended malts are bad and if it's not age stated....bla bla bla.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I hear what you're saying. It's too bad people don't give blended scotch and NAS a chance. More for us. 🤪

[@Robert.Sheard]

For a blend, I'd choose either Compass Box Artist Blend or Orchard House. Or the Glenfiddich 14 as an intro to single malts. I'd include Talisker 10, Highland Park 12, Bunnahabhain 12, and finish up with Ardbeg 10. Your Arran 10 choice is terrific.

[@Robert.Sheard]

To get a Lowland in there, I guess Auchentoshan is the easiest choice. I'm not sure any Campbeltown bottles are under $70, unfortunately.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Great list. Thanks. I have to try the Auchentoshan. I keep passing it on the shelf. Cheers!

[@Robert.Sheard]

@@whiskeyisajourney If you like sherry influence, their Three Wood might be for you. I usually prefer ex-bourbon, so the American Oak works for me. Haven't tried the 12 year yet.

[@DileepB]

I am sure that you meant to say Blended Malt! Monkey Shoulder is a good choice. I would replace the Glenlivet with Talisker 10.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I didn't even catch what I said. Words are hard sometimes when talking to the camera. It won't be the last time I make a mistake 🤪. I appreciate the correction. I'm growing to like the Talisker profile the more I have it. Cheers!

[@lyacoubian]

Great list Peter. The only thing I would change would be the Johnnie Walker Green Label instead of the Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt. A few more $$$ and more intense, but well worth it. Balvenie 12 Doublewood and Glenfarclas 12 could be viable options as well. FUNNY THING, I own all six bottles you pulled out..!!! 🥃

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I was thinking of putting in the Green Label, but pulled it from the list due to the price. It can certainly hold up in this list that's for sure.

[@kayellai5278]

@@whiskeyisajourney Green Label price ain't right for beginners.

[@gfrank9772]

My list would be: Blended Scotch: Compass Box Orchard House Speyside: Glenfiddich 14 Highland: Dalmore 12 Islay Peated: Port Charlotte 10 Islay Unpeated: Bunnahabhain 12 Coastal: Oban 14 Special Pour: Highland Park 15

[@whiskeyisajourney]

All good choices. I am going to be doing a flight of my top 12 year old scotch in December and the Bunnahabhain 12 will be in the flight. Cheers!

[@mattbarz9538]

GLEN 25 ftw ! My Number 1

[@whiskeyisajourney]

It's a good one that's for sure!

[@ymma9732]

What do you mean by “challenging” you said? same as complex? Also could you pick the most challenging whiskey you experienced in the past

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Challenging means difficult to dissect and pull specific notes out of. My most challenging bottles are Craigellachie 13 and Clynelish 14.

[@lars2894]

Glenlivet is $60 where I live, not $28!!

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Price is all over the board based on where you live. Some have it good others not so much. It's $35.99 now at the big box stores in my area.

[@Nick-rb1dc]

As a beginner, I get "worried" by the notion of scotch being aged in barrels of bourbon or sherry. Isn't the whole point to taste the scotch and not have foreign influences?

[@whiskeyisajourney]

To some extent you want to taste the distillate, but you also want to extract the flavors of a certain type of cask to enhance the distillate. Cask management if a huge part of the process. Some distilleries do it better than others.