Blended Whiskey Recommendations

Just starting to dabble with blended whiskeys. Looking for a smooth taste. My current Jameson Irish Whiskey is the extent of my experience. I do like it but there are so many to choose from. What should I try next.
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Comments

  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    Not really a blended but lately I have been enjoying Crown Peach and Apple.

    Sheep Dip is good for the $. Dewers or Woodford reserve double or Johnnie Walker Blue

    A friend of mine told me to check out Monkey Shoulders.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,601
    My favorite Irish whiskey is Telling.
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  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,149
    erniejade wrote: »
    Not really a blended but lately I have been enjoying Crown Peach and Apple.

    Sheep Dip is good for the $. Dewers or Woodford reserve double or Johnnie Walker Blue

    A friend of mine told me to check out Monkey Shoulders.

    Like JW Blue. Haven't splurged for a bottle in many years. For special occasion sipping.
  • CGTIII
    CGTIII Posts: 1,080
    edited December 2021
    erniejade wrote: »
    Not really a blended but lately I have been enjoying Crown Peach and Apple.

    Since you like those you might also try Hiram Walker's Apricot Brandy even if you don't like brandy. Can rarely find it here but only $10-13/bottle when I do. If you don't like it straight you could always use it to flavor tea, cake, or ice cream.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    It sounds like I need to check out Hiram Walker's Apricot Brandy. That's right up my alley!
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,601
    There are MANY brandy's that are worthy!
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    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    If you like Rye, Crown Royal never disappoints. Whether neat or on the rocks, always smooth.
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    Crown Peach on the rocks is on the adult menu this evening along with some Drewerys Easy Ales. That Crown Peach goes down easy might be a rough Xmas morning.
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  • Jimbo18
    Jimbo18 Posts: 2,336
    If you want a smooth blended whiskey, and not some flavored drink, try Canadian Mist.
  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,087
    agree on Canadian Mist & Crown Royal. They'll also make a nice Old Fashioned

    Teachers is a decent *smooth* blended Scotch whisky. Not very complex.
  • Kryten
    Kryten Posts: 79
    Jefferson's Reserve, very old very small batch is one to try. Their "Ocean's" line is a bit pricey and kinda unpredictable as their voyages start with different mashes. The 17 was amazing and I like the 19 and 20. But heck, they're up to trip 27 or something. Salt air and constant motion does do something.
  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    You might want want to try some single malt whisky.

    Glenmorangie or The Macallan are a couple of good ones to start you on a journey that can get expensive.

    The more years of aging of any label, the higher the price! The 10-years-old specimens are a good entry point.

    Once you taste a few good single malts, you'll likely find it hard to go back to the reliably and predictably mediocre blended whiskeys! >:)

    With that said, Dewars is my favorite blended.
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,581
    +1 for Dewars.
  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,087
    Once you taste a few good single malts, you'll likely find it hard to go back to the reliably and predictably mediocre blended whiskeys! >:)

    Yes.

    But let him walk before you ask him to run :-)
  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    If you try single malt, suggest Highland Park 12. Thank me later.
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,581
    My favorite single malt was the Highland Park, until I developed a palate for the Islay malts.
  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    I hear that. I also like them but figured Highland would be more suited to a "beginner".
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  • Grimster74
    Grimster74 Posts: 2,576
    If you like blended Whiskey, you have to try Blackened!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,091
    Fantastic info! Kinda like starting out with Home Depot 12ga speaker wire & progressing up thru the ranks of the better stuff. I have to get my taste on! Thanks 👍👍👍
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    You might want want to try some single malt whisky.
    Once you taste a few good single malts, you'll likely find it hard to go back to the reliably and predictably mediocre blended whiskeys! >:)

    So true, I’m not a whiskey snob or anything, but I used to love a few blended varietals years back and now I have a hard time enjoying them. If only my checkbook matched my tastebuds…
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    I can make LOTS of suggestions but I think that they are all here:

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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,680
    Blends can be alright, I just find that they lack depth and character.

    Part of the issue right now is availability…

    A lot of stuff that was easy to find in the past is just to damn hard to get, or pricing is nonsense.

    If you want to try scotch, Talisker 10 is pretty reasonable and very good.

    Rye, Michters straight rye is always a solid choice. If you want to keep it reasonable Rittenhouse rye is shockingly good for the $$ and usually readily available.

    Big thing to keep in mind is to keep an open mind and try a ton of stuff. You’re tastes will change and develop.

    If you’re after smoother, keep the alcohol levels on the lower end to start, 86-90ish proof. Once you get a good feeling for what you like, start to dabble in the higher proof stuff. High proof stuff is where the magic is, in my opinion. Keep in mind, high proof whiskey is far more on the sip end of the spectrum.

    Some stuff will make you see Jesus if you start to gulp it down, like this one that I have:

    zjfqveag29nz.jpeg


    If thing is try a ton of different stuff and don’t get too caught up in “I like this and I don’t like that” type of thinking. If you don’t like something today, try it again 6 months later and you might be surprised.



  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,160
    edited December 2021
    Sorry for the intrusion, but if any of you gents like the smoky/peaty aspects of single-malt Islay Scotches, you might also like mezcál. The agave piñas are literally smoked (not steam cooked), so it has a very smoky flavor. Carry on.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    I mean, what are you looking for? Scotch? Irish? American?

    First, any of this fruit infused crap.....no thank you. Save that for the cowgirls. Bourbon has gotten stupid. Used to be able to buy Blanton's all day long for under 50 bucks. Now it's 100+ IF you can find it. Makers Mark is a good daily driver. Doesn't have the snob appeal but, so what.

    If you are a Crown Royal person....try Canadian Club. No swag bag but half the price and IMO better.

    Scotch, I like Dewars and Famous Grouse. Dewars White Label is pretty much ubiquitous and the Dewars 21 is REALLY good. Johnnie Walker Blue is good but doesn't justify the price tag. The Green label is the sweet spot there.....but, really, I'm fine with Dewars or The Bird. If Single Malt intimidates you.....relax. Start with Balvenie 12 and work from there. Macallan 12 is my daily driver...but YMMV

    Irish? Drink that if you want to get tanked so, IMO, it's more about the destination than the mode of transport. That said, I like Bushmills and if someone else is paying Red Breast.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    For bourbon, Coopers Craft is still very affordable and tasty. I too like Jameson, esp in an Irish Coffee.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    Over the weekend someone introduced me to Bird Dog whiskey. Their peach was better VS the Crown peach and 1/2 the price. I have not tried the non flavored Bird Dog gut the Peach and salted caramel whiskey I enjoyed quite a bit. Also picked up some Woodford Reserve double oak while I was at Costco. I was surprised they had the double oak. They usually just have the regular.
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  • My blended whisky recommendations will always be to drink several different single malts and then run around the house a couple times or do a few jumping jacks (well away from the audio equipment).
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    I'm currently working on my infinity bottle, that's the primary blended hooch allowed in our bar.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,208
    erniejade wrote: »
    Over the weekend someone introduced me to Bird Dog whiskey. Their peach was better VS the Crown peach and 1/2 the price. I have not tried the non flavored Bird Dog gut the Peach and salted caramel whiskey I enjoyed quite a bit. Also picked up some Woodford Reserve double oak while I was at Costco. I was surprised they had the double oak. They usually just have the regular.

    Picked up some of the Bird Dog peach tonight. A buddy of mine lives Crown peach, so we’re going to have a taste test tomorrow night. I also got some Bird Dog black cherry, so we’ll see how that is as well.
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