Whiskey to start: here are 5 labels for newbies
The basics of whiskey
Do not be angry if I will call you a neophyte or a beginner, it is a way like any other to define a "non expert" in a certain sector, nothing offensive.
In any case, before suggesting 5 whiskeys with which to start your knowledge of whiskey, it is appropriate that you know a minimum of the product you are going to taste and therefore I suggest you read the article that talks about the differences between whiskey and whiskey, when you are done read the article that explains all the types of whiskey that exist and finally the article in which I speak of the various regions of scotch whiskey. Without these readings you would not understand what I am going to talk about in the rest of the article.
Whiskey NOT to start with
If your palate is not used to whiskeys I do not recommend you to start with single malts from Islay that are decidedly "strong", full-bodied and on average very peaty, you might also like them, but they could also make you run away.
More or less the same goes for the single malts from the Islands, brackish but often also very peaty, an example are the whiskeys Talisker. No, I wouldn't start here.
I generally advise against starting with peaty whiskeys, after a bit of "mess" you could start trying someone more delicate to see if the genre can be to your liking.
Whiskey to start
The products suitable, however, for non-experts are the most round, soft with which it is easier to approach, starting to understand its facets and then, slowly moving towards whiskey with certain peculiar characteristics more pronounced than others, depending on your preferences.
In my opinion, the whiskeys that correspond to these characteristics are i blended whiskey, designed to please a large transversal audience, made up of connoisseurs but above all by the less experienced.
In principle, i is also fine Irish whiskeys, tendentially softer than the Scots.
Also American bourbon whiskey I think they are more suitable for a novice audience than scotch whisky.
Obviously I would choose whiskeys with an alcohol content very close to 40% (the minimum for whiskeys) avoiding full proof products, or bottled at full strength which generally have a much higher alcohol content.
Along with these also several single malt scotch whiskeys Highland and above all of the Speyside, generally more fruity, elegant and softer than those of other regions of Scotland.
Teeling Single Malt
An example of an excellent Irish Whiskey, in my opinion the best Irish under 50 €. The Teeling Single Malt it is obtained from the distillation of barley malt, a blend of whiskeys aged up to 23 years.
Rich, balanced, soft and spicy. Perfect as an entry level.
Glenfarclas 10 years old
Glenfarclas 10 is a single malt scotch whiskey from Speyside, although the company prefers to bring back the Highland macro-region on the label.
It is rare to find a single malt so young and at the same time so rich and balanced. This whiskey is exclusively matured in botti ex-sherry, the result is a light whiskey, very aromatic with fruity and spicy notes, round and harmonious. Unbeatable value for money.
Glenfiddich Project XX
A very valid alternative to the more common Glenfiddich 12, this one Project XX is a single malt with no indication of age of aging, the result of a blend of the barrels preferred by the 20 Glenfiddich ambassadors around the world.
Single malt from Speyside with the characteristic fruity aroma that characterizes Glenfiddich distillates. Aroma of pear, vanilla and spices with a hint of pleasant woody scents.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Johnnie Walker makes excellent blended whiskeys, dizzying numbers all over the world. Excluding the lowest cost products (Red Label and Black Label), all the others are very decent whiskeys.
Among the entry level, I suggest this Gold Label Reserve very well balanced with sweet hints that alternate with a pleasant smokiness, round and creamy.
Monkey Shoulder
It is a blended malt whiskey made up of 3 single malts from Speyside. A particularly successful blend that brings the Monkey Shoulder to be considered one of the best whiskeys for newbies thanks to its whiskey characteristics soft, sweet and round, it is also widely used by barmen for cocktails. Buy for a song.
Have you chosen which product to start your discovery of the world of whiskeys? What are your first impressions? Let us know in the comments!
