I occasionally drank whiskey in my 20s. I certainly tried it in my late teens. My first one was a Bushmills blend and that brand remains my favourite.

But I really only seriously drank it once I was in my late 30s - 40s. I knocked booze on the head for several years when the kids came along too when I was in my early 30s.

Whisk(e)y is now by far my favourite tipple. I still love a good pint of Guinness which is a great chaser to a whiskey. But my slowing metabolism means I rarely do that combo in any great volume any more. The price is too high

I also minimise my beer consumption now because of the effect it has on my weight.

I went through various phases.  I started on ale (Bass) and dabbled with vodka. Went through a cider phase (Tauntons Dry Blackthorne). Then I went onto Guinness.

I lived in England for a year - 23-24 and Guinness was undrinkable where I was. So I drank Murphy's stout but also availed of a lot of bitters etc. Spirits were rarely touched. The odd whiskey session but not much else.

When I came home Belfast went through a time when the Guinness was awful. I went onto bottled Guinness for a few years. Then I dabbled with lager for a few years. My whiskey consumption continued but really I drank anything at that time - esp when on the lager which is a boring drink. All sorts of stuff - there was Rumplemintz - 100 proof peppermint schnapps that was popular. Vat 19 was a red rum I went through a lengthy phase with. I got heavily into vodka for a short time but stopped it when I drank a bottle of it one night before going out...I decided vodka was too easy to get too good at drinking so knocked that on the  head.

Then Guinness got better and it's a great friend of whiskey. I went through a gin phase in my late 20s.

Always ended up going back to Guinness and Black Bushmills though.

Now I drink a wider range of whiskeys. Like red wine too and dark sherry, port and brandy. Love a Rum and lime with ginger occasionally too. I will also take an ale now as the selection is interesting and I like a cold Stella too from time to time. But in the main I seem to have ended up on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Bottled Guinness is my dad's favourite, he's always optimistic a pub will have it but they rarely seem to these days. He moans about the 'extra cold' draught every time he sees it. Beamish used to be my fave stout, haven't seen it here for maybe 20yrs.

davyK wrote:

I occasionally drank whiskey in my 20s. I certainly tried it in my late teens. My first one was a Bushmills blend and that brand remains my favourite.

But I really only seriously drank it once I was in my late 30s - 40s. I knocked booze on the head for several years when the kids came along too when I was in my early 30s.

Whisk(e)y is now by far my favourite tipple. I still love a good pint of Guinness which is a great chaser to a whiskey. But my slowing metabolism means I rarely do that combo in any great volume any more. The price is too high

I also minimise my beer consumption now because of the effect it has on my weight.

I went through various phases.  I started on ale (Bass) and dabbled with vodka. Went through a cider phase (Tauntons Dry Blackthorne). Then I went onto Guinness.

I lived in England for a year - 23-24 and Guinness was undrinkable where I was. So I drank Murphy's stout but also availed of a lot of bitters etc. Spirits were rarely touched. The odd whiskey session but not much else.

When I came home Belfast went through a time when the Guinness was awful. I went onto bottled Guinness for a few years. Then I dabbled with lager for a few years. My whiskey consumption continued but really I drank anything at that time - esp when on the lager which is a boring drink. All sorts of stuff - there was Rumplemintz - 100 proof peppermint schnapps that was popular. Vat 19 was a red rum I went through a lengthy phase with. I got heavily into vodka for a short time but stopped it when I drank a bottle of it one night before going out...I decided vodka was too easy to get too good at drinking so knocked that on the  head.

Then Guinness got better and it's a great friend of whiskey. I went through a gin phase in my late 20s.

Always ended up going back to Guinness and Black Bushmills though.

Now I drink a wider range of whiskeys. Like red wine too and dark sherry, port and brandy. Love a Rum and lime with ginger occasionally too. I will also take an ale now as the selection is interesting and I like a cold Stella too from time to time. But in the main I seem to have ended up on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Loved this trip down Davy's memory lane. Would enjoy a session with you I think. Responsibly, ofc.

Yeah, I'm the same as you Kaz - only really enjoyed whisky once I hit my thirties. I distinctly remember in mid twenties trying my first ever single malt - unfortunately I chose Laphroaig which is not a great starting point!

Didn't touch it again until I got bought a Glenfarclas gift pack for Xmas when I was about 34 with the 10,12 and 105 in it and I was hooked. I'd also got a bottle of Talisker and Bruichladdich 10 that year so I was well set up. However like you it was my first festival that really got me into it - did an Islay tasting session at it and got spoiled with Kilchoman, Laphroaig, Ardbeg Supernova and some Feis Ile releases from Caol Ila and Lagavulin.

I don't remember getting home.

Room temp is the way apparently, there was often an extra layer of disappointment even if pubs did serve them.

Got a bottle of JW Black 12yo, which I've never had before - I enjoyed the Double Black so thought of give it a go as it's a chance chalice at Tesco at the moment.

Very nice it is too.

Paul the sparky wrote:

Opened the bottle of Classic Laddie my dad got me for Christmas, smooth as owt, love it. Don't let the shan bottle put you off, this is lovely

Classic Laddie is lovely - what's your issue with the bottle? I love the design of all of the Bruichladdich stuff - although it's a bit annoying not being able to see how much is left.

Gremill wrote:

Paul the sparky wrote:

Opened the bottle of Classic Laddie my dad got me for Christmas, smooth as owt, love it. Don't let the shan bottle put you off, this is lovely

Classic Laddie is lovely - what's your issue with the bottle? I love the design of all of the Bruichladdich stuff - although it's a bit annoying not being able to see how much is left.

It's a garish turquoise monstrosity. Put me in mind of brewdog

Can anyone vouch for Port Askaig 100 proof? Considering a bottle, heard good things. It saved Tony's life for a start (first review): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Port-Askaig-100-Proof-Whiskey/dp/B017XOQHHU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=port+Askaig&qid=1612940570&sr=8-3

Just taken delivery of a litre of Glenfarclas 105, the king of booze.

Teachers?

Gremill wrote:

Just taken delivery of a litre of Glenfarclas 105, the king of booze.

Woah! 60%. That's how you know it's good.

Will have to try that next. How does it taste?

Not actually that into very sweet ones, but I suppose it needs of be sweet at 60%. I'll give it a go.

105 might be the whisky I'd be buried with. It's so good.

It's 45 on masters of malt.