/ck/ - Food & Cooking

[Anonymous No.13765265]

I have recently gotten into whiskey and Scotch

Now I want to expand my palette, I was thinking of getting some Armagnac or Cognac
Anyone have any recommendations? I'm pretty fresh in the whole spirits department, what are some good type of spirits, good brands etc

General alcohol thread I guess

[Anonymous No.13765339]

>Armagnac
a good call, just don't buy younger then VSOPs (VS are similar, just a booze), and look towards XO / Napoleon. just give it oxidize properly when it's opened and don't rush. also you might find rums as very decent drinks compare to even scotches, but I do recommend you to go towards British style rums (properly aged, pot still, demerara, comes from former British colonies like Jamaica or Barbados), which ones? pic related is the best to start with, easy to find, relatively cheap, proper 12 yo'lder.

[Anonymous No.13765350]

>>13765265
IMO/E one of the best values out there in cognac is Hine Rare and Delicate. Excellent stuff, around 50 a bottle. If you have a Costco near you, their XO cognac (Kirkland label) hits rare air in the reviews: http://www.tastings.com/Spirits-Review/Kirkland-Signature-XO-Cognac-France-02-01-2016.aspx Really nice stuff. Even better considering the price.

[Anonymous No.13765436]

>>13765339
I see, due to my chemistry degree I assume oxidized it is opening the bottle and letting it stand? Or should I let it oxidize in the glass?
I am a rum lover but I want to try new things
I was looking at St-Remy VSOP Cognac

>>13765350
Alas I'm not American, so I doubt I will find them

[Anonymous No.13765445]

>>13765265
>another American calling their palate a "palette" or "palet".

otherwise, good for you, enjoy the journey

[Anonymous No.13765451]

>>13765445
Thank you for the amazing input

[Anonymous No.13765462]

>>13765436
>and letting it stand? Or should I let it oxidize in the glass?
you always give it to breathe in the glass, just as you do with scotch, but when you slowly drink your bottle for 1-2 and even more months, you can see how significantly it improves in the bottle due to slow oxidization. it can easily jump up from 80-82 to 86 points out of 100, easily. for example, write on your notes when you just cracked the bottle and when you hit the bottom. what I do? I just always split the bottle on 2 (I always keep a couple of empty ones), and it improves faster.

[Anonymous No.13765478]

>>13765436
also
>I was looking at St-Remy VSOP Cognac
look. most or very well know cognacs like remy, hennessy, martel, courvoisier and so on are overpriced, so I'd go for less known, more artisanal, if you wish, often cheaper but yet much better in taste. look at, for example, Bache Gabrielsen, Hine, Braastad, Larsen, Biscuit, lots of them. Don't get me wrong, St-Remy is good, but a lit bit overhyped and overpriced. If you're okay to spend more shekels to get same range of spirit, it's fine. Cheers.

[Anonymous No.13765479]

>>13765462
I will keep this in mind
And I will save this bottle once empty just incase I ever want to split my next bottle

Thanks alot!

[Anonymous No.13765484]

>>13765478
Actually the reason I was looking at St-remy was the price, 25$
I hade Braastad in mind too for 35$

But I will take the first posters suggestions and buy a VSOP or XO
I looked this up and realised it was a way to determine age, I never knew!

[Anonymous No.13765521]

>>13765484
that was me too, anon. I was the fpbp too, kek. just as I said you should never go younger than VSOPs. also, speaking of Armagnacs, unfortunately, there are not many reviews on em online, but this pic related was my last bottle and it was just spectacular (napoleon = XO, and also means age). also, what country you're from? how is that Remy is cheaper than braasdad?

[Anonymous No.13765527]

>>13765521
the pic. IIRS there are only 10 Armagnacs producers in france (hence in the world)

[Anonymous No.13765546]

>>13765521
Im from Sweden
We have a alcohol Monopoly here but it leads to pretty cheap alkohol and great service

[Anonymous No.13765562]

>>13765546
oh I see. anyway, 25 bucks is a decent price for Remy VSOP for sure, go for it. also, what glass you will be using?

[Anonymous No.13765677]

>>13765562
I'm at friends now, I have real brandy-ish glasses at home

Does It really make a difference?

[Anonymous No.13765755]

>>13765677
affects nosing for sure, but not really changes any taste.

[Anonymous No.13766905]

>>13765478

I believe you're thinking of Remy Martin. St-Remy is a more generic bottom-shelf brandy.

It is pretty good though.

[Anonymous No.13766957]

Just drink Brandy. It's easier on the wallet.

[Anonymous No.13767008]

>>13766905
yeah, you're right. tho OP should never buy that brandy, because from what I can recall, it's pure crap. And funny fact, sneaky Frenches made different regulations, and when you see XO or VSOP on a local brandy, this might mean shit. It's obviously drinkable, but if OP wants to expand his experience and palate, I think he should spend some more shekels for some under regulations stuff. But that was a good correction, that's man. I missed this shit again.

[Anonymous No.13767237]

Remy Martin I've found to be decent and reliable, and it goes on offer regularly enough to get it at a good price where I live.
A decent calvados is really good for something a bit different, too. Busnel I like in particular, when I can find it. Boulard is solid and more widely available.

[Anonymous No.13768897]

>>13767237
I was quite pleased with my purchase, a bottle off Braastad VSOP
I'm thinking of trying a Calvados next time, but what is it like? Is it sweeter? Or just different flavour?

[Anonymous No.13769698]

>>13768897
It's gets a flavour from the apples, wouldn't say a noticeable difference in sweetness.
It can be quite subtle, particularly with the aged ones, but I find it adds a nice variation make it stand out from other types of brandy.

[Anonymous No.13769960]

>>13769698
So if I want more of the apple flavour I should go for a younger one

[Anonymous No.13770117]

If I want to pickup a strong (Strong) whiskey from the store that won't break the bank but still taste quite nice, what should I get? budget $50

[Anonymous No.13770160]

>>13770117
what do you want? bourbon? scotch? what do you like generally?

[Anonymous No.13770164]

>>13765265
so you became an alcohol

nice bro

[Anonymous No.13770262]

>>13770160
It's hard for me to say as I'm not much of a liquor drinker. I generally prefer whiskies that are less sweet.

[Anonymous No.13770312]

>>13768897
I'd say that elements from it being an eau de vie are everpresent (both are essentially fermented fruit juice distilled), but you're getting different flavors just off the two being different fruits, nevermind the differences between apple types and grape types.

[Anonymous No.13770321]

>>13770262
but you like bourbons? or blended grain whiskies? or do you want to chose a single malt? it's hard to give a recommendation, because it's close to infinite amount of what to pick up under 50 bucks.

[Anonymous No.13770332]

>>13770262
There's essentially 5 categories of whisky, the way I look at it. Scotch (which is a world of its own), Irish, Bourbon (or, rather, Bourbon and similar styles), Rye, and Canadian. It depends on what you want - Scotch you're gonna get more floral and peaty flavors (odd, I know), Irish leans towards caramel and butterscotch, Bourbon and similars are heavy on the wood, very mellow, sometimes you get cherry flavors, Rye, on the other hand, is bright, crisp and has sensations of baking spice and mint. Canadian whiskey is also caramel-ish, but it does have an amount of the baking spice flavor.

[Anonymous No.13770336]

>>13768897
Trader joes has a decent calvados for just 20 dollars. There or the half bottle ones at total wine are good and affordable.

[Anonymous No.13770609]

>>13770332
>Scotch you're gonna get more floral and peaty flavors (odd, I know)
the fuck you're saying mate? are you mental or what? there are less then 10% of peaty scotches on the shelf. if we're talking about single malts, most of them are not peated, fruity and sweet, malty, deep and complex. that what makes scotch as best spirit. I bet you're the one borger who never tryed anything better then some shitty ass blended whyskys like Red Label.

[Anonymous No.13770915]

>>13770321
Honestly I haven't had enough to say, I've tasted rye and bourbon but I can't really tell the difference yet.

[Anonymous No.13771114]

>>13770915
okay, I got it. and that would be my honest advise, bro. and I can prove it.
here are three scotch single malts you have to grab:

1) Aberlour 12. why? because it's the most popular scotch single malt whisky in France (and frogs know something in good spirits thats for sure), it's rather simple, friendly, welcoming, but all around good. really, really good entry level Scotch that everyone can feel and taste what Scotches are about. More on a dark fruits, coffe, chocolate notes. 40% ABV, relatively cheap and extrimely easy to find.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/aberlour/aberlour-12-year-old-double-cask-matured-whisky/

2) Glen Grant 10, also entry level Speyside Scotch, and best selling single malt in Italy, and those bastards also know a lot in good spirits. Fruity, easy to drink, fresh, rather sweet, but not too much. CHEAP and easy to find too. Very well known Scotch, it's just impossible to be disappoined by this extrimely good ntry level single malt.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/glen-grant-10-year-old-whisky/?srh=1

3) These are not as good for the beginners (IMO) but still you can look for these too: Glenlivet 12, Tomatin 12, Glenmorangie 10, Balvenie 12, Glenfiddich 12. Some are more expencive and harder to find (and not being better at the same time), some are probably more simple and dull, but, my last advice would be: spend some 5 more bucks and buy a proper whisky glass. I recommend one of these on pic related. Copita Nosing Glass or Standart Glencairn Glass.

Follow this shit I wrote and I can garantue you won't regret my bro.

[Anonymous No.13771136]

>>13765265
Look into European single cask bottlers of brandies like Cadenhead's or L'Encantada as they're substantially cheaper for the quality you get and they're also all (or almost all) cask strength.
Maltbarn also does some cognacs and are quite inexpensive.
>>13765436
>St-Remy VSOP Cognac
You mean Remy Martin? I find most brandies at 40% ABV and NAS to be super overrated.
Also you can probably get single cask Fine Champagne Cognac from Maltbarn or Cadenhead's for half of what the XO goes for if you look hard enough.

[Anonymous No.13771181]

>>13771136
>Look into European single cask bottlers of brandies like Cadenhead's or L'Encantada
based as fuck, but not easy to find em. unfortunately. and from what you wrote I can confidently say you're probably from Britain, cuz only there you have realtively easy access to these absolutely based independant bottlers. lucky you, my mate.

[Anonymous No.13771736]

Taste wise, whats the difference between brandy and whiskey? Is there a style of whiskey that brandy is most similar too?

Whats the difference between armagnac and cognac?

[Anonymous No.13771755]

>>13770609
When people think of scotch, they think closer to Islay and those super peaty scotches. I like Lowland single malts, dude, I know how smooth and fruity they can be. But the stereotype of the scotch is still the one that has that heavy peat flavor to it.

[Anonymous No.13771845]

>>13771755
there is only one Lowlands distillery is still running buisness. Auchentoshan. pretty mediocre. anyway, this
>they think closer to Islay and those super peaty scotches
is a stereotype. huge, massive stereotype. because even on Islay itslef there are only 3 distillery who make spirits have on peat (Ardbeg, Lagavullin and Laphroaig), you can call another one - Caol Ila, but they're not so on a peat, and as well as Bruichladdich also produse non peated whyskys. Anyway I got your point, but still - this is a massive stereotype, up to 90% all Scottish single malts are not peated, and as good if not much better. It's like most people around the world think there is only american bourbon and it's Jack Daniels, tho it is not a bourbon (technically) and not even close to be the only.

[Anonymous No.13771998]

>>13771736
brandy is distilled from fruit, whiskey is distilled from barley/corn/rye/wheat. As far as profiles go, brandy typically has a fruitier and sweet-spicy palate, whereas whiskey ranges from sweet (bourbon) to smokey iodine (islay scotch)

Cognac can only come from the Cognac region of France is pot-distilled twice and generally blended between years to create a house style, so vintage cognacs are rare, whereas Armagnac can only come from the Armagnac region of France is produced in a hybrid pot-column still (an Armagnac still, go figure) and typically undergoes only a single distillation run. There is much more emphasis placed on vintage with Armagnac to taste the differences in grapes. It's also much more affordable, including higher-end stuff.

[Anonymous No.13772000]

thoughts

[Anonymous No.13772010]

>>13772000
The best cognac that all black people recognize
but still overpriced and underdeveloped

[Anonymous No.13772033]

>>13772000
I think it's pretty good, bitter with a really nice aftertaste, not sure it's worth $50/bottle though
>>13772010
>The best cognac that all black people recognize
I thought they all worshiped Hennessy?

[Anonymous No.13772039]

>>13772033
>I thought they all worshiped Hennessy?
they do and Hennessey is garbage
Remy is the best out of Hennessey/D'usse/ Courvosier/ Martell / whatever the fuck else that black people insist upon buying for some reason

[Anonymous No.13772406]

liquor burns your throat in proportion to how much you should drink
i love it

[Anonymous No.13772592]

champagne region cognac is very nice. as is germain-robin brandy from california (its as good as cognac or better but cant use the name of couorse)

[Anonymous No.13772593]

hey!

[Anonymous No.13772595]

any good eau da vie, like st george spirits in california. fruit brandy. very dry. not sweet. wonderful aroma of fruit. kirsh is an eau da vie, as is grappa. ive had pear, kiwi, raspberry as well

[Anonymous No.13773140]

>>13771181
Nah I'm from Canada actually. We sometimes get them in Alberta but its very infrequent since scotch, bourbon and even rum are a bigger game here.
That and the Brits pretty much drink up any of the brandies they get with little going to the exports.
Also I'm pretty sure you can get L'Encantada from K&L in California and possibly Binny's in Illinois and some other state private chains.

[Anonymous No.13773156]

>>13771845
>there is only one Lowlands distillery is still running buisness
That's not the case anymore. Its actually more like 12, 15 if counting grain distillers, especially with all the new distilleries popping up. The list is now:
>Auchentoshan
>Glenkinchie
>Bladnoch
>Glasgow Distillery Co.
>Clydeside
>Annandale
>Holyrood
>Lindores Abbey
>Borders
>Daftmill
>Kingsbarns
>Eden Mill
>Ailsa Bay
With another half dozen currently in development. Lowlands are more numerous then Islay is now. If anything Campbeltown is highly underdeveloped but that might change very soon.

[Anonymous No.13773157]

>>13773140
nah, I live in Europe, but thanks for the advice. I know and drank based Cadenhead's, but never heard of this
>L'Encantada
now will be looking for it, thanks

[Anonymous No.13773173]

>>13773156
last time I checked they had only Auchentoshan, but aren't they produce only grain / blended whiskys (aside of Glenkinchie)?
https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries/
are you Scottish, anon?

[Anonymous No.13773323]

Any Americans here willing to give me some absinthe recommendations? Really don't want to have my first experience with it be with some shitty neon-green dyed swill in a skull bottle.

[Anonymous No.13773329]

>>13773323
absinthe is european. americans don't know shit about shit.

[Anonymous No.13773339]

>>13773329
Precisely. I'm American as well, so it's very difficult for me to find any that isn't some shitty artificially colored and flavored stuff.

[Anonymous No.13773420]

>>13773323
Mythe Absinthe
It's real absinthe, using actual herbs
ABV 65%
Around 55$ a bottle where I'm from

[Anonymous No.13773449]

>>13773420
does real absinthe get you somehow high?

[Anonymous No.13773451]

>>13773449
no that's a meme. it just gets you drunk as hell, and tastes like ass

[Anonymous No.13773620]

>>13773420
Thanks man. Any chance you're in the south east?

[Anonymous No.13774285]

I really like the smokeyness in both single malts and rums, what are some good ones, which you guys would recommend?

[Anonymous No.13774721]

Bought 350ml of this today,
what am I in for?

[Anonymous No.13774863]

>>13774721
what dis? sake?

[Anonymous No.13774906]

>>13774863
Soju, Korean rice spirit, similar to Japanese shochuu

[Anonymous No.13774921]

>>13773173
No I'm Canadian. I was in Scotland recently and was at Holyrood during their opening.
Lowlands are mostly known for grain given that all but 2 of the major grain distillers are in the Lowlands (Girvan, North British, Strathclyde and Cameronbridge) with the exceptions of Invergordan and Loch Lomond in the Highlands.

[Anonymous No.13775157]

>>13774285
Ardbeg
accept no substitutes
managed to snag a bottle of this at 50.7% during a presale of 48 bottles, will post when I receive it

[Anonymous No.13775194]

>>13774921
thanks, I should read about it.
>>13774285
Arbdeg might be way too much for a beginner. Start with Talisker, Highland Park, Bowmore.

[Anonymous No.13775311]

I've been browsing for Armagnac but its difficult to know whats good. Its seems like there are lots of different vintages and its not that expensive. Is it just a guessing game?

[Anonymous No.13775521]

>>13775311
they are pretty much the same for a beginner. just don't buy anything younger than VSOPs, and better aim to Napoleon / XO Armagnacs, and give em proper time to breathe before drinking, and fucking read the thread you nufag, because all answers have been given already.

[Anonymous No.13775551]

Reporting back.
The smell is a vodka- like ethanol smell, but much weaker since it has like half the acohol.
The taste is this food-like sake taste, but less, it tastes like nothing basically.
I wouldn't really recommend unless you really want to try, what alcohol is consumed around the world.

[Anonymous No.13775554]

>>13775551
forgot
>>13774721

[Anonymous No.13776642]

Is black people and cognac just an american thing? Never heard it in my part of yurop.

[Anonymous No.13776653]

My local liquor stores are all kind of shit. Is there a good place to buy this stuff online in the US?

[Anonymous No.13776675]

>>13776653

It depends on your state but most don't allow online sales of liquor to be shipped to your house.

[Anonymous No.13776800]

>>13770117
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

[Anonymous No.13777725]

Should I get Laproaigh 10 or Quarter Cask if they're almost the same price (31 vs 33 euros)? I know the QC is better value because of the higher proof, but I'm afraid of it maybe being too intense or something. I only had highland park 12 before, liked it.

[Anonymous No.13777795]

>>13776642
Because we don't have as much blacks as America (except France). Also other cliches. Here in Germany brandy is considered a spirit for old men.

[Anonymous No.13778290]

>>13776642
It's a rapper thing, mostly. Kinda like the Cristal obsession. Also cheap cognac is really sweet, which is totally a black person thing here.

[Anonymous No.13778310]

what's a comparable scotch to JW red label that's slightly cheaper?

[Anonymous No.13778322]

>>13772406
wait what did he mean by this

[Anonymous No.13778458]

>>13775311
Age/vintage is less important than finding a good distillery
but in lieu of that, look for things labelled Bas-Armagnac, which is the most prestigious region.

[Anonymous No.13778478]

>>13777777

[Anonymous No.13778642]

>>13776800
Saw this in Tesco. Looked interesting but didnt get it. Have you tried it?

[Anonymous No.13778643]

>>13765265

>I want to expand my palette

what a stupid, stupid thing to want.

[Anonymous No.13778913]

>>13777725
>being too intense or something.
you can always water it down yourself

[Anonymous No.13778942]

>>13778643
Why?

[Anonymous No.13778949]

>>13777725
Definitely the Quarter Cask. That extra strength is worth having.

Or better yet, save a bit more and get Ardbeg Uigeadial.

[Anonymous No.13778983]

>>13777725
QC for sure

[Anonymous No.13778990]

>>13778949
Come on, mate, stop shilling for this scotch. Ardbeg Ten is waaay friendlier and cheaper for beginners, and not that peaty, and anon isn't scotch anorak yet. Probably, to the better.

[Anonymous No.13779018]

>>13778990
£40 for the Ten vs £52 for the Uig. Not that much of a difference.

Personally I found the Uig very easy to get on with. It is strong, but I find it very drinkable with just a small amount of water.

The QC is fine though. Not a bad drink, and definitely worth getting considering the price.

[Anonymous No.13779583]

Having a little larceny tonight lads.

[Anonymous No.13779903]

>>13765265
I've recommend it before here but Maison Rouge is a great cognac for the price, I even keep a bottle of it just for cooking. Maison Surrenne(no relation) is another nice yak, it's just a bit more price wise(Maison Rouge is about 20-25$ and Surrenne VSOP is about 45$)

[Anonymous No.13781067]

>>13772000
Thoughts? After you so carelessly wasted trips? Yeah, I don't think so, Jack.

[Anonymous No.13782052]

>>13778642

Not him but I've tried it and really liked it. Also makes a solid Irish coffee.

[Anonymous No.13783058]

i dont wanna make a new thread for this but this, is the only whiskey related thread;

what u guys think of bulleit rye?

[Anonymous No.13783265]

Hey guys, I have a metal flask that I havent used in over a year. Last time I used it I had a raspberry vodka in it and didnt clean it out afterwards. I cleaned it today with some apple cider vinegar and hot water but do you think it would be safe to put whiskey in it now and use the flask??

[Anonymous No.13783298]

>>13783058
smoothest nicest tasting mid shelf whiskey around

[Anonymous No.13784028]

>>13783058
It's the purest common rye with its 95% rye in mash but still very cheap. What's not to like about it?