NYCGOBEARS;842697614 said:

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"Neat" as in good/cool or as in straight up, like a grown ass man?

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^ this guy! Ha ha

At $200 you drink it neat

beeasyed;842697474 said:

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do you drink it plain? what're your brands of choice?

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Chopin on the rocks with three blue cheese olives.

JW blue neat unless with a Monte Cristo #2 then one cube.

Btw had a roommate at cal that drank some of my blue and apparently mixed with lemon pepsi. We don't talk anymore.

bar20;842697456 said:

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I have a small bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label and was wondering if others drink it neat or on the rocks. I drink my single malts neat and my blended Scotch on the rocks. However at nearly $200 for a fifth I am not sure how it should be consumed.

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.... slowly, bar ..... slowly

First off, a thread on scotch and how to consume it is not off topic in this forum.
Just like a thread on "Favorite Curse Words" or "Recommendations for sheet rock/drywall repair" would also not be off topic.
In the modified words of Forrest Gump, alcohol consumption and Cal football go together like Peas and Carrots.

I had a recent personal experience with Blue Label.
Generally, for my own scotch drinking, I prefer single malts, neat, with maybe a drop of water, and a glass of ice water available on the side.
I will generally order Black Label when I'm in Vegas or Reno at the tables, served on the rocks.

I had always wanted to try Blue Label to see what the $200 bottle was all about compared to the $35 Black Label that I will imbibe on occasion.
I bought one (Bevmo - $185) and then tried a "blind" taste test with several of my friends, some of whom drink and appreciate scotch on a regular basis.

The result was interesting in that everyone chose the Black Label as their preference without knowing which was which (they knew one was Blue, one was Black).

I will say that both types were enjoyable and the Blue was a little smoother, a little less bite, but the Black label had a bit more character, smokiness, that my companions seemed to find more to their liking.

So drink it per your preference, but if you are taking a $200 bottle of scotch and mixing it with Ginger Ale, please send me your contact information. I would like the opportunity to serve as your financial advisor. (Will hold my fees to no more than 5%, you'll get such a deal ...)

Go Bears.

Noo@ ginger ale ... Lol

Never had any. Now I want to try.

My first experience with JW was doing repeat double shots of JW Red on my 21st b-day at some bar in north beach. It ended about as well as you would expect.

northendbear;842697934 said:

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First off, a thread on scotch and how to consume it is not off topic in this forum.
Just like a thread on "Favorite Curse Words" or "Recommendations for sheet rock/drywall repair" would also not be off topic.
In the modified words of Forrest Gump, alcohol consumption and Cal football go together like Peas and Carrots.

I had a recent personal experience with Blue Label.
Generally, for my own scotch drinking, I prefer single malts, neat, with maybe a drop of water, and a glass of ice water available on the side.
I will generally order Black Label when I'm in Vegas or Reno at the tables, served on the rocks.

I had always wanted to try Blue Label to see what the $200 bottle was all about compared to the $35 Black Label that I will imbibe on occasion.
I bought one (Bevmo - $185) and then tried a "blind" taste test with several of my friends, some of whom drink and appreciate scotch on a regular basis.

The result was interesting in that everyone chose the Black Label as their preference without knowing which was which (they knew one was Blue, one was Black).

I will say that both types were enjoyable and the Blue was a little smoother, a little less bite, but the Black label had a bit more character, smokiness, that my companions seemed to find more to their liking.

So drink it per your preference, but if you are taking a $200 bottle of scotch and mixing it with Ginger Ale, please send me your contact information. I would like the opportunity to serve as your financial advisor. (Will hold my fees to no more than 5%, you'll get such a deal ...)

Go Bears.

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I think blind tastings often come out this way for the simple reason that people have consumed a lot more Black Labels over their lives than Blue Labels. And so people often feel like this is what Scotch "should" taste like (the bite, the smoke, etc.). Personally Black Label neat is my go to bar drink when I'm at a bar with a limited scotch selection and I'm a fan. But there's honestly no comparison between these two - the Blue is on another, and much higher, level.

As to the issue of single malts and blends, I think people (not you Northend) confuse the concept that single malts are generally better (they are) with the concept that all blends are bad (they assuredly are not). It's kind of like people who run around quoting Sideways saying they are not drinking any f**** merlot, are taking a general statement (there are a lot of bland merlots out there) and confusing it with the concept that there are no good merlot. Cheval Blanc is mainly merlot. So is Petrus. And these are some of the most expensive and sought after wines in the world. A blended whiskey can be a thing of beauty. Blue label is one of them.

Vandalus;842697958 said:

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Never had any. Now I want to try.

My first experience with JW was doing repeat double shots of JW Red on my 21st b-day at some bar in north beach. It ended about as well as you would expect.

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Aww shhh

Sebastabear;842697959 said:

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I think blind tastings often come out this way for the simple reason that people have consumed a lot more Black Labels over their lives than Blue Labels. And so people often feel like this is what Scotch "should" taste like (the bite, the smoke, etc.). Personally Black Label neat is my go to bar drink when I'm at a bar with a limited scotch selection and I'm a fan. But there's honestly no comparison between these two - the Blue is on another, and much higher, level.

As to the issue of single malts and blends, I think people (not you Northend) confuse the concept that single malts are generally better (they are) with the concept that all blends are bad (they assuredly are not). It's kind of like people who run around quoting Sideways saying they are not drinking any f**** merlot, are taking a general statement (there are a lot of bland merlots out there) and confusing it with the concept that there are no good merlot. Cheval Blanc is mainly merlot. So is Petrus. And these are some of the most expensive and sought after wines in the world. A blended whiskey can be a thing of beauty. Blue label is one of them.

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Real man post right here.

NYCGOBEARS;842697619 said:

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Richard Nixon drank Johnnie Walker Blue and Ginger Ale. Philistine...

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Was that common knowledge?
This is far worse than anything he could have done with Watergate.
Lucky for him he resigned. If this had been brought up for public review during impeachment hearings, it would have been much worse.

northendbear;842697991 said:

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Was that common knowledge?
This is far worse than anything he could have done with Watergate.
Lucky for him he resigned. If this had been brought up for public review during impeachment hearings, it would have been much worse.

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Proves beyond a doubt that Nixon was a lying beeatch and had low character.

"Stay thirsty my friends ... "

Ludwig's is about two blocks from my house. I've been in the neighborhood for over 35 years and they pre-date me. Until I read your post, I had no idea they had an internet presence. They make no reference to it within the shop. Ludwig's looks like a typical family owned wine/liquor store in a nicely restored old building. The shop is small and very low key. They carry a lot of Italian wine, some French, and some California, mostly from small, high end vineyards. I buy Italian wine there that I can't find anywhere else. Don't know if the original owners still own the place, haven't seen them in the shop in the last couple of years. The last time I was in I was told the owner was out that week. Everyone who works there seems to want to be helpful. They seemed to operate in a high end niche for a long time, but have been trying to be more price competitive in the last couple of years. Probably feeling pressure from bigger stores.

NYCGOBEARS;842697585 said:

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Because of you guys, I bought a bottle of Blue Label online. Luckily, I found it for $150 + $20.01 shipping from a place called Ludwigs Fine Wines in San Anselmo. Any of you guys know that place? Price is so good that I'm a little worried.

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Number 031343;842698031 said:

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Ludwig's is about two blocks from my house. I've been in the neighborhood for over 35 years and they pre-date me. Until I read your post, I had no idea they had an internet presence. The shop looks like a typical family owned wine/liquor store in a nicely restored old building. The shop is small and very low key. They carry a lot of Italian wine, some French, and some California, mostly from small, high end vineyards. I buy Italian wine there that I can't find anywhere else. Don't know if the original owners still own the place, haven't seen them in the shop in the last couple of years. The last time I was in I was told the owner was out that week. Everyone who works there seems to want to be helpful. They seemed to operate in a high end niche for a long time, but have been trying to be more price competitive in the last couple of years. Probably feeling pressure from bigger stores.

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Our collective knowledge really is amazing. We need to find a way to harness all this power as a force for good.

Number 031343;842698031 said:

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Ludwig's is about two blocks from my house. I've been in the neighborhood for over 35 years and they pre-date me. Until I read your post, I had no idea they had an internet presence. They make no reference to it within the shop. Ludwig's looks like a typical family owned wine/liquor store in a nicely restored old building. The shop is small and very low key. They carry a lot of Italian wine, some French, and some California, mostly from small, high end vineyards. I buy Italian wine there that I can't find anywhere else. Don't know if the original owners still own the place, haven't seen them in the shop in the last couple of years. The last time I was in I was told the owner was out that week. Everyone who works there seems to want to be helpful. They seemed to operate in a high end niche for a long time, but have been trying to be more price competitive in the last couple of years. Probably feeling pressure from bigger stores.

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Awesome! Thanks.

Sebastabear;842698032 said:

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Our collective knowledge really is amazing. We need to find a way to harness all this power as a force for good.

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You mean other than talking a lot of crap?

Sebastabear;842698032 said:

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Our collective knowledge really is amazing. We need to find a way to harness all this power as a force for good.

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+1

Because of this thread I poured myself a glass of Jamison (lacking scotch in the house). That did me a lot of good.

Sebastabear;842698032 said:

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Our collective knowledge really is amazing. We need to find a way to harness all this power as a force for good.

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Number 031343;842698045 said:

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Because of this thread I poured myself a glass of Jamison (lacking scotch in the house). That did me a lot of good.

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The liquor store with the most incredible price on Blue is two blocks away from you. Go buy some. I'm jealous.

NYCGOBEARS;842698036 said:

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You mean other than talking a lot of crap?

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That's just you lol

This is better than the burrito thread, it's very academic and intellectual, specially with NYC moderating

going4roses;842698047 said:

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That's just you lol

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Can you imagine what I'm like after a couple of snoots of Johnnie? Oh child...

DLSbear;842698048 said:

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This is better than the burrito thread, it's very academic and intellectual, specially with NYC moderating

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Damn, I'm thirsty.

NYCGOBEARS;842698050 said:

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Can you imagine what I'm like after a couple of snoots of Johnnie? Oh child...

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Just fell over laughing

going4roses;842698052 said:

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Just fell over laughing

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You all should see beeasyed and I out on the town drinking bourbans with beer backs. Hehehe.

I just finished infusing a bottle of tequila with arbol and jalapeo peppers as well as orange, lime and pineapple. Margaritas on the deck tomorrow! Yummm.

TheSouseFamily;842698054 said:

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I just finished infusing a bottle of tequila with arbol and jalapeo peppers as well as orange, lime and pineapple. Margaritas on the deck tomorrow! Yummm.

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That sounds awesome. Only thing I've ever infused tequila with is backwash.

TheSouseFamily;842698054 said:

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I just finished infusing a bottle of tequila with arbol and jalapeo peppers as well as orange, lime and pineapple. Margaritas on the deck tomorrow! Yummm.

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I dont drink but that sounds tasty

NYCGOBEARS;842698055 said:

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That sounds awesome. Only thing I've ever infused tequila with is backwash.

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I dont drink but that sounds tasty

Hahaha

Confession: last year my good dude and I polished off a bottle of Blue and Hibiki 12 @ Clark Kerr for the San Diego game. Needless to say, we were on one and I got in trouble with the ex fir talking Shayt!
Gonna miss that!! Some good and dark times post game (2013) in that parking lot! Go Bears!

DLSbear;842698093 said:

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Confession: last year my good dude and I polished off a bottle of Blue and Hibiki 12 @ Clark Kerr for the San Diego game. Needless to say, we were on one and I got in trouble with the ex fir talking Shayt!

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Aww ahh sh#t

DLSbear;842698093 said:

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Confession: last year my good dude and I polished off a bottle of Blue and Hibiki 12 @ Clark Kerr for the San Diego game. Needless to say, we were on one and I got in trouble with the ex fir talking Shayt!
Gonna miss that!! Some good and dark times post game (2013) in that parking lot! Go Bears!

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AND the hibiki? i'd love to see what you were drinking when we beat Texas LOL