Did Single Malt Whisky become uncool?

FidelZastro · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:31

I love good Whiskys. I really enjoy the likes of Jura, Springbank, Lagavulin, Glenfarclas etc. and I always had the impression for those who can afford it, it's just cool getting hammered with the expensive stuff (even though it's being mixed with cola far too often).

But how do you explain this? We (~30 co-workers and me) went to a place near Fenchurch Street yesterday - apparently one of these cityboy-places with 20 different kinds of champagne on the menu. I asked for a single malt insted, wich they didn't have on their menu.

The waitress came back with something on ice which hardly had any taste because the ice-cubes have been melting already. Okay, apparently I have to be more specific. Next try, other waitress:

Ordered "any single malt, but please please please without ice cubes". She had to check what they had and came back to me giving me a choice between Southern Comfort and Jack Daniels. I ordered a beer.

later this evening, I ended up at the bar and saw they had Auchentoshan (12 and 21 years old), Jura 10 years old, Glenfiddich etc. At least I finally got my whisky. But how comes two different waitresses don't even know what single malt is? Even if the bar they're working for has some open bottles? Do cityboys drink nothing but champagne?

[FnG]magnolia · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:34

Single malt has never and will never be uncool and City workers do not define 'cool', regardless.

PapaLazaru · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:34

Foreign waitresses and / or a crap bar.

Beansprout · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:35

I think your mistake is thinking city workers = taste

danza · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:35

Wetherspoons (apart from being totally *****), have some good singles from time to time. They're not retarded enough to put ice in it either. I don't drink whisky much when I'm out, so can't really comment further.

FidelZastro · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:37

Beansprout said:
I think your mistake is thinking city workers = taste

Since I wasn't expecting them to have taste, I was expecting them to drink single malts because they consider it cool. Apparently a mistake.

PapaLazaru · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:38

It is all about gin and vodka nowadays. Whisky was 'in' about 10 years ago.

Jay794 · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:39

FidelZastro said:
giving me a choice between Southern Comfort and Jack Daniels. I ordered a beer.

Both are acceptable whiskey's unless your a whiskey connoisseur who considers JD to be the devils drink.

Call me sacrilegious but JD tastes better with ice and diet coke

Ahleckz · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:40

Whisky is a man's drink, not for those metrosexual, facial getting, handbag carrying city boys!

Ahleckz · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:40

Jay794 said:
Both are acceptable whiskey's unless your a whiskey connoisseur who considers JD to be the devils drink.

Ban this kid.

FidelZastro · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:43

Jay794 said:
Call me sacrilegious but JD tastes better with ice and diet coke

I agree. Because even diet coke (yuck!) tastes better then this.

PMKeates · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:43

Sorry, but you probably went somewhere crap. A lot of the 'cityboy-places' are pretty average but most of the people that go there accept that. They have lots of champagne available because it has a huge margin and it gets lapped up. To enjoy a good single malt you will probably have to filter your bar/restaurant choice in advance. I sort of do the same, but with champagne and michelin stars instead.

Jay794 said:
Both are acceptable whiskey's unless your a whiskey connoisseur who considers JD to be the devils drink.

Aside from the quality, they do not even taste the same.

[FnG]magnolia · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:43

Jay794 said:
Both are acceptable whiskey's unless your a whiskey connoisseur who considers JD to be the devils drink.

Call me sacrilegious but JD tastes better with ice and diet coke

For once I don't know what to say. What the hell is wrong with you? :confused:

KaHn · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:48

Dinking any drink is cool? Sounds like you were hanging round in puffy wine bar places, if you want whisky then you have to goto scotland, place round the corner to me has this as their menu.

http://www.thegrillaberdeen.co.uk/MARCH 2011 WEBPAGES SCOTTISH WHISKIES.pdf

KaHn

PMKeates · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:52

KaHn said:
goto scotland, place round the corner to me has this as their menu.

Nice selection, but I'm certain there are places a little closer to home (i.e. London) that will have that kind of choice

Then of course, Gerry's could source you anything.

mattyfez · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:53

Jay794 said:
Both are acceptable whiskey's unless your a whiskey connoisseur who considers JD to be the devils drink.

Call me sacrilegious but JD tastes better with ice and diet coke

CrispyOtter · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:54

Jay794 said:
Both are acceptable whiskey's unless your a whiskey connoisseur who considers JD to be the devils drink.

Call me sacrilegious but JD tastes better with ice and diet coke

This is because JD is a bourbon... put as much junk in it as possible to make it taste of something/remove the taste all together.

Single malt is Ambrosia from the Gods. Put coke or ice in my single malt and I'll slap you.

Ahleckz · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:55

PMKeates said:
Nice selection, but I'm certain there are places a little closer to home (i.e. London) that will have that kind of choice

Going by your love of Michelin starred places, and fancy wine/cocktail bars that you've mentioned in the past I very much doubt that the Grill would be your sort of thing. It is a cracking wee bar though, pulls in the drunks, the vagrants, the students, the solicitors and the company directors. Something for everyone really. I love those sorts of bars.

The Pot Still is worth a visit if you're in Glasgow. Great whisky selection, great bar.

Mr-White · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:57

Jay794 said:
Call me sacrilegious but JD tastes better with ice and diet coke

If you're going to drink alcohol why bother with diet coke.

MW

King Damager · 22 Oct 2011 at 10:57

Gin + Lemonade - none of this tonic rubbish...
JD + Coke (full fat version though!)...

Jura.
On it's own please, with a tea spoon of water.
Same for Glenfidditch etc...

I went out the other day to one of the nicer restaurants around us. Whilst everyone else was having Coffees I asked for a 'pick a single malt' for me. She came back with some Talisker

Gooood Restaurant

It's all about using the whisky correctly.

I don't mind drinking Jack on it's own... Gentleman Jack even more so. However, it goes well with Coke, and is great when I'm out with friends. Saying that, get away from my proper whiskys with your mixers....

kd