Scotch

[wms]

Would I be committing a crime if I took some scotch and cut it with vermouth and a splash of bitters?

Well, it's your money, but I wouldn't do it. At least not with any decent single malt. If you want to use whisky in a mixed drink, any low quality whisky is fine (for me bourbon is one example, but I know people who actually like the taste of that stuff), no need to use the good stuff.

Low quality bourbon makes terrible tasting manhattans. Usually I use knob creek - it's not super expensive (about $30 for 750ml), but it's far from cheap or low quality. If you don't like bourbon that's one thing but calling all bourbon "low quality whisky" makes you sound either ignorant or pompous, take your pick.

[tj86430]

either ignorant or pompous, take your pick.

I'm probably both, but mainly it was meant to be humorous.

[jts]

Buy a not cheap vodka, a not cheap rum, a not cheap scotch, brandy, tequila, buy them over the course of a year. Don't mix them, just try to enjoy them. At the end of the year, you've got a clear idea what you do and don't enjoy, and probably a fairly impressive collection of not crap alcohol.

What have you got against gin?

[mohsart]

Some unsolicited advice about Single Malts:

Let me add that you shouldn't use for instance a bourbon glass

but one that resembles a brandy glass

like the above or

It's also a good idea to agitate the glass a little before tasting, it releases aroma.
If new to a paticular single malt, take a small sip before adding water to get a idea of the "original" taste.

/Mats

[Harleqin]

Can anyone tell what they cost directly at the source, in Scotland?

[wms]

either ignorant or pompous, take your pick.

I'm probably both, but mainly it was meant to be humorous.

I figured you probably were. That's why I left the smiley at the end.