Single malt scotch fan; but what else is non-sweet?

Question

I'm new to trying types of spirits and I find Laphroaig bottlings (?) to be great. (I do have Caol Ila 12 and Lagavulin 16 on hand too.) I like other types of whisky, but anything I try outside them is too sweet for my tastes. Bourbon, rye, tequila, and vodka are too sweet for my tastes. (Of course I might not have tried the best statements of each: k**b Creek, Jim Beam, really cheap tequila, and Rainn.) Rum (Appleton Special) isn't to my taste. And I tried Jager and Baileys (for some reason), but both are similarly bad.

Is there anything besides Single Malt Scotch that isn't really sweet-tasting that I'm missing to try?

I should note that by sweet, I don't mean sherry or vanilla or honey, or more common traits of whisky.

Also, I don't make mixed drinks, I know there are blended whiskys, and I live in the U.S. in a control state.

Hopefully someone else has a similar question.

Answer 1

Salutations,

As far as the single malts go, I am a Highlands Fan! (Glenmorangie, Glenronacgh) as for dry chioces, Have you tried any red wine? stay toward the stronger reds like merlot and Cab Sauv. also try Barollo. these will not be sweet, I promise you. I am also a fan of Brandy, there is so much out there. Cheers

Answer 2

for me k**b Creek bourbon was like sinking my teeth into a wet and rotting timber...  unfortunate that your discerning taste limits the brown liquor you drink....  i like all kinds of brown liquor

Answer 3

You need a good quality cognac or armagnac.  Remy Martin VSOP at least. French brandy not from these two regions can be very rough, but as with scotch the older (in the barrel) the better.  I am in the U.K. so I don't know what the cost in the U.S. would be but I had a 21 year old Compt de Lauvia Armangnac for around $40.00

Answer 4

Wow!  When I read your question I was right away going to reccomend Laphroig but I see you have tried it.  I love it!

Do you like Gin?  Its sort of a world unto itself.  try making a classic Martini with some good Gin.

I love Brandy, Cognac, Armanac etc.  A beautiful thing to sip on a chilly night.

You might also check out Grappa