Well I am enjoying some McClelland Highland Single Malt right now and its pretty good! Got it for 1/2 teh price of Glenlivet and it stands up pretty well to the quality of Glenfidich and Glenlivet in my opinion. What do you guys like?
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Well I am enjoying some McClelland Highland Single Malt right now and its pretty good! Got it for 1/2 teh price of Glenlivet and it stands up pretty well to the quality of Glenfidich and Glenlivet in my opinion. What do you guys like?
My absolute favorite single malt is Old Pulteney 12. At $35/bottle, it's a lot more reasonably priced than some of the others, and, in my opinion, it's much better. It has a bit of a "salt-water" taste to it -- but in a good way. I'd highly recommend giving it a try.
I am a Malt fan as well, though I usually go for more special whiskies (see latest thread in the bragging forum).
Factory bottlings are not bad as such, but they are all chill filtered, and I think that detracts a lot from the rich taste.
If you ever have the chance, buy a bottle of whisky from an indepenent bottler(Cadenheads, Gordon & McPhail, ...) or buy a bottle of springbank, just to compare.
I also think it is a pity that whiskies are watered down to 43% or sometimes even 40%. I like to have a bit more power to it, so my ideal drinking % is at 46 - 50%.
That means that I add a little bit of water to a cask strength whisky in order to bring out the aromas, but I leave it pretty strong.
I go to this site frequently http://www.whiskyguild.com/ Ive made a couple of their recipies, which are tasty! The best Ive had is the 16 yr lagavulin. I dont see it often in the states, but they stuff is delicious. Has a distinct taste. Some blended scotches are not bad either, and Ive also gotten into some bourbon, which is a nice subsitute
my favorite single malts are Dalwhinnie 15 and MacAllan 18. The MacAllan 25 is also excellent, but priced in such a way as to be out of my daily drinking range.
I'll drink absolutely anything....but I'm a big fan of Caol Ila 18yr.
nuts, the whole lot of ya's.
i used to drink Macallan "Cask Strength". tasty with a bit more spice in it. its aged 15yr.
i have now moved on to OBAN 14. fantastic taste. dry/peaty/briney taste. it is made by the islands which have a unique type of taste to the scotches.
see, i like that briney/peaty spicey flavor in my scotches. i do not like the sweet, oily, heavy, buttery scotches that some people do. but that's just me.
next time you're out at a nice restaurant or lounge, try a glass of Oban. its real nice.
~J
I do not believe in the 'one whisky to rule them all' I simply try as many different whiskies from different distilleries. I have yet to find a malt whisky that does not have a quality that makes it good stuff. Some are OK, some are divine.
To make a razor analogy: wouldn't you like to try out a Livi, Williams, Chandler, Zowada, ... at least once, instead of shaving day after day with a 5/8 round point dovo for the rest of your life. :D
And as with razors, the equivalent of a Tim Zowada costs $$$, and it is not mass produced like the dovo equivalents.
no one has mentioned the balvienie their range is certainly worth trying, nice and smooth.
True the Balvenie is a good one. They have a very good 15 year old single cask single malt.
(Yes I know I am showing off... :D)
I agree with the OBAN 14. I had a girl bring me a bottle back from when she visited the region. It was AWESOME. I had almost given up on scotch after buying $90 bottle of La Phroaig or something like that. It was the worst I've ever had. It tasted like swamp water. I mean I know it should have a peat like flavor to it, but thats all this one had going for it. Only reason I didnt throw it out was because I spent 90 on the damn thing lol
La Phroaig is indeed one of those that you either hate or love. It isn't my favorite either. You might want to stay away from Ardbeg as well. That is even worse.
And then there is 'Celp' which is a whisky with (and I kid you not) sea weed in the bottle. I tasted it in the shop, and it was vile. It is perhaps the only scotch whisky that I really wouldn't drink again, ever.
Think of the difference between Oban and La Phroiag. Then add the same difference TO the La Phroiag, and you have the taste of Celp.
Bruno,
I'm intrigued. Although I think Celp may be a bit over the top even for me, I really would like to try it given that Laphroaig is typically the malt that I reach for in the evening...that, or Talisker. On the other hand, I've never quite understood the worm in the bottom of the bottle of Mescal either; so is the seaweed there for a reason, or just a marketing ploy? Inquiring minds want to know.
Salainte',
Ed
The seaweed is mainly a marketing ploy, considering that it is not matured in the vat with the whisky. It is only put in the bottle afterwards.
One might argue that it gives a subtle flavor to the whisky, but imo any possible subtle taste is completely lost in the peat, which is about as subtle as a kick in the nuts.
Don't get me wrong, I have been drinking whisky for more than half of my life now, I've drankhundreds of different kinds, but this one comes without subtlety. you either like a mouthful of peat or you don't.
So imo the seaweed was the result of someone thinking: we have a special whisky, how do we make it get noticed, and how do we name it?
So they chucked a piece of celp in the bottle, and thought: 'hm? we might as well call it 'celp''
One of our members, Bill, very generously gave me some 12 year old 'The Glenlivet" the other day when I visited him. I'd said I'd bought some Talisker, and he said "try this".
Well, even a complete whiskey newb like me can taste the difference. Wow! I really like this stuff. I like the Talisker too, but Glenlivet is very smooth (or something) in comparison.
James.
Complete single malt newb but I am in love with the bottle of Caol Ila 18 year old I got for Christmas. mmmmmm. I also like The Glenlivet (that is about the extent of my scotch tasting thus far but I loves the stuff already)
mmm, big fan of the La Phroaig myself. I'm also enjoying a bottle of Glen Morangie 10 yearQuote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
Ardbeg is worse??? It and Laphroaig are among the very best Islays along with Lagavulin. Tastes will vary, but these are the yummiest around. Talisker is another wonderful scotch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
Fred
I meant that the peatyness of Ardbeg is 'worse' than the LaProiag. I should have used the word 'Stronger' probably.Quote:
Originally Posted by drfred
I had a bottle of 18 year old Ardbeg, and it was a very good whisky, but not for every occasion.
I liked it best after a BBQ or good steak.
I liked Lagavulin and Talisker beter as whiskies for every day.
EDIT: just to make myself absolutely clear: I dislike neither LP or Ardbeg. Both are very good whiskies, but I usually prefer whiskies that have slightly less peat in them.
Talking about peat, then Ardbeg is the worst of the worst. I will completely agree with you on that! I bought a case of Ugeadail(sic) cask strength that was the best ever!! Sadly, it is gone.....
Fred
The Talisker 10 and 18 are to die for!
Ugeadail is a very good whisky indeed!Quote:
Originally Posted by drfred
btw, has anybody an opinion on Springbank 10yrs?
Husky,Quote:
Originally Posted by Huskysibe
I like the Highland too, but am a real big fan of the Islay.
Yes (:D) it is a very good whisky, comes at 46% alcohol, and is un-chillfiltered.Quote:
Originally Posted by bjorn
It is one of our all-time favorties, and it is the 1 whisky we have always in stock.
The 10 yr old Springbank is about the best bang for the buck you can get.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
I presently have a bottle of their Single Cask 25 Year Old. It is like pure honey. Very smoooooth, like velvet. It was a present from the wife. Way above my normal drinking range. I reckon over £100($200)/Bottle!!!!!
If money is no object to you, and you love your single malts, I strongly recommend you give it a try.
The 15 year old is one of my more regular tipples, about £50 (£100)/Bottle. Similar in taste to the 25 year old but with less honey under tones and a much harder edge to it.
Guys guys what are you doing????? Comparing an Islay such as Laphraoig to a Highland like Glenmorangie is comparing apples & bananas!:shrug:
Islays are always much more demanding on the palate & I gotta admit the isle to which I always return. Lagavulin for preference, the 25 yo if you can find & afford it.
Not sure if you can get it Stateside, yet. There's a Welsh single malt called Penderyn (Penderyn Distillery - the home of Welsh Whisky - Welcome), which is Madeira cask matured & somewhere between a Speyside & an Islay. It's distilled about 30 miles from where I live in Wales. Patriotism demands I have at least one bottle a year :rolleyes:
Penderyn is actually a very nice whisky. My wife didn't like the madeira finish, but I thought it was pretty good.
Well, the wifey picked me up a bottle of the 18 year Glenlivet and WOW is it smooth. Way better than the McClelland I have been drinking. I think its time I broaden out and get some Islay. I have never seen it before, what do I look for? Links please.
Billy
I am a HUGE fan of Cask Strength. If you liked that and now drink OBAN, I'll have to try it. If its not Macallan Cask Strength, its Glenfidich, 15 or 18.Quote:
Originally Posted by jscott
I've never met a single malt I didn't like.
However, my current bottle is 15 year old Glenlivet.
I'm partial to Balvenie... both the 12 year old "DoubleWood" and the 15 year "Single Barrel"are both wonderful...especially with a nice Arturo Fuente Signature. :hmmm:
I'm not much of a connoisseur but:
Laphroaig 10y when smoking a cigar.
Highland Park 18y I find irresistible, with or without cigar.
Many years ago I tasted Johnny Walker Red label, and thought I did not like whisky for many years, till, a few years back, someone who didn't knew me well, donated me a bottle of Glenmorangie 10y. I was converted with one sip :). What a waste of time, all those years.
Nowadays, my taste is a bit moving away from the Glemmorangie. A bit caramellish for my developing taste. I also like Cragganmore 12y very much.
Bruno, we really should think about that "Lowlands Get Together", man.:)
Cheers,
Bart.
Talisker distiller's edition, though the 18 is quite nice as well. Though I've been known to sip quite a bit of Glenfidditch 18 year.
I like nice Whiskey. Two kids and RAD, HAD and SAD mean it's cheap scotch now though:o
Now how does this Tony Miller web site work:o:o:o??
I'm more for the Irish and Islay whisk(e)y's
With Tyrconnell and Greenore being my fav Irish and Ardberg my fav Islay.
Also a big bourbon lover, esp Elija Graig
Lagavulin actually ranks real high on some of the least favorites I've tried. I think pine needles is what comes to mind. But as most of the tour guides said when I was touring in Scotland. "I can find a Scotch for anyone. They are all so different." Which I completely agree.
My favorite so far has been Auchentoshan Three Wood it's roughly a 12 year old. They don't place a year on it because it varies depending on how fast it takes on the flavor of the three different barrels. Interesting side notes on Auchentoshan, they are the only triple distiller, and they made the Scotch for the Queen Elizabeth 2 (luxury cruise liner that was recently sold off to become a hotel in Dubai). Which, you can actually buy that Scotch from their distillery.
I just got a few bottles that I ordered about a week ago and tried them I got Talisker Dilstillers Ed. 12 yo and Lagavulin 16 yo single malt.
I like the flavor in both of them but I'm not a regular drinker so the alcohol is a little strong for me to drink it straight. Eventually I'll get used to it though.
I haven't tried diluting it yet any ratio suggestions for a newcomer to the fine world of Scotch?
I did what you've done, about 2 years ago. Proved emphatically that you're either an Islay fan, or NOT.
I worked through Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Talisker, both the main variety and some alternate expressions, to be fair..
if you don't drool and beg for Islay, fuggedaboudit.
ya either is, or ya ain't.
and fwiw, the Laphroaig cask strength is near ultimate for them as want to suck on betadyne soaked half- burned seaweed. Cheap compared to some stuff, and perfect for ice fishing, or enduring a blue norther..
Laphroaig Cask Strength ought to come with a yellow rain slicker and directions on treating hypothermia..
If you want flavor.. Balvenie Sherry Casked, Aberlour 16, Macallan 18.... .those are the 'findables' of that genre in my location. Sherry Casked and old enough to be ripe, is about all it takes for me....
Honorable mention to JW Gold, a flavorful 80 proof blended scotch that drinks like water. Not top shelf but VERY drinkable. 'Moreish'...
If quality is all that matters, Macallan.
If bang-buck comes first, Balvenie..
If the best substitute for Mac 18 is your goal, Aberlour 16.
if none of those suit you, you don't like sherried whisky, drink Islay.
The Balvenies are my favorites. The 21 yo Port Wood is among the best to be had (IMO), unfortunately, it's recently gone up to over $100, so I can't afford it as often as I used to. The 15 yo Single Barrel is in 2nd place for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
Lagavulan (from Islay) is a malt to be reckoned with; absolutely the best Islay there is (at least the best of the Islays I've tasted)
For an everyday affordable malt, try the Dalmore 12yo. I think it's the best you can get for the price, about $35 in the states.
Im only 32 but I have been a Scotch fan forever, partly because thats what my father always drank for a nightcap. I have a few good scotches in my cabinet right now:
Glenlivet 18yr
Oban 14yr
Dalwhinnie 15yr
Lagavulin 16yr
Scotts Selection - North of Scotland 1964
I just picked up the Lagavulin yesterday and tried it last night. Just wonderful :) This may just be my new favorite. :D
Springbank is a great whisky, especially the 21 yo, extreme complex and harmonic.
Personally, I do prefer the Islay whiskies, as pointed out, they are a little "heavier" than the rest....
But, still, I haven't come by a whisky that is not enjoyable in some way!!!!
Clas