Thread: Scotch/whiskey of the day

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I think Tobermory 10 is great. Enough complexity and a good all around dram. Definitely a bottle that I would have as a regular, but I don't currently have a bottle of it now.
Tobermory's peated offering, Ledaig 10 is another one of my favorites. They're doing something right on the Isle of Mull.

Agreed. Not really a spectacular malt, but very good. Have not had the Ledaig at all. I will have to try that sometime. Seems most who have tried it speak highly of it.

Originally Posted by Ezekiel81

I'm rather partial to ledaig, but haven't had tobermory for a long time. Rumour has it the town of Tobermory is where the kid's show Balamory was filmed, but they've now painted all the colourful houses grey because they got fed up of tourists.

I have seen pictures of the colourful houses. A rather distinct feature. Hope that the rumour is not true!

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

I actually thought I was ordering the Prophecy and not a 21 yo. The bill came as quite a surprise.

Yikes! I've only ordered for friends in the UK since it costs a fortune in tax to import to Norway. I once put in the country for delivery as Norway though, so was a bit surprised that it was costing £30 to ship one bottle. I got a refund on the excess when I realized my mistake and emailed them. Fortunately they hadn't sent it yet.

Specifics below. I bought a full sized bottle of Ardbeg 10 on a whim. I'm nearing the end of my bottle of Bunnahabhain 12 and wanted to go toward the other end of the Islay spectrum.

Hearken back to when you were a young man; did you ever date any young women that were undeniably captivating not only to you, but to any red blooded male? Transfixed, did your desire include daring to find out if there was more to her story than just her looks? Was there? Or...was there an emptiness at heart? Either way, at the time, did you really care?

Enter, Ardbeg 10. An undeniable peat monster. This is smoked whisky. Are you averse to smoky things? Don't even think of trying Ardbeg 10. My wife took one whiff and declared it heinous.

Does the heavy hand of peat smoke encircle an underlying complexity of other notes or is this a bombastic whisky? Answer: Hmmm....I'm not entirely certain, but I'll enjoy continuing the journey.

This whisky is not a "one note". There is more going on than just the snarling peat lunging at your nose and commanding your attention; however, it is difficult for me to pull those peat notes aside and identify the subtleties that may be underneath. While I may offend Ardbeg lovers, I don't believe there is a tremendous complexity to this whisky; do I care?

46% ABV
Uncolored and Unchill Filtered
Color - Very light - light as any chablis
750ml bottle

11.10.15 25ml sample in copita glass w/cover

Nose full strength: Peat smoke dominates with wood/campfire smoke; the oily and the smoky swirl together in the nose. Underneath the heavy phenolic blanket lies malt notes, sour stone fruits (plum, peach, nectarine), ripe grapes, smoked meats (bacon and ham)

Diluted with distilled water to 38% ABV

Nose with water: peat smoke remains dominant, wood smoke recedes. more fruit notes, oak notes come through.

Taste: Char, brine, very slight sweetness, dark cocoa

Finish: wood smoke comes back, faint citrus peel, subtle oak notes, saltiness.

Not surprisingly, given the level of peat, this is the longest finish I've had in a whisky. Whereas the finish in some non-peated whiskies is gone in a moment, the smokiness in Ardbeg 10 goes on, and on, and on.......and on.

Based on the scoring descriptors below, and that I think Ardbeg 10 is a pinnacle for what it is (heavily peated Islay single malt) I score this as: 89

90 - 92 (A-) = Excellent - Considering buying a case
87 - 89 (B+) = Great - always want to have a bottle

ChrisL

The oldest and the smoothest and tastiest (if that's a word) I evah had

I love Port and I really liked the Balvanie Caribbean Cask.

No doubt I would love this since I am not big on Rum and liked the latter.

However my wife frowns as I near the $100 dollar mark, maybe one day....

Originally Posted by nessmuck

The oldest and the smoothest and tastiest (if that's a word) I evah had

Originally Posted by gflight

I love Port <<<snip

So do I. Cheers!

To cool. Would have loved to try those...

One of these days I will get a Port wood finished Whisky. But for now I will journey to Islay...

Wife got me a bottle of Glengoyne 18 for our 2nd wedding anniversary!

Smells wonderful, i'm going to give it my first try tonight!