Thread: Scotch/whiskey of the day

Originally Posted by PigHog

Update in a week please.

Quick update now if you like. Very little change in flavour or aroma after the bottle has been open for 24 hours, which as far as I'm aware indicates that it was matured in a good quality cask.

I haven't checked in on this thread for a while, as my wife and I spent all of June traipsing around Europe. We did some great distillery tours in Scotland. Glenfiddich was very thorough, especially in the cask warehouse. And Aberlour gave a delightful tour, with 6 excellent expressions to try at the end (I got my wife's too, as she doesn't like scotch-good thing I wasn't driving!). If you're a true malt whiskey lover, try to make the pilgrimage at some point. The Scottish Highlands are by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen, and the distilleries are in seemingly every little village.

The bonus was that I came back to an unopened bottle of Macallan 12, as my neighbor who had been charged with babysitting my open bottles (to keep temptation away from my 19-year old son!) drank the half a bottle or so I had left him with my blessing, and just replaced it with a new one-great neighbor, huh?!

Anyway, I have finished a bottle of Ardbeg Uigedail since I last posted (and very quickly, I might add!). It's one of those iconic "must try" bottles for any Islay peat lover like me-highly recommended! I also splurged a couple of weeks ago on another bottle of Lagavulin 16-we'll see how long it lasts. And as much as I want to try some other whiskeys on my list, I'd love to open another bottle of Laphroiag Quarter Cask, as I was quite taken with its ever-changing complexity and smoky sweetness.

You guys talking about bourbon, have you tried Knob Creek, especially the Single Barrel Reserve? It's quite potent, but just bursts with flavors if you allow a few ice cubes to melt in it a little. Easily the best I've tried in its price point. I don't really get too spendy on the ultra-premium bourbons, as I prefer scotch on the higher end of things.

Hope to make it one day. Almost got a Macallan in port cask instead of the oban. Would like to hear more about Laphroaig quarter, the 10 is a little to much but I love Lagavulin...

Have a great day...

Very nice dram of Bowmore 15 darkest. Chocolate like notes, very smokey, hints of iodine for sure! Beautiful color, very nicely opened up with 1 cube of ice.

Hello all, the scotch newbie is interested in some tecommendations. It has taken some years to get old enough to learn to sip on a drink and actually enjoy it. In those years I tried a couple scotches and of course didn't appreciate it. Now I have found one that I like, macallan 12yr. (I don't know how it rates on the long list of scotch, so if it's widely known as crap, please don't laugh too hard) I'd like to know what else you think I should look for in the future.

What are you looking for in a bottle? Plenty of things that can be recommended, none of which you might actually like.
Sweet whiskies? Sherried whiskies? Peaty or smokey whiskies? Fruity, spicy, salty, rich and deep or light and gentle? Needs a little narrowing down.

Macallan 12 is a very nice scotch indeed, I just finished a bottle of it. For a few dollars more, try the the Macallan 10 year "Fine Oak" it's a bit smoother.

Things that I would look for include: lighter, sweet, smokey rather that peaty, and I am partial to the sharried. . . Fruity would be a bonus too

Highland Park 12 year old is a good place to start. Or you could try an Arran 10 year old, which is less smokey and more fruity.

The bowmore 15 above is nice as a more sherried islay whisky.

I think you would enjoy Balvenie Double Wood. Tobermory is also excellent for an unpeated introductory whisky. Once you acquire a taste for peat, you would then enjoy Tobermory's peated offering, Ledaig which is excellent as well. Many people like Glenmorangie. I think it's good but don't get the roundness of fruity notes that others report.

ChrisL