Yes, still has life, Frogman! Seems to go in fits and starts.... just like real life |
My favorite malt liquer is probaly either St Ides or King Cobra.. then again, the 40oz Colt 45 aint bad either.
some for my dead homies.
oh.,,, wait...
malt SCOTCH... im sorry, i diddnt see the "Scotch" part. |
Lagavulin here too. I went to a scotch tasting recently and some were priced above 200 a bottle but the old standby was still my favorite. |
The macallan 25 year old.. |
Another vote for Lagavulin. Rich flavor, smooth delivery. Gets me every time. I've tried many others, and enjoyed them, but I keep coming back. Now, I just need to get over to the UK and try the 25 and 30 years!
Tom. |
I like many. Great thread. Here's a recommendation for Balvenie. I think I have the spelling right. I prefer one of the older ones that are aged in Port wine casks. |
The Macallan 18yr old out of rosewood casts. |
I introduced a friend to high-end single malts last night. He had a taste from three of the bottles I laid in for Christmas - two Distillers' Edition whiskies: the 1986 Lagavulin Double Matured and the 1986 Talisker Double Matured, and a Macallan 18 for contrast. He liked the Talisker best. My favourite whisky in the world is that '86 Lagavulin. It's a bit more civilized than the regular 16 year old, but with a bigger body and a better peat/smoke balance.
My other favourites are Laphroaig, Port Ellen (when I can find it) and Ardbeg 17 (it's like sucking on a burnt stick). |
Gliderguider... yer makin' me thirsty, lad! A liquor store here (Chicago area) is offering Macallan verticals (1930'ish to to the present) for sale for about $40,000. |
GlennRothes--- comes with a Metal base plate that is removeable, I convert that to an ashtray for my cigars while I enjoy this very very fine scotch ! |
Mzn50, I had a taste of a 30 year old GlenRothes when I was in Toronto over New Years. It was outstanding. My first love is Islays, but this one had something very special going for it.
On a side note, I bought a bottle of 18-yo Jameson Irish, a blend of three casks. Maybe my palate has been ruined by peat and smoke, but I was sorely disappointed. |
Just as a follow-up. The Balvenie I was referring to in my post above was the 21 year old. The 15 is good but not as good as the 21 year old.
As for Irish Whiskey, I like Tullamore Dew. |
Scotch fans, any suggestions for me, I really enjoy Laphroaig 10 and 15. I do not care for Glenlivet(12 and 18 are the only ones I've had) that much and have tried a few Glenmorangie's and while they are MUCH better then Glenlivet's to me- they still don't do it for me like Laphroaig does. What other scotch's would you suggest starting to look into it seems a lot of folks like Lagavulin, maybe I should go out and get a bottle! Well I appreciate any insight you folks may have. |
Tireguy, based on your love of Laphroaig here are my suggestions.
First the island whiskies:
Lagavulin (of course - my #1 pick)
Talisker (Isle of Skye - my #2 - Laphroaig is my #3)
All the other Islays - Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg (the 17 year old is fabulous), Port Ellen (if you can find it). The "3 B's" listed first are the lightest of the Islays, and may disappoint if you're looking for the "in your face" smoke 'n peat experience, but they're still a league and a half ahead of Genlivet.
Then move to the mainland:
Highland Park, from way up north. Rich, with a hint of the island character.
Glenfarclas, Glenturret - especially older ones like the 15's - classic Speyside character.
The old standby, Macallan. The 12 is so-so, but the 18 is very nice. Too pricey for what you get IMO. Marketing has done its work here.
And if you can find it, Edradour. The smallest distillery in Scotland, it's a lighter but supremely elegant dram.
I don't personally care for the Lowlands malts as much. They're too light for my taste. You should try Springbank if you have a chance, though. It's a very traditional whisky, and the best of the Lowlands IMO. |
I agree with Gliderguider.... if Laphroig does it for you, Lagavulin will do it even more! And Talisker is great introduction, too, to top flight single malts. |
This is a great thread. If I may inject a small bump into the road of this thread......what are your favorite blended Scotches? I know.....so pedestrian........well here it goes:
2. Dewar's is my regular choice.
1. Dewars 12 is even better, but just barely worth the $10 more a bottle than regular Dewar's. I don't get it often.
3. Famouse Grouse is good too but I prefer either of the Dewars. |
Gliderguider - you have a true appreciation for fine malts! Have you ever been to Islay? A very remote spot - I've never set foot there, but have flown over it many times during a tour of duty flying fighters in England. |
Blended? Pinch, probably. It's been so long... :-)
I had a shot of Johnny Walker Blue in a bar once, courtesy of my boss (it was during the tech bubble, 'nuf said). I was seriously underwhelmed. |
I will "third" Gliderguider's list. I rarely bother with Laphroig these days, and if I wander away from the Lagavulin and Talisker, then it is to sample a less powerful, more gentle drop such as the Balvenie or even the Glenmorangie that they mature in port kegs. |
And let's not forget the cask strength whiskies!
There are quite a number of distilleries that have "cask strength" bottlings, with an alcohol content ranging from 55% to 65%. They can be a remarkably potent experience, from the alcoholic start, through an usually complex middle to a finish that goes on for days :-)
I opened a bottle of Aberlour Abunad'h last night (60%, sherry-cask matured) and I was reminded again whey I like this style so much. It's robust, involving deeply satisfying. Kind of like a really good SET amp. |
Gliderguider is dead spot on with my impressions (to the extent that I have had experience with the brands he mentions). Lagavulin is my #1 fave, but I do stray for variety's sake, every now and then (including single-barrel bourbons and cognac). With regard to blends, the Chivas Regal 18 year old Reserve is quite nice, as is Johnny Walker Blue.
Tom. |
With regard to blended Scotches, I think the best I've had is the Johnny Walker Blue, but one can purchase much better Single Malts for half the price. I do enjoy the Haig and Haig Pinch and even Johnny Walker Black. |
Rsuminsby, I've never been to Islay. The closest I got was Oban, and that was 35 years ago before I'd developed a taste for the water of life. It's on my list of places to go, especially so now that my new girlfriend has an appreciation as well. Probably within the next couple of years.
I'd be guessing that as a fighter pilot you were no stranger to a dram or two??? |
I recently tried Aberlour 10 on Albertporter's recommendation, and it was an outstanding value. Excellent and affordable. |
Gliderguider - you'd be guessing correctly! My squadron has a very impressive collection of malts in our pub....usually 2 dozen or so. And Guiness on tap as well! |
Recently opened a bottle of Bowmore - Mariner 15 yr old - and was very pleased. Has the peat/smoky character of Islay malts, although a little tamer than others, and is very nicely balanced.
Balvenie 12 and 15, as well as Lagavulin, are favourites. Aberlour Cask Strength is a little too hot for me, but the Aberlour Antique is very nice. Tried a Springbank bottling at a restaurant a few years ago and was very impressed.
So much Scotch, so little time (and money). |
Talisker, lava of the God's |
for the buck...dalmore 12. thanks fellas........ |
For the money, the 16-year Lagavulin is pretty good.
But, of the Islay Scotches, my favorite, so far, is a 30 year old Laphroaig. I like that strong burnt peat and Iodine taste (okay, some say it has the hint of the ocean, I say it tastes a bit like iodine). |
9 out of 10 stores I've been to in the last 6 months are out of Lagavulin. I've heard Lagavulin's bottled everything it had.
Anyone know? |
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The best I've had is the Macallan 25 yr old - great for celebrating special occasions. As an everyday single malt, I like the 12 yr old Macallan and the 16 yr old Lagavulin. |
I didn't get a response earlier so I'll ask again ... are your local liquor stores stocking Lagavulin? No luck in Indianapolis, no luck in the Chicago suburbs either. I've been reduced to begging my friends and relatives flying in to pick up a bottle or two Duty-Free. |
Went to a fellow audiophile's house to listen to his all-Gryphon electronics & Dynaudio Confidence 5 speakers system. He was very generous & opened a bottle of Dalmore Single Malt 12 yr old Scotch. Tasted pretty good to me. I don't know if this Scotch is well-known or known at all! I wasn't aware of it BTW. |
Prefer Speyside scotch, The Macallan 18 (which I prefer to the 25), Glen Elgin, Dalwhinnie 15, and the Balvenie Founder's Reserve. Enjoy Irish malts just as much, especially - when I can get it - Jameson Gold. Also enjoy Midleton, Redbreast (pure pot still), Knappogue Castle and Bushmill's 16 yr old single malt. |
Well, it's been two trips to London (and Cadenhead's) since I last posted and it seems I'm running out fo scotch again.
I must agree with the recomendation for the 1986 double matured lagavulin! I don't like the regular one of their's...to smokey for me, but the double matured! I also like the 1967 Glenlivett cellar collection. That was really nice! I won't list the single casks...to many and too few known.
As for blends...I don't agree with some on the Johnie Walker Blue. For me it's to bland, I prefer the gold if I go that route.
After all this time and all this scotch, for me it still Macallan 18 or 25 or single casks when i've got them! I need to start a record of the ones i've had so I'll remember the next time I'm in London!
Cheers! |
Had a bottle of 25yr Talisker recently. Unbelievable!!! Very tough to find as only 3000 bottles released. A friend tasted it at Talisker before release. Felt lucky to find a bottle. I'm usually an Islay guy, the older the better. But this Talisker is definitely worth seeking out. |
Glen More... Lip smackin good to the last drop. |
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I've recently veered off the True Path to sample some small cask bourbons. Lovely drinks, they are. I'm especially taken with Booker's - they claim it's the only cask-strength bourbon being bottled. Deep, rich flavour, albeit without the peat I so love. There are lots of others - Knob Creek is good, as are Baker's, Van Winkle 12 and Woodford Reserve. The nice part is that they're usually only half or 2/3 the price of the Scotches I normally drink. Once all the money has been spent on the stereo, this can be an important consideration. |
In my opinion the 44 yr. old Mortlach tops them all. The 21 year old Linkwood gave a promise of what the Mortlach delivered and is a very fine Scotch, also!
Having tasted nearly all of the more popular scotches, from Islay, lowland, Highland and HS Speyside My taste tend to appreciate the Speysides more.
Compared to the Single Malts, American Scotch, with the exception of the Glenlivits, Glenfiddich and Famous Grouse (and I drank them all for years) are garbage!
What's best is what's best for you! |
What a great thread! I'm in agreement with people above about the quality of Lagavulin and Laphroaig, the older the better. Basically, if its full of peat and smoke you have me hooked.
Ones that I like which are slightly less potent (and expensive) than those are Oban and Talisker. I went through the Talisker factory tour once and it was very much worth the trip. Speaking of expensive, I just moved to New Zealand and was shocked to see a rack of lovely bottles of single malt, all of which COST OVER 100$... Oh The Pain! (they were 20-35$ for most moderate brands in the US).
On a completely seperate but related tangent, has anyone here ever had the opportunity to sample Samual Adams Triple Bock Beer? http://www.bottledbeer.co.uk/index.html?beerid=366 it has a 17.5% alc/vol and a whopping strong malty flavor. it comes in a pretty blue bottle and has a cork... not your average beer. It is best sampled after storing it like wine for a few years... I once sampled one at a "Stout, Stogie and Single Malt" affair and have been hooked since. Hard to find but worth the efffort if you like malty flavors |
I tried SA Triple Bock a couple of times, but wasn't that thrilled - it was just too thick and unbalanced for me. Samiclaus is about as far as I can go in that direction. I do like Celebrator Doppelbock a lot. It's not much of a cool-me-down lawnmower beer though :-) |
Even though I'm an Islay guy, in my book the "best" single malt for the money has got to be the 18yr Macallan. It strikes the ideal balance between quality and price. IMO it beats the 25yr Macallan and at a considerable cost advantage. There are some mighty single malts out there but with mighty price tags attached. I always feel confident recommending the 18yr Macallan. Again IMO the Islays are best very old (30 - 40 yr), even the Ardbeg. Unfortunately, banks don't give loans for whiskey. |
BTW: If you run across some Longrow your efforts will be justly rewarded! |
Well, I still have a bottle of 25 yr old Macallan, haven't opened it up yet....
Happened to be at the liquor store the other day and they got the new 25 and 30 yr old Mac's. I must say I didn't buy either, they now come in cardboard boxes and are $350 and $600 per!!!
For that I'll go to London and visit Cadenhead's! |
I prefer a butterscotch malt! |
hi, guys,
is there any good single malt reference book? or any goood thread or discussion group in the net? thanks
Tim |
Balvenie 21 year-old spoiled me. I used to really enjoy Glenlivet, but the Balvenie just seems to disappear across your taste buds. Unfortunately, $75 disappears from my wallet whenever I buy a bottle. |
Timchen, for good books on single malts, look for anything by Michael Jackson (no, not THAT Michael Jackson). A good place to start might be "Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch" available on-line. |
