OK, here's my current stock of scotch whiskey. Curious as to how you all would rate them!
- Macallan 18, 12 and Whiskey Maker's Edition
- Glenfiddich 15
- Glenlivet 18
- Glenmorangie Lasanta 12
- Aberlour 15 &12
- Balvenie 21
- Glen Garioch 12
- Jura 16
- Dewars 12
Salute!
Rich |
Hi Rich,
Macallan 18 is stunning and despite its expense, it competes well with much more expensive whiskys
Glenmorangie always good for a solid, slightly sweet and smooth whisky
Balvenie 21...some love, some like. Very agreeable though i much prefer the Macallan 18 which is ridiculously drinkable.
Enjoy! |
I am curious about that Jura 16. Only had younger versions of it. |
I was given a bottle of The Balvenie 12 year old for my bd earlier this year. It's my new favorite. I'll probably try the other ages when I finish this one, but the 12 yo is fantastic. |
The Jura is a smooth, but peaty scotch. I prefer it with some ice.
The Macallan 18 is the best IMHO.
Happy Holidays! |
If anyone likes Macallan 18, alternatives that may be fun to try:
- Macallan 30 (25 over-rated imho)
- Glenrothes 1985
- Midleton (older stuff)
If you like peat (ie, smoke) in your whisky:
- Springbank 18-year
- Ardberg Supernova (very smoky)
- Lagavulin 16-year (in between the above 2 smoky whiskys)
Enjoy! |
I have no doubt Macallan 30 is terrific. At $1000 a bottle versus $80 a bottle for the Macallan 18 and $600 for the Macallan 25, I'm not exactly sure it's alternative. |
You are so right, the Macallan's have priced themselves out of the market for me, I remember when the 25 was $99 and was available in the grocery store! Now it's hidden behind the counter in the LLS! |
Hi Baka1969,
Over here, a bottle of Macallan 18-yr is 80 and 30-yr is 300. The 25-yr is 200...and i think the 18-yr is nearly as good. Whereas the 30-year is stunning. |
@loydelee21 I'm not sure where you are and based on some of the research I've done the price of the Macallan 30 has risen here in the US from about $375 a bottle in 2007 to over $900 (closer to $1000) today. That's pretty steep. At those prices the Macallan 18 may represent the best overall value? Sort of like the diminishing returns in audio equipment? lol |
The Glendronach 15YO Revival is a very nice dram at about $75-80.
I don't understand the astronomical price rise of Macallan.
Yes, the 18YO is a lovely dram but $160-180? There are plenty of respectable 18YOs in the $100 range.
Try a 18YO Talisker! |
Rja,
If you can find it try the 25 y/o Talisker....
I still have a few ounces of that one left and it is insanely good! I used to drink Macallan but the prices have gone out of control. I used to get the 25 y/o for $99 and you could buy it in the grocery store, now that bottle is over $750 and in my mind not worth that, I'll stick with Balvenie 21 Port for less than $200 (actually my LLS still has some at %150!) |
@ kennyt. I went out to try and find Macallan 15 or 18 within reasonable driving distance and could only find 10 or 12. I ended up with the 12. I called around and the prices I did find were getting steep. $51 for the 12. $80 for the 15. $145 for the 18. $350 for the 21. $650 for the 25. $1100 for the 30. Plus tax for all of them. Those prices are in the city of Philadelphia.
As I've mentioned in this thread, I rarely drink and, for me, $80 would be as far as I'd stretch. |
Yeah, Macallan has essentially priced itself out of the market. They sell most of their product to Asia where it is a major status symbol, in the US me and my friends drink the 21 Port Balvenie. It's available for ~$200 and is to my palette better than the 25 Macallan. YMMV and we all need to tailor price to taste!
The Mac 12 is pretty rough for my tastes, I can't tolerate the 15 even. When things were cheaper I used to keep the 18 as my 'house' scotch but now I will serve Balvenie 21 when friends come by..... |
Forget Scotch!
Irish Whiskey!
A decent bottle at $50 equivalent to the $200-300 scotch range that I used to buy is "Red Breast" 12yr! |
This thread led to a Scotch odessey for my son & I. Prior to it, scotch wasn't on my adult beverage radar screen. So thanks to all for the impetus & the lightening of our wallets (grin)!
I now own approx. 15 single malts. And my son, owns more, including some Irish. In fact, he just sent me the following in an e-mail:
***************
I have procured a bottle of "Shackelton's Whiskey" (http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/shackletons-whisky-mackinlays-rare-old-highland-malt/) which is a vatted malt replica of a 100+ year old Scotch whisky that was found buried in the ice of Antarctica underneath one of the huts that Ernest Shackleton's team used during their "Nimrod" expedition of that land (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimrod_Expedition).
The discovery and eventual return of some of the original whiskey to Scotland is an interesting story in and of it self. You can start here: http://www.whyteandmackay.co.uk/blog/2011-01-19-shackletons-whisky-unboxed-video-pictures-faq.aspx and here http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/13376.
Ultimately the original whiskey was sampled and painstakingly analyzed for scientific and industry curiosity as well as to enable the possibility of replicating it. The scholarly paper detailing the results can be found here: http://www.scientificsocieties.org/jib/papers/2011/G-2011-0630-1168.pdf.
*****************
I'm looking forward to the Shackelton tasting that my son is planning with me, his best friend & my nephew. |
I read that the Shackletons were all reburied in the ice. |
Balvenie Double Wood has been available at my local Costco for a tad over $30. That's a no-brainer and is now my "house" malt. |
It's been a while since I visited my own thread, and I am thrilled to see that it still has legs. A couple of comments about Macallan:
While I agree about the pricing I still find it to be, when all is said and done, THE ONE for me. Sure, I will often reach for something else in my cabinet, but when I don't want to give any thought to the choice, just relax and know that there won't be anything at all to fault in the experience, Macallan 18 is the one. If I only have the 12 on hand, I am much more apt to reach for something else; but not so with the 18. However, I disagree about the 25. I have enjoyed three bottles over the years, and
while it is obviously extremely fine, I find it to be a little TOO fine. I know it may seem odd, but it is a little too round and buttery for my palate. While the 12 can be a little unrefined, the 18 is just right.
For lovers of the Macallan, a couple of other malts that I consider good alternatives are the Royal Lochnagar (very nice smokiness and sherry sweetness), and the 21 yr old Auchentoshan (a personal favorite). The Auchentoshan is a little lighter than the Macallan; but pushes a lot of the same buttons for me.
Enjoy, and keep the comments (and Scotch) flowing! |
Frogman, I agree. Though it might appear as though I'm contradicting myself, all things considered (including price), and though a bit over priced (heck, I'd buy a lot more if it cost little less) the 18 year old Macallan is still my favorite. Of course from time to time others might be more appealing during those times. |
I lived in Scotland for 6 years, and developed quite a taste for fine single malts. Now, I'm personally partial to the smokier Islays, particularly Ardbeg. I recently had a nice long visit to several of the distilleries and questioned them about pricing. There are several factors, the most important of which is just plain old increased demand for a product that hasn't kept up supply. The worldwide recession has apparently not affected whisky drinkers very much.
Here's something to think about. While in Aberdeen, I began to collect various examples, especially from closed and/or dismantled distilleries. I figured what's better than a consumable collectible? I occasionally check the retail prices of some of the rarer bottles, and can assure you that those prices have gone sky high in recent years. Examples...I paid 30 pounds (about $50) for a bottle of 1973 Longrow. That bottle is now worth over $2000. 1966 Springbank Local Barley at 70 pounds, now going for $3000. The point here is not the value of this collection, but rather that, just as in audio, folks will pay up for the best. If the supply of the best is limited, prices must rise. Pretty fundamental stuff.
I'll share one more little story. In 1996, I bought a bond from the founders of the Arran distillery. They sold this to start production, buy the equipment, and so on. In return, the boldholders received 7 cases of 'Founder's Reserve' single malt. Arran makes a very fine whisky, which I would describe as similar to one of the less peated Islays. Highly recommended if you can find it. meanwhile, if you're ever in the Houston area, come on by for some music and a dram or two. |
Macallan 12 year old. Maybe not the best, just the best I can justify the cost of. |
Just had a taste of my friends Arran and I would agree;a very fine malt.
Islay labels are my preference. Laphroig and Lagavullan,Bowmores,Ardbeg.
Laphroig 10 yr. (we call it "frog juice")is one of the least expensive premium malts; going here in Cincy for about $45.00.
I have found that price has little bearing on character and taste (in single malts).
btw most of the distilleries are owned by the Japanese.
cheers |
Awesome suggestions - thank you! I picked up a bottle of Islay Bowmore 12 and Red Breast 12. Islay (smoky) was great before dinner, and the Red Breast (sweet) great afterwards. Both required blooming to enhance and refine their flavors. To bloom I used ice. |
I recently have been enjoying Oban. A very nice middle of road malt; not too peaty, not too sweet. I really like it and its not $1k/bottle. Not even a c-note. |
Frogman, what is your opinion of the Islay ones? Laphroig and Lagavulin are my favorites. |
Hi Learsfool. I currently have a bottle of Lagavulin 16, and Laphroig 10 in my cabinet. I love the Lagavulin. But I have to be in then mood for it. I thoroughly enjoy the Lagavulin. The Laphroig, well, let me put it this way: that bottle was a wedding present, and I've been married 12 years. I "get" the Islay malts, but it's just not my preference. I much prefer the Highland malts, and to a somewhat lesser extent the Lowland malts. Strictly a personal preference dependent on mood. Kind of like Mahler. Sometimes I think it's music from the Gods. Other times, depending on my mood, I find it trite and self-indulgent. But, I never tire of a good Highland malt. Prokofiev?
Regards. |
Learsfool: i much prefer Lagavulin to Laphroig. The former is more complex and nuanced IMHO. Laphroig was the first Islay malt I had, decades ago, so it has some sentimental value to me! However, I don't buy it much anymore. I remember a liquor store owner in South Carolina (who was also the mayor of the town) who insisted on pronouncing it "Lap-frog." No relation to Frogman, I presume!
My other go-to malt is Talisker. Out here in the middle of the Pacific, there are fewer choices than on the mainland. |
Hi Cpdunn - I too probably prefer Lagavulin, but lately it has been so much more expensive than the Laphroig, so I have gone with the latter. My brother is a big fan of Talisker, I don't think I have actually tried that one.
Frogman, I'll have to try some HIghland ones again sometime. It was long ago now that I decided I greatly preferred the Islay ones and haven't ever gone back. |
The beauty of single malt scotch: hundreds of choices and they are all different.There literally is no wrong or bad malt
btw as I have stated previously; Laphroig is a acquired taste. That said, I have to disagree with the statement that Lagavullin is more complex. They are both complex, but with different layers. I just love the seaweed finish on the 10yr Laphroig. (btw I hate the 15 yr version).
cheers |
The 10 year old Laphroig is definitely an acquired taste. However, afterwards most other single malts are bland by comparison. |
Try as I might, I've never come to acquire a taste for Laphroig. |
First - and please accept my apologies - I have to correct numerous spelling errors. It's Laphroaig. Nasty one to remember, I admit.
For those who do love and/or admire this fine whisky, I might suggest an Ardbeg Uigeadail. I opened this up last weekend, and think it's one of the best examples from Ardbeg in quite some time. |
Numerous spelling errors may be blamed on the enjoyable whiskey. You are very forgiven. |
Any recommendations for something where charcoal comes across in spades? |
|
Russellrcncom,
You won't find anything near the phenol levels in Octomore by Bruichladdich. This is the whopper you speak of. If that's too much you might try Port Charlotte also by the Laddie. Ten year old PC being released this year.
Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg all fit the bill although some more than others. Try Ardbeg Alligator if you can, they charred the hell out of the casks for this one.
Also, although very young, a dram of Kilchoman might be to your liking. This distillery was founded in 2005 on Islay.
Ledaig from the Isle of Mull is Tobermorys smokey offering.
As much as I hate to say it, take a charred stick, put it in a bottle of cheap single malt, let it age a month or two and voila a smokey Scotch whisky. This may sound crazy but a friend did this and it was surprising. If you can get a Scottish stick, all the better. But warning, don't do it to a fine old rare bottle for fear of ruining it and threatening the wrath of the whisky gods upon you. |
Oh yeah, forgot. Sounds like the Macallan might be going towards no age statement whisky. Their latest entry level release @ 40% ABV NAS. Exactly how old is anyones guess, 5, 6, 8? Don't really know. This while many other distilleries are upping their ABV from 43% to 46%. Any less than 40% ABV and you can't legally call it whisky in Scotland.
Also, their "fine oak" releases are disappointing when compared to their sherry cask offerings. All their whisky was once sherry cask aged and they built their reputation on it.
I think we're seeing the results of such high worldwide demand for single malt Scotch whisky that some distilleries just don't care what they're putting in their bottles. Hopefully they won't all go this route.
Sorry for the rant! |
You all need to join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, if you are at all serious about Scotch. The commercial bottlings listed above are all good, but the best bottles I have had were single malts which were single-cask, undiluted, and not chill filtererd. I suppose my all-time favorite was a 16 year old Ben Nevis, but can not remember the exact bottle number. Some over-30-year olds (which I collect, up to a point - I wouldn't want to die with an undrunk collection) I have had contained bottled happiness. I don't know how they capture that, but some bottles have it. |
Curriemt11 mentions the 1966 Springbank Local Barley. I drank my bottle of it, and it was wonderful - I would certainly rank it above anything else mentioned here. Little did I know it would be worth thousands, but I buy the stuff to drink, not admire or keep or resell. I have had other Springbank bottles which I liked more. |
Lloydc
sounds like good advice. thanks...Springbank is good stuff...i own the 18 and the 21-year. I have had the 35-year. All great...the 21 ranks in my top 5. the 18 in the top 9. |
Just had some 21 and 35 distillery bottled Springbanks a couple of weeks ago at a friends. Really liked the 21 a lot, cracked open for the occasion.
Another friend is sitting on a distillery bottle of 45 Springbank. What do I have to do to get him to open that one? |
BTW: Begging hasn't worked! 8^) |
Wow! 45 Springbank! Would def love to try...though i wonder is it better or just older and rarer? That said, the 21 and 35 are pretty sensational.
If you EVER get that 45 cracked open...pls post! |
Had 30 and 40 year old Laphroaig, prefer the 30.
Had 21 and 35 year old Springbank, prefer the 21.
Had 18 and 25 year old Macallan, prefer the 18.
Just goes to show......Older is not always better.
Caveat(although it frequently is) |
Totally agree!!
I think the 25-yr Macallan is waaay overpriced and i have been saying it for nearly 7 years now. The 30-yr is stunning beyond all belief...but the 18 imho is better than the 25! Good to know on the others.
I am inclined to agree on Springbank 21 as well...that is one special bottle. Thank goodness i bought 2! ;) |
I agree with the comments above about age. I feel that 16 -24 years is generally ideal, although some, lowland scotches for instance, are generally regarded as best drunk at younger ages. But once in a while an over-30 bottle has something magical that I have never experienced from a younger bottle. I have had two over-30's which were not excellent - you pays your money and you takes your chances.
For some reason young scotches are popular in Italy, I can't imagine why.
I am entirely persuaded that avoiding chill filtering is important to tasting the full flavor of a whisky.
45 year old Springbank! I volunteer to help! Rare, and likely to be very different and interesting, but not necessarily "better" than other Springbanks. Scotch really does not improve past the early 30's, as far as I know. But I intend to continue the research...
I agree with whoever above observed that the oak McAllans are not comparable to their traditional format, but the sherry in McAllan is sometimes just too much. You need to keep a few bottles of different types handy!
I will put in votes for the great Glenmorangie and Balvenie bottles, first rank distilleries. They are very rarely available in independent bottlings. |
Good call on the Balenvie from what i have read...not tried. But will!!!
I have an older Glenmorangie which i enjoy...a nice gift from good friends who know me well.
I agree with your comments, Lloydc, on the Macallans and have had some non-chill filtered which were wonderful...i enjoy the flavors but would not profess enuf knowledge to know if it was the lack of chill filtering or not.
BTW, i have a rare 34-year old Demerara Rum...exceedingly rare for rum to be this old. Whoa...even my fiancee can drink it straight. It is a wonderful treat we picked up when we popped into the Whisky Shop which has several hundred bottles...and they also had a small rum section of rare rums. Cool! |
"The" reference book on scotch is "The Whiskies Of Scotland" by R.J. McDowall. Out of print for years, but can be found online.
The author says there is almost no improvement after 15 to 20 years of aging.
Dr. McDowall has taste tested and characterized most anything you will find in any liquor store.
A must own for Scotch drinkers! |
Cool! Thanks, Don_c55. i will look that one up on Amazon to see if they've got it. |
