"improvement" is a value judgment. lengthy aging changes scotch, which can become very dark and can have unusual, intense flavors, often unlike what we normally think of as Scotch. you should try them for yourself. If you are ever in Edinburgh, go by the Vaults at Leith and try some Society undiluted, non-chill filtered, single malt, single-cask whiskys. Also, the Society has touring tastings in major cities in the U.S.
I consider Michael Jackson's guidebook more useful. |
I have both Michael Jackson and Jim Murray's books. I have heard excellent things abou the Society in Edinburgh and there is also a Whisky Society spot in London. |
Two things, good whisky in a good cask will usually age well for a long time while mediocre whisky in a mediocre cask will have mediocre to terrible results.
Either way, at some point in time the whisky will leach out too many tannins and other nasties from the oak and can ruin even an excellent whisky. Still 40-50-60 year old and older whiskys exist that remain more than drinkable but I believe these are exceptions rather than the rule. Most would be over the hill at some point before those kind of ages.
One of the skills of the distillery is to decide when the whisky is "ready".
Somewhere I read an article whose argument contended that cask management contributes 70% to the final quality of a whisky. I don't know enough on the subject to argue or agree but it is obviously critical to the end product. |
Good to know Rja. Thanks. |
If you are going to Scotland, the best distillery tour, not necessarily best whisky, is at Aberlour.
A word of warning to drivers, it ends with 6 small whisky samples, including 2 cask strength. I went 2 years ago and had to walk about breathing in lungfuls of fresh air for 2 hours, before I felt it was safe to drive. |
Got my bottle of *PC10! It's been a tough search, only 6000 bottles worldwide. I've heard there's some on a boat making its way to our shores though. Nice'n'peaty, 40ppm phenols.
Has anyone here tasted Octomore around 160ppm also from the Laddie?
*Port Charlotte 10 YO cask strength from Bruichladdich. |
Happy New Year Scotch fans! Wanted to share a new single malt Scotch experience. For Christmas, brother-in-law gave me a bottle of 30 yr old Glenfarclas; a very interesting malt. A generous and thoughtful gift, particularly since he is not a Scotch fan himself, but made the effort to find out that I am a fan of the Speyside malts. Being a Speyside malt, the similarities to Macallan are not subtle; with very important differences.
My initial reaction was that I had found the perfect malt for me. It was rich, sophisticated, smooth, with nice sherry overtones, and not as sweet as Macallan (18 yr old) which is about the only criticism that I have of that malt. Sometimes, depending on my mood, I wish the Macallan were just a tad drier. The Glenfarclas also had just a touch more peat (perfect!) than the Macallan and an INCREDIBLY long finish. But, and it is a big but, whereas the Macallan's subtle sweetness is perfectly integrated, the Glenfarclas reveals a long lingering sweetness in the finish only; in a way that leaves nothing but sweetness towards the end of the finish, devoid of it's other character. I find it disappointing. A very good malt to be sure; but I find, once again, that the 18 yr old Macallan is a tough one to beat if that is the style of malt that one likes.
Best to all. |
Johnny Walker - Blue label. |
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Forgman, if one buys by the label, perhaps one should read it. |
Kick ass on your liver 1911. |
I am reminded of the time I took my six year old son to The Big Apple Circus. We had a wonderful time and the kid was bursting with excitement. Afterwards, as we left the arena, the attendees were confronted by PETA activists yelling at us and shoving disturbing photographs of abused circus animals in our faces. Which do you think will go further toward addressing the, admittedly, important issue of animal abuse? The minor impact that generalizing about, and taking out of context, a particular situation? Or the impact that a tasteless, selfish, and distorted message foisted upon a six year old will have on his long-term view of people's motives and agendas; no matter the means used?
OK, got that off my chest. Been enjoying (a lot) a bottle of Highland Park 18. This one had flown under my radar until very recently. Just the right amount of peat for me, with nice richness and honey. Not bad! |
Well, found another really good Whiskey shop in Christchurch New Zealand of all places, got me a bottle of 1984 Benrinnes, cask strength, un-chill filtered, love me some Benrinnes! Also brought home a bottle of 19 yr old Ben Nevis sherry cask, waiting to get home today to open that one......
Amazing how I have found good whiskey shops all over the world..... |
sounds great, Kennyt! Congrats! |
This may be out of sync in a Scotch whiskey thread but I highly recommend two Japanese single malts : the Yamazaki 12 and 18 years, the latter is outstanding as is the Hibekki 17 year old. A surprise for me was an Indian single malt Amrut fusion easily available in NYC but almost impossible to find in its homeland.
Cheers |
Hi Sunnyboy1956
Agree the Hibekki 17yr is good stuff. My favorite is the Yoichi 20yr which my wife got me when she was in Japan.
BTW, i just picked up a Springbank 21-yr. I managed to get 2 last yr...have kept 1, and will keep the 2nd as well. |
Not a big drinker at all, but recently been introduced to single malt scotch and have sampled: Dalwinnie 15 yr, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, & Glenmorangie 10 yr. The Dalwinnie and Glenmorangie are my favorites but I think I like bourbon better. |
All comparable whiskeys with a somewhat more similar flavor...certainly compared to the smokier stuff (Laphraoig, Springbank, Lagavulin). Bourbon is going to be sweeter than these, and somewhat 'richer' tasting. Dalwhinnie is quite a light drink and a quick clean finish as i recall. Have you tried Sazerac Rye? I have the 18yr and find it truly stunning. Falls along the Bourbon category, but somewhere between sweeter bourbons and the more 'straight' whiskeys you've tried. |
That's easy: Lagavulin 16. |
Not to highjack this thread, but I have long been interested in Michael Jackson's (no not THAT Michael Jackson!) books on whisky. The most recent edition was compiled posthumously, as MJ died a few years ago. I was wondering what the community's appraisal of the latest edition? Do you think the reviews and comments capture Michael's assessments of the various bottlings, or is it a major departure from his palate and style? |
Funny - I was just reading that today (3/27/2013) would mark his 71st birthday. I have a well-worn copy of his Malt Whisky Companion, and it still sees occasional use. Haven't heard of anything from him posthumously though - I'd be interested too. |
You might like this guy: ralfy.com
Hundreds of videos of whisky/whiskey reviews. |
my favorite is Macallan 18 for scotch i can afford but really like the 25 and 30 when i get the chance. A recent scotch that has reappeared is SCAPA 16. Hard to find but worth the look |
in no particular order:
Lagavulin 12 cask strength
Hbiki 17 blended
Laphoriag 10 cask strength
Old Pulteney 21
Old Pulteney 17
Hakushu 12
Clynelish 17 A. D. Rattray
Talisker 18
above are readily available. There are some individual bottling "oddities" that are fantastic but you probably won't find them in your area. |
setting money aside, I actually prefer the 18-yr Macallan to the 25 year (or certainly do not consider it worse)...and then I find the 30 year just in a class almost by itself...or possibly alongside the 30yr Springbank. |
Speyside single malt:
DALLAS DHU 1975
- distilled: 15/08/1975
- bottled: 21/08/2007
- aged 32 years, bourbon barrel;
- cask strength
-- mine was bottle #8 of 189; cask # 1491;
IMO: ambrosia and nirvana ...... |
Wow! sounds amazing. how does it compare with some of the older Speysides like Glenrothes or Macallans? I have had Glenrothes from '85, plus 25, 30-yr Macallans. |
If you're ever in New York City, may I suggest a visit to Park Avenue liquors, which is now actually on Madison Ave. (292). A fine selection of unusual Scotch whiskies. |
Thanks Unsound...I have definitely heard of Park Ave Liquors...great reputation. Thanks for reminding many of us! |
Lloydelee, I completely agree about the Macallan 18 vs the 25. I have been saying the same thing for some time and gotten frowns from some friends. I have always felt the 18 is THE ONE.
Recently received a gift of Macallan "cask-strength". No indication as to age. I am a fan of cask strength malts, but while this is interesting and I do enjoy it, I find it surprisingly rough and syrupy even with a couple of drops of water (spring, of course) added to relax things. Disappointing overall.
Far more interesting and one that I never would have guessed I would enjoy as much as I do (given my past experience with non-Scottish single malt whiskies, particularly Japan) is the Amrut "Fusion" from (are you ready?) India! I know , I know.... But, a very interesting malt with lots of spice and chocolate notes. Very reasonably priced too. Recommended! |
Thanks, Frogman! I have been reading good things about the Amrut... I think some of the newer Macallan stuff is a bit of marketing sadly. Does not mean there is not good new Macallan coming out...just that I think they're flooding the market a bit and taking advantage of their reputation. For the money now, i would definitely opt for an older Glenrothes. |
I have really started to enjoy scotch and bourbon over the last 3 years but have invested considerable effort to make up for my lost years. In my approach, I really tried to get to know the different scotch regions as well as irish and american whiskey as well. My go to favorite is the Balvenie, a wonderful Speyside scotch. The 15 year single barrel is to me the best $ spent for scotch but if you get a chance to have the 21 you will be in for a real treat. A good friend just laid out and got a bottle of Balvenie 30 so I hope to get some of that soon. In terms of bourbons, the Blanton's is my best for the $. I have been lucky to get to share all of the Pappy Van Winkle line as well as the higher end Michter's (just got a bottle of Michter's 20). The irish redbreast 12 is my favorite irish spirit. |
All great whiskys and have been fortunate to have tried nearly all of the ones you mention. You may like Glenrothes older ones if you like Balvenie...its a bit thicker but also Speyside. Better value for money than Macallan which (can sometime) be wonderful...particularly 18-year...but so expensive due to name recognition. Sazerac 18-year rye bourbon is amazing...regular Sazerac not bad either...Buffalo Trace is the group company, but I like Sazerac better than regular Buffalo Trace so far. On Irish, try Midleton if you can find it...very much in the Irish line (clean, distilled, etc) but also a bit richer in flavour while still smooth. Enjoy!!! |
Thanks Llyoyd, I will definitely check those suggestions out, I do not need much encouragement, especially at this time of the year. I have heard good things from others about the Macallan 18 and must try even though I am not a fan of the younger versions. |
Truemaineiac - please post back your impressions! Enjoy! Regarding Macallan, I think they have taken advantage of their name and started selling some whiskys where I think its just about the label...sad but it is business sometimes. I concur about the 10 and 12...and particularly the 15 in terms of price/performance. The 18 is nice, but frankly for the performance, it too has some real challengers. I like the older Glenrothes...you can buy a 1985 for about the price of the 18 year Macallan. You may like Highland Park 18---a highland but about as smooth as the speyside with a slightly creamier richer flavor. |
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any particular Bowmore you recommend? |
Sturg1 is right. Lagavulin 16 |
