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Best single-malt Scotch...

I have to give credit to Redwiki for the inspiration to start this thread. Yes, certain malts better compliment certain music or certain moods. Of the fifteen or so different malts in my cabinet right now, my favorites are: Aberlour "Antique", similar to the popular Macallan, but not as syrupy; a bit drier, light hearted and less complicated; great with Mozart and Brubeck. Mortlach "Limited Edition" cask strength. Powerful, smoky, mysterious. Great with Bartok, Berg and late 'Trane. Loch Morar 25 yr old. Incredibly complex and intense, with a hint of honey and flowers. Great with Poulenc, Stravinsky and Bill Evans. Any other single-malt aficionados out there?
frogman
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Frogman, what is your opinion of the Islay ones? Laphroig and Lagavulin are my favorites.
frogman OP
7,373 posts
 
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.
cpdunn99's avatar
cpdunn99
639 posts
 
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.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
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.
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
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
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