Consolidated "Scotch - Best & Worst, recommendations, questions" thread
Aug 1, 2006, 6:32 pm
#31
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Talisker is one of the (few) must drink whiskies. Definitely a benchmark, whether you like it or not. The other "must" is Lagavulin (particularly the 16 yo). Also interesting to try is Laphroaig (very iodine-tasting!) and Ardberg. Really superb. My other favourite is Macallan, particularly the older ones (e.g. 25 yo). For these it is best to use a brandy snifter or a burgundy wine glass (big bowl to let you swirl it and concentrate the aroma). Some of the whiskies -- but not all -- benefit from adding a drop of water ... literally a drop, it seems to break the surface tension rather than dilute the whisky. The better ones cannot be drunk with ice, without destroying half their impact.
Aug 1, 2006, 6:35 pm
#32
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Originally Posted by number_6
Talisker is one of the (few) must drink whiskies. Definitely a benchmark, whether you like it or not. The other "must" is Lagavulin (particularly the 16 yo). Also interesting to try is Laphroaig (very iodine-tasting!) and Ardberg. Really superb. My other favourite is Macallan, particularly the older ones (e.g. 25 yo). For these it is best to use a brandy snifter or a burgundy wine glass (big bowl to let you swirl it and concentrate the aroma). Some of the whiskies -- but not all -- benefit from adding a drop of water ... literally a drop, it seems to break the surface tension rather than dilute the whisky. The better ones cannot be drunk with ice, without destroying half their impact.
Aug 1, 2006, 9:27 pm
#33
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Originally Posted by Duhey2
I usually drink Crown Royal or another Canadian whisky (Forty Creek, VO, then CC). But when I was in Mexico for a wedding recently, the only whiskey they had was Johnnie Walker Black so I drank that and water. I felt horrible then next morning and even fended off a migraine.
Needless to say, I'll pass on scotch for a while....
Needless to say, I'll pass on scotch for a while....
Aug 2, 2006, 1:41 am
#34
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Originally Posted by number_6
Also interesting to try is Laphroaig (very iodine-tasting!)
Laphroig IMO is the strongest smelling and most distinctive of all the Islay malts - smells of TCP (a clinical cleaner found in the UK), still love the stuff though. My father told me he was once given a bottle by a work colleague and threw it away because he thought it was "off" - it smelt so unlike any other whisky he'd ever had, he can't abide Islay malts!
The Port Ellen I have was bought for me by Mrs Kettering Northants JP as a special gift, she went into a whisky specialist and said she wanted a bloody good Islay Malt that you don't see in pubs and restaurants, and they suggested the Port Ellen. It cost a small fortune and we were scared to open it. We eventually opened it with a colleague of mine who is a real whisky enthusiast - we found it to be the smoothest islay malt we have tasted, quite light and very easy to drink undiluted.
When I was last in Sydney we went for a drink in the Hotel bar at The Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, (if there was ever a room that was designed for drinking expensive single malts it's here - think gentleman's club) - spotted Lagavulin on the whisky menu, and tried to order it. We were told they were out of it and it was very unlikley we would find much of it in Australia as a container holding heaven knows how many bottles had "fallen overboard" from the cargo ship bringing it to Australia, reminds me of the 1949 film Whisky Galore!
Aug 2, 2006, 3:48 am
#35
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For a moderately priced whisky you can find in the US, apparently the Dalmore is a good bet. You can pick it up at Trader Joes for about $30. My father in law is quite the whisky snob and thought it was a nice dram. 
May 17, 2007, 7:07 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Never a bad time to resurrect a whisky thread....
Lately I've taken a liking to the Balvenie DoubleWood single malt, a very soft and smooth single malt. Poured over 1 (one) ice-cube.... perfect!!
I was wondering if anyone had any comments on the Balvenie PortWood 21yr ?
Seems like a natural next step if you enjoy the DoubleWood, no?
Lately I've taken a liking to the Balvenie DoubleWood single malt, a very soft and smooth single malt. Poured over 1 (one) ice-cube.... perfect!!
I was wondering if anyone had any comments on the Balvenie PortWood 21yr ?
Seems like a natural next step if you enjoy the DoubleWood, no?
May 17, 2007, 10:47 pm
#37
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May 19, 2007, 12:15 am
#38
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While I'm more of a Cognac guy myself (Kelt XO, mmmmmm), I've recently been getting more into Scotch. For an every day drinking one, or an easy order at a bar I usually go with a 12 year Macallan. I prefer the 18yr and higher ones (which I'll drink at home). For blends, I don't mind JW green and up - quite like Blue. I went to a JW Gold event at the Foundation Room in Chicago and they were serving it very cold with desserts. Odd, but I quite liked it. I've never done it on my own though.
Great thread though, there are a few new brands i'd like to try
Great thread though, there are a few new brands i'd like to try
May 19, 2007, 4:05 am
#39
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I'm not an expert, but I'm not into Islay, I prefer Highland, especially Glenfarclas. Regarding blended I like JW Black, but there a some others that are also OK, like Chivas. I also like Cognac better than Whisky, but the last month I drank a lot of Scotch, depends on my mood and the setting.
Worst by far: JW Red.
Worst by far: JW Red.
May 19, 2007, 3:17 pm
#40
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A male friend used to really enjoy Cardhu Single Malt and I bought it for him as a gift a couple of times, but the last time I asked about it, I was told that the distillery had shut down and it was no longer being produced. Does anyone know if they have recommenced making this one, and if so, is it as good as it was? Or is it just not being made anymore?
I bought Laphroaig last time instead, and wow, the smell is certainly more powerful (as someone mentioned earlier in this thread)!
I bought Laphroaig last time instead, and wow, the smell is certainly more powerful (as someone mentioned earlier in this thread)!
May 19, 2007, 4:03 pm
#41
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Laphroig IMO is the strongest smelling and most distinctive of all the Islay malts - smells of TCP (a clinical cleaner found in the UK), still love the stuff though. My father told me he was once given a bottle by a work colleague and threw it away because he thought it was "off" - it smelt so unlike any other whisky he'd ever had, he can't abide Islay malts!
The Port Ellen I have was bought for me by Mrs Kettering Northants JP as a special gift, she went into a whisky specialist and said she wanted a bloody good Islay Malt that you don't see in pubs and restaurants, and they suggested the Port Ellen. It cost a small fortune and we were scared to open it. We eventually opened it with a colleague of mine who is a real whisky enthusiast - we found it to be the smoothest islay malt we have tasted, quite light and very easy to drink undiluted.
When I was last in Sydney we went for a drink in the Hotel bar at The Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, (if there was ever a room that was designed for drinking expensive single malts it's here - think gentleman's club) - spotted Lagavulin on the whisky menu, and tried to order it. We were told they were out of it and it was very unlikley we would find much of it in Australia as a container holding heaven knows how many bottles had "fallen overboard" from the cargo ship bringing it to Australia, reminds me of the 1949 film Whisky Galore!
The Port Ellen I have was bought for me by Mrs Kettering Northants JP as a special gift, she went into a whisky specialist and said she wanted a bloody good Islay Malt that you don't see in pubs and restaurants, and they suggested the Port Ellen. It cost a small fortune and we were scared to open it. We eventually opened it with a colleague of mine who is a real whisky enthusiast - we found it to be the smoothest islay malt we have tasted, quite light and very easy to drink undiluted.
When I was last in Sydney we went for a drink in the Hotel bar at The Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, (if there was ever a room that was designed for drinking expensive single malts it's here - think gentleman's club) - spotted Lagavulin on the whisky menu, and tried to order it. We were told they were out of it and it was very unlikley we would find much of it in Australia as a container holding heaven knows how many bottles had "fallen overboard" from the cargo ship bringing it to Australia, reminds me of the 1949 film Whisky Galore!
A few weeks ago I was involved in a blind taste testing with 2 other guys, both confirmed Ardbeg loyalists. We did Ardbeg, Port Ellen and Lagavulin. We all picked the Port Ellen as our favorite of the three.
That said, Port Ellen is hard to come by and pricey at best. I had some in early February in some bars in Edinburgh. Another I have really gotten to like, and which I think is being made again, is Caol Ila. Rosebank is also extremely interesting and unusual if you can find it. It is very light in color, almost like a flavored vodka in appearence.
For something to have around the house for me it is Lagavulin and Bowmore. Which reminds me, stocks are dwindling due to the damn carry on issues with liquids and the fact that I have been doing lots of London trips with connections to either use UA SWUs or squeeze out extra miles (or both). Im going to LHR on Memorial day weekend and coming back on a nonstop, time for more booze
May 19, 2007, 5:17 pm
#42
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Originally Posted by Abby
the last time I asked about it, I was told that the distillery had shut down and it was no longer being produced. Does anyone know if they have recommenced making this one, and if so, is it as good as it was? Or is it just not being made anymore?
Diageo stable: http://tinyurl.com/3acr53
May 19, 2007, 6:02 pm
#43
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My favourite is Highland Park 24 year old. It was distilled in 1967 and bottled in 1991. The 12 year old Highland Park is quite good too. I have not tried the 18 year old or the 25 year old distillery bottlings. The leading Scotch whisky writer Michael Jacksonin his Malt Whisky Companion calls Highland Park, "The greatest all rounder in the world of malt whisky". At present, Highland Park holds the distinction of being the northernmost Scotch distillery. At some point, it may be overtaken by Blackwoods Distillers in the Shetland Islands www.shetlandwhisky.com. Another very good Speyside whisky is Cragganmore from the Diageo stable. At the other end of Scotland from Highland Park is Springbank from the Campeltown region. Don't hesitate to try it.
Years ago, I was at a double cross tasting of Glenfarclas 12, 15 and 21 year old against Macallan 12, 18 and 25 year old. (These were the sherry cask aged Macallans.) Price independent, the 18 year old Macallan was the best. When one looked at the price tag, the 15 year old Glenfarclas was the best value. The two whiskies that were most alike were the 12 year old Macallan and 12 year old Glenfarclas. Both the 21 year old Glenfarclas and 25 year old Macallan were to my mind too woody and not as enjoyable as the middle aged malts.
I have not tried the relatively recently launched fine oak Macallans but when I queried a consultant at my liquor store, he said, it isn't Macallan.
Years ago, I was at a double cross tasting of Glenfarclas 12, 15 and 21 year old against Macallan 12, 18 and 25 year old. (These were the sherry cask aged Macallans.) Price independent, the 18 year old Macallan was the best. When one looked at the price tag, the 15 year old Glenfarclas was the best value. The two whiskies that were most alike were the 12 year old Macallan and 12 year old Glenfarclas. Both the 21 year old Glenfarclas and 25 year old Macallan were to my mind too woody and not as enjoyable as the middle aged malts.
I have not tried the relatively recently launched fine oak Macallans but when I queried a consultant at my liquor store, he said, it isn't Macallan.
May 21, 2007, 9:47 pm
#44
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I'm a newbie Scotch drinker but the current bottles I have in the cupboard are: 12 yr The Macallan, The Balvenie, and an unopened 16 yr Lagavulin. (Gift from my younger bro - good eye for a non-Scotch drinker!)
After reading through these posts, I am excited to get to the Lagavulin!
After reading through these posts, I am excited to get to the Lagavulin!