Consolidated "Scotch - Best & Worst, recommendations, questions" thread
Apr 12, 2016, 1:28 pm
#901
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,237
Stopped in my local liquor store and they are having a single malt sale. Picked up lava 16, tallister storm and ober 18. I want to get one more but I am torn between the Mac 18 and from reading a large chunk of this thread the tallister 18.
I am a little gun shy on the Mac 18. Have had a glass twice in the last six months (from the same place). The first time it was awesome. Probably my all time favorite. The next time I went back (last week) the Mac didn't taste the same- not sure if the place was playing games or it was a bad bottle. Much more overwhelming alcohol taste if that makes sense. (My wife agreed-she almost liked the 1st time, didn't like the second so I don't think it was in my mind).
I have had tallister Storm before and liked that. The tallister is almost half the cost of the Mac but I have never had it. If the Mac was like the 1st bottle than I really think that would be a great purchase but I disliked the 2nd pour. The tallister 18 seems to be very popular here.
Any thoughts? I don't drink scotch outside home very often so I don't mind splurging for home.
I am a little gun shy on the Mac 18. Have had a glass twice in the last six months (from the same place). The first time it was awesome. Probably my all time favorite. The next time I went back (last week) the Mac didn't taste the same- not sure if the place was playing games or it was a bad bottle. Much more overwhelming alcohol taste if that makes sense. (My wife agreed-she almost liked the 1st time, didn't like the second so I don't think it was in my mind).
I have had tallister Storm before and liked that. The tallister is almost half the cost of the Mac but I have never had it. If the Mac was like the 1st bottle than I really think that would be a great purchase but I disliked the 2nd pour. The tallister 18 seems to be very popular here.
Any thoughts? I don't drink scotch outside home very often so I don't mind splurging for home.
Are you talking about Talisker Storm? I haven't tried that, at least not for a very long time. I think I bought a bottle of Talisker in grad school.
Apr 12, 2016, 1:33 pm
#902
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
Let us know how the Talisker Storm is.
I'm going on a cruise soon and I'm going to see what duty-free travel exclusive Scotch Whisky I can bring back.
I'm going on a cruise soon and I'm going to see what duty-free travel exclusive Scotch Whisky I can bring back.
Apr 12, 2016, 1:58 pm
#903
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Midwest
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Posts: 571
Bought the tallister Storm today. Was just try to decide what to get for a special occasion bottle Mac 18 versus tallister 18.
Alas I doubt I will every try the Mac 25 with the price being over $1000
Apr 12, 2016, 2:06 pm
#904
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
And at $1,000 per bottle. I really wonder how good it could be or if it's really a mental thing since it's supposed to be good at that age+price.
Apr 12, 2016, 2:55 pm
#905
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,237
Apr 12, 2016, 5:47 pm
#906
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,288
I had the same tasting experience with Macallan 25. First, maybe second time I tried it at a restaurant, it was great. But when I bought my own bottle it just wasn't as good. Maybe the bottle was in the light too long, it was a display bottle. I will never make that mistake again. I think Macallan 18 is overrated, but then again, it's probably true for the 25. I'm sticking to plain old Macallan 12 from now on.
Are you talking about Talisker Storm? I haven't tried that, at least not for a very long time. I think I bought a bottle of Talisker in grad school.
Are you talking about Talisker Storm? I haven't tried that, at least not for a very long time. I think I bought a bottle of Talisker in grad school.
Macallan is just too ... subtle? ... for my taste.
Apr 16, 2016, 4:44 pm
#907
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
Yeah, 3 or 4 years ago you could buy a bottle for $500. It was arguable whether it was worth it then...it certainly doesn't taste any better today at twice the price. That's the problem with so many whiskeys now. Don't see this boom lasting forever.
May 31, 2016, 3:52 pm
#908
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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Went to the ABC Store today to pick up a bottle of Glenlivet 12. I noticed that Glenlivet 15, the "French Oak Reserve" was only $16 more ($64 vs. $48) so I went with that instead.
Oct 17, 2016, 9:43 pm
#909
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Went to the ABC Store in Hillsborough NC over the weekend. They had a Japanese Whisky I'd never seen before (and is apparently only sold in the US).
Suntory Toki, a blended . It was $29.99 which is a steal and the only time NC prices have ever been lower than national prevailing prices ever (which are ~$40).
I think my expectations were set a bit high (not surprising since the rest of my collection is Yamazaki / Hibki / Taketsuru with age statements) but it was a bit disappointing.
Decent nose and opening but it lacks the legs that the age statements have (not surprising). A quick google reveals that many see it as better suited for a traditional Japanese Highball (without sacrificing the good stuff) - will have to try that and see before deciding whether to buy another bottle.
Suntory Toki, a blended . It was $29.99 which is a steal and the only time NC prices have ever been lower than national prevailing prices ever (which are ~$40).
I think my expectations were set a bit high (not surprising since the rest of my collection is Yamazaki / Hibki / Taketsuru with age statements) but it was a bit disappointing.
Decent nose and opening but it lacks the legs that the age statements have (not surprising). A quick google reveals that many see it as better suited for a traditional Japanese Highball (without sacrificing the good stuff) - will have to try that and see before deciding whether to buy another bottle.
Oct 24, 2016, 2:25 pm
#910
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Anyone ever get their hands on Glenfiddich snow phoenix? I remember having a chance to get it when it first came out and not wanting to spend the $100. I can't believe what a bottle is selling for now 
. Anyone who had it, was it good?
. Anyone who had it, was it good?
Dec 1, 2016, 5:20 am
#911
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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Some friends of mine went to Denver for Thanksgiving and they brought me back a bottle of Stranahan's
It's in my office drawer so I can enjoy it after a long day and share it with clients.
It's in my office drawer so I can enjoy it after a long day and share it with clients.
Dec 1, 2016, 6:54 am
#912
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
Dec 1, 2016, 8:12 am
#913
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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I got some for a present earlier this year, or maybe it was Christmas last year. Is that huge metal thing on the top an emergency glass? I tossed it since the bottle remained on top of the liquor cabinet until I finished it.
Dec 1, 2016, 10:49 am
#914
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
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Posts: 15,717
Went to the ABC Store in Hillsborough NC over the weekend. They had a Japanese Whisky I'd never seen before (and is apparently only sold in the US).
Suntory Toki, a blended . It was $29.99 which is a steal and the only time NC prices have ever been lower than national prevailing prices ever (which are ~$40).
I think my expectations were set a bit high (not surprising since the rest of my collection is Yamazaki / Hibki / Taketsuru with age statements) but it was a bit disappointing.
Decent nose and opening but it lacks the legs that the age statements have (not surprising). A quick google reveals that many see it as better suited for a traditional Japanese Highball (without sacrificing the good stuff) - will have to try that and see before deciding whether to buy another bottle.
Suntory Toki, a blended . It was $29.99 which is a steal and the only time NC prices have ever been lower than national prevailing prices ever (which are ~$40).
I think my expectations were set a bit high (not surprising since the rest of my collection is Yamazaki / Hibki / Taketsuru with age statements) but it was a bit disappointing.
Decent nose and opening but it lacks the legs that the age statements have (not surprising). A quick google reveals that many see it as better suited for a traditional Japanese Highball (without sacrificing the good stuff) - will have to try that and see before deciding whether to buy another bottle.