Single Malt Scotch thread

Jazzooo · March-22nd-2003, 02:28 AM

I don't drink much hard liquor--maybe once a week, tops. But I've always preferred the taste of bourbons like Jack Daniels and later Gentleman Jack to scotch. I just found out that I've been sampling the wrong scotch!

My friend, pianist Barnaby Finch, is a single-malt scotch enthusiast and collector. He turned me on to (forgive the misspellings) Makallan 12, which was better than any other scotch I'd ever tried. But I've been invited to two parties recently where I discovered new scotches, and each one topped the last.

Balvenie 10 (was it 10? The youngest one...) was terrific--I hear the other vintages are even better. But on St Patrick's Day I tasted--actually, a bit more than that!--some Laphroig 10. Wow--what a complex blend of flavors. The strong peat flavor was most enjoyabe.

There you have the total breadth and depth of my new interest in Scotch. Are there any other recommendations?

Jazzooo · March-22nd-2003, 02:30 AM

Oh, and one other thing--I also discovered a bourbon that I really enjoy: Woodford Reserve. Again, you guys would laugh if you saw how little I drink of this stuff, but I'm really enjoying it when I do it!

graypencil · March-22nd-2003, 02:39 AM

Doug:

If you liked the Laphroig 10, try Glenfiddich ...

MacAllen is a biggie with me as well.

Hoever, being on a pensioner "budget", I can only go for the high priced spread on special occasions (

..like the fact I just got my first two rhythm tracks for my albumen project back from Nashville this week ..and they SMOKE!! )

hmm ..think I'll spring for a jar of MacAllens tomorrow

Jazzooo · March-22nd-2003, 02:44 AM

Wow--so you sent the arrangements off to nashville and had them performed without you even being there? That's trust, baby!

I can't wait to hear what you're doing, Phil.

I did taste some Glenfiddich years ago, but I probably wasn't ready. I will sample it again, thanks.

David Williams · March-22nd-2003, 04:54 AM

You've had a nice little introduction into how different malt whiskies can be from each other. Laphroig and The Macallan have very strong individual characters (I've never really warmed to Laphroig - I find the medicated, TCP-like flavour too much), but nothing like each other, as you know. Balvenie is a very nice subtle easy-drinker: I was lucky enough to be given a 15-year-old single barrel bottle which is one of the best I've had.

I don't understand the Glenfiddich recommendation though: it's nothing like Laphroig. You may indeed like it for it's own sake, but it is one of the mildest whiskies on the market, and one of the few I really don't like. I think the secret of it's success is that it is bland and inoffensive. Just my opinion, mind. If you want to follow-up Laphroig with something similar but different, try Lagavulin or Talisker, which have a similar salty character without such a medicated element.

If I were to recommend one to try next it would be Highland Park (made on Orkney) - pitched in the middle between light and heavy, dry and sweet - good before dinner or after (which can make a difference: heavier whiskies - like The Macallan - tend to be better after dinner, lighter ones before).

There should be plenty of websites around which can explain how the various geographical areas tend to define the broad character of scotch, which can help you decide which others you may like.

Jimmy Cantiello · March-22nd-2003, 09:55 AM

I'd recommend any of the Balvenies............

graypencil · March-22nd-2003, 12:28 PM

Jimmy:

Can you please post a pourable file of the above?

:P

graypencil · March-22nd-2003, 12:32 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jazzooo
[B]Wow--so you sent the arrangements off to nashville and had them performed without you even being there? That's trust, baby!

Doug:

I'd worked with most of these guys for years ..so I felt comfortable producing them "over the phone".

Can't wait to o/dub them next month ..and almost all the rest of the big band stuff is written now for the full dates later this year ( kaching ..gulp ..)

gp

Geoff Pfeifer · March-22nd-2003, 09:50 PM

Try the Lagavulin. It's a little on the expensive side though (@$65 a bottle). Well worth it for special occasions (birthdays, unprovoked wars, etc.)

kc bob · March-22nd-2003, 11:57 PM

My fave of the 10/12 years is Glen Morangie, all finishes. Love most of the Signatory series 18+. Dig a dram of most any peaty ones but haven't graduated to the iodione taste yet.

Glenfiddich and Glen Livet are the Budweisers of scotch. When stuck at a hotel bar with 4 or 5 single malts, these two are always there and usually McCallans. I'll take the latter, especially if the 18.

Douglas · March-24th-2003, 02:36 AM

Jazzooo,

If you liked the Laphroaig, my suggestions would be other similar Islay malts: Lagavulin, Bowmore, Caol Ila, and Ardberg. The last two are personal favourites, though they can vary with different bottlings.

March-24th-2003, 12:50 PM

Ahhhhh.......now this is a thread I can really appreciate.

Yes, by all means try the Balvenie's. The 15 year old single barrel has quite a kick, and the 12 year old double barrel(aged six years in a whiskey barrel, then six years in a Sherry barrel)is very , very good, even my wife likes that one. Abelour also has a double barrel which is just fine also, it's their 15 y.o. I believe.

Glenfiddich is possibly the only one i've had so far that i found to be pretty unremarkable. Glenlivet is fine if you aren't looking to spend a lot of money, although I much prefer their 18 year old.

My own personal rule of thumb? If the word Islay appears on the bottle, BUY IT!!! Lagavulin 16 y.o. is my all time favorite ever!

But Talisker and Bowmore are both outstanding also and are well worth every penny.

Jazzooo, i agree with you on the Woodford Reserve, I actually discovered that just recently when i wanted a break from single malts. Very outstanding bourban, no question!

Al in NYC · March-24th-2003, 01:28 PM

Lagavulin 16 is THE stuff. Special occasion drink of the highest caliber. Much much much cheaper than a bottle of Margaux, and should last a bit longer too.

Also: George Dickel for the home sippin' stock, and Old Overholt for the really good/bad times when only heavy consumption will do (some Little Walter records wouldn't hurt either...).

Douglas · May-5th-2004, 03:33 PM

A question for the maltophiles: Has anyone tasted a Chieftain's bottling (of any malt) and can say yeah or nay?

I've spotted a Caol Ila and since I've run out would like advice.

Jazzoo and Scott, I was given my first tasting of Woodford reserve recently. My opinion of bourbon underwent a major conversion. Good stuff.

Enforcer · May-5th-2004, 03:45 PM

I'm a huge fan of the Lagavulin. I enjoy the Islay malts, for their smoky, peaty flavor. There's a wine shop near my house that sells an amazing assortment of single malts. They have a few vintage bottles of The Macallan that run between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00!

I don't care for Glenfiddich. It's the bottom feeder of single malts for me. For a long time, it was one of the few (if not only) single malts you could buy at the typical bar or liquor store that didn't guarantee its age. I think they finally buckled and made them all at least 12 years old, but they also taste different. The old Glenfiddich was very mild, but would appeal to a newcomer.

Laphroaig is another favorite, of the Islay variety. The 10 and 15 year olds are very different in character, but both are packed with peat flavor.

There are so many that it's hard to choose from. But I'm amazed at how many here like the 16 year old Lagavulin. That truly is a remarkable scotch.

Larry

Dr Dave · May-5th-2004, 03:51 PM

Jimmy Cantiello · May-5th-2004, 03:52 PM

Been drinking Scapa lately. Not as smooth as some of the other good single-malts but it works for me...........

Gentle Giant · May-5th-2004, 04:16 PM

Because of the cost, I rarely spring for single malts, and my house brand for scotch is Johnnie Walker Black. But when I do go single, my first choice is usually Macallan because it's the kind of full-bodied, warm-your-chest taste I prefer and the price isn't insane, making it a very good value.

If others are buying, I'll go with a Balvenie or Dalwhinnie. Also have enjoyed Talisker, Oban (a little light for my taste), and for more pedestrian singles, Glenlivet has a sherry cask or french oak or something brand that raises it a level.

An Irish friend of mine recently brought me a bottle of 12-year-old Redbreast, an Irish single malt that he says is a hot-shit brew in Ireland but hard to find here. It's wonderful, rich with a hint of sweet.

Cem · May-5th-2004, 04:24 PM

A couple of my favourites happen to be the cheapest around here:

Auchentoshan & Aberlour

Douglas · May-5th-2004, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

I'm amazed at how many here like the 16 year old Lagavulin. That truly is a remarkable scotch.

And not just here. Whisky Magazine recently released its list of the top malts. Lagavulin at #7 was the only standard bottling that made the top ten.

Larry, if you have not tried Ardberg or Caol Ila I would stongly recommend you take a snifter.

Gordon B · June-28th-2004, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas

And not just here. Whisky Magazine recently released its list of the top malts. Lagavulin at #7 was the only standard bottling that made the top ten.

Larry, if you have not tried Ardberg or Caol Ila I would stongly recommend you take a snifter.

Ardbeg is my favorite. It's the peatiest of all. I own a couple of rare bottlings that I picked up in Scotland two years ago. I also like Caol Ila, Laphroig, Lagavullin, and Talisker, among others.

I just received a bottle of 21 year old Bowmore as a present. I'll start it when I get back from vacation.

My favorite Lagavullin is not the excellent 16 year but the 1979 Distillers Edition Pedro Ximenez Finish.

Whiskey Magazine reviews of Ximenez Finish

Sergio Zamora · June-28th-2004, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

It's the peatiest of all.

June-28th-2004, 10:57 PM

Quote:

1979 Distillers Edition Pedro Ximenez Finish.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..................

Please, go into detail.

Salty? Iodine? I want the whole story.

Laggy 16 y.o. is without question my favorite. But I have never heard of this gem before. Tell me more. I have to know!!!!! What price range are we talking? How does it compare with the 16 y.o.?

(yes, I read the link, but what do YOU think?)

Gordon B · June-28th-2004, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..................

Please, go into detail.

Salty? Iodine? I want the whole story.

Laggy 16 y.o. is without question my favorite. But I have never heard of this gem before. Tell me more. I have to know!!!!! What price range are we talking? How does it compare with the 16 y.o.?

(yes, I read the link, but what do YOU think?)

I bought a bottle in Scotland in 2002. I don't think it was that much more expensive than the 16 y.o. I finished it so long ago that I can't describe it too well now. Full bodied, to be sure. I bought eight bottles of single malt on that vacation. The Ximenez was the first to go out in the recyclables.

Enforcer · June-29th-2004, 09:25 AM

Gordon,

I'm going to rush out to my local guy and ask him about this variety of Lagavulin. Also, I missed the Ardberg and Caol Ila recs from earlier. I'll investigate those, too.

A drinker, not a drunk,
Larry

clinthopson · June-29th-2004, 12:02 PM

My usual brand is Johnny Black. I frefer it to the singles most of the time.

Several years ago, a friend gave me a bottle of Laphroig (sp?) and it's become my favorite single malt.

I recall a shop in Soho which claimed to carry over 300 brands of single malts.

graypencil · June-29th-2004, 01:34 PM

I'm with Clint on Johnny Black as my frefernce af well of the blendf..

but lately, I've been checking out the lower priced ( read younger 8yr variety) on Islay single malts ..

so far, my favorite in this group ( at approx $22.95 in WA ) is Speyburn

June-29th-2004, 01:41 PM

What kind of tasting notes would you give Speyburn?

It's one of the Islay's that I have yet to try.

Douglas · June-29th-2004, 04:54 PM

Scott, Speyburn is rather nice malt if I remember correctly with flowery and peaty notes (from a little further north, though).

I picked up the Caol Ila and it is a fine, fine whisky and later tonight I'll raise a glass of it to memory of one of my favourite uncles who died this afternoon. A great and gentle man who died way too young.

Gordon B · June-29th-2004, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

Gordon,

I'm going to rush out to my local guy and ask him about this variety of Lagavulin. Also, I missed the Ardberg and Caol Ila recs from earlier. I'll investigate those, too.

A drinker, not a drunk,
Larry

Larry, I did some googling today. I couldn't find any US stores that sold the Ximenez Lagavulin. I hope it's not just sold in UK. It's not easy finding a UK liquor store that ships to the U.S.