Scotch Q&A

[yourchoice]

Great thread guys, and a lot of good information.

I enjoy Scotch. I enjoy Scotch very much. But when I peruse the isle at the liquor store, I become overwhelmed. I guess that's a good thing -- I have a nice variety from which to choose. The gentleman at the store that specializes in their Scotches seems knowledgeable, but I haven't been "wowed" by any of his recommendations.

I find that I most enjoy the peat associated with Islays. What would be your recommendations (more than one is fine) for a reasonably priced (say less than $50 or $60) SMSW with these characteristics?

If I may, another recommendationesqe (not a word, I know ) question. I believe in the mantra that variety is the spice of life, and I don't want to focus on one profile/region. I'd like to start (over the course of the next few months) a Scotch collection. What Scotches from the different regions would you recommend that best touch on the attributes associated with each region? This would be more of my learning curve exercise so I wouldn't want things to get too pricy.

Again, thanks for this thread, it is a great resource.

Hey yourchoice,

What have you had so far? That might help narrow down the suggestions.

For an Islay malt, try the Bowmore 12 (~$40). You can also go for the 15 yr, but I'm not sure of the price. I find this one nicely balanced. It's peaty, but not uberly so, (I can make up words too ) and other nice characteristics in the profile.

Ardbeg 10 is definitely peatier and still within your price range.

Bruichladdich is generally less peaty, but I'm not sure right off whats in their line at $50-60.

With regards to the other regions, or other great Scotches, Highland Part 12 is great, Glenmorangie too.

If you want a good variety, try the Classic 6:

(I just cut this from here)
OBAN (Sweet) A 14 year old combining the sophistication of the Highlands with a touch of the peaty style of the Islands. It is rich and full-bodied with a mellow fruity finish.

GLENKINCHIE (Ladies whisky) Glenkinchie is a soft, sweetly aromatic malt from the 'Garden of Scotland'. Is has a fresh, grassy sweetness balanced with a warming, dryish finish.

CRAGGANMORE (Medium) A 12 year old elegant, sophisticated Speyside with the most complex aroma of any malt. Astonishingly fragrant with sweetish notes and a smoky maltiness on the finish.

TALISKER A bit smoked. A 10 year old and the only malt produced on Skye. Its seaweedy, smoky nose and sweet maltiness is perfectly complimented by its spicy, long finish.

DALWHINNIE A 15 year old gentle, delicate malt from the wild and windswept Highlands. It is subtle, smooth delicately smody malt with a heathery honey finish.

LAGAVULIN (This is Smoked.) A 16 year old distinctive and powerful Islay malt. It is deeply smoky and peaty with a velvety, complex finish.

They may generally be at the upper end of your limit or a bit above, but worth considering.

I'm sure others will have more suggestions.

Hope this helps,

kayaker

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by kayaker

If you want a good variety, try the Classic 6:

(I just cut this from here)

Well, I did in fact go to my local merchant tonight and they have the display shown in your link. Thought I'd mention it.

I ended up buying the Ardbeg 10yo as recommended by many. It ran me 52.99 which seems reasonable. I intended to try the Glenmorangie as well, but they were out of stock. If they don't have it next time, I think I may try the Highland Park 12 instead.

Thanks for the abundance of info.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by yourchoice

Well, I did in fact go to my local merchant tonight and they have the display shown in your link. Thought I'd mention it.

I ended up buying the Ardbeg 10yo as recommended by many. It ran me 52.99 which seems reasonable. I intended to try the Glenmorangie as well, but they were out of stock. If they don't have it next time, I think I may try the Highland Park 12 instead.

Thanks for the abundance of info.

Great choices to start with!

Let us know what your thoughts are, on each of your selections, as you try them!

Originally Posted by yourchoice

I think I may try the Highland Park 12 instead.

I'd take the HP over Glenmorangie. Ardbeg is a great choice.

Let us know how you like it.

[cort]

Alright guys I will leave this in your hands....

I have only tried a few and am very new to scotch. I am a big Whiskey fan and would like to dabble in the single malt scotch scene a bit.

I would like to try something a bit on the smoother side with maybe a hint of floral or sweet notes. I am looking to spend around $50. What do you suggest? Also what is a descent $30 range bottle?

Thanks in advance

Gary

[Scottw]

I would do some Ardbeg 10 for th $50.00 bottle and for the $30.00, there's Tomatin 12 or Mclellands high/lowland and they make an Islay as well.

Scapa 14 is very smooth, and easy on the pocket book ($40ish). Dalwhinnie is also great but more expensive ($60ish).

Arran Island distillery has some nice, kinda fruity flavoured bottles, not sure on prices.

Glenkinchie is also smooth, but on a price point similar to the Dalwhinnie.

That's all I can come up with right now.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by gwc4sc

Alright guys I will leave this in your hands....

I have only tried a few and am very new to scotch. I am a big Whiskey fan and would like to dabble in the single malt scotch scene a bit.

I would like to try something a bit on the smoother side with maybe a hint of floral or sweet notes. I am looking to spend around $50. What do you suggest? Also what is a descent $30 range bottle?

Thanks in advance

Gary

This would be a perfect choice in the $40 range:

Highland Park 12yo – Island (non-Islay) / Michael Jackson’s review – Exceptionally smooth, Succulent, with a Smoky Dryness, a Heathery-Honey Sweetness and a light Maltiness! Exceptional!

Don't know of any SMS in the $30 range that are worthy of recommendation, however, with blends, Johnnie Walker Black is my go to scotch at around $28 a fifth. An amazingly complex scotch! Chivas Regal 12yo is also a worthy choice, in a blend, right at $30 a bottle.

[cort]

Thanks alot for all of the suggestions guys. Much appreciated. I am going to Bevmo tomorrow to pick up a bottle. I will let you know what I get once I decide. Thanks again.

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by kayaker

I'd take the HP over Glenmorangie.

I ran out this weekend and picked up the Highland Park 12yo as suggested ($39.99). I couldn't imagine the difference between my two most recent purchases (Ardbeg and HP) being more different. The HP was very smooth, probably the smoothest scotch I've had. Where the Ardbeg was medicinal and peaty, the HP was sweet like honey. Pretty cool that two things so similar could be so entirely different.

In my limited experience the HP 12yo would be a great scotch for someone who is just getting into scotch.

Which did I like better? Most of the time I would see myself reaching for the Ardbeg as I really enjoy the intense flavors, but if I'm looking for something smooth I'd definitely grab the HP.

Now, what to buy next?!?





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Originally Posted by yourchoice

Now, what to buy next?!?

Try the Bowmore 12 or 15. It has some of the characteristics of both the HP and Ardbeg, nicely balanced.

Glad you are enjoying.

[AD720]

Originally Posted by kayaker

Try the Bowmore 12 or 15. It has some of the characteristics of both the HP and Ardbeg, nicely balanced.

Glad you are enjoying.

The Bowmore 12 year is excellent.

I also really, really enjoy the Bowmore Legend, best under $30 a bottle single malt I've had so for.

[Biglizard1]

The other day I randomly mentioned to my wife that I needed to buy some Scotch, the wonderful bride that she is went to the store the next day and found a bottle of McClellands Highland. My first bottle of Scotch. I think that she did a good job! I am resisting the urge to place anything in the glass with the Scotch. so far so good.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by volfan

Okay, just recently got into dark liquor (had a bad experience with bourbon early on). I have been trying and enjoying a few of the irish whiskey offerings because of their slight sweetness. I have been reading a bunch and was told by a good friend a few to try but I want to keep it on the sweeter side. I have heard that Aberlous Abunadh and Glenkinchie were good sweeter scotches to try but would like some more advice. Still do not like harsh dark liquor so smooth and sweet are my main goals. Only drink my Irish with a few rocks and let it melt a bit. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Irish Whiskey I have liked so far: Bushmills, BlackBush, Jamey's and Jamey's 12yo. Irish Whiskey I have not liked so far: Tullamore's dew.

I will also drink the occasional Crown with coke

Here are a few to consider:

Aberlour 12yo Sherry Cask Matured
The Balvenie 10yo Founders Reserve
The Balvenie 12yo Double Wood
Teachers Highland Cream
Cragganmore 12yo
Highland Park 12yo
Highland Park 18yo

[gpugliese]

Originally Posted by yourchoice

I find that I most enjoy the peat associated with Islays. What would be your recommendations (more than one is fine) for a reasonably priced (say less than $50 or $60) SMSW with these characteristics?

If I may, another recommendationesqe (not a word, I know ) question. I believe in the mantra that variety is the spice of life, and I don't want to focus on one profile/region. I'd like to start (over the course of the next few months) a Scotch collection. What Scotches from the different regions would you recommend that best touch on the attributes associated with each region? This would be more of my learning curve exercise so I wouldn't want things to get too pricy.

I'm in a similar situation as you. I never was much of a scotch guy until recently, when I had the chance to do a vertical taste test on Highland Park 18, 25 and 30 years. The 18 year is reasonable, but the 25 & 30 are quite expensive. Definitely an eye opening experience!

I then was introduced to Lagavulin 16, and I really enjoyed the smokey flavor from the peat. A friend of mine recommended Laphroaig 10 or 15 year, as the Lagavulin 16 runs $70+. I've seen Laphroaig 10 at $35 online, but only for $40-50 locally. I did see a bottle of the 15 year on sale for $55, so I grabbed it.

[Scottw]

The laphroaig is a tasty dram. If you want super Peaty, try Peat Monster by Compass Box whiskey. The owner of the distiller had a tasting that I attended and this thing is full od peaty, smokey goodness. Problem is I don't know how much it costs. It shouldn't be too much higher than your price range through.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by yourchoice

I find that I most enjoy the peat associated with Islays. What would be your recommendations (more than one is fine) for a reasonably priced (say less than $50 or $60) SMSW with these characteristics?

If I may, another recommendationesqe (not a word, I know ) question. I believe in the mantra that variety is the spice of life, and I don't want to focus on one profile/region. I'd like to start (over the course of the next few months) a Scotch collection. What Scotches from the different regions would you recommend that best touch on the attributes associated with each region? This would be more of my learning curve exercise so I wouldn't want things to get too pricy.

Again, thanks for this thread, it is a great resource.

Here are a few suggestions to consider, in your quest for variety! These should all be well within your budget!

Ardberg 10yo - Islay / Michael Jackson’s review – Tar-Like, Medicinal, Seaweedy-Salty, with a light Maltiness and a Lemon Skin Fruitiness!

Arberlour 10yo – Speyside / Michael Jackson’s review – Nutty Maltiness, Unusually Textured, Nougat-Like with a hint of Cherries. It’s beautifully balanced!

Highland Park 12yo – Island (non-Islay) / Michael Jackson’s review – Exceptionally smooth, Succulent, with a Smoky Dryness, a Heathery-Honey Sweetness and a light Maltiness! Exceptional!

Glenmorangie 12yo – Highlands / Michael Jackson’s review – Up front Butterscotch, with lot’s of Vanilla and Honey!

Springbank 10yo – Campbeltown / Michael Jackson’s review – Soft, Marshmallowy, Sweet Red Apples, Pears and Hedgerow Fruits!

I am not very familiar with any, from the Lowland Region, so I cannot make a recommendation at this time.

[yourchoice]

Wow, thanks for all the fantastic input everyone. Sometime tonight (when I'm not supposed to be working ) I'll post what I have had up until this point...of course after reviewing all of the selections I'm thinking about swinging by the liquor store to pick one out!

[yourchoice]

Okay, shoot me! I put together a list real quick

Current Selection at home:
Glenfiddich
Bruichladdich – The Rocks

Have had recently:
Bunnahabhain 12 yr
Tomintoul 10 yr
Speyburn

“It’s been a while” - so long that I can't really recall the characteristics of each:
Balvenie (I can’t recall which one)
Dalwhinnie
Glen Moray

As for blends, I’ve recently had JW Black and Chivas and have had many others not so recently.

Of all the ones noted I recall enjoying the Bunnahabhain the most. It seemed to have a very strong character so to speak. The two I have at home, while nice, just aren’t wowing me. The Bruichladdich has the salty character referenced in an earlier post. The Glenfiddich is….well…. Glenfiddich. Again, nice but just there. I have sampled many others but don’t feel it’s been recent enough for me to even mention them.