Scotch Whisky - Blended or Single Malt, What do You like? - Page 2

julianh72 (Julian) · #21 06-12-2014, 11:06 PM

Aaah... Islay Malts.. now THAT'S a subject close to my heart!

Is anyone else here a Friend of Laphroaig? http://www.laphroaig.com/friends/Default.aspx

I've got plot number 83315, and I intend to visit one day to claim my one dram rental!

julianh72 (Julian) · #22 06-12-2014, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renato1

I'm currently drinking lots of Dewars and Pepsi Max

Please tell me you're joking! Coz' if you're not, you're never getting a look into my Scotch cabinet!

julianh72 (Julian) · #23 06-12-2014, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

In this list there are 18 from Scotland, 1 from Australia (Nant) and 1 from India (Amrut).

I bought a bottle of Amrut recently on the recommendation of a knowledgeable staffer at my local Dan Murphy (and after a particularly gruelling tasting session just a bit too early one Sunday morning!) I agree - it's a lovely drop!

From the bonny banks of the Ganges River!

wayne anderson (Wayne) · #24 06-12-2014, 11:50 PM

I have just finished a very good bottle of 21 yo Lagavulin 2007 release, when the bottle was first opened it had a very strong burnt peat character with a mix of complex roasted through to fruity flavours, the strong burnt peat character softened over the 6 months I was drinking it.

My favourites are Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich and Bowmore.

I just checked the price of getting another bottle of 21 yo Lagavulin 2007,

price has gone up so much since 2007 I don't think I will be getting another one any time soon.

Renato1 (Renato) · #25 07-12-2014, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julianh72

Please tell me you're joking! Coz' if you're not, you're never getting a look into my Scotch cabinet!

Alas, I've had to give up my favourite drinks - Scotch& Coke and Boubon & Coke.

So nowadays I rotate between Scotch&Pepsi Max, Bourbon& Pepsi Max and dark Rum & Pepsi Max. I sometimes rotate between Pepsi Max and the occasional Pepsi Light. And alternate between Scotch Blends, Single Malts inexpensive, Single malts more expensive, and between bourbon and rye whiskies - though it doesn't get much better than Oban 14YO & Pepsi Max.

However, curiously, Irish Whisky doesn't seem to really cut it with either Coke or Pepsi Max for me.

I can't stand Diet Coke as a mixer, though Coke Zero isn't too bad - but it just doesn't stack up to the nectar with whiskies that is Pepsi Max.
Cheers,
Renato

speach (Simon) · #26 07-12-2014, 08:07 AM

Talaskar

julianh72 (Julian) · #27 07-12-2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renato1

it doesn't get much better than Oban 14YO & Pepsi Max.

Sassanach!

Rodstar (Rod) · #28 07-12-2014, 03:23 PM

Ah Julian, I burst out laughing when I read your comments. Indeed!

Yes, I have my plot at Laphroiag as well, and hope to claim my entitlements (a dram per year) when I can finally visit. I am going to be in Scotland in April 2015, but sadly will not be travelling as far as Islay.

Wayne, that drop of Lagavulin sounds very nice. The expressions of Lagavulin that are identified by year are generally outstanding - and it sounds like yours was a winner! Whereas the 16 year old standard expression of Lagavulin has added caramel flavour and colour enhancer (which sadly is all too obvious once you are aware of it), the year expressions generally do not, and are therefore far more true to the original spirit. Your experience of the flavour softening over time is experienced with all single malts - as more and more oxygen is able to mix with the spirit, there is a slow but clear change in the flavour profile, which most would describe as a clear deterioration. Conventional wisdom amongst whisky buffs is you drink the first half of half of the bottle very slowly, and you polish off the second half fairly smartly. Or some very keen and organised whisky lovers will transfer the spirit into smaller bottles to keep the ratio of air to spirit well below 50% at all times.

Older peated whiskies tend to lose some of their peatiness as they spend more and more time in the barrel. Few people taste older peated whiskies like your Lagavulin 21 year old, which is a shame, because they are often a lot softer and more subtle.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #29 07-12-2014, 03:51 PM

Anyone tried the Australian Hellyers whiskeys? I've put their Peated one on my Christmas list - while the Scottish ones are nice (sooo nice...), would rather keep the money in Oz...

strongmanmike (Michael) · #30 07-12-2014, 04:34 PM

God dam it! all this talk of whiskies has made me weak on a Sunday afternoon...having a lovely Yamazaki 12 yr old single malt as we speak...very nice

Mike

OzStarGazer · #31 07-12-2014, 05:20 PM

Unfortunately my stomach doesn't tolerate alcohol, and I get really terrible headaches after just a glass of Bacardi (particularly when I wake up). What can I do?
Maybe I just need more practice. I think it would make me happy and I would care less about perfectionism.

(PS: The lady in the photo is not me.)

http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/...x/372998_1.jpg

DaveR · #32 07-12-2014, 06:35 PM

My favourite is Laphroiag though I also really like Balvenie when I want something milder than a peat monster.
Of the blends, I think the JW Double Black is really good for the price.
At the risk of heresy, I have been trying tequilas and rums of late. Don Julio 1942 tequila is pricey but very interesting, the Angustora 5 year old rum is not too expensive but well and truly good enough to sip with a bit of ice.

ZeroID (Brent) · #33 07-12-2014, 08:24 PM

Auchentoshen Three Wood for some complexity, Glenrothes for it's sweetness, Talisker for it's high spirituous note and delicate flavour.
Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Highland Estate, Caol Ila, Ardbeg. .... I could probably list most of them for various reasons.

Renato1 (Renato) · #34 07-12-2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne anderson

My favourites are Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich and Bowmore.

Lagavulin was going for $85 at Liquorland yesterday, and Ardberg for $70.

Worth the investment?
Regards,
Renato

Rodstar (Rod) · #35 08-12-2014, 08:19 AM

Hi Renato, yes those are both good prices for those products. The Ardbeg is the entry level expression, it is 10 years old, youthful but full of peaty charm. The Lagavuliun is the 16 year old which I mention in an earlier post - very nice if you are not put off by the artificial caramel flavouring. Slainte Mhath!

Rodstar (Rod) · #36 08-12-2014, 08:21 AM

For those who are willing to totally succumb to the joy of Whisky, here is the current release from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. I have just ordered "Flapping Sails and Ship's Timbers"which is from the Old Pulteney distillery at Wick. Yum!

http://www.smws.com.au/shop-online/w...all-bottlings/

rustigsmed (Russell) · #37 08-12-2014, 09:13 AM

oh yes, awesome thread

laphroaig, caol ila, lagavulin 16, scapa 16 and ballvenie. also love the glenmorangie nector d'or and quinta ruben. just knocked off a talisker dark and stormy - not bad at all.

I think the OP mentioned blended options I don't actually mind the johnny green label.

earlier in the year I went to a good whisky bar in japan had a bit of the laphroaig 25 yo I enjoyed every drop of it!

ZeroID (Brent) · #38 08-12-2014, 01:10 PM

Dunedin over here in NZ is reputedly the most 'Scottish' city outside of Scotland. There is a restaurant in the old railway station which ( last time I was there) had over 300 single malts up on the wall and a lesser but still comprehensive number of blends.
Had the good fortune to have dinner there one evening and partake of a few of the lesser known offerings. It's always on the schedule anytime we go south.

Renato1 (Renato) · #39 08-12-2014, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

oh yes, awesome thread

laphroaig, caol ila, lagavulin 16, scapa 16 and ballvenie. also love the glenmorangie nector d'or and quinta ruben. just knocked off a talisker dark and stormy - not bad at all.

I think the OP mentioned blended options I don't actually mind the johnny green label.

earlier in the year I went to a good whisky bar in japan had a bit of the laphroaig 25 yo I enjoyed every drop of it!

Actually, I'm not as knowledgeable as I thought - I didn't know there was such a thing as Johnny Walker Green Label. I'll keep an eye out for it, thanks.

I'm wondering if there is something wrong with me though - I just can't see anything nice in the ultra peaty/ ultra smokey Caol Ila. Even Pepsi Max seemed ruined by it. Talisker was more palatable, as it was a more toned down version of Caol Ila.
Regards,
Renato

OzStarGazer · #40 08-12-2014, 02:08 PM

I live very close to a bottle shop. Any recommendations for a beginner? Something that will make me happy, but not sick?