What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[ebo]

Any other Ardbeg fans in here? Contemplating picking up a bottle of the Ten Year expression.

Yep. I'm a fan of all things Islay.

Ardbeg 10 is a staple in my house, as is Laphroaig 10 and Caol Ila 12.

If you fancy the peaty stuff, I would suggest trying Ardmore Traditional Cask as well. It's a Speysider that is fully peated and matured in bourbon barrels.

[Brisko]

I am very new in the Scotch world so don't take anything I saw as gospel, but I probably prefer Laphroaig to Ardbeg so far, I think the 18 year is wonderful but if the Ardbeg Uigea is the same price and you want to try that distillery then go with it.

-- All this said I don't care for HP12 much.

I agree about Laphroaig vs Ardbeg but it may just come down to personal preference. I think the Lappy 18 is fantastic, and pretty accessible to a Scotch noob. For someone who finds they really like the peat, the Lappy 10 Cask Strength is unbeatable. One of my top three single malts and the price is quite good for what you're getting.

On topic last night was Lappy 10 C/S and some HP 12 to round out the night. I do happen to really like HP 12 but I find that it is pretty variable. I've had one bottle that was far and away the best whisky (of any style) that I've ever had, and I had one that I had to mix with Buffalo Trace to even finish. Most have been on the "pretty good" end of the spectrum, though, and I can get it for about $30 which is a good value in my opinion.

[unclebunk]

Look at that, I am thinking of trying the Ardbeg 10 as well (great sale price), sounds quite nice, I do think I fancy the peat, and the only negative reviews I have seen have been from peat haters. Based on your review and others I've seen, I think I'll end up pulling the trigger on the Ardbeg.



Any other Ardbeg fans in here? Contemplating picking up a bottle of the Ten Year expression.

Yep. I'm a fan of all things Islay.

Ardbeg 10 is a staple in my house, as is Laphroaig 10 and Caol Ila 12.

If you fancy the peaty stuff, I would suggest trying Ardmore Traditional Cask as well. It's a Speysider that is fully peated and matured in bourbon barrels.

Great suggestion. From my perspective, Ardmore Traditional Cask is a perfect way to enter the world of peat and it won't set you back too much money-wise. (The prices here in Chicago have dropped from $40 to $30 within the last year and I know a place that's selling it consistently for $21, so I stockpiled the stuff at that price.) Excellent whisky, great value. Go for it!

[moose]

Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 are benchmark single malts for those who love strong flavored, peaty whiskies. While I agree that the Uigeadail is a superb whisky and one to definitely go for if you can afford it, I'd say it's a risky gamble on an expensive bottle that you may not like, so tread carefully. Not that they have much in common, but if you are finding HP12 off-putting, chances are you'll really dislike the Ardbeg and Laphroaig. I'm not trying to dissuade you from making the leap but I'd try them at a friend's house or buy a drink at a bar before investing in a $50+ bottle of Ardbeg that you may detest.

Many years ago on a trip to Scotland, my Scottish relatives, all of whom are serious single malt drinkers, did me the disservice of starting me out with Laphroaig 10 and then mocked me endlessly for being a pussy because I hated it. Looking back on the experience, there were dozens of other malts that would have been better starting points for a novice whisky drinker but they pushed me off the deep end which caused me to flat out avoid all single malts for the next fifteen years. Not everyone has the same experience, of course, but my advice is to stick your toe in the water before jumping in head first. Either way, have fun!

Sounds like an ordeal, thanks for the advice.

Yep. I'm a fan of all things Islay.

Ardbeg 10 is a staple in my house, as is Laphroaig 10 and Caol Ila 12.

If you fancy the peaty stuff, I would suggest trying Ardmore Traditional Cask as well. It's a Speysider that is fully peated and matured in bourbon barrels.

I forgot about the Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, that's also on my list to try, will look for the Ardmore as well, sounds interesting.

I agree about Laphroaig vs Ardbeg but it may just come down to personal preference. I think the Lappy 18 is fantastic, and pretty accessible to a Scotch noob. For someone who finds they really like the peat, the Lappy 10 Cask Strength is unbeatable. One of my top three single malts and the price is quite good for what you're getting.

On topic last night was Lappy 10 C/S and some HP 12 to round out the night. I do happen to really like HP 12 but I find that it is pretty variable. I've had one bottle that was far and away the best whisky (of any style) that I've ever had, and I had one that I had to mix with Buffalo Trace to even finish. Most have been on the "pretty good" end of the spectrum, though, and I can get it for about $30 which is a good value in my opinion.

How would you compare the Laphroaig 12 C/S to the HP12? I'm experiencing a bit of variation in this one bottle since its opened up, I like the smokyness in it, but would like more sometimes.

[Brisko]

How would you compare the Laphroaig 12 C/S to the HP12? I'm experiencing a bit of variation in this one bottle since its opened up, I like the smokyness in it, but would like more sometimes.

Laphroaig 10 C/S is orders of magnitude smokier than HP 12. Earlier you wrote that you didn't care for the "leafiness" in the HP; I would try to sample Laphroaig before you buy it because it is quite different from HP. I would call it smoky, peaty, seaweedy, tarry, medicinal (antiseptic) and salty in that order; you might find it pretty vegetal.

You might find the regular Lappy 10 at a bar. The C/S version is similar, just lots bigger.

Lappy 18 is a lot less tarry and seaweedy but the smoke is still there. Otherwise the Ardmore suggestion is a great way to get smoke without all of that island influence.

[moose]

Laphroaig 10 C/S is orders of magnitude smokier than HP 12. Earlier you wrote that you didn't care for the "leafiness" in the HP; I would try to sample Laphroaig before you buy it because it is quite different from HP. I would call it smoky, peaty, seaweedy, tarry, medicinal (antiseptic) and salty in that order; you might find it pretty vegetal.

You might find the regular Lappy 10 at a bar. The C/S version is similar, just lots bigger.

Lappy 18 is a lot less tarry and seaweedy but the smoke is still there. Otherwise the Ardmore suggestion is a great way to get smoke without all of that island influence.

Thanks,

I do like the smoke, thats the main reason I like scotch. The reason I picked up the leafiness in the HP12 was mainly due to the fact I tasted it after tasting 4 bourbons, so I palate kind of got bombarded I think. On its own I do enjoy it. Taste is such a subjective thing, and I haven't been told anything that is making me run for the hills yet so I think I'll just have to flip a coin between the Ardbeg 10 and the Laphroaig 10 C/S (similar price). Tastes can always change, and I have never had a bottle of anything that I completely hated, I can usually find something I like in a bottle.

[Dramiel McHinson]

I am really enjoying the discussion on all things smokey and peaty. I too started out in system shutdown after my first shot of Laphroaig. I was fascinated by that background sweet fruit in the background and soon found myself preferring the peat monsters. I've since converted several friends.

One way to work up to the mighty peat monsters is to start with the medium peat and smoke like Clynelish, Oban, Tobermory, Bowmore, Arran, Ledaig to name a few of the affordable alternatives. Then it's on to the mouth grenades like Lagavulin, Talisker, Laphroaig etc. Sometimes you might need to recalibrate by hitting something light like Dalwhinnie or Glenmorangie to cleanse the palate.

The Laphroaig 10 CS and Lagavulin 16 were my favorites and so I bought several cases in case all the other fans depleted the world supply before I could get back to the store.

Enjoy!

Dan

[BigRich]

Last night i had a measure each of Glenlivet XXV and Yamazaki 18.

[OscarV]

I picked up a bottle of Laphroaig Cask Strength last week.
Never had it before and I was very surprised at the burn.
A first ever for me concerning scotch.
So I did what what Ralfy always does and added some water.
I figure I cut it down to 95 proof from 112.6 and it is spectacular.
Even at 10 years old it reminds me of their 18yo, but not quite as good of course.

[moose]

Had a glass of Aberlour 12y Double Cask last night, quite different from the HP, I find it to be almost bourbon like, quite sweet from the sherry casks. Its not bad, but not as smokey as I like. Still just working my way through all the different types of single malts to find what I really like.