Well, I guess this means Islay malts are out...

[Robmo]

I tried Laphoaig last night and have to say I was disgusted. I can't say I wasn't forewarned, but I was actually a bit caught off guard by how medicinal and peaty it was.

I confess I'm a rather shallow wader in the world of scotch. I picked up this bottle of Laphroaig 10 yr just to find out if it suited my tastes...and it didn't.

I have heard or read that the Islay malts are generally the peatiest and the Speyside malts are more approachable to the uninitiated...that they are "unpeated".

Basically I need some advice...please recommend the single malts I should try next. I did like Glennfiddich 12 year which I understand is a Speyside. It was basically good although a bit tame. I'd like to find something a bit more challenging than the Glennfiddich but less distinctive than the Laphroaig. Thanks.

[craigthom]

I guess Glenfiddich counts as Speyside, even though it's about five miles from the river, while most of them are right on the Spey.

I have no recommendation for a Speyside malt, since I prefer to stronger ones from the west, but I do have this tip:

If you are on a road trip in Scotland with someone who is less enthusiastic than you about whisky, you can suggest visiting the Walker's Shortbread factory, which is, conveniently, in the thick of the Speyside distilleries.

[sku]

There are many, many unpeated (or low peat level) single malts from many redgions to choose from in a variety of styles, from light Auchentoshan, to sherried Glendronach and Glenfarclas to rugged Old Pulteney and Dalmore. Given your request for something a bit more challenging than Glenfiddich but not peated, I would try Old Pulteney, Dalmore and some of the Glenmorangie finished casks.

[birdman1099]

Laphroaig is a bold step for a non scotch drinker..... I like Islay's, but Laphroaig takes me to my limit.

If you want to try an easier Peated malt, try a Talisker... Less medicinal, easier drinking...

[Brisko]

Highland Park 12. It has a touch of heathery peat but it's nothing like Islay. I think it's a good option for a bourbon drinker, too. It's honeyed, toffee sweet, and a little floral at the entry, but finishes with a dry elegance.

Also, don't rule out Bunnahabhain, despite being on Islay there is little or no peat in this malt. I find the 12 y/o sweet, nutty, and salty-sea fresh.

Both of these are more complex and to me a lot more interesting that Glenfiddich. If you're set on Speyside, Macallan and Aberlour are great examples of what sherry butts do for a top notch distillate. Macallan is a little reminiscent of a good bourbon, too,

[HP12]

Birdman provides a good suggestion, Highland Park 12. It's a very good malt, lightly peated and makes for a better introduction into the peaty side of SMSW. Laphroiag's and Ardbeg's are generally for those with more acclimated palates within the world of Scotch.

Here's a very good resource that helped me find my way when I first discovered SMSW. https://www.lfw.co.uk/diageo/flavourmap.html

This flavor map provides a compass to help guide your way into the preferred flavor profile(s) that suit your tastes.

As you can see on "the map", the Laphroaig is in the upper left extreme quadrant where as HP12 is on the "rich" side and not as high above the "peamt line". You might well prefer a sherry influenced expression. Balvenie 12 Double Wood is nice, The Macallan 12 Sherry Cask is a"Sherry Bomb".

Glenmornagie 10 Original is fruity dram that may interest you as well.

Best thing to do is go to a bar with a good selection of SMSW and try a dram or two from each quadrant of the flavor map above and discover what zone you prefer and buy a bottle from there.

[callmeox]

I'm definitely not a scotch drinker, but I enjoy Dalmore 12. I'll recommend that as a stepping stone.

[Virus_Of_Life]

I made a similar mistake with an Ardbeg 10 after thinking Glenfiddich was almost flavorless, damn, that was not to my tastes at all. I at times want a change of pace whisk(e)y, but obviously that was too much, and I don't like the super sweet either, like the Glenlivet Nadurra I tasted was just way too sweet for my tastes.

Thanks Ox, I had been eyeing Dalmore 12 at a place that had it on sale for I think under $40 a bottle and then mailed me a 15% off coupon, so that'd be cheap enough to venture out.

[callmeox]

I should have placed a caveat in that Dalmore has reformulated and i have a bottle of the last iteration of the 12 year, not the current.

[ebo]

First off, stay away from Ardmore. It IS a Speyside, but it's a fully peated one... and a favorite of mine. Try Aberlour 12, McCallan 12 or Balvenie Double Wood. These are sweeter and are aged/finished in Sherry casks.

You may also want to try Auchentoshan Classic, 12 year or Three wood.

[Megawatt]

I advise you hang onto that Laphroaig; you may develop a taste for it later on. As an entry to smoky malts I recommend trying Talisker 10. It was the "gateway malt" for me, and allowed me to enjoy the likes of Lagavulin, which disgusted me at first. I'm sure you can find a bar which serves Talisker, or look for a mini bottle.

I recommend Aberlour 10, Strathisla 12, Highland Park 12 as malts that are more challenging than Glenfiddich 12. Actually Glenkinchie 12 is one of my favourites so I'll recommend that too.

[Robmo]

I advise you hang onto that Laphroaig; you may develop a taste for it later on. .

I can see where you're coming from. I tried it again last night and it was a bit more palatable.

I appreciate all the great suggestions and guidance from everyone. This Web site amazes me.

[OscarV]

Might I suggest GlenDronach Revival.

See Ralfy's review #195, click below;

http://whiskyreviews.blogspot.com/

I have never had this scotch but I would love to from all that I have heard about it.

I like Four Roses and Wild Turkey bourbons and for a change of pace I go to Van Winkle or Weller.

I like Laphroaig and Ardbeg scotchs and I think this GlenDronach would be the Weller to those scotchs.

Have you ever tried Laphroaig 18yo, it is absolutely fantastic.

You know that smell of last night's campfire that you doused out with water and how it has that terrible smell the next morning?

That's what Lap 18 tastes like, an awesome peat monster, you can't beat it, I love it.

[Robmo]

Might I suggest GlenDronach Revial.

See Ralfy's review #195, click below;

http://whiskyreviews.blogspot.com/

I do like Ralfy. He's one of the only scotch drinkers I can understand.

[OscarV]

I do like Ralfy. He's one of the only scotch drinkers I can understand.

[QUOTE][/QUOTE]

GlenDronach Revival is not sold in the USA, if you can get some over there ship some over here.:grin:

[TNbourbon]

I can see where you're coming from. I tried it again last night and it was a bit more palatable.

I appreciate all the great suggestions and guidance from everyone. This Web site amazes me.

Some Scotches definitely are acquired tastes, and the Islay/island malts are among them, certainly!

I see them almost as the tail side of the bourbon-affinity coin: the Lincoln Memorial came well AFTER Abraham Lincoln; Monticello AFTER Thomas Jefferson, et al. Bourbons are more immediately approachable and enjoyable, as a group and individually (within that group), than single malts. I didn't like many of the latter that I admire and appreciate today the first time I had them, either.

But, in the end, they are whisk(e)ys, just with different flavors, influences, and nuances. Not all my candy needs be chocolate, anymore, either -- but chocolate undoubtedly is what I first thought of as 'candy'.

As others have noted, the Talisker 10 has some sweet notes -- butterscotch, to me -- that emulate bourbon, and yet is undeniably island malt. Try it. Highland Park 12yo is an excellent value (though less so than it used to be -- see if you can find an older, "Orkney Islands" iteration, with the islands etched into the bottom of the bottle, at its original price c. $35 U.S.), with only the introductory essence of peatiness, and plenty of flavor.

[OscarV]

oscar rules

OK, so I took some liberties with blocking out certain letters but the above letters you did type Tim, just not in that order.

You have the whole summer off, so when you coming home to visit?!?!?

[TNbourbon]

...so when you coming home to visit?!?!?

You sound like my sister, Oscar!:skep: She's been asking when I'll be moving "back home" for almost 30 years now, even though I've spent more than half my life here!

I'm home already. (Though, I suspect I WILL get back to Michigan someday;) -- I just don't have a current plan. And when I do, the bourbon's on YOU!:cool:)

[OscarV]

You sound like my sister, Oscar!:skep: She's been asking when I'll be moving "back home" for almost 30 years now, even though I've spent more than half my life here!

I'm home already. (Though, I suspect I WILL get back to Michigan someday;) -- I just don't have a current plan. And when I do, the bourbon's on YOU!:cool:)

Oh for God's sake, I have been compared to a sister.

[Robmo]

the Lincoln Memorial came well AFTER Abraham Lincoln; Monticello AFTER Thomas Jefferson, et al.

the Talisker 10 has some sweet notes -- butterscotch, to me -- that emulate bourbon, and yet is undeniably island malt.

Not sure about the Monticello reference there, as I thought Jefferson built it, lived there and fathered several children there! :grin:

Talisker 10 seems to be a consensus recommendation both on SB.com and with a couple personal friends of mine. That may be my next foray, although a lot of other ones look tempting.

[TNbourbon]

Not sure about the Monticello reference there, as I thought Jefferson built it, lived there and fathered several children there!..

It wasn't built, however, before he existed -- which was my point, apparently unrealized. I was trying to state that an appreciation of single malt may well pre-suppose a prior appreciation of bourbon.

[craigthom]

Talisker is a peaty scotch, even though it's from Skye instead of Islay, but it is less argumentative than Laphroaig. I adored the Laphroaig 15 I bought in Scotland many years ago. I guess they've moved to 18 instead of 15 now because Beam thinks that's a better scotch age.

Talisker 10 is what I drink when I drink Scotch, but I suspect that's in large part because I've been there (although I've also been to Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie and a few others, so it's only part of the reason).

[Robmo]

It wasn't built, however, before he existed -- which was my point, apparently unrealized. I was trying to state that an appreciation of single malt may well pre-suppose a prior appreciation of bourbon.

To change the subject slightly, Jefferson was a beer and wine drinker and didn't exactly have warm and fuzzy feelings about whiskey...

"I wish to see this beverage become common instead of the whiskey which kills one-third of our citizens and ruins their families."

and

"Beer, if drank with moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, and promotes health."

"Wine from long habit has become an indispensable for my health."

....

Compare to Lincoln: "You just find out, to oblige me, what brand of whiskey Grant drinks, because I want to send a barrel of it to each one of my generals."

---

which raises the interesting question of why Jefferson's Reserve features a likeness of the third president and architect of Monticello on their bottles...Knob Creek would appear to have the more authentic marketing angle.

[roostercogburn]

Balvenie Doublewood was one of my first steps-up from 'Fiddich and Glenlivet, and I still enjoy it immensely. Talisker 10 is another fine choice, as is Highland Park 12.

I'll echo the advice that you hold onto the Lap. I was in almost the exact same position as you: Lap Quarter Cask was one of my first scotch pours, and I almost swore the stuff off for good. Now, I really enjoy the peated scotches and hope you will too someday.

[unclebunk]

Balvenie Doublewood was one of my first steps-up from 'Fiddich and Glenlivet, and I still enjoy it immensely. Talisker 10 is another fine choice, as is Highland Park 12.

I'll echo the advice that you hold onto the Lap. I was in almost the exact same position as you: Lap Quarter Cask was one of my first scotch pours, and I almost swore the stuff off for good. Now, I really enjoy the peated scotches and hope you will too someday.

My experience and sentiments exactly, Rooster. My relatives in Scotland hit me with all the Islays right off the bat and, for most folks anyway, that's a sure misstep for the novice scotch drinker. I was really put off by the intense flavors/aromas and the peat in particular but my gradual move from Johnnie Walker Black to Balvenie Doublewood to Highland Park 12 (an all-time favorite of mine) paved the way to a full appreciation of all things Islay (and Skye). Keep in mind that Laphroaig, in some respects, is unique even among Islays and all other single malts for that matter. The strong presence of brine, iodine, etc. gives it a "medicinal" (for lack of a better word) character that is hard to find in other malts, at least to the degree that you'll find in Laphroaig. Nowadays, I can't get enough of the stuff but it was a long, slow process that eventually brought me there. Give it time and try some others before passing final judgment on the Laphroaig. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it someday!