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

[timd]

I was trying to state that an appreciation of single malt may well pre-suppose a prior appreciation of bourbon.

For me, it was backwards - I started out on Scotch, got hooked, and very quickly tried out some Islay (10 yr. Laphroaig) and fell instantly in love - it was the peaty, medicinal, bold flavor that hooked me on whisk(e)y.

It was some time later that I could stomach Bourbon (oh the horror that it was so). I always kept a bottle of WT101 around for "mixing" and we'd try it straight from time to time and found it... repulsive!... Right up until we didn't! One day it was suddenly really, really good!

So, in my case Peat was the gateway to the world of whisk(e)y, and the love of Rye came next, and shortly after Bourbon.

Thanks for letting me share - and don't think less of me because I love Scotch. I'm trying to drink more bourbon now that I'm in Texas.

[HP12]

For me, it was backwards - I started out on Scotch, got hooked, and very quickly tried out some Islay (10 yr. Laphroaig) and fell instantly in love - it was the peaty, medicinal, bold flavor that hooked me on whisk(e)y.

It was some time later that I could stomach Bourbon (oh the horror that it was so). I always kept a bottle of WT101 around for "mixing" and we'd try it straight from time to time and found it... repulsive!... Right up until we didn't! One day it was suddenly really, really good!

So, in my case Peat was the gateway to the world of whisk(e)y, and the love of Rye came next, and shortly after Bourbon.

Thanks for letting me share - and don't think less of me because I love Scotch. I'm trying to drink more bourbon now that I'm in Texas.

A similar story that I experienced. Started with single malt Scotch, first bottle purchased was Highland Park 12, 2nd was Balvenie 12DW and the 3rd was Laphoaig 12. I have since blasted off with several more bottles of Scotch from various distilleries and expanded into world whisk(e)y including Bourbon's and Ryes. Love it all.

Great to have a cabinet stocked with various profiles of flavor in order to compare, share and satisfy any mood.

[timd]

first bottle purchased was Highland Park 12

My first purchased Scotch too! It's a great gateway Scotch.

Lots of folks mention Talisker 10 (I've killed quite a few bottles of that, I especially love Distillers Edition and the 18), and if you get a kick out of the spicy rye quality of Bourbon, then I could see it being a hit - but if you are into wheaters, I'm afraid the pepper/spice would be more off-putting than the smoke!

Black & white pepper are big parts of the Talisker profile. It's also fairly dry and not terribly sweet. Great stuff, to be sure, but I'd look at a Caol Ila or a peated Highlander for the bourbon-rich smoothness. A sherried & peated Scotch could be a hit, too (this style is my fave of any type of whisk(e)y - sweet & smokey, with a rich full body and not too dry)

[HP12]

My first purchased Scotch too! It's a great gateway Scotch.

Lots of folks mention Talisker 10 (I've killed quite a few bottles of that, I especially love Distillers Edition and the 18), and if you get a kick out of the spicy rye quality of Bourbon, then I could see it being a hit - but if you are into wheaters, I'm afraid the pepper/spice would be more off-putting than the smoke!

Black & white pepper are big parts of the Talisker profile. It's also fairly dry and not terribly sweet. Great stuff, to be sure, but I'd look at a Caol Ila or a peated Highlander for the bourbon-rich smoothness. A sherried & peated Scotch could be a hit, too (this style is my fave of any type of whisk(e)y - sweet & smokey, with a rich full body and not too dry)

Yep, I have had the Tali 10 and have a bottle of it along with Tali 18 in the bunker. Take a look a my cabinet. I feel it's a fairly diverse selection for someone who only revisited whisk(e)y world (neat) this past fall for the first time in 25 years, other than drinking whiskey in mixed drinks!

http://www.connosr.com/members/hp12/

[Robmo]

Based on world wide scotch sales (90% blended, 10% single malts, according to an article just read) it would seem that most of the world starts with scotch before trying bourbon (if they try it at all).

I will definitely keep an open mind to the Islay malts but I'd like to explore more blends, Speysides and Highlands before coming back to the Islays. And there's so much bourbon, rye, Irish and Japanese malt I have yet to try! Thanks again for all the great advice from everyone.:grin:

[HP12]

Based on world wide scotch sales (90% blended, 10% single malts, according to an article just read) it would seem that most of the world starts with scotch before trying bourbon (if they try it at all).

I will definitely keep an open mind to the Islay malts but I'd like to explore more blends, Speysides and Highlands before coming back to the Islays. And there's so much bourbon, rye, Irish and Japanese malt I have yet to try! Thanks again for all the great advice from everyone.:grin:

[unclebunk]

Pick up a bottle of Teacher's Highland Cream blended Scotch. Very good value and a very respectable dram indeed.

I love Teacher's and have turned many people on to it, even a few who rarely stray from single malts.

[cds]

My second tasting of Scotch was Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength. I was shocked. I do not know of any other spirit that has a taste that stays with me for the same length of time.

Don't throw the bottle away or give it away. Come back to it after time. Every time I go back to it, I find a new experience.

[Brisko]

My first purchased Scotch too! It's a great gateway Scotch.

Lots of folks mention Talisker 10 (I've killed quite a few bottles of that, I especially love Distillers Edition and the 18), and if you get a kick out of the spicy rye quality of Bourbon, then I could see it being a hit - but if you are into wheaters, I'm afraid the pepper/spice would be more off-putting than the smoke!

Black & white pepper are big parts of the Talisker profile. It's also fairly dry and not terribly sweet. Great stuff, to be sure, but I'd look at a Caol Ila or a peated Highlander for the bourbon-rich smoothness. A sherried & peated Scotch could be a hit, too (this style is my fave of any type of whisk(e)y - sweet & smokey, with a rich full body and not too dry)

[Robmo]

Just to summarize so far, we've got about 6 endorsements of Highland Park 12, about 4 each for Talisker and Balvenie, and about 3 each for Macallan, Aberlour and Dalmore.

There were 2 endorsements each for Teacher's, Glendronach, Glenmorangie...

I also thought I'd attach this document: a summary of some taste test findings in a book by Phillip Hill from 2005: what I find most intriguing is that the "Something Special" blended scotch made it into the top 20 alongside the Macallan 25 years.

ci74_whisky.pdf

ci74_whisky.pdf

[Josh]

Nobody doesn't like Highland Park.

[HP12]

...what I find most intriguing is that the "Something Special" blended scotch made it into the top 20 alongside the Macallan 25 years.

Blends are not all bad. The likes of Dewar's White Label give blends a bad reputation. For 2011, Jim Murray named Ballantine's 17 yo the "World Whisky of the Year"...it's a blend.

As for Highland Park, I must agree that not too many people don't like it. If one likes HP12, you'll probably love HP18. A great couple of whisky's that are an education when tasted side-by-side.

[Josh]

Blends are not all bad. The likes of Dewar's White Label give blends a bad reputation. For 2011, Jim Murray named Ballantine's 17 yo the "World Whisky of the Year"...it's a blend.

As for Highland Park, I must agree that not too many people don't like it. If one likes HP12, you'll probably love HP18. A great couple of whisky's that are an education when tasted side-by-side.

Totally off-topic, but I love your avatar HP12.

[LeoDLion]

Robmo,

When I first tasted Laphroaig with friends, we thought the bottle was spoiled because it tasted of turpentine. We put it aside and open a different one. I took the Laph home. The next day I poured another shot and it still tasted like a mixture of turpentine and iodine. 2nd, 3rd, 4th day was all the same. On the fifth day, I can not believe this is the same bottle that I took home. The taste was completely different. There is a hint of the iodine taste but the prevailing taste is much different. There is a wonderful rounded peaty taste that I have had for the first time. This is easily the best scotch I have!

Since then Islay single malt whiskey is my favorite. Ardbeg and Lagavulin is on top of the list followed by the others. Laphroiag remain to be the peatiest in my opinion.

Here is a picture of a 4.5 liter Ardeg and a 750 ml one.

So give it a try. It is an acquired taste but you will love it.

Leo

[Robmo]

Robmo,

When I first tasted Laphroaig with friends, we thought the bottle was spoiled because it tasted of turpentine. ..

Since then Islay single malt whiskey is my favorite. Ardbeg and Lagavulin is on top of the list followed by the others. Laphroiag remain to be the peatiest in my opinion.

Leo

[cowdery]

I like Islay malts but where I think people make a mistake is when they start their exploration of single malts there. It's just like the people who start their exploration of bourbon and rye with 20-year-old one-offs. But then some people like to jump to the last chapter in books too.

[Stu]

I guess I'm the exception. I used to describe scotch as whisky someone washed their socks in and sold at a premium price. That was blended scotch. Then I tried single malts (Laphroaig and Lagavulin) and became an instant malt lover. Since then I've found a few blends that are good. White Horse (lots of Lagavulin in it), Something Special (it is), Dewars 18, a couple of Johnny Walkers. Ian Henderson, former manager of Laphroaig, said about Laphroaig "You either love it or you hate it, there's no middle ground". Many people who hate it wind up loving it (such as my wife). I guess it's an acquired taste that I acquired the first time I tried it.

[RegChumpington]

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

I might be missing something (quite likely) - but I sure remember buying my bottle of Revival just three blocks from my house, ostensibly still in the US.

[cowdery]

To say you are exceptional, Stu, is an understatement.

[Shuboy]

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

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1063450

Since their three stores are all in California, I'd say you can get it here. A bit pricier than other 15 year olds however.

[sku]

I like Islay malts but where I think people make a mistake is when they start their exploration of single malts there. It's just like the people who start their exploration of bourbon and rye with 20-year-old one-offs. But then some people like to jump to the last chapter in books too.

I don't know about that. I almost feel like peat is a love it or hate it thing (and we should be clear that not all Islays are peated). I know lots of people who say they loved it from the first time they tried a Lagavulin, as I did, and others who are seasoned malt drinkers but still can't stand the taste of peat. So while I definitely agree with about not starting with the biggest and oldest bourbons (a mistake I made), I think peat is a different thing. It's a wholly different flavor, rather than something people seem to learn to like from experienced tasting. That being said, I assume there are some people who had to get used to it to appreciate the taste.

[Megawatt]

I don't know about that. I almost feel like peat is a love it or hate it thing (and we should be clear that not all Islays are peated). I know lots of people who say they loved it from the first time they tried a Lagavulin, as I did, and others who are seasoned malt drinkers but still can't stand the taste of peat. So while I definitely agree with about not starting with the biggest and oldest bourbons (a mistake I made), I think peat is a different thing. It's a wholly different flavor, rather than something people seem to learn to like from experienced tasting. That being said, I assume there are some people who had to get used to it to appreciate the taste.

It was definitely an acquired taste for me, whereas my brother loved it at first sip.

[Tucker]

My oldest opened bottle is a Laphroaig 10; I've had it for more than 10 years. I appreciate it for what it is but have a hard time finding the right occasion to enjoy it now, although that might have something to do with my first pour.

After returning home with my family from a successful trip to Russia I took to the deck with a Cuban Montecristo No. 2 and a double of the Laphroaig 10. It was my first experience with each, not being much of a cigar smoker and having only limited contact with an Islay (at that time it was whatever's in JWB, I'd guess).

I managed to finish all of the Laphroaig, about half of the cigar, and a look in the mirror would have confirmed that my face had never before turned that exact shade of green. The next morning I awoke smelling as if I'd rolled around a soggy campfire all night. My taste buds were shot for at least three days.

Noob mistake, but I've since managed to increase my tolerances a good bit and now enjoy a good smoke once in a while. As for Scotch, I tend to stick with the Speysides and Highlands.

[Robmo]

I've found a few blends that are good. White Horse (lots of Lagavulin in it), Something Special (it is).

Thanks, I was wondering when someone was going to put in a plug for White Horse or Something Special.:grin:

Well guys, I've received a lot of great recommendations on this thread. Pay day is in another two days and I'm going to probably check out some blends that were mentioned here as well as HP 12 and possibly some Macallan and Talisker. I won't be checking in on this board for a few months since I need to concentrate on a &%#$* dissertation and frankly this Web site can be dangerously addictive.

I've received a lot of great tips and useful knowledge on this and other threads. Look forward to participating again when things aren't so hectic.

[Bambusiero]

Just a comment about ageing in the bottle after opening.

I'm comfortable saying now that both Highland Park 12 and Laphroig Cask Strength will both improve significantly in the months after opening. So, be patient and try the peat again (a few times). These were 2 of the first 3 Scotches I bought as a Scotch newby.

I liked HP 12 right away, and then it just got richer and better balanced over a month or two. A 2nd bottle some time later has confirmed it.

Laphroig CS - now that's a different story. It completely set me back on my heels. Phew! Wet camp fire ashes brewed in a Band-Aid box! What a mistake. That Islay peat thing just wasn't for me. It sat there in very back of the cabinet, mocking me. In time, I licked my wounds and went back for re-matches. I learned that adding different amounts of water brought out completely new flavors (over-ripe banana? passion fruit? huh?) The original peat and iodine character were still there, but now as layers with other flavors. It relaxed, mellowed, and sweetened over the next year or more. Yeah, it was still too serious to be gulping down all the time, so it lasts. By the end of the bottle it was a lovely old friend.

Laphroig 18 was beautiful right from the start. Rich, dark, sweet, brooding, more subdued peat. It's the age, I guess. It has NOT changed.

Laphroig 10 - Can't say. Have not tried it. A bit of open time might just mellow it too, though.

So - the bottle changed, but fair to say - so have I. Now I love peat. I'm corrupted.

Coal Ila's my fave. A cleaner, smokier peat taste, somehow. Gone now, so sad.

Ardbeg 10 is currently on the shelf, and it's nice too, in that young, rascally, peaty sort of way.

But...I'm no peat snob. More of a tourist.

Clynellish, Cragganmore, Oban, MacAllan, Aberlour, Glenfiddich, Singleton of Glendullan, Bunnahabhain, Black Bottle, Dalmore, Scapa, Balvenie, Talasker. It's all good.

Cheers,

Mark