Favorite Scotch

[brockagh]

Is this the 12 yr old? There's two versions of that. I don't know which one I've tried.

[AVB]

I'm thinking you want to attach a pic but didn't. The 12 yo cask strength looks just like the regular 16 except it says 12 and "Special Release" on the box.

[BourbonBalls]

Has anyone tried the Batch 16? Thats availble to me now and I don't want to spring for a bottle unless I'm a little more informed....

thanks

[contrarian]

I'm halfway through a Batch 16, BB, but it's my first bottle of a'bunadh so I can't compare.

It is outstanding whisky loaded with sherry, oak, raisin and orange flavors with just a bit of smoke on the finish. IMO, it's a bourbon lover's SMSW and I think many will find it too sweet. Islay lovers who don't like the sherry flavors in Macallan will mostly think this is disgusting.

It is extremely easy to drink at cask strength. I paid $62, and, while I'd prefer to never pay more for any whiskey than I pay for Stagg, I will buy another and another when this is gone.

Jeff

[Virus_Of_Life]

OK, I am not a scotch drinker but seeing this thread over and over again kept reminding me a scotch I had a couple weeks ago. It definitely would not be my favorite; so I may not be able to say what my favorite scotch is, I can say it most certainly is NOT Oban, 14 year I believe it was. My friend who convinced me to try it, really liked it and said it was a good scotch. I think it is safe to say he liked my Pappy 20 more than I liked his Oban! :slappin: So I'll keep trying his scotch as long as he keeps trying my bourbon because I could already see a convert in the making... :grin:

[bluesbassdad]

Christian,

I've never drunk Oban; I don't know whether it's a good gateway scotch for a bourbon drinker or not.

Next time the two of you get together, ask your friend for a sip of Famous Grouse (a blend) or Highland Park 12 y/o. If neither of them appeal to you, then I would hazard a guess that won't become a fan of scotch. Of course, that's only a guess.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Virus_Of_Life]

Christian,

I've never drunk Oban; I don't know whether it's a good gateway scotch for a bourbon drinker or not.

Next time the two of you get together, ask your friend for a sip of Famous Grouse (a blend) or Highland Park 12 y/o. If neither of them appeal to you, then I would hazard a guess that won't become a fan of scotch. Of course, that's only a guess.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

Honestly Dave, years ago I used to drink Glenfiddich 15 year and quite liked it. But this same friend mentioned that was hardly a scotch as it had literally no peaty smokiness that many scotch lovers enjoy. I will say this though, the Oban had a better almost sweet flavor neat but once I dropped a few icecubes in it became bad... I'd take a good tequila over a scotch any day.

[CrispyCritter]

I've found that I don't really like bourbon or Scotch on the rocks. Even though I use ice from reverse-osmosis filtered water, I don't like how an on-the-rocks drink gets steadily diluted - and sometimes the whiskey takes on a sickly flavor. That happened to me with Knob Creek a while back...

Of course, when I mix cocktails, the ice is very important - but it gets strained out when I pour the mixture into the glass.

[TimmyBoston]

OK, I am not a scotch drinker but seeing this thread over and over again kept reminding me a scotch I had a couple weeks ago. It definitely would not be my favorite; so I may not be able to say what my favorite scotch is, I can say it most certainly is NOT Oban, 14 year I believe it was. My friend who convinced me to try it, really liked it and said it was a good scotch. I think it is safe to say he liked my Pappy 20 more than I liked his Oban! :slappin: So I'll keep trying his scotch as long as he keeps trying my bourbon because I could already see a convert in the making... :grin:

I have had Oban 14 a few times and I didn't care for it. Especially considering it runs around $60 a bottle in my area. I am a big fan of Scotch but I just didn't like it. IMO I don't know if they're a really good starter for a bourbon fan, because IMO Scotch and Bourbon are such totally different spirits. My starter was Glenlivet 12, but another good starter might be Highland Park 12, but it's a great all-rounder, it has a lot of very common flavors that can exist in all regions of Scotch. It's also one of my favorites, I always keep a bottle on hand. If you like smokey things, the Islay starter IMO is Laphroaig 10, I love it, too. Also I liked bourbon more immediately than I liked Scotch. I bought a bottle of Glenlivet and had to drink it a few times before I really liked it that much then I started getting the cravings.....

[chasking]

If you like smokey things, the Islay starter IMO is Laphroaig 10, I love it, too.

I would use Ardbeg 10yo as a starter Islay. Laphroaig (and Bowmore) have very distinct flavors that tend to induce a love-it-or-hate-it reaction---apparently Laphroaig produced a "love it" reaction in you, but that is not a universal response. The distinct Laphroaig taste is not entirely due to the peat character. I think the Ardbeg is a more neutral (although still delicious) whiskey. If someone likes the smoky aspect of the whiskey, then I would stretch out and try the other peaty Islays.

I guess I can just easily see somebody trying Laphroaig and hating it, and writing off the other Islays even though s/he would have loved Ardbeg or Lagavulin, since they are so different.

[TimmyBoston]

I would use Ardbeg 10yo as a starter Islay. Laphroaig (and Bowmore) have very distinct flavors that tend to induce a love-it-or-hate-it reaction---apparently Laphroaig produced a "love it" reaction in you, but that is not a universal response. The distinct Laphroaig taste is not entirely due to the peat character. I think the Ardbeg is a more neutral (although still delicious) whiskey. If someone likes the smoky aspect of the whiskey, then I would stretch out and try the other peaty Islays.

I guess I can just easily see somebody trying Laphroaig and hating it, and writing off the other Islays even though s/he would have loved Ardbeg or Lagavulin, since they are so different.

I've always used Laphroaig as a starter Islay because the flavors are so much sweeter, well in the case of a 10 x 10 comparison. I also like Ardbeg and Lagavulin, but the Lagavulin's $100 a bottle around here, If you can find it. But I also find a lot of seaspray, saline and iodine flavors (love it or hate it) in the Ardbeg as well.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

But I also find a lot of seaspray, saline and iodine flavors (love it or hate it) in the Ardbeg as well.

Absolutely! Personally, I find the proposition of Ardbeg 10yo to be a better first Islay, somewhat misleading. To me, Bowmore of any guise, is much more milder and sweeter. My father (primarily a Cognac drinker) finds peat hard to stomach. He can (barely) tolerate Bowmore but he loathes Ardbeg 10yo.

In my circles Bowmore goes under the somewhat derogatory alias of "Perfume Islay". I like it, though.

[brockagh]

There's a theory that Bowmore produced this perfumed malt for a short period, and we're sampling it now. It's supposed to be going back to a more non-perfumed style, whether this is true or not.

I prefer Bowmore and Lagavulin to Ardbeg. I think Ardbeg is talked up, although it is very good. All tastes differ, of course.

[TimmyBoston]

I prefer Bowmore and Lagavulin to Ardbeg. I think Ardbeg is talked up, although it is very good. All tastes differ, of course.

I disagree with the preference of Bowmore, I personally don't think any of it that I've tried is outstanding. But it's by no means bad, just not to my taste, now also I've never tried the older vintages, so I can't compare them. But I do agree that Ardbeg is somewhat talked up. The ten for example is a fine dram, but nothing spectacular in my mind. I generally prefer Laphroaig 10, but I also have a soft spot for it. Now in terms of Ardbeg, the Uigaedail is wonderful, one of the finest spirits I've ever had in my life. But it isn't terribly common, while only one of the high end liquor stores in in my area carry it I only know of one bar that stocks it and its in Denver Colorado, "Pints" is its name, and supposedly has the largest selection of Scotch outside the UK.

Now Lagavulin is great, but IMO opinion that White Horse (distillery) that is no longer produced is outstanding, while the Port Ellen which is now more commonly available is good but not in the same league as the White Horse. I have a bottle of each, open, and there is a huge disparity.

[brockagh]

I disagree with the preference of Bowmore, I personally don't think any of it that I've tried is outstanding. But it's by no means bad, just not to my taste, now also I've never tried the older vintages, so I can't compare them. But I do agree that Ardbeg is somewhat talked up. The ten for example is a fine dram, but nothing spectacular in my mind. I generally prefer Laphroaig 10, but I also have a soft spot for it. Now in terms of Ardbeg, the Uigaedail is wonderful, one of the finest spirits I've ever had in my life. But it isn't terribly common, while only one of the high end liquor stores in in my area carry it I only know of one bar that stocks it and its in Denver Colorado, "Pints" is its name, and supposedly has the largest selection of Scotch outside the UK.

Now Lagavulin is great, but IMO opinion that White Horse (distillery) that is no longer produced is outstanding, while the Port Ellen which is now more commonly available is good but not in the same league as the White Horse. I have a bottle of each, open, and there is a huge disparity.

I was lucky enough to try two Bowmores from 1964. One was from a first fill sherry cask and the other was from a second fill sherry cask. They were the best two whiskys I've tasted.

Of course, this is jut my opionion, but the Bowmore 17 is wonderful, although the Bowmore 12 is very disappointing.

I also love the Ugiedail, but I wish it was just a bit less salty.

[AVB]

There were 3 "versions" of the 1964 Black Bowmore, a 29, 30 and 31 yo that were released over a period of 3 years. Prepare to spend at least $6000 for the set if someone sells their's. Back in '94 I bought the 29 yo for just around $100 if I remember correctly. Now it's about a $1500 if you can find one. It was good though!

Later there was a small release (95 bottles) of another 1964 Bowmore bottled at 35 years old and sometimes called "Black Bowmore 2" I've never even seen this bottling.

I was lucky enough to try two Bowmores from 1964. One was from a first fill sherry cask and the other was from a second fill sherry cask. They were the best two whiskys I've tasted.

[Joeluka]

Binnys has all three of the "Black Bowmore 2's" They go for $1999 a bottle.

[brockagh]

yeah, Black Bowmore is one I'd love to try. I think Bowmore was producing great stuff during the '60s. I also tasted a very young Bowmore from the cask that was in great shape. I think it could be a return to greatness.

Bowmore is particulary good when matured in sherry casks, I believe.

[AVB]

Binnys is missing the Olosoro Cask one which is the most limited of the 3 newer releases.

Binnys has all three of the "Black Bowmore 2's" They go for $1999 a bottle.

[Powertrip]

To me, Bowmore of any guise, is much more milder and sweeter. In my circles Bowmore goes under the somewhat derogatory alias of "Perfume Islay". I like it, though.

I will personally agree with this. Sometimes too much peat gets to me, Bowmore; being kinda halfway there, is a great introduction to peat.

[dougdog]

The price of Lagavulin 16yo has gone up substantially in recent years because demand outstripped supply, at least at its previous price point. IIRC, about three years ago they ran out. It was simply not to be found, at least around here; they had to wait for more casks to reach 16 years to bottle another batch, and when that reached the market, the price had jumped about 25% or so. The supply/demand ratio seems to have stabilized at that level.

Personally I thought it was underpriced before. The 16yo was Lagavulin's "base" whiskey, and back then it was priced in the high $40s, at least around here. That was closer to the "base" whiskeys of its primary analogs: Laphroaig 10yo, Ardbeg 10yo, Bowmore 12yo. But those brands each had older versions that sold for much more: Laphroaig 15yo, Bowmore 17yo, Ardbeg 17yo (which was still available then). Those were all around $70. I always thought Lagavulin 16yo belonged in that company, rather than with the younger versions. Now it is priced accordingly. In fact, I still think it's a good deal, although I wish I had bunkered a case back then.

Chuck,

I agree with what you have posted, you are spot on!

For what ever it is worth: My friend Tim, (TMH) had mentioned to me, at a past get-together, about the difference in bottlings. I asked what? He taught me to look at the fine print on the front of the label, distinguishing the "White Horse" version from the "Port Ellen" version. In the past, I never could figure out why the Lag tasted different from bottle to bottle. I never had my glasses on to read the fine print and never had two bottles side by side to notice the different logo and fine print. (Proving how unobservant I can be at times)

Seems in my past hunting trips that I was privileged to gather up some of the older stuff (White Horse) and didn't even know what I had...Tim has corrected that for me and I'll be ever grateful. With an open bottle of each, I've got to say though, I do prefer the White Horse to the PE version, but both are good in their own rights...

[Bamber]

You might want to hold your white horses before opening any more - those older bottles are very sought after and you could make yourself a pretty penny.

[CrispyCritter]

Then again, I buy my bottles for drinking - even if it isn't going to be opened for a long time. The Ardbeg 1977 in my bunker is not going to show up on eBay!

By the time I tried Lagavulin, any White Horse bottles had long disappeared from the shelves around here, so I don't have that as a benchmark to judge newer bottlings. That being said, at some point I might just have to resign myself to the new reality and buy another bottle of Laga, in spite of it being 50% more expensive than my last one. :hot:

[EricABQ]

Talisker 18 is easily my favorite Scotch. And, at $60 a bottle, it's a value (relative to other single malts that is.)

I also like Laphroaig 15 when I'm in the mood for an Islay, and Macallan 12 for a non-peaty.

I also think The Glenlivet 15 French Oak is a great value, especially when compared to the price of the Macallan Fine Oak 15.