Let's talk Scotch

[Megawatt]

I'm in the market for a good bottle, and two of my main considerations are:

The Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel

The Macallan Cask Strength

They are about the same price. The Macallan is stronger but The Balvenie is older. Has anyone tried them both? If so, which did you prefer?

Of course, I'm not limited to these two. Also considering the likes of Highland Park 18, The Macallan Fine Oak 15, not sure what else to look at...

[T47]

I have only tried a few Scotches, so I am no expert. I can't recall who on SB recommended Aberlour A'bunadh to me...but it has been a big hit. Everyone I have introduced it to has gone out and picked up a bottle. Beautiful deep color, wonderful spicy nose, the taste is full of black cherry and dried fruit, the finish is strong and full of sherry.

Here in WA it sells $60, and it's a bottle I always make a point of having. I have tried the Balvenie 12 and a few of the Macallan's, I would personally take the A'bunadh over the ones I have tried. If someone has had the specific bottles your interested in and they recommend them over the A'bunadh, then I will have to give it a try...

[barturtle]

I like the Highland Park 18 (heck I just like HP) also The Glenlivet Naddura and Springbank(any, you can't go wrong)

[melting]

I'd also recommend the Highland Park. I've only had the 12 and the 15. Never had the 18. The Highland 12 runs about 30 bucks here. The Glenlivet Nadura is also really good although it's a little more costly at around $50 here.

You may also want to look into the different Glenmorangie finishes. They have 4 different finishes as far as I'm aware of. Portwood, sherry, madiera and burgundy. They run about 45 dollars but are well worth it in my opinion although I haven't tried the burgundy.

There are so many different taste profiles it's almost impossible to pick just one to suggest. If you really want to experience a change of pace pick up a bottle of Ardbeg.

I've tried more scotches than I can remember and have enjoyed most. The only one that I really did not care for was Dalmore 12. Maybe the worst $30 I've ever spent on a bottle of whiskey.

Chris

[TomH]

Since most of your considerations are Speyside, I'll start with that area. While I'm a big Macallan fan, I'm not big on their CS. For flavor, I would go with the Macallan 12 for less bucks any day of the week. The Fine Oak 15 is nice, but I miss the sherry. If high alcohol is desired along with a Sherry monster, I would definitely recommend the Aberlour A'bunadh. My personal favorite Speyside is Glenfarclas with the 12 YO probably in the price range (though if you could swing the 17 YO I would recommend spending the money).

Highland Park is a nice way to step into the peatier scotches. You won't get the full force of a typical Islay and the sherry is nice for those of us who like the sherried Speysides.

If you don't mind straying from the single malts, I really like the Jon, Mark and Robbo vatted whisky's for very nice flavor for the money. Don't have the descriptions handy buy at least one of them has some Irish in addtion to the scotch. Also can't go wrong with Compass Box vatted products IMHO.

Tom

[Megawatt]

Too many recommendations on the A'bunadh for me not to get it. I just wish you'd all shut up about the prices, because in Canada we pay extremely high taxes on our booze, and now I feel like I'm getting ripped off . Anyway, thanks for all of your opinions, as I think it finally made up my mind...

[Luna56]

Of the two you listed, I'd recommend the Balvenie 15. It's a single barrel, 100 proof whiskey and the two bottles I've had were perfection.

Cheers!

[ratcheer]

I have a bottle of The Balvenie 15-year old and I love it.

Tim

[Megawatt]

Thanks for the input! I really want the A'bunadh but it looks like it is sold out in my area, as it was a limited buy at the LCBO, so I may go for the Balvenie after all...

[ACDetroit]

Not sure if you can get it in Canada but if you can get a bottle of Oban 14 you can not go wrong! Should be in the same price range as your other selections!

Tony

[Mamba]

The Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel

The Macallan Cask Strength

I have owned both of those bottles in the past few years. I far prefer the Balvenie 15 SB. The Macallan CS is fine, especially with a little water to soften the sherry bomb, but it isn't on the level of the Balvenie. I also own Highland Park 12 and 18, but still prefer the memories of the Balvenie (RIP).

A local store just had the Balvenie 15 on sale for $42 after Xmas. I have too many bottles in my bunker, but I know I'll be kickin myself down the road for not grabbing one at that price.

[Megawatt]

I have owned both of those bottles in the past few years. I far prefer the Balvenie 15 SB. The Macallan CS is fine, especially with a little water to soften the sherry bomb, but it isn't on the level of the Balvenie. I also own Highland Park 12 and 18, but still prefer the memories of the Balvenie (RIP).

A local store just had the Balvenie 15 on sale for $42 after Xmas. I have too many bottles in my bunker, but I know I'll be kickin myself down the road for not grabbing one at that price.

I said shut up about the prices! The Balvenie 15 is $105 where I live, even with the dollar practically at par.

But thanks for the input. Most people seem to agree that the Balvenie SB is a better whisky.

[mier]

GO FOR THE HIGHLAND PARK 18yo!!!But the Oban 14yo from Tony is very good too,another is the Oban distillers choice,try them you love them!

Eric.

[ACDetroit]

Since Eric chimed in I state one bottle he turned me on to and it is a winner for sure! Goes great with a SMOKE.

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist: It's a 16 year old and just a fantastic bottle! Also not cheap!

Tony

[Megawatt]

Since Eric chimed in I state one bottle he turned me on to and it is a winner for sure! Goes great with a SMOKE.

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist: It's a 16 year old and just a fantastic bottle! Also not cheap!

Tony

Does it go great with a smoke because it tastes like smoke? I haven't delved into Islays yet, and quite frankly I'm rather afraid to...

[whiskydude]

I purchased the Macallen CS but it was a duty free selection from the plane. Ok, but lots of sherry and it was good for the price, but not as good to my taste as the Nadurra. The Nadurra is lighter in mouthfeel if that makes sense. A little more smoke and peat comes thru without all the sherry. It was great last summer even in the heat. I can't comment (unfortunately) on the Balvanie 15 as I haven't had it recently enough to remember! It's been 5 or 6 years but at the time I remember that my friend and I preferred it to the DW 12Yr, but liked the 10 year Founders' Reserve just as well for less money. The Abundah was tied with the Nadurra for our top choice of the three CS whiskies referenced. I don't think you will be disappointed with any of the ones you've mentioned. I will leave out the prices at your request.....you deserve it as you are paying a premium!

:toast:

[ACDetroit]

Does it go great with a smoke because it tastes like smoke? I haven't delved into Islays yet, and quite frankly I'm rather afraid to...

It is a little smokey but they really played off each other and it was good! I'm not a Scotch guy and bought this on a recommendation from Eric. It was my first Single Malt in my collection and I really like it!

Tony

[dcb]

a few favortie scotches: Highland Park 18 (and the 12), Lagavulin 16, Ardbeg, Talisker. mostly the island distilleries. I don't like the very heavily sherried malts like Macallan.

[drrich1965]

Lots of good advice. Staying true to your Speyside theme, you might also want to go for Glenfarclas 12. A very underrated dram, very blanced. good sherry charicter with a hint of peat, a nice malty center. The whole Farclas line is tops, and great for the money. I far prefer the Balvenie 15, or the 12 for that matter, to any of the standard Sherry Macallans. In truth, I have not really liked a Sherry Macallan since the older 18s or the 25s, or some older Indys..

Now, since we have spoken of the Ardbeg "beast" it is fantastic. If you do buy it, this is one that needs a good month to open up- it shows its complexity after some oxidation. For those of you are are also Ardbeg Fans, the Ellenstown at Binnys is a cask strenght Ardbeg for $55...

As others have said, HP is wonderful stuff. I have tried about 12 expressions, and have only had one that has been less then good, most a very good to excellent. M. Jackson said it was the best "all arounder" which to me is true, in the sense that it has hits on so many smell/taste elements (sweet malt, spicy sherry, deep peat, ect).

The Nadurra is great stuff-Glenlivet should not be disparaged to be being common. This is espeically true for the older indy bottles, which can be complex beyond your dreams, and reasonble.

Also, do not forget the Glenfiddich 15. Its a wonderful dream- the 12 is average at best.

I am about to enjoy a 25 year old Milburn, from the Rare Malt Series- a sample from a trading buddy..

Oh, and here is my score and notes for the Ellenstown and the "beast"..sorry for the sprawling notes, I see tasting notes as being as much about the experience as the whisky.

89

Sm

Ellenstown 10yo "bastard Ardbeg" (58%, Marshall's whiskies, NCNCF)

February 7th. Third time out with this lovely, and it just gets better. With just a dash of water, the nose is wonderfully balanced. Sweet malt, citrus and ozone. The smokiness fade in and out. A hint of cocoa Mouth: Congruent with the nose. Wow, this is ardbeg. Smoked oranges, dry biscuits. Powerful, the joy of a cask strength, you control how much it unleashes its power, and this is a strong malt. This really is fantastic stuff. I did not get its complexity the first time out, but this is as good OB 10. Save for the intensity of it, I would have thought this was a bit older. I am embarrassed to say that when I first tasked it upon opening, I thought nosed it, I thought it was Bowmore. Just goes to show how new I am at this. But I will tell you, this is purely one fine Ardbeg.

89

Sm

Ardbeg 16yo Airigh Nam Beist (46%, OB)

January 6th, At Nihon, in S.F, on my night out with Jim, Jen, and Eleni. What a wonderful evening, and a damn fine malt to start it off. This was a night filled with laughter and joy, a special night out with old friends in the city that I love not the way that one loves a place, but a member of your family. However, this restaurant shows some of the cities cracks, and some of its paradoxes. Good food, but the sashimi not nearly as good as our favorite places in other cities, and at twice the price. An outstanding malt and whisky collection of about 100, but the prices were nearly obscene for some. The bar tender was nice, but not truly malt knowledgeable. Their selection being not nearly as impressive as he things it is, saying that they had "anything that I would want." Hardly, not a distillery that I have not tried. Whatever. Now, being able to try the newly famed "Beast" was a pleasure. I did not take tasting notes as I was at dinner, but this is good stuff. Not as gentle as people have said, fairly middle of the road Ardbeg in power. More pepper in the middle than I would have thought. Almost as if Ardbeg ten was vatted with an older, gentler Talisker. Good balance with some nice malt. The nose was very nice, but not as seductive as the Ardbeg greats. Very fine malt. May 15th, a couple of drams of it. The finish has really nice pepper to it, as does the middle, as noted. This is a very, very good whisky, as stated before. The finish stays a long time, which is its strength.

[Megawatt]

Great post. I feel like I need to try an Islay to broaden my horizons, but I'm afraid that I will hate it at first. What would you recommend?

Too bad the Nadurra isn't available here (yet). I think The Glenlivet 12 is great fo the price, definitely better than Glenfiddich 12 anyway.

I'm hesitant to even touch Ardbeg after reading tasting notes that described aromas of tar, kelp, etc.

[Frodo]

Hi Megawatt:

The LCBO stores will sometimes do an "interstore transfer" for you, shipping a bottle of something from somewhere else to a store near where you live. You may wish to ask your local store if they would do this for your Abelour CS that you want. The LCBO has delisted this bottling so you may wish to get more than one bottle to bunker. Other Scotches you may wish to do the same with that are currently on sale...

Balvenie Portwood 1991 @ $75

Clan Denny Speyside @ $70

Glenmorangie 15 (new wood finish)

The only other scotch I can recommend that has a time-limited window of opportunity would be the Glenmorangie Portwood. NO ONEW I know who has tried this has been dissapointed!

[Frodo]

Great post. I feel like I need to try an Islay to broaden my horizons, but I'm afraid that I will hate it at first. What would you recommend?

If you want to try something coastal, I'd recommend a Bowmore to start with, or a Highland Park. Both are smoky but with other flavours balancing them out. Like dipping your toe in the water to sus out temperature so to speak.

[Megawatt]

Hi Megawatt:

The LCBO stores will sometimes do an "interstore transfer" for you, shipping a bottle of something from somewhere else to a store near where you live. You may wish to ask your local store if they would do this for your Abelour CS that you want. The LCBO has delisted this bottling so you may wish to get more than one bottle to bunker. Other Scotches you may wish to do the same with that are currently on sale...

Balvenie Portwood 1991 @ $75

Clan Denny Speyside @ $70

Glenmorangie 15 (new wood finish)

The only other scotch I can recommend that has a time-limited window of opportunity would be the Glenmorangie Portwood. NO ONEW I know who has tried this has been dissapointed!

Yeah, I just found out that they can do transfers and requested a bottle of a'bunadh for my local store. Now I just have to cross my fingers and wait. Thanks for the other recommendations...

[Chilled]

Wow, what a can of worms. But so true.. There are big differences from one region to another.

Highland Park 12 year is a great starter bottle, Should be reasonably priced even in Canada. I almost feel it is one of the more sweeter scotches short of some of the specialty casked and barreled.

Balvinie Double wood is another You should try.

A nice surprise was The Dalwhinnie 15 ( a bit more smokey)

And the Macallan, I would stick at first to the 12 yr before you try other expressions in it's line, always nice to see what they started with.

But Then, It will ultimatly be decided by your pallate.

Best of luck.

[drrich1965]

Some people take to peat right away, some need time. I have found some newcomers to malt love Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig right of the bat, some need time. Caol Ila 12 is a good place to start- medium peat with some nice sweetness for balance...

As far as the Macallan 12- opinions differ greatly. I just hate the current 12- I think the quality of Macallan's sherry casks are poor, at present. One can taste a massive differnece between the current 12 and other bottlelings- I would avoid, or try at a bar first. I think it is about the worst thing out there- but your YMMV. I actaully enjoy the new fine Oak 15- it shows what a very good, rich malt macallan stills produce. The Elegancia, in duty free, is a middle ground. Again, Abelour Abundah, Farclas, and Balvenia Double wood are all far better..

Someone above suggetsed the Bowmore 12- I really like that malt. Another love it or hate it, Bowmore in general. If at first you don't like it, let it opn up some.