Let's talk Scotch

[Megawatt]

Hey Megawatt,

I noticed you have a bottle or The Macallan F.O. 10. I'm finishing a bottle of that now. I like it. Another Speysider I've had good amount of is The Glenlivet French Oak 12. I like the latter more.

Yeah, I'm about halfway through my bottle of Macallan Fine Oak. At first I found it almost too syrupy-sweet, but I've come to really like the flavour. It almost reminds me of a sweeter bourbon at times. I've never tried The Glenlivet French Oak, just the regular 12 year. I thought it was very nice for the price.

[bigtoys]

.....

My personal favorite scotch whisky is the Talisker. The smoke level is moderate in this very powerful spirit, which possesses an almost paprika-like spiciness to it, in my opinion.

Then, of course, there are the Islay (pronounced "eye"-luh) malts. Caol Ila 12-year is a good one to start off with, as its lighter body is reminiscent of the lighter Speysides we are all familiar with, like the Glenfiddich. The heaviest and smokiest would have to be the Lagavulin.....

Talisker is one of my favorites, too. Has a "smoky" taste.

The Islay malts are "peaty", that medicinal, iodine taste. I think that Lagavulin and Bowmore are on the lighter side. Laphroig is stronger and Ardbeg is even more--too much for me. Another scotch with some peat is Isle of Jura.

For more traditional single malts, Balvenie (vowels pronounced like "bad penny", I've read) Doublewood and Highland Park are excellent choices.

[boss302]

The Islay malts are "peaty", that medicinal, iodine taste. I think that Lagavulin and Bowmore are on the lighter side. Laphroig is stronger and Ardbeg is even more--too much for me. Another scotch with some peat is Isle of Jura.

The barley in Talisker has been smoked over peat (rotten bog wood and vegetation dug up from old riverbeds), like the Islays... just simply not as heavily-so.

The more medicinal taste in an Islay malt likely comes from a myriad of other factors as well.

Caol Ila is the lightest of the Islays I've tried so far, though I have yet to try Bunnahabain, Ardbeg, or Bruichladdich, as they are difficult to obtain in my state. If you are new to Islay malts, Caol Ila would be my recommendation.

Bowmore is probably the most "well-rounded" of the Islay malts, and is bottled in a very broad range of expressions.

Laphroaig is probably the most "medicinal" tasting, but, after taking some time with it, a little bit of water unlocks a pleasant sweetness.

Lagavulin isn't as "medicinal" tasting as Laphroaig, but I find it the most heavily-smoked. The peat is very full and rich in this one, in my opinion.

For more traditional single malts, Balvenie (vowels pronounced like "bad penny", I've read) Doublewood and Highland Park are excellent choices.

Ah, somebody has been reading the excellent works of Michael Jackson, I see. Before I read that book, I had been pronouncing it "Bal-vee-nee." The Celts and the Romans hated each other, and I feel this is reflected by the fact that Celtic languages, like Scotch-Gaelic, does not transpose well into the Latin alphabet...

From Balvenie's website, it looks like the "Founder's Reserve" 10-year (one of my favorite everyday pours) had been discontinued. The 12-year "Double Wood" now appears to be the primary expression.

[whiskydude]

.......

From Balvenie's website, it looks like the "Founder's Reserve" 10-year (one of my favorite everyday pours) had been discontinued. The 12-year "Double Wood" now appears to be the primary expression.

Yikes! Sorry to hear it's being discontinued. The "Founder's Reserve" was the first Single malt I ever purchased and it got me hooked. I thought it was a great label and expression to introduce someone to single malt scotch. I always kept a bottle on hand, but started branching out in my tastes the past two or three years. Hopefully I will find a bottle or two to keep for a rainy day.

[Yellowjacket]

Yikes! Sorry to hear it's being discontinued. The "Founder's Reserve" was the first Single malt I ever purchased and it got me hooked. I thought it was a great label and expression to introduce someone to single malt scotch. I always kept a bottle on hand, but started branching out in my tastes the past two or three years. Hopefully I will find a bottle or two to keep for a rainy day.

I've heard the Balvenie 10 yo Founder's Reserved is not being discontinued entirely, but will be sold only in the duty free shops. When this starts, I'm not sure.

[drrich1965]

Nice post Boss on Islay malts. As a big time Isay fan, let me say that your appeciation of Caol Ila is spot on. Caol Ila can vary, however, from more heavily peated to very lightly peated- it is the work hourse of the Islays in terms of blending- so they various peating levels. Also, Caol Ilas oiliness seems to, IMHO, give it a good deal of body when it is young- I just love them in the 7-9 year range. That being said, they also can be wonderuf when they are old. Here are my tasting notes for two "older" Coal Ilas.

91

Sm

Coal Ila 23yo Rare Malts. 61.7%. Bottle 3813. (dist 1978 bott 05/2002)

November 12, 2007. Well, tasted my oldest malt to date a few minutes ago, now one I have wanted to taste for some time. Nose: Powerful. Complex as complex can be. Meat, pepper, peat, something almost meaty, feinty, but nice. Wow. Mouth: Would have thought this was a very austere Port Ellen. White pepper, peat, like a hot wind blowing down your throat, blowing into your mind, your soul, oh my. This is one of those malts that is intense even for those how have long become accustomed to malt. A reminder to my early days of malt, when I was blown away by the intensity of some Islays, like the first time having a Lagavulin. This is special. Just a hint of sweetness at the finish for balance and complexity, a very coy sweetness. Finish: More pepper, more intensity, some oaky dryness. One that explains, at least a bit, why someone (an accountant most likely, but non the less) thought this could replace PE. This is very similar.

88

Sm

Caol Ila 1979 19yo (43%, G & M, Cooper's Choice)

May 3, 2007. Particularly smooth for a Caol Ila. The years have mellowed it out. It still retains if fire, as this is one that has a great deal of peat. The finish is very long, straight ahead, and satisfying. The nose is more complex, with some sweet malt notes to provide the foil to the musty peat. Old books and leather. This one is really nice. On second tasting, what I get from the nose is actually very farmy. Wet hay that lingers. I love the contrast with the mouth, which is peaty and dry, with a bit of sweetness at the end. I am not sure why I never score Caol Ila in the nineties; as in some ways it is one of my favorite malt. While some people are turned off from the oily body, I just love it!

Bowmore, as you say, is one that is more of a middle of the road Islay- it also seems to get mix results. I have tired 15 expressions to date, and I rate all from average to fantastic..The 12 year old in the new packages is very nicely balanced.

As you mentioned, most Laddie's are not very peated, and only a few Bunnaha' are as well.

Not having tried Ardbeg, I reccomend finding some way of getting on of the 10 year olds before they are replaced with the new packaging- classic..

All this talk of Islays, I think I will have a bit of my Signatory 7 year old Laphroigh- as I said, don't pass on the young Islays!

PS- The concpet of "traditional" in single malts is abit tough. If you go back a century, most Speysides (i.e. Balvenie), were in all likeyhood moderatly peated, or at least slightly so... Old Macallans and Glen Gariochs are evidence of this..they are smokey, without being medicinal, like some of the Islays.

That said, the Balvenie 10 is a good pour, are are most Balvenies..the 21 Port wood is a stunner- a bit steep in terms of price. The 12 and 15 are lovely as well, with the 12 being a bit heavier on the sherry...I have not had the new 17 year old Sherry, I hear it is good, but I am not a fan of the "sherry monsters".

[boss302]

Nice post Boss on Islay malts. As a big time Isay fan, let me say that your appeciation of Caol Ila is spot on. Caol Ila can vary, however, from more heavily peated to very lightly peated- it is the work hourse of the Islays in terms of blending- so they various peating levels. Also, Caol Ilas oiliness seems to, IMHO, give it a good deal of body when it is young- I just love them in the 7-9 year range. That being said, they also can be wonderuf when they are old. Here are my tasting notes for two "older" Coal Ilas.

I'm sort of at the other end of the spectrum-- I like the interplay between the peat smoke, the sea salt, and a robust woodiness. I like my Islay malts generally around 15 years. The Lagavulin 16 is probably my favorite, though the Laphroaig 15 and Bowmore 17 are also thoroughly enjoyable.

But, I have to confess-- Bowmore's most interesting expressions, like Dawn, and Dusk, are NSA, and therefore probably somewhat young.

It's interesting you bring up younger Islays, as that is what seems to be the real trend lately. Older Speysides are growing in demand, but on Islay, it seems the younger ones are sort of stealing the show.

PS- The concpet of "traditional" in single malts is abit tough. If you go back a century, most Speysides (i.e. Balvenie), were in all likeyhood moderatly peated, or at least slightly so... Old Macallans and Glen Gariochs are evidence of this..they are smokey, without being medicinal, like some of the Islays.

Don't forget that the earliest Scotch whiskies were matured in Sherry casks exclusively. By that measure, the only truely "traditional" single malt is the MacAllan.

The use of American oak in Scotland is still a very recent development.

[Megawatt]

I can't believe that Lagavulin is on the lighter side of Islay malts. I could not get past the medicinal nose, and I'm not sure that I ever will. As I've probably already mentioned, I picked up a bottle of Auchentoshan 10 Lowland malt, and even that is a little too smokey. It leaves the impression of having had ashes in your mouth. But I do find that I enjoy it on some perverse level, though...

To quickly mention a great blend; I picked up some Dewar's 12 on sale at $8 off, having never tried Dewar's before, and it is quite nice. Sweet and malty with just a touch of smoke. A very well-balanced dram...

[Frodo]

To quickly mention a great blend; I picked up some Dewar's 12 on sale at $8 off, having never tried Dewar's before, and it is quite nice. Sweet and malty with just a touch of smoke. A very well-balanced dram...

You got lucky here - must be a manager's sale at one specific shop. If you like it, you may want to stock up, as $32 for this is a great deal IMHO.

[Megawatt]

You got lucky here - must be a manager's sale at one specific shop. If you like it, you may want to stock up, as $32 for this is a great deal IMHO.

Quite right. Everything on the rack was 20% off, and at first I thought it was all wine, but then I noticed a bunch of these bottles. Seems like the best deals are store-specific...

[mathews]

I just purchased a bottle of Old Pulteney for $30. I could have bought a bottle of Laphroaig 15 for $55, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it.

[Yellowjacket]

I just purchased a bottle of Old Pulteney for $30. I could have bought a bottle of Laphroaig 15 for $55, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it.

Ahh, now we get into the highly philosophical realm of taste satisfaction (or threshold) versus cost benefit. Also known as “bang-for-the-buck.” Everyone’s taste preferences are different, so this tends to be a personal measurement. This all leads into me saying that what follows are my own opinions and values based on my own various experiences.

To begin, I personally find the Pultney 12 to be a very mediocre whisky. I personally believe the Laphraoig 15 is a much superior single malt, but at a definite cost increase. (By the way, Michael Jackson leans my way but Jim Murray totally disagrees; again, a personal thing) The Pultney 12 shows its youth. It tends to be bland with not much character or complexity, for me it’s hard to find much that distinguishes it, although there is a nice subtle brininess to it, but there’s simply nothing for it interact with to enhance it. The Laph 15, on the other hand, is very smooth and drinkable. There is a good peatiness that the extra age has tamed nicely and a hint of sweetness that compliments the peat. If you want, in my opinion, a better bang-for-the-buck of the same general style and cost as the Old Pultney 12 try a Highland Park 12 or Scapa 14.

Since I tend to drink my whisky in small quantities at a time, I generally am willing to spend a little more for what I consider a better dram. I am also one of those who usually enjoy the slightly older expressions, in the 15 to 18 year age range for single malt scotch, because for me it tends to make the whisky smoother and develop more character. For example, the Old Pultney 17, IMHO, is much superior to the 12 year old. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule. And others prefer the younger, more robust ones. Again, a personal thing.

Cheers - Bob

[mathews]

Sure, I agree with your assessment, for the most part. I actually prefer smoky & peaty. But, for the $30 I find myself stuck. Isn't HP12 much more than that?

[doubleblank]

Highland Park 12 is under $32 here in Houston. Right now the packaging has a HP18 50ml sample included in the box. Now that's an easy sell. I bought one today.

Randy

[mathews]

That's a great deal. It's about 35-40 in the Fort Wayne area. Unfortunately, my budget is $30.

[drrich1965]

That's a great deal. It's about 35-40 in the Fort Wayne area. Unfortunately, my budget is $30.

For 30 bucks and peaty, try the Bowmore Legend. Its a young Islay, which as I have said before- I really enjoy. In their youngin' years (said in my 3 year old NC accent, ha!), Islays are bright, in your face, and peaty as all get go. It is after time and the influence of wood that the peat becomes more "balanced" with other elements, so young Islays are in your face. I actaully had an amazing 5 year old that was a bastard malt, in all likleyhood Caol Ila (although "they say" Lagavulin).

Even cheaper is the Macllendons Islay for about $22- I have found that to vary. Reportedly a 4-5 year Bowmore- the Legend is about 6 years old.

Someone mentioned Lagavulin 16 being a lighter Islay- that is not my experience. Big peat, sweet malt, heavy vanilla influence-its big a big, powerful malt, more balanced than it is given credit too- one of my all time favorites..

Caol Ila 12 is way underrated as well- and it ranges in price greatly depending upon where you are.

Also, the Old Pulteney 12 I had was a 2005 expression, but I found it fairly nice. Here is my tasting narrative for that one..

Score 83 (makes reccomendable in my book)

Old Pulteney 12yo (40%, OB, circa 2005)

Gee, this is a surprise. The nose is fresh, of the sea, salty. Reminds me a touch of a Laddie'. The mouth, also fresh. A touch of peat. Salty, long on the mouth, on the finish. This is a really nice dram, one that can be savored. A complex dram, and very unique.

Of course, in my book, there are very few bad SMs, a Deanston here, or Fettecarin there aside..

[Yellowjacket]

All very good comments. I think DrRich made an excellent suggestion with the Bowmore Legend. Here in Houston it goes for $23. You might also look for a Black Bottle Original (with no age statement, not the 10 year old). It is a blend that contains all or most of the Islay whiskies and is very good. It has recently been introduced in the Houston area and goes for $23.

Mathews, let us know what you think about the Pult(e)ney 12. Heck (he says with a Texas twang), ol' DrRich might just be onto something!

[mathews]

Here are my notes for Old Pulteney 12:

Appearance-pale gold with a touch of pink

Nose- burnt wood, honey, salt; unlike any other SMSW I have tried

Palate- thick, oily, sweet & salty

Finish- long, salt overtakes the sweet

Comments- this is a delicious and flavorful dram; and at $30 OP 12 is an excellent buy!

Blessings,

mathews

[Yellowjacket]

Here are my notes for Old Pulteney 12:

Appearance-pale gold with a touch of pink

Nose- burnt wood, honey, salt; unlike any other SMSW I have tried

Palate- thick, oily, sweet & salty

Finish- long, salt overtakes the sweet

Comments- this is a delicious and flavorful dram; and at $30 OP 12 is an excellent buy!

Blessings,

mathews

Thank you for the notes. I'll have to try OP 12 again. Maybe I was in the wrong frame of mind when I tried it before.

Bob

[mathews]

Well, that's a funny thing about whiskeys. It seems to me that the quality control is touch and go from bottle to bottle, let alone from cask to cask.

mathews

[AVB]

I did a review of OP on another site if you want to read it here

[mathews]

Good review. BTW- I lived in Hanover, PA during 90-91; beautiful area.

[PAspirit1]

Ahh, now we get into the highly philosophical realm of taste satisfaction (or threshold) versus cost benefit. Also known as “bang-for-the-buck.â€

In my case I have to allow for the fact that for each bottle of whiskey I purchase, an equal and oposite amount of shoes will be purchased by my wife. I think I'm joking.

[barturtle]

In my case I have to allow for the fact that for each bottle of whiskey I purchase, an equal and oposite amount of shoes will be purchased by my wife. I think I'm joking.

So you buy two bottles, she gets one pair of shoes...could be worse:lol:

[PAspirit1]

So you buy two bottles, she gets one pair of shoes...could be worse:lol:

Lol. Good one, but she's too smart for that deal.