Which "Lighter Side of Islay"

[drrich1965]

By UK law distilled barley can not be called whisky until it has been aged a minimum of three years. Until then the Scots call it "new make" (white dog in Kentucky). Therefore Kilchomam could legally call their product whisky later this year. However I know of no distillery that has released their whisky before five years (however it may have happened). It takes whisky longer to age in cold damp Scotland than it does in Kentucky.

And, much longer when the wood is not "new"- a huge differnce between Bourbon and most malt (with the rare exception).

[Megawatt]

And, much longer when the wood is not "new"- a huge differnce between Bourbon and most malt (with the rare exception).

Very good point. Compare the colour of an 8-year-old bourbon to a 15-year-old Scotch matured in ex-bourbon casks. Provided the Scotch isn't coloured, the bourbon is much darker.

[Stu]

And, much longer when the wood is not "new"- a huge differnce between Bourbon and most malt (with the rare exception).

Absolutely right! I think I've only had two malts aged in new wood, Balvenie new wood, and one of Jim Mcewan's Bruichladdich offerings a few years back. I'm not sure that were aged the entire time in new wood or just finished in new wood.

[drrich1965]

Absolutely right! I think I've only had two malts aged in new wood, Balvenie new wood, and one of Jim Mcewan's Bruichladdich offerings a few years back. I'm not sure that were aged the entire time in new wood or just finished in new wood.

I don't know for sure, but I cannot imagine that the Balvenie was totally aged in new wood. It is a 17 year old, and I am not sure Balvenie is a stout enough spirt to handle that many years in fresh oak.

[AVB]

The Balvenie New Oak is only finished in new oak barrels for 4 months.

Edit: The difference between the "New Wood" and the "New Oak" is that the "New Wood" used new charred oak barrels for finishing, also for four months and the "New Oak" wasn't charred.

I don't know for sure, but I cannot imagine that the Balvenie was totally aged in new wood.

[Yellowjacket]

Good discussions. Out of curiousity, does anyone know what is the wood profile of Glenlivet Nadurra and Glengoyne 15 yo Scottish Oak?

Thanks - Bob

[AVB]

The Glenlivet is first fill ex-bourbon American oak casks and the Glengoyne is as it says. The Glengoyne is only finished in the Scottish oak for 3 months and a week the rest I assume is ex-bourbon casks prior to that.

[Yellowjacket]

Thanks for the info, AVB. An individual told me a while back that Nadurra was finished in a natrual oak and, because nadurra is gaelic for "natural", that's where the name came from, but I was never totally sure. From your information I assume "Nadurra" is alluding to the cask strength bottling and the non-chill filtering.

[Bob O.]

From your information I assume "Nadurra" is alluding to the cask strength bottling and the non-chill filtering.

I believe you are correct, Bob. I think this was discussed on an interview on Whiskycast.

[PAspirit1]

Anyone tried McLelland Islay? It's a cheap bottling by Bowmore and I was thinking that it might be a low-risk (in terms of cost) introduction into Islay malts.

I bought and finished a bottle of this. It provided the peat, but I had to declare it not really tasty. So far I think White Horse is better.

[PAspirit1]

I bought and finished a bottle of this. It provided the peat, but I had to declare it not really tasty. So far I think White Horse is better.

I wanted to specify that I thought it was too peaty for my taste. I guess I like medium or light peat such as JWB or HP.

[Megawatt]

I didn't mind it at first but the second half of the bottle isn't tempting me too much. It's a little too pungent for most occasions.

[PAspirit1]

I didn't mind it at first but the second half of the bottle isn't tempting me too much. It's a little too pungent for most occasions.

Subtle it is not. I bet the islay in White Horse is young as well but that the the hashness is lost in the mix.

[mgilbertva]

I had read some mediocre reviews of the Mac Islay, but was still tempted to try it. Now I think I'll save my money. I need to try Ardbeg anyway, since I've never had it. I love Laphroaig and Lagavulin, so that's next.

[PAspirit1]

I had read some mediocre reviews of the Mac Islay, but was still tempted to try it. Now I think I'll save my money. I need to try Ardbeg anyway, since I've never had it. I love Laphroaig and Lagavulin, so that's next.

I got it for 18$, I can't complain. I also can't say for sure that it is bad Islay whiskey. It was too peaty for me. Compass Box Peat Monster seems to be a highly rated blend and, while I liked it better then Macllelands, it was also just a little too peaty for me. I'm planning on revisiting the CBPM later.

[Stu]

I had read some mediocre reviews of the Mac Islay, but was still tempted to try it. Now I think I'll save my money. I need to try Ardbeg anyway, since I've never had it. I love Laphroaig and Lagavulin, so that's next.

Excellent decision! If you love the 2 Ls you should also love Ardbeg.

[boss302]

Excellent decision! If you love the 2 Ls you should also love Ardbeg.

Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin are what I refer to as the 3 "Peat Monsters" of Islay.

The most heavily-smoked malt, plus peat-bog water.

I'm actually more into the "Mid-range" Islays-- Caol Ila and Bowmore.

I haven't had the chance to try Bruichladdich or Bunnahabhain as of yet.

Also, isn't there an eighth Islay distillery?

[Gov]

I haven't had the chance to try Bruichladdich or Bunnahabhain as of yet.

Bruichladdich has many many different peated expressions, Bunnahabhain tastes nothing like the others. Both are very good whiskies in my opinon, just very different.

[LeoDLion]

...Also, isn't there an eighth Islay distillery?

Actually there are nine operating distilleries in Islay.

Ardbeg

Bowmore

Bunnahabein

Bruichlladich

Lagavulin

Laphroaig

Cao Ila

Port Charlotte reopened in 2007

Kilchoman is a new distillery built in 2005.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islay_Single_Malts#Active_Distilleries

[mgilbertva]

I know this thread was supposed to be the light side of Islay, but I lean towards the heavy side. Laphroaig's regular expression is one of my all time favorite whiskys. I'm not a big fan of the quarter cask - it's not bad, but it lost too much of what I love in Laphroaig. The 15 yr is elegant, but again, it's lost too much from what makes the 10 yr great.

Has anyone had the cask strength 10 yr? How does it compare to the quarter cask, 15 yr and 10 regular expression?

[The Boozer]

I decided to keep this thread alive because I just recently purchasd a bottle of Caol Ila 12 yr. After a couple of drams, I thought the stuff was really good. Will post some tasting notes later.

TJ

[scratchline]

Someone recently introduced me to the Caol Ila 12. I'm not a big Islay fan. It's a bit much for me, but this was a very approachable balanced single malt. I'm really enjoying it. I'd say it's a good "gateway" Islay.

-Mike

[Megawatt]

It's amazing how Islay whiskies grow on you over time. Some take to them right away, but even in my case I hated Lagavulin at first, and now it's one of my favourites. In fact, if you do a search on here you'll probably find my initial reaction...

I hope Caol Ila becomes available in Ontario some time.

[PAspirit1]

My next purchase will be an Islay or Talisker - if Talisker isn't an Islay. It is a tough decision. I liked CB Peat Monster. I'm considering Laph 10, Caol Ila 12, Ardbeg 10 and Talisker 10.

[sku]

My next purchase will be an Islay or Talisker - if Talisker isn't an Islay. It is a tough decision. I liked CB Peat Monster. I'm considering Laph 10, Caol Ila 12, Ardbeg 10 and Talisker 10.

Talisker is from the Isle of Skye. All of the four you list are excellent, so I don't think you can go wrong. Laphroaig 10 is the cheapest of that group.