What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[ILLfarmboy]

Right now I'm nosing the glass from last night. Dalmore 12. My taste in scotch is limited and boring compared to a lot of you guys. Pedestrian, might be a good word. Anyhow, it hit me this morning, Brach's camels... not the cubes of plain carmel but the tootsie-roll shaped flavored ones. and not any particular flavor either, but taken as a whole, the way the bag or my Mom's candy dish smelled when I was a child.............That's what I was tasting in the Dalmore last night.....well, the nose realy, not so much the taste.......

[birdman1099]

New to the Foreign Whiskey world, but had a few last night.

Ardbeg 10 - Big !!! Smokey !! (it will take a while for me to "get" this one.

Glenlivet Nadurra - I Like !!!!

Jameson 18 - Very smooth.

I see a whole new world opening up to me !!!

[JamesW]

New to the Foreign Whiskey world, but had a few last night.

Ardbeg 10 - Big !!! Smokey !! (it will take a while for me to "get" this one.

Glenlivet Nadurra - I Like !!!!

Jameson 18 - Very smooth.

I see a whole new world opening up to me !!!

Welcome to the Old World Birdman . I suggest trying Balvenie 12 yr doublewood and the Aberlour A'bunadh for that sherry or bourbon cask experience. If you like the smoke and peat (which I do) go for a Highland Park 18 or 12, Talisker 10 or 18 or the Lagavulin 16 (if you're brave).

[JamesW]

Birdman, you got me thinking Scotch now so I had to have a wee dram or three.... Starting the night off with Highland Park 12. I think I'll probably move on to Talisker 18 after that and then some Lagavulin 16 to finish 'er off. The future's so bright....

[jpact]

Ardbeg 10 - Big !!! Smokey !! (it will take a while for me to "get" this one.

I've been drinking Islay for years (Laphroig, Lagavulin), but just recently picked this up after reading Murray's Whisky Bible. Man, the Ardbeg absolutely blew me away. I don't think I could describe something like overall balance, but I know it when I see it (or taste it.) The flavor profile builds at a nice steady pace in the mouth, and then the finish resonates and lingers and slowly rides off into the sunset. I usually think the critics are full of it, but this is one critical recommendation that was spot on for me.

[JamesW]

I've been drinking Islay for years (Laphroig, Lagavulin), but just recently picked this up after reading Murray's Whisky Bible. Man, the Ardbeg absolutely blew me away. I don't think I could describe something like overall balance, but I know it when I see it (or taste it.) The flavor profile builds at a nice steady pace in the mouth, and then the finish resonates and lingers and slowly rides off into the sunset. I usually think the critics are full of it, but this is one critical recommendation that was spot on for me.

Man, that's quite a recommendation. I might have to get me some

[Gov]

Man, that's quite a recommendation. I might have to get me some

Yeah, what are you waiting for!!! The stuff is almost as good as Laga 16!!

[JamesW]

Tonight I had Balvenie Doublewood 12 yr and now a solid pour of Aberlour A'bunadh #18. I drink it neat and I must say that it is really smooth for ~120 proof.

[Gov]

Old Pulteney 12. This is an absolute favorite of mine!

[JamesW]

Old Pulteney 12. This is an absolute favorite of mine!

I've heard good things.... salty is it (like seaweed)?

[Gov]

I've heard good things.... salty is it (like seaweed)?

It is a bit salty, sweet, lots of sea air, maritime malt. Very complex and an extreme bargain

[JamesW]

It is a bit salty, sweet, lots of sea air, maritime malt. Very complex and an extreme bargain

I've really wanted to try this one. Unfortunately I've only found a 17 yr old @ $92 and a 21 year old @ $105 :bigeyes: yikes!

[Gov]

The best of the Walker family. Mr. Green! He definately wears the pants in that family!

[JamesW]

Went hunting today and found Ardberg 10 yr old for $52 and the old Pulteney 12 yr for $41. I think I'll get the Old Pulteney but that Ardberg is a little pricey for a 10 yr old Islay. (When I can get Laga 16 for $59)

What do you think?

(btw- I've been saving my pennies to get a Balvenie 17 yr Sherrywood for $85 so I'm not sure I wanna blow a lot on an unknown for me)

[Gov]

Went hunting today and found Ardberg 10 yr old for $52 and the old Pulteney 12 yr for $41. I think I'll get the Old Pulteney but that Ardberg is a little pricey for a 10 yr old Islay. (When I can get Laga 16 for $59)

What do you think?

(btw- I've been saving my pennies to get a Balvenie 17 yr Sherrywood for $85 so I'm not sure I wanna blow a lot on an unknown for me)

I like Laga 16 a bit better than Ardbeg 10. Ardbeg 10 is probably the best 10 year old whisky I have ever tasted. That said, get the Balvenie 17 you have been saving for. If funds allow in the future, pick up the Ardbeg it is well worth $52!

[boss302]

(btw- I've been saving my pennies to get a Balvenie 17 yr Sherrywood for $85 so I'm not sure I wanna blow a lot on an unknown for me)

You want to buy the Balvenie 17yr Sherry Wood.

It doesn't have much in the way of smoke, but it is a truly exquisite example of a Sherry-finished Speyside. IMHO, the MacAllan 18-year can't beat this, despite being $40 more.

Even in the infinitely-tiny possibility that you won't like it, you could let it sit for a few years and sell it off at a profit-- that particular expression of the Balvenie is only being released for this year.

[drrich1965]

The Ardbeg 10 is from the old ownder's stock. The distillery was shut down for a number of years. Most current stocks of tens are vattings of whisky that is a far amount older. Some of us think it will go down as one of the all time classic Islay expressions. Is it better or worse than Laga 16- neither to me, they are different. If you have not spent some time with a full bottle of Ardy 10, I would highly reccomend. There is a good deal of batch variation, with some having a bit more of a malty sweetness, some being a tad more sherried, some being more straight up in your face peat without a sweet foil, but all are wondeful. I am beggining to bunker, as that will be gone and replaced by the new ten over time..

[JamesW]

Started with The Balvenie Portwood 21 yr, then had Talisker 18 and now enjoying Highland Park 18. What a great Scotch night.

[Megawatt]

The Arran Malt Single Cask in Napoleon cognac finish, in my new Glencairn glass. Unbelievable! An explosion of flavour and aroma in each sip!

[Gillman]

My own blend of malt whiskies (Scots and Irish). Most of these are from single malts (Glenilvet, Glenffidich, Aberlour, HP 18, Islays, etc.) but there is some blended whisky as well to add a small amount of grain the to the final composition (perhaps 10% or less).

This version has a deep medium malt sweetness, good vanilla character (what may be saying the same thing) and a firm undertone of peat and saltwater spray from the Caol Ila, Laphroigs and other Islays in there. It drinks with a rich softness and has a very long finish.

It is somewhat like Johnnie Walker Gold Label.

Gary

[jpact]

The best of the Walker family. Mr. Green! He definately wears the pants in that family!

Huge fan of the Green. Living proof that the single-malts got nothin' on the blends.

Back in the day I championed the Red. I'd load up a highball with ice, drop in a few olives and cover with Red. I'd sip until it hit that perfect blend of whisky and water (and olive brine) for me, and then gobble it down as if it was a sno-cone. Good times.

But yeah, Green rocks.

[AVB]

Green is not a blend, it is a vatted malt.

[jpact]

Green is not a blend, it is a vatted malt.

Thanks for the correction. I just spent a couple minutes reading through a bunch of whisky entries on Wikipedia, and I understand the difference now. With distinct categories like "Blended Malt Scotch" and "Scottish Blends" you really have to be a stickler for detail.

:toast:

[Megawatt]

Tried Bowmore 12 for the first time yesterday. Not a big fan, to be honest.

I'm into my firts bottle of Scapa 14. Excellent stuff!

[Gov]

Green is not a blend, it is a vatted malt.

And a DAMN good one at that!!! I'll take it neat, always! :grin: