What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

[ChainWhip]

From earlier in the evening, Laphroaig 18... It's always nice rounding 3rd base to come home to Islay!

[AaronWF]

This Glenfarclas 1974 vintage is killing me. It's cask strength at 114.8pf, I have never tasted a whisky like it. I am very much a scotch novice, and this is basically my re-introduction to the influence of sherry barrels on scotch, and at 31yo, I do believe it is the oldest spirit I've ever had the pleasure of. It's a deep, dark brown, rich and russet. The nose makes me think of a fine cigar dipped in sherry. It has a malty sweet funk to it that is supremely satisfying to me, and the finish is very much the juice of a salted, nutty fruit I have missed out on.

This tastes like old man scotch. I'm not an old man, but drinking this stuff makes me feel like I deserve to boss people around in my pajamas and robe as I recline in my polished wood chair by my large fireplace and reminisce about the days when the British Empire was still the final authority in the world.

I also grabbed the 10yo, which I also enjoyed. It's definitely more assertive than other malts I've had in that age range, and is a very nice representative of scotch at $45. I find much more drama in bourbon and rye at that price point, so I usually stay away from scotch for everyday drinking.

This whole extra-aged scotch thing. Yeah. I could get used to it. Yeah. Ugh...

[MacinJosh]

From earlier in the evening, Laphroaig 18... It's always nice rounding 3rd base to come home to Islay!

I cracked open a Laphroaig 18 the other night and forgot just how amazing this pour is.

Plenty of salt and iodine that marry beautifully with an earthy, peaty undertone. Balanced is the best word to describe this dram. Wonderful creamy and silky smooth mouth feel, something you just can't get from corn. A very satisfying SMS.

Froaig 18 is dangerously drinkable....

[hectic1]

I cracked open a Laphroaig 18 the other night and forgot just how amazing this pour is.

Plenty of salt and iodine that marry beautifully with an earthy, peaty undertone. Balanced is the best word to describe this dram. Wonderful creamy and silky smooth mouth feel, something you just can't get from corn. A very satisfying SMS.

Froaig 18 is dangerously drinkable....

Total BS...that stuff is horrible and should say on the other side of the pond!

[ChainWhip]

Froaig 18 is dangerously drinkable....

My thoughts exactly!

[smokinjoe]

My thoughts exactly!

[Clavius]

I cracked open a Laphroaig 18 the other night and forgot just how amazing this pour is.

Plenty of salt and iodine that marry beautifully with an earthy, peaty undertone. Balanced is the best word to describe this dram. Wonderful creamy and silky smooth mouth feel, something you just can't get from corn. A very satisfying SMS.

Froaig 18 is dangerously drinkable....

[sutton]

Just finished off a bottle of Lagavulin 16 - took 10 years to do it - but, oddly enough I think the stonger tastes in bourbon actually helped me to finally appreciate this scotch.

That said, might be awhile before I pick up another smack-in-the-face Islay....

[Clavius]

Just finished off a bottle of Lagavulin 16 - took 10 years to do it - but, oddly enough I think the stonger tastes in bourbon actually helped me to finally appreciate this scotch.

That said, might be awhile before I pick up another smack-in-the-face Islay....

The Lag is definitely good. I just think it's a little too expensive. Pretty sure I paid close to $90 for it here in KY.

[ebo]

The Lag is definitely good. I just think it's a little too expensive. Pretty sure I paid close to $90 for it here in KY.

It's $88.00 in Ohio. I love it, but, I'm finding it very hard to spend the money for it, when I can get three bottles of decent bourbon for that price.

[MacinJosh]

That said, might be awhile before I pick up another smack-in-the-face Islay....

[sutton]

Young Islays like the Froaig and Ardbeg 10's.....and all the Kilchoman's for that matter.....really have that Islay "bite" (as I refer to it).

[GreggJ]

I agree with you - I consider those more "punch-in-the-face Islays" :grin:

Not sure the whole heavily peated/medicinal thing is for me ... but, I'll keep trying now and again. I was also gifted a Laphroaig Quarter Cask. Frankly, that one just frightens me ... it still isn't opened ... and probably won't be for some time!

Man the Laph QC is some phenomenal Stuff. Do not be afraid of the Froaig embrace it.

Funny I have a bottle ready to drop off for a buddy tonight, just bought a new house. Maybe I will swap it out for the Balvenie Carib Cask that I bought. Both are favorites of mine. But, your comment has me thinking that the QC does not have quite the appeal for the uninitiated that I thought.

Had a dram of the Glenmorangie Nector D'or and this is some impressive stuff. I have a bottle of Astar that I enjoy but, haven't had much else from them. They are really turning some interesting stuff out at Glenmorangie. Looks like I will need to start to give them a little more love and funding. :-)

[sutton]

But, your comment has me thinking that the QC does not have quite the appeal for the uninitiated that I thought.

Had a dram of the Glenmorangie Nector D'or and this is some impressive stuff.

I've had the Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg 10, and while the peat/smoke is quite heavy it is that phenolically medicinal note, esp. in the Laphroaig, that puts me off. Both notes seem less expressive with age as MacinJosh said, and in my limited experience I would agree and have come around to the Lagavulin 16.

If your friend is not a big scotch whisky drinker (or whiskey drinker at all), I would go with the Nectar D'Or or the Balvenie - I think a Speysider would appeal to most, especially the ones with the nice finishes like the Sauternes, Sherry, or Carribbean casks IMHO...

[thezenone]

The biggest punch in the face islay I've had is Ardbeg Uigedail. Following closely behind is Laphroaig 18. If you haven't had the Uigedail, but love amped up peat that still has layers of complexity you should really go buy a bottle. Every time I had a glass I marveled at how good it was.

[AaronWF]

I like the LE Arbegs like Uigedail and Alligator much more than their standard 10yo. I'm a fan of Bruichladdich's Octomores, but I'm afraid to say that I was really unimpressed with the Laphroaig 10yo and and Lagavulin 16yo. I did pick up a Binny's Duncan Taylor NC2 of a 13yo Laphroaig that is quite delicious. It just has a much finer point on the camphor/medicinal qualities that turn me off in the standard bottlings. Perhaps the higher ABV helps as well.

[unclebunk]

I like the LE Arbegs like Uigedail and Alligator much more than their standard 10yo. I'm a fan of Bruichladdich's Octomores, but I'm afraid to say that I was really unimpressed with the Laphroaig 10yo and and Lagavulin 16yo. I did pick up a Binny's Duncan Taylor NC2 of a 13yo Laphroaig that is quite delicious. It just has a much finer point on the camphor/medicinal qualities that turn me off in the standard bottlings. Perhaps the higher ABV helps as well.

Yikes! Unimpressed with Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16?:shocked: You're in a small minority, my friend!:grin: Have you tried the Laphroaig Quarter Cask yet, Aaron? I really loved that one and found it even better than the Cask Strength, but I guess that finding would put me in the minority as well.

[bad_scientist]

I wonder if it's that the Laph 10 and Lag 16 are too watered down for your palate. The Lag 16 is my favorite scotch, but I find it pretty thin at times.

[unclebunk]

I wonder if it's that the Laph 10 and Lag 16 are too watered down for your palate. The Lag 16 is my favorite scotch, but I find it pretty thin at times.

That's how I often feel about Ardbeg 10, so these days I go for the Uigedail when Ardbeg beckons.

[bad_scientist]

That's how I often feel about Ardbeg 10, so these days I go for the Uigedail when Ardbeg beckons.

Have you had the Supernova? It's very similar to the regular 10 year except much higher in proof and a bit smokier. The phenol content is like 3 times what it is in the 10 year, but to be honest, I found that the increase in proof made more of a difference to me.

[MacinJosh]

Oh young grasshoppers.....where do I begin?

The older Islay expressions are nowhere near "in-your-face" peat. You just haven't had the pleasure of sampling a large variety yet.

I've had a 38yr Bunnahabhain that Jeffrey Topping of Wild Scotsman was so kind enough to give me that would curl your toes. And yes, the peat was VERY tame.

A Laphroaig QC is certainly nothing to shy away from. The phenol content is minimal compared to some. Most Ardbeg's have higher peat levels in their traditional expressions than most. But offerings like the Octomore releases by Bruichladdie take peat to a whole new level.

If Laphroaig 10yr is in the 40ppm range.....some of the Octomore's get in the 300+ppm range. How's that for perspective?

And while they may be a one-trick-pony.....they're still worth tasting. Trust me. Like a firecracker in your mouth.....you've never tasted anything like it.

THAT, my friends, is "in-your-face" peat.

[Max Power]

A lot of variety tonight. Some scotch, tequila and bourbon...

A fine night of tasting with SOB:

1. Embajador Mezcal

2. Angel's Envy

3. SB Blend

4. Aberlour

5. Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask

6. Glenfiddich 15

7. Balvenie 17 Peated Cask

8. Great King Street

9. OF Birthday Bourbon

10. Elijah Craig 18

11. Crotalo Anejo

12. Cuervo Tradicional Reposado

13. JLP Reposado

14. Partida Anejo

15. Fina Estampa Blanco

16. Pura Vida Blanco

17. Don Julio 70th

18. 4 Copas Blanco

19. Chaya Blanco (15-19 done in blind tasting)

20. Aberlour 12

21. Tequileno 50th Ann. Anejo

22. El Ultimo Blanco

Obviously everything is a small sampling, but really a great variety of tastings done tonight. Twins victory and good basketball. A good night all around.

[sutton]

If Laphroaig 10yr is in the 40ppm range.....some of the Octomore's get in the 300+ppm range. How's that for perspective?

Oh my ... now that IS frightening! :bigeyes:

Maybe I will open up that Laphroaig QC, if you think it will be less of a phenolically experience than the 10 y.o. - it is that medicinal element that holds me back more than the smokey notes.

Do you eventually lose your ability to discern the higher peating levels? In other words, would an Octomore really taste 7-8 times more intense than a Laphroaig 10? Or do you eventually reach a point of saturation (which, by the way, is not a point I care to reach, at least at this point!)

Thanks ... good to hear from someone with more experience with these big Islays. How would you compare the phenolics between a Lagavulin 16 and the Laphroaig QC?

[Special Reserve]

Earlier this morning I had a wee bit of Redbreast CS. What a treat. Too bad all mornings don't start this way.

[unclebunk]

Oh my ... now that IS frightening! :bigeyes:

Maybe I will open up that Laphroaig QC, if you think it will be less of a phenolically experience than the 10 y.o. - it is that medicinal element that holds me back more than the smokey notes.

Do you eventually lose your ability to discern the higher peating levels? In other words, would an Octomore really taste 7-8 times more intense than a Laphroaig 10? Or do you eventually reach a point of saturation (which, by the way, is not a point I care to reach, at least at this point!)

Thanks ... good to hear from someone with more experience with these big Islays. How would you compare the phenolics between a Lagavulin 16 and the Laphroaig QC?

Actually, you definitely will not be getting away from the phenolics with the Laphroaig QC. That's just a flavor/aroma that you either love or hate. (Or in my case, came to love over time.) As to whiskies such as Octomore, I'm of two minds about super hyper-peated malts. While I enjoy tasting them, I often find myself asking, "What's the point?" Any fool can over-peat a whisky, just as any brewer can over-hop an IPA. But to achieve a unique characteristic that is in harmony with the rest of what's in the glass is the sign of a true classic, in my book. Which is why Ardbeg Uigeadail has so much appeal to me. But others will no doubt see it differently.