Which Water of Life Did You Purchase Today?

[Trey Manthey]

I attended a Diageo sponsored tasting/dinner tonight at the Bourbon House in NOLA. It was more of an "industry" event for bar and restaurant owners, but somehow I got invited. Along with tasting all of the standard whiskys alongside their Distiller's Editions, they gave us a bottle of Oban 14 and a Dalwhinnie 15, with some Oban glasses just for coming.

There was so much undrunk whisky on my table at the end of the night. 1oz to 1.5 oz of 10 different malts x 80 people or so. They had 800 logo embossed Glencairns on hand apparently.

Anyway, half the people admitted they didn't even like scotch. I almost started dumping the Glencairns into a water glass so it didn't go to waste.

Anyway, I was so "fulfilled" by the end of the dinner that I couldn't bring myself to stumble down to the restaurant bar to sample some of their outstanding selections of bourbon. PHC 1st Edition, BMH 16, WT Tribute, and a Vintage 23 all caught my eye. Haven't tried any of those, so I will have to go back.

[AaronWF]

Picked up an Ardbeg 10 year, which I've never tried. I've been hearing so much about all of the Ardbeg limited releases, but I figured I should start with the standard expression first.

Perhaps, but I've always been a bit underwhelmed by the filtered, lower proof 'peat monsters.' I liked Alligator and especially Ardbeg Day, but I'm not a big fan of the standard expression.

[AaronWF]

A coworker gave me a bottle of Chivas Regal 18. I usually don't buy blends, but this is pretty good.

I had some of the standard 12yo awhile back and liked it quite a bit more than the last time I tried it (years and years ago). I've put the 18yo on my list since then, but the fact is that there are just too many scotches in the $70-$80 range that are on my list these days.

[smokinjoe]

Perhaps, but I've always been a bit underwhelmed by the filtered, lower proof 'peat monsters.' I liked Alligator and especially Ardbeg Day, but I'm not a big fan of the standard expression.

I have the same impression of the Ardbeg 10, and I stated it here in a thread a couple of years ago. SheezeLouise!!! I'm still picking the buckshot out of my arse fired from the angry Ardbeg fans. OK, Maybe, it was the term "weenie scotch" that sent 'em over... Conversely, the Lag 16 is in my Top 10 All-Time whiskies.

[squire]

A 750 of Canadian Mist, no particular reason, read Davin's review and it sounded like a can't miss mixer. I'm ceasefully surprised at the number of people who view a blended whisky as 'rotgut' when in fact it's equal quality whisky to those aged longer and priced higher.

[DaveOfAtl]

Perhaps, but I've always been a bit underwhelmed by the filtered, lower proof 'peat monsters.' I liked Alligator and especially Ardbeg Day, but I'm not a big fan of the standard expression.

I have the same impression of the Ardbeg 10, and I stated it here in a thread a couple of years ago. SheezeLouise!!! I'm still picking the buckshot out of my arse fired from the angry Ardbeg fans. OK, Maybe, it was the term "weenie scotch" that sent 'em over... Conversely, the Lag 16 is in my Top 10 All-Time whiskies.

I will be interested to try it, and I also love Lag 16. What is it about the Ardbeg 10 that falls short IYO? I was also looking at the Uigeadail but didn't want to drop that kind of coin before trying the standard. Maybe I'll crack the 10 tonight.

[ChainWhip]

That Ardbeg 10 is what got me started with my love affair with Scotch - it's like coming home when I take a sip.

That said, nostalgia probably plays a bigger role than I would like to admit in why I like it so much.

[smokinjoe]

I will be interested to try it, and I also love Lag 16. What is it about the Ardbeg 10 that falls short IYO? I was also looking at the Uigeadail but didn't want to drop that kind of coin before trying the standard. Maybe I'll crack the 10 tonight.

[DaveOfAtl]

Dave, I felt it had little to no mouthfeel. Very thin, particularly compared to the Lag 16. It really wasn't robust, and the peat was muted. It just seemed as if it had been watered down. Whenever I compared it head-to-head with the Lag, the Ardbeg just withered.

Tried it last night side by side with the Lag 16. The Ardbeg had good flavor, but it was definitely very thin. Like water. I will have no problem finishing the bottle, but it doesn't hold a candle to the Lag 16. Not sure that was a fair fight, anyway.

[Trey Manthey]

Dave, the Uigedail is a worthy contender. If you want to get really freaky, try the Lag DE against the Uigedail. Whichever way you go, make sure to even out the proof of the Uigedail to make it a fair fight.

[DaveOfAtl]

Dave, the Uigedail is a worthy contender. If you want to get really freaky, try the Lag DE against the Uigedail. Whichever way you go, make sure to even out the proof of the Uigedail to make it a fair fight.

[Trey Manthey]

To me, Uigedail has a nice "chewy" mouthfeel. "Thin" would not be in the vocabulary. At cask strength it's certainly more syrupy in texture than Lag 16.

I know this because I just tasted a nip of each. At 10:45 AM. In my defense, I spit.

[DaveOfAtl]

Ha, thanks for the research! I will have to pick up the Uigedail and maybe a Lag DE.

[ChainWhip]

I thought Lagavulin 16 was chill-filtered with caramel-color added. It had a thin mouthfeel to me and haven't purchased another bottle since my first one.

That said, I'll be hunting down a Lag DE.

[DaveOfAtl]

The Lag 16 was much fuller than the Ardbeg 10 for me, despite the Ardbeg being non-chill filtered. No contest.

[ChainWhip]

Lag12 blows both out of the water IMO - should've bunkered a few more

[ebo]

Lag12 blows both out of the water IMO - should've bunkered a few more

Lag 12 is possibly my favorite Scotch.

[WAINWRIGHT]

Lag 12 is possibly my favorite Scotch.

Great pickup always in my top 5,recently picked up 2 of these myself,enjoy!:grin:

[LostBottle]

Lagavulin Distillers Edition is good and the raisiny PX Sherry makes for a nice change of pace, however, it is a Lag light in that the peat is toned down and the complexity suffers due to the finishing. I reach for the DE when I want a more subtle Islay, and personally, I like it more than the Ardbeg Oogie. The 12 is decent, though it gives up the complexity (and greatness) of the 16 in favor of ratcheting up the peat and alcohol - if I am in the mood for a serious peat/smoke/alcohol bomb, I find I prefer the Corryvreckan instead.

[ChainWhip]

Another log on the pile urging me to get the LagDE... ;-)

I'm curious how it stacks up to Ardbeg Day.

[Wall Eye]

I had a first for me last weekend. I've really enjoyed HP12 ever since being hopelessly drawn to the dark side about a year ago. I've probably gone through at least 3 HP12s in that period of time (including 1 bottle that made the vacation fishing trip to Canada and never made it home).

But there was just something off about my current bottle. I kept thinking it was my palate, or that maybe it needed a bit more air time, but by the time I had sipped about a fourth of the bottle over a few weeks, I decided that it wasn't me. So I took it back to the Friar Tuck's where I bought it. Even without a receipt, the manager just sniffed it and asked if I wanted a refund or an exchange. I've never done that before. I doubt I would have without my SB "experience".

So I took the opportunity to exchange it (full price) for an HP18 - just paying the difference - which is still considerable - about $70. Looking forward to trying this wonderful juice but a bit afraid of how much I might like it too.

[Trey Manthey]

Love that HP18. It's a subtle malt, for elegant times...

I've been eyeing some expensive malts to bring on a bachelor trip that's leaving soon. These are all over the map with regards to style and price, but I'm just looking to get something that I wouldn't have the opportunity to try normally. The alternative is going to a fancy bar and spending $40+ per shot x 7, so my "frugal" self is thinking, "Why not just get a bottle?" That said, I'm not opposed to laying out some serious coin, as I'm splitting it 7 ways.

Here we go:

Glenfarclas 17 - $84

Springbank 18 - $94

Brora 24 1982 (Connoisseur's Choice bottling) - $165

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch #6 - $227

Port Ellen 25 1982 (Connoisseur's Choice bottling) - $243

Glenfarclas 40 - $400 (haha, but really)

Any suggestions?

Edited December 4, 2012 by Trey Manthey

[AaronWF]

Springbank 18 - $94

Where do you get Springbank 18yo for that price??

[RVTsteve]

Where do you get Springbank 18yo for that price??

[RVTsteve]

I recently picked up The Laddie 10.

Got my shipment from TPS last night (at 9:45pm, wtf fedex?!).

Laphroaig10,

HP12 (with a mini of 18),

Springbank 10,

Signatory un-chill filtered 19yr Longmorn,

for sampling I got a 3 mini set of Balvenie with 12, 15 and 21 yr expressions

and threw in a JWB mini for s&g's

should be a fun month