33 replies to this topic

[Smokin' B]

For me, it doesn't get any better than the wonderful peaty flavor of Lagavulin. Although it's hard to go wrong with any Islay, Lagavulin is tops in my book. A close second is Caol Ila 12, which I prefer to the 18 year. These are pretty much my go-to whisky's, but I do keep some others around for a little change of pace. Laphroaig 10 is a decent one to keep around. I still have a bit left of the 30, but it's not good enough to justify the price IMO. If I'm out somewhere and they don't have any of the above, my next choice would be Talisker. Post your favorites, thoughts, and opinions!

[rmm]

Talisker and Bowmore are my daily drinkers.

[cubbychubby]

rmm, on 24 November 2009 - 01:50 PM, said:

Talisker and Bowmore are my daily drinkers.

For me it's the Macanudo of Whisky's...Macallans 12 & 18 yo.

[Prizetek]

cubbychubby, on 24 November 2009 - 06:43 PM, said:

For me it's the Macanudo of Whisky's...Macallans 12 & 18 yo.

I like to drink Highland Park 18 YO and whatever JC sends me.

I have a bottle of Highland Park 30 which is fantastic. When it is empty I will cry.

My all-time favorite was something prolly no one has ever heard of: Vintage Hallmark of St James's 25 YO Vatted Malt. It was a blend of the "hideous leavins" of a various distelleries. It was fanstastic. It was a custom bottling for a liquor store in London. But they went out of business and AFAIK it hasn't been made for many years now. I have searched far and wide for any remaining bottles but alas - in vain. During my searches I have found that it has apparently acquired something of a cult following and that there are others out there like me who believe this was the best whisky they ever drank. I bought bottles of this for about $30 back in the day but would readily pay $250 for a bottle today.

I still have ONE unopened bottle left but I cannot bring myself to drink it.

[Beli-man]

Love the Glenmorangie Portwood finish....but can't find it anymore...anyone know if it's still produced? Really like the Balvenie Portwood....but the $$$ makes it a little out of my price range.

[Prizetek]

Beli-man, on 25 November 2009 - 10:00 PM, said:

Love the Glenmorangie Portwood finish....but can't find it anymore...anyone know if it's still produced? Really like the Balvenie Portwood....but the $$$ makes it a little out of my price range.

My local shop used to carry all of the different Glenmourangie Wood finishes. I will check to see if they stil carry it next time I am there.

The Balvenie is very nice, but since it is a 21 YO of course it is going to be a tad pricey. I have a bottle in my cabinet . . . maybe I will poor a glass after the turkey.

[Ironbar]

I'm not in the green enough to purchase most 18 year scotches. I do however love the Glemorangie 10 year. Of course I'd prefer some of thier more expensive offerings, but at this time I only buy what I can afford.

I also very much liked the Dalmore Cigar Malt scotch, which as I understand it has been re-branded as Dalmore Gran Reserva (to make it more appealing to a wider audience).

At any rate, Glenmorangie is currently my go-to single malt.

Although I have tasted and enjoyed very peaty scotches such as Lagavulin and Ardbeg, I still prefer the sweeter, smoother single malts with my cigars.

[Smokin' B]

I drank most of the rest of my Laphroaig 30 over the holidays, and I must say that I must rethink my opinion of this whisky and place it the top of my list. Unfortunately, I doubt I will ever buy another bottle due to the price...

[Ironbar]

Beli-man, on 25 November 2009 - 10:00 PM, said:

Love the Glenmorangie Portwood finish....but can't find it anymore...anyone know if it's still produced? Really like the Balvenie Portwood....but the $$$ makes it a little out of my price range.

My local liquor store has the Glenmorangie Sherry Cask in stock.

[Prizetek]

Beli-man, on 25 November 2009 - 10:00 PM, said:

Love the Glenmorangie Portwood finish....but can't find it anymore...anyone know if it's still produced? Really like the Balvenie Portwood....but the $$$ makes it a little out of my price range.

Glenmorangie does not sell any of the special wood finishes (port, sherry, madeira) any more.

[Hotboy]

Smokin' B, on 28 November 2009 - 01:34 PM, said:

I drank most of the rest of my Laphroaig 30 over the holidays, and I must say that I must rethink my opinion of this whisky and place it the top of my list. Unfortunately, I doubt I will ever buy another bottle due to the price...

I'm glad I picked up a few bottles before the price went up to $500+ a bottle...

[Smokin' B]

Hotboy, on 29 November 2009 - 12:07 AM, said:

I'm glad I picked up a few bottles before the price went up to $500+ a bottle...

Damn I didn't realize it was going for that much. When I got mine the going rate was ~$290. I was fortunate to pick mine up for 210-220...

[petecaps]

Prizetek, on 28 November 2009 - 10:04 PM, said:

Glenmorangie does not sell any of the special wood finishes (port, sherry, madeira) any more.

Yes they do ( port, sauternes, Pedro Ximenez, and sherry), they just have fancy little names on the label know....oh and refer to it as "extra matured. How clever....

Too be honest, they are all quite good, they just seem a bit too have gotten carried away with the marketing scheme of theings.

[Prizetek]

petecaps, on 30 November 2009 - 07:15 AM, said:

Yes they do ( port, sauternes, Pedro Ximenez, and sherry), they just have fancy little names on the label know....oh and refer to it as "extra matured. How clever....

Too be honest, they are all quite good, they just seem a bit too have gotten carried away with the marketing scheme of theings.

I stand corrected.

The port wood finish is now called "the Quinta Ruban" (at least in the US). And with the new label . . . they jacked the price.

[Ironbar]

I had a couple drams of The Macallan 12 year last night, and that was some very tasty stuff! I've got it down on my Christmas list now!

[GGinSF]

There are lots of good ones, but some are pretty limited release (or discontinued) and some are pretty darn expensive (anything over $100 for me). A few of my favorites that are easier to find and not super-expensive include Caol Ila 12 yr, Highland Park 12 (the 18's not as good as it used to be IMO), Talisker 10 yr, Aberlour 16, and Springbank 15.

A few I love but are harder to find or discontinued include a Rare Malts Rosebank, Bruichladdich 15 yr old 2nd edition, Talisker 175th, Highland Park 21, and Longmorn 15.

For an inexpensive Speyside style malt, I always keep a bottle of Jon, Mark & Robbo's "Sweet, Spicy One". Similar in style to a Macallan, but less money.

Edited by GGinSF, 01 December 2009 - 03:42 PM.

[Smokin' B]

The local place where I go when I'm in NY for work just got Lagavulin back on the shelf, yum!

[petecaps]

GGinSF, on 01 December 2009 - 03:40 PM, said:

There are lots of good ones, but some are pretty limited release (or discontinued) and some are pretty darn expensive (anything over $100 for me). A few of my favorites that are easier to find and not super-expensive include Caol Ila 12 yr, Highland Park 12 (the 18's not as good as it used to be IMO), Talisker 10 yr, Aberlour 16, and Springbank 15.

A few I love but are harder to find or discontinued include a Rare Malts Rosebank, Bruichladdich 15 yr old 2nd edition, Talisker 175th, Highland Park 21, and Longmorn 15.

For an inexpensive Speyside style malt, I always keep a bottle of Jon, Mark & Robbo's "Sweet, Spicy One". Similar in style to a Macallan, but less money.

Ahhh, the Rare Malts Rosebank. Best lowland ever made.

Ohh, and gave pig a positve. Not everyday I get to teach The Dude a thing or two

[one sock]

I agree with Smokin B, love the Lagavulin.
However, nothing beats Compass Box Hedonism, and when I want sometning smoky the Compass Box Peat Monster Special Reserve. I've seen the reserve available for $99 which is very for for a 1.5l bottle

for for=fair for

[GGinSF]

one sock, on 02 December 2009 - 05:50 PM, said:

I agree with Smokin B, love the Lagavulin.
However, nothing beats Compass Box Hedonism, and when I want sometning smoky the Compass Box Peat Monster Special Reserve. I've seen the reserve available for $99 which is very for for a 1.5l bottle

for for=fair for

I'm sad that Compass Box Flaming Heart isn't around anymore. I really liked that one! I need to try their Spice Tree again, since that's still on the shelves.

[one sock]

GGinSF, on 02 December 2009 - 06:21 PM, said:

I'm sad that Compass Box Flaming Heart isn't around anymore. I really liked that one! I need to try their Spice Tree again, since that's still on the shelves.

Still or again?
Some stores may have some left from 2005 (the one that was pulled from the market because the SWA objected to CB's use of special and extra oak staves in the barrels. See:http://drwhisky.blogspot.com/2007/05/malt-mission-2007-75.html )
There is a new release, similar spicy basic flavors, but a bit harsher and more pronounced, not as subtle flavors.
If the top 1/3 of the label is an elaborate, colorful, black and gold tree, it's the new one.

[GGinSF]

one sock, on 03 December 2009 - 12:43 AM, said:

Still or again?
Some stores may have some left from 2005 (the one that was pulled from the market because the SWA objected to CB's use of special and extra oak staves in the barrels. See:http://drwhisky.blogspot.com/2007/05/malt-mission-2007-75.html )
There is a new release, similar spicy basic flavors, but a bit harsher and more pronounced, not as subtle flavors.
If the top 1/3 of the label is an elaborate, colorful, black and gold tree, it's the new one.

I didn't realize there's more than one edition. I'll have to see what they have on the shelves.

[ChuckW]

Lately, I've been liking Abelour A'bunadh, cask strength (60.1% alcohol) from Speyside, aged in sherry casks. It's very rich, malty, slightly sweet and is labeled by individual batches (the latest one I tasted was batch no. 27). I'm not sure how long it's aged in cask, but for about $50 at local shops in Atlanta, I think it's a great value. Oddly enough, online retailers like klwines.com sell it for more, about $65.

[GGinSF]

ChuckW, on 22 December 2009 - 06:33 PM, said:

Lately, I've been liking Abelour A'bunadh, cask strength (60.1% alcohol) from Speyside, aged in sherry casks. It's very rich, malty, slightly sweet and is labeled by individual batches (the latest one I tasted was batch no. 27). I'm not sure how long it's aged in cask, but for about $50 at local shops in Atlanta, I think it's a great value. Oddly enough, online retailers like klwines.com sell it for more, about $65.

Slightly sweet? I think it's VERY sweet but the sweetness is balanced by the high proof (118-120). It's mostly 8-10 yr old whisky. I agree that it's one of the better values these days, even at the $60-$65 price. $50 a bottle is awesome! If I have a boring Scotch, I'll add a few splashes of the A'Bunadh and spruce it up a bit!

[Ironbar]

I recently purchased a bottle of The Balvenie Double Wood. I LOVE this stuff! Oh man, I can't wait to try some more Highland and Speyside single malts!

[GGinSF]

I gave away most of a bottle of Balvenie 15 single barrel. Too much wood flavor for me. It kind of reminded me of bourbon more than Scotch. I just picked up a bottle of Balvenie Signature 2nd edition, which is another 12 yr old but slightly less sherry sweetness than the 12 year old. I like it a lot, but I don't think it's worth the extra $20 over the Doublewood.

[it'sORVdamnit]

one sock, on 02 December 2009 - 05:50 PM, said:

I agree with Smokin B, love the Lagavulin.
However, nothing beats Compass Box Hedonism, and when I want sometning smoky the Compass Box Peat Monster Special Reserve. I've seen the reserve available for $99 which is very for for a 1.5l bottle

for for=fair for

That's good to know as I just received a bottle of Compass Box Hedonism for Christmas from my wife.

[MISTRTJ]

my daily go to is glenlevitt 12. I also enjoy the glenmorange "wood finish" items (was a time that the distributor tossed in three free port wood's with each case of kettle one,,,, tripled my kettle inventory overnight! )

two that I have enjoyed the most have been gifted to me by good friends:
the first is Scott's Selection North of Scotland 1964 Single Grain Whiskey. Finished in port barrels I think, it was Smooth, tastes of vanilla and chocolate and great for sipping. Refinery closed now I think and is shown on line at some places for about $250. too pricey for me right now.

The other is the Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 yo finished in rum barrels. The first time I tried it, my friend brought a bottle back from the European market and had been finished in Cuban rum barrels (not allowed to be sold here). This was an excellent single malt. The second bottle I had was from the the states and relabeled as Caribbean rum barrel finish, still an excellent experience.

[mrsea]

MISTRTJ, on 03 January 2010 - 10:37 AM, said:

The other is the Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 yo finished in rum barrels. The first time I tried it, my friend brought a bottle back from the European market and had been finished in Cuban rum barrels (not allowed to be sold here). This was an excellent single malt.

I'm not really a whiskey drinker,but that was some tasty stuff.
A friend recently brought over the Lagavulin,distillers edition-double matured.It was distilled in 1993-bottled in 2009,,i'm quite fond of.
It's about 85 bucks delivered.

[mrsea]

mrsea, on 04 January 2010 - 12:23 PM, said:

I'm not really a whiskey drinker,but that was some tasty stuff.
A friend recently brought over the Lagavulin,distillers edition-double matured.It was distilled in 1993-bottled in 2009,,i'm quite fond of.
It's about 85 bucks delivered.

Why the Hell is it,after i make comments on booze or cigars....the thread takes a dump?
I put my pants on on leg at a time...This is a Whiskey thread,keep it going....poofters.
WTF??
Is Lagavulin not well liked?
If you read the thread,,,post you're feelings.

[MISTRTJ]

mrsea, on 06 January 2010 - 12:57 AM, said:

Why the Hell is it,after i make comments on booze or cigars....the thread takes a dump?
I put my pants on on leg at a time...This is a Whiskey thread,keep it going....poofters.
WTF??
Is Lagavulin not well liked?
If you read the thread,,,post you're feelings.

Thread died because you quoted ME! You should know better!

[JohnD13]

MISTRTJ, on 03 January 2010 - 10:37 AM, said:

my daily go to is glenlevitt 12. I also enjoy the glenmorange "wood finish" items (was a time that the distributor tossed in three free port wood's with each case of kettle one,,,, tripled my kettle inventory overnight! )

two that I have enjoyed the most have been gifted to me by good friends:
the first is Scott's Selection North of Scotland 1964 Single Grain Whiskey. Finished in port barrels I think, it was Smooth, tastes of vanilla and chocolate and great for sipping. Refinery closed now I think and is shown on line at some places for about $250. too pricey for me right now.

The other is the Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 yo finished in rum barrels. The first time I tried it, my friend brought a bottle back from the European market and had been finished in Cuban rum barrels (not allowed to be sold here). This was an excellent single malt. The second bottle I had was from the the states and relabeled as Caribbean rum barrel finish, still an excellent experience.

What was that nasty shit I got you a few years ago? If you'd ever sit still long enough I have another bottle of that swill with you name on it around here somewhere...

[Smokin' B]

My sister's boyfriend got me a bottle of 7 year Laphroaig that was custom bottled for a tobacconist in Hamburg. It's surprisingly excellent, and although the flavors were a little more bold and pronounced that the older versions it was not any harsher. I may ask him to pick up some more of this next time he's in the area...

[Rooster]

Lag 16 and Laphroaig QC are regulars in my rotation. Love the SMS and do some impulse buys every so often.

What was that nasty shit I got you... Isle of Jura???? Just a guess. Picked this up one time when my brother was visiting. I can understand not liking
a flavor profile, but this shit couln't get past our noses. We shit-canned the stuff, I sent my bro out to his car where he had a bottle of Lag.