The first on your list is from Islay - traditionally home to peaty, smoky whisky. However, The Bruichladdich is unpeated. Their local barley is superb. Sweet and malty. Some fruit on the nose, a bit of toffee and sherry.
At the other end of the scale, the Monkey47 (with its myriad botanicals) and the strongly oriental Ophir would tend to push me towards something unusual, like a Jura, or even Arran. But you didn't like that, so perhaps (as suggested above) something fuller, richer. Aberlour 10 (with a drop or two of water) or the 12 might be nice. The raisiny, sweetness might be a nice antidote to the peat you so disliked.
I took it at one of the first whiskey festivals I went to, when I started getting into whiskey and wanted to discover more...I definitely would suggest attending one
I haven't tried many whiskey societies, but I'm a member of The Whiskey Lounge and they arrange those type of festivals frequently in many cities...grab a hand full of mates and go to one - by far the best, most fun and (let's face it) cheapest way to discover your whiskey pallet...
One of the best ways of trying new whiskies is by getting a selection of samples from Master of Malt. Not the cheapest, but does give you opportunity to drink quite widely, without buying bottle after bottle.
I don't know much about gin / whisky compared to the experts, but I do have an interest in both spirits. Good to see you drinking Scottish gin. A fan of Crossbill myself, and the full strength Blackwood's.
I'll look into that. I know at aberdeen airport you can get tastes of various whiskey's (probably about the only good thing about the place), I'll see if they have any of the ones mentioned so far. Also Master of Malts website do small tasting bottles for a few quid each so I may look at that as well. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions so far
Sorry for the distraction but Gin drinkers may be interested in knowing the Majestic Wine carry a good choice of boutique Gins at the moment.
Just bought the last bottle of laphroaig quarter cask for £25 from asda I'll have to stay away from their offers it's costing me a small fortune
I received a bottle of Nikka Coffey Malt and was going to save it for an occasion, but couldn't resist a fingers worth, just to wet the whistle.
IT IS UNBELEIVABLY GOOD! Probably my favourite at present.
The Octomores are bonkers. And pricey. Or rather, I thought they were pricey until I started spending £90 on 16yo whiskies. And once you've got comfortable spending that much, I guess £130 is only a few steps away. I tried a 139pppm, seven year old at 60.5% which was like burnt frazzles. Savoury. Quite extraordinary.
Crossbill is simply Scottish juniper and rosehip. They used to be based out past Tarbert on the Kilberry Rd, but have since moved to the Cairngorms. I rather like it. Oh, and they won Shed of the Year.
http://www.crossbillgin.com/
Blackwoods Gin is from the Shetlands. Unusual botanicals like Marsh Marigold, Sea Pink and Meadowsweet. It's probably most similar to Rock Rose. But at 60%. Which makes an incredible martini. Probably.
http://www.blackwoodsgin.co.uk
There was an interesting bit about Islay and Whisky on this show that I caught a bit of the other day:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ds1tx
Not sure if its on iPlayer. Quite interesting if brief introduction to the Bruichladdich distillery.
I really fancy trying the Octomore but £80 is really my limit for a bottle. I have been very impressed by the Bruichladdich 'Classic Laddie' and the Port Charlotte Islay Barley Heavily Peated.
Last edited by hoopsontoast; 10th February 2016 at 22:47.
Took my partner out to a lovely restaurant we have over here in Edinburgh for her birthday in October, and finished the meal with a Octomore. Definitely has the 'interest' factor and
I am glad I tried it, however it isn't something that I'd rush back to. I think we're spoiled with good Islay's and I'd be far more likely to stock my shelves with a Corryvreckan, a Lagavulin 16 and 'a' another bottle.. and still come in below price.
Still, its only right and proper that you sample it given the chance !
My birthday is around the corner and she has paid over the odds for a single cask, 10 year old Laphroaig from Hunter Laing. I actually went into the shop with a view to taking it back, as I thought the £80 she paid is a bit off a piss take ( which it is) but didn't
find anything sufficiently interesting that I'd change it for . Apparently they had sent most of their Japanese stock back down to their London shop as it wasn't selling here, yet it would there (which I can understand, tourist trap that Edinburgh is).
Between that, a 17y Old Pultney, and a Hakashu incoming from different family members for my birthday I think I am confident a good birthday will be had ;)
In other news at the end of last year I visited the Dalmore Distillery. Wonderful place, great tour, would recommend it to one and all. I did do a write up at the time (along with a thanks to Matt > 'Cardshark') who had helped
by recommending some local places to eat - but when I posted it there was a gremlin in the works, it got lost and I never got around to reposting!
Salut!
The charged you how much ???!!
For a 10 year old Laphroaig , the base level one?? That's daylight robbery. What a bunch of hoodlums.
I tend to stick to the Irish (oddly enough) any Scotch i've ever tried always tasted like your above, perfect, description.
No need to spend a fortune on snobbery, only to find you still dont like it. Just get yourself a bottle of Bushmills, Powers or Jameson and start from there. In my opinion Irish is a bit sharper on the tongue but goes down more smoothly. Plus as an added bonus it doesnt taste like you've mixed it with the contents of a wood burning stove.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. My dad always favoured irish whiskies. Now that you mention it I remember trying some of his Jameson's and quite liking it. I believe they used to make one called "Crested 10" as well but that maybe a few years ago now. I'll look into the irish side as well.
Just looked and Jameson's Crested 10 is on master of malts for £40. Hmmmmm
For me, 40 quid's not toooo bad every once in a while, if it's a nice drop.
I'd be interested too hear how you get on if you do get yourself a bottle.
That chart is gone come in useful , I have a bottle of the ardbeg , extremely smoky but definitely an acquired taste
Redbreast is a superb pure pot still, especially in the 15yr old expression.
Anyone tried the latest Lidl specials yet? a 22 year old Islay and a 34 year amongst the range....a 34 year old for under £50!
ktmog6uk
marchingontogether!
Smokey is good, Laphroaig ok, quarter cask better, both can be had for £25 in asda at the mo. Ardbeg similar, but pricier, at that price lagavulin is better. Laphroaig cask strength is my favourite, used to get it for £25-30 in asda or makro, but not seen it for a few years
Brighty
I wondered if there was a whisky thread on here - I figured there had to be, as guys do like to collect more than just watches I suppose!
I got bought a bottle over christmas and it's kickstarted a new hobby it seems. Since christmas I've indulged and acquired the following:
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Ardbeg 10 Year Old
Old Pultney 17 Year Old
Yamazaki Single Malt - Distillers Reserve
Aberlour A'bunadh batch 49
I'm being pretty disciplined and only sticking to one or two small drams over an evening, with a few days "off" in the week - I can see how easy it is for it to become habit!! Got a few expensive outgoings coming up so I think these bottles will be lasting me for a while, but I feel I've got some good variety and some well regarded bottles there, so plenty to enjoy for a while yet!
Glad you enjoyed it, always enjoyed my visits there, and the King Alexander III is a proper whisky! I've a (regular) Laphroaig 10, a Select and a Quarter Cask - they're all diametrically opposed to the Dalmores and make a great contrast, though I found the Select to be a bit of a disapointment TBH.
And it's Stuart rather than Matt, though I've been called worse ;-)
The dalmore bottles are so beautiful it would be a crime to open them
Agreed ! My better half bought me a bottle of Dalmore 15yo for Christmas... I don't know the technical terms, but if you sip it and hold it in your mouth for a few moments it kind of evaporates and you get a very real warming sensation as you swallow, with no fiery after-taste.
I love it. The bottle is going to look good on the shelf when it's finished, too
They have the dalmore 15 slightly cheaper on amazon ive seen some dodgy reveiws of it but ill still proberbley get a bottle next time i get paid, not that i really need more scotch its cheaper than collecting rolexes though
I like all Glendronach offerings, but the 15yo Revival is truly the nicest.
Few drams of this tonight. Peaty but nothing too heavy, not my favourite of their offerings but still very drinkable. The Benriach 16 is getting cracked open next so hopefully I will make quick work of this.
Looking at getting some Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix for a present for someone.
What's the best "grey dealer" as such for this?
Got my dalmore 15 from Amazon won't be leaving a glowing reveiw as it looks like someone has played football with the box good job it wasn't bought as a present, I will have to console my with a auchentoshan American oak
Very kind gesture amnesia not sure if it would be worth the postage cost