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single malt whisky thread
- Thread starter nitewulf
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wilder.Boy
Member
I have a last question before I will send my order. Is the Aberlour 15 Select Cask Reserve in any way compareable to the 16yo old Aberlour? I could get my hands on a bottle of aberlour 15 for under 40 which is a pretty decent price for a bottle. I also plan on getting a bottle of balvenie double wood along with the Aberlour 15.
AngmarsKing701
Member
I didn't realize there was an Aberlour 15. I've seen 12, 16 double cask (the one I have and highly recommend) and the A'bunadh (which appears to be difficult to find, at least near me).
wilder.Boy
Member
Ah ok, then I think I'll just give it a try
It seems that the 15yo is even more popular in online stores around here than the 16. Thanks for your help anyway!I decided to get three 50ml bottles of Glenfiddich. 12, 15 and 18 yr for the sake of trying them each without breaking the bank. I think I have tried the 15 yr before a year or so ago when I was not so into the whole whisky thing, I'm looking forward to trying that one again.
What sort of tastes should I be looking for in a Glenfiddich? I am not so familiar with it as others.
What sort of tastes should I be looking for in a Glenfiddich? I am not so familiar with it as others.
AngmarsKing701
Member
the 12 is an Ok entry into Scotch, but once you have other whiskies with different tasting notes you'll likely stop picking up the 12 or, like me, find it sits at the back of the cabinet. I thought the 15 was pretty good when I had it a couple years ago, but I would go with Aberlour or the Glenlivet now before a Glenfiddich 15. I haven't had the 18 yet but frankly it sounds intriguing and I want to try it.
Speaking of Glenfiddich 15...has anybody here tried working on their own Solera bottle? I've been intrigued by it since the idea was discussed in one of Ralfy's vlogs and I want to give it a shot...so far my main sticking point has been that I can't seem to easily find a small funnel to use for pouring the whisky through. I also want one so that I can pour out a few really small bottles to give as samples to some co-workers. I know they're available online, but you'd think that I could find one in one of the many stores around here that sell kitchen items without having to pay to ship a two or three dollar item. :\
Is Glenfiddich similar to The Glenlivet? I have a bottle of The Glenlivet 12 yr which I do like. I tend to like peatier, smokier whiskies but The Glenlivet has a light fruitiness which I can also really appreciate.
AngmarsKing701
Member
I actually haven't had the Glenlivet 12. I've had the 15, 18 and 21 and like all of those. personally I think the Glenlivet has a richer taste than the Glenfiddich. Neither of them is what I would peaty though.
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
I really need to branch out. I've gotten stuck on Lagavulin 12/16, any Ardbeg, and Laphroaig 18.
What's everyone's recommendation for a nice sippin' scotch that isn't an Islay?
What's everyone's recommendation for a nice sippin' scotch that isn't an Islay?
chrisisawesome
Member
You could give the Highland Park 12 and the Aberlour 12 a shot. They are both highlands and really great. If you like the more intense peat tastes and such, the Highland Park 12 is probably more what you'd like.
I also recommend the Glenfiddich 15 Solera. Others have asked about it. Its so damn good. Nothing at all like the regular Glenfiddichs. Check out some tasting reviews online, but wow its amazing. Not crazy expensive either.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Aberlour 16
AngmarsKing701
Member
I like the Oban 14. it has a honeyed taste on the tongue. I have heard others call it a dessert scotch and it's probably because of that initial honey. However, the Aberlour 16 is so much better that it has affected how I feel about the Oban.
Lavagulin 16 is my favorite scotch. Is a pretty heavily peated whisky, but it has a really nice balance to it. I definitely recommend it.
If you can find Japanese whisky, I recommend Nikka Pure Black or Nikka Pure Malt 17. Both are fantastic, despite being pure malt blends, not single malts. They still carry a tiny touch of smokiness, so some of what you like in the Islays will be there.
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
Thanks for the recommendations, everyone. I have a nice shopping list now!
chrisisawesome
Member
Oban is incredible, probably my favorite. However I dont really like a lot of peat in my scotch, so who knows how I would like Lagavulin, especially considering that I HATE Laphroaig 10.
You can't go wrong with any of the Oban scotches.
Considering some comments, I might REALLY love the Aberlour 16.
AngmarsKing701
Member
my only advice is to finish the Oban before you try the Aberlour. I literally find it difficult to drink the Oban now.
I bought the Oban 14 about a month back and I'm a bit disappointed to be honest. It's a bit of a jack-of-all-trades whisky, but it ends up being fairly unspectacular all the same. I'll go back to it again...usually my first impressions aren't the greatest, so maybe I'll see something I didn't next time I have a dram.
POWERSPHERE
Member
Lagavulin is a much smoother, rounder dram than Laphroaig.
Globehopper
Member
Highland Park is an island whisky - the distillery is on Orkney and is the northernmost distillery in Scotland.
The Aberlour is a Speyside - the area around the villages of Aberlour/Craigellachie/Dufftown is considered more or less the center of the region as far as distilling is concerned.
Neither are highland whiskies
chrisisawesome
Member
Highland Park is an island whisky - the distillery is on Orkney and is the northernmost distillery in Scotland.
The Aberlour is a Speyside - the area around the villages of Aberlour/Craigellachie/Dufftown is considered more or less the center of the region as far as distilling is concerned.
Neither are highland whiskies
Oops, yea wrote it quick and to be honest, the name of highland park threw me off when suggesting. Thanks for the correction.
On the bottle of Aberlour it DOES say that its a highland scotch though.
Regardless, they are both pretty good
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
Took advice. Man, it's good. Nice and rich, yet smooth minus a forward alcohol hit, which I don't mind at all. Floral notes immediately, some vanilla as well. Honey perhaps? Sherry. God it's good.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Yes, yes it is. So happy you like it!
Globehopper
Member
Bloody hell, you're right! The silly sods. Geographically/historically it's accurate, Speyside is in the Highlands and used to be lumped in with them as far as whisky regions were concerned, but these days it should be Speyside all the way.
Stop confusing us Aberlour!
AngmarsKing701
Member
I don't care what it says on the bottle so long as the whisky tastes the way it does.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Me too. doesn't appear to be available anywhere near me (in North Carolina). might need to order it online. anyone have a particular site they would recommend using for online scotch ordering in the US?
chrisisawesome
Member
My god all this (well deserved) love for Aberlour really makes me want to get the aberlour 16 or A'bunadh. They are the same price ($93 vs $91). Now the question is, which do I go for!
By the way I also have an unopened bottle of Macallan 12 that sells for $90 so I can return it and get one of the aberlours.
What would u all recommend?
By the way I also have an unopened bottle of Macallan 12 that sells for $90 so I can return it and get one of the aberlours.
What would u all recommend?
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
So I loved the Aberlour 16, as previously noted, now I'm diving into this:
A bit more expensive at $99, the Highland Park looks to be a good one! I shall report back!
A bit more expensive at $99, the Highland Park looks to be a good one! I shall report back!
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
Oh good fucking GAWD! The Aberlour was just a warm-up, Highland FUCKING Park is where it's at! Oh, where do I begin... Let's see, first, the nose is slightly smokey, with hints of fruit and honey-sweetness. (note: I put a few drops of water in before tasting) Right off the bat, right when it streams across your tongue like liquid awesome, you get a massive hit of caramel and honey, with something else that I would describe as "grassy" or perhaps "herbal". In a good way, though. It's more on the "ocean breeze, sitting in the grass, watching the clouds roll by" than medicinal. There's way more to it than all that... it's hard to describe, except to say the entire palette is complex and rewarding.
The finish is complex as well. It is everything I've listed before plus a salty smokiness that goes on forever, along with the requisite alcohol finish, which carries the aforementioned awesome up into your sinuses, wafting away like God's own breath.
Final Verdict: Seriously one of the best single malts I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. Anyone who is a fan of scotch better buy a bottle post haste. It isn't cheap, but you won't care a bit when this Product of Scotland washes over you like a golden-brown wave of liquid pleasure!
The finish is complex as well. It is everything I've listed before plus a salty smokiness that goes on forever, along with the requisite alcohol finish, which carries the aforementioned awesome up into your sinuses, wafting away like God's own breath.
Final Verdict: Seriously one of the best single malts I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. Anyone who is a fan of scotch better buy a bottle post haste. It isn't cheap, but you won't care a bit when this Product of Scotland washes over you like a golden-brown wave of liquid pleasure!
AngmarsKing701
Member
Awesome. Highland Park 18 and Lagavulin 16 are the next two I want to pick up.
Good stuff! What are your favorites?
Damn you're putting that one near the top of my list now. Or not...it's $150 at the LCBO. -_-
Damn you're putting that one near the top of my list now. Or not...it's $150 at the LCBO. -_-
AngmarsKing701
Member
I think the HP 18 is north of $150 here in NC.
I think I'll be starting with the Lagavulin 16, which is $95.
Still want to try and Aberlour A'bunadh but it doesn't appear to be available anywhere near me.
I've praised it before and I'll praise it again:
Having some tonight. Such an incredible whisky. My god. The best smelling whisky to date. I think I'm now calling it a tie with the Lagavulin 16 as my favorite whisky. It's actually not my favorite tasting whisky, but the nose elevates it to the top for me. Smell I would say is 2/3 of the enjoyment for me, so it wins a lot of points there. I could smell this all day.
I really wish I had some Pure Malt 17 left so I could compare it. I had so little of it that it's mostly faded from memory. I wonder how it compares now.
Here's Ralfy's review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMOm6ucZ7b4
Having some tonight. Such an incredible whisky. My god. The best smelling whisky to date. I think I'm now calling it a tie with the Lagavulin 16 as my favorite whisky. It's actually not my favorite tasting whisky, but the nose elevates it to the top for me. Smell I would say is 2/3 of the enjoyment for me, so it wins a lot of points there. I could smell this all day.
I really wish I had some Pure Malt 17 left so I could compare it. I had so little of it that it's mostly faded from memory. I wonder how it compares now.
Here's Ralfy's review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMOm6ucZ7b4
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
I've never seen that Nikka locally. Will be on the lookout!
POWERSPHERE
Member
I should report in here from my Whisky Club nights
I have a soft spot for the Balvenie, probably because it was my first ever single malt. But I think the Glenlivet 15 is my favourite from the bunch.
Oh, I didn't mean to say that they were peaty. They're not at all. I just meant that it's a surprise that I like them so much due to the fact that they aren't peaty.
Diseased Yak
Gold Member
Picked up a bottle of the afore-recommended Glenfiddich 15 Solera. I couldn't resist, it was on sale for $41. Anyhoo, cracked it open, enjoying it now. While not as orgasm-inducing as the Highland Park 18, it is still very, very good.
The nose is the requisite caramel, little to no smoke, honey, and some fruit. Tasting it, I get the sherry and oak right off, and I want to say some fruitiness, almost a dried fruit taste. The finish is way shorter than the Highland Park (sorry to be comparing everything to that, but fuck me it's good) but still long enough to enjoy. There's very little alcohol hit at any time, with only mild sinus-filling tendencies. After a few sips, I certainly didn't want to stop drinking it.
It's a good glass of smooth brown, no doubt. And cheap. Pick it up for something that's good to sip, doesn't break the bank, and doesn't embarrass you amongst your glitterati friends as you soak into overstuffed leather chairs, a halo of Cuban cigar smoke wreathed around your heads, as you nod, stroke your chins, cluck your tongues, and wonder what's to be done with that Homer Simpson fellow.
The nose is the requisite caramel, little to no smoke, honey, and some fruit. Tasting it, I get the sherry and oak right off, and I want to say some fruitiness, almost a dried fruit taste. The finish is way shorter than the Highland Park (sorry to be comparing everything to that, but fuck me it's good) but still long enough to enjoy. There's very little alcohol hit at any time, with only mild sinus-filling tendencies. After a few sips, I certainly didn't want to stop drinking it.
It's a good glass of smooth brown, no doubt. And cheap. Pick it up for something that's good to sip, doesn't break the bank, and doesn't embarrass you amongst your glitterati friends as you soak into overstuffed leather chairs, a halo of Cuban cigar smoke wreathed around your heads, as you nod, stroke your chins, cluck your tongues, and wonder what's to be done with that Homer Simpson fellow.
AngmarsKing701
Member
Polished off the Macallan 15 a week or so ago. Tonight I finished the Oban 14.
I have maybe one dram of Aberlour 16 left, along with almost a full bottle of Balvenie Caribbean Cask and Glenfiddich 12 (which is basically good for washing my sink instead of drinking).
Methinks I need a trip to the store verrrrry soon.
I have maybe one dram of Aberlour 16 left, along with almost a full bottle of Balvenie Caribbean Cask and Glenfiddich 12 (which is basically good for washing my sink instead of drinking).
Methinks I need a trip to the store verrrrry soon.
ProfessorMoran
Member
Enjoying my bottle of Macallan 15 right now, wanted an 18 but at $259, just a bit too expensive. Tasted some Mac 25 years back, still the best whiskey I've ever had.
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