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[nitewulf]

actually i find 17/18 yr aging to hit the spot, loses the burn, hits a good peak flavour stage...if you really like the 18, you might not like a 30 yr old whiskey....they lose a lot of the potency and become pretty mild.

another good recommendation i have is this one, pretty rare to find, but heavenly:

and islays are perfect for the oncoming winter, they are perfect winter whiskeys.

 

[SD-Ness]

If I want to start drinking scotch, what do you all recommend?

Total noob here. I remember trying Johnnie Walker a few years ago - blue or red, not sure. I didn't like it so much.

Why does it have such a classy appeal? Those final scenes in Boston Legal always get me. I want to be drinking with them! :lol

 

[Fixed1979]

actually i find 17/18 yr aging to hit the spot, loses the burn, hits a good peak flavour stage...if you really like the 18, you might not like a 30 yr old whiskey....they lose a lot of the potency and become pretty mild.

another good recommendation i have is this one, pretty rare to find, but heavenly:

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and islays are perfect for the oncoming winter, they are perfect winter whiskeys.

I've read similar regarding the 17/18yr age, that's one of the reasons I jumped in with the Macallan 18yr, some of the reviews I've read called it one of the best all around scotches in the world and also a great starting point for people that want to learn about the single malt.

I read similar stuff to what you said about loosing potency regarding the Macallan 21 y/o. I haven't been able to find much on the 30, I'll do a bit of reading before I make a big investment. It's definitely something I want to try regardless though.

I don't believe I've ever seen any Old Pulteney but I'll definitely keep an eye out for it.

 

[S. L.]

trying to decide my next pickup
Ardbeg Ten or Lagavulin 16 is what i have my eyes on, anyone has strong opinions towards the one or the other?

 

[yonder]

trying to decide my next pickup
Ardbeg Ten or Lagavulin 16 is what i have my eyes on, anyone has strong opinions towards the one or the other?

I usually check to see if Ralfy has a review of any whiskies that I'm thinking about buying. Hope that helps:

Lagavulin 16
Ardbeg 10

 

[ChryZ]

I'd rather go with the Lagavulin 16 than Ardbeg 10.

Don't get me wrong. Ardbeg is also amazing, but spend a bit more and go for something like Uigeadail, Airigh Nam Beist or Corryvreckan.

 

[POWERSPHERE]

trying to decide my next pickup
Ardbeg Ten or Lagavulin 16 is what i have my eyes on, anyone has strong opinions towards the one or the other?

the Lagavulin is the better of the 2. The Ardbeg is good but is pretty basic next to it, for my tastes. I'd put Laphroiag in between the two, especially the quarter cask.

You should go through all of them sooner or later though. Maybe start with the Ardbeg, then go the Laphroiag then the Lagavulin. Take your time, and that's a good path to take.

 

[Chuckie]

the Lagavulin is the better of the 2. The Ardbeg is good but is pretty basic next to it, for my tastes. I'd put Laphroiag in between the two, especially the quarter cask.

Wow you make me curious. I have never tried Lagavulin, but Laphroaig QC is one of my favorites (although I must say for special occasions I love my Ardbeg Supernova)

I agree with you on the Laphroaig QC > Ardbeg 10 yo, so now I really want to know what the Lagavulin 16 tastes like hehe.

 

[S. L.]

thanks for the opinions guys, ordered the Lagavulin

of the Islays i already have the Laphroaig 10yo and Caol Ila. So I'm quite looking forward to it

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Wow you make me curious. I have never tried Lagavulin, but Laphroaig QC is one of my favorites (although I must say for special occasions I love my Ardbeg Supernova)

I agree with you on the Laphroaig QC > Ardbeg 10 yo, so now I really want to know what the Lagavulin 16 tastes like hehe.

Do it and report yr findings!

 

[S. L.]

slightly off-topic since it is a blend, but i just got a bottle Nikka "From The Barrel". There were lots of extremely positive reviews of this on the net, plus it's from my home country

super elegant box and bottle label, can't wait to taste it tonight.

 

[mr stroke]

slightly off-topic since it is a blend, but i just got a bottle Nikka "From The Barrel". There were lots of extremely positive reviews of this on the net, plus it's from my home country

super elegant box and bottle label, can't wait to taste it tonight.

very nice, where and how much?

 

[Augemitbutter]

slightly off-topic since it is a blend, but i just got a bottle Nikka "From The Barrel". There were lots of extremely positive reviews of this on the net, plus it's from my home country

i was going to get a bottle of that soon, nice.

finished my highland park 12y and yamazaki 10y last week. both were great!

 

[S. L.]

very nice, where and how much?

some german shop. around 25€

 

[yonder]

Finally tried Teacher's Highland Cream which is the best blend I've tried so far, even surpassing Black Bottle which I also love. It reminds me a lot of laphroaig quarter cask, actually. The best thing about it is that it doesn't have the slightly soapy quality of some blends I've tried, but has that rounded, full-bodied feel of a single malt. Awesome stuff, especially at £12 for 70cl.

 

[S. L.]

Finally tried Teacher's Highland Cream which is the best blend I've tried so far, even surpassing Black Bottle which I also love. It reminds me a lot of laphroaig quarter cask, actually. The best thing about it is that it doesn't have the slightly soapy quality of some blends I've tried, but has that rounded, full-bodied feel of a single malt. Awesome stuff, especially at £12 for 70cl.

can you post a pic of your bottle? i wonder if there are different versions/fillings of this. the one i have isn't particulary good. pretty sweet and not much else aside from an alcoholic bite.

 

[CiSTM]

very nice, where and how much?

whiskyexchange has it for 25£. I just bought 10 yo talisker and these two champs:

 

[yonder]

can you post a pic of your bottle? i wonder if there are different versions/fillings of this. the one i have isn't particulary good. pretty sweet and not much else aside from an alcoholic bite.

This is actually my entire collection at the moment. :lol As you can see, I've also been enjoying the ancnoc 12yo which is pretty fantastic.

As you said, teacher's is definitely sweet and has a big alcoholic bite, but that's part of what I love about it. Most blends I've tried have been pretty bland (heh); this one is more vigorous. But that is far from where its flavours stop: it's got that seaside saltiness and smoke I love, which balance the sweetness. There's also some dried, spicy fruit in there which reminds me of Christmas. I've also noticed a bit of licorice and aniseed in the finish. Love this blend.

 

[S. L.]

This is actually my entire collection at the moment. :lol As you can see, I've also been enjoying the ancnoc 12yo which is pretty fantastic.

As you said, teacher's is definitely sweet and has a big alcoholic bite, but that's part of what I love about it. Most blends I've tried have been pretty bland (heh); this one is more vigorous. But that is far from where its flavours stop: it's got that seaside saltiness and smoke I love, which balance the sweetness. There's also some dried, spicy fruit in there which reminds me of Christmas. I've also noticed a bit of licorice and aniseed in the finish. Love this blend.

my bottle looks like this:

has only 40% vol. (yours looks like 43%?) and doesn't taste that great

whiskyexchange has it for 25£. I just bought 10 yo talisker and these two champs:

http://imgur.com/mfI3k.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://imgur.com/gvPr8.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]
i'd love to try that Hanyu :O

 

[ChryZ]

Hey Ancnoc, nice! I love that single malt.

What's up with the influx of Japanese stuff? Uncanny, I also wanted to try something Japanese next D:

 

[yonder]

my bottle looks like this:

has only 40% vol. (yours looks like 43%?) and doesn't taste that great

Should've taken a clearer picture, it's actually 40%. I think yours is just the 1 liter version of mine?

Maybe we just have different tastes.

 

[S. L.]

Should've taken a clearer picture, it's actually 40%. I think yours is just the 1 liter version of mine?

Maybe we just have different tastes.

well after reading around a bit, the internet suggests that the quality can vary quite a bit for different batches. could explain it i guess

 

[Ultimatum]

Do you guys just drink it straight? sipping it? I find it difficult to enjoy :lol I'm 18, so I haven't got much experience with whiskey, but what I've tried has always had a burn which distracts me from the taste. Then I've also seen friends have a mouthful of whiskey, then have a sip of this weird thick lime concentrate liquid right after, which completely takes away the burn and taste of whiskey. But with doing that is for getting drunk, you don't really enjoy the whiskey that much... Or maybe I'm just missing something

 

[mr stroke]

Do you guys just drink it straight? sipping it? I find it difficult to enjoy :lol I'm 18, so I haven't got much experience with whiskey, but what I've tried has always had a burn which distracts me from the taste. Then I've also seen friends have a mouthful of whiskey, then have a sip of this weird thick lime concentrate liquid right after, which completely takes away the burn and taste of whiskey. But with doing that is for getting drunk, you don't really enjoy the whiskey that much... Or maybe I'm just missing something

thats your problem

it takes a while to get used to it. Don't drink it to get hammered, just sip it and you will develop a taste for it.

 

[Acid08]

Do you guys just drink it straight? sipping it? I find it difficult to enjoy :lol I'm 18, so I haven't got much experience with whiskey, but what I've tried has always had a burn which distracts me from the taste. Then I've also seen friends have a mouthful of whiskey, then have a sip of this weird thick lime concentrate liquid right after, which completely takes away the burn and taste of whiskey. But with doing that is for getting drunk, you don't really enjoy the whiskey that much... Or maybe I'm just missing something

I've loved whiskey from the time I was 16 :lol , different strokes I suppose.

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

Glenlavet 18

used to love Glenfiddich, not anymore


I love Talisker's oaky taste, I always have one bottle of 10 years. But Glenlavet 18 is my drink, whenever I'm below 3 bottles I restock

 

[Augemitbutter]

Do you guys just drink it straight? sipping it? I find it difficult to enjoy :lol I'm 18, so I haven't got much experience with whiskey, but what I've tried has always had a burn which distracts me from the taste. Then I've also seen friends have a mouthful of whiskey, then have a sip of this weird thick lime concentrate liquid right after, which completely takes away the burn and taste of whiskey. But with doing that is for getting drunk, you don't really enjoy the whiskey that much... Or maybe I'm just missing something

try adding a few drops of water next time, it'll be a different experience. just don't overdo it.

I've loved whiskey from the time I was 16 :lol , different strokes I suppose.

same, or maybe i was a lil bit younger

 

[adamsappel]

Balvenie has a great new bottling: Caribbean Cask, which is 14 years old, and matured for a time in rum casks. It adds a really nice vanilla/caramel note to the standard excellent Balvenie scotch.

And there's nothing wrong with a blended whisky, as long as you're shooting higher than a Johnnie Walker Red or J&B. I'm sure this perception has changed, but at one time Scots thought people were ignorant for drinking single-malts. A lot of work and pride went into blending many different scotches into a unique and tasty spirit.

 

[S. L.]

getting addicted to buying those whiskys >_<

ordered this one, a bit above my price range but it looks sooooooooooooooo pretty :S
dat color! look at it!


edit: arrived in a huge box!

tasting will have to wait a bit, don't want too many bottles open at once :S

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Just saw a bottle of Special Reserve Lagauvlin 12. Bottled at cask strength of around 57.9%. I think i'm gonna have to buy it! The 16 is my favorite whisky thus far, so i'm interested in this little rare treat. If I have the money spare, maybe this and a Talisker as I haven't tried their wares yet.

 

[CiSTM]

getting addicted to buying those whiskys >_<

ordered this one, a bit above my price range but it looks sooooooooooooooo pretty :S
dat color! look at it!


edit: arrived in a huge box!

tasting will have to wait a bit, don't want too many bottles open at once :S

I got the cheaper version JP whisky is refreshing change from the Scotish whisky but I still have to say I'm not used to the fruity flavor they usually have... Or the vanilla flavor that most Yamazaki whiskys have.

edit: btw if you are going to buy more jp whisky check out nonjatta blog it has some good reviews and info about japanese whisky. http://nonjatta.blogspot.com/

 

[yonder]

Looks delicious, S.L! Appreciate the real pic, too. I would love to see what people's whisky collections looked like since mine is summed up in two bottles.

 

[S. L.]

Looks delicious, S.L! Appreciate the real pic, too. I would love to see what people's whisky collections looked like since mine is summed up in two bottles.

i joined the singlemalt fun pretty much exactly one month ago

so yeah, my wallet is bleeding >_<

 

[MidnightRider]

I'm a big fan of The Glenlivet. I love to treat myself every once in a while to a nice bottle of that...perhaps I may do that this weekend.

thinking about grabbing myself some this weekend.

 

[yonder]

Whoa, that's not bad for a month! Make sure you find some time to enjoy them, too. I can see you like islays; I started off with laphroaig myself, so I can unserstand your love. I've got a bottle of Ardbeg 10 waiting for me for when I go back home for Christmas. It was a birthday present, but I had my wisdom teeth removed just before receiving it, so I had to put it away. Can't wait to open it.

 

[mr stroke]

Some of you guys step up to some pricey stuff.


What is your ceiling on what you will spend?


I cut off at $50 per bottle

 

[POWERSPHERE]

$100 - $130. But Australia is more expensive.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Balvenie has a great new bottling: Caribbean Cask, which is 14 years old, and matured for a time in rum casks. It adds a really nice vanilla/caramel note to the standard excellent Balvenie scotch.

http://imgur.com/jpRfN.jpg

And there's nothing wrong with a blended whisky, as long as you're shooting higher than a Johnnie Walker Red or J&B. I'm sure this perception has changed, but at one time Scots thought people were ignorant for drinking single-malts. A lot of work and pride went into blending many different scotches into a unique and tasty spirit.

hmm I need to track some of this down!

 

[S. L.]

Some of you guys step up to some pricey stuff.


What is your ceiling on what you will spend?


I cut off at $50 per bottle

ignoring the issue if i can afford a bottle or not, if the bottle is "worth it" to me then it is worth it.
generally thou i can't see myself spending more than 100€ on a bottle.

 

[polyh3dron]

Got a bottle of Laphroaig 10. Holy fuck is it strong and oaky, shitgoddam. I've had 3 glasses of it and haven't really come to like it yet...

 

[DietRob]

Got a bottle of Laphroaig, I believe it was 12 years. Holy fuck is it strong and oaky, shitgoddam. I've had 3 glasses of it and haven't really come to like it yet...

Have you tried it 'on the rocks'. Whenever I get a particularly strong bottle I will often throw a couple of ice cubes in the glass and let it melt down a little. Helps to mellow out a little and sometimes enhances flavor IMO.

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Or just spoon in a teaspoon of water. Will help it simmer down a touch & open up. I like it straight personally, but water can ease it down nicely.

 

[Presco]

So I'm at a business conference this week and have been trying to sample a new single malt every day. Picked up a bottle of JW green label to sip in the room and have been trying everything I can when out for a meal / drink. The highlights so far are the lagavulin 16 I had tonight and the macallan 18 I had a few nights ago.

However, I found I still prefer laphoaig quarter cask to either one. Nothing beats the fresh fire of the qc in my book. Laphroaig will remain my go too scotch for the foreseeable future.

 

[AnkitT]

Got a bottle of Laphroaig, I believe it was 12 years. Holy fuck is it strong and oaky, shitgoddam. I've had 3 glasses of it and haven't really come to like it yet...

I had the same impression of it initially, but it has since become one of my favourites. Generally, I am one for less peaty flavours though.

 

[ChryZ]

What is your ceiling on what you will spend?

I'm very comfortable with spending 50eur. Never went beyond 70 so far, but would go up to 100 for something really nice.

 

[S. L.]

oh god, got some of those 20€ off 45€ coupons again, muuuuust resist ordering more... :O

 

[Augemitbutter]

online shop in germany? if so, please pm with info

 

[LM4sure]

Glad to see Macallan is getting some love. Love me some Macallan. I personally prefer the 12 year. The 18 year is a bit much for me.

And that reminds me. I'm actually going to a Macallan tasting next week in Boston. I went a couple of years ago and it was unbelievable. Got to try several whiskys, including one that is sold exclusively at the distillery in Scotland.

If anyone is interested, check out http://www.celebratethemacallan.com/lookup_event to see if there is a tasting coming to your area. The one in Boston is on Wednesday, December 8th. My buddy is going to one in NYC, but not sure when it is.

 

[S. L.]

@Augenmitbutter see pm

New pickups:

Suntory Hakushu 12

a sticker on the back tells me, with this bottle i earned 20 points for relaxing times, etc

Talisker 10 - heard good stuff about this one

Bell's Special Reserve, a pure malt and surprisingly cheap - used it to fill up the Talisker order. Can't find much info on this one, supposedly 8yo malts are used.

 

[CiSTM]

S. L. where do you live ? It seems you have a good selection of JP whiskies around, I'm so jealous :lol We have alcohol monopoly (by gov.) so it's really hard to get your hands on "not so popular whiskies" because they pretty much stock stuff that they know will sell. I think at the moment you can only find two different JP whiskies in here At the moment I have to import all my Japanese whiskies and most of the times delivery charges are around 25£ to 30£ it's just insane !