there has been a lot of controversy over that one and essentially Jim Murray traded his credibility for a moneyhat
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single malt whisky thread
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there has been a lot of controversy over that one and essentially Jim Murray traded his credibility for a moneyhat
Chuckie
Member
Johnny Walker (Red and Black) didn't work for me either. I truelly dislike them, especially Red.
I've personally never had any Johnnie, but general sentiment around the thread here seems to be that Red especially isn't very good, especially if you're having it neat. If you're really determined to get involved, I would suggest doing a bit of research and figure out what sort of experience you're looking to get from it out of the gate. There are a lot of resources that talk about the general trends among Scotland's whisky regions and you can use that to figure out a starting point that suits your needs.
Edit: Perhaps I should add that in talking about what you're "looking for" I primarily mean that in the sort of smells and tastes that would appeal to you. There are loads of sites out there with tasting notes that can help narrow things down.
chrisisawesome
Member
Red is really bad in my opinion. Black is pretty solid! If you want to try other Johnnie Walkers, the Green is incredible.
As for Glenmorangie, i've had the Original 10 and I really love it, great light taste with a little smoke. Very smooth.
Oban 14 is simply epic.
On a side note, because I like the Johnnie Green so much I was suggested Cragganmore 12. I got the bottle at the duty free and can't wait to give it a taste.
Any other Speyside malt's that are nice and not highly priced?
Make sure you try a peaty whisky at some point (Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Laphroaig) to see what it's like. Many people told me they weren't good whiskies for a beginner, but I loved them a lot more than the more often recommended Glenlivet 12 or Glenfiddich 12. There are a lot of different whiskies out there, and they can taste quite different. There's no telling what you'll like until you try it.
Man...I feel like a mental alcoholic.
I knew that I'd get myself a new malt some time this month as a birthday gift to myself, which occurs at the end of the month. Since Christmastime I've been spending far more time than I should daydreaming about it and spending evenings researching various whiskies and trying to figure out just what I wanted for my next drams.
I managed to find a store that stocks a very impressive collection about a 40 minute drive away...hopefully I can find somewhere closer than that down the line but it was worth it to forgo the time and expense of shipping. Anyway, I figured it was time for me to dip my toe into the waters of Islay, but not wanting to blow my budget on a Lagavulin so early and thinking I'd prefer a bit of a lighter peat experience at first, I nabbed myself a Caol Ila 12.
....that didn't feel like enough though. It's always nice to have something to compare and contrast with and I wanted to find something with some sweetness and more importantly a thicker body to it, so to speak. This took up a lot more of my thinking, and in the end I'm also now the proud owner of a bottle of Aberlour A'Bunadh, batch 38. Lovely bottle, a wonderful rich color, and also my first cask-strength whisky. The Caol Ila might get broken into at least once before the 28th, but I think the Aberlour will make for a wonderful personal birthday celebration. I'll be looking forward to this all month.
I knew that I'd get myself a new malt some time this month as a birthday gift to myself, which occurs at the end of the month. Since Christmastime I've been spending far more time than I should daydreaming about it and spending evenings researching various whiskies and trying to figure out just what I wanted for my next drams.
I managed to find a store that stocks a very impressive collection about a 40 minute drive away...hopefully I can find somewhere closer than that down the line but it was worth it to forgo the time and expense of shipping. Anyway, I figured it was time for me to dip my toe into the waters of Islay, but not wanting to blow my budget on a Lagavulin so early and thinking I'd prefer a bit of a lighter peat experience at first, I nabbed myself a Caol Ila 12.
....that didn't feel like enough though. It's always nice to have something to compare and contrast with and I wanted to find something with some sweetness and more importantly a thicker body to it, so to speak. This took up a lot more of my thinking, and in the end I'm also now the proud owner of a bottle of Aberlour A'Bunadh, batch 38. Lovely bottle, a wonderful rich color, and also my first cask-strength whisky. The Caol Ila might get broken into at least once before the 28th, but I think the Aberlour will make for a wonderful personal birthday celebration. I'll be looking forward to this all month.
arglebargle
Member
jameson and johnnie walker are not single malt scotches. i think jameson is fine, but johnnie walker red is ass. the point at which johnnie walker becomes acceptable to me is green.
i like oban, and cant remember my thoughts on glenmorangie. there is a subtle prejudice in this thread towards islay malts (which i am guilty of myself, i think they are the best) which include lagavulin and talisker, and tend to be smoky and peaty.
got a bunch of new whisky samples
glenmorangie 10
bruchladdich islay barley 2004
edradour 10
longmorn 1996-2010
glendronach revival 15yo
glenfiddich 12yo
laphroaig quarter cask
bowmore 12 enigma
bowmore cask strength
dimple blend 15yo
bowmore 15 mariner
Good lord, I wish I could get that kind of sampler for bourbon and gin.
finished my bottle of Highland Park 12 (really enjoyed it) and gave away my bottle of Talisker 10 to a friend as a going away gift, so im on the hunt for a new bottle. my 30th birthday is coming up, so im thinking about doing something really special. so many options and so many i want to try makes it tough.
walbertsmith
Member
Not sure if it was posted here, but (if you're a fan of it) make sure you pick up a bottle of JW Green Label if you come across it... it's being discontinued:
http://thescotchlife.com/2011/12/25/johnny-walker-green-label-a-farewell/
For those not familiar with it, Green Label is typically the most loved of the JW line by single malt lovers, as it's the only one that's a blend of only single malts (no grain whisky). It's also more reasonably priced versus Gold and Blue.
http://thescotchlife.com/2011/12/25/johnny-walker-green-label-a-farewell/
For those not familiar with it, Green Label is typically the most loved of the JW line by single malt lovers, as it's the only one that's a blend of only single malts (no grain whisky). It's also more reasonably priced versus Gold and Blue.
Chuckie
Member
Wow. Never gotten any further than the 21, which was also pretty smooth.
some opinions of mine
Glenfiddich 12
nose- pears, ripe apples, hint of smoke, hint of oak and maybe a bit grassy
mouth- malty, sweet, pearjuice
finish- short, a tad bitterness, sweetness
-better than its reputation imo (cheap supermarket singlemalt), but not exactly great either, not a lot of depth and the finish is meh.
Dimple 15yo Blend
nose- honey, a tad sulphur?, a bit alcoholic, moss
mouth- alcoholic, a tad smoke, wet forest ground/moss, a bit grassy, a tad wood
finish- honey, sweet, a tad wood, a bit smoke
-wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the alcoholic note
Sunshine Extra Special Whisky (Blend, Japan, Wakatsuru Distillery)
nose- typical young blend, very clean, very light, flowery, grassy
mouth- grain whisky, light, mild, flowery
finish- short, flowery, slightly alcoholic
-not much to it, but very smooth and no real miss-notes. not too bad for a cheap blend
Bowmore Enigma 12yo
nose- peat, smoke, maritime, slightly medical, a tad sherry
mouth- mild, peaty, smoke, a tad sherry
finish- peat, sweetish, guave fruit/tropical fruit, peppery
not too bad, i like the tropical fruit finish. otherwise a bit lacking imo
Bowmore Mariner 15yo
nose- salt/maritime, dry peat, smoke, cardamon, cinnamon, burnt out fire
mouth- peat, sweetish
finish- chili, warm, peat, dry, sweetish
nice, spicier and dryer than the enigma
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
nose- gingerbread spices, peat, smoke, old campfire ashes
mouth- peat, smoke, peppery, typical laphroaig 10yo but with more oomph
finish- medium long, sweetish, peppery, spices
-good stuff but i think i prefer the 10yo as far as standard bottlings go.
Glenfiddich 12
nose- pears, ripe apples, hint of smoke, hint of oak and maybe a bit grassy
mouth- malty, sweet, pearjuice
finish- short, a tad bitterness, sweetness
-better than its reputation imo (cheap supermarket singlemalt), but not exactly great either, not a lot of depth and the finish is meh.
Dimple 15yo Blend
nose- honey, a tad sulphur?, a bit alcoholic, moss
mouth- alcoholic, a tad smoke, wet forest ground/moss, a bit grassy, a tad wood
finish- honey, sweet, a tad wood, a bit smoke
-wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the alcoholic note
Sunshine Extra Special Whisky (Blend, Japan, Wakatsuru Distillery)
nose- typical young blend, very clean, very light, flowery, grassy
mouth- grain whisky, light, mild, flowery
finish- short, flowery, slightly alcoholic
-not much to it, but very smooth and no real miss-notes. not too bad for a cheap blend
Bowmore Enigma 12yo
nose- peat, smoke, maritime, slightly medical, a tad sherry
mouth- mild, peaty, smoke, a tad sherry
finish- peat, sweetish, guave fruit/tropical fruit, peppery
not too bad, i like the tropical fruit finish. otherwise a bit lacking imo
Bowmore Mariner 15yo
nose- salt/maritime, dry peat, smoke, cardamon, cinnamon, burnt out fire
mouth- peat, sweetish
finish- chili, warm, peat, dry, sweetish
nice, spicier and dryer than the enigma
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
nose- gingerbread spices, peat, smoke, old campfire ashes
mouth- peat, smoke, peppery, typical laphroaig 10yo but with more oomph
finish- medium long, sweetish, peppery, spices
-good stuff but i think i prefer the 10yo as far as standard bottlings go.
Readily available outside the UK?
Well worth trying if you can find it, believe me.
http://www.welsh-whisky.co.uk/
Well worth trying if you can find it, believe me.
http://www.welsh-whisky.co.uk/
more stuff i tasted recently
Yamazaki 1995 for LMDW - cask 5j3020
nose- plum-spread, rasins, sherry,wood tanins, dry oak, a tad smoke
mouth- plum-spread, sliiiigh sweetness, sherry, rasins, a taad chilli, cedar wood
finish- dry wood, sherry, slight tanin bitterness - not in a negativ way, a tad dried red berries, coffee/dark chocolate?
-legendary stuff, massive dark sherry bomb, also massively expensive for a 15yo (more than 200€
Bowmore Cask Strength
nose- peat, smoke, rubber, sulphur?, tad sherry, peat sweetness, a tad wood, a taaaad flowery
mouth- peat sweetness, earthy
finish- peat, smoke, sweet, earthy, flowery candy(?)
-good stuff, my fav Bowmore i tasted so far, the price is pretty good too - if you want to pick up a Bowmore for a reasonable price i recommend this
Yamazaki 1995 for LMDW - cask 5j3020
nose- plum-spread, rasins, sherry,wood tanins, dry oak, a tad smoke
mouth- plum-spread, sliiiigh sweetness, sherry, rasins, a taad chilli, cedar wood
finish- dry wood, sherry, slight tanin bitterness - not in a negativ way, a tad dried red berries, coffee/dark chocolate?
-legendary stuff, massive dark sherry bomb, also massively expensive for a 15yo (more than 200€
Bowmore Cask Strength
nose- peat, smoke, rubber, sulphur?, tad sherry, peat sweetness, a tad wood, a taaaad flowery
mouth- peat sweetness, earthy
finish- peat, smoke, sweet, earthy, flowery candy(?)
-good stuff, my fav Bowmore i tasted so far, the price is pretty good too - if you want to pick up a Bowmore for a reasonable price i recommend this
Augemitbutter
Member
good stuff. hakushu might be my favorite line right now. didn't know they were making a new bottling.
Pristine_Condition
Member
I appreciate the tastes of a single malt as much as the next guy, but I just don't drink it often. The texture tends to be too oily-feeling for my tongue, and the only way to cope with it is to add a touch of water, which I feel terrible doing to a fine scotch. Bourbon is much cleaner-feeling on my tongue, so drinking it neat has never been anything less than enjoyable.
It's not really an issue, because artisanal gin is now more my passion anyway when I want something complex in a liquor, and I still like tasting whiskeys whenever I get the chance.
Anybody else feel like this when drinking scotch or similar whiskeys? I understand that mouth feel is generally considered something for makers to shoot for. I just don't dig it that much.
Basically, I guess what I'm saying is, if you ever see me drinking scotch, and I've got that little glass of water next to my glass, don't give me shit. I'm trying.
It's not really an issue, because artisanal gin is now more my passion anyway when I want something complex in a liquor, and I still like tasting whiskeys whenever I get the chance.
Anybody else feel like this when drinking scotch or similar whiskeys? I understand that mouth feel is generally considered something for makers to shoot for. I just don't dig it that much.
Basically, I guess what I'm saying is, if you ever see me drinking scotch, and I've got that little glass of water next to my glass, don't give me shit. I'm trying.
these are (sort of) limited bottlings, like with the yamazaki sherry cask, puncheon, hakusu heavily peated etc
Augemitbutter
Member
It seems that a lot of people actually do advocate adding a little bit of water into their whisky to release the aromas a bit easier, so don't feel bad about it at all. It's hard to put a measurable amount on it with my limited experience but I do think it's improved my experience already. I don't know if it was completely due to the presence of water or the conditions under which I tried it, but the Macallan that I sounded kind of down on earlier came through much better for me on New Year's Eve. Lovely butterscotch/toffee notes that I hadn't caught my first time through.
Still waiting to try out that Caol Ila and Aberlour, I have specific occasions planned for them that I haven't reached yet, but the allure is exciting.
more unrequested tasting notes!
Hakushu Bourbon Barrel 48%
nose- apple juice, fresh, a bit smoke and minimal peat, slightly grassy, flowery, tropical fruit
mouth- mild, flowery, clean
finish- slight smoke and peat, a bit peppery, apple, gras, malt, medium long, pleasant
-a pleasant whisky, very dinkable, very fresh, takes a splash water.
Longmorn 1996 SV 14yo single cask (signatory)
nose- mineral, slight sherry, sweet, minimal smoke
taste- yellow fruits, mild, spices
finish- medium long, sweet, fruit, a bit peppery
-a very nice whisky and extremely affordable at ~30, a lot of flavors to discover
Glendronach 15yo Revival
nose- sherry, mineral, nutty?
taste- sherry, sweet, cherry, candy
finish- sherry, wood, sweet- then dry
-great stuff, very recommended
Glenmorangie The Original 10yo
nose- honey, oranges, grassy, a tad alcoholic,wax
taste- beewax, unsweet honey?
finish- short, a bit hot at the end, honey, grassy with a bit earth at the end
-not too shabby, i believe the bottle comes at a very affordable price
Edradour 10
nose- slightly alcoholic, a bit honey, grass, a bit sour (not pleasant)
taste- a bit smoke, something undefineable for me
finish-a bit wood, short, peppery
-DONT BUY THIS, this sucks
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004 - Kentraw Fram Foreland
nose- young, a bit berrry/lemon
taste- a bit alkoholic, young, grassiy
finish- a bit chili, a bit alcoholic, grassi
-ok stuff, too young
Hakushu Bourbon Barrel 48%
nose- apple juice, fresh, a bit smoke and minimal peat, slightly grassy, flowery, tropical fruit
mouth- mild, flowery, clean
finish- slight smoke and peat, a bit peppery, apple, gras, malt, medium long, pleasant
-a pleasant whisky, very dinkable, very fresh, takes a splash water.
Longmorn 1996 SV 14yo single cask (signatory)
nose- mineral, slight sherry, sweet, minimal smoke
taste- yellow fruits, mild, spices
finish- medium long, sweet, fruit, a bit peppery
-a very nice whisky and extremely affordable at ~30, a lot of flavors to discover
Glendronach 15yo Revival
nose- sherry, mineral, nutty?
taste- sherry, sweet, cherry, candy
finish- sherry, wood, sweet- then dry
-great stuff, very recommended
Glenmorangie The Original 10yo
nose- honey, oranges, grassy, a tad alcoholic,wax
taste- beewax, unsweet honey?
finish- short, a bit hot at the end, honey, grassy with a bit earth at the end
-not too shabby, i believe the bottle comes at a very affordable price
Edradour 10
nose- slightly alcoholic, a bit honey, grass, a bit sour (not pleasant)
taste- a bit smoke, something undefineable for me
finish-a bit wood, short, peppery
-DONT BUY THIS, this sucks
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004 - Kentraw Fram Foreland
nose- young, a bit berrry/lemon
taste- a bit alkoholic, young, grassiy
finish- a bit chili, a bit alcoholic, grassi
-ok stuff, too young
Globehopper
Member
So if anybody from BC reads this thread, I told you all in September to sign up for the Victoria Whisky Festival (http://neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=31383667&postcount=919). You're going to wish you did 
I just got back, and it was amazing this year, incredible. Among some real highlights, I got to try this...
That's the Gordon & Macphail Glenlivet 70 yr old, distilled in 1940. A 700ml bottle sells for around $20,000 US and there are only 100 bottles in existence. It was poured in the G&M masterclass session which cost $28 to attend
Also had some new expressions from Amrut, Springbank and Bruichladdich; the Scotch Malt Whisky Society were there with 6 or 7 different bottlings; got to have the Highland Park 30 again (one of my favourite whiskies); tried a huge range of Nikkas; Laphroaig had their Triple Wood and 18 year amongst others; and so on. Amazing stuff.
BC-GAF: GO NEXT YEAR!
I just got back, and it was amazing this year, incredible. Among some real highlights, I got to try this...
That's the Gordon & Macphail Glenlivet 70 yr old, distilled in 1940. A 700ml bottle sells for around $20,000 US and there are only 100 bottles in existence. It was poured in the G&M masterclass session which cost $28 to attend
Also had some new expressions from Amrut, Springbank and Bruichladdich; the Scotch Malt Whisky Society were there with 6 or 7 different bottlings; got to have the Highland Park 30 again (one of my favourite whiskies); tried a huge range of Nikkas; Laphroaig had their Triple Wood and 18 year amongst others; and so on. Amazing stuff.
BC-GAF: GO NEXT YEAR!
AgentOtaku
Member
wow, didn't know about JWGreen being discontinued. This was actually the first whiskey I've ever tried (i'm 28 btw) and thought it was pretty good ....I mean, I couldn't have regularly like Vodka, but it was still fun
Any idea what to try next?
Any idea what to try next?
BobTheFork
Member
My birthday was about a month ago and my best freind said I had to wait because he ordered my gift and it hand't come in yet. He gave it to me last night and it was a bottle of Oban 14. I'm not always a fan of single malts but damn is this good. I have to try and save it for special occasions. Really really good.
i had a single cask ledaig and i thought it was really good and interesting. the style was unusual. a bit peaty with mineral notes.
So I'm not the only one who disliked it.
Did you try the miniature sample or did someone make you a "custom" sample?
The menu of the local pub says, that the Edradour 10yo changes it's taste/smell every year and that you may be lucky or not.
Tried another sip of a friends glass there and it was not as bad as I remembered it, but not good either ...
My new love in the Laphroaig family: Laphroaig 18yo. Damn, that's good stuff. Tried it before Christmas in the pub.
AgentOtaku
Member
anyone get bad headaches when drinking scotch? (i'm relatively new to it)
Never happens with Vodka =(
Never happens with Vodka =(
runningjoke
Member
You get a headache while drinking scotch or the morning after?
AgentOtaku
Member
sorry, morning after
GhostWriter24
Member
Whenever someone buys me a shot of whiskey I always dread drinking it because it tastes like shit...almost gagworthy. Anyone else have this problem?
AgentOtaku
Member
I think like anything, ya gotta develop a taste for it and find something you like
Like I already know I prefer the Glenvilet to the JWGreen
So if anybody from BC reads this thread, I told you all in September to sign up for the Victoria Whisky Festival (http://neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=31383667&postcount=919). You're going to wish you did
I just got back, and it was amazing this year, incredible. Among some real highlights, I got to try this...
That's the Gordon & Macphail Glenlivet 70 yr old, distilled in 1940. A 700ml bottle sells for around $20,000 US and there are only 100 bottles in existence. It was poured in the G&M masterclass session which cost $28 to attend
Also had some new expressions from Amrut, Springbank and Bruichladdich; the Scotch Malt Whisky Society were there with 6 or 7 different bottlings; got to have the Highland Park 30 again (one of my favourite whiskies); tried a huge range of Nikkas; Laphroaig had their Triple Wood and 18 year amongst others; and so on. Amazing stuff.
BC-GAF: GO NEXT YEAR!
Goddamn ...
I wish i had a bigger budget to get the whiskey i wanted.
Jamesfrom818
Banned
I think my tolerance has gone up dramatically. I drank half a bottle of Glenlivet 12 over 2 hours last night and I didn't feel a thing
AgentOtaku
Member
(O__o)
So I'm not the only one who disliked it.
Did you try the miniature sample or did someone make you a "custom" sample?
The menu of the local pub says, that the Edradour 10yo changes it's taste/smell every year and that you may be lucky or not.
Tried another sip of a friends glass there and it was not as bad as I remembered it, but not good either ...
My new love in the Laphroaig family: Laphroaig 18yo. Damn, that's good stuff. Tried it before Christmas in the pub.
yeah it was a sample from a standard bottle. a 2011 batch i believe
To any Dutch whiskylovers (I know there have been a couple in here): currently Wilde Whisky Dagen @ Gall&Gall. 20% off all whisky's. Their online collection isn't that great, but maybe they have more in stores.
Chuckie
Member
Damn, that time of the year again.
Finished my Bunnahabhain 12 last weekend. What a pleasant surprise: sherried with a hint of peat (sounds weird but works), sweet yet a bit briny, nutty, floral and unchillfiltered oiliness. Definitely not an Islay peat heavyweight.
After opening the bottle I took a 3-4cl sample and sealed it. I compared the sample to the final dram after a few months. The last dram was a lot more tangy and stale than the sample. I'll look for decanters now.
After opening the bottle I took a 3-4cl sample and sealed it. I compared the sample to the final dram after a few months. The last dram was a lot more tangy and stale than the sample. I'll look for decanters now.
Sure is.
Managed to get 25% off.
Lagavulin 16 is a favorite by now, first time trying the laphroaig.
runningjoke
Member
I don't drink enough Scotch in one night to get drunk from it, so I don't get hung over. When I do get drunk it's from all sorts of beer (and maybe one or 2 whiskies) and the hangovers can get brutal.
AgentOtaku
Member
Maybe I should also avoid more than one serving?
Serving being basically enough to fill the bottom of a tumbler
I have the Glen Garioch. I like it. It's not anything absolutely amazing, but it does it's job well. "Wood and Cask" are probably the first and best words to describe it. Don't expect many different nuances, just a few hints of flowers and honey.
ok this is some great stuff!
Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel.
Rather atypical for a Yamazaki to be matured in a Bourbon barrel (Sherry usually seems to be their go-to cask)
But this is excellent stuff.
Nose: Vanilla, heavy sweetness, after a while and for a while yeast dough and then Azuki (japanese sweet red bean paste), tropical fruits,
Taste: tropical fruits, slight wood influence, more on the dry side
Finish: tropical fruits again, grapes, a bit sour, grassy
great stuff with lots of flavor! Price is upper tier for a no-age-statement whisky, but it's excellent! a recommended pick up.
Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel.
Rather atypical for a Yamazaki to be matured in a Bourbon barrel (Sherry usually seems to be their go-to cask)
But this is excellent stuff.
Nose: Vanilla, heavy sweetness, after a while and for a while yeast dough and then Azuki (japanese sweet red bean paste), tropical fruits,
Taste: tropical fruits, slight wood influence, more on the dry side
Finish: tropical fruits again, grapes, a bit sour, grassy
great stuff with lots of flavor! Price is upper tier for a no-age-statement whisky, but it's excellent! a recommended pick up.
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