I just returned from a 10-day cruise to the Caribbean. While sailing down and back up I tapped a bottle of Bowmore 12-year-old scotch. I enjoy the peaty, iodine flavor of an Islay malt scotch.

Once in St. Maartin I picked up another 5-bottles including a 17-year-old one.

I think I would like Jack Betterage to come over and have some with a good cigar. (My treat) because I value his expertese in this matter.

The real question is: Could someone like me who enjoys a good glass of Scotch really tell the difference between a 12-year-old, a 15-year-old or a 17-year old of the same brand of Scotch?

quote:

Originally posted by Docbarry:
The real question is: Could someone like me who enjoys a good glass of Scotch really tell the difference between a 12-year-old, a 15-year-old or a 17-year old of the same brand of Scotch?

well doc.. if you drink them side-by-side, then YES for sure...

over a long period of time.. well you might.. it just depends on how familiar you are with teh scotch

Good question. If they cannot, then why pay the extra !!!

I am not an Islay fan, so will only comment on the generalities in the whisky market.

There is usually a marked difference between the 12, 15 and 18 yo. If you had drunk all 3 one after the other, you would notice the difference between them quiet easily.

If you only drank each one once, over a period of time, unless you knew your drinks, then probably not.

I am sure you would be able to tell the difference Doc, as you have had (and I am only saying that as I have read many of your posts over the years)a fair bit of experience with drinking, and to that matter, cigars.

Enjoy them anway.

With every scotch I've had the opportunity to taste test 12/15-16/18 year varieties, I've always favored the 15-16 year. Macallan 15 year is heaven in a bottle.

Sure you can tell the difference, it's most notable on the price-tag.

All kidding aside, I can easily tell the difference between 12, 15-16 and 18 year Islay varieties.

And for some reason, I also like the 16-year best - as in Lagavulin 16.

Doc, I am sure that you can. Which is best?