I've recently been realy getting into scotch. So far I've had a bottle of Dalmore 12 y.o. and am working my way through a bottle of Maclellan 15 y.o. I was hoping some of you other scotch drinkers can recommend some other scotches to try. I don't like a lot of smokey, peat flavor though. I don't mind a slight bit of peat, but I don't want smoke to be the predominate flavor.
---------- BOOSA Member #41.
"Log on first" -- Hydragoat
Posts: 2278 | Location: Medford, NY | Registered: July 18, 2007
Try the Laphroaig is one of the best low priced Islay malts that does not have the heavy salty peaty taste of a Lagavulin. Some one else on the CA board turned me on to this malt and what a great suggestion.
Very mellow and slightly sweeter with a rally long finish. 48 % ABV. $60 range.
Also try the Bushmills 400th anny. Wow! Toffee and dark chocolate, and very nice with a Party Sal. $100 range.
Cor: Steve, you have proven yourself to be a tremendous whack job.
EVP Glad to hear that Scotch is growing on you. You may like to try Cragganmore 12 year old. Another I enjoy is the Balvenie Port Wood. As far as not enjoying an overpowering smokey Scotch is concerned try laphroig. There is definite smoke there but less so Than Lagavulin. I believe you will not only enjoy the Laphroig but will eventually enjoy a more smokey, peaty Islay Scotch like Lagavulin. Enjoy. And post what you have tasted. I would like to hear.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: mellison,
"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posts: 519 | Location: NYC | Registered: August 14, 2008
Originally posted by mellison: EVP Glad to hear that Scotch is growing on you. You may like to try Cragganmore 12 year old. Another I enjoy is the Balvenie Port Wood. As far as not enjoying an overpowering smokey Scotch is concerned try laphroig. There is definite smoke there but less so Than Lagavulin. I believe you will not only enjoy the Laphroig but will eventually enjoy a more smokey, peaty Islay Scotch like Lagavulin. Enjoy. And post what you have tasted. I would like to hear.
The other day I tried (I think) Bowmore 12 at a restaurant in Manhattan. It was very peaty and I couldn't finish it, which sucked since it was $15 a glass.
Other than the 2 in my initial post, I've not had much experience with single malts. Of course I've had Johnny Walker and Famous Grouse, which was disgusting (except for JW Green...that wasn't too bad but nowhere near the single malts that I've tried).
---------- BOOSA Member #41.
"Log on first" -- Hydragoat
Posts: 2278 | Location: Medford, NY | Registered: July 18, 2007
The most decadent scotch I had recently bar none is the Johnnie Walker Gold. Man that's smooth...sooo smooth it has a very long delayed reaction. It should be outlawed as it sneaks up very slowly....very expensive.
I used to like balvenie doublewood until I tried aberlour 12 year. Its also aged in two distinct barrels and, in my opinion done better than the balvenie. Aberlour 16 and abunahd are even better.
I would also recommend mccallen fine oak...just about all of them are great. Mcallan 18 is good too although overpriced.
Auchentosan is OK, not bad. Glenrothes is pretty good too.
Glenlivet makes some good bottles. Realistically there are good bottles in almost any range.
As far as peatier offerings. I'm not much for laphroig. Used to love it but I grew out of it. Talisker, oban and lagavulin are all very different and very worthwhile malts. Bunnahaibin and bruichladdich are also very quality malts but not as distict as the others.
Recently I had Balvenie 10 year that I enjoyed. I also had several Glenlivet that I enjoyed and didn't find the iodine flavor that I've heard Doc speak of with it. ( I think this is one that he said had an iodine taste to it. I've also enjoyed several Glenfidich Scotches. I too have had Johnny Walker Blue and Black as well as Chivas. These are not as much to my liking as the others mentioned..with the exception of the Blue JW.
I too am really just begining my journey into Scotch...
Originally posted by Steve Cohen: Try the Laphroaig is one of the best low priced Islay malts that does not have the heavy salty peaty taste of a Lagavulin. Some one else on the CA board turned me on to this malt and what a great suggestion.
Very mellow and slightly sweeter with a rally long finish. 48 % ABV. $60 range.
ABSO F'ing LUTELY! even the quater cask is great for the money.
i have had the opportunity to try the 15yr and WOW!!
Originally posted by Steve Cohen: Try the Laphroaig is one of the best low priced Islay malts that does not have the heavy salty peaty taste of a Lagavulin. Some one else on the CA board turned me on to this malt and what a great suggestion.
Very mellow and slightly sweeter with a rally long finish. 48 % ABV. $60 range.
ABSO F'ing LUTELY! even the quater cask is great for the money.
i have had the opportunity to try the 15yr and WOW!!
great suggestion steve!
Yes Chris,
I was referring to the quarter cask, which is phenomenal. I when out a purchased another bottle for future drinking. Very nice mellow Islay malt, but enough bog to taste the salt and iodine.
Ardbeg would be another fine malt, but a bit more salty than the Lap.
Cor: Steve, you have proven yourself to be a tremendous whack job.
I would second the Balvenie Doublewood for an entry level single malt, and JW Black and if you have the $$$, JW Green for a blend. Also, Macallan 12 and HP 12...Not much smoke or peat to speak of here...The best trick is to try some from all areas of Scotland to see which fits your taste best...
Originally posted by DWFAN: I'd try Highland Park 12yr or The Macallan 12yr sherry oak.
X2
Highland Park will give you a little of the smokey/peaty taste but not nearly as much as Laphroaig. The Macallan will be a good highland single malt to try.
Posts: 250 | Location: Purcellville, Va, USA | Registered: October 19, 2004
Thanks for the suggestions guys (and gal). I had a Glenlivit 12 with dinner last night. Poor waitress....asked her how old was it (it didn't say on the drink list) and she didn't know. I told her to ask the bartender and if it's less than 12 years old, please bring me a hurricane instead. She returned with the bottle to show me that it was 12 years old. I don't know if she was doing to be smart (I realy wasn't trying to make her job hard), but I wanted to know. Anyways, she got extra tip money for that.
---------- BOOSA Member #41.
"Log on first" -- Hydragoat
Posts: 2278 | Location: Medford, NY | Registered: July 18, 2007
I enjoy the Macallan 12 and the Glenlivet 12 for "Over the Counter" scotches (meaning I seem to be able to find them just about anywhere). If you are newer to scotch, I would suggest sticking to the Speyside or Highland regions, which should be more medium bodied with some fruit and floral notes.
When you "get into" scotch, you can't pass up the Glenmorangie 18. BEST scotch I have ever had, to date. I was gifted a bottle on my 21st. MMMMM- Butter and honey and pear mixed with clove. *wipes drool and tears away* Sad it's not exactly a regular for me, given the $150 price tag. I also enjoy the higher year Bowmores, but be prepared for peat and price.
One thing about scotch that I really enjoy is the need to really sip it slowly in order to savor the flavors. I can usually take up to about an hour and a half on two doubles. (I'm a big guy). Perfect time for a cigar.
Bear
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. -James Dean
Originally posted by The EVP: Thanks for the suggestions guys (and gal). I had a Glenlivit 12 with dinner last night. Poor waitress....asked her how old was it (it didn't say on the drink list) and she didn't know. I told her to ask the bartender and if it's less than 12 years old, please bring me a hurricane instead. She returned with the bottle to show me that it was 12 years old. I don't know if she was doing to be smart (I realy wasn't trying to make her job hard), but I wanted to know. Anyways, she got extra tip money for that.
I would say that this was the best thing for her to do. I've had it done many times for me (a waitress bringing the bottle or having to at least go check the available years). Scotch is such a top-shelf thing to order. I don't imagine restaurants have too much demand to sell it.
Bear
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. -James Dean
