The Scotch Whisky Thread (1 Viewer)

[Otis]

The new Johnny Walker Platinum is pretty great. Really smooth.

i've had this once and I agree its not bad.

What does a bottle run, I had it in a bar but haven't seen it in a grocery/liquor store

I bought some more today, I believe it ran about 75 bucks. It's sort of a tweener between Blue and the lower cost blends, costs more like the lower cost blends, but tastes more like blue. Big fan.

 

[dozer]

Laphroaig 10 tonight. Cheers Big Ears!

 

[Johnnymac]

What do you guys think of Glenlivet 18 year? It's my favorite so far but I must admit this is a small sample size.

 

[kutta]

What do you guys think of Glenlivet 18 year? It's my favorite so far but I must admit this is a small sample size.

I dig it. It's really easy to drink. In fact, I finished off a bottle last night. Well not the whole bottle...

 

[doowain]

Looking to get into this stuff more. Researching online it seems a good starter single malt is Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, so planning to pick up a bottle of that, maybe tonight.

The only scotch I've ever had is Macallan 12 and a Glenfarclas 17. Preferred the smoother Glenfarclas. Macallan is a little rough to me now, maybe that'll change as I develop the palate for it.

Any other recommendations on smoother mid-priced bottles? Anybody try the Glenfarclas 12?

The Balvenie DW is what I started with as well. Excellent choice.

 

[doowain]

Looking to get into this stuff more. Researching online it seems a good starter single malt is Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, so planning to pick up a bottle of that, maybe tonight.

The only scotch I've ever had is Macallan 12 and a Glenfarclas 17. Preferred the smoother Glenfarclas. Macallan is a little rough to me now, maybe that'll change as I develop the palate for it.

Any other recommendations on smoother mid-priced bottles? Anybody try the Glenfarclas 12?

The Balvenie DW is what I started with as well. Excellent choice.

Had a couple of drams last night, splash of water. Was expecting it to be very easily accessible/drinkable/smooth based on the comments I've seen, but this stuff is still scotch! Smooth and tasty up front then as soon as you swallow it burns from your tongue to you stomach for quite a while. Shrivels up the tongue a bit too. Very nice but I think JW Black with ice is still more my speed at the moment

This might help.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Got a Costco nearby? http://www.costco.com/.product.100040907.html

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I got a bottle of Dalmore 15 for $70 recently, thought that was a great deal.

 

[AAABatteries]

Got a Costco nearby? http://www.costco.com/.product.100040907.html

$700?? I could do that but would either get a divorce or no ##### for a long time.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I was at an event tonight put on by Gordon & MacPhail, an independent bottler that also has a distillery. I think my favorites were the Old Pulteney 21 and a Mortlach, but almost all the whiskeys I had were excellent - 9 total. A couple from their Benromach distillery, a great Coal Ila 11 cask strength, a Glenlivet 15, Miltonduff 10.

 

[msommer]

Caol Ila is a very nice whisky.

My personal Islay favorite currently is Bunnahabain Da'Rach Ur

 

[T Bell]

Single Malt Scotch Dinner in May I am part of

Passed Hors d’oeuvres

Auchentoshan Classic (Lowlands)

Starter Course

Glenrothes 1998 (Speyside)

Prawns with Tropical Fruit Salsa

Second Course

Highland Park 15 (Island)

Grilled Pheasant Breast with Pluot Chutney

Sorbet

Seasonal Fruit Sorbet

Entrée Course

Bowmore 12 (Islay)

Smoked Salmon on Oatcakes with Lemon & Black Pepper

Dessert Course

Aberlour A’bunadh Macallan 10 year Cask Strength (Highland)

Black Cherry & Dark Chocolate Truffle

Orange & Ginger Spice Cake

Made one small change last night

Really like Bowmore, need to pick up a bottle here soon. Interesting mix of food and Scotchs there, how much did that run?Still working through my Oban 14 and picked up an Oban limited export 1991 reserve at $135 which is a pretty good deal (cheapest I'd ever seen it was $200 in Germany).

That's my all-time favorite. Love the oakey taste. Not overpowering the way the peat is in other ones.

 

[RUSF18]

Has anyone had the Balvenie DoubleWood 17? I know the 12 is pretty common, I'm a fan myself, but haven't seen much discussion on the 17. Thinking of buying it as a gift for a fellow fan of the 12 but wondering how the taste compares.

 

[avoiding injuries]

I'm not a scotch drinker but I got a recommendation to give a bottle of Oban as a gift to someone who was. (which I've already done) Decent bottle, good taste?

 

[Dentist]

Got a Costco nearby? http://www.costco.com/.product.100040907.html

saw that at my costco last week. I was pissed they didn't just do one of their usual 15-20 year blends at a sweet price.

I still have my costco speyside 20 y.o. from last year that was $40... AWESOME value

 

[Jules Winnfield]

February 1st Single Malt Dinner and here is the Menu


Ancnoc 12 year
Passed Hors d'oeuvres

Highland Park 12
Warm Brie & Chilled Apple Soup

Balblair 2001
Lemon and Honey glazed Scallops on warm Quinoa Salad

SORBET

Old Pulteney 21 year
Roasted Rack of Lamb with Vanilla & Black Pepper Jus, Baby Carrots, and Onion and Potato Gratin

Glenrothes 1995
Scottish Cranachan with Orange and Honey

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I'm not a scotch drinker but I got a recommendation to give a bottle of Oban as a gift to someone who was. (which I've already done) Decent bottle, good taste?

Absolutely. My late mentor was a Glenlivet drinker by volume, but would always order an Oban or a Dalwhinnie when at a steakhouse or somewhere that had a solid Scotch selection.

 

[5Rings]

Got a Costco nearby? http://www.costco.com/.product.100040907.html

saw that at my costco last week. I was pissed they didn't just do one of their usual 15-20 year blends at a sweet price.

I still have my costco speyside 20 y.o. from last year that was $40... AWESOME value

Costco 18 year Speyside sherry cask aged. $32.

Best deal going.

 

[5Rings]

Got a Costco nearby? http://www.costco.com/.product.100040907.html

saw that at my costco last week. I was pissed they didn't just do one of their usual 15-20 year blends at a sweet price.

I still have my costco speyside 20 y.o. from last year that was $40... AWESOME value

Costco 18 year Speyside sherry cask aged. $32.

Best deal going.

Do they have it again? It's been gone for a while

Bought 2 bottles last weekend in San Luis Obispo.

 

[Skylord]

February 1st Single Malt Dinner and here is the Menu


Ancnoc 12 year
Passed Hors d'oeuvres

Highland Park 12
Warm Brie & Chilled Apple Soup

Balblair 2001
Lemon and Honey glazed Scallops on warm Quinoa Salad

SORBET

Old Pulteney 21 year
Roasted Rack of Lamb with Vanilla & Black Pepper Jus, Baby Carrots, and Onion and Potato Gratin

Glenrothes 1995
Scottish Cranachan with Orange and Honey

Old Pulteney might just be my favorite distillery. I absolutely love the 17, its in my top three, if not #2

 

[Maelstrom]

My boss gave me a half-bottle of Macallan 15yr old. I've had 2 glasses, probably 1 left. It is almost too smooth, but I also have an Ardberg which is extremely peaty, so might be comparing it to that. I will say this, I think Macallan 15 would be a nice gift for someone when you know they like Scotch but they aren't a "Scotch snob", if you know what I mean. Really smooth, easy to drink and not going to surprise anyone in a bad way.

Personally, I think I enjoy the Ardberg a bit more, I like Scotch with quite a bit of character.

I also highly recommend Oban 14 and Highland Park 12 (and have tried the 18 twice, it is very good).

 

[Psychopav]

How does the Highland Park 18 compare to the 12, in terms of the taste?

 

[otello]

Black bottle is an excellent value.

 

[Maelstrom]

How does the Highland Park 18 compare to the 12, in terms of the taste?

It's been a little while since I've had the 18, but it is one of my favorite scotches. It is a bit smoother, as expected. Beyond that, I'm not generally good at the whole "tasting" description, but if I recall correctly, it is a natural extension of the 12yr old. If you don't want to buy an entire bottle untasted, a lot of times Highland Park puts a sampler bottle in with the 12 year old, look for those.

 

[Ray Karpis]

Really starting to enjoy single malt scotch after being mostly a wine guy for the past several years.

My first bottle was The Balvenie 12 Doublewood. Finished that bottle last week.

Bought two bottles today....Macallan 12 and a Highland Park 12. I expect the Macallan to be very similar to the Doublewood. With the HP12, I wanted to ease into something with a little smoke and peat, but not jump right into a really strong Islay.

Guy at the shop highly recommended a few non-chill filtered bottles - he really liked Glenlivet Nadurra.

Anyway....scotch!

 

[Zigg]

Started drinking in Vegas and bought my first bottle of 15 yo Glenlivet at duty free. Will read this thread later to see where to go from there.

 

[kutta]

I was just at Delmonico's in the Venetian in Vegas. They have the most amazing Scotch/Bourbon list I have ever seen (over 700 choices). I highly recommend it if you are in Vegas.

 

[T Bell]

My local store was out of Bowmore, so I went with another, less-expensive Islay, McClelland's. It's got the peaty taste I like but it definitely lacks something that Bowmore has. Drinkable, but inferior.

 

[msommer]

Really starting to enjoy single malt scotch after being mostly a wine guy for the past several years.

My first bottle was The Balvenie 12 Doublewood. Finished that bottle last week.

Bought two bottles today....Macallan 12 and a Highland Park 12. I expect the Macallan to be very similar to the Doublewood. With the HP12, I wanted to ease into something with a little smoke and peat, but not jump right into a really strong Islay.

Guy at the shop highly recommended a few non-chill filtered bottles - he really liked Glenlivet Nadurra.

Anyway....scotch!

Balvenie Doublewood, ahhh the memories....

You can't go wrong here

 

[msommer]

My local store was out of Bowmore, so I went with another, less-expensive Islay, McClelland's. It's got the peaty taste I like but it definitely lacks something that Bowmore has. Drinkable, but inferior.

Try Bunnahabain if you can find it. I'm partial to Da'rach Ur, but their entire range is pretty good. Bruichladdie also makes a lot of good whisky but seems to have diversified a lot more than usual so can be hard to get into with that many varieties. Caol Ila 12 year is also very good - or if you make the jump to Skye, Talisker 10yr is a very nice bottle of Scotch. Doesn't last long in this house,,,

 

[RUSF18]

I expect the Macallan to be very similar to the Doublewood.

It's not really. They are both Speyside but Macallan 12 is not quite as smooth as Doublewood and Doublewood has a ton of honey. You might want to try Macallan Director's Edition which is incredibly smooth and drinkable.

I'm a big Macallan fan (agree that the 12 is very different than the DW, but both are great) but I haven't even heard of this one before. What's it comparable to and where does it fit price wise between the Fine Oak, 12, and 18?

 

[T Bell]

My local store was out of Bowmore, so I went with another, less-expensive Islay, McClelland's. It's got the peaty taste I like but it definitely lacks something that Bowmore has. Drinkable, but inferior.

Try Bunnahabain if you can find it. I'm partial to Da'rach Ur, but their entire range is pretty good. Bruichladdie also makes a lot of good whisky but seems to have diversified a lot more than usual so can be hard to get into with that many varieties. Caol Ila 12 year is also very good - or if you make the jump to Skye, Talisker 10yr is a very nice bottle of Scotch. Doesn't last long in this house,,,

I genuinely like Bowmore - it's about "perfect" for my palate. But another nice thing working in its favor is that I can get a bottle of it for around $30. There are certainly other scotches that I can like or even love to taste, but they inevitably seem to cost more and I'm not big on throwing down $40+ on a bottle of scotch.

 

[Ray Karpis]

Anyone ever had samples shipped from Masters of Malt? Looking at possibly doing that...little pricey on shipping but it seems like a nice way to taste some very different scotches to see what suits your palate best.

 

[Skylord]

I expect the Macallan to be very similar to the Doublewood.

It's not really. They are both Speyside but Macallan 12 is not quite as smooth as Doublewood and Doublewood has a ton of honey. You might want to try Macallan Director's Edition which is incredibly smooth and drinkable.

I'm a big Macallan fan (agree that the 12 is very different than the DW, but both are great) but I haven't even heard of this one before. What's it comparable to and where does it fit price wise between the Fine Oak, 12, and 18?

They sell it at Costco

 

[Skylord]

Anyone ever had samples shipped from Masters of Malt? Looking at possibly doing that...little pricey on shipping but it seems like a nice way to taste some very different scotches to see what suits your palate best.

They do an advent calendar for December that I plan on getting this year

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/drinks-by-the-dram/the-whisky-advent-calendar/

 

[Skylord]

I expect the Macallan to be very similar to the Doublewood.

It's not really. They are both Speyside but Macallan 12 is not quite as smooth as Doublewood and Doublewood has a ton of honey. You might want to try Macallan Director's Edition which is incredibly smooth and drinkable.

I'm a big Macallan fan (agree that the 12 is very different than the DW, but both are great) but I haven't even heard of this one before. What's it comparable to and where does it fit price wise between the Fine Oak, 12, and 18?

They sell it at Costco

Yes and I believe a 750ml is ~$80 if I remember. So in between the 12 and 18 in terms of price.

I'm no expert but it seems like a beginner's scotch to me. I don't mean that in a bad way. If I were to go out and get a Macallan right now (don't have any currently) I'd get that one. Very smooth and easy to drink, kind of like the DW in that sense.

ralfy review

its only 40% I believe. I've never had it. Didn't seem worth the price

 

[Christo]

Anyone ever had samples shipped from Masters of Malt? Looking at possibly doing that...little pricey on shipping but it seems like a nice way to taste some very different scotches to see what suits your palate best.

They do an advent calendar for December that I plan on getting this year

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/drinks-by-the-dram/the-whisky-advent-calendar/

Why did I not know about this?!?!?!!!

I just ordered myself the 2013 Advent Calendar.

- Yamazaki 12 Year Old

- Grants 25 Year Old

- Evan Williams Single Barrel

- Mackmyra Brukswhisky

- Bowmore 15 Year Old

- Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No.1 Dubhe Single Malt Whisky

- Glencadam 21 Year Old

- Blue Hanger 9th Release

- Tomintoul 14 Year Old

- Dalmore 18 Year Old

- Auchentoshan Three Wood

- North British 18 Year Old 1994 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

- FEW Bourbon Whiskey

- Talisker Port Ruighe

- Nikka Whisky From The Barrel

- Balcones Texas Single Malt

- Glen Garioch 12 Year Old

- Johnnie Walker Platinum

- Balvenie 17 Year Old Doublewood

- Smooth Ambler 7 Year Old Bourbon

- Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition

- Balvenie Carribean Cask

- Macduff 15 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

- Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

 

[msommer]

I like the Yamazaki too. Nice whisky. I always get it confused with the Hakushu 12. Now I can't remember which one I like the best. I guess I have to buy anothe bottle of each and try again

 

[msommer]

My local store was out of Bowmore, so I went with another, less-expensive Islay, McClelland's. It's got the peaty taste I like but it definitely lacks something that Bowmore has. Drinkable, but inferior.

Try Bunnahabain if you can find it. I'm partial to Da'rach Ur, but their entire range is pretty good. Bruichladdie also makes a lot of good whisky but seems to have diversified a lot more than usual so can be hard to get into with that many varieties. Caol Ila 12 year is also very good - or if you make the jump to Skye, Talisker 10yr is a very nice bottle of Scotch. Doesn't last long in this house,,,

I genuinely like Bowmore - it's about "perfect" for my palate. But another nice thing working in its favor is that I can get a bottle of it for around $30. There are certainly other scotches that I can like or even love to taste, but they inevitably seem to cost more and I'm not big on throwing down $40+ on a bottle of scotch.

I know what you mean. That's why I frequently end up buying Caol Ila and Talisker. Often I can find them in 1l bottles at the same price of the other brands' 70cl

 

[SkyRattlers]

Anyone ever had samples shipped from Masters of Malt? Looking at possibly doing that...little pricey on shipping but it seems like a nice way to taste some very different scotches to see what suits your palate best.

They do an advent calendar for December that I plan on getting this year

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/drinks-by-the-dram/the-whisky-advent-calendar/

Why did I not know about this?!?!?!!!

I just ordered myself the 2013 Advent Calendar.

- Yamazaki 12 Year Old

- Grants 25 Year Old

- Evan Williams Single Barrel

- Mackmyra Brukswhisky

- Bowmore 15 Year Old

- Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No.1 Dubhe Single Malt Whisky

- Glencadam 21 Year Old

- Blue Hanger 9th Release

- Tomintoul 14 Year Old

- Dalmore 18 Year Old

- Auchentoshan Three Wood

- North British 18 Year Old 1994 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

- FEW Bourbon Whiskey

- Talisker Port Ruighe

- Nikka Whisky From The Barrel

- Balcones Texas Single Malt

- Glen Garioch 12 Year Old

- Johnnie Walker Platinum

- Balvenie 17 Year Old Doublewood

- Smooth Ambler 7 Year Old Bourbon

- Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition

- Balvenie Carribean Cask

- Macduff 15 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

- Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Wow, Glenfarclas 40 to end it. That's a hell of a way to bring in Christmas. I have had a bottle of the 25 and it was divine. I can only imagine how good the 40 would be.

 

[Ray Karpis]

Had a bit of the Highland Park 12 last night. I'm a relative newb, but I thought it was pretty easy to drink. To my taste, not a lot of peat, but a decent amount of smoke in the finish. Ultimately, I don't think smoke will be my thing, but I enjoyed it and won't have any trouble finishing that bottle. Woke up in the middle of the night really needing a drink of water, though.

 

[Psychopav]

Had a bit of the Highland Park 12 last night. I'm a relative newb, but I thought it was pretty easy to drink. To my taste, not a lot of peat, but a decent amount of smoke in the finish. Ultimately, I don't think smoke will be my thing, but I enjoyed it and won't have any trouble finishing that bottle. Woke up in the middle of the night really needing a drink of water, though.

Interesting. Just curious:

How much did you have? Also, did you splash any water in or drink it straight?

 

[pollardsvision]

My local store was out of Bowmore, so I went with another, less-expensive Islay, McClelland's. It's got the peaty taste I like but it definitely lacks something that Bowmore has. Drinkable, but inferior.

Try Bunnahabain if you can find it. I'm partial to Da'rach Ur, but their entire range is pretty good. Bruichladdie also makes a lot of good whisky but seems to have diversified a lot more than usual so can be hard to get into with that many varieties. Caol Ila 12 year is also very good - or if you make the jump to Skye, Talisker 10yr is a very nice bottle of Scotch. Doesn't last long in this house,,,

I genuinely like Bowmore - it's about "perfect" for my palate. But another nice thing working in its favor is that I can get a bottle of it for around $30. There are certainly other scotches that I can like or even love to taste, but they inevitably seem to cost more and I'm not big on throwing down $40+ on a bottle of scotch.

Wow. Control states suck. Bowmore 12 is $51 here. $30 here will pretty much only get you a bottle of Dewar's or NAS Johnny.

I'm not a big fan of dropping $40+ on a bottle of scotch either. And living in VA, that means generally sticking to American whiskey.

 

[Ray Karpis]

Had a bit of the Highland Park 12 last night. I'm a relative newb, but I thought it was pretty easy to drink. To my taste, not a lot of peat, but a decent amount of smoke in the finish. Ultimately, I don't think smoke will be my thing, but I enjoyed it and won't have any trouble finishing that bottle. Woke up in the middle of the night really needing a drink of water, though.

Interesting. Just curious:

How much did you have? Also, did you splash any water in or drink it straight?

About a finger and a half. Splashed a small bit of bottled water...no ice.

 

[dozer]

Picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 16. Can't wait to try.

Total Wine has good prices on scotch. The Lagavulin was $65 and I also picked up a 1.75 of JW Black for $44 !

One of my favs!

It was my favorite until a buddy bought me a Bunnahabbin 18.

 

[Psychopav]

Picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 16. Can't wait to try.

Total Wine has good prices on scotch. The Lagavulin was $65 and I also picked up a 1.75 of JW Black for $44 !

One of my favs!

It was my favorite until a buddy bought me a Bunnahabbin 18.

What's special about Bunnahabbin 18?

 

[Ray Karpis]

How is Macallan 12? Just had a bottle sent to my office.

I like it. Easy to drink. I'm a relative newb, but I put it easily ahead of Balvenie Doublewood, Highland Park 12, and Dalwhinnie 15.

 

[doowain]

Picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 16. Can't wait to try.

Total Wine has good prices on scotch. The Lagavulin was $65 and I also picked up a 1.75 of JW Black for $44 !

The Lag 16 is top notch. Easily my favorite under $100.

And it's Ron Swanson's drink of choice, so you know it's good.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

How is Macallan 12? Just had a bottle sent to my office.

Its a great scotch. Classic, quality speyside.

 

[=Smackdown=]

How is Macallan 12? Just had a bottle sent to my office.

Great

Just finished the 12 - not as good as the 18 IMO but still very good.

Next stop for me - The Balvenie - Caribbean Cask Aged 14 years. Hearing good things.