Drunken Cowboy
Footballguy
Ardbeg 10 is about as smoky as it gets. Ardbeg has some good newer lines. Corryvreken is probably worth trying for you.
https://www.ardbeg.com/en-US/whisky/ultimate-range/corryvreckan
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The Scotch Whisky Thread (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Doctor Detroit
- Start date
https://www.ardbeg.com/en-US/whisky/ultimate-range/corryvreckan
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Yep, think I mentioned this one earlier - easily the most smoke in a Scotch I’ve had but I’m not a huge Scotch guy.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Two dumb questions:
1. Do you guys keep your scotch in the nice boxes they come in? Or only of it is particularly a special bottle/box?
2. Do you decant any of your spirits? I have a nice decanter that has been empty for 10 years. But never wanted to fill it. What would you even fill it with?
1. Do you guys keep your scotch in the nice boxes they come in? Or only of it is particularly a special bottle/box?
2. Do you decant any of your spirits? I have a nice decanter that has been empty for 10 years. But never wanted to fill it. What would you even fill it with?
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Both of these I drank neat in a glencairn glass.
Glenmorangie Signet.
Very good. Before getting into the scotch itself, I just have to comment on the presentation. This is a show piece. The stopper is so substantial and heavy, you have to be careful not to drop it the first time, because it is unexpected.
You get immediate notes of bitter chocolate when you open the bottle. Same on the nose, with maybe a hint of coffee. Beautiful amber color.
This is sweet, like a bourbon. Chocolate and alcohol is what I tasted mostly. I get more heat than anticipated at 92 proof. No smoke at all -- was hoping for a little at least. I compare this (with my limited repertoire) to Woodford Double Oaked, but thicker. Interestingly enough, when the glass is empty, I really was able to smell the chocolate and coffee notes more intensely.
I tried this again with a bit of water. I would say mostly the same. A little more on the nose and less heat of course. Enjoyable, especially is you prefer bourbon and don't want peat.
Ardbeg 10 Year
This is a campfire in a bottle. And I mean that in a good way. The contrast between this and the Signet is at every level. Nothing to write home about on the presentation. The bottle and stopper are standard. The pale yellow color makes it look thin, but it does actually have legs.
Nose is all smoke and a bit of sea. Char and lemongrass is what I taste. Maybe a bit of cream/marshmallow at the finish, with a little burn and a nice linger of smoke. Quite enjoyable. I need to drink this again!
I feel like I am changing over from a bourbon guy into a scotch guy. I need to keep drinking to refine my nose and palate though, so that I can keep trying and enjoying new things!
Glenmorangie Signet.
Very good. Before getting into the scotch itself, I just have to comment on the presentation. This is a show piece. The stopper is so substantial and heavy, you have to be careful not to drop it the first time, because it is unexpected.
You get immediate notes of bitter chocolate when you open the bottle. Same on the nose, with maybe a hint of coffee. Beautiful amber color.
This is sweet, like a bourbon. Chocolate and alcohol is what I tasted mostly. I get more heat than anticipated at 92 proof. No smoke at all -- was hoping for a little at least. I compare this (with my limited repertoire) to Woodford Double Oaked, but thicker. Interestingly enough, when the glass is empty, I really was able to smell the chocolate and coffee notes more intensely.
I tried this again with a bit of water. I would say mostly the same. A little more on the nose and less heat of course. Enjoyable, especially is you prefer bourbon and don't want peat.
Ardbeg 10 Year
This is a campfire in a bottle. And I mean that in a good way. The contrast between this and the Signet is at every level. Nothing to write home about on the presentation. The bottle and stopper are standard. The pale yellow color makes it look thin, but it does actually have legs.
Nose is all smoke and a bit of sea. Char and lemongrass is what I taste. Maybe a bit of cream/marshmallow at the finish, with a little burn and a nice linger of smoke. Quite enjoyable. I need to drink this again!
I feel like I am changing over from a bourbon guy into a scotch guy. I need to keep drinking to refine my nose and palate though, so that I can keep trying and enjoying new things!
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I don't keep the boxes and don't decant. A really nice whisky might last me a year or so and at minimum will be open for a few months. I have a decanter but don't think the whisky will last that long in it.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Anyone try the Lagavuin Offerman Edition?
As a stout drinker, the Guiness Cask is intriguing. But does it maintain the peat??
As a stout drinker, the Guiness Cask is intriguing. But does it maintain the peat??
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I kind of want to treat myself for my birthday this month.
Has anyone had The Macallan 18 double cask? This seems to be the "best" Macallan under $1000 available on the PA website right now. There also are the 12 and 15 year. I think both single and double casks available at lower prices than the 18.
I also am looking for something else that is peaty. Lagavulin16 keeps popping up everywhere. I have the Ardbeg 10 and like it -- should I stick with them and get a different variation? Or go Lagavulin or something else, if wanting something "special"?
Has anyone had The Macallan 18 double cask? This seems to be the "best" Macallan under $1000 available on the PA website right now. There also are the 12 and 15 year. I think both single and double casks available at lower prices than the 18.
I also am looking for something else that is peaty. Lagavulin16 keeps popping up everywhere. I have the Ardbeg 10 and like it -- should I stick with them and get a different variation? Or go Lagavulin or something else, if wanting something "special"?
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Drunken Cowboy
Footballguy
Lagavulin is my favorite regular drinker. It is much richer than Arbeg.
I was going to suggest Laphroaig 18 for the something special, but it seems you can't get it anymore.
Balvanie 21 Port wood is a nice treat yourself whiskey. Nectar of the gods
Desert_Power
Footballguy
I like Signet a lot. It is an indulgent experience (and price). Always like it after a nice dinner out when I get back home.
I am usually not a big scotch guy but I do like to have a nice bottle on hand for special occasions - what would you say is a good price for the Balvenie - my local BevMo happens to have it in stock but it is $250 (marked down from $286). Not sure I can justify that, but if the right mood hits me I may be running down there -- I do have about $75 in gift cards that I was waiting for a decent bottle of bourbon to pop available, but maybe I'll swing for the scotch
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Catching up on this thread. Use the decanter as an infinity bottle - I have 2 - one for Rye and one for Bourbon. You can mix anything you’d like and I find it a lot of fun.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I’ve had it and I didn’t enjoy it at all BUT I’m not a big Scotch drinker. I’m pretty much Highlands and Speysides.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
I've had the Macallan 12 double cask; just a drop of water turned it from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde in a good way.
As for peaty, I don't know what you've had, and my experience with peat are in the less expensive (i.e., not necessarily single malt) price range other than Lagavulin 16. The cheapest I've had is For Peat's Sake (~$18 at Total Wine); it's good for when you have an itch for peat but don't need complexity. Hamilton's has an Islay version for under $25 which also is less complex than the others but is very enjoyable, especially when adding a splash of water to really open it up. Scarabus is a little over $30 and is a flattering imitation of Lagavulin at nearly 1/3 the cost. It's more smokey than the previous ones I've mentioned but it's not overpowering. Smokehead, despite having 'smoke' in the title, is also reminiscent of Lagavulin. The smokey note is toward the front but after that you get some complexity and a lot of peatiness. I didn't like it at first, but kept going back to it when I was trying to stretch my Lagavulin (bought it for my birthday last year and am still nursing it along until my next birthday comes and I'll buy myself another one). They have several different versions but I had the basic one, which runs ~$55-60. Laphfroaig 10 may be a good choice, as it doesn't have the smoke and iodine that Lagavulin has. I've put Compass Box Peat Monster and Talisker 10 on my Christmas wish list, but I haven't tried them yet so can't report on them.
On one hand, spending more on Scotch usually pays off, but as you can see, I live in the lower-rent district and am pretty happy with the small handful of brands I've tried.
P.S.--if you're ever looking for a real challenge to your palate, drop $10 on Glen Logie. It presents itself as a cheap mixer, but a splash of water opens up some notes you wouldn't expect from such cheap blend. It sort of turns into an Irish Whiskey, and I think I tasted celery in there at some point. Definitely have to go into it with an open mind.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I honestly don’t know what you mean GB.Leeroy Jenkins said:
You can look it up online but an Infinity bottle is just blending whatever you like in your decanter. It can be low end, high end, whatever. Some people will blend ryes and bourbons or even try to do something like High West Campfire with bourbon and scotch.
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Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Drunken Cowboy
Footballguy
$250 is a pretty good price. I think that is about what my last bottle was.acarey50 said:
James Bond
Footballguy
Just got my bottle of The Sassenach, limited batch release. It's a blended highland scotch from Sam Heughan's (Outlander) distillery. Will be interesting to see if it's good or just another star promoted spirit like Aviation or Casamigos.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
For a couple of years I've been debating picking up a bottle of Drambuie but couldn't justify the cost due to not being a big Scotch fan and honestly I was confused by it being labeled a Scotch whiskey liqueur. Finally picked up a bottle in a hole in the wall liquor store for $27 (almost always see it for $40 around here) and damn, this stuff is delicious. It's a little too rich to drink neat but could easily be enjoyed on the rocks or, as I'm doing now, in a Rusty Nail (Monkey Shoulder). So, for all your Scotch drinkers I highly recommend picking up a bottle of this and making a Rusty Nail.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
So are you just dumping the end of bottles? Mixing as you buy new ones you like? How much of each new booze goes into the infinity bottle? I like this idea but not sure how scientific I want/should get!
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Somewhat obvious but you can do whatever you want or makes sense to you. I think most people either do a certain amount of whatever they choose to add - 1-2 oz. is probably most common. Or when they get to the bottom of a bottle just dump in what’s left.
I take the first route - mine are less experimenting and more trying to make something I think will taste good. I keep the contents in a Google sheet.
If you do decide to make one let us know how it goes!
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Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
What’s yours so far?
I am going to do one for scotch I think. Just debating on whether to wait and just do end of bottles or maybe mix and Islay and a Highland now to add some smoke to something sweet. Which, given my current limited stock, would both end up being Ardbeg 10 and Glenmorangie Signet anyway.
Went with that Talisker Distiller’s edition neat last night. Still not amazing, but it is a nice drinker imo. A little bitter, some sea air and iodine, with lingering light smoke.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
AAA Bourbon Infinity bottle (sorry Scotch fans):
Knob Creek Small Batch
Old Forrester 86
Buffalo Trace
Early Times
Elijah Craig SB SP - Citi
1792 SB SP - Dixie
Eagle Rare
Evan Williams BiB
Woodford Wheat
Smoke Wagon SB
Elijah Craig BP (C920)
Wilderness Trail - (High Rye MB) Family Reserve
Knob Creek SiB
Makers Cask Strength
Chattanooga 1816
Wild Turkey 101
Buffalo Trace
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Chattanooga 111
Woodford Double Oaked
Weller Special Reserve
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
So what’s it like? Are you adding Buffalo Trace a few times to bring the flavor profile back when you don’t quite like it?
AAABatteries
Footballguy
My recollection was that one was a store pick and the other non-SP. It’s good - not fantastic or anything but really good. It’s right around 100 proof which is a sweet spot, IMO, for a daily bourbon drinker. My goal with mine is to have something sweet, classic bourbon flavors without a lot of oak.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Some cyber monday deals out there. I am limited in PA with what I can get, so I just went with:
Wanted some more peaty ones, and figured just have a Macallan on hand.
- The Macallan Double Cask 12yr, 86 Proof
- Port Charlotte 10yr, 100proof
- Laphroaig 10yr, 80 proof
Wanted some more peaty ones, and figured just have a Macallan on hand.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Taking a poll.
Pick 2.
I need to return the Macallan 12 double cask that I got online. I didn’t realize it was a huge 1.75L bottle …..
Lagavulin 16
Lagavulin 11 Offerman Edition
Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask
Macallan 12
Macallan 15
Pick 2.
I need to return the Macallan 12 double cask that I got online. I didn’t realize it was a huge 1.75L bottle …..
Lagavulin 16
Lagavulin 11 Offerman Edition
Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask
Macallan 12
Macallan 15
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
Didn't think that would come in a 1.75L bottle. No wonder you can swap that for any 2 of the ones you listed.
My 2 choices would be definitely Lagavulin 16 for the first choice, and I'd probably take a chance on the Macallan 15 for the second.
FWIW, I really like Macallan 12 double cask with a splash of water.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Not a fan of the Offerman. Those would be my two picks - I haven’t had the Caribbean Cask so can’t really rank it.
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CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
This may be a first — unanimous poll here and off-line.
Drunken Cowboy
Footballguy
I like the Caribbean cask Balvenie. I would probably go it and Lagavulin16
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Went with the consensus.
So now my scotch collection consists of:
So now my scotch collection consists of:
- Ardbeg 10
- Lagavulin 16
- Laphroaig 10
- Port Charlotte 10
- Talisker Distiller's Edition
- The Macallan 15 Double Cask
- Glenmorangie Signet
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Whomever ever said I would enjoy the Lagavulin 16 — You. Were. RIGHT!
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
I'm not ashamed to admit that I came to try Lagavulin from watching Parks and Rec during the early days of Covid quarantine. Not sure why, since I had always avoided anything stronger than beer up until then; maybe I was just bored. Regardless, I bought my first bottle about this time last year and really had no idea what to expect. In addition to the fact that alcohol wasn't the first thing I tasted, it was such a revelation to me that something that tasted like this would be so enjoyable. I would even drink it if it were non-alcoholic. Going to finally finish that bottle tonight and replace it either today or tomorrow. I love it but it's just too much for my budget.
FWIW, while only slightly comparable, I have tried to other brands that are Lagavulin-esque and cost significantly less; not saying there aren't others that you may like even more or are cheaper, just that these and remind me just enough of Lagavulin that they scratched the itch and saved my wallet: Smokehead (~$55-60, I got it for Christmas last year) and Scarabus (~$35, on my 2nd bottle now and am holding off until it goes on sale again). I've been trying to keep a ceiling of $25, so I've grown accustomed to 'lesser' whiskys but they satisfy me nonetheless. My current go-to's are both less than $20 and for good or bad, seem to be Total Wine brands so I'll only ever find them there.
And while I'm at it, this is a PSA for one of the more 'challenging' brands I've tried: Glen Logie. At ~$10 for 750ml it sounds like it should be a mixer at best, but it has a taste that I still can't quite describe other than as 'offbeat', and I would swear it has a note reminiscent of celery in there somewhere. It's not bitter and could be smoother but it's not something that has to be choked down, either. Not sure if this is another Total Wine only brand as I haven't seen it anywhere else, but at the price point, it's a fun change of pace. It's like sherbet: fancy restaurants serve it as a palate cleanser between meals, but it also works on its own. I got a 1.75ml bottle for $20. It came in a glass bottle--first time I've seen whisky in that quantity come in a glass bottle--and it will be my infinity bottle once I've emptied it.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I have never seen the show.
I was expecting this to really punch me in the face, but it did not. I mean it is a smoke-bomb, but there is something else going to too. It is bold and gentle at the same time.
On the nose I got the immediate smoke and iodine, but then also what seemed like red licorice to me (not the overly sweet kind). Palate was smoke first, a little bitterness -- like coffee or espresso, and then I swear a hint of chocolate? Finish is smoke and sea spray and it lingers. Loved it.
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
Regarding Parks and Rec, I didn't watch it during its original run, but we were getting it free on Amazon Prime in the early days of quarantine, and I got through the whole series 2-3 times before it went away. There are tons of youtube clips of it. Look for Ron Swanson in particular. There's a subplot at one point where he's in the UK and goes to the Lagavulin distillery. Also, if you're a fan of Chris Pratt, it's fun to see him in his early days and you can see where he refined his repertoire.
As for your tasting notes, my palate isn't that well developed, but I agree with your description. My first impression was that it was like drinking a campfire in a good way; the thing about the smoke is that it evokes the specific association with smoke from a campfire as opposed to a more generic kind of smoky aftertaste I get when adding a splash of water to Macallan or Laphroaig.
Before trying Lagavulin, I always associated liquor with having that alcohol burn right out of the gate, but I'm finding even the cheaper brands, while still having some of that burn, usually give you a lot of other flavors first, so it's not as offputting. In my exploration of lower cost brands, I'm finding that around $20 for 750ml is about the cutoff where the ethanol is closest to the front and then starts moving further back as the price/quality goes up. Still, I'm tempted when I see low price points of brands like Black Velvet (and even some of the once-popular brands that have faded, i.e. Cutty Sark, Chivas, etc.), and am trying to find some lower-priced bourbons that don't punch me in the face first as well.
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I have now tried each of my short Scotch bench.
The Macallan 15: I enjoyed this. There was a little more alcohol bite than I was expecting, but it still was pretty smooth, and smoothed out as I sipped. Sherry and butterscotch on the nose. Some spice, dried fruit, and vanilla on the palate. Sweeter on the finish I thought.
Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10: Some smoke on the nose, but not as much as I was expecting. This was the first time I got the "band aid" smell that I have seen people reference on other Scotches. Very very smooth for 100 proof. A little sweet. Plum maybe? Not a strong finish.
Laphroaig 10: I was expecting a smoke bomb here, but it didn't hit that hard. Seemed a bit thin and bland to me actually. Not terrible by any means, but IMO the Ardbeg 10 is far superior for a similar dram.
So, my definitive rankings of my Magnificent Seven are:
The Macallan 15: I enjoyed this. There was a little more alcohol bite than I was expecting, but it still was pretty smooth, and smoothed out as I sipped. Sherry and butterscotch on the nose. Some spice, dried fruit, and vanilla on the palate. Sweeter on the finish I thought.
Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10: Some smoke on the nose, but not as much as I was expecting. This was the first time I got the "band aid" smell that I have seen people reference on other Scotches. Very very smooth for 100 proof. A little sweet. Plum maybe? Not a strong finish.
Laphroaig 10: I was expecting a smoke bomb here, but it didn't hit that hard. Seemed a bit thin and bland to me actually. Not terrible by any means, but IMO the Ardbeg 10 is far superior for a similar dram.
So, my definitive rankings of my Magnificent Seven are:
- Lagavulin 16 (by far)
- Ardbeg 10
- Talisker Distiller's Edition
- Glenmorangie Signet
- Macallan 15 Double Barrel
- Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10yr
- Laphroaig 10
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
Out of curiosity, did you add water to any of them? The smoke and peat came out to play when I added a splash of water to Laphroaig 10 and made it much more interesting. The Macallan 15 and Port Charlotte are on my radar but unless I get one of them at Christmas, they'll have to wait. Ardbeg 10 is on my Christmas list and I can imagine a salesman at Total Wine trying to guide her towards the An Oa or Uigedail versions instead.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Out of curiosity, did you add water to any of them? The smoke and peat came out to play when I added a splash of water to Laphroaig 10 and made it much more interesting. The Macallan 15 and Port Charlotte are on my radar but unless I get one of them at Christmas, they'll have to wait. Ardbeg 10 is on my Christmas list and I can imagine a salesman at Total Wine trying to guide her towards the An Oa or Uigedail versions instead.
Only to the Ardbeg, Talisker and the Signet. I will add a few drops on my next go arounds to the others -- I always forget about that.
Dwayne Hoover
Footballguy
Bought a bottle of Ardbeg Uigeadail. This is tasty. If you like Lagavulin 16, will definitely be up your alley.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
We are unusually ahead of schedule for Christmas, with just about everything except stockings already under the tree, and I've noticed two gifts that I'm guessing are contain some sort of spirits. Based on the fact that I sent my wife a shopping list I built on Total Wine's app, they are both probably some sort of whisky.
One is a box, the other a cylinder. I'm anticipating Ardbeg 10 and Compass Box Peat Monster, but one of them is from my son and he doesn't have the money for either of those, so I'm also not sure what to expect. I'll be happy no matter what they end up being, just wanted to get my predictions down now.
FWIW, here's the entire list:
Ardbeg 10
Bowmore 12
Compass Box Peat Monster
Lagavulin 8 (I haven't seen 16 on the shelves for a couple of months now)
Macallan 12 Double Cask
Scarabus
Smokey Joe
Talisker 10
Talisker Storm
One is a box, the other a cylinder. I'm anticipating Ardbeg 10 and Compass Box Peat Monster, but one of them is from my son and he doesn't have the money for either of those, so I'm also not sure what to expect. I'll be happy no matter what they end up being, just wanted to get my predictions down now.
FWIW, here's the entire list:
Ardbeg 10
Bowmore 12
Compass Box Peat Monster
Lagavulin 8 (I haven't seen 16 on the shelves for a couple of months now)
Macallan 12 Double Cask
Scarabus
Smokey Joe
Talisker 10
Talisker Storm
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Man that Peat Monster is unusual - I just can’t get in to it. It makes me think somebody opened a box band-aids and poured a Scotch in it. My buddy enjoys it so hope you do too!
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