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Interesting graphic. The Islays really have a lot of range don't they? I've also been told not to buy the Auchentoshan. I really want to try the MacCallan 15 year oak cask I was reading about today but I didn't see it at the store. I didn't see the Cragganmore either but will ask around about that one.
That is a very cool site. Thanks for the link.
I'm also a big Islay malt fan as well, but I enjoy exploring all better Scotches. Have a special place for MacAllen 12 in particular.As for how, I like it neat, with water on the side. It helps to slow down the experience even more and prevents flavor 'build-up'.
Hey Walt>I picked up the Cragganmore 1992 Distillers Edition since they did not have either of the flagships in stock. Will report back but thanks for the tip.
Bought a bottle of black for the first time last week, I think I'm in trouble, it tastes really good to me.Black label is all you need. It just doesn't hold up against the great Islays though.
Finally got around to buying a bottle of this and really like it. Having a glass now. This Islay has a really strong nose to it. Balanced. Not as peaty as say Lagavulin or Laphroaig but its got the smokiness that you expect in a Islay.
The Bowmore Islay Legend is very drinkable at only $20/bottle at Trader Joe's (when they have it). I will typically enjoy a pricier snifter for the first then finish up with the Legend for the second (sometimes third, rarely fourth) drinks of the evening.I love the Islays: Laphroig, Lagavullin, Ardbeg, Bowmore, all have something to recommend them. The Macallan tastes like candy to me; it's a little too sweet for my taste.
I had someone GIVE me a bottle of Glenfiddich once because they didn't drink scotch. I thought it was fine.I haven't had the Dewars single malt yet. I think it's call Aberfeldy. Unless you're just talking about Dewars blended scotch. I drink this in the casinos because it's free.
Not sure it's the best price in the country, but it's a lot cheaper then I've seen it elsewhere. I've got no affiliation with SV, other than being a satisfied repeat customer. Fast and secure shipping anywhere in the US.
What is your definition of affordable?
Good luck on finding a good 18ish bottle of Scotch for under $45 a bottle.
Thanks for suggesting Cragganmore. I bought a bottle of the 1992 Distillers edition double matured a few weeks ago and absolutely love this scotch.Nice recommendation!
This is my next purchase.Found this thread looking up Dr D's old posts. For those of you with iPhones, there is an iMalts app with a large inventory of Scotches, with more coming in the next update. It also classifies them in about 12 categories of taste so you can compare and find others you might like. Not perfect, but they promised the update will make it smoother to compare.
Interesting, thanks. Haven't had the funds to add too many new bottles but I'm still dabbling.
Dalwhinnie 15 and Aberlour 12 both Speysides, are my two favorites under $60 (if you haven't tried either of those you haven't tried the right Speyside). For an Islay you can get Laphroaig under $60 and Highland Park 12 is a good buy at around $50 for Highland Scotch.ETA: Balvenie 12 can be had under $60 also and I highly recommend that one also. The 14 year at around $90 is one of the best deals for under $100 I've ever found.
I really like the Balvenie 12 Double Wood, can be had for 33 bucks at Trader Joe's. It's as good or better than any others I've tried. Next two I try are the Bowmore 12 or Aberlour 12, whichever is on sale when this bottle runs out.
Balvanie 21 is nectar of the gods.The 12 and 15 are also very good.Time to revive this thread for the holidays. I've gone through several bottles since my last post and I've pretty much liked all of them, especially Bowmore 12 and Talisker 10. Both of these are fine, fine whiskys. My Talisker was about gone though so yesterday I went to the liquor store to pick up some spirits for the holidays. I wound up buying another bottle of the Cragganmore Distillers Edition double matured. This whisky keeps calling to me. One thing I like about it is when you take a sip, it literally fills your nose and palate with presence. I like that in a scotch.I think the Balvenie will be next on my list. I think I've tried it in the past but forgotten what it's like.
The 15 is very good, and the 12 Double Wood is not only good but cheap ($32) at Trader Joe's. Gotta be one of the best values you can regularly get. I'll be picking up a bottle of Bowmore 12 tomorrow i hope.Balvanie 21 is nectar of the gods.The 12 and 15 are also very good.Time to revive this thread for the holidays. I've gone through several bottles since my last post and I've pretty much liked all of them, especially Bowmore 12 and Talisker 10. Both of these are fine, fine whiskys. My Talisker was about gone though so yesterday I went to the liquor store to pick up some spirits for the holidays. I wound up buying another bottle of the Cragganmore Distillers Edition double matured. This whisky keeps calling to me. One thing I like about it is when you take a sip, it literally fills your nose and palate with presence. I like that in a scotch.I think the Balvenie will be next on my list. I think I've tried it in the past but forgotten what it's like.
ETA: I screwed up the quotes but the bolded is my text.Balvanie 21 is nectar of the gods.The 12 and 15 are also very good.Time to revive this thread for the holidays. I've gone through several bottles since my last post and I've pretty much liked all of them, especially Bowmore 12 and Talisker 10. Both of these are fine, fine whiskys.
My Talisker was about gone though so yesterday I went to the liquor store to pick up some spirits for the holidays. I wound up buying another bottle of the Cragganmore Distillers Edition double matured. This whisky keeps calling to me. One thing I like about it is when you take a sip, it literally fills your nose and palate with presence. I like that in a scotch.
I think the Balvenie will be next on my list. I think I've tried it in the past but forgotten what it's like.
I downloaded iMalt app for my iPhone and here's what it says about Balvenie: (BTW, it's a speyside)
"Medium-bodied, medium-sweet, with fruity, floral, honey, malty notes and spicy hints"
WTF, it tastes like practically "everything", apparently. I paid $4 for that "app".
I second this.Balvanie 21 is nectar of the gods.The 12 and 15 are also very good.Time to revive this thread for the holidays. I've gone through several bottles since my last post and I've pretty much liked all of them, especially Bowmore 12 and Talisker 10. Both of these are fine, fine whiskys. My Talisker was about gone though so yesterday I went to the liquor store to pick up some spirits for the holidays. I wound up buying another bottle of the Cragganmore Distillers Edition double matured. This whisky keeps calling to me. One thing I like about it is when you take a sip, it literally fills your nose and palate with presence. I like that in a scotch.I think the Balvenie will be next on my list. I think I've tried it in the past but forgotten what it's like.
That is a great price for the double wood. I would expect to pay about $45.The 15 is very good, and the 12 Double Wood is not only good but cheap ($32) at Trader Joe's. Gotta be one of the best values you can regularly get. I'll be picking up a bottle of Bowmore 12 tomorrow i hope.Balvanie 21 is nectar of the gods.The 12 and 15 are also very good.Time to revive this thread for the holidays. I've gone through several bottles since my last post and I've pretty much liked all of them, especially Bowmore 12 and Talisker 10. Both of these are fine, fine whiskys. My Talisker was about gone though so yesterday I went to the liquor store to pick up some spirits for the holidays. I wound up buying another bottle of the Cragganmore Distillers Edition double matured. This whisky keeps calling to me. One thing I like about it is when you take a sip, it literally fills your nose and palate with presence. I like that in a scotch.I think the Balvenie will be next on my list. I think I've tried it in the past but forgotten what it's like.
Have you read thru the thread?Generally, the more aged it is, the smoother it is. Most scotch has 40+ abv so youre gonna feel some burn. I suggest trying some with one or 2 ice cubes. Drinking it with ice does a couple of things -- it takes the temp down, mellowing it out a bit, and diluting it which takes a little of the edge off (and also opens up the flavor/character a bit).Of course, if you want to mix your scotch, stick with the cheaper brands/blends.
Forgot about this - yeah, didn't read through the thread, I was lazy.I found a bottle of White Label and had it over two ice cubes and a splash of water, pretty good, but still not as smooth as I would like. I have my eye on some Glennfiddich - how does this stack up? My brother bought a bottle of JW Blue Label for my dad a few Christmases ago, and that was awesome (yeah I know, super expensive). I think that spoiled me.
How much does this run? I think prices might be a nice addition for posts so morons like me know what they are getting into.
