Single Malt thread
- Thread starter Snog
- Start date
For a starter..I found the Glenmorangie 10 yr to be a great entrance to the world of single malts..very smooth
My wallet doesn't allow ventures into 15/18/21 year territory very often so my go-to single malts the past year or so have been the Oban 14 yr old if I want something exceptionally smooth and the Highland Park 12 yr old for a nice mix of smooth+peat.
I've had a bottle of Laphroaig sitting on the shelf for almost a year now..it comes out when I want to impress guests with the ability to drink motor oil
My wallet doesn't allow ventures into 15/18/21 year territory very often so my go-to single malts the past year or so have been the Oban 14 yr old if I want something exceptionally smooth and the Highland Park 12 yr old for a nice mix of smooth+peat.
I've had a bottle of Laphroaig sitting on the shelf for almost a year now..it comes out when I want to impress guests with the ability to drink motor oil
Dalwhinnie is a great starting single-malt scotch. Very mild.
I echo the comment on Oban - an excellent scotch and fairly mild. Peatier than Dalwhinnie, but still mild enough for most. Very smooth. If you're into peaty scotches - and I am - then you need to try Talisker. It is probably my favorite scotch. When I'm drinking with others it is Oban, but if I can have what I want I go with Talisker. Unlike tklawg, I like Laphroiag. And for the record, it is not at peaty as Talisker. If you want to impress your guests with your "motor oil", go with Talisker. Also on the very-worthwhile list is Lagavulin. That's a really nice one as well.
I'm currently about halfway done with a bottle of Cragganmore. I rank that one behind Talisker, Oban, and Lagavulin. I've got a bottle of Glenkinchie after that one to give a whirl. We'll see.
I echo the comment on Oban - an excellent scotch and fairly mild. Peatier than Dalwhinnie, but still mild enough for most. Very smooth. If you're into peaty scotches - and I am - then you need to try Talisker. It is probably my favorite scotch. When I'm drinking with others it is Oban, but if I can have what I want I go with Talisker. Unlike tklawg, I like Laphroiag. And for the record, it is not at peaty as Talisker. If you want to impress your guests with your "motor oil", go with Talisker. Also on the very-worthwhile list is Lagavulin. That's a really nice one as well.
I'm currently about halfway done with a bottle of Cragganmore. I rank that one behind Talisker, Oban, and Lagavulin. I've got a bottle of Glenkinchie after that one to give a whirl. We'll see.
Agree. Even though Macallan was my first find, a friend gave me a sampler bottle of the Glenmorangie and it was also very good. Next time I buy a fifth I might try it again. I am an old retired dude on fixed income, so I limit myself to about a drink every three or four days of the good stuff. Other days it's blended or beer.
Lagavulin 16 is tops; my favorite Islay malt. Talisker is another good one. Once I started drinking Islay malts, I pretty much couldn't drink anything because I missed the peaty flavor. It's definitely an acquired taste though.
My go to single malt (non Islay) is probably Glenlivet 12, which is a very affordable scotch that is still high quality.
My go to single malt (non Islay) is probably Glenlivet 12, which is a very affordable scotch that is still high quality.
Balvenie is really really good. I thought the double wood was ballin' (which it is), but then I was visiting my grandparents and my granddad had a bottle of the portwood.....holy17....definitely one of the best things I've ever drank. It doesn't have the smokiness and peat of the Islay malts, but its so complex and fruity (from the double barrel method, I suppose) the flavor is just surprising. It is also one of the smoothest malts I've ever had. Definitely worth trying if you haven't yet.
Glens are your basic coors light or bud light. Everyone can enjoy.
Islays are like double IPAs. Some like it but most dont. Definately dont start there.
Islays are like double IPAs. Some like it but most dont. Definately dont start there.
"Islays are like double IPAs. Some like it but most dont. Definately dont start there."
+1. Something nice in the Laphroaig line is the Triple Wood. A lot going on in that bottle, without kicking you. Pretty smooth.
I've been giving The Dalmores a look here lately.
+1. Something nice in the Laphroaig line is the Triple Wood. A lot going on in that bottle, without kicking you. Pretty smooth.
I've been giving The Dalmores a look here lately.
The more smoke to me, the better. Lagavulin almost tastes like macallan to me after drinking it for so many years. Im always on the lookout for something even smokier, if anyone knows of one.
I actually poured a glass of macallan last night. It tasted like water. I guess now I should save it for guests.
I actually poured a glass of macallan last night. It tasted like water. I guess now I should save it for guests.
Glenmorangie is the best place to start. It a bargain at $30 and nice and mild for the beginner. The sooner you start drinking Laphroaig the happier you will be. Very complex and delicious. https://www.google.com/search?clien...a=X&ei=Cfp4U9afAsON7Abs_YG4BA&ved=0CCYQvwUoAA
Like most everything, it depends...
On your palate. I personally prefer the sherry cask variety, and even then it depends on the the type of sherry. Others prefer the oak cask, and as has already been mentioned the double cask is an option. I like any age Dalmore. It's comparable to Macallen 12, and less expensive. I recently added an Abelour 12 and Talisker Storm to my cabinet. Some great articles in the recent edition of Whisky Advocate. Almost all are guaranteed to ease any burden.
On your palate. I personally prefer the sherry cask variety, and even then it depends on the the type of sherry. Others prefer the oak cask, and as has already been mentioned the double cask is an option. I like any age Dalmore. It's comparable to Macallen 12, and less expensive. I recently added an Abelour 12 and Talisker Storm to my cabinet. Some great articles in the recent edition of Whisky Advocate. Almost all are guaranteed to ease any burden.
LAPHROAIG if you like your wiskey bbq'd
First sip was awful, but I didn't want to upset my host so I just kept on a drinkin. By the end of the evening I was hooked. Just about the only scotch I buy now, keep it with my George Dickel single barrel and Makers 46 - way up in that cabinent that nobody sees unless I think they are worth a ****.
First sip was awful, but I didn't want to upset my host so I just kept on a drinkin. By the end of the evening I was hooked. Just about the only scotch I buy now, keep it with my George Dickel single barrel and Makers 46 - way up in that cabinent that nobody sees unless I think they are worth a ****.
Lagavulin is my #1. I regularly drink Laphroaig too. I do enjoy a Glenlivet as a less expensive option.
Last year in Omaha I went to a cigar bar with a friend who had spent some time in Scotland. The single malt list was about 3 pages long with a lot of unfamiliar names. I asked him to pick one out to try. His selection was Tomatin. Very reasonable price and a nice single malt for the money. Give it a try. It can be found in the Jackson area.