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mango sentinel posted:So I've had a longstanding desire to drink a scotch older than myself. Obviously this gets to be more difficult as time goes on. I turn 29 this year so I'm looking at 30r stuff but its scary to make that kind of investment blind so I'm tying to learn what's worthwhile since I'm very wary of snakeoil in liquor sales. I don't want to spend more than $300 if I can help it. Can I even play at that price range and get something worth the money? I'm in the US, in Atlanta if that helps pricing/availability. Also call around and look for Port Ellen 8th release. It's 29 years-old and at least here it's still sold for a clip under $400. More than you want to spend, but it'll make for some very jealous folk in here. Other options: Talisker 30yr, Glenfiddich 30yr, various independently bottled Caol Ilas.
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Apr 16, 2012 10:30
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Lear posted:I've only seen but a few people recommend this scotch, but allow me to recommend it again - Cragganmore. It's a nice Speyside scotch that is absolutely fantastic. To qualify what my own tastes are, I am not very partial to the peaty scotches, therefore largely stay away from Islay/Highland scotches with a few exceptions, namely Highland Park. Cragganmore is actually on the more popular side and it does get an occasional mention. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 00:13 on Apr 26, 2012 |
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Apr 25, 2012 03:48
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I have to stuff my bottles in three different cabinets/closets at this point, so you've still got a ways to go. :p
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Apr 25, 2012 05:14
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Octomore 4.2 is very, very good. The peat isn't overbearing but it does something no other whisky does...the peat just builds like a lump at the bottom of your palate and then fills out the rest of your mouth. That wave of peat is *awesome* even when the whisky itself is quite a simple mix of sweet barley malt and smoke. The finish is longer, steadier than any other whisky I've tried.
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May 6, 2012 22:09
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pork never goes bad explained it much better than I could....
TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 05:46 on May 19, 2012 |
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May 19, 2012 05:44
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I couldn't contain myself when tasting it Booker's at WoW Expo this past March. If there ever was a brown spirit that benefits from ice, Booker's might be the one. Baker's is the one out of the Beam Small Batch selection that I would gravitate toward. It's been almost a decade since I bought a bottle of Redbreast 12, but I did like it at first. Eventually though I poured myself the remnants of the bottle after a couple a years and I guess the air in the bottle made the whisky taste very watery. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 10:55 on May 19, 2012 |
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May 19, 2012 10:51
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smn posted:This made me realize that I have had at least one corked whisky, a Longrow 14 that shared the very same weird characteristics than what was extra in that corked wine. In this case the whisky definitely wasn't flat, more like extra flavour. It had this potato peels + basement vibe on top of the more typical Longrow taste. I mean look at how much of the stuff is on the floor and walls in close proximity to the barrels...  Image from The K&L Spirits Journal.
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May 19, 2012 23:50
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Base Emitter posted:
Not all distillery storehouses are as extreme as Springbank's. Most are quite clean and stored in modern climate controlled facilities.
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May 20, 2012 07:52
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duckstab posted:There are far more factors that contribute to taste than a bit of mould growing in a warehouse - it's not in contact with the whisky and it doesn't grow on or in the barrels to any significant extent so it's unlikely to have very little effect at all. As for climate-control...I know independent Chieftain's has a rack-style warehouse with modern amenities. I suspect Diageo's central storehouse is modern as well. In the states, Buffalo Trace's warehouses have been using some form of climate control since the late 1800s. California wineries use climate control as well as a misters to keep the barrels from drying out, others use caves where the natural insulation does a decent job...
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May 20, 2012 12:14
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Cpt.Wacky posted:Price depends at least a little on location. Here in Washington we already had high prices thanks to the state monopoly, but now with privatization there's going to be a 27% tax so it could actually end up being more expensive than it was before. Everyone was excited about privatization leading to lower prices during the campaign too. I did get a peek at the scotch/whiskey/bourbon shelf in a Safeway and it looks like there will be a good selection to choose from. We'll find out how much it all costs on Friday. Redbreast isn't a Scotch whisky, but it would be at the very bottom of that chart and either in the middle or slightly left of middle in my opinion. So -2 to 0 on the x-axis and -4 to -5 on the y-axis. Everything on that chart/map is drinkable, but don't let it govern your next purchase. Also don't buy a single malt from Safeway if you can help it. In my opinion you should try something properly peaty. Highland Park has some, but it's also quite a different style of peat than on Islay or even on the mainland. Go get a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Ardmore Traditional Cask or Ardbeg 10.
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May 31, 2012 03:03
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Paramemetic posted:By way of easing into peat, Oban Distiller's Edition is fairly good that way as well. I love drinking campfires, but that bottling from Oban does a good job as well. It's good. I am a big fan of PX finishes, but Lagavulin doesn't do it for me. A good DE like Caol Ila DE or Talisker DE should effectively hide the fact that it comes from barrels that weren't good enough for their core product. Lagavulin DE, at least the batch I have tastes like a flawed whisky. Honestly, my favorite Lagavulin is the standard 16yr..it's already rich enough on its own. As well the 12yr cask strength has less nuance and tastes more like Ardbeg 10 than anything.
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May 31, 2012 04:12
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Lagavulin is really the only characterfully rich peated single malt on Islay. That upper right corner is properly uncluttered...the only other notable contenders in that space I think are Ardmore 25/30yr and Laphroaig 25yr. Edit: I suppose Springbank/Longrow could be placed in the vicinity as well, but it's quite a 'unique' smokiness they exhibit. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 05:09 on May 31, 2012 |
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May 31, 2012 04:53
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My experience with whiskies older than 18-21 years is generally limited to tastings and expos. And even then Edrington Group brands seem to have a low profile at most US events. I've never seen a proper Glenrothes, Macallan or Highland Park table at Whiskies of the World Expo for example. I do know that I am not particularly fond of Highland Park's take on smoke...I imagine a mound of ash in a fireplace tasting similar.
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May 31, 2012 06:15
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Finlaggan and Ileach aren't a house brand. Basically what happens is distilleries like Laphroaig and Caol Ila realize a young cask isn't developing how they want OR they've overestimated future demand, so they sell them off to independent bottlers. Like Biglads mentioned, a bottle from one year might have malt from a different distillery than a bottle from the next... Ardbeg does find itself in one of these 'secret' malts too...at least we think so. It's widely accepted that it's the distillate in Smokehead.
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Jun 3, 2012 06:09
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I almost want to go to BevMo or Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle just to see if I can recognize the distillate.
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Jun 3, 2012 22:27
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Cpt.Wacky posted:
I know my friend in WA would usually just go to the Duty Free shop at the border crossing... TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 19:21 on Jun 4, 2012 |
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Jun 4, 2012 19:19
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Tigren posted:Notice how it's only really being posted on gear/cool stuff websites? Ya, it's not really being marketed at whiskey drinkers. Eight years old, below 50%, AND they gyp you out of 50ml. That cool bottle is only 700ml.
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Jun 11, 2012 05:02
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AWWNAW posted:Recommend me a scotch for someone who likes Laphroaig, I want to start tasting some strange.
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Jun 12, 2012 03:55
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kidsafe posted:With regard to Pappy, it's a unique situation right now. We are very near the last bottlings of Stitzel-Weller 20yr. The 15yr is now from spirit distilled at Buffalo Trace. Both expressions are equally scarce. http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2012/06/11/what%E2%80%99s-in-that-bottle-of-van-winkle-anyway/
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Jun 13, 2012 10:10
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Octomore 4.2 Comus has the most amazing mouthfeel of any whisky I've ever tried.
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Jun 22, 2012 18:39
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http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com/klwinescom-spirits-blog/2012/6/22/rocket.html Okay Ardbeg, the promos are getting a little ridiculous... Seen at the shop while contemplating overpriced spirits. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 00:53 on Jun 23, 2012 |
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Jun 23, 2012 00:43
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My description of Glendronach: Like Macallan, except better. Aberlour A'Bunadh is a bit too hot in general for me. I prefer the 18yr. I prefer Glendronach 15yr Revival to either of those.
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Jun 27, 2012 04:22
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tim0mit posted:I was gifted a bottle of ardbeg 10 and I really can't seem to get past the flavor of burnt bandages, is this common of islay whiskies?
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Jul 1, 2012 06:11
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Mikey Purp posted:Just wanted to stop in to report that last night at the bar I saw someone order six shots of Glenfiddich 12 year for him and his friends.
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Jul 1, 2012 23:49
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Mikey Purp posted:Yea, mostly I was just confused as to why anyone would shoot scotch. Ever. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 04:25 on Jul 2, 2012 |
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Jul 2, 2012 04:23
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I wouldn't even say Blue Label's flavor disappears. It honestly tastes dilute from the very beginning, like there's a layer of water between the whisky and my tastebuds. What wood flavor does come through is faintly mildewy or soapy... I try it every time I go to a whisky expo or tasting, it's just not very good. I have no issues with Black Label or Gold Label, and am a little sad that Green Label will eventually become restricted to Taiwan and maybe Duty Free. I guess they want to fill that pricepoint with the reformulated NAS Gold Label and try something 'new' with Platinum? Who knows?..
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Jul 9, 2012 17:43
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spankmeister posted:Wait, what?
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Jul 9, 2012 18:25
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I really think Laphroaig Quarter Cask is your best bet when something like Lagavulin 16yr seems to be CA$110 thanks to the LCBO... Other peated options around your price range or cheaper: Jura Superstition Bowmore 12yr Talisker 10yr None of the above are quite as peaty as Laphroaig, and Talisker has quite a distinctive taste of its own. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 07:32 on Jul 11, 2012 |
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Jul 11, 2012 07:28
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mod sassinator posted:Go to a bar and try a Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, like the 20 year version. It will be an expensive drink but worth it to try a drat fine bourbon. Take it neat, without ice.
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Jul 12, 2012 06:54
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I think in general the Whyte & Mackay owned distilleries have an image problem despite the presence of Paterson as a PR powerhouse. Dalmore and especially Fettercairn aren't nearly as popular as they could be. Whisky hobbyists in particular disapprove of all these whiskies being bottled at 40% with caramel added.
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Jul 12, 2012 13:25
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Young Bruichladdich tastes like Aloe Vera lotion smells. It's very oily and does have a slight whiff of acetone/nail polish remover. I'd stick to the Port Charlottes and if you want to play around, find someone to pour you the latest Octomore.
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Jul 14, 2012 12:54
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Jahoodie posted:
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Jul 15, 2012 01:05
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Capt_Jaegerbomb posted:If you live in the US and are looking for some decent single malts, but your local liquor store doesn't have much in the way of stock, I'd recommend a trip to https://www.royalmilewhiskies.com My goto local/online shop is K&L Wines, but you can also try Binny's and others.
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Jul 15, 2012 01:14
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spankmeister posted:I used http://www.masterofmalt.com/ to get the Yamazaki Sherry Cask, they have some other interesting stuff as well. TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 05:46 on Jul 16, 2012 |
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Jul 16, 2012 05:36
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zonacat posted:Should I stick with something middle tier like Maker's? Or should I just be grabbing 1.75s of Evan Williams off the bottom shelf for 18 bucks? In bars should I just be ordering well poo poo for maximum value to taste?
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Jul 20, 2012 00:11
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NightConqueror posted:What the gently caress? Your Costco stocks Lagavulin 16? For how much?
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Jul 21, 2012 06:54
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Glendronach. Whichever of the core range fits your bill.
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Aug 7, 2012 15:32
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smn posted:Yamazaki 18 is brilliant, although I reckon it is slightly more about oak than sherry. What happened to them anyway, they used to be a steal for <£70 a year ago and now they are way past £100 everywhere? TobinHatesYou fucked around with this message at 13:23 on Aug 10, 2012 |
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Aug 10, 2012 13:04
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The standard Buffalo Trace is quite good, and well worth ~$19/750mL.
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Aug 17, 2012 07:31
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Inexpensive: Famous Grouse More expensive: Compass Box Great King Street Somewhat peaty, always available: Johnnie Walker Black Label
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Aug 25, 2012 06:06
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