As the nights are drawing in it seems the time of year to get some in..

Need a couple of bottles that compliment each other

Telling us what you already like is a good starting point.

Springbank 10 yr old gets my vote

Aberfeldy 12 year old – like drinking honey.
Compare with
Cragganmore 12 year old – classic speyside..

I’m on Cognac to cure a cold.

Yamazaki 12.

Bruichladdich Rocks
Lagavulin 16yo

Not really an expert – like Old Pulteney and Talisker but happy to try anything really

I used to love the smokey peaty ones like lagavulin, not for me anymore, heartburn in a glass. Perhaps I should give the Speysides a go.

Any Islay one 😉

Aldi’s 8 year old is quite nice. And cheap!

Yamazaki is nice but its not got an identity to it its just a good whisky.

depends one of my faves is Tomintoul 14yr non chil filtered.

I also loved Johnnie walker green label however you might struggle to find that anymore.

Whisky rules

Oh and the welsh Pendryn(sp?) is well worth a go!

it’s not got an identity to it, it’s just a good whisky.

One more reason I enjoy it so much – it irks many a whisky snob.

We’re currently quaffing Swedish Whiskey.. I’m too pissed to give you the name of it but blinkin ek, it’s nice.
From Waitrose if you are interested..

Phffffpt.

If starting from scratch, or with an empty cupboard at least – Dalwhinnie and Laphroaig (or Bowmore, or Talisker, or Ardbeg).

if you like Smoke and Peat yeah Islay unless you try Bunnahabhain

Anything Islay for me, Lagavulin 16 being the pick of the bunch.

Currently sipping some Black Grouse I got as a pressie last week. Very impressed! Probably my new favourite blend.

Never had a ‘bad’ malt yet, I love em all! Got 2 hip flasks of Jura Superstition for our bothy trip on Friday 😀

unless you try Bunnahabhain

In which case I’ll say the 12 yr old is possibly my favourite.
Or Caol Ila.
Or most stuff from Bruichladdich.
Or Laphroaig 1/4 Cask.
Or….oh never mind!

Like CFH I’m a fan of Japanese whisky, those from the Suntory distillery have a really distinctive floral aroma/flavour. The Yamazaki 12 is a great place to start, or maybe a Hibiki 12 which comes in a fabulous bottle! To contrast that I’d choose something from Islay…the Lagavulin 16 mentioned above is superb, as is the Laphroig Quarter Cask (probably a tenner cheaper too).

But my best recommendation is to buy 101 Whiskeys to Try Before You Die

…and a couple of Glencairn whisky glasses

Isle of Jura Superstition

The Dalmore 15

Yamazaki is nice but its not got an identity to it its just a good whisky.

😯 get outta here…its fookin unmistakable!!!

Machrie Moor if you can find it.

Also, check out ralfystuff on YouTube for opinionated and entertaining, if somewhat eccentric, reviews.

Here you go, that Swedishh stuff I wus onnabout..

Phfffft.

Old Pultney, delicious stuff

Bruichladdich Has always delivered for me, and as common as it is I love a Glenmorangie.

Talisker used to be my favourite, but that was before I had an Oban.

In true stw fashion I’ll recommend what I have Bruichladdich. Actually looking at my shelf I don’t – must go and get some in. Also Mortlach as it requires sampling to find just which one you want. And Kilchoman.

And Kilchoman.

The smallest distillery on Isla, who, in case you didn’t know, produce as much whisky in a year that Caol Ila does in a week.

Lovely stuff but not so ‘readily’ available.

Any islay, been to,all the distilleries and tasted too many expressions to mention, favourites are ardbeg supernova ( just released a 2014 version) and a bruichladdich valinch aged in calvados casks which is really rather nice

Got a gift of a single grain recently that’s decent (it was that one that’s been marketed heavily, comes in a blue square bottle). Had a few previously from Gorgie – not my style by a long way, but a good choice for something different. Tastes extremely light (IMHO), nice contrast to the usual suspects.

Talisker- it’s like a really tasty fire. Or Jamesons.

MacCallan 18. Very expensive but bloomin lovely.

Bunnahabhain is also lovely but not after the MacCallan as it tastes like someone added water to it.

Some of the supermarket own bottled single malts can be very good too.

Tesco’s £21 10yo Islay single malt is very good.

Another one to consider is the Penderyn’s Portwood, some amazing whiskeys are coming out of that new distillery.

On a related note, there’s at least three distilleries planning to open/reopen next year – one highland, one borders and one in the western edges of Argyll.

Looking forward to trying their wares in 10-15 years!

Caol Ila

But I still in all honesty prefer Jamesons – proper drinkin’ whisky 🙂

The lads round the village have a monthly whiskey night and the two standout selections over the last year have been Hibiki 12 and The MacAllan Gold.
Both easy to drink. Not peaty in the slightest.

I’m definitely a novice, but from what I have been told smokey (peaty) whiskeys are from the isles whereas smoother whiskeys are from the Highlands.

Also like the Dalmore 12yo, but prefer the two above.

Not really an expert – like Old Pulteney and Talisker but happy to try anything really

Given that you like these I would suggest Oban, Scapa and Highland Park and if you feel like splashing out a little Old Pulteney 21 yo

The Arran 14yr old

Clynelish worth a punt if you like the more distinctive whiskies. Oban also. Cragganmore for a nice Speyside. Glen Elgin / Mortlach for a robust Speyside. Springbank for something completely different.

Islay, my favourites are Caol Ila / Lagavulin – different in character but lovely in their own way.