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i mentioned to the mrs after getting given some laphroaig quarter cask id like to try some more over christmas i now have glenfiddich 12,15 and 18 , talisker 10, dalwhinnie 15, singleton 12 and glenkinchie 12
im sure there is something there i like 😉
Some generalisations/rules that help me:
The overriding factor is if you like a strong peaty/smoky/tarry character. Cos if you don't you will find a lot of the "Island" recommendations vile: Lagamhullin, Laphroag, Taisker, CaolIsla, Bowmore, Ardbeg, Brora etc. My friend Paul is in this category.
Then decide if you like strong toffee vanilla notes (usually sherry finishing): Macallan, Glenmorangie and many others. Port finishing is interesting to: definitely winey.
The remaining spirity fruity "ester" flavours are more subtle so tend not to cause offence either way: Many of the Speysiders are like this.
The older the better as cask ageing removes the harsher spirits, leaving it smooth and palatable. I suspect the spirits have a minimum age that they become nice and it varies from still to still. I found this quite noticeable in the 'fiddichs. I find the 12yo harsh, but the 18yo smooth and complex.
I hope this helps.
Suntory Yamazaki 12 year old is excellent.
Waitrose did a very readable guide to whisky recently which came in one of their Wine Direct mailings. It groups recommendations by taste, rather than being just a "top ten whiskies to drink" type list. Good, if like me, you have only a handful of whiskies which you know and want to be a bit more adventurous. Not sure what the online version is like, as my work's smut filter won't allow access, but its probably worth a look.
+1 for Balvennie Doublewood - very easy to drink, good intro to whisky
hmm
in our collection we have
Highland park 12 and 18 (these are my hip flask whiskies)
Kilchoman 2009 Autumn release (this is a keeper)
The Yamazaki 10
Cragganmore 12
Caol Ila 12
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Bowmore
Talisker 10
Macallan cask strength 10 (dangerous stuff)
Penderyn Peated
any suggestions as to where to go next with the collection? should get an idea of our tastes from the above.
mrmichaelwright, you need ardbeg 🙂
yes you are right
Luckily I shall be spending Hogmonay on Islay so it shouldn't be a problem 😆
mrmichaelwright - Memberany suggestions as to where to go next with the collection? should get an idea of our tastes from the above.
Cognac perhaps? 😆
I've got a reasonably diverse collection that seems to rapidbly diminish over winter !
Most fascinating one i had this year was a Bruichladdich 5yr old organic. I had low expectations of such a young expression but it was simply awesome.
Bruicladdich made me quite ill last time we toured in Scotland, not through excess either. Mind you the midgies had caused me to lose a good 90% of blood on Colonsay so that may have been a factor
google whisky taste map
don't knock Glenmorangie even the 'ordinary' 10 yr old has complexity but won't scare off the beginners.
My preference is for Islay Malts; Ardbeg and Buachladdich are my favs buthave also enjoyed the others and an occasional Highland and Speyside. Aberlour good too but not a fan of Jura not alot too it.
What's the welsh one like? thinking of a bottle for my Dad
it's pretty good, not got the complexity of the islay malts or the peatiness but certainly very drinkable and nice in that it's a little different.
I'm not a fan of Jura either, a bit to medicinal for me. Also our stay on Jura was pretty miserable!
The pub we are spending Hogmonay in has a collection of over 140 islay malts varying form normal to astronomical prices. I plan to sample one really expensive one to see if my naive pallet can tell the difference.