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).
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.