Best Single Malt?

[randelli]

........ Here I am helping myself at the bar.

IS THAT A DICKENS CIDER??

We should have a separate thread on the virtues of Dickens cider

 

[randelli]

Finlaggan Islay - peaty, smokey.A very good bottling to recommand to to those who are not familiar with extremely peaty malts from Islay. A very good but cheap introduction, typical for the area.

Lismore Speyside -Fruity honeyish slighty smokey. Again like Finlaggan a cheaper introduction to the area of Speyside.

Note that these two above are not in the classic malts and are probably small distillers. I don't know much about them.


Glenfiddich...House style ..when young a dry fruity aperitif, when more mature a raisiny, chocolatey after dinner malt.


Dalmore Highland ...House style.. Flavourful, orange marmalade. After dinner.


Macallan Highland Fine Oak ..House style..Big oaky, sherried, flowery-fruity. After dinner.


Balvenie Doublewood...House stle. The most honeyish of malts with a distinctively orangey note. Luxurious. After dinner.




Dalwhinnie Highland....House style..Lightly peaty. Cut grass and heather honey. Clear flavours against a very clean background. Aperitif.


There are just a few introductions to house styles.


My personal favourites are Craggenmore. Speyside. House style.The most complex aroma of any malt. Austere, stonily dry, aromatic.After dinner.

Macallan and Balvenie mentioned above. All Speyside malts.

If you want big Peat..
Lagavulin. Big Islay malt.. House style.. Dry, smokey. Complex, Restorative or nightcap.

Another favourite of mine also peaty, smokey.. seaweedy and peppery, is the great Talisker. From the Isle of Skye.
House style..Volcanic.. A winter warmer.


Personally from what you have said, I'd certainly give Talisker a try. You won't be dissapointed.
Lagavulin is a great too, but really really heavy on the peat. Too much for me. Talsiker is still peaty, but also smokey..Peppery with a touch of seaweed.

If you prefer the more Heathey honeyish Speysides, I'd go for Cragganmore.

WOW! Thanks Phil! This is excellent to have as a reference. Now I will have to try them all because they all sound so good.

Phil47uk was thanked 1000 times in this 1 post.

 

[Phil47uk]

WOW! Thanks Phil! This is excellent to have as a reference. Now I will have to try them all because they all sound so good.

Phil47uk was thanked 1000 times in this 1 post.

Let us know what you get and what you think of them. ( Bump the thread ) if it's some time in the not near future.

 

[randelli]

OK here is something interesting: My surname is entitled to wear the MacLaren tartan. Is there a dram from the area Clan MacLaren occupied?

The MacLarens were from Achtow in Balquhidder. This is in Perthshire I believe. I think it would be cool to have something from my "homeland".

 

[single cut 54]

We visited the Bladnoch Distillery this Spring bank .Their 18 year old single
Malt is unbelievable .Now I'm not a whiskey drinker, but It's the best that I've tried.So smooth,but at 40 quid a bottle I suppose it should be.It's also the most southerly Distillery in Scotland.

 

[randelli]

The polls are in and I will be getting a Glenfiddich 15 and a Macallan 10.

I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the input!

 

[EtriX]

I say Laphroaig 10 or quarter cast and Ardbeg 10. I like it smokey

 

[GrouchyDog]

The polls are in and I will be getting a Glenfiddich 15 and a Macallan 10.

I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the input!

Good choices, let us know the verdict.

 

[stonevibe]

Laphroaig


Been drinking it all day too!

 

[Phil47uk]

I've got a Macallan fine oak 15 year old at the moment.. Very nice drink if you like Speysides.. Not smokey or peaty.
If anyone likes Macallan and Speysides definitely give a Craggenmore a try. Very complex notes. If you like smokey try a Highland Park...Peaty..Lagavulin... Honeyish heathery...Balvenie... Peppery seaweed ..Talisker.

 

[randelli]

The Macallan is next on the list. I did get a little sample taste of the Glenfiddich 15 on Christmas Eve. Very smooth but I did not get to enjoy a glass and think about it.

I am reading this site Tasting Whisky; Enjoy Whisky (whiskey) Tasting Events Online - Scotchwhisky.com to get a better understanding of the idiosyncrasies of the different flavors (flavours) and how to properly taste scotch.

 

[randelli]

I just sampled the Glenfiddich 15. I followed the steps in the above website (Tasting Whisky; Enjoy Whisky (whiskey) Tasting Events Online - Scotchwhisky.com) and found it to be smooth but unremarkable.

I put 1 1/2 ounces into a small brandy snifter. The color was pale gold or honey and was clear with no haze. Very pleasant to look at. I then smelled (I'm sure there is a fancy name for that) the scotch and found the aroma to be slightly prickly but not overwhelming. It had aromas of honey and nut.

I tasted the scotch and did not have any one flavor pop out. The mouthfeel was slightly warm and velvety and the flavor was well balanced. The flavor was not offensive in any way. I then added a little water and the aromas lightened and the flavor added some pear and a little smokeyness. The aftertaste (sorry) was still warm and vaporous and generally added a nice finish.

Overall I found it to be pleasant and drinkable and it gives a nice calming sensation. I did not experience any burn. It did not have any single flavor stand out and really tasted like it was created as an introductory scotch. As for that; it did not scare me away from trying other scotch. I hope that the Macallan has more personality.

I will save the Glenfiddich to serve to my friends.

 

[GrouchyDog]

I've never found Glenfiddich to be remarkable - it's drinkable, but there are more profound whiskies that I'd spend that money on.

"Nosing" whisky or whiskey or wine is smelling it, makes me sound more knowledgeable than I am...