Scotch advice

[Irish YJ]

OK, first wanted to thank pkt, zelezo, and I think dshans for input on my previous quandary...

Now to the point... kinda took one of your suggestions and started a little weekly tradition. Had a bottle of JW Platinum, gave it to a buddy that lives close, and started having a couple glasses weekly (when I was in town) with him after work on Fridays. It turned out to be a very enjoyable experience. Forgot how fantastic a good scotch could be.

What I'm asking now is for recommendations. We have almost finished the bottle (just enough for a little taste before we open the next cork). We've decided to do 2-3 glasses a week when we can, and would like to concentrate on bottles that are either top shelf (obvious must try), or delicious and not mainstream.

Your recommendations are appreciated.


PS.... the JW Plat was delicious and hands down liked it more than any JW I've had. Highly recommend. I've had all of the JW mainstreams, and several of the top shelf +++s.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I go to pkt for my scotch advice.

 

[Irish YJ]

I go to pkt for my scotch advice.

LOL. you don't need to be an expert. what have you liked from pkt's recommendations?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Glenlivet Nadurra is what I'm currently on and it's fantastic

 

[NDShark]

Why not mainstream? Some delicious scotches out there you can easily purchase. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg....or even a cheap peated whiskey like Connemara

 

[pkt77242]

OK, first wanted to thank pkt, zelezo, and I think dshans for input on my previous quandary...

Now to the point... kinda took one of your suggestions and started a little weekly tradition. Had a bottle of JW Platinum, gave it to a buddy that lives close, and started having a couple glasses weekly (when I was in town) with him after work on Fridays. It turned out to be a very enjoyable experience. Forgot how fantastic a good scotch could be.

What I'm asking now is for recommendations. We have almost finished the bottle (just enough for a little taste before we open the next cork). We've decided to do 2-3 glasses a week when we can, and would like to concentrate on bottles that are either top shelf (obvious must try), or delicious and not mainstream.

Your recommendations are appreciated.


PS.... the JW Plat was delicious and hands down liked it more than any JW I've had. Highly recommend. I've had all of the JW mainstreams, and several of the top shelf +++s.

Ok, I will gladly give advice, but I do have some questions.

What other whiskies have you enjoyed?
What flavors/aromas stood out positively?

What whiskies have you tried that you didn't enjoy?
What about them did you not enjoy?

Is there a price range that you would like to stay within?
What are the parameters, do you want scotch blends, or maybe some single malts or maybe even less mainstream (but can be very good) Japanese whisky (which is a close relative to Scotch, much more so than Irish or American)?

I am off to take my kids to swim lessons but I will check back later.

 

[GoIrish41]

Break away from Great Britian and remain in the EU

 

[pkt77242]

Why not mainstream? Some delicious scotches out there you can easily purchase. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg....or even a cheap peated whiskey like Connemara

I think what he means is that he doesn't want Laphroaig 10 (mainstream) but might be interested by something like Laphroaig 18yo (a little harder to find and "different") or along that lines. Lagavulin 16yo is very mainstream but Lagavulin 12yo CS or Lagavulin Distillers Edition are both less mainstream and delicious.


*Just examples, hard to recommend anything unless you know someones tastes.

 

[yankeehater]

My neighbor and I have been doing the same thing. Just finished a bottle of JW Blue. I think we are doing the MacCallan 12 yr next.

I sold MacCallan, Balvenie and the Glenmorangie's in my past life. Enjoyed them all and used to like to taste the wood finishes side by side. Not sure if they still produce those ones.

What about Irish or American? I like the Bushmill's aged whiskeys.

 

[Irish YJ]

Ok, I will gladly give advice, but I do have some questions.

What other whiskies have you enjoyed?
What flavors/aromas stood out positively?

What whiskies have you tried that you didn't enjoy?
What about them did you not enjoy?

Is there a price range that you would like to stay within?
What are the parameters, do you want scotch blends, or maybe some single malts or maybe even less mainstream (but can be very good) Japanese whisky (which is a close relative to Scotch, much more so than Irish or American)?

I am off to take my kids to swim lessons but I will check back later.

Right now, just keeping it super simple. Kinda.. I used to be a scotch guy 15-20 years ago (while in my 20s) but my budget and friends who also liked scotch were pretty limited. Since them, I'm a high end Bourbon guy.... So let's just say I'm starting over when it comes to scotch. My buddy who is half the equation has been a chivas guy all his life (he's 70+), but hasn't had scotch in 10+ years... so he's entering new territory.

I'd like to stay in the 75-250 range for most bottles, but willing to go 500+ every once in a while. $ should not be a concern but not paying over 1k. In short, this is more about buds sitting around and arguing about which scotch is better 10 years down the road after drinking 100 different bottles.

 

[Irish YJ]

My neighbor and I have been doing the same thing. Just finished a bottle of JW Blue. I think we are doing the MacCallan 12 yr next.

I sold MacCallan, Balvenie and the Glenmorangie's in my past life. Enjoyed them all and used to like to taste the wood finishes side by side. Not sure if they still produce those ones.

What about Irish or American? I like the Bushmill's aged whiskeys.

There's a couple top 20 lists I've seen (just googling) that tagged a couple from MacCallan and Glenmorangie. Both are on my list of 20ish (I'm hoping to have a list of 50 bottles to start picking off). I figure I'll do 10-15 bottles a year. Going to create the list (minus pricing) and let my buddy pick every other month.

 

[Prof K]

Why not mainstream? Some delicious scotches out there you can easily purchase. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg....or even a cheap peated whiskey like Connemara

Is my favorite of this group. But my favorite peaty whiskey is Talisker. Love that stuff.

 

[Irish YJ]

Why not mainstream? Some delicious scotches out there you can easily purchase. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg....or even a cheap peated whiskey like Connemara

Is my favorite of this group. But my favorite peaty whiskey is Talisker. Love that stuff.

One of my employees recommended the PX or QA Cask. Either of you had it?

 

[pkt77242]

I will probably break this up into a few posts (Cliche/starters, bourbon wood, sherried, peaty).

Cliche/Obvious starters
Macallan 18yo ($250ish) 43%. Big time sherry, smooth, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, figs, etc.
Highland Park 18 ($120ish) 43%. Honey, heather, light smoke, nuts (I mostly get walnuts), some floral notes.
Lagavulin 16 $60-90 43%. Smoke, leather, some peat, tobacco, some salt and tea.
Springbank 15yo $110 46%. Some leather, dried fruits and flowers, tobacco, cocoa, coffee. A little lemon as well.
Talisker 18 $150 45.8%. Pepper, some peat, some lemon, saltiness, and a hint of leather.

That covers the many of the "obvious" single malts. The next post will delve into mostly bourbon aged single malts and some that are a blend of bourbon and sherry aged.

If you really want to go big though you can pick up some bottles from closed distilleries but they will be expensive
Port Ellen closed in 1983 (and islay distillery that is generally peaty). Very expensive. Easily $500+ a bottle and may get close to $1000
Brora closed in 1983. Sister distillery to Clynelish, some peat and some waxy notes as well. Similar costs to Port Ellen, $500+ a bottle and may get close to $1000
Rosebank I believe it was closed in 1993. Light, lemony, with no smoke. Generally cheaper but harder to find. Not as expensive probably closer to $500 but harder to find.

 

[Irish YJ]

I will probably break this up into a few posts (Cliche/starters, bourbon wood, sherried, peaty).

Cliche/Obvious starters
Macallan 18yo ($250ish) 43%. Big time sherry, smooth, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, figs, etc.
Highland Park 18 ($120ish) 43%. Honey, heather, light smoke, nuts (I mostly get walnuts), some floral notes.
Lagavulin 16 $60-90 43%. Smoke, leather, some peat, tobacco, some salt and tea.
Springbank 15yo $110 46%. Some leather, dried fruits and flowers, tobacco, cocoa, coffee. A little lemon as well.
Talisker 18 $150 45.8%. Pepper, some peat, some lemon, saltiness, and a hint of leather.

That covers the many of the "obvious" single malts. The next post will delve into mostly bourbon aged single malts and some that are a blend of bourbon and sherry aged.

If you really want to go big though you can pick up some bottles from closed distilleries but they will be expensive
Port Ellen closed in 1983 (and islay distillery that is generally peaty). Very expensive. Easily $500+ a bottle and may get close to $1000
Brora closed in 1983. Sister distillery to Clynelish, some peat and some waxy notes as well. Similar costs to Port Ellen, $500+ a bottle and may get close to $1000
Rosebank I believe it was closed in 1993. Light, lemony, with no smoke. Generally cheaper but harder to find. Not as expensive probably closer to $500 but harder to find.

You rock. Keep it coming

 

[pkt77242]

Bourbon aged single malts. Drinking some Balvenie 12yo Single Barrel while making this list.

Balvenie 12yo Single Barrel $80, 47.8%. Apple pie with some honey, and oak (kind of like pencil shavings).
Glenlivet Nadurra 16yo $75 50%+. Apples, coconut, vanilla, light oak, etc. There is also a sherried version but it has no age statement (NAS).
Old Pulteney 21 43% $150ish. Sea air, salt, slight white fruits, some maltiness/barley, scones, and a touch of nuts.
Balvenie Tun series. About $500 50%+. I have not had but I have heard very good things about the series. They are small batches, usually under 10K bottles and change regularly.

Balbair makes some good bourbon barrel whiskies but has had a few stinkers as well (I believe that I am 2/4 with them). At their best it is like peaches and cream, at its worst it is cardboard and lemons. If you want a particular Balblair just PM the details and I can research it and reach out to some people for info.

Regularly available but often overlooked
Clynelish 14yo $60 46%. Slightly salty, some floral notes, wax, vanilla, oak, and some orange. Kind of like salted oranges.
Oban 14yo $80 43%. Some coastal notes (salt) with some porridge notes, salted nuts, and honey.

St. Magdalene is another closed distillery (1983 I belive) along with Caperdonich (closed in 2002). Both have some good bourbon barrel bottlings. Berry Bros did a good independent bottling of Caperdonich a while ago that can be found at Total Wine for under $100.

Now it is time to move to my two favorite styles (sherried and peated).

ETA:
Forgot the Kilkerran Work in Progress series. The bourbon barrel bottlings have been interesting, grassy, slighty farmyardy peat, and some sweet malt.

 

[Bluto]

Nikka Whiskey From the Barrel and Nikka Pure Malt Black. Both are fantastic.

 

[pkt77242]

Time for some sherried whisky. I will drink some Lagavulin Distillers Edition (PX casks) while making this list.

Glenfarclas 25yo $150 43%. Tea, wood varnish, pencil shavings, nuts, light dried red fruits and licorice. Dry.
Springbank 18yo $170ish 46%. Not completely sherried. Bananas, saltiness, oranges, slight smoke, and grassiness.
Glendronach 15yo Revival $100 46%. Cherry, red fruit, raisins, slight balsamic vinegar and soy sauce. Slight rubber as well. Figs and dates.
Glendronach 21yo Parliament 46% $180. Big sherry. Rains, ham, figs, some pepper and kahlua?
Aberlour 18yo 43% $100. Not my favorite but thought that I should include it. Light oranges, light chocolate, caramel and some tea.
Aberlour A'bunadh $75, 50%+ can reach 60%+. Done in batches but all are big time sherry. Cherry, raisins, nuts, and rubber. Really one note but can be enjoyably one note.
Highland Park Dark Origins 46.8% $90. Honey, roasted nuts, smoke and licorice.
Talisker Distillers Edition (Amoroso sherry casks) 45.8% $90. Nice raisin and smoke, some pepper and salt. Slight salted smoked fish and orange.

Glendronach has some really good sherried single casks, it is hard to recommend because it changes regularly (if they are available in your area at all).
If you can find some older sherried Glen Grants (or Longmorns) in the 21-30yo range, they are usually really good. Glen Grant and Longmorn seem to need age to be good.

Also I have had some Signatory (independent bottler) Ben Nevis sherry casks that have been wonderful. Especially the ones from the early 1990's (in particular 1992). Loads of cherries, raisins and some smoke.

Next up is some Peat.

*Eventually I can add more whiskies if you want but I don't want to make this list 200 whiskies long.

ETA: Forgot about the Kilkerran Work in Progress Sherry. Pretty good but the lighter side of sherry. Nuts (almonds and walnuts), with some light dried fruits.

 

[pkt77242]

Time for the Peated whiskies. First some words of caution.
Some people love peaty whiskies (Me) and some people hate them (Whiskey). Some people think it smells/tastes like wood smoke, campefire smoke, smoked fish, barnyard (mostly mainland peat) and some people have complained that it smells like dirty smelly socks. To each their own.
I would suggest starting with things like the Highland Park 18 and Talisker 18 that I have already mentioned (and then maybe the Lagavulin 16) unless you want to dive right in.

Peated/bourbon cask or multiple style of casks
Lagavulin 12yo cask strength $110, 50%+ released every fall. Lots of campfire smoke, smoked fish, lemons, nuts, and brine.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan 57%+ $110. Big time peat. Smokey (like a bonfire), salty, creosote, smoked salted fish. Some fruit (lemons and grapefruit).
Laphroaig 18yo 46% $150. Not my favorite but I know some people who really like it. Lots of new oak, vanilla, oak shavings, peat, campfire smoke, salty and seaweed.
Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength 50%+ $65ish. Big time peat. Smoke, dried meat (good quality beef jerkey). Salty, seaweed, iodine, some vanilla. Smoked fish(cod?) and coal smoke.
Talisker 25yo 50%+, $300-500. I have had 5 different releases and all have been great to amazing. campfire smoke, light sherry, nuts, pepper, salt, some dried fruits.
Lagavulin 8yo 200th anniversary edition should be coming out in your area (either last week or in the next week or so). It is getting really positive reviews and is a one time release. Suppose to be big and peaty.

Sherried and peat
Lagavulin Distillers Edition (Pedro Ximenez casks) $100, 43%. Walnuts, almonds, raisins, smoke, smoked cherries. Some balsamic vinegar and tobacco.
Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2% $90. Diesel, smoke, some sherry. A little nuts, lemon yogurt, tar and brine (can you have briney lemon yogurt?). A little vanilla and cocoa as well.

Some people swear by the Laphroaig 25yo. I had it once but it was after 10 or so other whiskies. So hard to give notes.

Also be wary of Bowmore, espcially anything from the 1980's through 1990. Many of them are very perfumed and have garnered the nickname FWP (french whore perfume). Bowmore from the 1970's and 1960's are amazing and the most recent stuff is pretty good (though a few bottles have been overly floral). I have had some really good sherried Bowmores from 1991 (bottled by A.D. Rattray).

I will add that older Ardbegs can be amazing but they are probably pushing your price range now. If you do see a 1970's Ardbeg for under $1000 it might be worth buying. Also Ardbeg 21yo for under a couple of hundred would be worth it, 17yo for under $300 or so and the Ardbeg Nam Beist for under $200 is probably worth it now.

I am going to head to bed but I will add Japanese, Blends, Irish whisky and maybe some Indian whiskies tomorrow.

If you have any questions please let me know, and I will try to answer as soon as possible.

 

[connor_in]

 

[Irish YJ]

Damn Pkt. Awesome stuff. Transferring your list to MS Word doc for shopping this weekend. Now need to find a LQ store with a nice selection.

If anyone is in the ATL area and can recommend a place with a nice selection I'd appreciate it.

 

[Irish YJ]

Will be interesting to see if Scotland leaves the UK and what Mr. Connery has to say about the who Brexit thing.

 

[Irish YJ]

Hit the 3 local LQ stores in my hood. While they had a bunch of options, only found one exact match off the list.

Next Friday's victim...

Bourbon aged single malts. Drinking some Balvenie 12yo Single Barrel while making this list.

Balvenie 12yo Single Barrel $80, 47.8%. Apple pie with some honey, and oak (kind of like pencil shavings).

Was 92 here, but got the feeling all their stuff was a little over priced.

Same store also had a Balvenie 21 for 269, Balvenie 12 Double Wood for 60ish, and a Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 for 70ish I think. Also had a Glencadman 21 for 200ish. Any experience with these?

 

[pkt77242]

Hit the 3 local LQ stores in my hood. While they had a bunch of options, only found one exact match off the list.

Next Friday's victim...


Was 92 here, but got the feeling all their stuff was a little over priced.

Same store also had a Balvenie 21 for 269, Balvenie 12 Double Wood for 60ish, and a Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 for 70ish I think. Also had a Glencadman 21 for 200ish. Any experience with these?

Nice.

I found a place through google called Tower, that seems to have 2 Atlanta locations (not sure how close they are to you though). Their selection and prices seem to be pretty normal.

Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits Buckhead

 

[NDinMich]

Damn Pkt. Awesome stuff. Transferring your list to MS Word doc for shopping this weekend. Now need to find a LQ store with a nice selection.

If anyone is in the ATL area and can recommend a place with a nice selection I'd appreciate it.

I was in ATL for work a while back and thought the Total Wine in the Perimeter Mall area had a great selection. Not sure if theyll have rare stuff though.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Time for the Peated whiskies. First some words of caution.
Some people love peaty whiskies (Me) and some people hate them (Whiskey). Some people think it smells/tastes like wood smoke, campefire smoke, smoked fish, barnyard (mostly mainland peat) and some people have complained that it smells like dirty smelly socks. To each their own.
I would suggest starting with things like the Highland Park 18 and Talisker 18 that I have already mentioned (and then maybe the Lagavulin 16) unless you want to dive right in.

Peated/bourbon cask or multiple style of casks
Lagavulin 12yo cask strength $110, 50%+ released every fall. Lots of campfire smoke, smoked fish, lemons, nuts, and brine.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan 57%+ $110. Big time peat. Smokey (like a bonfire), salty, creosote, smoked salted fish. Some fruit (lemons and grapefruit).
Laphroaig 18yo 46% $150. Not my favorite but I know some people who really like it. Lots of new oak, vanilla, oak shavings, peat, campfire smoke, salty and seaweed.
Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength 50%+ $65ish. Big time peat. Smoke, dried meat (good quality beef jerkey). Salty, seaweed, iodine, some vanilla. Smoked fish(cod?) and coal smoke.
Talisker 25yo 50%+, $300-500. I have had 5 different releases and all have been great to amazing. campfire smoke, light sherry, nuts, pepper, salt, some dried fruits.
Lagavulin 8yo 200th anniversary edition should be coming out in your area (either last week or in the next week or so). It is getting really positive reviews and is a one time release. Suppose to be big and peaty.

Sherried and peat
Lagavulin Distillers Edition (Pedro Ximenez casks) $100, 43%. Walnuts, almonds, raisins, smoke, smoked cherries. Some balsamic vinegar and tobacco.
Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2% $90. Diesel, smoke, some sherry. A little nuts, lemon yogurt, tar and brine (can you have briney lemon yogurt?). A little vanilla and cocoa as well.

Some people swear by the Laphroaig 25yo. I had it once but it was after 10 or so other whiskies. So hard to give notes.

Also be wary of Bowmore, espcially anything from the 1980's through 1990. Many of them are very perfumed and have garnered the nickname FWP (french whore perfume). Bowmore from the 1970's and 1960's are amazing and the most recent stuff is pretty good (though a few bottles have been overly floral). I have had some really good sherried Bowmores from 1991 (bottled by A.D. Rattray).

I will add that older Ardbegs can be amazing but they are probably pushing your price range now. If you do see a 1970's Ardbeg for under $1000 it might be worth buying. Also Ardbeg 21yo for under a couple of hundred would be worth it, 17yo for under $300 or so and the Ardbeg Nam Beist for under $200 is probably worth it now.

I am going to head to bed but I will add Japanese, Blends, Irish whisky and maybe some Indian whiskies tomorrow.

If you have any questions please let me know, and I will try to answer as soon as possible.

Not sure if it's true across states, but Total Wines has prices on these 2 Ardbergs that are better than Duty Free. I think they have locations in Arizona, but you can get both of these for under $90 at the site in Dallas.

 

[Irish YJ]

Nice.

I found a place through google called Tower, that seems to have 2 Atlanta locations (not sure how close they are to you though). Their selection and prices seem to be pretty normal.

Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits Buckhead

Thank you. I know of Tower. Couldn't think of the name, but used to go there for hard to find beer back in my younger days. There's one 10-15 from me, and one down in Buckhead 20 mins from me. I'm sure the Buckhead location has the better selection.

Dropped the Balvenie off at my buddies. He's already looking forward to next Friday. He's an older guy (70s, x-mechanic) who doesn't like computers all that much. He asked me to send him the list you posted, and some links about Scotch.... takes a lot to get him excited, but he is lol. Told him to peruse the list and he can pick the next two bottles. Truly appreciate the help.

I was in ATL for work a while back and thought the Total Wine in the Perimeter Mall area had a great selection. Not sure if theyll have rare stuff though.

Perimeter is 20 min from me, and will definitely give it a look!! Thank you.

Not sure if it's true across states, but Total Wines has prices on these 2 Ardbergs that are better than Duty Free. I think they have locations in Arizona, but you can get both of these for under $90 at the site in Dallas.

Good stuff. Saw a few Ardbergs today at the one near my house, but looked "lesser" than the ones on Pkt's list. Almost gave them a try and then saw the Balvenie he recommended and jumped on it.

 

[pkt77242]

I just wanted to throw out a few more whiskies.

Blends:
Compass Box Great King Street 43% $50. White fruit (peaches) and pears with some vanilla, and saltiness. A nice blend.
Johnnie Walker Green Label 43% $60 Honey, roasted nuts and some light smoke.
Compass Box Spice Tree 43% $70: Some light fruit (apples?), oak, spices (nutmeg and ginger) and some vanilla.

I have not had much Chivas Regal but since you mentioned that your friend drank Chivas.
Chivas Royal Salute 21yo 40% $200.


Japanese Whiskies:
Yamazaki 18yo 43% $250-300. Overpriced but very interesting. Tea, figs, dates, oak, nuts, and a little leather. Some sherry as well.

I will say that there are some really good Japanese whiskies but sadly most of them never make it to the U.S.

 

[pkt77242]

Thank you. I know of Tower. Couldn't think of the name, but used to go there for hard to find beer back in my younger days. There's one 10-15 from me, and one down in Buckhead 20 mins from me. I'm sure the Buckhead location has the better selection.

Dropped the Balvenie off at my buddies. He's already looking forward to next Friday. He's an older guy (70s, x-mechanic) who doesn't like computers all that much. He asked me to send him the list you posted, and some links about Scotch.... takes a lot to get him excited, but he is lol. Told him to peruse the list and he can pick the next two bottles. Truly appreciate the help.

I am glad that I could help. Enjoy.

 

[Irish YJ]

So had our first go at the Balvenie yesterday after work. Good stuff. We had a glass of it first, then both had a small glass of the JW Plat so that we could compare.

I could really taste the honey in the Balvenie. More oaky too, at least I think that's what it was. Had a bit more of a bite than the JWP.

My buddy gives the slight edge thus far to the Balvenie. Me, a slight edge to the JWP. Love the smoothness of the JWP. Loved the Balvenie too.

Again, thanks to all for recommendations. We're going to visit Tower and Total Wine in the next week or so and pick out our 3rd victim.