Whisky Forum - What do you suggest I try next?

cordoant · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:11 am Post subject: What do you suggest I try next?

Hi. I've had the good fortune to try many different single malts. I've found that I definitely prefer more challenging single malts over smooth ones. My favorite notes seem to be sea salt/brine notes, peat and smoke. The more memorable single malts I have had have been Lagavulin 16, Several taliskers (the ten year, eighteen year and the distiller edition) Old Pulteney 12 and especially the Old Pulteney 17. I want to know what else to investigate beyond the other selections offered by the distilleries that I already know I like. I would be interested in challenging drinks of a different nature then the one's I mentioned (beyond smoke/brine/peat defined scotch). I'm just not so much interested in smooth and easy drinks. I used to drink smooth blended whiskeys all the time years ago. At this point in my life, I'm only drawn to what is different tasting AND high quality. As an example, my first experience with Talisker (the ten year) was eye-opening. As I am sure you know, after letting it sit for an hour to breathe, it was unlike anything I had ever had, with several waves of flavors and distinct notes crashing one after the other in my mouth just as I fancifully imagined how violent waves crashing against the rocky scottish highland coasts must be like. Being a newbie then, I really had to brace myself with each swallow! But of course, it was enjoyable. Anyway, I hope my post gives you a good idea for what I am after. Challenging/unusual. So far I find the salty/peaty/smoky ones to be of that nature (most often).

Samson · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:53 am Post subject:

cordoant sounds like you have a taste for Islay whiskies which are the strongest flavored of all Scotch whiskies. Islay malt whiskies are very often described as being very smoky and medicinal, salty and sea weedy with a dry finish and sometimes with quite a bite.

Have you tried anything from Ardbeg or Laphroaig as i think these will be just what you are looking for. Both distilleries offer a number of expressions and i would highly recommend the following:

Ardbeg 10 year old
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Ardbeg 17 year old
Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist

Laphroaig 10 year old
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Laphroaig 18 year old

cordoant · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:12 am Post subject:

no actually, I have not. Thanks I will eagerly seek these suggestions out.

Genuine Risk · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:27 am Post subject:

Smokehead 18 Top Malt

octomore
_________________
Putting the func in dysfunctional.

Big Mac · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:46 am Post subject:

Highly recommend the Ardbeg Uigeadail which i am drinking this evening, outstanding whisky.

DavidUK · Double Malt Member Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 174

As the OP asked for suggestions of challenging whiskies BEYOND 'smoke/brine/peat', then I would point him in the direction of the 'Sherry Monsters'.In particular The Glendronach(Single Cask releases if you can find them) and Aberlour A'Bunadh.

From the Lowlands be sure to seek out a 55% ABV Bladnoch which is neither sherried nor peated but a damn fine whisky and excellent value for money

gambler · Double Malt Member Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 129

I'm a newbie to the single malt scotch world, but my experience sounds similar to yours (although I didn't start with blended scotch). I tried a Glenfiddich 102 Distillers Edition, Macallan 12 and a Talisker 10 as my first 'house whiskies' and from the reading and info I'd gathered, figured I'd much prefer the first two over the Talisker. How wrong I was. Personally I love whisky that has smoke and peat in it (though I haven't worked my way to Ardbeg yet - I do have a Corryvreckan in my unopened supply, and will be seeking an Uigeadail relatively soon).

It wasn't until I tried Lagavulin 16 that I could honestly say I loved the taste of a whisky, but when I went back to Talisker 10 I discovered my palate had broadened and I could appreciate that one too.

I still haven't had the Macallan quite click yet though I find it pleasant enough, and the Glenfiddich DE just hasn't worked at all for me yet.

Since I'm a newbie still, I don't have a lot of advice, but I will point out another that I haven't seen mentioned:

Highland Park 12. There is indeed some smoke, but I'd say this is a very well balanced whisky with quite a bit going on and the smoke doesn't dominate as it does in some of the Islays and Talisker.

I've heard great things about the new Bunnahabhain 18 (new as in the 2010+ 46.3% ABV edition, but it's being discontinued I think) and the Bunnahabhain 12. It's an Islay but a far less peat/smoke driven one. Not sure how 'challenging it is'.

Then there's Glenmorangie, but I only have an unopened bottle of their Nectar D'or. Glenmorangie Original might not be the most complex of the non-peat/smoke whiskys but enough people call it 'complex' in reviews I've seen that you might find it of interest.

Good luck!

DavidUK · Double Malt Member Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 174

Blackadder · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:29 pm Post subject:

gambler · Double Malt Member Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 129

cordoant · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:54 am Post subject: follow up

thanks for the suggestions everyone, I made a big list of them all. I was really busy the last couple of weeks, but I am free again and I will be taking this list to the local 'pub' here in town and trying them one at a time. Although I live in Denver, the place I have in mind (and that I visit from time to time) actually carries several selections from all of the current distilleries and quite a few discontinued distilleries/drams too (at a premium though of course). I appreciate the advice and I will report my findings later. Cheers.