Which whiskies would you most like to see with a higher ABV?

[Alexppp]

It's often been discussed how we'd like to see x or y malt with no chill-filtration and a higher alcohol content. Which whiskies in particular do you think would benefit the most from an increase in ABV? I have three in mind:

Laphroaig 10 - this one has been mentioned frequently, with a lot of us thinking it's a bit too weak at 40%, especially compared to its rivals from Lagavulin and Ardbeg. The Laphroaig Quarter Cask proves how much the higher strength benefits the Laphroaig characteristics, so the 10 would be an obvious candidate for 46% or higher.

Aberfeldy 12 - I really like the Aberfeldy style, and their entry level malt is a beautifully balanced smooth and honeyed dram. With an increase in ABV and no chill-filtering, I believe it could become one of the great whiskies, as opposed to a very good one.

Glenfiddich 15 - this one wasn't my idea, Ian Buxton writes about it in '101 Whiskies to try before you die'. Apparently he was lucky enough to have tried some straight from the cask (i.e. straight from the Solera vat rather) and he described it as a 'transcendentally great' malt. Who am I to argue? It's already much praised for its richness, complexity, and balance between fruits, sherry, and spices, so I agree that an increase in ABV would make it one of the greats.

So, what do you say? Any other nominations? (or disagreements?)

[Blackadder]

I enjoy all 3 of these but would love to see the Laphroaig 10 bottled at 46%. To be honest i believe all whiskies would benefit from being bottled at 46% - 50%, but would buyers be willing to pay more.

[Fergie]

I would love to see a 46% version of the Laphroaig 10

[Fergie]

[Alexppp]

Yes, price would be a consideration too, the question is more along the lines of 'in an ideal world', forgetting about difference in price. In other words, which whiskies would make the leap from good to great.

[bifter]

Good shouts! Albo will be on here in a flash to agree with you osbout the Laphroaig 10 and I don't doubt it would be better at a higher strength, just ordered the CS 004 so this will show just how raw it can be.

I agree with Blackadder that the ideal bottling strengths of most whiskies should be higher than 40% but its to the credit of the industry that many are now higher, e.g. Bunnahabhainn.
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

[chrisg]

The Laphroaig QC has been a huge success for Laphroaig since its launch and is one of the top selling Islay malts now so Laphroaig know already that there customers like higher strength Laphroaig, so you never know perhaps Laphroaig will bottle there 10 year old at 46% in the future. I doubt we would ever see the Glenfiddich 15 bottled at 46% but i would love to see it, we can always hope.

[William]

Alexppp, i would love to see all 3 of these whiskies bottled at higher strength and i could probably give you a list the length of my arm of other whiskies that i would love to see with a higher abv.

I find wine/sherry cask matured or finished whiskies often benefit a lot being bottled at a higher abv. For example i thought that Glenmorangies range of cask finishes (what we now know as Lasanta, Quinta Ruban etc) was greatly improved when they increased them to 46%.

Following the excellent bottle of the cask strength Balvenie Craftsmans Reserve No.1 The Cooper last year which showed how good a higher strength Balvenie can be i would love to see more Balvenie bottlings at a higher strength, in particular the Balvenie 12 Doublewood.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[James T]

[5-12-1908]

The Glenfiddich 15 Id love to try....saying that, Ive just got the 15yr old distillers addition and I believe that has a higher volume. (I wont open it until I get another)
For me the 15yr old id the pick of the bunch on the Glenfiddich range.

[Genuine Risk]

[Forbes]

[drPete]

[albo]

Excellent topic. Sorry it's taken me so long to get to it!

It's been said and covered many times but the Laphroig 10 would benifit from being botteled at a higher ABV there is no doubt in my mind about it. 46% would make it much more joyful.

Also tried Aberfeldy for the first time at the weekend, and I actually really enjoyed it, very easy drinking (too easy drinking?), not wanting to be harsh on something I've only tried a couple of times and really liked, but I can't help thinking at 43/46% would make this all the better.

The Old Pulteney 12 I also think would give a better kick at a higher ABV, they bottle the 17 at a higher ABV, why not the 12?

But the Laphroig 10 is the number one on this particular list!!!!!

[Innes]

I wouldnt mind seeing Highland Park 12 bottled at a higher strength also Bowmore 12