Whisky Forum - What Next?

Newby · Single Malt Member Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 35

Hi all, Im currently about half way through my first ever bottle, and contemplating what to buy next! Current bottle is Balvenie Doublewood 12, which I'm liking.

Ive tried the below also recently in bars, in rough preference top to bottom, but all enjoyed:

Oban 14
Dalwhinnie 15
Glenmorangie 10
Talisker 10
Jura Superstition

My current idea is probably to get a bottle of Oban, unless anyone can suggest a better idea? Budget max GBP 40-45.

Cheers

sorren · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:02 pm Post subject:

Hi and welcome,
If you are enjoying the balvenie then there is a balvenie single barrel 12yo in that price range, Â£45 at asda .. Also I think aberlour abundah is just about in that range, ( waitrose ) or glenlivet nadura , these are very good expressions, a few of my favourites are Auchentoshan threewood and Auchentoshan valinch ( if you can find one ) they fall into your price range, the Glenfiddich distillers edition 15yo can sometimes be found in that price bracket usually Â£50 ish, also Glenfarclas 15 yo should be around there too ( yum yum ) it's a great dram !! I won't mention any islay expression as I don't like them and my opinion won't be anywhere as good as others on here, I hope that helps a little .. Top Malt

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1666

Welcome to the forum Newby.

A few i would suggest that can be found well within your budget which i think you will like are:

Aberlour 10 year old which is on offer in Tesco at the moment for Â£23, best entry level sherried malt for your money IMO.

Highland Park 12 year old is a great all round dram with a bit of everything, sweet, malty, fruit, honey, touch of smoke, i highly recommend this.

Glenfiddich 15 year old is superb, fruity and a touch of spice.

The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask which was finished in rum casks and is delicious, toffee, spice and vanilla.

I am sure others will give you some suggestions, there are loads to choose from under Â£45.

Newby · Single Malt Member Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 35

Thanks for the replies, would you both definitely go for your recommendations over the Oban?

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1666

Crane · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 4:16 pm Post subject:

Given your liking for Balvenie Doublewood 12 i would suggest Glenfarclas 15 or Glendronach 15.

sorren · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 5:03 pm Post subject:

Yes I would go for my choices over the Oban.. But as others have said there are cheaper choices, you might be better getting 2 standard bottles at around Â£20-£25 then you can find out where your palate takes you, your budget gives you a very good chance to have some very good Whisky... If your in a area where there is a good Whisky shop that will let you try before you buy then pop in and sample some..

GBrough · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:04 pm Post subject:

I would recommend Nadura, it is excellent and cost effective or Glenfiddich 15 Solara Reserve. If you have any questions about Islay or coastal drams I am here, I usually do not buy highland or speysiders unless it is hard to find.
_________________
The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

opelfruit · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 7:50 am Post subject:

If you like well made Speysiders (and from the list highlanders with a whiff of smoke) then I can suggest BenRiach. Top drawer distillery with incredible flavour. Bank for your buck wise you can get an older and more matured malt from their range (Glendronach too, which are managed by the same people).

Glendronach tend to be heavier, denser malts whereas the BenRiach side carry more spicy and a bit more "zing". Some of the best whiskies I've had have come from BenRiachs single cask range.

This is a good one and a bargin at just over Â£40 with delivery:

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/benriach-15-year-old-pedro-ximinez-sherry-cask-finish-whisky/?srh=1

(also, it's not chill filtered, no colouring added and 46% - the stuff us purists love and make a massive difference to the end dram)
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

Newby · Single Malt Member Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 35

Thanks for all the advice.

Not sure how I feel about spending 40 quid on something I haven't tried, so think it's either the Oban or as suggested something reduced to mid 20s like Highland Park or Arbelour.

GBrough · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 1:50 pm Post subject:

Highland Park is hands down one of the best malts I have ever had, the smoke is like heaven for me.
_________________
The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

opelfruit · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 4:28 pm Post subject:

Not sure where you are based, MasterOfMalt do samples in 3cl. It's worth stumping up a few quid first and getting a handful of samples across various whiskies.

If you are near a decent whisky shop they would also happily let you try samples of their open bottles before you buy.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

Newby · Single Malt Member Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 35

Hmm, the Abelour 10 is now Â£20 at Morrisons, looking like the one!

GBrough · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:32 pm Post subject:

Newby · Single Malt Member Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 35

Over the past few weeks, I've tried as many as I can in pubs, including below:

Ardbeg 10
Laphroag 10
Lagavulin 16
Highland Park 14
Auchentoshan Triple wood
Bowmore Darkest 15

Which has made what to buy more difficult instead of easier.

Ardbeg 10 on offer at Tesco at 37.50 is top at the moment on price effectiveness I think.