My Islay Journey Begins

[scotchirish]

Have begun to really love Scotch recently; trying as many as I can afford in a relatively short while (Highland Park 12, my current favorite); I now come to Islay.

As per the recommendations of several of you (GBrough, opelfruit, Alexppp, James T, and others) I acquired 5 samples from Master of Malt .. .
Some of the best (within my low budget).

The 4 Islays are:
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Caol Ila 12 yr
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Bowmore 12

And . . .
Talisker 10.

I begin my journey tonight (9:00 EST).

Can't wait . . . but where do I begin? Which one to start with? Help me decide.
How would you guys rate these? From least to greatest in terms of smoke/peat?
Which would be the best to break me in to the Islays?
This is going to be fun. . . Don't you envy my first time? An Islay virgin!

[opelfruit]

You have 2 choices;

1. Do them all and possibly not get the best out of them, but you will find your favourite.
2. Split them over 2 tasting so you appreciate each one more. The previous whisky will influence your taste buds for the next so you won't truly taste each one on its own merit.

If you were going to do all in a straight tasting then start with the least peated. This is the order;

Talisker
Caol ila
Bowmore
Lagavulin
Ardbeg (the best) ......... (biased)

You could swap the Talisker and Caol ila round if you wanted as it's quite subtle. Do the Ardbeg last as you won't be able to nose or taste anything else after that.



And enjoy!!!!! Look forward to hearing your views.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[Alexppp]

Are you trying more than one in the same session, or just one at a time? Personally I'd split them in two sessions.

Session one: Bowmore, Caol Ila, Lagavulin (in that order)

Session two on a different day: Talisker and Ardbeg (again in that order)

In both cases they're in ascending order of alcohol strength, which is why I'd advise to try the 40% ABV Bowmore before the 43% Caol Ila. For the same reason I'd respectfully disagree with opelfruit's order - if you try the Talisker first and follow it up with, say, the Bowmore, the higher strength of the Talisker would make the Bowmore appear a bit watery, regardless of the peat levels.

Not going to influence you by revealing my favourites

[opelfruit]

Fair point

Talisker is stronger but doesn't have as much taste. Either way.

I'd also go with 2 tasting as putting the Talisker and Ardbeg on a separate day, you'll get more out of it.

Once you get beyond 3 measure you're going to stop appreciating it.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[James T]

I would personally take them in this order

Talisker
Caol ila
Bowmore
Lagavulin
Ardbeg

Enjoy.

Slainte

[djmaxliving]

Well if your gong down the peat road, you need to try Laphroaig 10 year old. You like Peat, you'll love this ?.

[scotchirish]

Where do I begin?
I wish I had never started this . . . this . . . this love affair with scotch. It's all great.

Okay; I listened to your suggestions. Two of you put the samples in the same order; recommending I start with:

Talisker
Caol Ila
Bowmore12
Lagavulin 16
Ardbeg.

Ironically, Masters of Malt had them placed in the box in that order.

So that's what I did.
And as per your advice, I am trying two at a time (three tomorrow night).

First up: Talisker 10 yo.
I was immediately in love. I thought: 'I don't need to try the rest.' This is wonderful.
My nose and palate are not nearly experienced enough to pick up all the smells and flavours of an experienced taster . . . but here is my take on it .. .
Peat, smoke . . . a little of which I tasted for the first time in the Highland Park 12 and loved! It is a smell and flavour that I had never encountered . . . it is what makes scotch so different and pleasing to me over other whiskies. The Talisker was, to me, exquisite. The color is a beautiful amber (is it natural? or added?); the nose was smoky and wild; the taste (palate) was peat, smoke, perhaps a little salt? . .. very wild (is this maritime I hear about?). I loved everything about it.

Then I tried the Caol Ila . . .
The nose . .. much more medicinal? as some have said. . . or is it herbal?
The color much lighter than the Talisker (again, I am perhaps overly influenced by the darker colored whiskies). Tried not to let that bias me.
The taste: much more . . powerful . . stronger peat, smoke (lots of smoke, but loved it), pepper, musky . . . strong lingering flavour I'm not sure of. All in all, it is great.

My dilemma as I write this . . . is which to finish off . . . or both?

I love them both, but if I had to choose a bottle to buy right now . . . Talisker wins.

Tomorrow . . . Bowmore, Lagavulin, Ardbeg.
This is great fun!!!

[drPete]

Wait till you get a Tali 18 ......
_________________
Talisker 18 - the rest are just details

[Alexppp]

[scotchirish]

[opelfruit]

[sorren]

Id pour them down the drain and buy a nice Whisky ..
Get yourself a good old Glenfarclas .. It will be worth it.. That islay rubbish will ruin your taste buds...

[Calder]

[sorren]

I agree Calder, just look at this lot above, they just don't understand what good Whisky is,
O wait .. You was agreeing with me.. Wasn't you ??

[Calder]