Whisky Forum - Help Me Decide My Next Bottle

scotchirish · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:36 pm Post subject: Help Me Decide My Next Bottle

Help me decide my next purchase. Not being a man of much means, I must choose my bottles carefully. At present, I am sipping on HP12. Ardbeg OOgie, and Talisker 10.

I love Islays. I love peat, smoke and sherry.

My supplier in Virginia is somewhat limited. My list below is of those that catch my attention (each under $100.00 , my budget); all of which are special order.

Have tried Caol Ila 12 & Lagavulin 16 . . . and loved the Laga (quite sure it will get many votes). Can't get Talisker 57N.

Help me decide.

Aberlour a'Bunadh - $52.95
Aberlour 16yr $69.90
Bunnahabhain 12 Year $59.95
Caol Ila Distillers Edition $74.95
Ebradour 10 $54.90
Glendronach 12 Yr $64.95
Lagavulin 16 $99.90
Laphroaig 10 - $54.95
Laphroaig Quarter Cask $59.95
Laphroaig Triplewood $74.90
Laphroaig 18 Year $99.90
Macallan Sherry Cask Strength $95.95
Talisker Distiller's Edition - $89.95

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

I don't think you'd be disappointed with any of them. A couple of observations on value for money:

1) The Laphroaig 18 is a bargain at that price.

2) If the Laphroaig 18 is a bargain, the Macallan Cask Strength is an absolute steal. I've never tried it but if I were in your position with that list of whiskies and prices I would 100% go for the Macallan. Technically though, the Aberlour a'bunadh offers the same cask-strength sherry hit as the Macallan (again I say this having not tasted the Macallan) at virtually half the price.

Furthermore, a couple of excellent every-day malts from the list are the Bunnahabhain 12 and Glendronach 12. If you're lucky the Glendronach will be older than its stated age: it's been mentioned a lot recently on this forum, but due to the distillery being mothballed between 1996 and 2002, pre-2014 bottlings of the 12 would contain whisky distilled in 1996 or before.

drPete · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 5:54 pm Post subject:

The Mac and the Laph 18 scream out from that list - many of the others are fine , but they are the standouts IMHO
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Talisker 18 - the rest are just details

Blackadder · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:13 pm Post subject:

Each batch of the Aberlour a'Bunadh is individual and every batch i have had has been excellent, it will certainly fulfill your taste for a sherried dram.

The Laphroaig Quarter Cask is another fantastic dram on a limited budget.

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1669

I would guess that the Macallan Sherry Cask Strength wont be around for ever so i would say get a bottle while you have the chance. I have had Macallan 10 year old Cask Strength in the past and it was superb, they have dropped the age statement but i would think it is still very good.

Quaich1 · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:52 pm Post subject:

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2991

A few on the list which i would not go for are the Ebradour 10, Talisker DE and Laphroaig Triplewood the rest are excellent whiskies IMO.

scotchirish · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:19 am Post subject:

Okay gentlemen. You've helped me tremendously.
Its the Macallan for me.
I love the Macallan 12; it was perhaps the first scotch I liked, till I ventured into the Islays.
I know I'll love the Mac Cask Strength.

Might try the Laphroaig next.

opelfruit · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 7:55 am Post subject:

The Laphroaig 18 is very good but it is a lot more subtle than younger Laphroaigs. The intense peat in Laphroaig doesn't carry with age so when it gets to 18yr old it mellows out a lot. It's great great whisky but it may not give you a big peaty hit.

Just bare that in mind.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

scotchirish · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:45 pm Post subject:

scotchirish · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 1:00 pm Post subject:

Well, I purchased the Macallan Cask Strength yesterday and had a dram last night.

Wow!! It left me speechless . . . literally, for the sheer 'strength' of it.
The bottle says: 60.1 % ABV
It is powerful to say the least. So much so, that I could not really appreciate it, so I had to add a little water (first time I've wanted to use water with any whisky).
Slowly (and I do mean slowly) it began to develop for me.
I'm unable to detect the various smells and flavours, so without being too descriptive . . . The rich, mahogany color is quite beautiful; the nose is powerful but appealing fruit and nuts ; the taste . . . rich caramel, nutty, perhaps maple? . . . the finish . . . a pleasant burn (intense w/o water), smooth and creamy.
I enjoyed it.
Am I glad I bought it? . . . At the same price of the Lagavulin 16. . . I have mixed emotions. I wanted something a little different than the Islays and that's what I got.
But I find myself at this point, quite enamored with peat and smoke.
I will savour this one for quite awhile.
My next bottle is either Lagavulin 16, Laphroaig 18 or Talisker 18.

Quaich1 · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 2:31 pm Post subject:

scotchirish · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 3:48 pm Post subject:

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

Sounds like it's crying out for some water, so add a few drops, let it sit for a few minutes and enjoy! (it won't make you any less of a man, as the joking around on the 'water or no water' thread might suggest!)

Grant M · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject:

Some good advice above. If the strong alcohol level is overpowering the taste buds to the extent that you are not fully appreciating the whisky then it needs some water, just add a drop at a time to you get a good balance of taste and alcohol level which you enjoy.