Whisky Forum - Looking for a new Islay!

cheekobonavista · Single Malt Member Joined: 17 May 2017 Posts: 25

Hi,

I just finished a bottle of Ardbeg Corryvreckan, and I'm about to polish off the last of my Lagavulin 16. I'll soon be headed to the bottle shop looking to replenish my store of peated hooch. I'm hoping to try something new that will rock my socks off.

So far I've had:

Lagavulin 16
Ardbeg 10, Corryvreckan, and Uigeadail
Laphroaig 10, Quarter Cask, and Lore
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Port Charlotte Islay Barley, and Scottish Barley
Talikser 10, Storm, and Distillers Edition (not Islay, but still peated and delicious).

Any suggestions of widely available, mid-priced, peated scotch would be appreciated.

Mahalo!

GregBurnett · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 9:24 am Post subject:

I really like the Lannnister Game of Thrones bottle. 9 year old Lagavulin at Â£65.

A bit pricey for a 9 year old, but it tastes a lot more mature than the age states. Also a nice change from the standard 16 year old!

webdunk · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 10:05 am Post subject:

Maybe divert from Islay briefly and head to Mull?

Ledaig - The entry level expressions are largely unsherried and a nice peated style.18yr is sherried and very flavoursome. They also often do limited/distillery only runs in interesting casks.

If you want to stay on Islay then the Port Charlotte MRC:01 was excellent and I would strongly recommend trying any peated Bunnahabhain.
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TheMaster · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 11:56 am Post subject:

Not sure how available they are to you, guess it depends how well stocked your shop is....

Port Charlotte 10yo is good. 50%, uncoloured and unfiltered.
Port Askaig 100 proof (Caol Ila) also very good.

You could always try some Longrow if you fancied moving away from Islay; peated Springbank.

davidbe · Master Of Malts Joined: 28 May 2015 Posts: 497

Second vote for Ledaig. As good as anything from Islay.

Scotchnthings · Double Malt Member Joined: 11 Feb 2019 Posts: 144

Caol ila moch or 12 are also excellent peat style whiskies imo. If youve got a few more $ to put into it go for caol ila 25, it can often be found for under 100 euro in europe.

Fergie · Master Of Malts Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 1657

I think you should enjoy Laphroaig PX Cask and away from Islay Ledaig 10 and 18 year old

TheWM · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 5:42 am Post subject:

Some IB ledaigs are incredible. Around the 8-10 year mark.

But for an Islay specifically Iâ€™d be recommending Caol Ila. Either young (under 10) or over 21 for the real sweet spots.

drPete · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:26 pm Post subject:

Talisker 18.
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Talisker 18 - the rest are just details

BigShing · Master Of Malts Joined: 21 Feb 2019 Posts: 281

jsberry · Single Malt Member Joined: 24 Oct 2015 Posts: 26

Bowmore 15 "Darkest" is a great blend of sherry and peat. Lots of both for about $75.

BigShing · Master Of Malts Joined: 21 Feb 2019 Posts: 281

Isn't Bowmore Darkest 15yr now simply called Bowmore 15? Is it still the same whisky or have they changed it?

I got a bottle last christmas from my brother and I felt it was massively overpriced at its full price of around Â£60 here in the UK. I'm glad my brother got it on amazon for about Â£40 in their Black Friday sale because IMO it's no better than the standard 12yr. A nice enough dram, sure, but if you can't find better sherried Islay whiskies at that Â£60 pricepoint you'e not trying hard enough imo.

cheekobonavista · Single Malt Member Joined: 17 May 2017 Posts: 25

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried Caol Ila 12 and liked it. Tried Bowmore 12 at a pub and decided I probably won't buy a bottle, although I am interested in Bowmore Darkest. I had a sample pack from Bruichladdich that included Classic Laddie, Scottish Barley, and Port Charlotte Scottish and Islay barley; sorry to say but I was underwhelmed. Haven't tried any of their age statement whisky's. I loved Kilchoman Machir Bay, and would defiantly consider their other malts, but I wonder if Machir Bay is the cheapest and best in my price range; about $100-150USD max. Talisker 18 is a dream that I'll someday achieve. There are still too many good bottles under $100 I haven't tried.

Of all the suggestions, I think a bottle of Ledaig will be my next buy. I've seen it for under $60 here, and after what I've read I'm keen to give it a go. Thanks again.

dirge · Member Joined: 21 Jan 2019 Posts: 16

Ardbeg Oogie!

Olorin · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:53 am Post subject:

Recently picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 10 yr for my Dad at Glasgow airport duty free for Â£40. I've not tried it yet, but I imagine it will be nice. Anyone here tasted it? It's interesting how large the price difference is compared to the Game of Thrones bottling.

Not sure about it's availability in other duty frees but I think it's a good price.

Also, I'd second Longrow as a suggestion.

Good hunting!