Whisky Forum - Newbie recommendations please

caf84 · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Oct 2020 Posts: 27

Afternoon,

As the title suggests, relative newbie here looking for some recommendations from those who have been here and done it.

I was holidaying in Scotland this time last year and with my touristy hat on, decided on a distillery tour/tasting session. Some quick research told me the nearest provider of this was the Glengoyne distillery. Off we went, and had a great time.

Ended up coming away with a bottle of 10 & 12 and 2 of their blending glasses.

Did the 10 first, quite enjoyed it, although with it being my entry into single malt, I admit a lot of it was lost on me - but the palate was exposed none the less.

With the 10 gone, I moved on to the 12 and was dead chuffed when I started to recognise a bit of toffee in the taste.

My next bottle was a gift, Glen Marnoch Highland (Aldi). I did a bit of research and wasn't expecting much, but to be fair, I did enjoy it and would happily do another bottle if someone bought it for me!

Polished that one off last weekend and have just today received bottle number 4. I stayed loyal to Glengoyne and got a bottle of the legacy series chapter 1 - I'll be opening tonight.

So, I'm after recommendations from you guys for a bottle to drink over the festive period.

1. Not Glengoyne
2. Nothing too complex or that will be lost on a novice palate
3. I think a Â£60 limit should suffice
4. Nothing smokey. I'm not there yet!

Other than that, you have free reign to advise.

Also, happy enough with the nosing/tasting side of things thus far, but I am struggling with picking up any sort of finish. So any advice here would also be well received.

Cheers

ralfy legend · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 3:50 pm Post subject:

Hello and welcome, the glengoyne is far better than the Aldi highland but hey you had to start somewhere , Glenmo 10, if youâ€™ve tried the glengoyne 10 and 12 go deanston 12, as a newbie there is so many out there for you, enjoy your journey .

caf84 · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Oct 2020 Posts: 27

Thank you.

And yes, even my untrained tongue could tell the Glengoyne was in a different league, particularly the 12.

As the 10 was my first bottle, I do intend to buy another one in a year or two and see if I get anymore from it.

All good fun.

lowlander · Double Malt Member Joined: 19 Jul 2019 Posts: 83

I'd wait until Black Friday. Amazon usually have a load of good deals.

As you're still at the beginning of your journey, perhaps you could buy a couple of cheaper single malts?

Glenmorangie 10 is usually a good place to start and relatively cheap when on offer (currently Â£26 from Sainsbury's)

Arran 10 is another solid whisky I'd recommend for you. However I've noticed that has gone up to Â£40! Perhaps wait until Black Friday/Christmas time to see if the price drops.

If you want to explore something with a bit of peat, Highland Park 12 is on offer at ASDA for Â£25. Laphroaig 10 is also on offer for Â£26 - but this is a bit of a Marmite whisky as I like to call it. You'll either love it or hate it!

Personally, I'd go with the Glenmorangie 10 & Highland Park 12 - two bottles for less than your budget.

caf84 · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Oct 2020 Posts: 27

Thanks lowlander.

I'll have a look at those.

And that's 2 for Glenmorangie 10 - I'll probably go for this next.

Charlie · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 1407

Must try's which I would recommend are

Glen Grant 10 and 12

Dalwhinnie 15

Cragganmore 12

Glenmorangie 10

Glenfiddich 12 and 15

Aberfeldy 12

caf84 · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Oct 2020 Posts: 27

Thank you. Plenty to go at there

deadz101 · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:27 pm Post subject:

Glenlivet 15
Glenfiddich 18
Glenfarclas 15

Some of these are available in miniatures, a good way to try different whiskies.

Good luck

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

Try Benromach 10. Its a solid dram, not overly complex or pricey and doesnt taste too "manufactured/mass produced" can I use that as a tasting note?

TheWM · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 10:29 am Post subject:

As youâ€™ve specifically asked for a festive bottle Iâ€™d be pushing for a Glendronach 15 over a glenmorangie 10. Push the boat out and enjoy your Xmas.

Some other suggestions include Glenfarclas 15/105, Redbreast 12, Dalmore 12 (very surprised by this recently), Tyrconnell Madeira. These are all drams Iâ€™d be happy sipping on Xmas day.

Jimny14 · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 3:57 pm Post subject:

Get on to an online whisky specialist which do miniatures or samples. Think about speyside and highlands for a start as they're less likely to be peated. You should be able to taste 15 or more easily for your budget, it's a great way to learn having different ones side by side. Alternatively have a bottle as a standard reference which you can compare everything to.
I'd go for an highland park 12, old pultney 12, aberlour 12 for a reference dram for me in that order of preference.

caf84 · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Oct 2020 Posts: 27

You're a helpful bunch aren't you!

Cheers for all the advice/recommendations. I will genuinely look at everything you have put forward. I'm only 36 so lots of time to try them all!

Oh, and for anyone who's interested, I cracked open the Glengoyne Legacy Series Ch 1 last night. It's a warm one for me. Plenty of spice. Ginger I think. Pretty good, but not as good as the 12 on first taste.

I'll be having another go this weekend, hopefully toasting an England 6 Nations victory.

Cheers again

Fightingirish · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:01 am Post subject:

Bunnahabhain 12 should be one to pick up for sure
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scotchnbrbn · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 9:50 pm Post subject:

Agree with what a few have said...

1. Glenmorangie 10
2. Arran 10
3. Bunnahabhain 12 for something a little more complex