The wonderful world of whisk(e)y

Glenrothes - always enjoyable.

Two slightly off the beaten track singles (well, not mentioned yet) Bruihcladdich Peat and LP1 elements of Islay (full proof) both of which are full bodied, smokey and very drinkable.

Perhaps not the classic single malt; Edradour 'straight from the cask'. I have both the Port and the Bordeaux cask finished bottles and they are nearly drained - Very smooth with a sweet, sherry-like nose. Bourbon-esque in a 'Labrot and Graham' way. Not too expensive either (circa £40/500ml full proof) however, they are limited to 400 bottle runs so if you can find one you'll be lucky and happy!

I love Scapa and Clynelish. I will not buy The Macallan as they put caramel into their whisky

Also give the Japanese malt Yamazaki from Suntory a go and the Welsh malt Penderyn this IMHO is gorgeous

Chaps

A few years ago I used to slosh 3 bottles of malt whisky each month down myself and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My overall favourite was Tamdhu follwed by Oban.

I used to buy any bottle of single malt every time I passed a decent shop and filled a bedroom unit up with bottles of many different brands. I did a stock check last December and had 78 unopened bottles plus a dozen or so half filled.

Being one of lifes unlucky buggers, I now am limited to moderate consumption thanks to a heart condition and can only drink a couple of glasses each week. The good news is that I probably have enough whisky stashed away to last me the rest of my life.

Regards

Mick

Anyone tried any whiskies from the English Whisky Co. from St.George's Distillery in Norfolk? I visited there years ago and they were only at the spirit stage, it hadn't been in barrels long enough to be called whisky at that time....

Here's a question.  If the whiskey was exactly the same and totally non-alcoholic, would you still drink it??

Jon

No one mentioned Ardbeg... my personal favorite

Yes, both peat and unpeated - both very nice depending on your preference, and strange to drink non-Scottish whisky! Well worth a visit and tour.

Hard question to answer as it depends on what kind of Single Malt you like.  

Do you prefer the peaty, iodine style malts most commonly form Islay or the more sherries versions, or something in between?  There are numerous good books on the subject that are worth investigating.  Charles McLean is an obvious one, although I thin David Wishart's "Whisky Classified" is a good starting point for those beginning their journey.

A introductory list to the various taste profiles would look something like this

Full bodied sherried - Glendronach

Medium Bodied, medium sweet - Glenfarclas

Medium/light bodied, floral,spicy, nutty - Highland Park, Springbank

Full Bodied, peaty - Lagavulin

This is a pretty basic overview but will give you a starting point.  My suggestion would be to start somewhere in the middle - something like a Highland Park, Springbank or Glenfarclas 12 YO (all exceptional single malts) and work your out to the edges.

It's tough for me to choose a favourite as it depends on my mood but Aberlour a'bunadh, Edradour, both more full bodied and sherried art particular favourites as is Scapa, which is more in the middle.  Their 14YO was a firm favourite as I found it quite unique but the don't make it anymore, but the current 16YO may be even better.  On the peaty side I would probably opto for Caol Isla or Clynlelish.

My better half bought me an an cnoc recently, which I had never tried before but I am thoroughly enjoying it.  That is one of the thing's I enjoy most about Single Malt's is that there are so many different taste profiles out there and that I can continually find something new and enjoy it for what it is.

BTW  - A little more advice.  Pour, sniff and taste the whisky neat first, then add a little bit of water - say maybe up to a 1/3 of the original qty  in the glass (the idea is to get it down to around 30-33% alcohol)and go through the process again.  Many single malts flavour profile changes considerably with the addition of water.  If you can get yourself a proper whisky glass too (or even a wine tasting glass).  The definitely make a difference.

Chaps

One of the main reasons for Scotland being a major player is the quality / taste of its water. I suppose it is inevitable that as time passes, all of the water boards will tweak the water and the old differences will gradually receed

Regards

Mick.

Thanks RoyleBlue, I might be tempted to get hold of some. I tend to prefer the peated varieties, but not exclusively.

Consciousmess, do any of us soley drink alcoholic drinks for their flavour? I don't think so somehow, there is an element of the alcohol content that makes the drink more special, and to be drunk less often because of it. Besides, I've not yet drank a non-alcoholic version of a beverage that tastes as good as the alcoholic version....

As a whiskey tyro are there any acceptable or better  choices in any of the supermarkets, as specialist shops are a bit thin on the ground round here?

For me, the peaty / smokey Islay malts are favourites and particular expressions I like include

Ardbeg 10 / airigh nam beist

Laphroaig 10 / 15

Caol ila 12

Not so convinced on Lagavulin but have a bottle anyway.

Going further afield:

Taliksker 10 - powerful and tasty

Clynelish 14

Oban 12

Springbank 10

Much lighter than the Islays, but still very enjoyable.

Heading in the sherried direction I love:

Glenfarclas 15

Aberlour A'bunadh

I have had the occasional bottling of Highand Park 10 that had delicious peaty / honey notes, but it is a bit hit and miss, making it worthwhile savouring the bottles that hit the spot.

Your best bet is to google   -  Friends of the classic malt. and join up.

This is purely a marketing website, but it explains the basics and sells good brands at a discount through the major supermarkets.

I once had a £10 discount off a bottle of Oban.

Regards

Mick

Yes++

If I could replicate the taste without then definitely. Alcohol has never really 'agreed' with me, even when I drank a fair bit as a student. Even one measure can ruin my sleep and I generally just feel shocking after two or more. Hence my modest consumption.

I do want or need the alcohol to relax. I have music for that.

One thing I've noticed is more choice in low alcohol beers, especially abroad. This is good news for me.

Bruce

PS King Size-if Clynelish is classified as 'peaty' then I'm a Dutchman. My bottle certainly is not!

£9,999.95

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Morrisons tend to have the best selection IMHO.  

Waitrose are significantly better than Morrisons for their range of single malts, if the outlets in Brighton are any guide.

You are right, it certainly isn't a heavily peated whisky, as these generally aren't my preference, but if I am in the mood for tone I would probably go for one of the brands I mentioned.  It's been a few years since i've had a bottle of Clynelish in my house but I definitely recall it having elements of peat and smoke; not heavy mind you, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed it.  Unless more recent bottlings are different?

Of course that's one of the great things about whisky we taste different things - hence Michael Jackson's notes are often different from Charles McLean etc.  

Are you sure about that? The box of the 10-yr fine oak (the simplest, and I think one of the finest) says, and I quote: "At The Macallan, natural color is something we insist on. It is the interaction of spirit and wood alone which delivers the rich diversity of color evident throughout The Macallan range." 

Over many years i have tried lots of Whisky from cheap to over £2,000 a bottle stuff.

I still don't get why people love it ?

Stu.

The complexity of flavour, the smoothness, the richness the long lingering sweetness, saltiness & smoke - sod this I need a drink.......

Thanks again for all the recommendations! 

And then there's the alcohol

Oh yes! Not to mention the medicinal qualities..........