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OT: Scotch thread

Anyone giving American Single Malt whiskies a try? They just got designation and some of them are very good. Long way to go to rival Scotch in terms of recognition, but they are gaining market share.
 
uconndogs said:
Anyone giving American Single Malt whiskies a try? They just got designation and some of them are very good. Long way to go to rival Scotch in terms of recognition, but they are gaining market share.
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Yup. I have tried a few, some good, some not so good. The folks making Courage and Conviction have a nice one finished in a cuvee cask. Stanahans has some good products as well. I am interested to see how it expands over the next decade or so.
 
uconndogs said:
Anyone giving American Single Malt whiskies a try? They just got designation and some of them are very good. Long way to go to rival Scotch in terms of recognition, but they are gaining market share.
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Yes.

Don’t let these stubborn nitwits convince you otherwise…they’re more interesting than scotch.

Steer clear of Virginia Distilling. Courage and Conviction is good but it’s basically scotch made in Virginia. The rest of their stuff is so hit or miss that it’s not worth it. I have three bottles of their cask finished stuff that I consider undrinkable.

Balcones, Taconic, Westward, Westland, Stranahans, Cedar Ridge….all make good ones. Balcones Texas Single Malt and their rum cask finished whiskeys are some of my favorites, but the rest of what they do isn’t for me. Lineage is highly regarded, but I did not like it.

If I had to pick one to start out with, Westwards original American single malt would probably be it - it’s like $65-70 and it’s terrific.
 
Fishy said:
Yes.

Don’t let these stubborn nitwits convince you otherwise…they’re more interesting than scotch.

Steer clear of Virginia Distilling. Courage and Conviction is good but it’s basically scotch made in Virginia. The rest of their stuff is so hit or miss that it’s not worth it. I have three bottles of their cask finished stuff that I consider undrinkable.

Balcones, Taconic, Westward, Westland, Stranahans, Cedar Ridge….all make good ones. Balcones Texas Single Malt and their rum cask finished whiskeys are some of my favorites, but the rest of what they do isn’t for me. Lineage is highly regarded, but I did not like it.

If I had to pick one to start out with, Westwards original American single malt would probably be it - it’s like $65-70 and it’s terrific.
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I agree with Fishy that they can be really good. Also that Virginia Distilling is not the best value really (some of it is their distillate, some blended with Scotch). I don't find it more interesting than Scotch unless you mostly drink generic ex-bourbon cask unpeated Scotch. But we have fewer rules so can be quite creative. I think we see a lot of them use new charred oak, which creates something that is really between a Scotch and a Bourbon. Balcones does that. Westward and Westland are good but expensive. Taconic has been hit and miss for me. Stranahans is good. There are lots of new ones coming out now, especially from breweries, as they can distill beers (with or without hops). Mad River HopScotch is quite good and is literally a distilled beer, hops and all.

I like the Old Line Spirits barrel proof if someone wants to try one that is less expensive. I find it for under $40.
 
Fishy said:
Yes.

Don’t let these stubborn nitwits convince you otherwise…they’re more interesting than scotch.

Steer clear of Virginia Distilling. Courage and Conviction is good but it’s basically scotch made in Virginia. The rest of their stuff is so hit or miss that it’s not worth it. I have three bottles of their cask finished stuff that I consider undrinkable.

Balcones, Taconic, Westward, Westland, Stranahans, Cedar Ridge….all make good ones. Balcones Texas Single Malt and their rum cask finished whiskeys are some of my favorites, but the rest of what they do isn’t for me. Lineage is highly regarded, but I did not like it.

If I had to pick one to start out with, Westwards original American single malt would probably be it - it’s like $65-70 and it’s terrific.
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In the interest of full disclosure (and I posted on this earlier in this thread) I am an investor in Lost Lantern Whiskey.

They are bottlers (not distillers) of craft whiskies from around the U.S. They offer complete transparency regarding sourcing and purchase casks from many of the distillers you mention like Balcones and Cedar Ridge. Will be very interesting to see if American Single Malts can take some meaningful marketshare from Scotch. They offer bourbon and rye as well.

Fun way to try different whiskey......
 
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IMG-9065.jpg


AMA

There’s a lot going on in there.
 
Fishy said:
IMG-9065.jpg


AMA

There’s a lot going on in there.
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How much of what is going on it good? Seems like the Scotch equivalent of Fireball
 
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I picked up some Ledaig 10 year the other day (pronounced letch-ick). It's from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, their peated expression. Tobermory has an earthy character and this follows that, so the peat has a bit more of a burning fall leaves character. No rubber or medicinal notes. It's nice stuff. I visited the distillery once, but just as we were driving there a thunderstorm hit and knocked out power to the whole town including the distillery (named for the town). They had a few pours available but not of the more interesting stuff and no tour of course. Ledaig really shines with sherry or win cask aging.

OIP.jpeg
 
Yamazaki 12 year single malt whisky. Smooth all around. Nose, palette and finish all work in harmony

IMG_20250606_141400.jpg
 
I picked up two bottles at Conti’s Wines and Spirits in Southington for $60. This is the 2023 version and the guy has a couple more cases of it. It is finished in White Port and Madeira casks and is really nice and an absolute steal at this price. When you taste it, you know it’s Laphroaig, but it’s got a touch of sweetness and citrus notes that smooth it out a bit.

IMG_6655.jpeg
 
AreBee1969 said:
I picked up two bottles at Conti’s Wines and Spirits in Southington for $60. This is the 2023 version and the guy has a couple more cases of it. It is finished in White Port and Madeira casks and is really nice and an absolute steal at this price. When you taste it, you know it’s Laphroaig, but it’s got a touch of sweetness and citrus notes that smooth it out a bit.

View attachment 110300
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Worst Cairdeas of the last four, but well worth $60. I'd buy two of them.
 
Deepelm said:
Freebee from the bosses at the liquor store for helping stock some better singles. Never tasted anything from this distiller.


View attachment 83871
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I like the 17 a lot even though I am more of a Talisker guy. They do not use peat in the malting process at Glengoyne. At Turbo Expo 2010 in Glasgow the ASME took a number of us to Glengoyne for the tour. The distillery is just over the line into the Scottish Highlands. Part of the tour was blending your own pint, which I did and dedicated it to my Dad. I got home on Saturday which did not leave enough time to drive to VT and give it to him at our Sunday Father's Day Dinner. He died at the dinner table surrounded by family waiting for desert. After the wake all the sibs and their spouses had a wee taste leaving just enough for him. The nearly empty bottle is still in our pantry.
 
RSTuthill said:
I like the 17 a lot even though I am more of a Talisker guy. They do not use peat in the malting process at Glengoyne. At Turbo Expo 2010 in Glasgow the ASME took a number of us to Glengoyne for the tour. The distillery is just over the line into the Scottish Highlands. Part of the tour was blending your own pint, which I did and dedicated it to my Dad. I got home on Saturday which did not leave enough time to drive to VT and give it to him at our Sunday Father's Day Dinner. He died at the dinner table surrounded by family waiting for desert. After the wake all the sibs and their spouses had a wee taste leaving just enough for him. The nearly empty bottle is still in our pantry.
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Died at the dinner table on Father's Day is just incredibly sad. Condolences.
 
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RSTuthill said:
I like the 17 a lot even though I am more of a Talisker guy. They do not use peat in the malting process at Glengoyne. At Turbo Expo 2010 in Glasgow the ASME took a number of us to Glengoyne for the tour. The distillery is just over the line into the Scottish Highlands. Part of the tour was blending your own pint, which I did and dedicated it to my Dad. I got home on Saturday which did not leave enough time to drive to VT and give it to him at our Sunday Father's Day Dinner. He died at the dinner table surrounded by family waiting for desert. After the wake all the sibs and their spouses had a wee taste leaving just enough for him. The nearly empty bottle is still in our pantry.
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So sorry to hear. Sincere condolences.
 
The Warden texted me from Costco to say that they had the Kirkland Islay Single Malt in stock. She picked up a bottle for me, and when she got home I found it was a couple bucks higher than last time at $43.99. While still a decent dram, it's not really a bang for the buck anymore. I can get Laphroaig for $50 at M&R and I'll pay the extra $7 in a heartbeat.
 
AreBee1969 said:
The Warden texted me from Costco to say that they had the Kirkland Islay Single Malt in stock. She picked up a bottle for me, and when she got home I found it was a couple bucks higher than last time at $43.99. While still a decent dram, it's not really a bang for the buck anymore. I can get Laphroaig for $50 at M&R and I'll pay the extra $7 in a heartbeat.
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If you have Trader Joes that sells booze, The new Ink & Thistle 12 year is pretty solid for the price (under $35 I think). It's not truly peated but it has some depth to it, earthy profile. I sent my daughter back to get me a 2nd bottle.

 
HuskyHawk said:
If you have Trader Joes that sells booze, The new Ink & Thistle 12 year is pretty solid for the price (under $35 I think). It's not truly peated but it has some depth to it, earthy profile. I sent my daughter back to get me a 2nd bottle.

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Are you in CT? I've been to three different ones here on various excursions and haven't seen booze. Beer, yes, but no hard booze.
 
AreBee1969 said:
Are you in CT? I've been to three different ones here on various excursions and haven't seen booze. Beer, yes, but no hard booze.
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I’m in Massachusetts. Not all of them have booze, but several do, including my local over at Patriots Place. This is the stuff. They have a few other Scotches, all decent so far. Their bourbon is meh at best. The tequila is evidently terrible.
IMG_0704.jpeg
 
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AreBee1969 said:
Are you in CT? I've been to three different ones here on various excursions and haven't seen booze. Beer, yes, but no hard booze.
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The local packies in CT will either have it or get it for you I would think. Likewise the big super package stores.
 
Deepelm said:
Have you had their Sweet Toast of American Oak? Very tasty stuff, its almost a bourbon.
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I think I bought this bottle after this thread started.
 
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