OT: Scotch thread

[Northbound]

I could give you a whole bunch of bourbons or rye at that price point, but you can get two really tasty bottles for $100-$140 - remember most rye's are coming from MGP in Indiana. That's not a bad thing because they have a lot of older stock on hand.

 

[Husky25]

My house single is MaCallan 12 year. If I know there is a chance I'll be drinking like Paulie Pennino (Rocky), it's mostly Johnny Red or Dewars (I'm a cheap date with myself at home). When I go out, Johnny Black is my go-to on the rocks or Dewars with soda, mood dependent.

I also have various other bottles in the cabinet. MaCallan 18, Johnny Blue, Laphroaig 10, Glenlivet of various ages, but don't really break those out often. I mostly enjoy highland, but do not discriminate against lowland, speyside, or islay.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's my brother in law. I know he likes Scotch and bourbon. I'm not sure about his Scotch preference which is riskier than bourbon. He has a nice collection of decanters so I figured I'd help fill one. I'm a Macallan guy so your suggestion sounds good.

I am not a fan of the 15 fine oak. Very sweet and kind of meh. There is a new Macallan called Classic Cut, which is better. Either of the two “Macallan Editions” 2 or 3, that are on shelves, run $100 and are solid.

I’d go a different route, if he likes peated Scotch at all. Something like a Springbank 15 or a Longrow Red. On the bourbon side, a Four Roses Private Selection is a cant miss.

 

[8893]

I am not a fan of the 15 fine oak. Very sweet and kind of meh. There is a new Macallan called Classic Cut, which is better. Either of the two “Macallan Editions” 2 or 3, that are on shelves, run $100 and are solid.

I’d go a different route, if he likes peated Scotch at all. Something like a Springbank 15 or a Longrow Red. On the bourbon side, a Four Roses Private Selection is a cant miss.

Thanks. I don't know that bottle; I know the 12 year very well and like it a lot, and I obviously know the 18. But the 12 isn't expensive enough for his range and the 18 is obviously too much, so I thought the 15 was just an in-between. Your recs sound a lot better.

I was going to suggest that he consider a nice high end Irish whiskey like Middleton or Yellow Spot. Green Spot is my favorite but it's "only" around $55-$60.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Thanks. I don't know that bottle; I know the 12 year very well and like it a lot, and I obviously know the 18. But the 12 isn't expensive enough for his range and the 18 is obviously too much, so I thought the 15 was just an in-between. Your recs sound a lot better.

I was going to suggest that he consider a nice high end Irish whiskey like Middleton or Yellow Spot. Green Spot is my favorite but it's "only" around $55-$60.

If @Chuck wants to be adventurous, he could look for some Amrut, Indian whisky. Some of it is fantastic. I think the peated Cask Strength is about the right price, as is the Fusion, which I like a lot.

On the Irish side there is a Green Spot that was finished in Zinfandel barrels that is supposed to be good.

 

[Northbound]

Could always to the Japanese Whiskey route as well. Yamazaki, Hibiki and I really like Nikka Coffey Grain

 

[Drumguy]

It's my brother in law. I know he likes Scotch and bourbon. I'm not sure about his Scotch preference which is riskier than bourbon. He has a nice collection of decanters so I figured I'd help fill one. I'm a Macallan guy so your suggestion sounds good.

I'd consider the Macallan 18 at about $95 or maybe consider a Talisker 18 for about 130 or so. 18's are getting rarer to find since the distillaries aren't pushing them out so much in favor of blending them into aged bottles like Talisker Storm.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks. I don't know that bottle; I know the 12 year very well and like it a lot, and I obviously know the 18. But the 12 isn't expensive enough for his range and the 18 is obviously too much, so I thought the 15 was just an in-between. Your recs sound a lot better.

I was going to suggest that he consider a nice high end Irish whiskey like Middleton or Yellow Spot. Green Spot is my favorite but it's "only" around $55-$60.

That's part of the problem. I think my palette peaks at the $70 range. Above that, I've had tastes of good stuff, but I don't find it totally necessary. But my brother in law has expensive tastes so he would be appreciative of a couple $60 bottles, but it would be adding to his liquor cabinet rather than giving him something a little special.

I'm going to pop over to a giant liquor store by my house that has a crazy inventory. See if anything looks interesting. I may even hit this board up while I'm there.

 

[Drumguy]

Could always to the Japanese Whiskey route as well. Yamazaki, Hibiki and I really like Nikka Coffey Grain

They're an interesting thought but I'd consider going with the Balcone's from Texas if your looking at a malt instead of a bourbon or scotch. I find the Japanese are a little rougher until you get into bottle over 12 years. The Yamazake 12 is raw for my taste and I've had it both out of the bottle and at the factory. The 18 is a different story but way overpriced. (I like the younger Nikka better than the Yamazake or Hibiki. The Yamazake 12 would be my least favorite - I own a bottle that is just sitting in my cupboard!)

 

[kris1]

I was once in line at Costco and overheard the conversation between the guy at the register and an alcoholic-looking patrician couple out of central casting (think George Costanza's fiancé Susan's parents). The husband was asking how the new, value-priced Kirkland blended Scotch offering was, and the guy at the counter gave it props for what it was. Like he was delivering a nugget of wisdom, the older guy confidently proclaimed, "After the first sip, it doesn't much matter what you're drinking." Not that I'd expect it, but he got no pushback. He departed with a half dozen 1.75l bottles of the house brand. And probably has never invaded the principle either.

Kirkland 1.75L is now my house brand. I prefer it to the Dewar’s I use to drink @ half the price.

 

[Northbound]

I'd consider the Macallan 18 at about $95 or maybe consider a Talisker 18 for about 130 or so. 18's are getting rarer to find since the distillaries aren't pushing them out so much in favor of blending them into aged bottles like Talisker Storm.

I'm not a scotch guy at all, but if you can find Macallan 18 at $95 please tell me where that is, I'll buy some for friends last time I shopped it the price was $200+

 

[Drumguy]

I'm not a scotch guy at all, but if you can find Macallan 18 at $95 please tell me where that is, I'll buy some for friends last time I shopped it the price was $200+

You're right - I got a bottle last summer and it was $95 - today its showing up for $259 on NH Liquor website. The Talisker 18 (which I may like more ) is $124.95

 

[Drumguy]

That's part of the problem. I think my palette peaks at the $70 range. Above that, I've had tastes of good stuff, but I don't find it totally necessary. But my brother in law has expensive tastes so he would be appreciative of a couple $60 bottles, but it would be adding to his liquor cabinet rather than giving him something a little special.

I'm going to pop over to a giant liquor store by my house that has a crazy inventory. See if anything looks interesting. I may even hit this board up while I'm there.

My brother in law also has a big budget/wallet so he's got some 25, 30 year olds. I'm not sure the cost/benefit is worth it once you start spending over $100. I once had a drink of his AM Hirsch bourbon that is selling around $3,000 a bottle and I couldn't tell any difference from a $35 Buffalo Trace!

 

[Northbound]

My brother in law also has a big budget/wallet so he's got some 25, 30 year olds. I'm not sure the cost/benefit is worth it once you start spending over $100. I once had a drink of his AM Hirsch bourbon that is selling around $3,000 a bottle and I couldn't tell any difference from a $35 Buffalo Trace!

For me and I have 150 different bottles of bourbon in the house (it’s not because I’m hi-falootin it’s becaue I was drinking bourbon long before it was a thing). the sweet spot is 12-16 years. - so it’s less a price thing than an age thing for me For example the Pappy 23 is not close to as good as the 15 year. I only have one 20 year left so I haven’t had that one in a while, but I’m going to say the 15 is better than what I remember that too be. At some point they get over oaked and it consumes the other subtleties they make it great. There’s so much good stuff at reasonable prices you don’t need to hunt taters to have a good drink. I’m happy to drink WTRB, ECBP, Stagg JR or FRBS all day and fin im drinking rye give me a $22 bottle of Rittenhouse BIB.

I think the AH Hirsch was pretty fantastic. My last bottle of original Hirsch 16 year was pretty great and sad all at once. It was going for $5k on the secondary a few years ago, but I buy to drink not sell and I had that bottle since 1999 or 2000 and I knew when I finished it I’d never have it again and it was damn good.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks everyone. I went with a bottle of Redemption 9 Year Barrel Proof Bourbon. $100 too many varieties of Scotch for me to choose for someone else.

 

[Drumguy]

I think the AH Hirsch was pretty fantastic. My last bottle of original Hirsch 16 year was pretty great and sad all at once. It was going for $5k on the secondary a few years ago, but I buy to drink not sell and I had that bottle since 1999 or 2000 and I knew when I finished it I’d never have it again and it was damn good.

I have to admit I only had one shot of the Hirsch and not being a big bourbon drinker it was probably wasted on me! He still has another one in its humidor case (unopened!) - he's a drinker not a seller either though.

 

[junglehusky]

I was once in line at Costco and overheard the conversation between the guy at the register and an alcoholic-looking patrician couple out of central casting (think George Costanza's fiancé Susan's parents). The husband was asking how the new, value-priced Kirkland blended Scotch offering was, and the guy at the counter gave it props for what it was. Like he was delivering a nugget of wisdom, the older guy confidently proclaimed, "After the first sip, it doesn't much matter what you're drinking." Not that I'd expect it, but he got no pushback. He departed with a half dozen 1.75l bottles of the house brand. And probably has never invaded the principle either.

I used to buy Scotch a few times a year, but lately I've developed a taste for the post-dinner wee nip. (Not "wee" in the ironic sense like it would be for your patrician couple, just saying.) So I've been buying more often and felt the need to find more affordable options. The Trader Joe's near me on the MA North Shore is the rare one that sells beer, wine and liquor. I've been taking advantage of the ~$20 price point for their branded Scotch blends and single malts. The TJ Islay Storm is nowhere near as tasty as Talisker Storm, one of my favorites, but for 20 bucks it hurts the wallet a lot less.

 

[8893]

If you can find it, try Ledaig 10. That’s my choice of affordable peated Scotch. I like Longrow Reds best, but it’s more pricey.

I had the Ledaig 10 in the other hand based on your recommendation and was deciding between the two (they didn't have Caol Ila 12) and had to ask for a price check in the Ardbeg 10 because it was unmarked. It was the same price as the Ledaig ($55) so I asked the guy about them, and that's when he sang Ardbeg's praises as his favorite distillery. I'll try the Ledaig next time.

The Ledaig is a bit more funky, peat is more earthy less ashy. Tobermory (which makes Ledaig) has a distinctive funky aspect to it. The peat covers it up to some extent, but it still comes through. People either love it or they don't. Regular Tobermory is more polarizing. I really want the 18 year Sherry barrel Ledaig, but it's a bit pricey.

@HuskyHawk , I picked up the Ledaig last weekend and had a couple pours. I like it but prefer the Ardbeg and Lagavulin so far. It was at the end of a long night of eating and drinking though, so I will try it again under better conditions.

The guy at the store was very knowledgeable and was also high on Bruichladdich, especially their "Wee Laddie Gift Pack," which gives you three different offerings and looks like a nice value as well. I may give that one a try next. He said the Caol Ila has been sold out everywhere for months; apparently it is in high demand now. He also explained that the reason Lagavulin has become more expensive of late is because the Chinese are apparently buying tons of it. He said that China is a huge market right now for high end wine and booze, and that they are buying entire future vintages of some wines (wonder if the new wine tariffs will affect that).

Anyway, any of you Scotch people have any thoughts on Bruichladdich?

 

[HuskyHawk]

@HuskyHawk , I picked up the Ledaig last weekend and had a couple pours. I like it but prefer the Ardbeg and Lagavulin so far. It was at the end of a long night of eating and drinking though, so I will try it again under better conditions.

The guy at the store was very knowledgeable and was also high on Bruichladdich, especially their "Wee Laddie Gift Pack," which gives you three different offerings and looks like a nice value as well. I may give that one a try next. He said the Caol Ila has been sold out everywhere for months; apparently it is in high demand now. He also explained that the reason Lagavulin has become more expensive of late is because the Chinese are apparently buying tons of it. He said that China is a huge market right now for high end wine and booze, and that they are buying entire future vintages of some wines (wonder if the new wine tariffs will affect that).

Anyway, any of you Scotch people have any thoughts on Bruichladdich?

I'd skip the gift pack. It isn't bad, but is just ok. The Classic Laddie kinda sucks. It replaced the old Laddie 10 and is unpeated. Port Charlotte is peated, and is decent, but not my favorite. The Islay Barley is also unpeated, and is a bit more interesting than the Classic Laddie. So if you want, peat, 2/3 of them are unpeated despite being from Islay.

• Have you had much Laphroaig yet? It's too medicinal for me, but fans of it are big fans. The 10 is cheap and the Quarter Cask is a nice step up for $5 more.
• On the Ardbeg side, a lot of people like the new An Oa release, which isn't much more than the 10. I thought it was ok, but didn't love it.
• Caol Ila is on shelves everywhere in Boston, as is Lagavulin. They are both expensive for what you get though. Asians are buying more, but they also market the hell out of it. Loads of advertising. Typical Diageo brand.
• Here's a possibility if you want to be adventurous, get some Peated Amrut. Indian whisky. The best of it is great and is very expensive, but even the based peated version is quite nice.
• Consider independent bottlings from Signatory or Gordon & Macphail (or others). Can be great bang for the buck, but risk of a meh bottle is higher.

Longrow Red is my thing. Just picked up a bottle of the 11 year Fresh Port, which is long sold out in most places.

 

[8893]

I'd skip the gift pack. It isn't bad, but is just ok. The Classic Laddie kinda sucks. It replaced the old Laddie 10 and is unpeated. Port Charlotte is peated, and is decent, but not my favorite. The Islay Barley is also unpeated, and is a bit more interesting than the Classic Laddie. So if you want, peat, 2/3 of them are unpeated despite being from Islay.

• Have you had much Laphroaig yet? It's too medicinal for me, but fans of it are big fans. The 10 is cheap and the Quarter Cask is a nice step up for $5 more.
• On the Ardbeg side, a lot of people like the new An Oa release, which isn't much more than the 10. I thought it was ok, but didn't love it.
• Caol Ila is on shelves everywhere in Boston, as is Lagavulin. They are both expensive for what you get though. Asians are buying more, but they also market the hell out of it. Loads of advertising. Typical Diageo brand.
• Here's a possibility if you want to be adventurous, get some Peated Amrut. Indian whisky. The best of it is great and is very expensive, but even the based peated version is quite nice.
• Consider independent bottlings from Signatory or Gordon & Macphail (or others). Can be great bang for the buck, but risk of a meh bottle is higher.

Longrow Red is my thing. Just picked up a bottle of the 11 year Fresh Port, which is long sold out in most places.

Thanks. I'll hold off on the Bruichladdich then. The guy was also high on Laphroaig. I had a good deal of Laphroaig 10 when I was first getting into single malts and I also found it too medicinal, which is how I ended up with Lagavulin as my favorite among all the ones I had explored back then. He also mentioned the An Oa and a couple others from Ardbeg, which I may consider next time considering how much I like the Ardbeg 10. The Caol Ila was around $65 there iirc, which didn't seem too expensive as among its competition, so I am curious to try it when I can find it in stock. They and everyone else have plenty of Lagavulin 16 but it's $80+ now everywhere I see it. I bought my last bottle of Lagavulin for $65 around six months ago, so I don't know what the hell happened in the meantime. Interesting notes on the Indian whiskies. I will stick with the Scotch for now but will keep an eye out for those to try.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Thanks. I'll hold off on the Bruichladdich then. The guy was also high on Laphroaig. I had a good deal of Laphroaig 10 when I was first getting into single malts and I also found it too medicinal, which is how I ended up with Lagavulin as my favorite among all the ones I had explored back then. He also mentioned the An Oa and a couple others from Ardbeg, which I may consider next time considering how much I like the Ardbeg 10. The Caol Ila was around $65 there iirc, which didn't seem too expensive as among its competition, so I am curious to try it when I can find it in stock. They and everyone else have plenty of Lagavulin 16 but it's $80+ now everywhere I see it. I bought my last bottle of Lagavulin for $65 around six months ago, so I don't know what the hell happened in the meantime. Interesting notes on the Indian whiskies. I will stick with the Scotch for now but will keep an eye out for those to try.

Yeah, Lagavulin is high. The 16 years are part of it, but it's also the Ron Swanson effect. Like "The Macallan" for Speysides, it has fanboys who help drive up the price, and tons of advertising. I think the Caol Ila 12 has a similar profile to Lagavulin 16, with a bit more punch. $65 is about normal. Just high for a 12 year. Hopefully you will like the Ledaig more with time. It sometimes needs air.

Have you tried Springbank 10?

 

[uconnphil2016]

Butterscotch

 

[8893]

Yeah, Lagavulin is high. The 16 years are part of it, but it's also the Ron Swanson effect. Like "The Macallan" for Speysides, it has fanboys who help drive up the price, and tons of advertising. I think the Caol Ila 12 has a similar profile to Lagavulin 16, with a bit more punch. $65 is about normal. Just high for a 12 year. Hopefully you will like the Ledaig more with time. It sometimes needs air.

Have you tried Springbank 10?

I don't know Springbank 10.

I don't dislike the Ledaig; I just thought it was a little less interesting (less intense maybe?) than the Ardbeg or Lagavulin on first impression. Again, it was hardly a controlled experiment, so I look forward to enjoying the rest of the bottle and seeing if that impression holds.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Here you go @HuskyHawk.

I'll start: my house Scotch, which is my favorite, is Lagavulin 16 year. But all my locals are now charging $80 or more for it, which pisses me off because I used to be able to get it for $65 to $70. Now I'll need to make a trip to Total Wine to find that price.

Anyone got suggestions for something similar to Lagavulin that I might check out? I've liked a lot of the special Balvenie Scotches I've had, but they weren't much cheaper.

I'm not a peaty guy but try Oban

 

[Edward Sargent]

Macallen 18.

End thread

My favorite single malt is Macallen 18 but when I am cost conscious go with Chivas

 

[storrsroars]

Thanks. I'll hold off on the Bruichladdich then. The guy was also high on Laphroaig. I had a good deal of Laphroaig 10 when I was first getting into single malts and I also found it too medicinal, which is how I ended up with Lagavulin as my favorite among all the ones I had explored back then. He also mentioned the An Oa and a couple others from Ardbeg, which I may consider next time considering how much I like the Ardbeg 10. The Caol Ila was around $65 there iirc, which didn't seem too expensive as among its competition, so I am curious to try it when I can find it in stock. They and everyone else have plenty of Lagavulin 16 but it's $80+ now everywhere I see it. I bought my last bottle of Lagavulin for $65 around six months ago, so I don't know what the hell happened in the meantime. Interesting notes on the Indian whiskies. I will stick with the Scotch for now but will keep an eye out for those to try.

If you find yourself on LI, Total Wines in Westbury had Laga for $65 last Christmas.

 

[8893]

Hopefully you will like the Ledaig more with time. It sometimes needs air.

Liked the Ledaig better on second time. It is more interesting than I thought on first impression, but it's subtle. I do a few cubes for a chill and I think this is better less cold.

I'm not a peaty guy but try Oban

That's another one I tried when first getting into single malts many years ago. I have a vague recollection that Oban and Laphroaig were both part of some "single malt collection" of Scotches that were marketed together with a few others for a time, and it seemed every bar had them with the same display. Consciously or not, I ended up preferring Lagavulin--which was not part of that collection--better than the ones that were.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Liked the Ledaig better on second time. It is more interesting than I thought on first impression, but it's subtle. I do a few cubes for a chill and I think this is better less cold.



That's another one I tried when first getting into single malts many years ago. I have a vague recollection that Oban and Laphroaig were both part of some "single malt collection" of Scotches that were marketed together with a few others for a time, and it seemed every bar had them with the same display. Consciously or not, I ended up preferring Lagavulin--which was not part of that collection--better than the ones that were.

I don't use ice. I don't think it would suit the Ledaig. It has peat, but also a funky aspect to the distillate, and cold might repress that (as it represses all flavors).

Lagavulin, Oban, Talisker, Cragganmore and a few others are all owned by Diageo. That "Classic Malts of Scotland" crap is just them marketing their brands. Oban tastes nothing like Lagavulin, and is unpeated. Talisker 10 is quite good, and is peated, but less heavily.

 

[August_West]

I don't use ice. I don't think it would suit the Ledaig.

Yeah I dont ice any single malts. I'll add a drop or two of distilled water to open them up after trying neat first. Some take well to that drop, some I like better neat. But no ice.

However Im a big fan of pouring blends on rocks. Dewars, Johnnie Black and Chivas are all fine with me at social events over ice. I can drink a bathtub full of it.

 

[AreBee1969]

I don't know Springbank 10.

Just bought a bottle with a gift card I was given for my birthday. Completely underwhelmed. I have friends who absolutely swear by it. The flavor profile was just bland. When it comes to the non-peated realm, the Glenfiddich 15 Solera is so much better at a $15 lower pricepoint.