Whisky

[neonplanet40]

I'm very much a quality-over-quantity type of guy

[ik9000]

Ok, so here we go:

one bottle
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £225

two bottles - different kinds of NE Islay
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £105
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...lusive-whisky/ £105

Two bottles, one Islay distillery, different slants
PX style
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...hisky-exchange £110
sherry bourbon style
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...hisky-exchange £112

Bang for buck whisky tour (speyside unpeated through to Islay *peat*)
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £39
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...-old-signatory £50
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...f-malt-whisky/ £45
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £47
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...-old-signatory £50
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £58
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...ar-old-whisky/ £34

and yeah ok, that bottom option is nearer £320 but you can either pick which ones to ditch or up your budget to get the lot.

I'm very much a quality-over-quantity type of guy

everything in that is quality IMO. The only punt is the last one (which I've not tried) but you could swap in an ardberg 10yo for £9 more. It's a more common release but perhaps a safer bet for a South Islay peat monster. https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...ar-old-whisky/ £43

[neonplanet40]

Thank you! Lots to keep me going there

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Thank you! Lots to keep me going there

Have you considered going to whisky festival? Here is an example:
https://www.drinks-live.com/whisky-live

It's a really good way to taste different ones before you commit to a full bottle.

Ok, so here we go:

one bottle
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £225

two bottles - different kinds of NE Islay
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £105
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...lusive-whisky/ £105

Two bottles, one Islay distillery, different slants
PX style
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...hisky-exchange £110
sherry bourbon style
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...hisky-exchange £112

Bang for buck whisky tour (speyside unpeated through to Islay *peat*)
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £39
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...-old-signatory £50
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...f-malt-whisky/ £45
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £47
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/...-old-signatory £50
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...natory-whisky/ £58
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...ar-old-whisky/ £34

and yeah ok, that bottom option is nearer £320 but you can either pick which ones to ditch or up your budget to get the lot.

everything in that is quality IMO. The only punt is the last one (which I've not tried) but you could swap in an ardberg 10yo for £9 more. It's a more common release but perhaps a safer bet for a South Islay peat monster. https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskie...ar-old-whisky/ £43

Some of the bottlings by the Firkin Whisky Co are worth a try:
https://topwhiskies.com/

[oldboy47]

Some 30 years ago was introduced to Aberdour which was very tasty. A couple of years later went on a private cruise around Scotland and was introduced to over 40 'niche' single malts. Some were great, some not so. I suspect the majority have become just another brand.................

[ik9000]

I really don't get on with Aberlour. Just doesn't click for me. I've even been to their distillery and tried stuff there. Nope.

It's one of the more popular brands in France IIRC. They're welcome to it. Export away lads.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I really don't get on with Aberlour. Just doesn't click for me. I've even been to their distillery and tried stuff there. Nope.

It's one of the more popular brands in France IIRC. They're welcome to it. Export away lads.

It depends on whether you like sweeter whiskies. Aberlour A'bunadh used to be in the £40 range which is pretty cheap for a cask strength whisky.

[MrJim]

It depends on whether you like sweeter whiskies. Aberlour A'bunadh used to be in the £40 range which is pretty cheap for a cask strength whisky.

Aberlour isn't my 'go to' dram for exactly this reason, although I do have bottle of their 12 year old which was given to me as a gift. It's almost sweet enough to be a whisky liqueur. I quite like the honey / caramel flavour, but the sweetness is a bit too much for my palate.

[ik9000]

It depends on whether you like sweeter sickly whiskies. Aberlour A'bunadh used to be in the £40 range which is pretty cheap for a cask strength whisky.

Fixed that for you. A nice rounded sherried whisky can be delicious. Aberlour is simply not rounded or balanced. Sickly is the best i can describe it. In terms of my palate anyway.

[MrJim]

Fixed that for you. A nice rounded sherried whisky can be delicious. Aberlour is simply not rounded or balanced. Sickly is the best i can describe it. In terms of my palate anyway.

Each to their own I agree with you on the sweetness, but I suspect that Aberlour is quite a good 'gateway' whisky for people new to single malts, & if nothing else, it is (relatively) moderately priced.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Aberlour isn't my 'go to' dram for exactly this reason, although I do have bottle of their 12 year old which was given to me as a gift. It's almost sweet enough to be a whisky liqueur. I quite like the honey / caramel flavour, but the sweetness is a bit too much for my palate.

Fixed that for you. A nice rounded sherried whisky can be delicious. Aberlour is simply not rounded or balanced. Sickly is the best i can describe it. In terms of my palate anyway.

I can't comment on the newer bottlings from the last 5 years and cask quality is getting worse elsewhere,but I had A’Bunadh and a few others 5~10 years a go when it was cheaper. The 10 and 12 were quite weak at 40% and generally I find you need to be at around 45% and higher for any real flavour to come through with Scotch(not as much as an issue with whiskies made from things like Rye because the base grain has far more flavour).

Aberlour A'bunadh I didn't find to bad in that regard when I had it 6~7 years ago,especially compared to some of the Oloroso and Port finished whiskies I have had(both Scotch and Indian whiskies). Not bothered trying it again recently because I don't think £50+ for an NAS Scotch is worth it,so it might have gone downhill and I didn't do a comparative test at the time.

[ik9000]

did i read earlier they are hiking a 10% extra levy on whisky?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

did i read earlier they are hiking a 10% extra levy on whisky?

Yes:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...iness-64975342

[neonplanet40]

It's okay though, they provided 12p off a pint of cow pish for those who like to drink 20 pints of water in their local each week...

[Macman]

I know this is an old post but my 2 favourites and would recommend.

1. Laphroaig
2. Dalmore Port Wood

[neonplanet40]

I cuyrrently have 3 bottles that I am enjoying. Likely won't need any new ones for a wee bit.

Lagavulin 16
Port Charlotte Single Malt
Glennfiddich 18