Whisky

[neonplanet40]

Hi Folks, about 8 years ago, I bought a tasting pack of whisky from a UK company (Malts). It had a variety of types (most were 16-18 year old single malts), I tried a few and couldn't get into it at all.

At Xmas, I tried again and had the Lagavulin 16 from the pack. Surprisingly, I really liked it. When reading about it, it would appear due to the peatiness, that it isn't one a beginner would normally like.

So, I have a lot of ones I'm going to get in the next few weeks as a gift to myself . What do you all think?

Any changes or recommendations/advice?

Lagavulin 16
Lagavulin 8?
Coal Ila 12
Port Charlotte 10
Talisker 10
Ledaig 10

Thanks for your help!

[Rob_B]

Peaty? Laphroaig...

No personal recommendations as I hate the peat

[TeePee]

Peaty? Laphroaig...

No personal recommendations as I hate the peat

They say it tastes like a burning Hospital... It's evil.

But actually excellent as a float on a Penicillin...

I'd suggest Oban, if you can find it. Kind of a nice mix of Islay and Highland.

If you spend time in Scotland, there's a little hotel bar I'd recommend: https://craigellachiehotel.com/quaich-bar/

[g8ina]

Yes, for Islay and the other islands try Laphraoig, Talisker (Skye is brilliant), Jura, Ceol Isla is quite mild in comparison, Bunnahabhain, Bowmore.

Then more off the beaten track you have Highland Park, Tobermory, Ledaig.

Of these, my 3 top are Jura, Laphraoig and Talisker Skye.

On a slightly different tack, this for the price is utterly fabulous :
https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/tann...-whisky-40-vol

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Hi Folks, about 8 years ago, I bought a tasting pack of whisky from a UK company (Malts). It had a variety of types (most were 16-18 year old single malts), I tried a few and couldn't get into it at all.

At Xmas, I tried again and had the Lagavulin 16 from the pack. Surprisingly, I really liked it. When reading about it, it would appear due to the peatiness, that it isn't one a beginner would normally like.

So, I have a lot of ones I'm going to get in the next few weeks as a gift to myself . What do you all think?

Any changes or recommendations/advice?

Lagavulin 16
Lagavulin 8?
Coal Ila 12
Port Charlotte 10
Talisker 10
Ledaig 10

Thanks for your help!

Lagavulin has had a massive price bump by Diageo so it's overpriced now. Talisker can be hit and miss AFAIK.Coal Ila 12 is solid but also there has been a price increase. Highland Park 12 can be had sometimes for below £30.

Of that bunch you listed though,I would go for the Port Charlotte 10 or Ledaig 10.

If you also wanted to go more leftfield,then there is this Indian whiskey:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paul-John-C...dp/B00NGY6AGA/

Amazon has had it on offer for under £50 several times and it gets good reviews.

Yes, for Islay and the other islands try Laphraoig, Talisker (Skye is brilliant), Jura, Ceol Isla is quite mild in comparison, Bunnahabhain, Bowmore.

Then more off the beaten track you have Highland Park, Tobermory, Ledaig.

Of these, my 3 top are Jura, Laphraoig and Talisker Skye.

On a slightly different tack, this for the price is utterly fabulous :
https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/tann...-whisky-40-vol

Tobermory is unpeated! Ledaig is the unpeated expression from the same distillery.

[MrJim]

Lagavulin have definitely hiked their prices in recent years, so for me at least, I don't think it offers the value it used to. If you're a whisky beginner, peated whiskies can be a bit of a challenge, but there are so many variations on different 'finishes' there really is something for everyone.

Caol Illa is a very mildly peated whisky, from the ones I've tasted at least.

My absolute favourite out of your list though, is the Port Charlotte 10. Pure nectar! It's described as 'heavily peated', but for me the peatiness was just right. Certainly nothing like the peatiness of Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig.

Although I'm not really an 'age snob' when it comes to whisky, my favourite bottles at the moment are both well aged whiskies. The 23 year old 'Drumadoon Point' special edition from Arran, & the 24 year old AnCnoc are both sublime. But rediculously expensive.

[g8ina]

Thanks for putting me right Cat Memory fail, Im old....

[kalniel]

Coincidence that this appears at the same time as a thread on synthetic fuels?

Lagavulin is my favourite :'( The price is insane. Old Talisker was my poor man's replacement - not sure about the newer ones like Skye though - they lack a bit of character for me.

I don't like laphraoig at all, but that's the one for real peatiness. Caol ila is a reasonable alternative IMHO.

[MrJim]

Coincidence that this appears at the same time as a thread on synthetic fuels?

Lagavulin is my favourite :'( The price is insane. Old Talisker was my poor man's replacement - not sure about the newer ones like Skye though - they lack a bit of character for me.

I don't like laphraoig at all, but that's the one for real peatiness. Caol ila is a reasonable alternative IMHO.

The cost of fuel these days is bad enough...but imagine running a car on Lagavulin!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Coincidence that this appears at the same time as a thread on synthetic fuels?

Lagavulin is my favourite :'( The price is insane. Old Talisker was my poor man's replacement - not sure about the newer ones like Skye though - they lack a bit of character for me.

I don't like laphraoig at all, but that's the one for real peatiness. Caol ila is a reasonable alternative IMHO.

Diageo being Diageo. Also the fact that a lot of younger NAS releases are replacing age stated releases,and more and more blends are using younger components. Then more chill filtration and lower ABVs.

Distilleries such as Bunnahabhain and Springbank seem to some of the few which don't appear to do this.

[MrJim]

Diageo being Diageo. Also the fact that a lot of younger NAS releases are replacing age stated releases,and more and more blends are using younger components. Then more chill filtration and lower ABVs.

Distilleries such as Bunnahabhain and Springbank seem to some of the few which don't appear to do this.

The various Diageo-owned brands seem to be the worst culprits for low ABV, chill-filtration & added colour. There are quite a few distilleries that don't though - Bruichladdich, Ancnoc, Arran, Ardbeg & Glenallachie are a few I can recall off the top of my head. I've yet to actually see a bottle of any Springbank whisky in the wild, let alone taste it! Of course it can be found online - for a price - but I refuse to pay the Springbank tax!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The various Diageo-owned brands seem to be the worst culprits for low ABV, chill-filtration & added colour. There are quite a few distilleries that don't though - Bruichladdich, Ancnoc, Arran, Ardbeg & Glenallachie are a few I can recall off the top of my head. I've yet to actually see a bottle of any Springbank whisky in the wild, let alone taste it! Of course it can be found online - for a price - but I refuse to pay the Springbank tax!

I had the 10 and 15 year olds - try Melody Whisky Bar in London as they have it:
https://www.melodywhiskybar.uk/our-whiskies/#section4

I had a chance to buy the 10 year old in London a few months ago for only a slight increase over RRP,but instead managed to find a bottle of Stagg Jnr,so bought that instead.

[ik9000]

Hi Folks, about 8 years ago, I bought a tasting pack of whisky from a UK company (Malts). It had a variety of types (most were 16-18 year old single malts), I tried a few and couldn't get into it at all.

At Xmas, I tried again and had the Lagavulin 16 from the pack. Surprisingly, I really liked it. When reading about it, it would appear due to the peatiness, that it isn't one a beginner would normally like.

So, I have a lot of ones I'm going to get in the next few weeks as a gift to myself . What do you all think?

Any changes or recommendations/advice?

Lagavulin 16
Lagavulin 8?
Coal Ila 12
Port Charlotte 10
Talisker 10
Ledaig 10

Thanks for your help!

ok what's your budget? And how many bottles do you want to get?

If you want to broaden your experience get the 30ml samples from master of malt for a range and see where you land. Then you can target buying big bottles with confidence.

If you want something less generic let me know your budget and I'll have a hunt around.

[neonplanet40]

I ordered
Lagavulin 16
Port Charlotte 10

I have tasted both and really liked them. I also had a sample of Glenffidich 18 and really liked it. It was aa much different flavour. Tasted fruity? Only way I can describe it at this early stage. But it seems refreshing. However, this sample was bought from Master of Malts 6 years ago and I only opened it now. So no idea if the 18 has changed since then etc?!

In terms of budget after buying those 2, atm, about £200!

[MrJim]

I ordered
Lagavulin 16
Port Charlotte 10

I have tasted both and really liked them. I also had a sample of Glenffidich 18 and really liked it. It was aa much different flavour. Tasted fruity? Only way I can describe it at this early stage. But it seems refreshing. However, this sample was bought from Master of Malts 6 years ago and I only opened it now. So no idea if the 18 has changed since then etc?!

In terms of budget after buying those 2, atm, about £200!

Glad to hear that you're enjoying the two bottles you ordered. One thing I thought I'd mention is that you might like to try adding just a drop or two of water to the glass, which can have the effect of 'opening up' the flavours. The Port Charlotte is 50% ABV, so diluting it just a little might be to your liking (personally though, I like the higher strength whiskies.

Fruit flavours are very common in whiskies - most are aged for some years in different types of Sherry or Bourbon barrels, which often impart citrus or dried-fruit flavours.

Regarding the age or your sample from Masters of Malt: unlike wine, whisky doesn't 'age' once it's bottled. However, once a bottle is opened & airs is allowed to enter, the flavour of whisky can change to a small extent over time.

[ik9000]

I ordered
Lagavulin 16
Port Charlotte 10

I have tasted both and really liked them. I also had a sample of Glenffidich 18 and really liked it. It was aa much different flavour. Tasted fruity? Only way I can describe it at this early stage. But it seems refreshing. However, this sample was bought from Master of Malts 6 years ago and I only opened it now. So no idea if the 18 has changed since then etc?!

In terms of budget after buying those 2, atm, about £200!

Glenfiddich 18 is done is small batches so there is always the chance for some variation but you get that with any barrelled product tbh. Wood, age, position in the warehouse, so many variants. I've had 18yo that was rich and amazing with a lovely chocolate finish, and then an 18yo that was a bit anaemic by comparison, almost watery in the end. Both had the glenfiddich character though which they get in all their whisky variants tbh. There are nicer speysides to try than Glenfiddich but it's not awful and the 18yo is definitely one of their better offerings.

£200 how many bottles you want for that? My afternoon just got torpedoed.