What is your favorite Scotch Whiskey

[black mamba]

rocketbomb, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask has the strongest smoke flavor of any of the many Islays I've tried, in fact too much for most people. I call it "Old Ash Tray."
My friend who thinks Lagavulin 16 is the best whisky on the planet, gave away his bottle of Quarter Cask after just two glasses-- too much cigarette flavor for him!

[LRC^]

Maybe not something for your friend black mamba, but for those of you who do like the heavy peat smoke flavour smokehead is worth a try. Very heavy on the smoke, with richness and some exciting flavours in it.

[HJK]

So many great whiskeys, so little time.

I have a particular weakness for Caol Ila.
Cask strength!

[HJK]

rocketbomb, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask has the strongest smoke flavor of any of the many Islays I've tried, in fact too much for most people. I call it "Old Ash Tray."
My friend who thinks Lagavulin 16 is the best whisky on the planet, gave away his bottle of Quarter Cask after just two glasses-- too much cigarette flavor for him!

That's OK. More for us

[hung-solo]

black mamba & i certainly share many preferances in knives but i've yet to see any scotch as smooth as 18 year jameson irish whiskey.--dennis

irish whiskey isnt scotch bud i do love the 12yr jameson though. that and good ole bushmills. damn smooth stuff

[sherlockbonez]

JB is great, but it's not a scotch. Maybe someone can start a brown booze thread so all the other can come play.

[Bartman99]

Howdy all,

I must say that i am very fond of Glenlivet Nadurra, 16 year old, cask strength, single malt, yummy, yummy. Also very good is Scapa 16 year old Orcadian Scotch (produce on the Orkney Islands, 90 miles NW of Scotland proper). Both are reasonably priced, around 70 dollars a bottle.

Thats my 2 drams and i'm drinking them....Bart

[komondor]

If you want an unexciting and really smooth/sweetish dram, go with Balvenie 12. That's a good starter's scotch. If you want exotic and complex, try Lagavulin 16. It's really not any stronger than Balvenie because, heck, at that point, you are still just drinking straight 86 proof alcohol. It's just more interesting.

If you want something in between, or are looking for a good bridge between the simple and sophisticated, go with Highland Park 12.

[greater]

Anything MacAllan is just fine.

Yes, I also like the Islay malts. My favorite there is near impossible to find now ... the old, original Ardbeg. It's been too long since they closed down, went dark, and were then re-opened. The new folks are doing well, but it's just not the same. I tried to ration my original supply, but one too many meetings of the old crew finally drained the drams dry.

Given the sentiments of the OP, suggest you look into some Bowmore and Bruichladdich. You might like them.

EDIT: I should mention Kilchoman. First completely new distillery there in ... forever. It's early yet, not sure how they'll do.

Well my bottle of Lagavulin 12 is amost empty (about 3 ozs left.) It still is the best stuff I have tried yet. I did transfer it to a smaller grolsh beer bottle when the original bottle became half full to keep exposure to air at a minimum.

I put the bottle in the freezer overnight at one point and it seemed to dampen some of the peat and smoke flavours. I am sure glad it was amost gone and not a full bottle because even after warming up again it has not been the same. It is still good (more thicker caramel sweet flavour.) but not as good as an unmolested bottle.

I took your advice and bought a bottle of Bruichladdich Peat today ($60.00 for 750 ml.) I do find this to be very good scotch, the flavour is simular in some ways to Lagavulin and Johnny Walker green, but much smoother (only 46% alcohol) with lots of body. I tasted rum, vannilla, and oak. It is not as complex as Lagavulin but I like it, I really do, and for the price I think it's one of the better buys as far as my taste buds go. Okay I still stick to my initial impression that this is not as complex as Lagavulin but would like to now add that this stuff is still complex enough.

One thing I do disagree with are the claims on the label that it is one of the peatiest scotches around. It does have peat but not anywhere near the smokiness or peat intensity of Lagavulin 12 (yes I like the flavours of sea salted burnt driftwood in the mix.) After dealing with the high proof, high smokiness, high saltiness, and high peatiness of Lagavulin 12. I find this smooth, rich, 80 something proof full body scotch to be weak in comparison. The after tastes do not linger as long on my tongue either, well on the other hand they do linger quite a while but they are not as intense as my favorite peat monster.
Wait this stuff is starting to get interesting. I am getting more initial Lagavulin taste (minus the super peat and smoke) and great flavourful Johnny Walker Green like after tastes that are lingering (without the initial sharp bite of JW Green.)
Okay it's a wrap this stuff is quite good a close call just different.

After a while the Lagavulin was starting to taste a little on the salty side perhaps it is time to give it a rest and maybe I will be able to enjoy this smoother less salty, peaty, and smokey scotch when I get over the more rare and expensive Lagavulin. I want to add that I already am.

A good call on this one (Bruichladdich). I was attempting to purchase Laphroig quarter cask (one the the kings of peat and smoke) but they did not have any in stock and were having difficulty finding restock. It did take them years of waiting before they got Lagavulin 12.


You did not mention which ones out of the different grades that each of the above Labels you recommended come in that you like the most.

[OldPhysics]

Well my bottle of Lagavulin 12 is amost empty (about 3 ozs left.) It still is the best stuff I have tried yet. I did transfer it to a grolsh beer bottle when the original bottle became half full to keep exposure to air at a minimum.

I put the bottle in the freezer overnight at one point and it seemed to dampen some of the peat and smoke flavours. I am sure glad it was amost gone and not a full bottle because even after warming up again it has not been the same. It is still good (more thicker caramel sweet flavour.) but not as good as an unmolested bottle.

I took your advice and bought a bottle of Bruichladdich Peat today ($60.00 for 750 ml.) I do find this to be very good scotch, the flavour is simular in some ways Lagavulin and Johnny Walker green, but much smoother (only 46% alcohol) with lots of body. I tasted rum, vannila, and oak. It is not as complex as Lagavulin but I like it, I really do, and for the price I think it's one of the better buys as far as my taste buds go. Okay I still stick my initial impression that this is not as complex as Lagavulin but would like to now add that this stuff is still complex enough.

One thing I do disagree with are the claims on the label that it is one of the peatiest scotches around. It does have peat but not anywhere near the smokiness or peat intensity of Lagavulin 12 (yes I like the flavours of sea salted burnt driftwood in the mix.) After dealing with the high proof high smokiness, high saltiness, and high peatiness of Lagavulin 12 I find this smooth, rich, 80 something proof full body scotch to be weak in comparison. The after tastes do not linger as long on my tongue either well on the other hand they do linger quite a while but they are not as intense as my favorite peat monster.
Wait a this stuff is starting to get interesting I am getting more initial Lagavulin taste (minus the super peat and smoke) and great flavourful Johnny Walker Green like after tastes that are lingering (without the initial sharp bite of JW Green.)
Okay it's a wrap this stuff is quite good a close call just different.

After a while the Lagavulin was starting to taste a little on the salty side perhaps it is time to give it a rest and maybe I will be able to enjoy this smoother less salty, peaty, and smokey scotch when I get over the more rare and expensive Lagavulin. I want to add that I already am.

A good call on this one (Bruichladdich). I was attempting to purchase Laphroig quarter casket (one the the kings of peat and smoke) but they did not have any in stock and were having difficulty finding restock. It did take them years of waiting before they got Lagavulin 12.


You did not mention which ones out of the different grades that each of the above Labels you recommended come in that you like the most.

Glad you liked "Brook-Laddy." It's more subtle than Lavagulin -- but it does get there!

Grades? I say start first with the younger versions and then, as you desire, work your way up. As soon as you get to a version that begins to get woody ... or just too darned expensive ... stop. [For example, I love MacAllan 18 ... but I find a bit of woodiness in 25 (and it's AWFUL expensive), so I usually only go as far as 18.]

[Nimick]

Glad you liked "Brook-Laddy." It's more subtle than Lavagulin -- but it does get there!

Grades? I say start first with the younger versions and then, as you desire, work your way up. As soon as you get to a version that begins to get woody ... or just too darned expensive ... stop. [For example, I love MacAllan 18 ... but I find a bit of woodiness in 25 (and it's AWFUL expensive), so I usually only go as far as 18.]

It's good to know I'm not the only person who doesn't think the 25 is all that. 18 or cask strength for me.

[black mamba]

I have found it to be almost universal that the sweetspot for aging whisky or whiskey is from 16-18 years, with the one exception of 20 year old Pappy Van Winkles Bourbon. Every time I have been able to try both a 15 and an 18 by the same distillery (a very common practice with Scotch), the 18 yr has been both smoother and more complex, whether Islay or Highland.

I have tasted quite a few excellent 15 yr olds, but only 18 yr Laphroaig and 16 yr Lagavulin have made me both sing, and weep for joy.

[greater]

I tried the Laphroaig 18 year old (48% alcohol) and I found the flavor outstanding. It is very smooth and still retains it's smoke and peat. The great flavors do not linger long enough although you get an intense (depending on ones tastes) blast of smoke and low medicinal peat initially, it quickly dissipates which is not necessarily bad or good. I do like long lingering after tastes. It has a sweeter taste than the others I tried. Light vanilla and oak. It reminds me of a smoother version of Lagavulin 12 in a lot of ways but not as complex. It now seems after adding a few drops of water and drinking a few drams the great after tastes are still lingering. That is good, however, the jury is still out on this one as far as I am concerned. I am hopeful. I paid way too much for it ($150.00) and later found out I could get it online for about $99.00. That is still pricey.

I decided to make another trip to the liquor store and get a bottle of Laphroaig 10 cask strength in hopes of mixing some into the 18 to spice it up. It was a bummer to find that they didn't have any, however, as luck would have it, I came just in time They were getting a delivery that included Laphroaig quarter cask at the moment I arrived. After waiting about 15 minutes while a large amount of Vodka was being unloaded, they finally got to the quarter cask I was waiting for.

At $60.00 a bottle I find Laphroaig quarter cask (%48 percent alcohol also) to have more interesting flavors. I tasted an initial blast of smoke with creamy medicinal peat, more medicinal than Laphroaig 18 or Lavagulin 12 followed by oak, vanilla, and a touch of salt and driftwood. The rich creaminess continued to linger throughout. Very rich, lots of body, well worth it's price. It is peaty and smokey but I don't taste any ash tray flavors that others have complained about. This stuff is only about 8 years old, although it does not taste 18 years old, it sure tastes as if it were more than 8 years old. Overall this is great high quality stuff and a good value.

I like Lagavulin 12 the most, Bruichladdich peat, and Laphroaig quarter cask are almost tied for second place but I like Laphroaig quarter cask more for it's uniqueness. This all comes down to personal tastes while Laphroaig 18 is some very fine aged scotch, it is a little too mellow for me. Since getting hammered on scotch is a no no (bad hangovers result from what I have read,) unless you are particularly sensitive to the alcohol burn (not a problem when savoring with small sips,) I am not sure why it needs to be so smooth.

Keep in mind however I find them all to be high quality.

After mixing the Laphroaig 18 with the quarter cask (50/50) I am getting more Lagavulin like bite and initial tastes, but more sweetness with the creamy background of quarter cask and rich rummy Bruichladdich like body. The medicine like taste of the quarter cask was somewhat tamed down but more bite was added to the 18. The after tastes do not unfold the same as Bruichladdich though. They are somewhat complex like oak and others I can't describe. Personally I like Bruichladdich's after tastes better. They make an excellent mix although I am not sure if I like quarter cask alone better. Update I do like quarter cask alone better. The mix doesn't taste as good after about 1/2 hour.

I initially wanted to get either Laphroaig 15 or Laphroaig 10 cask strength but I think they stopped making 15 and my local liquor store doesn't have cask strength 10 (they do have regular 10.) The liquor store owner swore that Laphroaig 18 was the most delicious stuff around and worth every penny (I really didn't intend to spend so much.) I got sucked in. It is great stuff but not worth the price to me.

All of the above mentioned bottles are 750ml

[black mamba]

I took a road trip this weekend and found a bottle of 18 yr Talisker, from the Isle of Skye. Anyone ever try this one? The store owner told me it isn't made any more, so I'll probably nurse this bottle for a while!

[greater]

For my tastes I rate:

1st place Lagavulin 12
2nd Place Laphroaig Quarter Cask
3rd Place Bruichladdich Peat
4th place Laphroaig 18
5th place Johnny Walker Green (a blend of single malts)
6th place Johnny Walker Gold (malt and grain blend)
7th place Oban 14
8th place Johnny Walker Black
9th place Johnny Walker Red

[black mamba]

The JW Green is quite good. I scored a full liter of it on a cruise ship for only $50. Heck of a deal.

[MSgt]

Balvenie DoubleWood, or Glenmorangie Port Finish! I also like Scapa.

[Nimick]

Seriously speaking, the number of single malts that are bad, or not worth the money, is a much shorter list than those that are the "best". Though on could debate the overly inflated prices we see in the states on older scotches.

that said, depending on your personal preferance I would say that the best values on the market right now are:

Ardbeg 10
Glendronach 12
Balvinie Doublewood (this is really fantastic for the money)
Glenlivet Nadurra
McCarthy's malt (I know, it's not technically scotch)
Yamakazi 10 (again, not scotch, still the japanese like and know their whisky)

and if you can find any of the first edition bruchladdies, or any of the 3D's (but not "Peat" because it's not worth it)

[Nimick]

I have found it to be almost universal that the sweetspot for aging whisky or whiskey is from 16-18 years, with the one exception of 20 year old Pappy Van Winkles Bourbon. Every time I have been able to try both a 15 and an 18 by the same distillery (a very common practice with Scotch), the 18 yr has been both smoother and more complex, whether Islay or Highland.

I have tasted quite a few excellent 15 yr olds, but only 18 yr Laphroaig and 16 yr Lagavulin have made me both sing, and weep for joy.

I concur 100%

More wood is not necessarily good. After a certain point, it stops being smoother and starts tasting like my old bunkbed.

[Slider817]

In terms of the smokey stuff Ardbeg is Superd. I like it more than Laphroig and Caol Illa.

Recently though, I have been drinking a bottle of Glenfarclas 17 and it was delicious. Not smokey but sweet and smooth very interesting.