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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
This is a Scotch Thread
- Thread starter Hamon
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2005
- Messages
- 1,376
Mcclelland speyside, single malt! very smooth!
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2005
- Messages
- 2,600
FYI the 10 year blend has just started to show up on the average liquor store shelf in my area. This is a good thing. it used to be very hard to get.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2001
- Messages
- 426
Ok, I couldn't resist. I saw the pictures of Hamon's beautiful bottles and had to post my own stash. Ok, it was a good reason to go down and pour a dram 
Here's a group shot:
And here's a shot of my favorites, the Islays:
Some of these I picked up in the UK last year, as they're not readily available in the states (Ardbeg Very Young, Still Young). The Ardbegs are my favorites, and of course Lagavulin 16 is a classic that's right at the top of my list as well, in fact I had to pour a dram of the Laga for this post...it's waiting for me to indulge as I type.
Oh, the good things in life...
Included are:
Lagavulin 16 (x2)
Lagavulin 16 Distiller's Edition
Ardbeg 10 (x2)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 1990
Ardbeg Very Young
Ardbeg Still Young
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Caol Ila 12
Bowmore 12
Highland Park 12
Aberlour 10
There's a few more in there but the above are the ones I remember well
Of all of those, Ardbeg Very Young is my long and away favorite. Closely followed by Still Young, and the venerable Ardbeg 10 and Lagavulin 16. All fine, each with it's own character and charm. If you've never tried Lagavulin 16, it's one of those indescribable things in life that you just have to experience. You'll either fall in love at the first nose, or be repulsed by it and run away
Here's a group shot:
And here's a shot of my favorites, the Islays:
Some of these I picked up in the UK last year, as they're not readily available in the states (Ardbeg Very Young, Still Young). The Ardbegs are my favorites, and of course Lagavulin 16 is a classic that's right at the top of my list as well, in fact I had to pour a dram of the Laga for this post...it's waiting for me to indulge as I type.
Oh, the good things in life...
Included are:
Lagavulin 16 (x2)
Lagavulin 16 Distiller's Edition
Ardbeg 10 (x2)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 1990
Ardbeg Very Young
Ardbeg Still Young
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Caol Ila 12
Bowmore 12
Highland Park 12
Aberlour 10
There's a few more in there but the above are the ones I remember well
Of all of those, Ardbeg Very Young is my long and away favorite. Closely followed by Still Young, and the venerable Ardbeg 10 and Lagavulin 16. All fine, each with it's own character and charm. If you've never tried Lagavulin 16, it's one of those indescribable things in life that you just have to experience. You'll either fall in love at the first nose, or be repulsed by it and run away
Thanks for the pics, Kinzli!
I definitely will have to try out the Lagavulin 16. Not sure if I'd buy a bottle right away, but I'll give it a try at least twice and see how it suits me.
I just picked up another bottle that was recommended by one of my close friends, and the one who got me started thinking about getting into Scotch. It's the Aberlour A'bunadh. I'll let the bottle do the talking.
And a closer look at the label.
The 59.7% alc. vol. makes it a fierce dram. It has a powerful nose and a very nice finish. I've not tried it yet cut with water, but that is something that I think I'll have to try with this one. The first time I drank it was not a good experience, just because it was a bit of a rushed tasting. That does not work for this whisky in particular. It'll bite back if you don't treat it well and give it the respect it deserves.
Travis
I definitely will have to try out the Lagavulin 16. Not sure if I'd buy a bottle right away, but I'll give it a try at least twice and see how it suits me.
I just picked up another bottle that was recommended by one of my close friends, and the one who got me started thinking about getting into Scotch. It's the Aberlour A'bunadh. I'll let the bottle do the talking.
And a closer look at the label.
The 59.7% alc. vol. makes it a fierce dram. It has a powerful nose and a very nice finish. I've not tried it yet cut with water, but that is something that I think I'll have to try with this one. The first time I drank it was not a good experience, just because it was a bit of a rushed tasting. That does not work for this whisky in particular. It'll bite back if you don't treat it well and give it the respect it deserves.
Travis
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2007
- Messages
- 672
Ok, I couldn't resist. I saw the pictures of Hamon's beautiful bottles and had to post my own stash. Ok, it was a good reason to go down and pour a dram
Here's a group shot:
And here's a shot of my favorites, the Islays:
Some of these I picked up in the UK last year, as they're not readily available in the states (Ardbeg Very Young, Still Young). The Ardbegs are my favorites, and of course Lagavulin 16 is a classic that's right at the top of my list as well, in fact I had to pour a dram of the Laga for this post...it's waiting for me to indulge as I type.
Oh, the good things in life...
Included are:
Lagavulin 16 (x2)
Lagavulin 16 Distiller's Edition
Ardbeg 10 (x2)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 1990
Ardbeg Very Young
Ardbeg Still Young
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Caol Ila 12
Bowmore 12
Highland Park 12
Aberlour 10
There's a few more in there but the above are the ones I remember well
Of all of those, Ardbeg Very Young is my long and away favorite. Closely followed by Still Young, and the venerable Ardbeg 10 and Lagavulin 16. All fine, each with it's own character and charm. If you've never tried Lagavulin 16, it's one of those indescribable things in life that you just have to experience. You'll either fall in love at the first nose, or be repulsed by it and run away
Reminds me of last Halloween. I think its time to build for a proper place to display your growing stock Jeff, the floor doesn't do them justice.
Picked up a bottle each of Lagavulin16 and Knob Creek this morning.
Cheers,
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2001
- Messages
- 426
I agree
I do need a better place. haha, but then I'll just want to drink them more You're welcome up here anytime...the Knob Creek is an interesting whisky...lots of rye.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2007
- Messages
- 672
I agree
You're welcome up here anytime...the Knob Creek is an interesting whisky...lots of rye.
This is my first time trying Knob Creek, packs a punch.
Perhaps when I get my new wheels I'll cruise up that way, and try one of the laddies, 1990 or the XVII
Cheers
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2005
- Messages
- 2,600
I just got a job at a liquor store. and they have an expansive Single Malt selection. Like 15 feet of floor to ceiling shelves of it. including 11 different bruciladdich (sic) bottlings, 3 scapa's (including an odd 23 year), 7 ardbegs, 6 macallans (one distilled in 1946), and 5 balvinies.
and I can get it all at cost.
and I can get it all at cost.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2007
- Messages
- 672
Tried the Trader Joe's Macallen 18, not bad, but I think I would have been better off spending the money on another bottle of Laphroaig QC. In the line up tonight;
The Whiskies....
TJ's Macallen 18
Glen Rothes 1992
RedBreast 12
Glenlivit 12
Longmorn 15
Lagavulin 16
Ardbeg 10
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig QC
Balvenie Doublewood 12
Highland Park 12
Knob Creek 9
And Waterford crystal to drink out of........
Whats missing, the Talisker 10 and 18 finished those earlier this month, time to restock, and numerious others I havn't tried.
The Whiskies....
TJ's Macallen 18
Glen Rothes 1992
RedBreast 12
Glenlivit 12
Longmorn 15
Lagavulin 16
Ardbeg 10
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig QC
Balvenie Doublewood 12
Highland Park 12
Knob Creek 9
And Waterford crystal to drink out of........
Whats missing, the Talisker 10 and 18 finished those earlier this month, time to restock, and numerious others I havn't tried.
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2004
- Messages
- 596
The wife used to say how much she hated scotch... then some friends talked her into trying a lite scotch and water one day.
Now she is hooked.
She was saying she prefered the single malt and likes Dewar's white label, but I watched her drink Chivas with her dad one evening. She had fun, I laughed at her, then i poured her into the car and drove her home. She loves it, but she can't seem to drink much of it at once.
Now she is hooked.
She was saying she prefered the single malt and likes Dewar's white label, but I watched her drink Chivas with her dad one evening. She had fun, I laughed at her, then i poured her into the car and drove her home. She loves it, but she can't seem to drink much of it at once.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2005
- Messages
- 2,600
I have decided I am personally not thrilled with the Glenkinchie. As my boss said, It's as if they said "we'll take this great malt, and put it in an amontillado cask, and we can charge more for it." without bothering about whether it would taste any good.
The Distillers Edition of Talisker on the other hand, is most excellent.
The Distillers Edition of Talisker on the other hand, is most excellent.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2005
- Messages
- 2,600
Today's single malt selection selection, The Bruichladdie, Moine Mohr 3D- 2nd edition. is a dram of wow. Increably complex from nose to finish, and very very peaty.
My Scotch God (boss) reports that the 2nd Edition is no longer being bottled, and the 3rd is on it's way.
Where are the rest of the Scotch Fans on this forum? I have too many posts in a row here.
My Scotch God (boss) reports that the 2nd Edition is no longer being bottled, and the 3rd is on it's way.
Where are the rest of the Scotch Fans on this forum? I have too many posts in a row here.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 4,131
I'm reading, but don't have much to post about. Just started with single malts, so I'm reading up.
If you live in an area with a Trader Joe's be sure to pick up their special bottlings. I have an bottle of Macallan 18 Y/O that is quite good for the $45 I spent on it.
Personally, I am planning on picking up a bottle of Macallan Cask Strength or Bowmore Darkest as my next purchase when I have $60 or so to spend.
If you live in an area with a Trader Joe's be sure to pick up their special bottlings. I have an bottle of Macallan 18 Y/O that is quite good for the $45 I spent on it.
Personally, I am planning on picking up a bottle of Macallan Cask Strength or Bowmore Darkest as my next purchase when I have $60 or so to spend.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2004
- Messages
- 8,436
I travel a lot, and know the best whisky stores in a very large number of cities, and make it a point to see what is available.
My collection topped out at 120 bottles of malt whisky.
Right now it stands at about 60.
Many of those are what we would call "safe queens" in the knife world; bottles to be opened when my daughters graduate high school, get inducted into the IDF, etc.
These include rare 30-year old bottlings of Brora, some rare Islays like older Port Ellen, and a couple of 30+ year Springbank bottlings.
Of course, I have more day-to-day drinking whiskies, such as 18 year old Highland Park, Ardbeg Nam Beist, 14 year old Clyneliesh (all Distillery bottlings).
Between those two categories, for when good friends come to visit, or for a Sabbath evening drink, I have a number of older whiskies like 30-year-old Laphroaig, 32-year-old Mortlach (Gordon and MacPhaill), and a few specialty whiskies from the Murray McDavid Mission series, such as their amazing bottling of Craigellachie. I also have a large number of the Bruichladdich whiskies put by, including several bottles of their 1970.
I also have several casks of whisky laid by, 2 purchased recently and 2 purchased in the mid 1990s.
This is not a complete list, but just so that you tipplers don't feel too alone.
My collection topped out at 120 bottles of malt whisky.
Right now it stands at about 60.
Many of those are what we would call "safe queens" in the knife world; bottles to be opened when my daughters graduate high school, get inducted into the IDF, etc.
These include rare 30-year old bottlings of Brora, some rare Islays like older Port Ellen, and a couple of 30+ year Springbank bottlings.
Of course, I have more day-to-day drinking whiskies, such as 18 year old Highland Park, Ardbeg Nam Beist, 14 year old Clyneliesh (all Distillery bottlings).
Between those two categories, for when good friends come to visit, or for a Sabbath evening drink, I have a number of older whiskies like 30-year-old Laphroaig, 32-year-old Mortlach (Gordon and MacPhaill), and a few specialty whiskies from the Murray McDavid Mission series, such as their amazing bottling of Craigellachie. I also have a large number of the Bruichladdich whiskies put by, including several bottles of their 1970.
I also have several casks of whisky laid by, 2 purchased recently and 2 purchased in the mid 1990s.
This is not a complete list, but just so that you tipplers don't feel too alone.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 4,131
If only I had the disposable income to work with to collect like that! For now, I'll have to stick with collecting some limited craft brews...
Since you seem to enjoy lots of older malts, have you tried the Macallan 25 Y/O? What about the Bowmore 25 Y/O?
Since you seem to enjoy lots of older malts, have you tried the Macallan 25 Y/O? What about the Bowmore 25 Y/O?
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2004
- Messages
- 8,436
Both of them are, in my opinion, overpriced, though for different reasons.
In general, Islay malts mature earlier than do others. Many are quite acceptable as younger malts. Ardbeg, which is in general the "peatiest" of Islays, has capitalized on this by primarily releasing younger malts over the last few years.
Bowmore is probably my least favorite Islay malt (note:that does not mean that I dislike it.) I found the 25 to be a nice whisky, but not worth the money thatt they were charging.
Macallan is a different problem. They have released a number of really wonderful malts over the years. One of their best was the Macallan 25 year anniversary edition. It has become a little difficult to find, and the price of it has shot up enormously.
Macallan, in general, spends more money on advertising than does any other distillery. The costs are passed on to us, of course--so you pay a great deal more than you should. While, for example, their gran reserva was a nice bottling, it certainly was not worth the costs.
Macallan, for the most part, tends to offer pretty heavily sherried whiskies.In general, I prefer nonsherried or lightly sherried ones--ok-to each their own.
A couple of years ago, Macallan released several "Fine oak" (oak cask, unsherried) whiskies. I was present at a tasting of several, of different ages.
I considered the 15 year old to be an ok malt, not worth the price. The only one that I really like was the 25, and again, thought it way overpriced.
In general, if you want to try older malts, your best bet is the independent bottlers. Gordon and McPhail, Murray McDavid, Scott's Selection all offer many choices.You are well off if you live in a place that has a liquor store that stocks a large number of malts at reasonable prices.
New York City is a good example. Park Avenue liquors has an amazing selection (fairly good website as well, at least they used to). However, you are paying their rent in their prices. If you live in NY, go to Warehouse wines in the village. Not that great of a selection, only 25 or so malts. But the prices!! For example, a 12 year old Glenrothes was going for about $40 there--average US price--about $55. Those guys will not ship, so you gotta visit, but if you have a friend in the city, put 'em to work.
In general, Islay malts mature earlier than do others. Many are quite acceptable as younger malts. Ardbeg, which is in general the "peatiest" of Islays, has capitalized on this by primarily releasing younger malts over the last few years.
Bowmore is probably my least favorite Islay malt (note:that does not mean that I dislike it.) I found the 25 to be a nice whisky, but not worth the money thatt they were charging.
Macallan is a different problem. They have released a number of really wonderful malts over the years. One of their best was the Macallan 25 year anniversary edition. It has become a little difficult to find, and the price of it has shot up enormously.
Macallan, in general, spends more money on advertising than does any other distillery. The costs are passed on to us, of course--so you pay a great deal more than you should. While, for example, their gran reserva was a nice bottling, it certainly was not worth the costs.
Macallan, for the most part, tends to offer pretty heavily sherried whiskies.In general, I prefer nonsherried or lightly sherried ones--ok-to each their own.
A couple of years ago, Macallan released several "Fine oak" (oak cask, unsherried) whiskies. I was present at a tasting of several, of different ages.
I considered the 15 year old to be an ok malt, not worth the price. The only one that I really like was the 25, and again, thought it way overpriced.
In general, if you want to try older malts, your best bet is the independent bottlers. Gordon and McPhail, Murray McDavid, Scott's Selection all offer many choices.You are well off if you live in a place that has a liquor store that stocks a large number of malts at reasonable prices.
New York City is a good example. Park Avenue liquors has an amazing selection (fairly good website as well, at least they used to). However, you are paying their rent in their prices. If you live in NY, go to Warehouse wines in the village. Not that great of a selection, only 25 or so malts. But the prices!! For example, a 12 year old Glenrothes was going for about $40 there--average US price--about $55. Those guys will not ship, so you gotta visit, but if you have a friend in the city, put 'em to work.
Interesting this.....
Did you know for a long time the maximum "optimum" age for a single malt Scotch was regarded as 12 years?
A lot of single malts at one time were only 8 years old.
There were exceptions of course, to 16 and maybe 18 years - but there was a danger of the scotch becoming "oily".
Nowadays we see plenty of 25+ years of maturity - howcome?
Well, although Scotch has obviously been around for a long time -
the single malt as we know it, is really only a fairly recent event -
I'm talking about the late 1960's to early 70's -
That's when Glenfiddich first "exported" their "Pure Malt" to England,
then to the rest of the world some time in the late 60's/early 70's.
So aging/maturity of single malt Scotches is really only a recent art/science.
Aging and maturation of Scotch only truly occurs in wood casks - mainly oak.
Initially old sherry casks were used because they were cheap and plentiful since the British imported and bottled a lot of Sherry - this was a very fortuitous accident - as sherry casks imparted a lot of flavor to the Scotch.
But eventually the taste for sherry declined in Britain and Spain decided to bottle their own sherry on home ground to create jobs - so sherry casks became much harder to get in Britain.
The Scotch makers then used "Bourbon" or American oak casks -
American oak was a quite a bit denser than the Spanish oak used in sherry casks -
so the oxidation/maturation process was slower in the American oak.....
so my speculation - that's where the older aged single malts come from....
(note: this is my speculation only, and not an authorative statement -
please correct if anyone has authoritive sources regarding longer aging of Scotch)
Anyway when I first tried Lagavulin 16 year old (my current favorite) in the mid-80's I was dubious because of the age beyond 12 years and thought the sample I tried was a bit "oily" - but nevertheless I was hooked by its taste - and it became my favorite since.
--
Vincent
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