Francis Albert Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 As I've said before I think its hard to find a bad bottle of blended Scotch - even the cheap ones. I'm enjoying a pricey Chivas Regal at the moment and its super. Like them all but try the Grants Ale Cask Blend Whyte & Mackay and Isle of Skye which are a wee bit different IMO. Bells and Famous Grouse are best selling whiskies for good reason Can't agree on cheap blended whiskies - I can't stand Cutty Sark or Dewars let alone the even cheaper ones. Famous Grouse and Chivas Regal are fine and if they still do it The Antiquary was nice. The Macallan and Balvenie for me for pure malts. Can't go with anything too peaty and despite my user name Jack Daniels whiskey is far too sweet for me. Not convinced that once you get to 10 or 12 years further aging makes a helluva difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Fredrickson Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Re single malts V blends, from my experience you get some awful & excellent blends You also get some awful and excellent single malts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_razor Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Islay malts for me. Im also working on growing the collection on the bookshelve. Currently have a Caol Ila, Ardberg, Lagavulin and Octomore 6.3 by Bruichladdich which is one of the peatiest whiskies. It only 5 yo and was a bit expensive but ever since I tasted it through in Glasgow at the Whisky festival and I has been wanting a bottle. I was walking up the Royal Miles with a few beers in me and found myself in the royal mile whisky shop handing over my cash. Just need to find the right time to crack it open. Also enjoying Jura Superstition. I spend a bit of time in airports and they were doing 2 x 1L bottles for ?70 for a while so took them up on that offer although the first one didnt last long once my American collegues got their hands on it. Had Bowmore 12yo for the first time the other day and really enjoyed that so that is next for the collection. Talisker Storm is also pretty nice. Talisker reminds me of sitting on a beach with my mates drinking a bottle as the sun went down a few summers ago so its a bit nostalgic. Balvenie Double Wood is getting a few shouts so might need to sample some of that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fort Vallance Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Used to hate the stuff but I've persevered with it and I'm glad I did. Toying with the idea of putting together a collection. I was lucky enough that a few friends and family cottoned onto my new tipple over Christmas so I'm now the owner of a 10 y/o Ardbeg, a Glenmorangie Nector D'Or, a 10 y/o Talisker and a 10 y/o Aberlour. Also got a couple of blends; a Bailie Nicol Jarvie which despite originally coming from Leith is very nice and a bottle of something called Monkey Shoulder which I was a bit worried about but is actually better than expected. I'm thinking about picking a few more 10 y/o's then from there saving up to buy say one excellent bottle a year. I do also have a bottle of 23 y/o Glendullan which I inherited when my Grandpa passed away 9 years ago however that's being saved for a special day. Anyway, looking forward to hearing of any suggestions of bottles I should give a try. I've obviously got pretty popular bottles so far so I'm interested in discovering some lesser known malts. Also heard good things about some Japanese whiskies if anyone has any experience they'd like to share? I know this is going to sound like a stupid question and I'm glad your enjoying your hobby. But why would you persevere with something that you hated ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bert Le Clos Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 I know this is going to sound like a stupid question and I'm glad your enjoying your hobby. But why would you persevere with something that you hated ? It's not something I forced down my throat constantly until I became immune to the taste. I hated my first taste of lager too. And coffee. But I've developed a taste for them over the years too. I'm pretty sure my first taste of whisky was some sort of punishment shot of some rancid blend during a round of pub golf aged about 18. It was brutal, and it put me off whisky big time in the same way I was put off ever drinking vodka straight after being talked into downing some Glen's. Then I went through that stage of only drinking lager, before moving onto stuff like Jack Daniels and other bourbon type drinks which I used to have with coke or ginger beer. I only tasted proper whisky again a couple of years ago when I was at the Taste of Edinburgh Festival and there was a whisky stall offering free tasters of a new blended whisky (I forget the name) which they were serving with ginger beer. My drink at that time was Jim Beam and ginger beer so I gave it a go and really enjoyed it. From there I moved onto drinking the occasional dram and now I'm hooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bert Le Clos Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 My old man's friend works for Glenmorangie and has just told him they're stopping making Bailie Nicol Jarvie. So for those of you who like it or are interested in trying it, worthwhile getting a bottle now before they stop being sold or are only available at stupid prices. Like I said, for a blend it's pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwaysthereinspirit Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 My daughters got me a 4 pack sample of Dalmore for Christmas. 12, 15, 18 and Gran Reserva. Had the 12 last night and it was really good. Hoping the rest are as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUTOL Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Just opened the seal on Dalmore 12. Looks quite dark in the bottle and glass. Not as citrus as some of the other Dalmores I've had in the past, but pretty pleasant so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harko Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Used to hate the stuff but I've persevered with it and I'm glad I did. Toying with the idea of putting together a collection. I was lucky enough that a few friends and family cottoned onto my new tipple over Christmas so I'm now the owner of a 10 y/o Ardbeg, a Glenmorangie Nector D'Or, a 10 y/o Talisker and a 10 y/o Aberlour. Also got a couple of blends; a Bailie Nicol Jarvie which despite originally coming from Leith is very nice and a bottle of something called Monkey Shoulder which I was a bit worried about but is actually better than expected. I'm thinking about picking a few more 10 y/o's then from there saving up to buy say one excellent bottle a year. I do also have a bottle of 23 y/o Glendullan which I inherited when my Grandpa passed away 9 years ago however that's being saved for a special day. Anyway, looking forward to hearing of any suggestions of bottles I should give a try. I've obviously got pretty popular bottles so far so I'm interested in discovering some lesser known malts. Also heard good things about some Japanese whiskies if anyone has any experience they'd like to share? It all depends on what your taste is. I'm not overly keen on the island malts - too peaty for me. If you like Talisker, then Laphroig will be up your street. I personally enjoy Ben Nevis 10 year old - you can get that from online retailers for about ?35 a bottle. ***** is an excellent Japanese whisky - the Yoichi 10 year old is superb, just a hint of peat which is what I like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harko Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Auchentoshan is very easy on the palate, but i'd rather drip paint stripper in my eyes than drink Glenkinchie - truly awful and more toxic than paint stripper! Agreed - Glenkinchie is shocking, but it's pactically made in Tranent so what do you expect?? Ha Ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harko Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 It all depends on what your taste is. I'm not overly keen on the island malts - too peaty for me. If you like Talisker, then Laphroig will be up your street. I personally enjoy Ben Nevis 10 year old - you can get that from online retailers for about ?35 a bottle. ***** is an excellent Japanese whisky - the Yoichi 10 year old is superb, just a hint of peat which is what I like. What's offensive about N I K K A Japanese whisky? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambos are go! Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Celebrated securing the Championship with a few large Teachers I bought for less than ?7 a litre in the Caribbean a couple of months ago. Highland Cream indeed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harko Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 I was doing the West Highland Way a few weeks ago, and stopped off at the Bothy Bar at the MacDonald hotel in Kilochleven where they have a good whisky selection. I decided to treat myself to a Glenglassaugh 30 year old... possibly the best I've tasted, it was stunning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Agreed - Glenkinchie is shocking, but it's pactically made in Tranent so what do you expect?? Ha Ha! Glenkinchie is the stuff of dreams my friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Celebrated the Championship win by cracking open my Balblair 89. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Just opened the seal on Dalmore 12. Looks quite dark in the bottle and glass That'll be the shit-ton of E150 colourant that they put in it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harko Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Glenkinchie is the stuff of dreams my friend. Each to their own - hope you weren't offended by my wee bit banter. That's the great thing about whisky - so many different types & flavours, and everyone has their own palate when it comes to the stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwaysthereinspirit Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Was at a whisky tasting event a couple of weeks back. Had a 16 year Lagavulin. Swear there was smoke rising from the glass. Went out and bought a bottle. Probably the most peaty I've tried. Liked it a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Was at a whisky tasting event a couple of weeks back. Had a 16 year Lagavulin. Swear there was smoke rising from the glass. Went out and bought a bottle. Probably the most peaty I've tried. Liked it a lot. A magnificent whisky, and it probably still represents the biggest bang for your buck in mainstream malts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmfc_liam06 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Has anyone tried Johnnie Walker Swing? Won a bottle of it at the golf last weekend, not a whisky drinker at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His name is Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Got a bottle of dalwhinnie 15yr from duty free last week, not opened it yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 A magnificent whisky, and it probably still represents the biggest bang for your buck in mainstream malts. Absolutely, one of the best whiskies out there and certainly worth the price most places sell it at. I paid ?36 at Costco for a bottle about a year ago now so I bought three Each to their own - hope you weren't offended by my wee bit banter. That's the great thing about whisky - so many different types & flavours, and everyone has their own palate when it comes to the stuff. No, I certainly wasn't offended. I'm sure there are whiskies out there that you absolutely love and I am not too keen on. As you rightly say, "each to their own". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muldoon74 Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Here's Ralfy's review of Old Pultney... His patter isn't for everyone but he's very knowlegable and his reviews will tell you things that you didny ken. Just watched this, found it quite enjoyable.. Agree totally on the brineyness and the fudgy notes but as my pallette(sp) has been kicked to death by curry, lager, vodka, gin, cola and greggs over the years can't say I tasted much in the way of tropical fruits but loved Old Pulteney anyway! I liked how he explained how the tastes evovle in the cask through the chemical processes etc... Obviusly I've never thought they add guava and mango to it but it was nice to get a wee explanation on things.. Looking forward to watching a few more of his reviews.. I have a bottle of Old Pulteny (might push for the 17YO) and a Dalmore on the birthday list this year.. Although going to tunisia in June does anybody know what the duty free there is like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Murray Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Got a bit of this for our championship winning weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muldoon74 Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 016.jpg Got a bit of this for our championship winning weekend Love the glass, from the shop is it? Think I'll have a wee look the noo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Murray Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Love the glass, from the shop is it? Think I'll have a wee look the noo... Aye, from the shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Just did the Auchentoshan Distillery tour - the cheap ?6 one - and it was brilliant. At the end we got to try whatever whisky we wanted. I tried 5 whiskies including a Bordeaux Single Cask edition. Other members of the tour tried every single Auchentoshan expression except the 21, 30, 40 and 50, which amounted to about 12 whiskies. It was brilliant. I bought the 12 YO which I found to be unbelievably smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harko Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Just did the Auchentoshan Distillery tour - the cheap ?6 one - and it was brilliant. At the end we got to try whatever whisky we wanted. I tried 5 whiskies including a Bordeaux Single Cask edition. Other members of the tour tried every single Auchentoshan expression except the 21, 30, 40 and 50, which amounted to about 12 whiskies. It was brilliant. I bought the 12 YO which I found to be unbelievably smooth. You got to try 5 at the end - was that included in the ?6 admission? If so then bargain. I like the Auchentoshan 3 wood - very nice, tastes like Christmas pudding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 I had a sip of 5 as I was driving so didn't want to overdo it. The other couple on the tour tried about 12 whiskies and this was all included in the ?6. I was under the impression that we'd get to try one entry level whisky and that'd be it however it wasn't the case. It was a good surprise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_ Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Was at a whisky tasting event a couple of weeks back. Had a 16 year Lagavulin. Swear there was smoke rising from the glass. Went out and bought a bottle. Probably the most peaty I've tried. Liked it a lot. Great whisky. The blender's a Jambo too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randle P McMurphy Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Im not really a whisky drinker but I got a bottle of Johnnie Walker blue at a good price at work. Ive been pricing it since and it is selling for approximately ?130 a bottle. What's the verdict on ?130 on a blended whisky? Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfstar Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Just recently started drinking and slowly adapting my palate/taste. Have a 18yo glenfiddich, it's nice but still getting used to the flavours. Just opened a 10yo glengoyne very nice and tastes sweet. Also have a glenfiddich 12yo unopened Not a bad collection for starting with I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwaysthereinspirit Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 My daughter graduates college on Friday. I have an unopened Glenmorangie Signet. Just might be the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Murray Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 On the way home from the Edradour distillery tour, great wee place and a nice tour, some of those cask strength malts are a bit tasty too :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviefrailspants Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Can anyone recommend a good book for complete beginners? I bought the yearbook but it's not really what I was looking for. I was given a sample set as a Christmas present (been wanting to get into whisky for a while now) and I don't want to touch it until I'm a bit more clued up on what I'm drinking. Raw Spirit by the later great Iain Banks is an enjoyable read. He was a huge whisky fan and whilst this is largely a travel book of his trips round a whack of Scottish distilleries he covers a heck of a lot of malts and gives good tasting notes. Quite funny too. In my limited experience of malts to date I've really taken a shine to a Laphroig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendoll Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 I'm getting married in 2017 and, on the wedding day, we are exchanging gifts in the morning, via the best man and bridesmaid. I'm getting her some jewellery of some kind, I was thinking of asking for a really good whisky to share with my best man and ushers in the morning. The limit would be about ?250, anyone got any ideas on what would be a cracking bottle for the day? Seen a 28 year old bottle in Waverley for around that price. Anyone know of any 21yo+? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUTOL Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Highland Park 21 or 25 year olds are great. https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-18863.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Glenfarclas 30 is under ?200 and it's a cracking whisky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_ Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 I'm getting married in 2017 and, on the wedding day, we are exchanging gifts in the morning, via the best man and bridesmaid. I'm getting her some jewellery of some kind, I was thinking of asking for a really good whisky to share with my best man and ushers in the morning. The limit would be about ?250, anyone got any ideas on what would be a cracking bottle for the day? Seen a 28 year old bottle in Waverley for around that price. Anyone know of any 21yo+? Glenfarclas 30yo is a cracker, would give you ?50 change as well! https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-2074.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_ Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Glenfarclas 30 is under ?200 and it's a cracking whisky Great minds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Murray Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Glengoyne 21 year old is an excellent whisky for just over ?100, nice presentation box too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwaysthereinspirit Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 My daughter graduates college on Friday. I have an unopened Glenmorangie Signet. Just might be the moment. Which I just realized is 15 5 15. I think I like those numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harko Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 I'm getting married in 2017 and, on the wedding day, we are exchanging gifts in the morning, via the best man and bridesmaid. I'm getting her some jewellery of some kind, I was thinking of asking for a really good whisky to share with my best man and ushers in the morning. The limit would be about ?250, anyone got any ideas on what would be a cracking bottle for the day? Seen a 28 year old bottle in Waverley for around that price. Anyone know of any 21yo+? This is probably the best I've had - very smooth and fruity. It's an absolutely stunning whisky - the bottle is really cool, you should feel the weight of the cork, it's pretty heavy!! You can get it for ?210 a bottle at https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-21575.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cashgenerator Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Thought I'd bump this as I'm now about 8 months in to my concerted attempt to get into whisky. Been to a few tastings and tried quite a few miniatures. As we stand I've got a nice wee collection going, mainly by waiting until things are on offer from supermarkets: Old Pulteney 12 which is tip-top for the price. Balvenie Doublewood, probably my favourite so far. Auchentoshan Three Wood, lovely lovely stuff Glenfiddich Rich Oak, pretty woody but I like this too Aberlour 10, got it on offer at ?22, bargain at that price Highland Park 12, pretty hard work to be honest! Jura Superstition, very nice lightly peated number which I'm enjoying a great deal Jura Turas Mara, duty free unopened as yet Morlach Rare Old, expensive but really good. Sadly it's finished now! I've also tried a few Islay's but have struggled: Laphroaig 10 (too much for me), Arbeg 10 (undrinkable!), Talisker 10 (tolerable), and a Bunnahabhain which was very nice indeed. I've also tried Glenkinchie 10 (rank), Glenmorangie 10 (meh), Glenlivet and Glenfiddich 10s (ok), Macallan Gold (ok), and Singleton 10 (ok). Next on the list are a Glenfarclas, a Dalwhinnie and maybe the Balvenie Carribean Cask which sounds very nice indeed. Any other recommendations to expand my horizons? Especially interested in either travel editions (for the novelty) or maybe slightly older whiskies (say 15-18 years) which don't break the bank. Finally, any recommendations for a blend or two which are worth trying. I don't think I've ever had a blend that wasn't accompanied by a mixer (with the exception of Monkey Shoulder which was actually quite decent). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Murray Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 The Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean Cask is excellent, would highly recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2 Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Johnnie Walker double black, very nice. very very nice.... even the smell you could inhale for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Yamazaki 12, bought at duty free. Very interesting. Nothing like scotch at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_ Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Thought I'd bump this as I'm now about 8 months in to my concerted attempt to get into whisky. Been to a few tastings and tried quite a few miniatures. As we stand I've got a nice wee collection going, mainly by waiting until things are on offer from supermarkets: Old Pulteney 12 which is tip-top for the price. Balvenie Doublewood, probably my favourite so far. Auchentoshan Three Wood, lovely lovely stuff Glenfiddich Rich Oak, pretty woody but I like this too Aberlour 10, got it on offer at ?22, bargain at that price Highland Park 12, pretty hard work to be honest! Jura Superstition, very nice lightly peated number which I'm enjoying a great deal Jura Turas Mara, duty free unopened as yet Morlach Rare Old, expensive but really good. Sadly it's finished now! I've also tried a few Islay's but have struggled: Laphroaig 10 (too much for me), Arbeg 10 (undrinkable!), Talisker 10 (tolerable), and a Bunnahabhain which was very nice indeed. I've also tried Glenkinchie 10 (rank), Glenmorangie 10 (meh), Glenlivet and Glenfiddich 10s (ok), Macallan Gold (ok), and Singleton 10 (ok). Next on the list are a Glenfarclas, a Dalwhinnie and maybe the Balvenie Carribean Cask which sounds very nice indeed. Any other recommendations to expand my horizons? Especially interested in either travel editions (for the novelty) or maybe slightly older whiskies (say 15-18 years) which don't break the bank. Finally, any recommendations for a blend or two which are worth trying. I don't think I've ever had a blend that wasn't accompanied by a mixer (with the exception of Monkey Shoulder which was actually quite decent). If you're looking for a decent blend, try the Compass Box range. Very nice indeed. The Glendronachs are nice too if you're into sherried whisky. The 15yo keeps winning awards at the moment. Thanks for your kind words about the Mortlach, by the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambos are go! Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Enjoying a Whyte and MacKay tonight. Very drinkable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSTR Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 If you're looking for a decent blend, try the Compass Box range. Very nice indeed. The Glendronachs are nice too if you're into sherried whisky. The 15yo keeps winning awards at the moment. Thanks for your kind words about the Mortlach, by the way! I have a blend called Te Bheag which is very nice. 43% and a high percentage of it is Talisker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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