Laphroaig cask strength batch #16 has been knocked down in price all over the place so it's definitely Laphroaig clearing out excess stock. That price of £42 is the lowest I've seen and tremendous value even if #16 isn't the best of the releases. Ledaig 18 is a favourite dram of mine.
The OCUK Whisky (and Whiskey) review thread
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It’s a bit of a shame really because Springbank has got all trendy now. People like ralfy promoting it has made their sales shoot through the roof and they can’t make enough of it.
I’m a Society member but it does not guarantee you access to bottles. The Local Barley is never offered for ballot through the society but we do get advance notification of when the bottles will be released so if you’re high up on the list with your usual supplier, you’ll probably get a bottle. We do get access to Society only bottlings but these usually go to ballot although you do have a good chance of getting one.
Have you opened your bottle?
Is it the same stuff as this?
Ardnamurchan AD/Heritage Barley Release | Highland Single Malt Whisky | 59.2% ABV | 70cl | Made Using 100% Unpeated Golden Promise Malted Barley | Crafted in Scotland by Ardnamurchan Distillery : Amazon.co.uk: Grocery
Ardnamurchan AD/Heritage Barley Release | Highland Single Malt Whisky | 59.2% ABV | 70cl | Made Using 100% Unpeated Golden Promise Malted Barley | Crafted in Scotland by Ardnamurchan Distillery : Amazon.co.uk: Grocery
www.amazon.co.uk
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Certainly looks like the Ardnamurchan he was talking about. Not to be confused with SB.
That's the Ardnamurchan I got.
This is the Springbank Local Barley:
An few bottles at Xmas. Had the Winters Gold before but not the Isle of Harris.
I've sampled quite a few over December with some works nights out and a Whisky advent calendar. Some stand outs for me:
Meikle Toir - The Sherry One (Glenallachie) - only a £45 bottle, but loved it, one to try if you are more into the Sherry casks
Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke - A grower, didnt do a whole lot in the first sip but builds nicely
Glenglassaugh Torfa - Peaty, bourbon which I normally dislike, but this one worked well
As a lifelong whiskey and mixer drinker I just opened a my very first Laphroaig 10 year and honestly, I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't notes of hospital and wet cigarette ash.. 
Honestly, I still think I'm being pranked!
Honestly, I still think I'm being pranked!
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As a lifelong whiskey and mixer drinker I just opened a my very first Laphroaig 10 year and honestly, I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't notes of hospital and wet cigarette ash..
Honestly, I still think I'm being pranked!
Usually descriptions are misleading, but with quite a few Laphroaigs they're accurate. I need to be in the mood for it, but it is definitely a drink you notice you're having, in a good way.
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Was that a Girvan 15? I've just polished a 20cl bottle of that off over Christmas and it was a stunning dram.
No, it's for real. Check what this video mentions just 32 seconds in!As a lifelong whiskey and mixer drinker I just opened a my very first Laphroaig 10 year and honestly, I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't notes of hospital and wet cigarette ash..
Honestly, I still think I'm being pranked!
Personally, I love the iodine notes but I never buy the standard 40% 10 year old now. The cask strength 10 year old is often on sale and is my go to now. I'm drinking batch 16 and it's 58.5% so it's got so much more flavour. It's not my strongest Laphroaig though. That comes from an independent bottling of a single cask by Berry Bros & Rudd. Laphroaig from independent bottlers is called Williamson and this cask was bottled at 61.8% with little filtering* and no colouring added. One reviewer described it this way: "It's a force of nature this bottle, an absolute force of nature."
Williamson 2014 BR - Ratings and reviews - Whiskybase
Williamson 2014 BR 07 yr. Bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd. This is the 700 ml from 2014. The strength of this whisky is 61.8 % Vol. A bottle from Laphroaig
www.whiskybase.com
*I've never seen so many bits of wood in a bottle before!
Yes, that's the one! I picked up a Cadenhead's Whisky Shop Set from auction so I've got a 20cl bottle here waiting for the next time I have a whisky tasting with some friends.
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I’ve got that set myself but not tried the others yet although I can’t actually remember what’s in there. I’m going to hunt down a 70cl bottle of that Girvan though - I really enjoyed it.
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Buy a tasting set or a bunch of miniatures from some different distilleries. Master of Malt is a good site to try. You do pay more per ml, but it's better than buying 700ml of something you don't want any more of.
For single malt, Talisker 10, £33 on Amazon. You simply won't find better whisky for the money. And it's the sort of liquid that is both beginner friendly but also a proper bottle.
Or if you want to dip your toes more slowly, I say get a bottle of famous grouse. It's a blend rather than single malt, but it's perfectly nice. Can get a half bottle for under a tenner in Tesco.
I remember trying Talisker once when I was younger. Absolutely hated it. I don't think I've had it since. Peaty whiskey is not really suitable for a beginner. @Lonewolf I would recommend looking through anything from Speyside. Balvenie, Aberlour or Glenfiddich would be good places to start. Maybe Old Pulteney (Highland).
But I do think getting some tasting sets is a good idea.