Spec Me Whisky

Sharlaw

Sharlaw

Sharlaw

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Joined
4 Jul 2008
Posts
806
Location
UK - Maidenhead
Afternoon OcUK boozers.

I'm looking for a recommendation. My dad is a fan of Lagavulin, and with Christmas coming and also with him being rather seriously ill I'd like to do something special.
Some of the Distillers Edition's look good, but any advice is welcome. Also there's a lot of online shops that look a bit dodgy and would like somewhere nice a reputable to source it.

Kind Regards,
 
I don't have any recommendations but the whisky exchange is a good site for buying from.
 
Using a Whisky chart that maps various characteristics against each other can be useful. It means you can find similar whiskies.

http://www.malts.com/var/plain_site...urs/125896-16-eng-ROW/A-Guide-to-Flavours.png

Based on this, Lagavulin is fairly rich and smoky. You can keep the smokiness and go with something like Ardberg or keep the richness and get something like Balvenie Doublewood (which i've heard comes very highly regarded).

Similar whiskies are Talisker or Highland Park. The relatively new Talisker Storm might be worth a shout.
 
tom_e said:
I don't have any recommendations but the whisky exchange is a good site for buying from.
Click to expand...

Seconded.

There are several other online retailers that I've heard good things about but I can't vouch for any of them personally but I've used thewhiskyexchange many times and their prices, selection and service have always been very good. Plus, if thewhiskyexchange.com has it for a decent price, there's no reason not to buy from them. They also have a shop in London, that's a stones throw away from London Bridge, if you're in the area.

Here's a couple of links to the two Distiller's Editions that are around £65. There is other Distiller's Edition bottles on the site but they jump up to £175 and keep going.

1995 Edition - http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-15383.aspx
1996 Edition - http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-19991.aspx

I think I've used masterofmalt.com in the past, one of the sites that I've heard a lot of good stuff about. They also have the whisky's linked above but the 1995 is more expensive and the 1996 is a couple of quid cheaper but sold out. If you decide to go with something else though, the site is well worth a look.


Good luck.
 
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I don't know Lagavulin but would advise caution, I love the 18yr laphroaig but my brother hates it, too smooth and not smokey enough for him. He loves the 10yr laphroaig which tastes like paraffin and fag ash to me. Equally I have a fondness for the 16 yr aberlour but find the 10 yr aberlour more drinkable.

If he has drunk the 12 yr forever, getting him an older one may not be the revelation you expect. I'd canvass opinions from those who've tried both.
 
I've had a few Distiller's editions and they've all been good. I've had 2 of the Lagavulin ones - the 1991 and the 1994 and they were both great. The 1991 was slightly better but not (in my opinion) worth spending the extra on (was much more expensive). I've also had the Talisker 1999 distiller's edition which was also very good as was the Caol Ila 2000 distiller's edition. If he likes the Lagavulin, I can almost guarantee he'll like any of these.

As Ahleckz suggested, a budget would help us make suggestions :)
 
I've gone with the 95 Distiller's edition. Thanks for all the advice. He should love it and is well worth it :)
 
Sharlaw said:
Afternoon OcUK boozers.

I'm looking for a recommendation. My dad is a fan of Lagavulin, and with Christmas coming and also with him being rather seriously ill I'd like to do something special.
Some of the Distillers Edition's look good, but any advice is welcome. Also there's a lot of online shops that look a bit dodgy and would like somewhere nice a reputable to source it.
Click to expand...

Master of malt offer excellent service so I'd recommend them.

Lagavulin wise I've tried the recent 1996 Pedro Ximénez Finish Distillers Edition and while nice wasn't all that different to the standard 16, just a little touch of sherry. The 12 year old cask strength is excellent though, more flavour than the 16 but does lose it's smoothness.

If you want to try a different distillery then stick to Islay's south coast, both Ardbeg Uiedail and Laphroig 18 are excellent. If you really want to splash out then track down a bottle of Port Ellen, it's very special and if your dad likes Lagavulin he'll appreciate it.
 
I've had a bottle of Port Ellen back when it was much cheaper, very nice it is to. Cheapest way to get some now is Big Peat, a blend of that Ardbeg and Lagavulin and a few others.
 
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