The OCUK Whisky (and Whiskey) review thread

ik9000 said:
Have you tried Glenfiddich Vintage out of interest? It's a peated Glenfiddich, but also IMO somewhat odd in flavour and lacking as a result. There seems to be a good way to add peat and a bad way. I don't know enough about the details of how they're doing it to comment in any detail but I also thought the peated Kilchomann lacked something. I didn't think the Sanaig was the peated one though, I'll have to look up which one was their heavy peat offering.
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I haven't no. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't complaining about the Sanaig, I actually think it's rather good!
 
Illgresi said:
Evening all, wanted to share a sneak peek at a spreadsheet I've been working on. Currently have every single malt, core range product in, plus a few selected others. I've taken the ratings from Whiskybase to produce this, however there are certainly criticisms of that site (I have a list). For me, aggregating as many as possible opinions on something as subjective as the enjoyment of whisky is the only way to approach an objective opinion. Whiskybase is the only site I know with the depth of data. I have created a value figure based on this rating, along with ABV and price. This is a work in progress and I'm actively gaining opinions through the Aqvavitae (if you haven't checked out the Aqvavitae youtube channel go do so right now!) community, on ways to improve the sheet. I haven't released it as yet, as I'm working on an interactive dashboard, but thought you all might be interested in some of the raw data.

I plan on having a price guide on the dashboard, which will be the main tool, but will also have distillery information (including a list of bottlings), and anything else the community suggests. Really interested to hear your feedback and questions.













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I had a look at the spreadsheets before reading what you said (what can I say, I like spreadsheets. And whisky!) and was going to ask if you were, per chance, a barfly. But I see now you are indeed!
 
Roadrunner_668 said:
what do we think of johnny walker black label vs red label ? worth the extra ? :)
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Yes IMO. the blacks have a bit more smokey side to them. Red is the basic one but being a blend is smooth and inoffensive. It's ok as things go.
red NAS -> gold NAS (sweeter) -> green (15yo) -> 18yo -> blue
"----------> double black NAS -> black (12yo)--------------->blue
 
Roadrunner_668 said:
what do we think of johnny walker black label vs red label ? worth the extra ? :)
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JW red is very much a drink designed for mixing. The Black, although not great, is a far better drink if you want something to have neat. It can often be had on offers for £20, it's that on Amazon at the moment although it is out of stock. You can still order it at that now, if you want to try it and aren't in a hurry. It's probably worth that, but personally I wouldn't pay more for it. The green is often on offer for £28-£30 and would be my choice if I were buying one from their range.
 
we have a bottle of JW my wife got given as a thank you. A quick rummage in the cupboard and turns out it's a gold reserve. One to try at some point. Also turns out we have a highland park and a random bottle of something I can't determine hiding that I didn't know about. Nice to be surprised!
 
I'm looking for some recommendations for a bottle for my dad's 60th soon.

His tastes are firmly in the Speyside/Highland malts - typically Glenmorangie is his go-to, also Glendronach and Balvenie. No peat or smoke. He was also into Macallan a good few years back but they discontinued the bottle.

Can anyone recommend something with a similar profile?
 
Pen66 said:
I'm looking for some recommendations for a bottle for my dad's 60th soon.

His tastes are firmly in the Speyside/Highland malts - typically Glenmorangie is his go-to, also Glendronach and Balvenie. No peat or smoke. He was also into Macallan a good few years back but they discontinued the bottle.

Can anyone recommend something with a similar profile?
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well, before moving to other distilleries for a gift why not play it safe, but different variation from a place he likes? Below is an affordable and interesting variation on the theme, and I find port finishes are generally quite pleasant and interesting.
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/49356/glenmorangie-quinta-ruban-14-year-old-port-finish
For a different distillery on a similar theme the Tomatin 14yo port finish is also delicious, but not quite as citrus fruity in the palate as the typical Glenmorangie.
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/33703/tomatin-14-year-old-tawny-port-finish

The port finish adds sweetness/extra flavour complexity similar to how a sherry finish often does, but in a different, and to my taste at least, more balanced way. A lot of the Macallans are sherried so if he liked those then something with a port/sherry finish should be a reasonable bet. 14yo is a good point for a gift. Not crazy money but suitable enough for a present. Of course if you want to spend more then let us know your target budget and we can have a hunt for something even more luxurious though the price:age curve is somewhat exponential so things can quickly ramp up.
 
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I am enjoying a 26yo Bunnahabhain. I've had it three nights in a row now and taste new things every time. Tonight after some delicious homemade chocolate fudge I'm really noticing the subtle peat hints for the first time (and I do mean subtle, hardly there at all) right at the back of the malty taste. Yesterday I was really hit by the fruits and salt but I can only conclude the fudge has flattened those out a bit for me tonight. I guess never give something just one tasting if you have the opportunity to try it again!
 
Pen66 said:
I'm looking for some recommendations for a bottle for my dad's 60th soon.

His tastes are firmly in the Speyside/Highland malts - typically Glenmorangie is his go-to, also Glendronach and Balvenie. No peat or smoke. He was also into Macallan a good few years back but they discontinued the bottle.

Can anyone recommend something with a similar profile?
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Glenfarclas have very good, and affordable, whiskies. I like the 15, but their 25 and 30 are really very reasonably priced in the context of similar age whiskies. Of course, older doesn't necessarily mean better, so it's worth checking out some reviews and seeing if the tastes that develop over time will suit his palate.
 
Pen66 said:
I'm looking for some recommendations for a bottle for my dad's 60th soon.

His tastes are firmly in the Speyside/Highland malts - typically Glenmorangie is his go-to, also Glendronach and Balvenie. No peat or smoke. He was also into Macallan a good few years back but they discontinued the bottle.

Can anyone recommend something with a similar profile?
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It might help people to narrow it down if you gave a price range you'd like it to be in, and if there are any you have already ruled out, as he's already had them or the like.

But just going on what you have said so far check out the GlenAllachie range, if he likes GlenDronach.
 
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our local post office has JW blue for £135 which seems a very good price in general, nevermind for a little corner shop! I thought it was usually much more than that, or am I just too used to London prices?
 
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