The OCUK Whisky (and Whiskey) review thread

dl8860 said:
Ardbeg Wee Beastie or Laphroaig 10. Both powerful and peaty, but not quite as distinguished as Laga 16. But accordingly, both more affordable.
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I find the peat very different with those - far more forward with the former more ashy and the latter more marine smoke, whilst Lag 16 is more of a fresh campfire. But I agree that they are more similar than say Bowmore or Talisker with their (to me unpleasantly) rubbery smoke!

I can honestly say I've not found anything that's really like it. Maybe try a Caol Ila? I'm not a big fan but it's usually somewhat cheaper; it's Diageo's smoke influence in Johnnie Walker.
 
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There was, back in August, a release of extra peaty caol ila. I don't think it was at your target price though. Normal caol ila is peaty and a very nice dram. Certainly better than bowmore. The worst peaty whisky I've tried was Glenfiddich Vintage. Tasted fishy to me, a horrid after palate. Eeww
 
ninjag said:
Big Peat? Never had it myself but seems to get good reviews here: https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/10738/big-peat-islay-blended-malt
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Just my 2 cents on Big Peat, I've only had the standard small batch and it was very far removed from the peated Islay single malts I've tried (Ardbeg, Laga, Laphroaig, Kilchoman). Rather than smokey, leathery, medicinal flavours, it was much more vegetal and mild. I think perhaps it's peaty in the truest sense, of actual rotten organic matter. It is quite pleasant, but an almost entirely different flavour to the punchy smokey islay single malts.
 
Barry Smalley said:
NAS Longrow is a decent enough dram for the money and even the 18 if you are fortunate enough, although you will pay for it.
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Definitely concur, I grabbed a bottle of the standard Longrow Peated for 33.60 incl fees at auction, and really enjoyed it. Very good value. Nothing spectacular but a nicely rounded sipper for sure. Relatively mild on the peat front.
 
hughtrimble said:
I find the peat very different with those - far more forward with the former more ashy and the latter more marine smoke, whilst Lag 16 is more of a fresh campfire. But I agree that they are more similar than say Bowmore or Talisker with their (to me unpleasantly) rubbery smoke!
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100% agree on every point, never heard the Talisker or Bowmore described as rubbery smoke but now I think about it that's exactly how they taste, like a 1/4 mile with a novice driver who's burned the tyres all to hell. While the Lag 16 is like being at a massive bonfire on Nov 5th.

Barry Smalley said:
NAS Longrow is a decent enough dram for the money and even the 18 if you are fortunate enough, although you will pay for it.
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I've only been able to find the 18yr and at £300 for a 70cl that's a little out of my price range although I will definitely sample a dram or two next time I find a whisky bar that stocks it. Any chance you have a link to purchase the standard Longrow somewhere? I couldn't find it on whisky exchange.

Just bought a bottle of Caol Ila 12Yr and a bottle of Big Peat at whisky exchange, never tried either before so I'm looking forward to it and will report back with my experience. Many thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
 
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£300 is taking the pee a bit. It should normally be about £100 and the NAS is about £40. Springbank tend to do a couple of releases each year and I think there’s one due at the moment, so keep your eyes peeled. Royal Mile Whiskies are usually quite good for Springbank/Mitchell’s stuff and you will also find Longrow at auction for fairly sensible money. It is out there and much much easier to find than Springbank.
You could always try Cadenheads which is always my first port of call although I find that club members and society members tend to get first pickings as we are notified before a release is made public.
Good luck with the Caol Ila. I love the stuff and if you do like it, there are many many really good independent bottlings of it.

Here is a link to a bottle of Longrow on Scotch Whisky Auctions from their most recent auction. It’s not silly money and is usually available so it’s always worth checking these sites as there are bargains to be snapped up.

www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com

The 135th Auction | Longrow Single Malt

www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com
 
My dad picked up a bottle of Dalwhinnie Winters Gold from Sainsburys for £26 on offer, which seems like a bit of a bargain.

Anyone ever tried this?

It suggests putting it in the freezer, might put it in for an hour or two and see what its like.
 
beachBOYken said:
My dad picked up a bottle of Dalwhinnie Winters Gold from Sainsburys for £26 on offer, which seems like a bit of a bargain.

Anyone ever tried this?

It suggests putting it in the freezer, might put it in for an hour or two and see what its like.
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All putting it in the freezer will do is mute the flavour... which in some cases it might be desirable. Likely to be the case if the seller recommends it!
 
beachBOYken said:
Yeah it says it on the side of the box to try it from freezer. Seen a few reviews also mentioned it’s good chilled.
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I've not tried the winter's gold, but if it is anything like the 15 it won't really have much flavour going on at all, so sticking it in the freezer won't do any real harm as there won't be much there to be deadened by the cold anyway. The whole freeze it thing is really just a marketing gimmick aimed at those who tend to take their whisky with ice, ie a reasonable section of the American market.

If you are really interested on what freezing it does you could do a side by side and see what you think, pour a small glass and put a cap on the glass to stop the alcohol from evaporating, then stick the bottle in the freezer for however long and pour another, see how they compare.
 
Lupis said:
I've not tried the winter's gold, but if it is anything like the 15 it won't really have much flavour going on at all, so sticking it in the freezer won't do any real harm as there won't be much there to be deadened by the cold anyway. The whole freeze it thing is really just a marketing gimmick aimed at those who tend to take their whisky with ice, ie a reasonable section of the American market.

If you are really interested on what freezing it does you could do a side by side and see what you think, pour a small glass and put a cap on the glass to stop the alcohol from evaporating, then stick the bottle in the freezer for however long and pour another, see how they compare.
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It was ok cold, I’ve took it out now and will try it at rt another time. Not expecting anything special, but for £26, it’s decent.
 
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not long back from my usual trip to scotland...the ardnamurchan is one to watch out for, its superb , especially for a young whisky, once they get these up to 10 or 12 it will be sensational. it has a lovely viscosity in the glass and the mouth, a mix of peated and unpeated barley, so just a wisp of smoke, nothing overpowering or phenolic

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If anyone is a wine society member and fancies something a bit special, they've just released another of their reserve cask specials


33yo highland malt, sherry cask aged. And a true sherry cask at that given the wine society's history. You can read a bit about the background here

The Society's Reserve Cask Whisky Selection

This new range of aged malts has been over 30 years in the making. Find out more.
www.thewinesociety.com

I think it's good enough value at 140quid for me to have pulled the trigger (have never spent more than 70 on a bottle before), will be nice to try a whisky older than me.
 
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Master of Malt had a Cambletown drop today. Kilkerran 12 (I always pick up a bottle when it comes in), Longrow Peated (first time) and Springbank 10 (first time I've been able to get a bottle, some F5ing required) on the way.
Disappointingly all £10ish more than last year. At least they're coming with free 30ml gifts - Glenfarclas 12 & 25 and Mackmyra.
Roll on tomorrow evening's supping :)
 
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Mr109 said:
Master of Malt had a Cambletown drop today. Kilkerran 12 (I always pick up a bottle when it comes in), Longrow Peated (first time) and Springbank 10 (first time I've been able to get a bottle, some F5ing required) on the way.
Disappointingly all £10ish more than last year. At least they're coming with free 30ml gifts - Glenfarclas 12 & 25 and Mackmyra.
Roll on tomorrow evening's supping :)
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FFS,I wish I knew the Springbank was in stock! :(
 
CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
FFS,I wish I knew the Springbank was in stock! :(
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I set up an email alert. Got to it 17 minutes after the email, then a lot of refreshing eventually got one in the basket, then took 3 goes, it kept going out of stock whilst in my basket. Eventually got through. Took me back to getting a 3090fe
 
Mr109 said:
I set up an email alert. Got to it 17 minutes after the email, then a lot of refreshing eventually got one in the basket, then took 3 goes, it kept going out of stock whilst in my basket. Eventually got through. Took me back to getting a 3090fe
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I actually preferred the Springbank 10 over the Springbank 15!
 
Mr109 said:
Master of Malt had a Cambletown drop today. Kilkerran 12 (I always pick up a bottle when it comes in), Longrow Peated (first time) and Springbank 10 (first time I've been able to get a bottle, some F5ing required) on the way.
Disappointingly all £10ish more than last year. At least they're coming with free 30ml gifts - Glenfarclas 12 & 25 and Mackmyra.
Roll on tomorrow evening's supping :)
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Was that the standard 10 or the px finish one?
 
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