Soldato
I enjoyed Glenallachie 12 a while back, maybe I should give the 15 a go.
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The OCUK Whisky (and Whiskey) review thread
- Thread starter Uriel
- Start date
Soldato
If you like the sound of sherried whisky (i.e. Christmas cake sort of flavours) I'd recommend Glendronach 15, otherwise for a more bourbony vanilla profile, Balvenie 12.
Good to play it safe if it's something for your dad to enjoy too, but the world of scotch whisky is all about more bold flavours so don't be afraid to try something a bit more 'interesting' like Ledaig 10, Benromach 10, Talisker 10, Kilchoman Machir Bay are all well priced and offer something more interesting.
Soldato
I just got a Glenfidditch 15 in the end, as it was on offer in Sainsburys.
Soldato
That'll do, enjoy!
Associate
Had some ridiculously good drams over the Christmas period, both as presents and tipples from friends.
Redbreast Lustau - Almost better then the 12. ALMOST. It's got a bit more body and sweetness on the finish, but I couldn't say which was better on the day.
GlenAllachie 15 - Had this before and didn't rate it but definitely warmed to the glass as it went down this time round. I wouldn't invest in a bottle as it's not quite my profile and a little too thin.
Linkwood 12 (batch 2) - Truly excellent. I don't usually get on with wine cask stuff but this was wonderfully subtle and smooth with some lovely fruit notes, especially on the finish. Will go on my list to buy next month.
Butterscotch & Vanilla & Toast & A Generation 30 Year Old - Despite the pretentious lack of branding I really, really liked it. Just went down really easy and one of the smoothest I've had in a while. Like a great Bourbon which is no surprise considering it's a grain whiskey.
Nikka Coffeey Grain - Probably the most dependable Grain dram I've ever tried. It never disappoints regardless of how I think my palate changes. Just so good.
Aber Falls Single Malt - In contrast, probably the most disgusting single malt I've ever tried. Really interesting on the nose but absolutely vile in the mouth. Tasted like burnt chocolate and green veg with a finish that's so chemically I almost gagged. One of the few glasses I've not been able to finish. A shame really as I think all the Penderyns are great and was excited to see what else the Welsh could offer.
Octomore 12.2 - Me and a pal went halves on a bottle a few years back and save it for when he's back at Christmas and as always it proves itself worthy of the pricetag. Simply one of the best I've ever tried.
Redbreast Lustau - Almost better then the 12. ALMOST. It's got a bit more body and sweetness on the finish, but I couldn't say which was better on the day.
GlenAllachie 15 - Had this before and didn't rate it but definitely warmed to the glass as it went down this time round. I wouldn't invest in a bottle as it's not quite my profile and a little too thin.
Linkwood 12 (batch 2) - Truly excellent. I don't usually get on with wine cask stuff but this was wonderfully subtle and smooth with some lovely fruit notes, especially on the finish. Will go on my list to buy next month.
Butterscotch & Vanilla & Toast & A Generation 30 Year Old - Despite the pretentious lack of branding I really, really liked it. Just went down really easy and one of the smoothest I've had in a while. Like a great Bourbon which is no surprise considering it's a grain whiskey.
Nikka Coffeey Grain - Probably the most dependable Grain dram I've ever tried. It never disappoints regardless of how I think my palate changes. Just so good.
Aber Falls Single Malt - In contrast, probably the most disgusting single malt I've ever tried. Really interesting on the nose but absolutely vile in the mouth. Tasted like burnt chocolate and green veg with a finish that's so chemically I almost gagged. One of the few glasses I've not been able to finish. A shame really as I think all the Penderyns are great and was excited to see what else the Welsh could offer.
Octomore 12.2 - Me and a pal went halves on a bottle a few years back and save it for when he's back at Christmas and as always it proves itself worthy of the pricetag. Simply one of the best I've ever tried.
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Soldato
its like christmas in a glass, its gloriously rich and almost succulent in the glass..at 52% its very warming
but just a touch of water opens it up so much, lots of dark fruit , as smooth as silk and a long finish
it will be drunk sparingly..but thats fine as I have plenty to be going on with
along with something new courtesy of my wife..she does like an indie bottler so a sherried glenallachie finsihed in a tawny port barique, big cask strength and a small run of bottles from what was a 500 litre sherry cask
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Associate
Tried the Ardbeg 10 last night for the first time in years and really didn't take to it as much as I have in the past. The flattest peat I've tried for an age with nothing interesting to speak of. Going to be a back of the cupboard reject I feel. Think I'm slowly getting more and more disenchanted by Ardbeg. So much of what I've tried is flat, one dimensional and very thin. I don't know why you'd pick the 10 up for instance when you can get the Port Charlotte Heavily Peated for pretty much the same price. It has so much more to offer imo.
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I guess people's tastes change, but i have noticed other distillery offerings not be what i remember them to be, for example Glenfiddich 18 and Bunnahabhain 12/18 to name a couple (and there are others too). In the case of the former they use a solera vat system so some drift seems inevitable, but why the Bunna's changed idk. Quality of barley? Quality of barrels? Position in the maturation warehouse? Shift in net ambient temperatures affecting warehouse climate? Presumably all of these (and more) can be having an effect. It's a shame though when a good thing shifts, and when you have different bottles side-by-side you can reasonably conclude it's not just distorted memory. It's happening a lot these days with other goods too. Anyone tried the new galaxy chocolate recipe? Boggin.
Associate
Aye it's a shame, that's for sure. The Bunnahabhain stuff I've never really gotten on with tbh, a take my Dad despises as it's his hill to die on, much as Port Charlotte is to me (though I've genuinely never spoke to anyone who hasn't found at least one Port Charlotte they've not gotten on with).
Soldato
Had a whisky tasting set at a Japanese restaurant last weekend. I generally stick to scotch, but when I'm Rome of course. I was boozed enough to not even remember what was in the set of 3 (maybe a yamazaki and a hibiki), but all slipped down an absolute treat. I've actually actively avoided Japanese because it comes in a bit more expensive that scotch and I'm still spoilt for choice with scotch options. But damn that was some tasty whisky.
Also had a dram of Wemyss malts spice King in the airport last night. Barman couldn't find it on the menu so charged me the chepeast price on the menu he could find (not that it's a particularly expensive dram, but still), and poured me a double when I asked for a single too. Brilliantly balanced number, not what you'd call earth shattering but an absolute pleasure to drink, spent the whole flight hankering for another.
Also had a dram of Wemyss malts spice King in the airport last night. Barman couldn't find it on the menu so charged me the chepeast price on the menu he could find (not that it's a particularly expensive dram, but still), and poured me a double when I asked for a single too. Brilliantly balanced number, not what you'd call earth shattering but an absolute pleasure to drink, spent the whole flight hankering for another.
Associate
Broke in my dad's bottle of Glenglassaugh Torfa. It's OK, very blunted, peaty single malt. Not sure that I'd buy myself a bottle as it lacks a bit of character, but it's nice enough.
Had an overnighter in Dornoch, stayed in the Dornoch Castle Hotel with it's rather excellent little whisky bar, and thought I'd treat myself to a bottle of their in house Thompson Bros whiskies whilst I was there.
Tried a few I've never tried before, a very enjoyable Isle of Raasay single malt, my favourite Bunnahabhain 12, a surprisingly nice Ardbeg 10, and a couple of the Thompson Bros specials, excellent night.
After my trip North of the border, I've got a hankering for something peaty again.
I've had a bottle of Caol Ila 12 that I enjoyed once I got half way through, the Ardbeg 10 I tried in Dornoch was really nice, any recommendations that won't break the bank please? Cheers.
I was looking at the Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks, Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire, Laphroaig 10 (tried it 30yrs ago and hated it, perhaps time for another go?), or the Port Charlotte in no particular order, open to other suggestions too.
Tried a few I've never tried before, a very enjoyable Isle of Raasay single malt, my favourite Bunnahabhain 12, a surprisingly nice Ardbeg 10, and a couple of the Thompson Bros specials, excellent night.
After my trip North of the border, I've got a hankering for something peaty again.
I've had a bottle of Caol Ila 12 that I enjoyed once I got half way through, the Ardbeg 10 I tried in Dornoch was really nice, any recommendations that won't break the bank please? Cheers.
I was looking at the Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks, Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire, Laphroaig 10 (tried it 30yrs ago and hated it, perhaps time for another go?), or the Port Charlotte in no particular order, open to other suggestions too.
Associate
I've tried most of the peats you've mentioned and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Port Charlotte 10 is absolutely the best peated Whisky you can get for less then £70 imo. It's just so characterful and the peat compliments everything you get from it.
The Laphroaig is nice and it's often on offer, same with the Ardbeg but I personally detest the 10 and would take the Wee Beastie over it any day. If big peat flavor isn't your thing then I recommend the Penderyn peated or maybe one of the older Loch Lomonds, both of which can be had for a decent price if you shop around.
Associate
Only a week until we start out 4 day tour of Speyside. Getting quite excited now. Booked into a few of the bars in Edinburgh also.
Aye it's lovely. I find the 10 just so muted and clinical for a peated.
Aye it's lovely. I find the 10 just so muted and clinical for a peated.
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Thanks for the reply, I've just ordered the Port Charlotte on S&S for £39, and I'm going to wander along to Tesco as they've got the Laphroaig 10 on offer at £30, thanks for the other recommendations too.