The OCUK Whisky (and Whiskey) review thread

broona said:
Mine arrived this morning! :D
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Cracked one of mine last night. Unbelievably accessible right out of the bottle, almost 'too' accessible for 52.4%. The flavours are fantastic, the nose has a quality that I don't really have the right words to describe, and the marriage of smoke and sweetness on the palate is masterful. But it doesn't quite have the oomph I was hoping for in terms of weight and body. It feels much closer in strength to the 48% bottlings (quarter cask, lore etc.) than the Cask Strength 10yo (58%ish). For some that might be a good thing but I think Laphroaig shines best when it threatens to singe your nostrils.
 
dl8860 said:
Cracked one of mine last night. Unbelievably accessible right out of the bottle, almost 'too' accessible for 52.4%. The flavours are fantastic, the nose has a quality that I don't really have the right words to describe, and the marriage of smoke and sweetness on the palate is masterful. But it doesn't quite have the oomph I was hoping for in terms of weight and body. It feels much closer in strength to the 48% bottlings (quarter cask, lore etc.) than the Cask Strength 10yo (58%ish). For some that might be a good thing but I think Laphroaig shines best when it threatens to singe your nostrils.
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Mine is still unopened, but it sounds like I'm in for a treat.

I've only tried the 10, QC, and the Sherry Oak, haven't tried a CS yet, so I probably won't know what I'm missing.
 
Can anyone recommend something similar to Glenmorangie nectar that's hopefully a bit cheaper?

It reminded me a little of Southern Comfort but not nearly as sickly sweet.
 
Sheff said:
Can anyone recommend something similar to Glenmorangie nectar that's hopefully a bit cheaper?

It reminded me a little of Southern Comfort but not nearly as sickly sweet.
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For that sort of drink and price, Glenmorangie is the sweet spot tbh.

It typically goes down to £30ish for 70cl at various times of the year - holiday season etc.
 
Nitefly said:
For that sort of drink and price, Glenmorangie is the sweet spot tbh.

It typically goes down to £30ish for 70cl at various times of the year - holiday season etc.
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Thanks, that doesn't sound too bad at all - the distillery gift shop wanted £79 for a 1 litre bottle.
 
Sheff said:
Thanks, that doesn't sound too bad at all - the distillery gift shop wanted £79 for a 1 litre bottle.
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Oof very expensive, you can find it in most supermarkets any day for £37-42 for the 70cl.

Iceland appears to have it for £29 on their website if that’s helpful. Drink responsibly of course! :)

As an aside, you’ll typically find that many supermarket brands run ‘limited edition’ variants, matured in different barrels. These might be fun but I generally stick with the classic 10s etc - they are the standard releases for a reason!
 
Ah, I've just taken a look and it's the 16 year "The Nectar" that I'm after.

I've picked up a bottle of their triple cask, although that 10 year is still tempting!
 
Nitefly said:
Oof very expensive, you can find it in most supermarkets any day for £37-42 for the 70cl.

Iceland appears to have it for £29 on their website if that’s helpful. Drink responsibly of course! :)

As an aside, you’ll typically find that many supermarket brands run ‘limited edition’ variants, matured in different barrels. These might be fun but I generally stick with the classic 10s etc - they are the standard releases for a reason!
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He was referring to what used to be called Nectar D'or, and is now re-invented as just 'The Nectar', which is a weird name but there we go. At £79 it sounds steep, but it's now 16 years aged, and at 46% too, putting it in a different category to the classic 10 whose prices you are recalling there.

@Sheff you want to look for something else finished in Sauternes cask, or similar if you want something like that but different. You have to be careful because some whiskies finished like this do end up sweet. From my recollection Arran do a decent go of this. It comes without an age statement, but it's 50% (which you can always water down a bit if you want) and Arran make good whisky.
 
Nitefly said:
For that sort of drink and price, Glenmorangie is the sweet spot tbh.

It typically goes down to £30ish for 70cl at various times of the year - holiday season etc.
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I've really taken to Thompson Bros 8 Year Old Northern Highland Blended Malt. It's about £33 and is a mix of Clynelish and Glen Ord. Fruity yumminess!
www.dramface.com

Thompson Bros North Highland 8yo — Dramface

A take on budget whisky; Thompson Brothers style. An 8yo blended malt made up of Clynelish and Glen Ord. Ramsay delivers his thoughts and Wally can’t help but jump in with his. A full-on dual review.
www.dramface.com www.dramface.com
www.royalmilewhiskies.com

Thompson Bros 8 Year Old Northern Highland Blended Malt 44.4% 70cl

Thompson Brothers’ Northern Highlands blended malt is a homage to sustainable farming and whisky making. Sourced from two distilleries, who base their production around a 39.
www.royalmilewhiskies.com www.royalmilewhiskies.com
 
just back from a very sunny scotland as it was last week, went to Blair athol and aberfeldy distillery for the first time, popped into oban for a couple of sips at their bar ( mainly to try the new oban distillers edition and the offernamn Lagavulin)and stopped at deanston for lunch on the way home

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Has anyone tried the Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 9? Just ordered a bottle for £47 delivered, doesn't seem too bad for a limited edition, natural colour, non-chill-filtered, cask strength offering.
 
broona said:
Has anyone tried the Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch No. 9? Just ordered a bottle for £47 delivered, doesn't seem too bad for a limited edition, natural colour, non-chill-filtered, cask strength offering.
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Yes I'm 1/3 of the way through a bottle now. Previously I've had batch 5, these bottles are great value. They generally are easier to find and cheaper than the 8yr CS bottles, and just as well crafted. The conventional wisdom however is that these bottles take a long time to 'open up'. I remember on my bottle of batch 5 thinking it was a 6/10 to start with, but the last few drams from the bottle were like drinking a honeyed, grassy, malty, peaty nectar. Hoping my current bottle is undergoing a similar transformation.
 
dl8860 said:
Yes I'm 1/3 of the way through a bottle now. Previously I've had batch 5, these bottles are great value. They generally are easier to find and cheaper than the 8yr CS bottles, and just as well crafted. The conventional wisdom however is that these bottles take a long time to 'open up'. I remember on my bottle of batch 5 thinking it was a 6/10 to start with, but the last few drams from the bottle were like drinking a honeyed, grassy, malty, peaty nectar. Hoping my current bottle is undergoing a similar transformation.
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I've read a few reviews that have said something very similar, sounds like I'll have to take my time with it.
 
Barry Smalley said:
That’s generally the thing with whisky. There is no such thing as a good price - if it’s cheap, it’s cheap for a reason. :)
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I'm not sure that's necessarily the case with offers like the OP is mentioning though. Maybe if it's always bargain basement, but you can get some real gems for under 30 (or used to until recently). Like Laphroaig Quarter Cask used to be under 20 when on offer. That is cracking stuff. Arran 10 also belies its price for the quality of what you get.

I'm also rather partial to Jameson...the bog standard stuff. Always enjoyable.
 
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