The OCUK Whisky (and Whiskey) review thread

dl8860 · 3 Feb 2017 at 11:59

CHokKA said:
I'm back on my usual favourite, Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I haven't had a bottle in a while and got one for Christmas, and I've missed it! It's such a complex whisky for the price. I also received a bottle of Balvenie Caribbean Cask, which is finished off in rum barrels. That's a lovely whisky as well!

And I'm still making my way through my bottle of 30yr Laphroaig. It's still as good as ever!

Managed to get a bottle of QC for £24 off amazon a few months back, couldn't believe my luck. Has lasted me forever too, so potent!

Moobert · 4 Feb 2017 at 13:21

This arrived last week from being bought before Christmas. Dont know when i will get around to trying it.

uploading images

Angus02 · 25 Feb 2017 at 11:15

Looking to get a bottle for a 40th Birthday with budget up to £50 - anything that I should go for ?

Bickaxe · 25 Feb 2017 at 11:34

Lots of choice up to that price band.
Do you know the drinkers tastes?

Angus02 · 25 Feb 2017 at 12:07

He is not a usual whisky drinker so anything really but would probably want to stay clear of anything that is too much of an acquired taste.

aceface57 · 25 Feb 2017 at 18:14

Fairly new to whisky, but this is what i'm currently drinking.

Illgresi · 26 Feb 2017 at 00:36

Angus02 said:
Looking to get a bottle for a 40th Birthday with budget up to £50 - anything that I should go for ?

Clynelish 14 is probably the best sub-£50 bottle you can get imo.

Egon · 2 Mar 2017 at 12:41

Got a voucher for my birthday so was going to put it towards a nice bottle - was thinking £50 limit.

Last bottle I had was an Ancnon 12yo which I thought was lovely. I was considering an Arberlour 12yo non-chilled filtered this time around (which can be had for a bit cheaper than 50) but open to suggestions around the 50 mark.

the_r_sole · 2 Mar 2017 at 22:56

there's a second edition of the Laddie 10 from bruichladdich to be had around the 50 quid mark, had a bottle last weekend and it was very good

Egon · 3 Mar 2017 at 11:17

Well, I did a bit of reading and 2 whiskies jumped out at me, couldn't decide so bought them both for a little over £60. So instead of 1 bottle for £50, I got 2 for £60. I went for these:

Glen Grant 10yo - for the price it is very well reviewed and recommended just about everywhere I looked. I haven't tried too many Speyside whiskys either.

Four Roses Small Batch - because I love a good bourbon and I'm yet to try this one. By all accounts it comes highly recommended.

Ahleckz · 3 Mar 2017 at 22:18

Spoilt for choice tonight!

bsoltan · 4 Mar 2017 at 20:40

I went to a whisky tasting organised by Birmingham Whisky today. Lots of excellent whisky to try, made a list of the ones I got a sample of. Good day out if anyone's thought of doing it.

I'm really a fan of the Ardmore so started with something I like, then I just tried everything I'd never had or heard of. Some great stuff, now to see how they're priced online..

Doctor McNinja · 30 Mar 2017 at 01:47

Just snagged a bottle of Bowmore Darkest 15 for a good price. I haven't had Bowmore in years. I keep on hearing how the Darkest 15 has hints of Chocolate, which has intrigued me.

Ahleckz said:
Spoilt for choice tonight!

*snip

How did the 8 Y.O. compare to the 16?

One More Solo · 1 Apr 2017 at 07:37

Wee Dram Fest tickets on sale if anyone is keen. 21 October.

hanluc · 4 Apr 2017 at 13:49

Bought some Johnny walker Red label from asda as it was on offer, horrible stuff. Has that twang to it that bells & teachers has. Does the blue and black label have the same sort of taste? That twang to it, if you know what I'm talking about.

dl8860 · 5 Apr 2017 at 11:27

hanluc said:
Bought some Johnny walker Red label from asda as it was on offer, horrible stuff. Has that twang to it that bells & teachers has. Does the blue and black label have the same sort of taste? That twang to it, if you know what I'm talking about.

I've not had Red, but I know what you mean and they don't. Black is definitely worth the price over Red (£25 most places), Blue is a different matter (£100+).

Lupis · 5 Apr 2017 at 20:52

hanluc said:
Bought some Johnny walker Red label from asda as it was on offer, horrible stuff. Has that twang to it that bells & teachers has. Does the blue and black label have the same sort of taste? That twang to it, if you know what I'm talking about.

Red is a mixer drink aimed at the international market. Black is the best value from the JW range, it's drinkable neat and is inoffensive, it can also often be had in the £22-£25 range which is not tooo bad, although you can sometimes get Old Pulteney on offer for the same amount and that is a much better whisky.

Gribs · 9 Apr 2017 at 16:51

Lupis said:
Red is a mixer drink aimed at the international market. Black is the best value from the JW range, it's drinkable neat and is inoffensive, it can also often be had in the £22-£25 range which is not tooo bad, although you can sometimes get Old Pulteney on offer for the same amount and that is a much better whisky.

For me the best cheap blend is Ballantines. I was very impressed with a bottle of 9 year old Bowmore that I picked up for £15 in Asda. Old Pulteney is well regarded but to my taste it's awful. I've tried some of the older expressions and they're just as bad. Saltiness just doesn't work for me in a whisky but I guess some could love it the same as I do peat flavours.

DodgeeRascal · 17 May 2017 at 10:39

Just ordered some Suntory Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve & Suntory Hibiki

The Yamazaki has been my favorite to date at the ~£50 mark and not seen any on the shelves over the last 6 months or so. Both the rainforest and whisky exchange limiting to 1 per customer at the moment.

krooton · 17 May 2017 at 14:59

Got a litre of Balvenie Triple Cask plus 2 Balvenie whisky glasses for £30 on my recent cruise