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Single Malt Scotch!

#2,401
XXL said:
I like that it's a young Highland Park expression that is non chill filtered and has a higher than usual proof for HP at 46.8%.

I'd choose the Dark Origins over the HP15.
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Noooooooooooo, don't say that! I just bought my first bottle of the HP15 yesterday!

Now you've forced my hand and I'll have to search out the Dark Origins too.

Good news though, the place I bought the 15 at had 18 for $112! I've never been able to get it for under $145, so I'll be going back there next week and picking up that bottle.

For anyone that doesn't know about it, the Highland Park 18 is one of the best affordable bottles out there.
 
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#2,402
Akami said:
Good news though, the place I bought the 15 at had 18 for $112! I've never been able to get it for under $145, so I'll be going back there next week and picking up that bottle.

For anyone that doesn't know about it, the Highland Park 18 is one of the best affordable bottles out there.
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HP18 is AMAZING - I was lucky enough to get a bottle for $120 locally once.
 
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#2,403
This makes me salivate everytime. There is a shortened version of this. If you have time watch the 50year video, its amazing.... If i ever win the lottery i may spend the $38,000 for a bottle of it.
Im pretty sure that The Balvenie is the last place in the world that still does floor maltings ....old school styles
 
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#2,404
My wife and I went to Islay a couple of years ago. This is the malting floor at the Laphroiag Distillery.
IMG_1467.JPG

Floor malting may not be as rare as you'd think.
 
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#2,410
Akami said:
is also a nice everyday scotch.
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Thats my problem.....every day! lol
The Balvenie 12yr up here is a $100 a bottle, and for me is gone in 5 days.

Cant remember which one i tried of the Laphroaig...The 10yr Islay single malt or the Quarter cask Islay....but i didn't like it at all.....and at $86/750ml for either.....The Balvenie wins hands down, all day long for me.
For poops-and-giggles i wouldn't mind trying the Laphroig 15yr...but at $185, i think i would stick with The Balvenie 14yr Caribbean cask at $140
 
#2,411
Toolmybass said:
Thats my problem.....every day! lol
The Balvenie 12yr up here is a $100 a bottle, and for me is gone in 5 days.

Cant remember which one i tried of the Laphroaig...The 10yr Islay single malt or the Quarter cask Islay....but i didn't like it at all.....and at $86/750ml for either.....The Balvenie wins hands down, all day long for me.
For poops-and-giggles i wouldn't mind trying the Laphroig 15yr...but at $185, i think i would stick with The Balvenie 14yr Caribbean cask at $140
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Ouch! You drink too fast and I can't believe that your $65 Balvenie 12 is $100!

Many people will never like any Islay, and Laphroaig has certain aspects that makes it one of the worst offenders! I love Laphroaig but it was not a good relationship the first few days after it followed me home.

I'd say you should just avoid stuff from Islay until you've had the chance to sample them and find if your tastes change. Speyside and Highland sounds like you should definitely be liking the Balvenie 15 and Macallans Platinum.
 
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#2,413
Akami said:
Ouch! You drink too fast and I can't believe that your $65 Balvenie 12 is $100!

Many people will never like any Islay, and Laphroaig has certain aspects that makes it one of the worst offenders! I love Laphroaig but it was not a good relationship the first few days after it followed me home.

I'd say you should just avoid stuff from Islay until you've had the chance to sample them and find if your tastes change. Speyside and Highland sounds like you should definitely be liking the Balvenie 15 and Macallans Platinum.
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The best part about Islay and especially Laphroiag is that casual "let me drink your scotch" people will not get past the aroma so you only have to share with true lovers of scotch.
 
#2,415
smperry said:
Yeah, take your time to enjoy it @Toolmybass :)
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I've got some of the cut Glencairns and I use the bottom of the engraving to set my fill line. Seems like my friends want to pour up to the middle of the belly, which is easily double what I'm normally pouring, but I think that a lot of the drink just ends up being nothing but consumed volume.

Yeah, take your time and enjoy it thoroughly, not just the drinking part, but enjoy the aromatic side of scotch too.

I just got some additional work lined up today and I'm going back to pick up that Highland Park 18 and locating a bottle of Balvenie 15 next week!
 
#2,416
Boristhespyder said:
The best part about Islay and especially Laphroaig is that casual "let me drink your scotch" people will not get past the aroma so you only have to share with true lovers of scotch.
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I always tell them not to drink any, especially with Islay, until their nose has grown accustomed to it. Had many first time drinkers like Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin when they take their time before the first sip.
 
#2,417
Toolmybass said:
Thats my problem.....every day! lol
The Balvenie 12yr up here is a $100 a bottle, and for me is gone in 5 days.

Cant remember which one i tried of the Laphroaig...The 10yr Islay single malt or the Quarter cask Islay....but i didn't like it at all.....and at $86/750ml for either.....The Balvenie wins hands down, all day long for me.
For poops-and-giggles i wouldn't mind trying the Laphroig 15yr...but at $185, i think i would stick with The Balvenie 14yr Caribbean cask at $140
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Yikes! And Canada and Scotland being commonwealth mates, you'd think there'd be a friends and family discount. :)

Here the Laphroaig 10 yr is under $50 and the quarter cask is under $60, tax included.

I love Islay whiskeys. The Ardbeg 10 is also quite reasonable, under $50, and the Bowmore 12 in the $60 - $65 range.

One of my favorites though is the Bruichladdich 15 - a bit spendy and hard to come by, here anyway.
 
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#2,418
Akami said:
I always tell them not to drink any, especially with Islay, until their nose has grown accustomed to it. Had many first time drinkers like Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin when they take their time before the first sip.
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Agree. I mainly try to dissuade people like my ex son outlaw who wanted some just because he thought it was expensive and downed it like he was doing shots at Ye Olde Stumble Inn.

The look of shock and nausea was almost worth it.
 
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#2,419
Akami said:
Yeah, take your time and enjoy it thoroughly, not just the drinking part, but enjoy the aromatic side of scotch too.
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smperry said:
Yeah, take your time to enjoy it @Toolmybass :)
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Oh don't worry i take my time....It takes me an hour to have a couple ounces. But then i will have two or three of those at a sitting. Its just too good lol
 
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#2,420
A friend of mine invited me to an "around the world" whisky/whiskey tasting last Friday night. One the scotch front, we had Dalwhinnie 15 (a solid choice!), but the spirit which really grabbed my attention was this guy:

IMG_8367_zpswew5y7oq.jpg


Lots to love about the Yamazaki!
 
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