Single Malt Scotch!

[Vic]

I might be mistaking it for something else, as I did not purchase it or see the packaging, but I believe I have tried one of the Old Engine Oils you linked. It was terrible. One of the worst liquids I've ever had the displeasure of having in my mouth.

I figure it might be an ugly brew, but I have to try it. Adjectives like "interesting" are used often instead of "delicious", so I'm prepared.

Yes, this stuff is based on the Old Engine Oil, but it's not exactly the same thing. Results may be the same tho.

 

[Smallequestrian]

I had some natural light (or what passed for natural light after 72 hours straight of rain) and my g/f's camera so I took a couple of pics of my newest Bongo. During the process I spied my Single Malts out of the corner of my eye and noticed that Envy Green is almost I identical to Laphroig (My main drink) Green. Thought it would make good content for this thread.

 

[fitbass3p]

I had some natural light (or what passed for natural light after 72 hours straight of rain) and my g/f's camera so I took a couple of pics of my newest Bongo. During the process I spied my Single Malts out of the corner of my eye and noticed that Envy Green is almost I identical to Laphroig (My main drink) Green. Thought it would make good content for this thread.

It took exactly one sip of Laphroaig to permanently dissuade me from ever trying another Islay. *GAH*

P.S. Very nice bass, even if your taste in scotch is terrible.

 

[Masher88]

It took exactly one sip of Laphroaig to permanently dissuade me from ever trying another Islay. *GAH*

P.S. Very nice bass, even if your taste in scotch is terrible.

My sentiments exactly...on both accounts (bass and scotch!) HAHA
I have had a bottle of Laphroig with 2 shots outta it still sitting on my bar for months now!

 

[Smallequestrian]

My sentiments exactly...on both accounts (bass and scotch!) HAHA
I have had a bottle of Laphroig with 2 shots outta it still sitting on my bar for months now!

Good, more Bongos and more Laphroig for me then!

 

[Vic]

Good, more Bongos and more Laphroig for me then!

LOL!

Hey, if you want a smoother version of Laphroaig, get a Lagavulin. I like it better. Islays aren't my favorite scotches, but I do really like them a lot.

 

[Smallequestrian]

LOL!

Hey, if you want a smoother version of Laphroaig, get a Lagavulin. I like it better. Islays aren't my favorite scotches, but I do really like them a lot.

Oh I am well aware, I was avoiding Lagavulin for a long time knowing that I would probably love it. I finally had it for the first time a few months ago, and it was everything I thought it would be. Its just a little more expensive than I like, so the Laphroig is more of a daily drinker* or the old standby and the Lagavulin is more like a special treat.

Also, on another Lagavulin related note. There is an outstanding beer that is of limited availability that was aged in old Lagavulin barrels, its like the perfect blend of scotch and beer, my two loves. I cannot remember the name of it though, but its definitely a party in the mouth.


*As much as I love it, I really don't even come close to drinking Scoth everyday in fact at the current rate the 6 current bottles may last another 8 years Of course this winter will help up my consumption.

 

[flakeh]

LOL!

Hey, if you want a smoother version of Laphroaig, get a Lagavulin. I like it better. Islays aren't my favorite scotches, but I do really like them a lot.

+1 on lagavulin, although who needs a smooth version os Laphroaig?

 

[Vic]

+1 on lagavulin, although who needs a smooth version os Laphroaig?

Good point, which is why I pretty much never say one scotch is categorically better than another (beyond fundamental quality, at least, but that doesn't really apply to a lot of what we're talking about in this thread), 'cause it's so subjective. I also have a bottle of the Laphroaig, and I do enjoy it, but I hit it less often.

 

[Vic]

Also, on another Lagavulin related note. There is an outstanding beer that is of limited availability that was aged in old Lagavulin barrels, its like the perfect blend of scotch and beer, my two loves. I cannot remember the name of it though, but its definitely a party in the mouth.

Really? I just bought some stuff that was aged in Highland Park casks, didn't know others were doing the same. Could you (re)find that info and PM me a link?

*As much as I love it, I really don't even come close to drinking Scoth everyday in fact at the current rate the 6 current bottles may last another 8 years Of course this winter will help up my consumption.

I'm also not a super regular sipper. Most days I don't drink any, so yeah, I have a pretty decent collection for what I spend in a given year just 'cause I drink it so slowly. It also helps me justify spending over $200 on a bottle... 'cause I know it'll be with me for at least a year or two... or maybe even much more.

 

[BartmanPDX]

Laphroaig is pretty much like the Guinness Stout of single malts. It's powerful and it's not for everyone, but you will find many devoted fans.

I'm more of a Lagavulin guy myself (what it lacks in the sheer power of Laphroaig it makes up in complexity and smoothness, IMO), but I don't drink the Islays every day. To do so would make me lose my taste for the more delicate malts, IMO. Kind of like eating spicy food all the time makes you lose your taste for more delicate foods.

Recipe for a good evening:

 

[tombowlus]

IME/IMHO, Lagavulin lacks none of the power or complexity of Laphroaig. In fact, I find it to be a more full, and rich scotch. But it is gobs smoother, which I like.

 

[Vic]

Laphroaig is pretty much like the Guinness Stout of single malts. It's powerful and it's not for everyone, but you will find many devoted fans.

+1

I'm more of a Lagavulin guy myself (what it lacks in the sheer power of Laphroaig it makes up in complexity and smoothness, IMO), but I don't drink the Islays every day. To do so would make me lose my taste for the more delicate malts, IMO. Kind of like eating spicy food all the time makes you lose your taste for more delicate foods.

At least for me, the opposite is true... as long as we assume we wouldn't be doing both in close proximity to each other.

Actually, one of the reasons I DO like the Laphroaig is to break things up and go to that other extreme. It's a great departure, and at least IME, it helps me appreciate the other stuff even more (and by contrast, drinking other stuff helps me avoid being desensitized to the Laphroaig, so it's just as impressive each time as the first).

I have a VERY conservative collection, but I try to keep it fairly diverse for this exact reason.

Recipe for a good evening:

AGREED!!!!

 

[Vic]

IME/IMHO, Lagavulin lacks none of the power or complexity of Laphroaig. In fact, I find it to be a more full, and rich scotch. But it is gobs smoother, which I like.

At least IMHO, I think he's mainly talking about that bite the Laphroaig has. The Lagavulin defnitely does not have that. Not to say either one is lacking anything, but there's definitely a stark difference between the two (as I know you know).

 

[BartmanPDX]

At least IMHO, I think he's mainly talking about that bite the Laphroaig has. The Lagavulin defnitely does not have that.

That's pretty much what I was getting at, though I worded it poorly. Lagavulin has perhaps the most rich and complex flavor profile of any single malt, but it doesn't have quite the sharp bite of the Laphroaig. Lagavulin uses sherry casks which balance the sheer Islay power with the sweetness, complexity and smoothness that comes from sherry barreling (a la Macallan). I think the 6 extra years in the cask also contribute to the smoothness and the complexity. The Laphroaig, by comparison, is a little more "in your face" at the beginning and rougher around the edges.

Speaking of bite, the most peppery malt I've ever tried is Talisker. Not my favorite, but I've picked it out at a blind tasting before. Unique.

 

[Vic]

That's pretty much what I was getting at, though I worded it poorly. Lagavulin has perhaps the most rich and complex flavor profile of any single malt, but it doesn't have quite the sharp bite of the Laphroaig. Lagavulin uses sherry casks which balance the sheer Islay power with the sweetness, complexity and smoothness that comes from sherry barreling (a la Macallan). I think the 6 extra years in the cask also contribute to the smoothness and the complexity. The Laphroaig, by comparison, is a little more "in your face" at the beginning and rougher around the edges.

I generally agree on the age/smoothness thing, and I'll have to double check, but I think the Laphroaig I have is the 15 and it's still got a much stronger bite than the Lagavulin, but I'll get back to y'all on that. FYI.

 

[Mark Reccord]

You can take the Islay malts for me. I don't mind the odd Lagavulin but I can't go Laphroaig at all.

I did drink an entire bottle of Cragganmore at my stag party the other night, though....

I'm also fond of Highland Park and Balvenie Founder's Reserve or Doublewood. All three are a really good bang for the buck.

 

[fitbass3p]

You can take the Islay malts for me. I don't mind the odd Lagavulin but I can't go Laphroaig at all.

I did drink an entire bottle of Cragganmore at my stag party the other night, though....

I'm also fond of Highland Park and Balvenie Founder's Reserve or Doublewood. All three are a really good bang for the buck.

I finally got around to buying a bottle of the Balvennie Doublewood, I'm hoping to crack it open some time this week, work permitting.

 

[BartmanPDX]

I generally agree on the age/smoothness thing, and I'll have to double check, but I think the Laphroaig I have is the 15 and it's still got a much stronger bite than the Lagavulin, but I'll get back to y'all on that. FYI.

The Laphroaig 15 is vastly superior to the more commonly available 10yr, IMO. The older Laphroaigs have that same flavor but less of the initial bite and are less rough around the edges, and I think the scotch is decidedly improved as a result.

Anyone a fan of Bowmore? I wasn't at first, but some of the older ones are quite good, though obviously expensive.

Ardbeg packs a wallop, too. Some of the independent bottlings of Ardbeg I've tried have that perfect balance of power and smoothness. I haven't tried the factory bottlings though -- they were introduced right as I was quitting as liquor floor manager, so I didn't get to taste them.

Sometimes I miss not working at Beltramo's, and that was a decade ago!

 

[Vic]

The Laphroaig 15 is vastly superior to the more commonly available 10yr, IMO. The older Laphroaigs have that same flavor but less of the initial bite and are less rough around the edges, and I think the scotch is decidedly improved as a result.

Oh yeah, definitely... but if I find I do have the 15, I'm just sayin' I think it's characteristic of the Laphroaig to have more bite... even in the more aged batches.

Anyone a fan of Bowmore? I wasn't at first, but some of the older ones are quite good, though obviously expensive.

I've still got a tiny bit of a 1969 left that's amazing. More recently, I got some of their "Darkest" and it's wonderful.

Sometimes I miss not working at Beltramo's, and that was a decade ago!

WOAH! That's where I get some of my stuff!

Nice.