- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Single Malt Scotch!
- Thread starter tombowlus
- Start date
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Talisker is the one single malt (out of the ones I've tried) that I've never been able to get into. I actually bought a bottle of it a few years ago, never having tasted it before -- probably because it was on sale or something -- and I eventually worked my way through the whole bottle without ever acquiring the taste for it. So you can't say I didn't give it a chance!
WOAH! That's where I get some of my stuff!
Nice.
I was liquor floor manager there for over a year. The pay wasn't very good, but the frequent tastings were one hell of a nice fringe benefit.
OTOH, I developed a taste for scotch that was not matched by my budget.
Talisker is the one single malt (out of the ones I've tried) that I've never been able to get into. I actually bought a bottle of it a few years ago, never having tasted it before -- probably because it was on sale or something -- and I eventually worked my way through the whole bottle without ever acquiring the taste for it. So you can't say I didn't give it a chance!
Yeah, I never really cared much for it. But it is so unique that I could easily identify it in a blind tasting, which is unusual.
BTW, I do have the Laphroaig 15 and I just A/B tested it against the Lagavulin 16, and yeah, it still definitely has more bite. FYI.
BTW, I do have the Laphroaig 15 and I just A/B tested it against the Lagavulin 16, and yeah, it still definitely has more bite. FYI.
Unsurprising, though good to know.
For me, Lagavulin is by far my favorite of the readily available Islays. So much power, yet so much complexity and depth. I can't remember ever having a Laphroaig that wasn't somewhat rough around the edges. The younger Bowmores (15 yr. and under) are the same way compared to Lagavulin, IMO. I think the sherry barreling plays a big role in Lagavulin's special trick of balancing strong flavor and smoothness.
It would be interesting to try a sherry cask bottling of some of the other Islays. There are probably some independent bottlings out there, yet they're no doubt prohibitively expensive (for me, anyway).
The Laphroaig 25 is blended by scotches done in both Sherry and Bourbon casks, the 27 and 30 are both just Sherry, and the 40 is just Bourbon.
I'd love to try a 25 and a 27, but they're kinda' hard to find. The 30 looks to be just under $250/bottle, and I'm not sure I'm willing to plunge for that much on a Islay.
My dad is a big fan of single malt and yesterday was his 70th birthday. My sister and I got him a bottle of The Glenrothes, 1972. I talked with him last night and he said it is sublime. Hopefully there'll still be a dram left by the time I visit next!
Just got back from poker night. Lost my money but between the 6 of us, we had an entire bottle of Balvenie. Plus some cigars, beers, and a few pizzas. *Easily* worth the price of admission.
Folks, does anybody know anything about the Talisker 175th Anniversary scotch? Prices seem to range from 75-110.
Masher88
Believe in absurdities and you commit atrocities
I read once that after 12 years in the barrel, Scotch doesn't get any better or worse. This doesn't seem right. I've personally had a bottle of Glenlivet 12 and an 18 at the same time in my house. The 18 was WAY smoother. Hard for me to describe, but there was a noticeable difference, that's for sure.
Any reason someone would say this?
Any reason someone would say this?
edmidlifecrisis
Registered mediocre bass player
I'm late to the party, I've been to tastings of the Single Malt Society when I lived in the DC area. Big fun. We also did single malt/cigar pairings at one time. The smoky ones like Laphroaig (sp) taste like tincture of iodine to me......not my style....
These days, I prefer Macallan 12 and Balvenie Doublewood. I like 'em smooth.....those two are smooth plus!! And great with a very good cigar!!!!!There are lots of other nice ones, but those are the ones I seem to gravitate towards..
These days, I prefer Macallan 12 and Balvenie Doublewood. I like 'em smooth.....those two are smooth plus!! And great with a very good cigar!!!!!There are lots of other nice ones, but those are the ones I seem to gravitate towards..
I've been putting a dent in a couple new bottles of scotch (new to me). Balvennie Doublewood is good; the Dalwhinnie is spectacularly smooth, but a little dull flavor wise; and a Glenfiddich 15. All three are pretty swell.
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.
How did the Old Engine Oil thing trial work out for you, Vic?
I (also) very much disagree with what you've read without further qualification. Sounds too sweeping to me anyway. Sounds to me like a comment that might be made about a specific scotch, having something to do with the way that scotch is made, but not all scotches, of course.
So far, I've only done the 12. I have yet to do the 16 or 30. To be very honest, I thought the 12 was ok. It's very dark and strong... kinda' "medicine-y"... a bit on the raw side... nowhere near as refined as something like a Guiness, but still, really, not too bad. In theory, the 16 and 30 should be very similar, noting the way it's made is the same, just the barrel they use has had scotch in it for much longer, so the "flavoring" element changes even tho the "base" (majority of the drink) is the same exact stuff.
I'll never buy it again... not that it's horrible, it's just not worth the money. This is a case where something simply costs a lot to make and the end result simply doesn't justify that cost. I'm betting they sell very little of this... probably mostly to "I just have to see what this is like" people like me. One sale and that's it.
I know, I know, it says single malt scotch, but I'm looking for a decent blend to make a scotch and coke @ home. It would be rather silly to take a nice single malt and ruin it with coke. So whats a good blend that I can ruin at home. Hopefully something a tad better than J&B though. I'm not looking to break the bank on a scotch and coke.
I'm not looking to break the bank on a scotch and coke.
Chivas. Easy to find, not too expensive, and I think one of the better blended mixer scotches out there.I know, I know, it says single malt scotch, but I'm looking for a decent blend to make a scotch and coke @ home. It would be rather silly to take a nice single malt and ruin it with coke. So whats a good blend that I can ruin at home. Hopefully something a tad better than J&B though.
