Single Malt Scotch!

[tombowlus]

Liquorama is offering $10 flat rate shipping through tonight only. I just placed an order for some Ardbeg 10, Bowmore Legend (man, that stuff is crazy cheap, and much more drinkable than you'd think), Clynelish 14, Glengoyne 17, and Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

Woot! My box of booze arrived today!

 

[Mark Reccord]

To give more details... I don't think of Highland Park as a particularly peaty malt, but then again I do like the really strongly peated malts so it's relative. Less peaty than Talisker, much less than any Islay malt. That being said, there is peat involved (I've seen the distillery in action), just in a relatively subtle way.

The 18... I've only had it once but it's a sweeter, mellower malt than the 12 to my tastebuds.

Yeah, I'd describe the Highland Park malts as being lightly peated. There's a bit of peat flavour in there but it's not overpowering. It was my gateway drug to the Islay malts.

I prefer the 12 over both the 15 and 18.

 

[Akami]

Woot! My box of booze arrived today!

Since this is a scotch thread, how about a mini review of the whole lot?

 

[tombowlus]

Since this is a scotch thread, how about a mini review of the whole lot?

Give me time...

First up, though, is the Clynelish 14. This is a coastal Highland, and has a great mouthfeel. Great nose, as well, and you know from first sniff that it's going to have a lot going on. Tasting confirms the promised complexity, and as I make my way through my first glass, I keep finding something new. The balance is really nice. Sharp at first taste, it almost immediately mellows out, with a hint of port in the middle, and then a smooth yet tingly finish. A bit of fruit, a bit of woody smoke. Definitely "thicker" and a bit smoother than Oban 14. This strikes me as a lot better whisky than you'd expect for just over $50.

I've had this in the past, and so far, it's every bit as good as I had remembered, and actually a bit beyond my expectations.

 

[groooooove]

Give me time...

First up, though, is the Clynelish 14. This is a coastal Highland, and has a great mouthfeel. Great nose, as well, and you know from first sniff that it's going to have a lot going on. Tasting confirms the promised complexity, and as I make my way through my first glass, I keep finding something new. The balance is really nice. Sharp at first taste, it almost immediately mellows out, with a hint of port in the middle, and then a smooth yet tingly finish. A bit of fruit, a bit of woody smoke. Definitely "thicker" and a bit smoother than Oban 14. This strikes me as a lot better whisky than you'd expect for just over $50.

I've had this in the past, and so far, it's every bit as good as I had remembered, and actually a bit beyond my expectations.

never had it....

but it's added to the list now.

 

[Vic]

Give me time...

First up, though, is the Clynelish 14. This is a coastal Highland, and has a great mouthfeel. Great nose, as well, and you know from first sniff that it's going to have a lot going on. Tasting confirms the promised complexity, and as I make my way through my first glass, I keep finding something new. The balance is really nice. Sharp at first taste, it almost immediately mellows out, with a hint of port in the middle, and then a smooth yet tingly finish. A bit of fruit, a bit of woody smoke. Definitely "thicker" and a bit smoother than Oban 14. This strikes me as a lot better whisky than you'd expect for just over $50.

I've had this in the past, and so far, it's every bit as good as I had remembered, and actually a bit beyond my expectations.

I had never heard of this before a few years ago when the scotch guy at this one store I frequent just recommended it as a "sleeper", so I tried it. I also like it a lot.

 

[tombowlus]

Okay, one more for tonight. The Glengoyne 17. Technically a Highland, the Glengoyne distillery is located near the Highland/Lowland boundary. In fact, the stills are in the Highlands, and the maturing casks are in the Lowlands. They don't use peat, which makes Glengoyne more similar to a Lowland whisky.

This guy is pretty spicy, and has a loooonnng finish. Interesting nose, though surprisingly subtle (considering the spicy nature). Similar front end to the taste, compared to Clynelish 14, but not as thick and dark through the middle (which is on the sweet side, but not overbearing, and nicely balanced to the woody and mineral overtones). The overall mouthfeel is smooth, but lively, and once again, that finish is really something. It just gracefully fades away and leaves you with a smile on your face and on your tongue. There is a certain "clean and pristine" feel about the Glengoyne 17, but not in a thin or sharp way. Very smooth.

I am definitely a lover of the peat, but this whisky makes for a nice diversion when I feel like taking a little break.

 

[UncleFluffy]

i've heard good things about the entire range of compass box blends

has anyone had a bottle?

i know a liquor store over here has several of them (no peat monster.. bah!) and i've always been tempted.

I've had the Peat Monster and the Hedonism. Peat Monster is good, but not magically "better" than the usual suspects. Hedonism was a pleasant surprise - I normally go for big flavours and it's very soft and delicate so I didn't think I'd like it, but I did. A lot. Gentle, but still interesting.

 

[SoVeryTired]

Yeah, I'd describe the Highland Park malts as being lightly peated. There's a bit of peat flavour in there but it's not overpowering. It was my gateway drug to the Islay malts.

I prefer the 12 over both the 15 and 18.

Interesting - I think I also prefer the 12 to the 18. Maybe I'll have to do the connoisseur this year where you get to taste the 12, 15, 18 and 25. I'd be interested to compare them.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Had some Caol ila 12 yo last night, lovely drink and quite light for a peated malt. Good for when you want a little smoke but not the full on peat of Ardberg or Laphroaig.

 

[conebeckham]

Check out the Arran Malt selection, there's this one:
Invalid Link Removed

which reminds me a bit of Ardbeg---peaty, but medium-bodied and not too tarry. Less viscuous than Lagavulin, the heaviest of peaty, smoky scotches in my book....and less "iodine" than your standard Laphroig.

I have a bottle of this at home. I recently finished one of these:

 

[tombowlus]

Tonight, we take a little Laphroaig adventure! 10, Quarter Cask, and 18.

Laphroaig 10 (43% alc./vol.) has a sharp, spicy initial flavor - and plenty of peat-n-smoke - but it mellows out pretty quickly and finishes dry, with lingering peat/spice. Despite the big, complex flavor, this whisky feels fairly light on the tongue.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask (48% alc./vol.) has a surprising hint of chocolate to the nose (in addition to the expected spice, smoke and peat), a thicker mouthfeel than the 10 or 18, and a darker, sweeter flavor, with a more "wet" finish. It is both more smooth and more smokey than the 10. A hint of water added is nice, but I'm more than happy drinking this one completely neat.

Laphroaig 18 (48% alc./vol.) also has a surprising scent to the nose - this time, it's a hint of apple/pear. This one has more burn than either the 10 or the QC, and a sharper flavor. But neither the burn nor the sharpness last very long, and it finishes really clean and dry. Not as spicy, sweet, or smokey as the QC, and the mouthfeel is closer to that of the 10. Slightly smoother than the 10, though not as smooth as the QC. Back to back, the 10 seems a little thin compared to the 18, and the 18 has a more defined and complex "middle" to the taste. I definitely dig this whisky with just the tiniest splash of water.

Of the three, the 10 and the 18 are closer in character, and the Quarter Cask is more unique. I have to say, the 10 holds up pretty well to the 18. Yes, I prefer the 18, but the 10 is probably the better bang for the buck. Again, the QC makes a strong argument all its own, and presents a notably different experience than the other two.

 

[UncleFluffy]

Had some Caol ila 12 yo last night, lovely drink and quite light for a peated malt. Good for when you want a little smoke but not the full on peat of Ardberg or Laphroaig.

The Signatory bottling of the 14 yr old is my "house whisky". Great stuff.

 

[bostonasphalt2]

The Signatory bottling of the 14 yr old is my "house whisky". Great stuff.

I have tons of signatory bottles, but most of them I am holding on to and not drinking. Hard to get Signatory bottles around Boston lately

 

[Vic]

Laphroaig Quarter Cask...
It is both more smooth and more smokey than the 10. A hint of water added is nice, but I'm more than happy drinking this one completely neat.

This was my main take-away from the QC... the particularly smoooooth nature, and yeah, I also don't add water to this guy very often. When I do, it's just to open the flavors up just a touch, not enough to affect any bite.

 

[tombowlus]

Ardbeg time!

Ardbeg 10 (46% alc./vol) has a nose that is not overly smokey, and overall fairly similar to Laphroaig 10, though a bit more intense. Very smooth, with a big, slippery mouthfeel. Taste is peat, spice, a bit of smoke, a bit of oak. Not as smokey or woody as some Islays. Not nearly as big as Lagavulin (though I am currently out of Lagavulin 16 - my go to Islay - so I am comparing it to the Distiller's Edition). Going from the Lag. DE back to the Adrbeg, the Ardbeg 10 seems a bit mediciney, though truth be told, the same can be said for many whisky's, compared to Lagavulin.

The most direct comparison seems to be Laphroaig Quarter Cask, actually. These two have a lot in common. The Ardbeg has a bit more of a front-loaded flavor, and the QC comes on stronger in the middle. I'd say the Ardbeg is a bit more consistent from first taste to finish, but once again, these two are really similar, overall.

I do love me some Islays...

 

[Charley Umbria]

i need some new single malts to try, though.

any recomendations for a particularly good malt in the springtime? winter and its peaty goodness are on its way out of style in my house (for this year atleast )

For something light, I love Invalid Link Removed. It's a Highland whisky that's slightly light and sweet up front, but still has some body and a little peat in the finish. It's accessible enough that it makes a good introductory whisky for people who don't normally drink single malts, but it's still complex enough to remain interesting long-term. Definitely one of my go-to's.

Another one I like in warmer weather is Invalid Link Removed. It's a Speyside that works almost year-round. Here are the tasting notes from the distillery. I find them to be pretty spot-on with this one:

CARDHU™ 12 YEAR OLD

Appearance: Golden honey.

Nose: At full strength, heady, nose prickle, pear drops and tightly integrated heather, resin and sweet honey-nut notes. Enticing. Intriguing. With a little water, still harmonious but less pronounced, allowing some malt-cereal, soft, spicy wood, moorland and faint traces of wood-smoke to appear.

Body: Soft, pleasing, medium.

Palate: Palate Well balanced, smooth mouthfeel; short punch, sweet and fresh, then a pronounced drying effect. Enjoyable at any time, with little or no water.

Finish: Quite short. Some lingering sweet smoke in the attractive, drying aftertaste.


Cheers!

 

[groooooove]

^^ two good calls!

on signatory bottlings- always looked. never found any. am i looking in the wrong shops?

 

[Akami]

Have my bottles of Ardbeg and Laphroaig, both in the 10 year version, poured into my newly arrived Glencairn glasses and can't imagine doing without either one of them.

Not nearly as eloquent as some others here when it comes to describing what I'm smelling/tasting, but it seems that while there are some similarities with the two, the Laphroaig seems to display much more of the iodine, with Ardbeg coming across as more peaty and salty.

The description here may not sound too appealing, but they're both a good thing to find on your whisky shelf.

 

[Mark Reccord]

Ardbeg time!

Ardbeg 10 (46% alc./vol) has a nose that is not overly smokey, and overall fairly similar to Laphroaig 10, though a bit more intense. Very smooth, with a big, slippery mouthfeel. Taste is peat, spice, a bit of smoke, a bit of oak. Not as smokey or woody as some Islays. Not nearly as big as Lagavulin (though I am currently out of Lagavulin 16 - my go to Islay - so I am comparing it to the Distiller's Edition). Going from the Lag. DE back to the Adrbeg, the Ardbeg 10 seems a bit mediciney, though truth be told, the same can be said for many whisky's, compared to Lagavulin.

The most direct comparison seems to be Laphroaig Quarter Cask, actually. These two have a lot in common. The Ardbeg has a bit more of a front-loaded flavor, and the QC comes on stronger in the middle. I'd say the Ardbeg is a bit more consistent from first taste to finish, but once again, these two are really similar, overall.

I do love me some Islays...

I once saw Ardbeg 10 described as a being "like a cannonball to the tongue." Sounds about right to me.

I can definitely see the comparison to the QC, though I'd say that it has a bit more of a "campfire smoke" flavour than Ardbeg.