Post Your Single Malt Scotch

[Melrose]

Okay, so we've had the "Post your favourite drink" threads, "What are you currently imbibing" threads, et al.

Single malt lovers of MacRumors: Post your single malt scotches! No blended stuff please - no offense - just single malts. (this is serious stuff we're talkin').

Resources (feel free to post your own as well)
MaltMadness/MaltManiacs
Single Malt Scotch Whisky Society
Wikipedia: Single malt & regular Scotch whisky
SingleMalt.tv
ScotchWhisky.com

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I would recommend the Talisker 10 year and Macallan 12 year. Talisker generally is used for blending with other whiskies, but on it's own merits it's really a good one. Peaty, but not with more caramel flavour than Islay malts (given Talisker is from Skye anyway).

Which ones do you have? Which ones are your favourites? Which ones do you recommend?

 

[Berlepsch]

In my opinion, a really good whisky should be old enough to have legally sex with.

Unlike sex, whisky gives me headaches, so I can usually resist the temptation to buy a bottle at the duty free. But from time to time I have to test if immunity against whisky abuse has been achieved. Some of the most pleasing tests in this ongoing experiment involved a 17 year old Lagavuilin (sp?).

 

[M-theory]

Yay!!! glad you started this...good job.

 

[Raid]

I had this (Lagavulin 16yr old) for the first time in Fort Augustus Scotland on a fine September evening. It's a more 'robust' single malt, with a smooth smoky finish that isn't overpowering.

P.S. Melrose I have had at least a taste of every single scotch you have a picture up above. The only one I can do without is the Laphroaig 10 yr old; it's like drinking a peat cigar... just way too smoky for my taste.

 

[bartelby]

I could post a photo of the empty bottles I have around the place.
This is was the most interesting. Cask strength 15 year old:

 

[buyusfear]

Glenrothes is great. 1897 and Select Reserve are my favorites.

And, really, for my tastes, as I'm not into the real peaty scotche's, an 18 year old Glenfiddich is what I get to treat myself.

This last year i've cycled through a bunch (THe Balvene 10 is another great one) however, I'm always left not entirely satisfied. But when I stick to the basics, I'm happy. Perhaps my tastes haven't evolved enough yet, but I like to enjoy my drink. I'm not a neat type of drinker. I like 3 or 4 cubes, and a splash of water. Some call it sacrilegious, I call it enjoying.

 

[Melrose]

@Bartelby: What size is that bottle? I can't tell whether it's a small sampler or a strangely-shaped 750ml...

Can I ask if anyone has tried the Balvenie 17 or if it's any good? I read on MaltMadness.com that a similarly-aged Balvenie is not what it's cracked up to be..

I agree about the Laphroaig, although once in a blue moon I get this hankering for a really strong, peaty dram. I prefer Laphroaig to Bowmore, actually.
-
M-Theory: Thx! 'Bout time I say...

 

[bartelby]

It's a 100ml sample. I've had 3 different cask strength samples from Balvenie, one was 60%.
They were all very nice. I've not tried the 17 year old. I do recommend the 21 year Portwood though.

 

[Melrose]

21yr Balvenie When my next design project comes through I may go out and celebrate, but until then that would be a pipe dream!

On the samplers do they still letter the label by hand? They do on the full-size jobs and it looks like they do on that one you posted.. I like the personal touch..

 

[Raid]

Can I ask if anyone has tried the Balvenie 17 or if it's any good? I read on MaltMadness.com that it's not what it's cracked up to be...

Are you talking the 'new wood cask' Balvenie that you have pictured, or the 'islay cask' from the link? I don't believe I've tried the Islay cask malt, but the new wood was very interesting.

 

[Melrose]

The New Wood, yeah - Sorry the link was misleading.. I'll correct it (you'd think I'd have caught that by now..)

Can I ask how it differs from like the 15 year? I'm getting pretty good at being able to nose them, so I'll know what you mean if you explain in such terms (if you want). Thx!

 

[neiltc13]

I think you Americans like this stuff a lot more than some of us that live near to where it is produced.

 

[Raid]

Well it's been awhile, but it was the nose that got my attention so I remember that fairly well. My impression was of malt, a blend of mature fruits (kind of like the smell I get at a farmers fruit stand) and then a hint of fresh cut straw. IIRC the initial sensation on the palate was heavy with hints of cocoa, and mild citrus and clove flavours. The finish brought out more of clove-like spice with slightly charred wood. To me I think this is one of the scotches I bring out during tastings, but not to just sit and drink... as I'd be more content with something else.

... though I'll gladly try another taste of that one...

 

[bartelby]

21yr Balvenie When my next design project comes through I may go out and celebrate, but until then that would be a pipe dream!

On the samplers do they still letter the label by hand? They do on the full-size jobs and it looks like they do on that one you posted.. I like the personal touch..

The 21 year Portwood is about £70 a bottle.

The Samples are hand written. I'd be surprised if the normal (i.e none "expression") were hand written.

 

[jecapaga]

Just had this recently and was pleasantly surprised. Went out and bought my own. Not sure where other more experienced tasters would rate this.

 

[bartelby]

Oban is very, very nice. But all too quickly it looks like this:

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Oban is very, very nice. But all too quickly it looks like this:

LOL Bartelby, That photo makes it look like you live in a dark cave, equipped only with a Power Mac G4 and a lot of empty scotch bottles.

So far, I am a drinker and not a collector. I had a bottle of Glenlivet 12 year, but have been more into beer than Scotch. I tend to favor a peatier, heavier single malt.

 

[bartelby]

LOL Bartelby, That photo makes it look like you live in a dark cave, equipped only with a Power Mac G4 and a lot of empty scotch bottles.

It's ok, don't worry about me. I also have beer:

 

[wordmunger]

Yum! Haven't had it in a while, though...

 

[Melrose]

Yum! Haven't had it in a while, though...

I have been seeing the Cragganmore for ages, but something else always grabs my eye (and wallet). Is it that good? I'll have to try it now that you've piqued curiosity..

- The Oban is good, but I can't really give you a run-down of how I'd stack it up against some others simply because the only time I had it was out to lunch with a business partner and there a lot of distraction (and it was served in a rather smudged-up glass). At the time I thought it was good, but I'd like to try it again in the comfort of my own home to really get into it..

Now Glen Ord I'd love to try, but they don't import it here in the States. *Grrrrr*

 

[M-theory]

I could post a photo of the empty bottles I have around the place.
This is was the most interesting. Cask strength 15 year old:
View attachment 135405

a great scotch...one of my favorites

 

[roymiller]

I have another good single malt scotch brand which known as Dewar's.18 years old Dewars whisky really good in taste.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I have another good single malt scotch brand which known as Dewar's.18 years old Dewars whisky really good in taste.

Wow this thread is 5 years old man! Most of these guys stopped posting due to liver failure years ago!

 

[jbanger]

last saturday's efforts

 

[Funkatronic]

I have another good single malt scotch brand which known as Dewar's.18 years old Dewars whisky really good in taste.

Also FWIW, Dewar's isn't a Single Malt... get those dastardly blended scotches away from this here thread!