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Single malts

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Acrobat said:
So I have just finished the two bottles I bought myself for Christmas (below)....., my first foray into single malts. I have to say while I enjoyed them both immensely, the McCallan's was way smoother, and a much more enjoyable dram. No ice, no water, straight as. Regarding the Highland Park - it was a little harsh.

So I'm looking for suggestions. I'm willing to try an earthy (peat??) and/or smokey single malt, but not too heavy. However, smooth, fruity and sherry oak aged is my preference.


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I found the Highland Park a bit much when I first opened it, I tried it again about a year down the line and either it has mellowed or I'm more used to those flavours, I think it's more the former though - the sweeter flavours are more prominent and less medicinal than it was on opening.
 
Acrobat said:
So I have just finished the two bottles I bought myself for Christmas (below)....., my first foray into single malts. I have to say while I enjoyed them both immensely, the McCallan's was way smoother, and a much more enjoyable dram. No ice, no water, straight as. Regarding the Highland Park - it was a little harsh.

So I'm looking for suggestions. I'm willing to try an earthy (peat??) and/or smokey single malt, but not too heavy. However, smooth, fruity and sherry oak aged is my preference.


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Hate to burst your bubble but HP 12 is one of the friendliest "lightly peated" whiskies out there (also lowest ABV you can have , at %40, and still be legally called a whisky), so if you found it harsh I'd hold off any more peated styles until you discover what it is that you found "harsh"
'
 
Gwladys St. Glory said:
Hate to burst your bubble but HP 12 is one of the friendliest "lightly peated" whiskies out there (also lowest ABV you can have , at %40, and still be legally called a whisky), so if you found it harsh I'd hold off any more peated styles until you discover what it is that you found "harsh"
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So that's another of my favourites, Laphroaig out of the question.
 
Acrobat said:
So I have just finished the two bottles I bought myself for Christmas (below)....., my first foray into single malts. I have to say while I enjoyed them both immensely, the McCallan's was way smoother, and a much more enjoyable dram. No ice, no water, straight as. Regarding the Highland Park - it was a little harsh.

So I'm looking for suggestions. I'm willing to try an earthy (peat??) and/or smokey single malt, but not too heavy. However, smooth, fruity and sherry oak aged is my preference.


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You might get on with Balvenie, Tamdhu, or Glenfarclas. They're all quite fruity and mostly part-mature in sherry casks.

It's personal preference but I find just a few drops of water go a long way, too. Might make all the difference if you're finding the HP a bit much.
 

Acrobat said:
So I have just finished the two bottles I bought myself for Christmas (below)....., my first foray into single malts. I have to say while I enjoyed them both immensely, the McCallan's was way smoother, and a much more enjoyable dram. No ice, no water, straight as. Regarding the Highland Park - it was a little harsh.

So I'm looking for suggestions. I'm willing to try an earthy (peat??) and/or smokey single malt, but not too heavy. However, smooth, fruity and sherry oak aged is my preference.


View attachment 153317View attachment 153318
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If you liked the Macallan and wanted something similar, I would point you towards Glenmorangie's 12 yo year sherry cask (it goes by Lasanta over here). Very good, a little different, perhaps not quite as smooth and much easier on the wallet.

Neat is the way, though there are a few whiskies that really open up/change dramatically with a few drops of distilled water. This is particularly true of the cask strengths. More water than that is a bad plan.

I wouldn't necessarily argue that if you liked but did not love Highland Park, that you should not try a peat monster. I felt much the same way that you did about those two whiskies starting out, and it turned out that Laphroaig and Ardbeg are among my favorite distilleries once I had a chance to try a bunch of things.

Another one that is really solid is Oban's 14 yo. Accessible enough for novices, but it has enough to it to remain among my absolute favorites.
 
Martin Alvito said:
If you liked the Macallan and wanted something similar, I would point you towards Glenmorangie's 12 yo year sherry cask (it goes by Lasanta over here). Very good, a little different, perhaps not quite as smooth and much easier on the wallet.

Neat is the way, though there are a few whiskies that really open up/change dramatically with a few drops of distilled water. This is particularly true of the cask strengths. More water than that is a bad plan.

I wouldn't necessarily argue that if you liked but did not love Highland Park, that you should not try a peat monster. I felt much the same way that you did about those two whiskies starting out, and it turned out that Laphroaig and Ardbeg are among my favorite distilleries once I had a chance to try a bunch of things.

Another one that is really solid is Oban's 14 yo. Accessible enough for novices, but it has enough to it to remain among my absolute favorites.
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Good taste. ;)
 
Thanks to an Everton performance worthy of our great club I've opened a new bourbon:


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Higher ABV and some wood in the cask, its a more robust, spicy version of MM, and really nice. The price difference over the regular isn't high (unlike the disappointing cask strength).
Still got the same vanilla, caramel flavours you expect from Maker's but with a higher kick and burn.

3 points in the bag, City done the business, Tom Waits on the stereo, Boston Beans in the oven and a glass of Kentucky's finest in my hand and all is well in the world.
 

Just a reminder that if you end up buying a bottle of what you deem rough going...you can always cut it with some good stuff. Had to do that with a recent purchase of Balblair 12, was like 'kin acetone IMO; added about 100ml of Hazelburn 10 to transform it in to something palatable.
 
Well bloody Everton have made me open a bottle of Glencadam 1825 I got given for my birthday recently, not one I've had before. It's pretty sweet, but tastes quite young, there's a bit of new spirit burn there. Pretty nice long finish on it for something that costs £25 though. Quite enjoying it tbh.
 
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Basil Haydens Bourbon. Heard good things about this as a bit of a hidden gem. Its an easy drinker, slightly astringent nose, more rye than most so a bit of a peppery taste. Nice enough for 35 quid but lacks a bit of something to give it any real character.
 

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