Single malts

[dholliday]

the 16y Lagavulin has got just over half left (am a half-full kind of fella) since getting it a few weeks ago.

verdict: it's like the tame brother of Laphroaig, hits similar notes, just not at the same intensity. This also makes it a smoother 'easier' drink. I've drunken my circa 60ml glasses quite rapidly compared to other whiskeys...so goes down a bit too well.

...it is tasty to be fair, a nice balance of mid-peaty while smooth...just lacks the bite a Laphroaig-trained man might be looking for.

8/10 would drink again.

 

[ste d' indica]

They've got The Balvenie 17yo in Sainsburys. £72. Never spent that much on a bottle. Seriously tempted.

 

[ste d' indica]

Actually, strike that...

Just had a glass of the Balvenie 17 year old, quite smoky for a Speyside. Nice, but I've got to be honest, bottle for bottle I'd go for the Caribbean Cask or even the 12 year old, don't think it warrants the extra 30 quid.

I have to say, following on from a conversation I had with my mum a week ago, Balvenie has excellent "Doublewood" and "Caribbean Cask" expressions, but I find the rest of their range less than excellent.

Cool, glad it's not just me then. As I say, nothing really wrong with it, but at nearly 80 quid vs 40 for the Caribbean or 30 odd for the Doublwood, no chance. Guess I was just expecting something extraordinary

That's the one I tried the other night Big G. I was really looking forward to it but wasn't overly impressed unfortunately, think I'd stick with the 12YO.
I've often found this, that 17 or 18 YO Highland Park that won all the plaudits 4 or 5 years ago was the same story, I didn't think it had anything over the regular Highland Park. Maybe I'm just not refined enough! That said though, I tried an 18YO Dalmore that was stunning.

 

[kithnou]

They've got The Balvenie 17yo in Sainsburys. £72. Never spent that much on a bottle. Seriously tempted.

Once you go black you won't go back.

 

[kithnou]

Does anybody have a suggestion for a single malt for my other half? I usually buy him one every couple of months but tend to buy the same few bottles, Penderyn, Laphroaig and Bushmills. He likes floral ones and not heavilly peated apparently. Cost isnt really an issue, would just like a different variety for him.

@toffee_laura what did you end up getting?

 

[ste d' indica]

Once you go black you won't go back.

Decided against mate. Searched the thread to see if anyone in here had any thoughts, only to find I'd already said I wasn't too arsed with it!
Ah, well saved meself 70 notes.

 

[kithnou]

Decided against mate. Searched the thread to see if anyone in here had any thoughts, only to find I'd already said I wasn't too arsed with it!
Ah, well saved meself 70 notes.

For me the single malt that makes you happy is the best one in the world. Individual choice. I'll give the example of Bunnahabhain, loved and recommended by @Groucho and many others. I bought a bottle as a gift to a cousin of mine and he thinks it's terrible. Prefers the Chivas (which is a fine everyday affordable single malt of course)

 

[Groucho]

For me the single malt that makes you happy is the best one in the world. Individual choice. I'll give the example of Bunnahabhain, loved and recommended by @Groucho and many others. I bought a bottle as a gift to a cousin of mine and he thinks it's terrible. Prefers the Chivas (which is a fine everyday affordable single malt of course)

All about individual taste.

 

[Blue 1]

the 16y Lagavulin has got just over half left (am a half-full kind of fella) since getting it a few weeks ago.

verdict: it's like the tame brother of Laphroaig, hits similar notes, just not at the same intensity. This also makes it a smoother 'easier' drink. I've drunken my circa 60ml glasses quite rapidly compared to other whiskeys...so goes down a bit too well.

...it is tasty to be fair, a nice balance of mid-peaty while smooth...just lacks the bite a Laphroaig-trained man might be looking for.

8/10 would drink again.

I can see why you'd describe it as tamer than Laphroaig, it's less "medicinal", but there's a lot more going on flavour-wise than standard Laphroaig 10 if you ask me. Cask strength Laphroaig 10 is another matter though

You'll have to get on some Ardbeg next, that's the pick of the three south Islay distilleries for me.

 

[toffee_laura]

@toffee_laura what did you end up getting?

I went for a 16 year old Aberlour from Sainsburys. Most ive ever spent on a bottle for him...£45!!! He was appreciative tho

 

[kithnou]

I went for a 16 year old Aberlour from Sainsburys. Most ive ever spent on a bottle for him...£45!!! He was appreciative tho

Nice one. Did you have a taste?

 

[toffee_laura]

Nice one. Did you have a taste?

Lol...no! I went on a tasting evening last year at Jenny's bar in Liverpool but couldn't touch a drop. He ended up with mine as well as his!!! Now if it was Vodka....

 

[kithnou]

Lol...no! I went on a tasting evening last year at Jenny's bar in Liverpool but couldn't touch a drop. He ended up with mine as well as his!!! Now if it was Vodka....

Grey Goose with lemonade and a lime in the warmer months approaching here for me. Or do you have a better one for me?

 

[gaino92]

Grey Goose with lemonade and a lime in the warmer months approaching here for me. Or do you have a better one for me?

Go for a bottle of Ciroc mate, one of the only vodkas I can stomach

 

[kithnou]

Go for a bottle of Ciroc mate, one of the only vodkas I can stomach

This one? Has some good reviews I see.