Islay Scotch fans: Give me some input!
 

(BTW, what's up to all the old school CFOT and VB OGs! Miss talking to you guys!)

I'm a REALLY big Islay fan. Not particularly fond of overly sweet Highlands/Speyside whisky unless it's aged with a lot of character. I'm a huge fan of Laphroaig (all-time favorite, Lore and various Cairdeas bottlings, along with 10 yr), Lagavulin, Ledaig, Ardbeg, Port Charlotte, and Talisker.

Share your thoughts on some of your favorites! Blends aren't out of the discussion, but I'd prefer to talk about premium blends like Ghost & Rare, etc.

Things I have NOT tried from the above mentioned distilleries: Talisker 18, any Octamore bottling, Laphroaig 15 (and anything beyond, age-wise), Ardbeg Drum and Blaaack, Ledaig 18, Lagavulin Distiller's Edition, Talisker Distiller's Edition. Have you had these? Other favorites? Give me your thoughts!

:seeya: Ryan! Good to see you posting!

Not a fan of Scotch, so I can't help you there. @datawiz, @Simpleman and the other scotch drinkers may be along shortly.

:cheers:

Hey Ryan, long time. I have to defer to Scott on this one on Islay. I'm a beer guy, but Scott turned me onto a lot of the Glen's, but my favorite is Macallan. I'm about to finish a bottle of 21 year old and am looking for a replacement. That bottle lasted me a year. I may get a 25 year...just because...despite it being $1,500. :lol:

I can’t drink peaty scotch. Laphroaig tastes like it was run through a camp fire. My Mother’s namesake, McLeod makes the absolute worse Islay scotch. It’s like drinking a house fire. My relatives gave me a evil eye when I said no thanks for a second pour.

Don’t. Get a bottle of 18 YO Yamazaki. Much smoother and a hell of a lot cheaper. I still have a 1/4 bottle of 21 YO Macallan. Something really good has to happen before I take it out.

There's a reason Yamazaki can't call their whisky Scotch. It is distilled in the wrong country. I have tried some of the Asians and have found most to lack character. Yes they are easy to drink but not near as complex as those Scotches they are compared to. YMMV of course.

In answer to your Islay desire, I am not a big fan of smoky whisky but I have drunk and enjoyed Bowmore 12 year. I believe them to be the oldest distillery on the island, and I understand that as the spirits age the flavors intensify as the color darkens.

I don’t like the super peaty ones, but I’m a big Scotch drinker. Right now I have a bottle of Oban 18 year that’s real good.

Wife got me this for Christmas, it’s excellent! :seasix:

American cars in the 70s had character. Japanese took the idea and perfected it. Much like scotch. Japanese whisky can stand toe to toe with the best of Scotland.

Can't give you any advice on Islay Scotch products but I am inordinately fond of those from Speyside, particularly Glenlivet 18 Year.

Laphroaig makes me want to barf. That stuff is like drinking pure peat. YUCK!

U.M.

Some good ones mentioned already and it will of course come down to what tastes good to you.
Some of the popular Islay pours don't taste very good to me. Glenlivet Nadurra etc.

Good places to start:

Highland Park ( Dark Origins, if you can find it, is one of the best I've ever had )

Lagavulin 16+ years (younger has a harsher bite which doesn't work with the peet IMO)

Bruichladdich (outstanding and not hype priced)

Laphroaig has some good batches and some not so good

bunnahabhain 25 is phenomenal if you can find a good price on it but at that price point it will never be a daily for most

Look into whiskey tasting clubs in your area. I joined one a few years ago and it's been a great way to sample a LOT of different scotches, help build your taste preference profile etc. :shots:

My regular scotch is Glenmorangie 18. Not an Islay but has incredible flavor and smoothness without the crazy price tag.
Scott

Agreed, and they also paid good money for some of Scotland's best maltmen to teach them.
Scott

I'm with you man. Can't stand Scotch. Good American or Irish Whiskey's...now you're talking.:seasix:

I've tried Irish Whiskey, and was not a fan. :shrug: Give me a good bourbon or rye and I'll be a happy camper.

:cheers:

Wow, Macallan 21...i bet that's serious cash. I've had Macallan 12, but that's about it.

WOW! Highland Park 25!! I've had 12, 18, and Magnus, and liked all of them. I bet 25 is unbelievable. 18 is fantastic.

Kind of disappointed that this thread turned into Islay hate, but oh well. If it's not peaty/smoky - TO ME, it's not scotch. But again, everyone has their thing. I tasted Laphroaig 10 once, and that's been my favorite ever since. Appreciate those that offered insight though! Very cool.

Speaking of Macallan my wife bought me a bottle of Rare Cask for fathers day last year. That stuff was awesome!

U.M.

http://www.kilmer-family.com/rarecask.jpg