Need Help - Single Malt Whiskey

[phillisc]

Ahh Scott, how could I forget Aberlour A'Bunadh.
I went to a whisky dinner in Adelaide and after trying 15 or so over a wonderful dinner finished with this beauty.
Loved the sherry influence and got a bottle.

Next morning at work the most cleanest thoughts...not hungover but anaesthetised with clubbed fingers on the keyboard and a blood alcohol of probably >0.20!!! In a word, I felt high.

At 67% cask strength only Grand Chartreuse has its measure ( in regards to anything I have had).

Cheers
Craig

[Krusty]

At 67% cask strength only Grand Chartreuse has its measure ( in regards to anything I have had).

Virtually RSA poster boys compared to some of the Buffalo Trace big hitters like Thomas H Handy and George T Stagg (rye whisky and bourbon respectively) that dial in well over the 70% mark.

About 5mls in a glass with a heavy hand on the water is enough to sit on for quite a few hours.

[Mahmoud Ali]

I went through a number of the distilleries last year (when golf wasn't getting in the way!) and .........

I've heard about golf getting in the way of a nice walk but this is a first.

Mahmoud.

[Mike Hawkins]

Fair point Mahmoud ! That's why Royal Dornoch is the dream ! #6 ranked course in the world (my 2nd favourite) and 5 minutes drive from Glenmorangie. I've been known to do 36 holes with a pit stop at the distillery between rounds - especially in summer as it gets dark so late.

[Mike Hawkins]

At 67% cask strength only Grand Chartreuse has its measure ( in regards to anything I have had).

Virtually RSA poster boys compared to some of the Buffalo Trace big hitters like Thomas H Handy and George T Stagg (rye whisky and bourbon respectively) that dial in well over the 70% mark.

About 5mls in a glass with a heavy hand on the water is enough to sit on for quite a few hours.

I've given up on the Stagg. Its getting expensive, hard to find and the alcohol knocks me around (I'm getting old).

Mike

[phillisc]

Have to look that one up, cheaper than the local that my dentist charges for extractions...and I dare say a lot more pleasant.

Cheers
Craig

[Mahmoud Ali]

....... and 5 minutes drive from Glenmorangie. I've been known to do 36 holes with a pit stop at the distillery between rounds - especially in summer as it gets dark so late.

Mike, if I could visit a distillery between rounds.....I'd start playing golf!

PS: I'm sipping on my latest find, a 12 year-old Famous Grouse vatted malt - all single malt from a number of distilleries including the Macallan and Highland Park - all of A$31.50 - cannot complain.

[Cloth Ears]

One of my favourite poisons, whisky always tempts me. Again and again.

For the novice, I've found that $200 on purchasing the 4 different McClelland whiskies (Islay, Highland, Speyside & Lowland) can provide the basic grounding that is whisky. None are what I'd call 'super', but none are offensive either. They won't put off someone who will go on to further whiskies, and they give a cheap introduction.
For the reader, Malt Maniacs (http://www.maltmaniacs.net/) can provide you with a wealth of information. And they've collectively tasted over 17,000 bottlings at last count, which should provide some sort of background.
Variation can be found by looking for Hart Brothers, Gordon&McPhail or Douglas Laing, who do independent bottlings of some of the lesser and better known distilleries. Some of the more interesting ones I've gained from here were a 28YO Caol Ila and a 17YO Laphroiag, both of which were at least half the price of similar offerings and were at barrel strength. They cover a number of different price ranges also - from $50 up to $1000.
I still have a bottle of the first offering of Sullivan's Cove - essentially a fairly noxious substance, tasting mainly of oak sap. But have tried them since and they produce some nice stuff. Hellyers Road and Lark produce some nice drops, but I'd search out the single barrel stuff rather than the standard offerings.
Amrut have a nice selection and are the best of the Indian ones I've tried, the Fusion (a blend of single malts) being very approachable.
Of the Scotchs, I'm partial to the (oft mentioned) A'Bunadh, as well as Laphroiag, Highland Park (16YO is a steal), Balvenie (Double Wood is also very cheap), Port Ellen (if you can get it), Talisker, Bunnahabhain (16YO is a nice one), The Glenlivet Nadurra (the one with 'Oloroso' on the label) and Lagavulin.
Not too keen on anything by Johnny Walker (Cardhu), Glenfiddich, Macallan, Auchentoshan or Glenkinchie.
And Glenfarclas provide an interesting set of whiskies ranging from 12 to 30 years of age, at fairly reasonable pricings. These give quite a good indication of aging from a single distillery - so you can make your guesses as to what will happen with other whiskies. Personally, I find the increasing 'toffee' of the older whiskies menas that my collection is of the younger varieties. But you cannot say this for all of them - the 28YO Caol Ila was more like a 15YO to my taste.
I've tried most things, and even Chalie Richards has it's place (with lemon and honey when you have a cold).

"One man, so little time" - Iain Banks (during the writing of his book "In search of the perfect dram")