whisky advice part deux

sheepsteeth

Wife RE has offered to buy me some whisky for christmans and the fine folks at work are going to buy me some for leaving.

so i want 3 (one from the wife, one from the mess and one from my troop) bottles of whisky (from anywhere in the world) each for the price of between 50 and 60 quid, maybe something a bit less mainstream than the bottles available on your average supermarket shelf.

for reference the bottles i currently own and enjoy are:

Johnnie walker black, green and blue labels
The balvenie signature
glenfiddich 12 yo
Abelour 10 Yo
Chivas regal 12yo
the singleton
the glenlivet 12yo
Jameson
Jameson 12yo
Penderyn madiera finish

The ones i have tried and dont like are:

Highland park 12yo
Laphroag 10 yo
Talisker 10yo

I would say in general i like softer, less smoky and peaty drinks and really would like something a little bit special if th is achievable at this price point.

cheers.

cat_with_no_tail

Slightly OT as I know naff all about Whisky/ey but you leaving work sheeps? I was under the impression it was "work RE".

whyamihere

Jura. I love Jura Superstition, but based on your preferences, plain Jura will probably be better. Old Pulteney recently had a malt named the world's best, and the (significantly cheaper) 12 year old is still incredibly nice. Also, The Macallan rocks my world.

sheepsteeth

Cat With No Tail wrote:

Slightly OT as I know naff all about Whisky/ey but you leaving work sheeps? I was under the impression it was "work RE".

It is but i got promoted a few months ago and am expecting to move into a new post in the new year. ive got about 9 and a half years left and will be staying as long as i can imagine.

WAIH, thanks for the suggestions, i will look those up

cat_with_no_tail

Furry muff. Congrats.

As you were

AndyBeast

I'm working my way through this book http://www.beanbone.co.uk/book/20619-101-whiskies-to-try-before-you-die-0-9780755360833.html it's well worth a read as they don't cover the stupid expensive ones, there's only a few over £150. If someone else is paying go unusual; apparently Yamazaki 18yo is one of the best Whisky's in the world (and the 12yo is very nice, just wish someone else would buy me the 18yo!!).

sheepsteeth

I have that book too, i love that it isnt as pretentious as some whisky opinions i have read and i dont feel completely priced out of the shop with it if you know what i mean.

i had some of the 12yo yamazaki and i liked it, a bit strong tasting for my pallette at the time but i find i am more tolerant and i enjoy stronger tasting whisky than i did when i first started drinking it

sheepsteeth

Just read about the old pulteny which won this years best whisky award and it sounds right up my street, unfortunately, it appears to be out of stock everywhere but at about 75 quid a bottle i reckon i could convince the wife to get me that

AndyBeast

ooh, does sound good, try these chaps.

http://www.whiskyshop.com/Shop/Old-Pulteney-17-year-old-PID1870.aspx

Beardface

I got rather messy on Oban Distillers Edition at a fancy wedding recently. Went down a treat.

CraigXXL

I have a similar taste to those that Sheepsteeth has but I was bought a bottle of Old Pultneney and don't like it one bit. It now sits at the back of the shelf next to the Bells that someone else bought me.
I would look at another Irish such as Redbreast, Bushmills Black Bush or Powers Gold Label in that order. Not malts but damn good blends. Jonnie Walkers would also complement your range of whiskeys.
Since you already have a fair few whiskeys why not try something different such as good rum or cognac.

Pudseyp

I really like Bushmills 10yo £30...slightly sweeter than Jamerson's probably my fave to be honest..
I also like Oban which is fiery and a bit peaty (no not the DH racer)

Some other recomendations
Dalmore 12Yo around £35
Auchentoshan 12yo £30
Ben Riach £30

For a total whiskeymindfuck try these guys they have over 750 different malts and blends...

chiefinspector

Mortlach 16 years old - about £60 a bottle. Speysides finest. Macallan 18 year old is also excellent but a bit more expensive at £90.

Mortlach is a less well known whisky but def worth a try.

rudderboy

Judging by your list, I reckon the blends are the way to go. Don't go near the Jura if you don't like Laphroaig - they're all even smokier, so probably not for you. If you want to try something similar then Bruichladdich is a favourite Islay distillary of mine. I'm normally a single malt fan, but look out a blend called Monkey Shoulder - not expensive but seriously drinkable.

allen.coulson

Try one of the Bunnahabhain (pronounced Boonahahven). It is an Islay malt - but the mildest of the lot and is classed a Breakfast Malt. It is not pungent like Lagavullen or Laphroig but nice. (roughly the Islay malts get rougher in alphabetical order).

allen.coulson

rudderboy wrote:

Judging by your list, I reckon the blends are the way to go. Don't go near the Jura if you don't like Laphroaig - they're all even smokier, so probably not for you. If you want to try something similar then Bruichladdich is a favourite Islay distillary of mine. I'm normally a single malt fan, but look out a blend called Monkey Shoulder - not expensive but seriously drinkable.

Good.

montevideoguy

Going by what you've said, I'll second Auchentoshan and the McCallan.

I'll also through out Glengoyne as a suggestion. I came across the distillery when out on the bike (obviously back when I was still in Scotland) and sampled their 10, 17 and 21 year old efforts. The 10 and 17 were pretty awesome (the 21 had too much going on for my liking).

The ride back home was...'interesting'


When I get back to Scotland next year, assuming I don't get arrested on my arrival for fraud, I'll be picking up some Highland Park and some Glenrothes (either '98, '95, or Alba reserve) to bring back here.

sheepsteeth

looking at the glengoyne website, it sounds right up my street. i think im going to let wife RE buy me the 17yo expression,

one down, 2 to go.

also, craigxxl, i love bushmills black bush, its one of a very few whiskeys i have spent a whole evening drinking (70p a measure in the mess!!)

sheepsteeth

chiefinspector wrote:

Mortlach 16 years old

Mortlach is a less well known whisky but def worth a try.

just read about that in the 101 whiskys to try before you die book and i think you are right, sounds tasty, especially as it is used in johnnie walker (which i love)

ive found it for around 40 quid so i think it has made it in to the second place spot.

2 down, one left to go

Pudseyp

You could try this from Conrad Murry's distillary

louthepoo

I've only been drinking whisky for a few months but have gotten through quite a few different whiskys from the cheap supermarket stuff to the stuff I could never justify buying for myself. My mate at works best man has a mail order whiskey taster site where you can try many different whiskys from all over the place and buy the ones you like. I'll let you know the website when my mate gets back from holiday.

sheepsteeth

thats fantastic, thanks pal.

nicklouse

sheeps
http://www.aberlour.com/en/therange/abunadh

louthepoo

Its called 'The Whisky Tasting Company' apparantly

bobbyg81

Get involved..

Seriously drinkable whisky and worth every penny!

http://www.whiskyandwines.com/glenmoran ... -3179.html

http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/ba ... ld-whisky/

Stevo_666

Best one I ever tasted was Lagavulin 16 y.o. No idea if that's in the right price range (and may not be to sheeps' taste as it's an Islay malt so a bit peaty/smokey/seaweedy etc), but for me it was just sublime.

Clank

Royal Mile Whiskies have this:

http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/produc ... 0000037104

It's lovely - with hints of orange and coconut, and non-too astringent. It was the best bottling from this distillery IMO.

One of those whiskies that still makes me regret having to stop drinking.