What's your favorite single-malt scotch?

[jgraz]

Poll question: What's your favorite single-malt scotch?

I've just started learning about the wonders of scotch, and I'm looking for some recommendations.

To make it simple, I'm just listing the distilleries. If you have a specific age/cask, please specify it below. As usual, cast your votes for "other" in the comments. :beer:

[SteppingRazor]

1. No Cragganmore? No Oban?

Bah. Not even worth voting. :P

[jgraz]

2. Like I said: new to the whole scotch thing

And there's only 10 slots. I also left off Auchentoshan, which is one of my faves.

[SteppingRazor]

11. I know, I know. Just being a scotch snob. Of the choices you gave, I went with The Balvenie...

but I probably only went with it because I've currently got a bottle of the 21-year-old Portwood Balvenie right now, and I tend to be partial to whatever I've got on hand at the moment.

[jgraz]

12. Yep, the 21 portwood is why I put it on the list.

though the doublewood 12 is also very good.

For Craggie and Oban, any specific recs?

[SteppingRazor]

15. The standard bottles are excellent.

Oban's 14-year is the common brand, and it's very good, though I like the Distiller's Edition, which is aged in sherry casks. There are Obans that are more-aged, but they are obscenely expensive.

Cragganmore's 12-year is almost the equal of Oban, and I actually prefer the standard bottle to the Distiller's Edition, which in this case is aged in port casks.

The two whiskys have similar high-end editions because they're both owned by the massive booze company Diageo, which, in my humble opinion, controls all of the best single-malts in Scotland: Cragganmore, Oban, Dalwhinnie, and several others.

As far as the Distiller's Editions of all of these Diageo-owned single malts, I highly recommend the 14-year Glenkinchie, which uses Amontillado casks. If you're a big fan of Auchentoshan, you'll probably love Glenkinchie -- I believe the two are the only lowland scotch whiskys still in production.

[jgraz]

18. I like Auchentoshan for now, just cuz it's different from my usual drink

My bro, who hates peaty scotch, recommended it. It's a great change of pace but, given the choice, I'll stick with the peatmonsters.

[MissMillie]

9. Oban is quite wonderful

has a mossy quality.

[jgraz]

20. "A mossy quality" I love the way scotch drinkers describe their whiskies

"A briny mix of burnt rubber and dogshit... it's my current favorite..." :rofl:

[MissMillie]

22. I'm really not much of a scotch drinker

If that's what there is, I'll drink it. But I prefer tequila

[jgraz]

24. I can totally get behind a good tequila

The problem is that a good tequila will kick my ass the next day.

[jgraz]

27. Had some Cragganmore tonight.

No offense, but it didn't do a lot for me. Gotta try Oban next.

[SteppingRazor]

28. Oh, that's it. I'm putting you on ignore.

:D

[jgraz]

30. Hey, it was certainly drinkable. I'd never say no if someone offered me a pour.

But it didn't hit me the way Talisker or Lagavulin did. I guess I'm turning into a scotch snob, too. :D

[VMI Dem]

3. Laphroaig. Like a tasty ash tray.

[jgraz]

4. The 10-year cask strength is quite nice

But yeah, it leaves me tasting smoked sausage for the next couple hours.

[REP]

8. The 15 is better

[SteppingRazor]

7. Ha! Yeah, that is easily the peatiest Scotch I've had.

Unless you're into that smokiness, it's almost impossible to drink. But, because of the unique taste, Laphroaig's great for cocktail experimentation. Cutting the smokiness of the scotch with some sweetness, whether from citrus fruits, chocolate liqueurs or what have you, can make for an amazing drink.

[jgraz]

13. you cannot drink the 10 year straight.

Unlike barrel-proof bourbons, a cask-strength scotch is almost undrinkable. I cut the 10 year 2 parts whisky to 1 part cold filtered water. It's excellent that way.

[SteppingRazor]

16. I prefer straight with a couple of ice cubes...

and I allow the cubes to melt a bit before drinking. :thumbsup:

[jgraz]

17. That works. I don't like my scotch too cold, so I stick with the water.

[peacefreak]

5. Edradour

like drinking feathers, it is. At $60.00 a bottle I've only had it a time or two.

[jgraz]

6. Have you actually ever drunk feathers?

They're pretty nasty, trust me. ;)

[peacefreak]

21. yeah, but this whisky is sssoooooo light.

would an angel's kiss be better? I also love (& can't afford) Dalwhinnie.

[jgraz]

25. Gotta try it.

I have 8 parrots in my home and I've swallowed a fair few down feathers. They're basically shredded fingernails. :puke:

[REP]

10. I like Lismore

My husband is a Laphraiog enthusiast.

[jgraz]

14. FYI: My current vote is Talisker.

The best oyster scotch I've tried.

[jgraz]

19. Damn, now I want a drink...

WTF, it's after noon here. I'm thinking Laphroaig...

[Deep13]

23. Glenlivet 18...

Balverie Doublewood is very nice too. Very smooth.

[jgraz]

26. No argument from me.

Glenlivet 18 was the first scotch I tried. Never looked back after that.

[MiddleFingerMom]

29. The MacAllan

.
One Christmas, a local grocery chain had a gift box with
two rocks glasses and a fifth of 12-year-old MacAllan
(which went for about $50 a bottle at that time) and I
don't know if it was mislabeled or what, but it went for
$18. I bought all 8 they had on display.
.
My Scotch-drinking friends were VERY happy with their
gift that year.
.

[arbusto_baboso]

31. I was lucky enough to score an 18 year old MacAllan a couple years ago.

Paid a king's ransom for it, but worth every penny.

Also, I think there's a reason why Glenmorangie is the best selling single malt in the UK.

[jgraz]

32. My friend died recently and his wealthy cousin brought a Mac 36/1965 to the funeral.

Zev was a serious scotch drinker and his cousin had planned to give him this bottle once he recovered to the point where he could drink again (he never did, obviously).

We sat around, drinking out of paper cups and toasting Zev until that bottle was gone. It was the perfect tribute to a really wonderful guy.

OK... I have something in my eye.

[Bertha Venation]

33. Very moving. n/t

[Fleshdancer]

34. I keep coming back to Highland Park

If I can ever find the time (and the designated driver), I want to find a bar that will help me host a scotch flight for me and my friends. Reading about the different regions is one thing, but being able to taste the difference sounds like a lot of fun.

[jgraz]

35. I just tried the 18. Very impressive.

I love doing scotch flights. Many Bay Area restaurants offer them, and many include tastes of very expensive malts that would break the bank for a full serving.