scotch suggestion

I'm almost out of Talisker, so I picked up a Macallan 12 this morning. Running out of a proper single malt is unthinkable.

 

I've had and stocked most of the aforementioned over the years (Macallan, Dalwhinnie, Oban, LaPhroaig, Lagavulin, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, etc, etc). Recently I got into the cask-strength super-peaty products and these two are killer:

Ardbeg Supernova
Bruichladdich Octomore

http://www.allthingswhisky.com/?p=442

Warning: not for the faint of heart. Probably highly carcinogenic.

On a milder note, I recently tried Johnny Walker Double Black and found it a pleasant and interesting variant on JW's traditional blended whiskeys, for those liking theirs with a little more peat.

http://www.luxist.com/2010/09/29/johnnie-walker-double-black-going-global/

 

Yin,

Have you had the Bruichladdich 26 "Stillman's Dram"?

Heaven!

 

No, I've not had the pleasure. I was going to put it on my shopping list, but it looks like it's a sold out limited edition .

 

Lagavulin is my favorite when I want a strong flavor, Mac for when I want smoooooth.

Question for you all though, I have never tried this, has anyone ever put their Scotch in the freezer (like vodka) to serve cold? I know icing the Scotch is taboo, but that has as much to do with dilution as temeprature.
Just curious, like I said, never tried it.

 

room temp....

Caoi Ila is peatier if you're feeling even more adventurous, Ardbeg.

 

Got invited to the Balvenie Rare Craft Experience in Chicago for next week. I had gone a couple of years ago and had an amazing time and get to go again. They host their complete range there for tasting and food for 2 hours. It was quite an evening last time and I expect this to be no different.

I'll report back for anything new but can speak from experience how good their 12yo and 21yo are from the bottles on my shelf that I had even before that invite.

 

This.

Freezing cold would just numb the taste buds. With good vodka, it should be almost pure ethanol and drinking at freezing temp helps to reduce the flavor of any residual components. Perhaps this practice started for that reason (rotgut vodka in the hinterlands, combined with convenient outdoor freezers). With good scotch, you want sensitivity to the residual flavors, much like wine, so room to hand temp.

 

Macallan 12 neat, Pierre Marcolini chocolate, and Fchat. Breakfast of champions.
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Just realized I am really low on the Mac 12. Will have to do something about that.
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Yeah, like getting the 18 Reserva and the 25.

 

That is exactly what I was thinking!!!!!! Amazing!!!!!

 

great minds!

 

Had the Glenfiddich 15 and 18, I thought both were great. The 15 would be good to have on hand. Very approachable for someone who doesn't drink a lot of scotch. Lots of honey, almost bourbonesque. The 18 I found was quite fruity, very smooth, sweet and spicy finish. Also tried a 15yr Glenmorangie, very soft, very light, almost like water compared to the Glenfiddich.

 

Tried a new scotch during a recent business trip and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was the Cardhu 12 yr. Scotch. I was told the Cardhu Single Malt is the base scotch for all of the Johnny Walker Blue and JW Black. Has anyone else tried this scotch?

 

I brought a bottle of Kirkland/Sherry Cask Macallen 15 from Costco to a party last night and it was damn good for the $$$.

 

Love that Glenmorangie 18 after meals.

 

I'm a rum guy but recently perked up my tastebuds with a few choice oloroso sherry casked whiskeys. Macallan cask strenght, glenfarclas 105 and my fave abelour a'bunadh. All at approx 60% alcohol by volume, sipped carefully!

 

Mac 18 neat with Galler [Belgium] and Charbonnel et Walker [UK] (both are Royal Warrant holders).

The 18 is noticeably smoother than the 12.
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one of my favourites ...

 

Have any of you guys tried Bruichladdich Sauternes cask 16yrs? A friend has recommended it

 

The Mac 18 is an awesome single malt. Enjoy it in good health!

 

Go for the Stillman's Dram 26 instead, it'll blow your mind!

 

A friend just sent me a bottle of "Fine Oak" Mac 17 for Christmas.

That's a good friend!

 

Good friend indeed!