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done myself a favour, got a bottle of Rare Breed in the post!! regular Wild Turkey is my favourite off-the-shelf tipple so looking forward to this – is it sacrilege to drink over ice?
postman has been. wow! dont think ill be adding ice...
I like Woodford or Makers neat/ room temp, but Buffalo Trace i like a big ice cube in there.
Malts i like in a glass, in my hand, warmed so slightly higher than room temp
I think Woodford Reserve has a surprising amount going on if you put it in a Glencairn glass,
and certainly for a drink you can often find at £20 a bottle.
Popped to Tesco and no Woodford left, did get a Wild Turkey 101 though, so far so good. Santa will hopefully bring a Rare Breed.
Back to the proper stuff.
Glenmorangie 10yo for £25 on Amazon.
Possibly the best-balanced single malt out there IMO, textbook stuff.
New to this. I just got Scapa Skirin for £32 in Asda, down from £41. The original Scapa 16 was my absolute favourite.
Back to the proper stuff.
Glenmorangie 10yo for £25 on Amazon.
Possibly the best-balanced single malt out there IMO, textbook stuff.
I'm with you there chakaping. Lovely spicy, citrusy dram.
Not a spirit man but got an M&S voucher in place of a works christmas party and took a punt on a bottle of Tamdhu - first bottle of whisky I've ever bought and really enjoyed it. Next up - Suntory Toki, solely so I can go "For relaxing times...." 🙂
Highland Park 12 is down to £20 in Morrisons.
Co-op have Ardmore single malt at a shade over £20 too.
I'm no big whisky man, but find them both very drinkable.
I got a bottle of Suntory Hibiki a while back its lovely!
Can I just say I have just stumbled upon this thread three Bruichladdich two finger measures down. I may move on to the cheap stuff now my faculties are going.
Supermarkets..
wifes just suggested we buy a bottle to go with a haggis shes just bought and we hardly ever have any in. neither of us really like it that much, its a drink that i want to like but i always head back to the rum.
however, im better with it than i used to be and think id prefer milder whiskies rather than peaty, so glenmorangie types maybe?
are there any suitable bottles on offer anywhere right now? im thinking in the £20's rather than £30's and above....
cheers
its a drink that i want to like but i always head back to the rum
I’d recommend Jura.
My wife bought me a nice selection of whiskies for Christmas. A few of my favourites a a few new ones. About 6 bottles. Then, on 1st Jan, she announced it would be a good idea for us to do dry January.
I’d recommend Jura.
think thats the one we had last, so id agree with you.....
You would probably be fine with a supermarket own brand Speyside tbh.
Lidl and Aldi may be the best bang for buck.
Lidl and Aldi may be the best bang for buck.
Agreed. They're quite pleasant and less than £20 a bottle.
google shows me aldi's glen marnoch 12 year old, any others?
thanks
The 8 year old Queen Margot blended malt at Lidl is perfectly passable.
google shows me aldi’s glen marnoch 12 year old, any others?
I usually get the Islay version of that, which is pleasant enough. I'd assume the Speyside is of similar quality.
I usually get the Islay version of that,
is lapphroig an islay? if its anything like that then naaaah 🤢
is lapphroig an islay?
No but Laphroaig is 😁 Plenty of other decent whiskys you might try a Glen Moray from the co-op often available at around £20. Usually no age statement at that price though.
Ps Islay whiskys are best imo, and Lagavulin 16 is the daddy of them all.
In that case have a go at the Lidl Ben Bracken Highland version. Just under £17 a bottle. It's sweeter and spicier with some nice chocolatey notes. Try it neat, then with a few drops of water. For the outlay it's one you could keep trying until you like it. And if you still don't like it use it as a mixer!
Ps Islay whiskys are best imo, and Lagavulin 16 is the daddy of them all.
but im guessing totally different from 'speysides'? i certainly didnt like 'Laphroaig' (sorry gordimhor) 😉
In that case have a go at the Lidl Ben Bracken Highland version. Just under £17 a bottle. It’s sweeter and spicier with some nice chocolatey notes.
well the bumph says.....
Light, elegant and refined with attractive nuances of vanilla honey, cinnamon, creamy caramel and coffee latte. These enticing aromas are reflected on the palate with rewarding silky flavours of roasted almonds, sun dried raisins, moist banana cake and maple syrup.
sounds lovely. im not very good at picking flavours out of beers/rums/whiskies, but id like to try that i think.....
The Lidl single malts I’ve had have been very good.
Lagavulin 16 is the daddy of them all
Agree… but so far from what they are seeking!
@sadexpunk Glenmorangie, Highland Park 12... if you didn't like Laphroig you will like precisely zero other Islays. I love a good drop of peaty, burning electronics, hospital disinfectant, but like a bottle of HP every now and then to reset the palate.
Take this chart with a pinch of salt (or a drop of water if you prefer) but it might give you a starting point.
Laphroaig 10 is 28 at Morrisons just FYI
thanks for that chart bob, interesting. i guess i should look nearer bottom left, polar opposite to the laphroaig? 😀
actually i just had another look at the lidl ben bracken and im confused now, theres 3 of them?
theres the speyside that has this bumph.....
Noble and dignified with warm rich aromas of crème brulee, glazed orange segments, honey dipped in brioche and marzipan. An unforgettable taste of coffee dark bitter chocolate, black morello cherries and pecan pie completes this highland masterpiece. The taste is big and juicy, complex and dry.
and the highland which has the taste i quoted above.....
Light, elegant and refined with attractive nuances of vanilla honey, cinnamon, creamy caramel and coffee latte. These enticing aromas are reflected on the palate with rewarding silky flavours of roasted almonds, sun dried raisins, moist banana cake and maple syrup.
the islay i can forget about 😀
which do you think would be nearer to a jura/glenmorangie whisky? i like the sound of the highland more, but youve recommended speysides?
thanks
im not very good at picking flavours out of beers/rums/whiskies, but id like to try that i think…..
I used to think it was all bollox, but seriously, try chewing it. Let it wash over all the different parts of your tongue and as you swallow realise you’re smelling it as well. You’ll be amazed at the different tastes flavours and aromas you get from a decent complex scotch. If it all tastes the same then it’s most likely shite......especially if all you’re really getting is a harsh alcohol flavour.
Sadexpunk- try Arran 10. A great introduction to better quality Scotch.
I used to think it was all bollox, but seriously, try chewing it. Let it wash over all the different parts of your tongue and as you swallow realise you’re smelling it as well. You’ll be amazed at the different tastes flavours and aromas you get from a decent complex scotch. If it all tastes the same then it’s most likely shite……especially if all you’re really getting is a harsh alcohol flavour.
we-ell, ill try, but i just dont think ive got the taste buds to detect the flavours. same with beer, my mate can taste the burnt toffee, notes of caramel yadayada, but me? just tastes like beer.
Sadexpunk- try Arran 10. A great introduction to better quality Scotch.
ok, its in the bottom left quadrant so it goes on the list of possibles 🙂
i'll let you know how i get on......
thanks
Sadexpunk Glen Goyne is a nice dram light and grassy in taste probably nearer to £30 than £20 though, Auchentoshan American oak is usually available around £20 - 22 it's caramel-ish in taste and goes well with a digestive biscuit (trust me) although tbh I wouldn't pay anymore than £22 for it.
Sadexpunk Glen Goyne is a nice dram light and grassy in taste probably nearer to £30 than £20 though, Auchentoshan American oak is usually available around £20 – 22 it’s caramel-ish in taste and goes well with a digestive biscuit (trust me) although tbh I wouldn’t pay anymore than £22 for it.
both bottom left, im seeing a pattern here on my list 😀
Aye, punk; step away from the Islay malts! Seriously;the Lidl mainland malts are perfectly drinkable. Couple of others you get on special in Tesco a fair bit are auchentoshan and Tamnavuilan. But honestly; Lidl malt for the win.
Glengoyne is a good shout. Worth keeping an eye on the prices of the 10 and 12 year old on Amazon as they do fluctuate. They had the 10 for £24 recently which was an absolute steal.
ok, one each of the ben brackens acquired, a highland and a speyside, they should keep me going a while. ill report back on whether i get any of those yummy sounding flavours coming through, but i really do think itll be 'just tastes like whisky'. itll also be interesting that if i dont, then can i still tell the difference between the two.
thanks for your help, ive noted those other recommendations for future too.
ill report back on whether i get any of those yummy sounding flavours coming through, but i really do think itll be ‘just tastes like whisky’.
well the results are in and er....... it just tastes like whisky 😀
myself and the wife did 3 taste tests.
test 1. couldnt remember all the tastes listed, so blind tasting. poured a drink from each bottle into a tumbler (no peeking at the labels), had a swig, and as recommended above swilled it around our mouths and over our tongues for a bit. taste any flavours? naaaah.
test 2. looked at both the lists of flavours but didnt know which one was which. but, we knew that somewhere in either of them should have been some creme brulee, glazed orange, dark choc, pecan pie, banana cake, vanilla honey, cinnamon, raisins, maple syrup..... get anything? nope. me neither.
test 3. identified the bottles and matched them to the lists. so we knew that this bottle should taste of these, and same for the other one.
not one of the listed flavours came through for either of us with either bottle. as i thought it might, it 'just tastes like whisky'. but, even tho we couldnt identify specific flavours, we did both agree that one was milder and 'nicer' than the other, but we just didnt know why. (the speyside was milder/nicer than the highland by the way)
sorry 😀
Try again with a little splash of water added to each glass. That can really bring out the flavours.
You don't have to do it right now, but I won't tell anyone if you do.
dohhh, knew i forgot something. i did that too as i heard it does indeed bring out the flavour more 🙂
sorry again 😀
Depending on what you don't like about Laphroaig, you shouldn't write off all Islay whiskys.
It has a strong TCP/ medicinal quality under the heavy smoke, which is fairly Laph. Other Islays are more subtle.
I don't mind Laphroaig, but currently have a bottle of Bowmore 12, and it is a wonderful experience, smoke is more fireside and bonfire and there isn't the TCP undertones.
Aside from that and re-treading old ground, have you tried Bourbon?
Sweeter, less intense than scotch, I recommend Makers Mark or Woodford Reserve, both commonly available for £20 (when deals are in place) and are great neat, with ice or mixed (heresy! get buffalo trace for mixing)
One Irish whiskey I have and enjoy is Pogues, seems gimicky but is great.
https://thedropstore.com/collections/irish-whiskey/products/the-pogues-irish-whiskey-40-0-70cl
£16
Depending on what you don’t like about Laphroaig, you shouldn’t write off all Islay whiskys.
was going to type that it was pure TCP but then read underneath where you say as much 🙂
i havent tried bourbon no, i maybe ought to sometime.
as for bowmore 12/pogues, im loathe to waste buy any more bottles until i get used to a milder whisky taste really.
thanks
I've a friend who loves the speysides. He buys a bottle every couple of weeks at £20-25. Drinks the lot in a few days which is fine as it suits him
.Me I buy bottles up to about £40 most months and occasionally up to £60. I have a dram or two every 2 or 3 nights. Any single bottle might be in the cupboard for upto 4 or 5 years before it's finished. He reckons that's fine. We think we spend roughly the same amount per year and both love whisky. The only problem is he can't stand peaty whisky shame really still all the more for me
update time. enjoying the ben bracken speysides probably a bit more than my rum at the moment, which led me to an impulse buy today.
tamnavulin at asda, £20. had speyside written on the bottle so thought id gamble. and..... i think i prefer it to the ben brackens, its very nice indeed. light, yet still leaves that burn in your mouth. again tho, i dont get the promised smells of toffee, honey or marzipan, nor the tastes of pear, pineapple or citrus. it just tastes like nice whisky 😀
cant find it on that chart ^^^, but id guess it should have a place in the 'bottom left quadrant' opposite the islays.
cheers
tamnavulin at asda, £20.
Tesco have a deal on the sherry cask version at the moment, £30 for a litre. In fact if you go onto Tesco online shop, select whisky > special offers, there's usually a couple of good ones there with some decent discounts.
I do like Tamnavulin, lovely warming mellow taste.
Tesco have a deal on the sherry cask version at the moment, £30 for a litre.
whats the difference?
whats the difference
There'll be some different random "tasting notes" on the label somewhere. They'll probably include raisins and the old favourite, Christmas Cake.
Actual difference will be anyone's guess from practically nil to actually noticeable.
https://www.irishpremiumspirits.com/shop/ have a good deal on Wild Geese.
I've gone for it x 2
The regular is drinkable, the single malt is bloody nice. Will be finding out soon what the limited is like.
https://thedropstore.com/collections/single-malt-whisky/products/benromach-malt-whiksy-10yro-43-70cl
Picked up a couple of bottles of Benromach 10. 10% off if you sign up to the mailing list and free delivery over £40.
This is the old bottling of the 10 year old. The new, rebranded Benromach 10 is not quite so good IMO. It's medium peated, a really good all rounder.
tamnavulin at asda, £20. had speyside written on the bottle so thought id gamble. and….. i think i prefer it to the ben brackens, its very nice indeed. light, yet still leaves that burn in your mouth. again tho, i dont get the promised smells of toffee, honey or marzipan, nor the tastes of pear, pineapple or citrus. it just tastes like nice whisky 😀
Tesco have a deal on the sherry cask version at the moment, £30 for a litre.
just poured myself a dram or two and had a good look at the bottle. turns out it is indeed the sherry cask version i bought. good job i didnt pretend to get those smells and tastes 😀
funny how your tastes change isnt it. even tho id always liked the thought of whisky and wanted to like it, the 'trial' bottles would just stand unloved in the cupboard after a swig or two, eventually being given away or taken to barbies for others to drink.
now ive discovered these speysides i cant get enough of it, and rums now taken a back seat.
so much so i had to pretty much write yesterday off after a particularly enthusiastic session during an online comedy show thursday evening.
wifes just bought me a glen marnoch from aldi to try too as she noticed it was a speyside. gonna have to be careful here 😀
Plenty of bargains starting to filter through to supermarkets.
Exporting has been problematic since China clamped down on bribery, the Americans imposed sanctions Anne now brexit
The premium stuff will no doubt remain premium, but the choice of well priced single malts seems to be in the up
I might try some whiskey this year.
Any opinions on the £16 peaty smokey bottle from Lidl? (Starts with A).
I think it's quite nice - if a touch sweet for my taste. Would love it at 45%
Just seen a bottle of Singletons Speyside down to £25 in local Tesco, £12 off it says....
Not heard of that one, anyone care to comment as to whether it's a good one or not?
Any recommendations for a nice drop of non-peaty / non smokey malt? Up to 50 UKP.
My tastes tend to Islay, so the usual Lagavulin, Laphroig, etc etc. Gotta get a bottle for someone who did me a favour and they don't like the smokey peaty ones so much. I'm a bit ignorant of anything not from Islay.
Freester,
I'd recommend Deanston 12 and Glen Garioch 12. Both unpeated malts from thr Highland region. The Deanston should be sub £40, the Glen Garioch (pronounced Gairee) just over. Usually available on Amazon.
There are a couple of non-peated Islay malts - Bunnahabhein and the standard Bruichladdich.
Thank you. I already got him a bottle of the Bruichladdich Classic Laddie!!!
Thanks for the recommendations.
Glengoyne is a good tipple for non-peaty/non-smokey
only had the 10yr, but a 12yr just arrived this morning and is waiting to be opened.
Mine came from house of Malt, but the 10yr is often available at M&S at about £35
Glengoyne 10 occasionally come up for £25 quid on Amazon. It's just under £30 at the moment.
Another suggestion would be a nice bourbon. Have a look at Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Usually available under 50 quid.
Bunnahabhain 12 is very nice for that price
Just seen a bottle of Singleton Speyside down to £25 in local Tesco, £12 off it says….
Not heard of that one, anyone care to comment as to whether it’s a good one or not?
well i also saw it for even less at asda, just £22 so i had a punt. pleased i did, i think its my favourite at the minute.
i never get any of the flavours listed with beers/whiskies, but with this one i do get a hint of pear. not sure i would have if i hadnt read it first, but now i know its there i definitely get it. lovely and smooth.
Saw an Ardbeg 10yo in Tesco yesterday for £37.
I've picked up a bottle of Penderyn single malt Madeira whiskey. Chose it after a recommendation from a colleague and a look at their website. Not tried it yet but the presentation looks good so therefore it must taste ok 😉😂.
Penderyn being Welsh is always on special somewhere - don't think I've seen it at full price in supermarkets.
Edit - its £23 in Asda today
I paid £26 from Tesco for the Penderyn. Should be £37 if you don't have a clubcard. I'll look in Asda next time.
Amazon have Balvenie Doublewood for £32 at the moment. I know it's Amazon but it's a good price.
I paid £26 from Tesco for the Penderyn. Should be £37 if you don’t have a clubcard.
Penderyn is never worth £37 (IMO), that's just another of the artificial price bumps Tesco is using to drive people towards Clubcard.
Saw an Ardbeg 10yo in Tesco yesterday for £37.
So did I, and I bought one of them.
Now there's a bottle which is worth £37.
Have that and then treat yourself to the Uigeadail next!
Have recently tried the Adelphi blended malt which is pretty decent for a blend. Lightly peated and fruity, available for just over £20.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BXM2CSW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_7V5QYVQVJ1WFY7F7RMTC
A great price for a peated, sherried Bunna, 46.3%, natural colour and non-chill filtered.
impulse buy today, saw auchentoshan at tesco down from £35ish to £22 i think it was.
remembered it being a name thats been recommended on here, checked it didnt say 'peaty' or 'smokey' in the bumph and took a punt.
coconut, burnt toffee, vanilla and citrus you say? nahhhh, as per usual i dont get the flavours, but its a very nice, reeeaaally smooth tipple, which as per usual makes my gums tingle when i swill it round my mouth 😀
dont know if this is one of the recommended bottles, but its American Oak.
i like.....
I might take a trip down the tesco booze aisle this weekend.
I enjoyed the Penderyn whiskey i bought earlier in the year.
Resurrected for XMAS21.
any must have super bargains out there at the moment?
Best deal I've seem at present is Lagavulin 8 year old, £38 in Tesco with a Clubcard. Usually around £55 and a superior dram to the 16 year old in my view.
Ardbeg is down to £37 in Morrisons at the moment. Usually £47
mrb...Dads present sorted! doffs cap.
Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold and Cardhu Gold Reserve down to £25 at Tesco.
Glengoyne 10 or 12
Deanston
Anything arran
Tobermory
Glenallachie 12
Cotswolds (avaliable in supermarkets)
All beautiful non plated whiskys
Sainsbury's always have good deals on whisky I find. They seem to rotate their stock through the discount. So Laphroaig 10 and Aberlour 12 both have £10-11 off bringing them into the £20's. I particularly like Aberlour. This time I went for something different, the Jura Journey for £22 - lovely rich, smooth slightly smokey favour (but not ott).