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I’m a whiskey beginner and tasting a few scotch malts, any recommendations?
Caol Ila.
Scapa Skirin
Start at Speyside and then head to the west. My favourite Speyside is Mortlach 16 but the 12 is nice. Oban Little Bay is a cracker but don't touch it with water as it disappears.
Caol Ila is a good shout.
Highland Park 12.
Or if you want something more esoteric Mortlach.
Longrow red.
The following may or may not be recommended:
Glenmorangie - bland.
Glenlivet - some ok.
Aberlour 12yo is a good one. Try a few though, I really like a sherry finish but others like a bourbon and then there's the peaty stuff like Lagavulin and Ardbegs.
Enjoy them all, there's not many truly bad ones.
And ignore the snobs, there's nothing wrong with a blend either. I live on Speyside and get to hear plenty of crap spoken about good drams just because it's not a single malt.
Compass Box do some great stuff 👌🏻
Find a good boozer and try a few - so many variables and palates..
What have you tried so far that you've liked?
Sweeter / more sherried drams might be a gateway. Jura / Dalmore / Tobermory.
It’s impossible because people are gonna say what the enjoy, but you may not. You need to try some yourself.
I love Caol Ila & Bunnahabhain, in fact anything from Islay, while my mate hates them all. He loves Deanston or nothing too peaty/smoky.
Try something moderate like Dalwhinnie & go from there.
(Cue our experts to say that Dalwhinnie isn’t moderate)
And ignore the snobs, there’s nothing wrong with a blend either.
There's nothing inherently wrong with a blend. But there's a lot of terrible ones.
The only whisky I would truly avoid is Glen Moray. It's often on offer in the supermarkets but is truly nasty.
Personally I'd start with speysides and then work outwards according to your tastes. I really like the Aberlours, Ardmore and Glenlivet (currently enjoying a bottle of illicit still at 48%). Glenmorangie is a good staple if you like the softer end.
So far been trying miniatures,
Belvenie, Glenfidich, Monkey shoulder, the latter I would say my favourite so far but keen to sample more and learn. Nice to sit in front of fire and sip away
To be honest if you are buying bottles do a little research on the " reference' distillers for each area and then look for the supermarket offers. If it doesn't state an age it's not the "standard" for the distillery, but still could be quite nice.
You can do quite well paying not more than £25 a bottle
Aberlour 12 is quite a nice tipple but GlenAllachie is even nicer - just over the hill from Aberlour but you’ll probably not find it in a supermarket. Sometimes you find good deals on Amazon.
Anything from
Aran
Glengoyne
Deanston
Glenallachie
Tobermory
Some great value on the web!
Most of the above non peaty.
+1 Caol Ila and Highland Park.
Had a Glenlivet Special Reserve recently which was very drinkable. Does it have to be Scotch and single malt? Jamesons is what I’d drink normally. Very smooth it’s lovely.
As for ‘posh’ whisky? Well, not sure if this counts but I’m sipping some of a surprise (and welcome) Xmas gift of Penderyn Sherrywood. Now this is a proper mouth-twister. I was initially skeptical as I thought there was a sort of detergent taste to it. But obviously (it being a gift, and what with the Glenlivet and Jamesons both finished) I persevered.
Maybe I’ve had a single shot just two or three nights a week? On the third week I found myself more and more looking forward to rolling it around on the tongue trying to work it out. It certainly proved not to be unpleasant as I thought. It’s actually mysterious (is one word I can think of). I’m really, really enjoying savouring Penderyn and kind of hoping that it’s mysteries continue to be slowly, incompletely revealed until the last drop. It makes me think of that old quote about ‘leaving them wanting more’. Yet I get the feeling that the malt itself is all there. And in spades, it’s just waiting for me to catch up.
I like
1. being initially wrong about ‘bad’ things and discovering they’re fantastic after all.
2. to be genuinely surprised by something different
Penderyn Sherrywood ticks both boxes and so has won my enthusiastic allegiance.
That’ll be two shots tonight, then 🥃🥃.
Loaf?
This ranks pretty highly on my list of favourites:
I'm a big fan of Shackleton and his expeditions.
This is the story about the the whisky.
Its a recreation of the whisky that Shackleton took on his 1907 expedition.
£20 a bottle in Tesco when its in the sale.
A sherried Penderyn piques my interest.
Not enough to buy a bottle, I grant you, but I'm certainly curious.
@Cougar I’m both piqued and satisfied on taste enough to next throw half a ton at the Portwood just for the joy of it. The Sherrywood hits sweet, then heady/chemical almost mezcal laced with pine resin, then goes sweet again finishing mainly with orange, honey and vanilla spices. But theere are other things in there. Little, impish, occult note-lets floating in and around the roots of the tree. Now I’m easily three in, and it’s beginning to taste like how that starry night painting looks!
Note to self: (Enjoy carefully. Remember, last year you wanted to drum like Bill Ward, not to look like Bill Ward)
I would recommend you watch this first. The same guy's "recycled reviews" are worth watching too.
I'm a fan of Aberfeldy 12....could be due to familiarity as the father in law gets a discount from work.
Talisker Storm is my current favourite.
Glenmorangie – bland.
Disagree, I usually drink Islays and Glenmorangie 10 is my favourite mellower dram.
One of the best-balanced whiskies out there IMO.
OP - I don't think anyone has mentioned Ardbeg - the 10-year-old is glorious and possibly the most accessible Islay (peaty & medicinal) whisky.
I like Benromach 10yr
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/benromach/benromach-10-year-old-old-bottling-whisky/
Colour: Medium gold
Nose: Salted lemon and lime and pickled sushi ginger at first. A toasted malt loaf aroma emerges with hints of caught fruit. When reduced fresher fruit notes develop with green apple, crisp citrus with herbal and floral notes. After time a sweetness of boiled sweets (the ones in the tin) and lime flavoured jelly sweets.
Palate: Super chewy with grist at full strength. Pithy pink grapefruit gives a very delicate bitterness. Malty and oaty flapjack with mixed peel. Wet hemp sacking. When reduced the slight bitterness lingers at the back of the palate like fresh green tea with lemon. A hint of sulphur.
Finish: Hot and chewy when neat but softens well on the second sip and with water - but excellent neat.
If the above sounds good... I had the chance last week to sample my cask share at Bruichladdich. We've just passed 10 years and are discussing what to do next.
At the supermarket offer prices Highland Park, Old Pulteney and Cardhu Gold Reserve get my vote.
Paying a bit more I always pick up a Glen Ord 12 year or they used to deliver if you phoned the distillery. Johnnie Walker Green Label is great value imo
What about a Lowland, nice grassy agricultural flavour - Auchentoshan.
I like Benromach 10yr
The Benromach Organic is the single best bang-for-your-buck whisky I've ever found.
This shows that what's right for one person is totally wrong for another 😀
It can be hard to find what you like.
I recommend something like this - 20cl bottles to try a few different ones, rather than buying big bottles of each. I bought this and was really surprised that the Clynelish was my favourite: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Malts-Coastal-Collection-Pack/dp/B00PAG80LA/ref=sr_1_16?adgrpid=1176478340376900&hvadid=73530096250834&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=133355&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-73530032208066%3Aloc-188&hydadcr=23453_1839521&keywords=20cl+whisky+sets&qid=1643628211&sr=8-16
Otherwise a whisky-me subscription is a good thing to try - 50ml of a different whisky every month.
Enjoy the process - don't just look for drinks you know you'll like!
Clynelish 14yr is another one of my favourites.
I had an Arran 14yr several yrs ago
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/arran/arran-14-year-old-with-tasting-glass-whisky/?srh=1
This is currently on rotation in my desk drawer: https://www.systembolaget.se/produkt/sprit/high-coast-8237502/
Very drinkable.
Whisky is a truly deep thing to get into though and, like with many things, everyone has different tastes and opinions. T.ex: I really like Islay whisky, but the ones that are super-heavily peated are not really something I go for, so Optomore is not something I would choose.
If you are near London, you could do worse than to go here http://www.saltbar.com/ and just spend a night or two trying what they have to see what you like. Or just got to Islay and get someone to drive you around the distilleries.
I'd probably stay clear of Caol Ila if its your first look at malts, yes it is nice and I've got a bottle of the stuff but its quite strong flavoured. I'd say a good beginner one would be a Bunnahabhain 12, a Balvenie or Glenfarclas 15 is really nice.
yep when I was in Edinburgh I asked in a bar for the heaviest, peatiest, smoky whisky they had as I wanted to try it. I was given Caol Ila. Nice drop but I wouldn't want a bottle if it.
Bruichladdich 12 brilliant starter malt good presentation and price
I'd start by not upsetting purists. It's WHISKY that's made in Scotland from malted barley, not WHISKEY which is Grain, or Corn un-malted.
Other than that, it is very much a case of personal taste and the circumstances. I quite like Glen Grant as a very light and delicate whisky, most likely as an aperitif, but also Laphroaig which is anything but light and delicate, later on in the evening.
Apologies bunnahabhain 12 doh bloody predictive text is full of whiskies lol
An inexpensive way to trying out a few "variants" would be to head to Lidl or Aldi.
Both stores do a trio of excellent value single malts at around £17 a bottle.
They each do a
Speyside (lighter and occasionally described as "floral")
Highland (sweetish and slightly spicy with a wonderful finish)
Islay (peaty and smoky, very much to be rated alongside Laphroaig and Ardbeg)
Personally I like the Aldi Glen Marnoch Islay and the Lidl Ben Bracken Highland, but all the variations are very drinkable as "gateway" whiskies.
Otherwise I'd be tempted to recommend a "novice" to try a Highland Park 12 yr old, or an Old Pulteney 12, both of which can be found at less than 30 quid a bottle at the right outlets.
Penderyn Welsh Gold. Sweet and smooth. I’m no expert but I’ve tried a few and this is very drinkable.
when I was in Edinburgh I asked in a bar for the heaviest, peatiest, smoky whisky they had as I wanted to try it. I was given Caol Ila.
Probably had you pegged as an Englishman and didn't want to scare you. 😁
I’d be tempted to recommend a “novice” to try a Highland Park 12 yr old
I have a friend who has forgotten more about whisky than most of us will ever know. He thinks the regular bottling of HP is astonishing, not least because of its consistency at the volume they turn out.
It's one of my favourites. There's a sweet spot around 15-18 years, the absolute best I've had (outside of independent bottlings) was a 16yo which was exclusive to airport duty-free. I've tried an under-the-counter masonic handshake dram costing more than your typical bottle (it's who you know, see above) and honestly, it wasn't worth it. Past 18yo, the price skyrockets and the drink kinda doesn't. Spending my own money on something readily available it'd be the 15 all day.
Personally I like the Aldi Glen Marnoch Islay and the Lidl Ben Bracken Highland
The Lidl Highland is really good stuff, better than some name brand age expression whiskies, let alone their cheaper offerings.
If you're not fussed on trying out the distillery name whiskies, definitely give this a try OP.
A few years ago me and a mate went to a whisky tasting day, there was everything worth it's salt there.
We pretty much tried everything, i still have the hangover!!
The daddy was Penderyn ioho.
See, I really can't take to Penderyn.
One of the absolute best drams is Glenfarclas 17yo. Luckily I'm mates with the manager and wandered into the Mash Tun during a tasting for the Whisky festival where he was host, I was more than a bit wobbly by the time I left 😁
Why don't you buy a range of miniatures and go from there?
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/c/385/miniatures
https://www.thewhiskyworld.com/whisky-c7/scotch-whisky-c3/single-malt-whisky-c4/miniature-t38
https://www.whiskyshop.com/gifts/whisky-miniatures
My favourite is no longer available (Bruichladdich 17) but there's also some very good Japanese single and blended malts. Irish Redbreast 12 is a cracking easy going dram too.
I tend to grab what's on offer in Tesco just for convenience...
Best in order for me:
Ardbeg
Laphroaig 12
Bruiladdich 10
Bowmore 10
Jura 10
Arberlour
Cardhu
Glens (fiddich, morangie,livet)
Singleton
Reckon there's enough there to get a feel for a malt before you start getting spendy.
I will check out some of the ones mentioned earlier in the thread though to see how they stack up.
Thank you all for the help and recommendations. There’s lots to try! I have a short list of ones to try first.
Cheers 🥃
I'm not a whisky drinker, just never got on with it or kept at it, but I've cycled past Gelnkinchie numerous times and wondered how it rates. Does anyone have an opinion?
Just came across this piece that might be of interest…
https://www.fatherly.com/gear/how-to-drink-scotch/