whisky lovers

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

Sorry if I'm being a pest here but does Islay = peated or are there exceptions?

It varies enormously, even within the range of a distillery. Rule of thumb would be that Bunnahabhain is normally not terribly peated, the others mostly are.

Bunnahabhain is probably my current favourite Islay whisky, but Lagavulin 16 would be the classic favourite for me (heavy smoke bomb).

The taste of the two would never be confused.

[jimbaxters]

11 minutes ago, Le Tout P'ti FC said:

It varies enormously, even within the range of a distillery. Rule of thumb would be that Bunnahabhain is normally not terribly peated, the others mostly are.

Bunnahabhain is probably my current favourite Islay whisky, but Lagavulin 16 would be the classic favourite for me (heavy smoke bomb).

The taste of the two would never be confused.

Thanks pal. That's what I thought I had read on here before. Laguvulin sounds like it is not for me.

[Malty Guy]

9 hours ago, jimbaxters said:

Is that not too peaty though? Tired laphroig and it can get in the sea.

That's a good question actually. Probably trophy cabinet describes it well but with the possibility of drinking. Might do both. It is a BIG birthday after all. Thanks

 

I assume the first picks are in line with Deanston & Highland Park?

there's a shop near me with lots of Arran Whisky in it. I'll go have a look. Thanks

Probably closer to saving to drink with pals. Budget probably 100-150.

Thanks. It's a few days away yet. After tasting Laphroig Ive shyed away from Isaly or peaty stuff. Am I wrong in doing that? Live in Italy so your tempting suggestion of a visit to the SMWS isn't an option unfortunately. The Milan online Whisky shop are doing some online tastings though. Do you think this looks good value based on the samples?

https://whiskyshop.it/it/eventi-degustazioni/2501/degustazione-on-line-octomore

I’d certainly be interested in the Bowmore. The Orkney is wee bit vague,,, there’s the 2 distilleries - Highland Park and Scalpy, just saying Orkney is a wee bit woolly.

Speaking as someone who does distillery trips 3 or 4 or 5 times a year, enjoys the product, has collection of 208 bottles to empty in ma house - it’s just whatever you enjoy. Frequently it’s that lesser known bottle around £25 which is truly delightful. I’ve got bottles up to £260 - which I think is expensive, but really isn’t. I still have to say when all is done and dusted, it’s just a fun pastime. I honestly think that too much is made out of all this Malt business. 
You’d be really really hard pushed to find a better product than the excellent Johnnie Walker Blue or Green labels. Absolutely first class !!!!

Try the Blue Label ... you won’t be disappointed.

Actually it’s that good, that at Gleneagles in the Dormie Clubhouse - they hold around 400 personal bottles of members Blue Label for their individual visits. Now do you think they’d do that for an inferior whisky. The entire room only holds Blue Label.
 

[Boot Agent]

I was thinkin of brewin my own whisky illegally but I have a question, should I really be tellin you lot?

[Malty Guy]

34 minutes ago, Boot Agent said:

I was thinkin of brewin my own whisky illegally but I have a question, should I really be tellin you lot?

Dinnae think the term brewin can be applied to whisky. Now Distilling is another world 

[Malty Guy]

3 hours ago, jimbaxters said:

Thanks pal. That's what I thought I had read on here before. Laguvulin sounds like it is not for me.

I know it’s all personal taste - but I don’t find Lagavulin or Bowmore peaty, Smokey yes. 
 

[Boot Agent]

No definitely brewin, my still consists of a big pot and  a whole lot of optimism.

[Bairnardo]

29 minutes ago, Boot Agent said:

No definitely brewin, my still consists of a big pot and  a whole lot of optimism.

Unsure if you are at it here, but be careful. Distilling is dangerous. If you can't identify and throw the foreshots away to f**k, you might die.

[CountyFan]

12 hours ago, Malty Guy said:

I’d certainly be interested in the Bowmore. The Orkney is wee bit vague,,, there’s the 2 distilleries - Highland Park and Scalpy, just saying Orkney is a wee bit woolly.

Speaking as someone who does distillery trips 3 or 4 or 5 times a year, enjoys the product, has collection of 208 bottles to empty in ma house - it’s just whatever you enjoy. Frequently it’s that lesser known bottle around £25 which is truly delightful. I’ve got bottles up to £260 - which I think is expensive, but really isn’t. I still have to say when all is done and dusted, it’s just a fun pastime. I honestly think that too much is made out of all this Malt business. 
You’d be really really hard pushed to find a better product than the excellent Johnnie Walker Blue or Green labels. Absolutely first class !!!!

Try the Blue Label ... you won’t be disappointed.

Actually it’s that good, that at Gleneagles in the Dormie Clubhouse - they hold around 400 personal bottles of members Blue Label for their individual visits. Now do you think they’d do that for an inferior whisky. The entire room only holds Blue Label.
 

Christ, I have 55 bottles and thought I had a problem! 

[CountyFan]

Better get another actually, dont want to be mistaken for being staunch. 

[Malty Guy]

On 17/04/2021 at 09:55, CountyFan said:

Christ, I have 55 bottles and thought I had a problem! 

That’s no a collection - it’s a shopping trip

[Comrie]

On 16/04/2021 at 22:13, Malty Guy said:

I know it’s all personal taste - but I don’t find Lagavulin or Bowmore peaty, Smokey yes. 
 

Lagavaulin is 100% more smokey than peaty. It's vey different to the other distilleries on Islay.

[GiGi]

On 16/04/2021 at 21:21, Malty Guy said:

I’d certainly be interested in the Bowmore. The Orkney is wee bit vague,,, there’s the 2 distilleries - Highland Park and Scalpy, just saying Orkney is a wee bit woolly.

Speaking as someone who does distillery trips 3 or 4 or 5 times a year, enjoys the product, has collection of 208 bottles to empty in ma house - it’s just whatever you enjoy. Frequently it’s that lesser known bottle around £25 which is truly delightful. I’ve got bottles up to £260 - which I think is expensive, but really isn’t. I still have to say when all is done and dusted, it’s just a fun pastime. I honestly think that too much is made out of all this Malt business. 
You’d be really really hard pushed to find a better product than the excellent Johnnie Walker Blue or Green labels. Absolutely first class !!!!

Try the Blue Label ... you won’t be disappointed.

Actually it’s that good, that at Gleneagles in the Dormie Clubhouse - they hold around 400 personal bottles of members Blue Label for their individual visits. Now do you think they’d do that for an inferior whisky. The entire room only holds Blue Label.
 

Blue Label for me is the most overpriced and overhyped whisky going. Green Label is great value for money, Blue Label isn't that much better but puts you back more than double what I'd pay for it.

[Hedgecutter]

On 16/04/2021 at 21:21, Malty Guy said:

The Orkney is wee bit vague,,, there’s the 2 distilleries - Highland Park and Scalpy, just saying Orkney is a wee bit woolly.

Speaking as someone who does distillery trips 3 or 4 or 5 times a year, enjoys the product, has collection of 208 bottles to empty in ma house...

Yet you don't know about Scapa?

I'll just assume you polished off the latest bottle prior to posting that. 

[Malty Guy]

13 hours ago, GiGi said:

Blue Label for me is the most overpriced and overhyped whisky going. Green Label is great value for money, Blue Label isn't that much better but puts you back more than double what I'd pay for it.

I think that’s what Whisky marketing is all about. Market and hype a product : the price it sky high.

But - I personally find all the Johnnie Walker products to be superb.

That Brazilian chap who donated the worlds biggest whisky collection to the Scotch Whisky Visitor Centre, Castlehill, Edin. He never ever drank anything except Red Label. He wasn’t daft

[Malty Guy]

13 hours ago, Hedgecutter said:

Yet you don't know about Scapa?

I'll just assume you polished off the latest bottle prior to posting that. 

I hate this word check - it changed it to Scalpy!!!  I’ve made worse faux pas - and I’ll do a lot more; trust me
Yes I find the Scapa to be a very friendly distillery. Very low key,,,, nice helpful people.

[BigTidy]

On 16/04/2021 at 11:56, jimbaxters said:

Is that not too peaty though? Tired laphroig and it can get in the sea.

That's a good question actually. Probably trophy cabinet describes it well but with the possibility of drinking. Might do both. It is a BIG birthday after all. Thanks

 

I assume the first picks are in line with Deanston & Highland Park?

there's a shop near me with lots of Arran Whisky in it. I'll go have a look. Thanks

Probably closer to saving to drink with pals. Budget probably 100-150.

Thanks. It's a few days away yet. After tasting Laphroig Ive shyed away from Isaly or peaty stuff. Am I wrong in doing that? Live in Italy so your tempting suggestion of a visit to the SMWS isn't an option unfortunately. The Milan online Whisky shop are doing some online tastings though. Do you think this looks good value based on the samples?

https://whiskyshop.it/it/eventi-degustazioni/2501/degustazione-on-line-octomore

Glendronach 18 or 21

Bunnahabhain 18

Glenfarclas 21 or 25

 

I'd say they are all impressive enough for the cabinet and nothing extreme to the taste. 

[V.Aye.R]

I think that’s what Whisky marketing is all about. Market and hype a product : the price it sky high.
But - I personally find all the Johnnie Walker products to be superb.
That Brazilian chap who donated the worlds biggest whisky collection to the Scotch Whisky Visitor Centre, Castlehill, Edin. He never ever drank anything except Red Label. He wasn’t daft

I dont know Blue Label, but Black and Green are excellent at their respective price points.

[Malty Guy]

4 hours ago, V.Aye.R said:

15 hours ago, Malty Guy said:

I think that’s what Whisky marketing is all about. Market and hype a product : the price it sky high.
But - I personally find all the Johnnie Walker products to be superb.
That Brazilian chap who donated the worlds biggest whisky collection to the Scotch Whisky Visitor Centre, Castlehill, Edin. He never ever drank anything except Red Label. He wasn’t daft

I dont know Blue Label, but Black and Green are excellent at their respective price points.

 

4 hours ago, V.Aye.R said:

15 hours ago, Malty Guy said:

I think that’s what Whisky marketing is all about. Market and hype a product : the price it sky high.
But - I personally find all the Johnnie Walker products to be superb.
That Brazilian chap who donated the worlds biggest whisky collection to the Scotch Whisky Visitor Centre, Castlehill, Edin. He never ever drank anything except Red Label. He wasn’t daft

I dont know Blue Label, but Black and Green are excellent at their respective price points.

They certainly are. But the true Malt guys simply don’t rate them. Strange but even as recently as 40 years ago ,,,, single malts were pretty uncommon. Glenlivet and Glenmorangie were the two of the most popular then. Actually I’ve got a 16yo Glenlivet bought for my birthday about 43/44 years ago by my wife. It’s still unopened. The box was ruined by something when it was under the sink. I’m still waiting for that very special occasion to open it. They really were that uncommon. It’s my number one bottle and will stay that way forever.  Everything has been experienced during that time - Births/ jobs/ degrees/ business’/houses and more but I still can’t open that particular bottle. Actually I compared the bottle to another substitute that I have recently. Everything is pretty much identical - label, bottle, foil cap wrapper (forgotten the name for that) and I’m pretty sure the contents. It could tell more than a few stories that bottle. And to me, that’s what it’s all about. It’s become a family member. Strangely it’s a brand that I don’t particularly enthuse about. But it’s always going to be there. 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Malty Guy
?

[Malty Guy]

BOTTLE FILLING

 

One my greatest and most pleasurable Whisky experiences was several years ago.

and it’s worth sharing 

On a visit to the Glenturret at Crieff,,,, I spotted a cask. 
After friendly discussion with the always helpful staff, it was a Special Bottle Your Own Cask.

I think this was the 3rd cask too be used. The first Cast was donated to Prince William  - who has put it way/given it for charitable use in the future : an excellent idea. I think the second cask was named after Towser - the distillery cat who held Guinness record for catching mice.

my Cask was the Andy Murray. It’s a great feeling to be given your own empty bottle, to then complete the filling tube with 70cl of the product, then release the filling tube into your bottle. You then have to complete the Cusoms & Excise manual and label the bottle, complete with your own signature and date.

Even for this crusty auld nippy guy; it was a memorable occasion. My better half was taken with my performance - she paid for it - it was another significant birthday.

I recommend trying this experience - the staff at Glenturret were so helpful, they videoed it on my camera took lots of photos, and it’s not expensive. 
Very like the bottle, the memories last a lifetime.