I may still be pretty young (29), but I appreciate a good Speyside whisky. My favorites are Aberlour A'bunadh (no idea what batch number I tried) and Glenlivet Nadurra (I still have the empty bottle, wishing it was less empty). When I don't feel like spending quite so much on a bottle (or if I need something a bit less potent than cask strength) I'll happily go with the Aberlour 10 year or Glenlivet 12. Any other scotch drinkers around here? What's your preferred variety? It's too bad my parents don't go to Mexico much since the big drug battles started. I'm from South Texas, only a few miles from the Mexican border and a liter of 10-12 year scotch is only about $23 in the duty free store just across the river (plus $1.10 in taxes and $0.75 to walk across the bridge). I pay $30-40 for a fifth of the same stuff in Dallas. (If you heard about the drug cartel battle involving a bazooka in Reynosa, that's pretty close to where I'm from )
I've been wanting to try an Islay. Laphroiag is pretty easy to find, but I've heard that the taste is very strong (compared to a Speyside) and it scares me a little (the price versus the chance I won't like it). I'll have to grab a bottle some time when I have a few bucks to spare.
Islay Scotch tends to be very smokey in flavor (I have Laphroiag and Bowmore). You might want to work your way to it by trying an Orkney (Highland Park, Scapa). My palate tells me they are about half way between Speyside and Islay.
Usually its blends for me: JW Black Dewars 12 y/o Teachers Highland Cream but, as far as single malts go......... Laphroiag Talisker Balvenie Doublewood are ones I enjoy
Now your talking I am with you on the Aberlour A'bunadh, it is one of my very favorites and it does need a slight splash of water to open it up. Ditto's on the Highland Park (Orkney) the northernomost distillery in Scotland. Really good stuff. Other favorites are: The Macallan Glanmorangie Portwood finish A lowland Scotch that is great is Auchentoshan triple wood. If you want something that puts Lagavulin in it's place try Caol Isla. It is the shoulder whisky for Johnny Black. For an everyday blend I think none is better than famous grouse. Alright, enough of that, I think a wee dram is in order. Will N.
You bet it is in order. I just poured a wee dram (all right, a couple of fingers) of Highland Park to help me ease out of the evening.
nice find One of my current favourites is the 10 year old Dalmore from the "Chieftain's Choice" collection. Cask strength with a very well balanced, smooth flavour.
