Single malts and other whiskies/whiskeys

We get a Bourbon here in S.A. called Fighting Cock and holy moly that stuff is kinda mean. Chivas and Coke  mannnn - now that's the stuff. Obviously when Stonebeard aint watching

dwill123 wrote: I'm a blended man.  My faves (in order):   1.Haig & Haig Pinch (at home with close friends) 2.Johnnie Walker Black Label (on the town with a good meal, steak) 3.Dewar's White Label (out drinking to get blotto)

chopper wrote: My two favourites are Laphraoig and Talisker.

I have been to both distilleries on my (push)bike after some long rides.  

Their geography is giving the single malts their taste. That is what I really like about single malt whiskies: Show me a picture of the distillery and it's geography and I can tell you how the whisky taste. Bunnahabhain from Islay is the only exception from this rule and I have no idea why this whisky taste like a Speyside. But the rest...... look at the map and pictures of their surroundings (hint: Google Earth) and you can almost taste the whisky.

Laphroaig: With the back against one of the biggest & smelliest peat bogs I have ever seen on an island (ok, Isle Of Lewis has far bigger ones) and facing the ferocious Atlantic Ocean; the taste of the 10 years old is not a surprise at all. The warehouses is also just a few meters from the Atlantic Ocean and the wooden barrel both breathes in and out. 

Talisker: Sheltered in a bay from the Atlantic Ocean on a rocky, volcanic island with several springs coming up from the old lava, the taste is not a surprise at all. Isle Of Skye...... what an island ! I love that island.   

My two favourites are Laphraoig and Talisker.

progmetalhead wrote: I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Japan. You need to try Nikka and Yamazaki. IMO as good as Scotland's best.

Bushmills is the oldest distillery in the world and has a splendid view over the waters to Islay in Scotland; the route where the art of whisky making was exported to Scotland some hundred years ago. Bushmills is a whiskey not to be underestimated.  .......And it is from one of the finest coastlines in Europe.

Edited by toroddfuglesteg - June 28 2011 at 13:18

I see his logic, at that price I would feel that people were throwing away my beautiful liquids.

Jim Garten wrote: Easy Livin wrote: I've never heard of Welsh whiskey I can't remember the name, but our local pub has a Welsh single malt; I did try it, but it was definitely not to my taste This, on the other hand is a stunner: Distilled in Bangalore, India - smooth, fruity & absolutely delicious

I was given Penderyn welsh single malt at a wedding in Wales and it was bloody awful and I couldn't drink it.
I like Highland Park in particular but drink a variety of single malts whenever I can - especially when someone else is footing the bill. However, like Easy Livin' I actually prefer a blend - Johnny Walker Black label to anything else.
As for watering Scotch down, well all the connoseurs I know say you should either take water with your single malt or pour over a single ice cube preferably made from some poncy mineral water ( and rolled over a vrgin's thigh no doubt) to get the full taste benefit.
Even better get Cask Strength and start by adding a drop of water and dilute to taste.


Edited by Tony R - June 28 2011 at 11:36

While I enjoy many of the malts, my preference is actually a blended whisky. On the malt side, I tend to enjoy the peaty tastes of the west to the lighter Speysides, but it is only a matter of degrees.

stonebeard wrote: Sean Trane wrote: , Drinking an almost-daily dram of Dalwhinnie, now   But given the 30°C (well 27° at 11PM), I've put some rocks into my glencairn glass >>I don't like it too warm >> really prefer my Single Malts between 12 and 18°    I hate whiskey on the rocks. I suppose I've never tried chilling it in the freezer, but it gets immediately watery. No, nope, nopes.