Single Malt Scotch Advice

I was hoping I could get an opinion or two on what single malts to buy next. I went from remembering scotch as horrid stuff I could barely sniff to absolutely loving it after trying it a month ago.

Background:

-I have tried Oban and Glenrothes at a couple tastings, and enjoyed them. Would like to try Oban 14 again.

-Glenkinchie, distiller's edition was my first single malt. I liked it alright, but I think it was too spicy for my taste.

-Glenfiddich 15 was perfectly nice and drinkable, but a bit boring to me.

- Highland Park 12 was fabulous, maybe my favorite scotch so far. The fact the JW Black is 35$ and this is 42$ at my liquor store is basically insane. The only scotch that approached the HP 12 was...

-Lagavulin 12, cask strength. A bit more expensive that I wanted to go, but quite the experience. At around 113 proof, this stuff was strong, but the flavors are really enjoyable.

-I also tried some Knob Creek bourbon, and while it was perfectly drinkable, I don't really feel compelled to buy any more bourbon in the immediate future.

I was thinking of picking up 2-3 of the more affordable single malts soon. I was considering trying Lag 16. It should be a bit toned down from the 12, but many seem to think highly of it. I was considering picking up the Lag 16 with Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 to see which Islay wins, though that is a bit one sided for buying three bottles. I do seem to like the peat though.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Criticisms?

I haven't yet developed a taste for scotch, but have had the opportunity to try many different kinds. So far I've enjoyed Laphroaig the most! It's most "peaty" scotch that I've tried and very typical of Islay scotch.

I have an unopened bottle of Lagavulin 16 that I'm afraid to open! I'd hate to waste it on myself, and may wind up trying to sell it or re-gift it.

Originally Posted by Nizdar

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I was hoping I could get an opinion or two on what single malts to buy next. I went from remembering scotch as horrid stuff I could barely sniff to absolutely loving it after trying it a month ago.

Background:

-I have tried Oban and Glenrothes at a couple tastings, and enjoyed them. Would like to try Oban 14 again.

-Glenkinchie, distiller's edition was my first single malt. I liked it alright, but I think it was too spicy for my taste.

-Glenfiddich 15 was perfectly nice and drinkable, but a bit boring to me.

- Highland Park 12 was fabulous, maybe my favorite scotch so far. The fact the JW Black is 35$ and this is 42$ at my liquor store is basically insane. The only scotch that approached the HP 12 was...

-Lagavulin 12, cask strength. A bit more expensive that I wanted to go, but quite the experience. At around 113 proof, this stuff was strong, but the flavors are really enjoyable.

-I also tried some Knob Creek bourbon, and while it was perfectly drinkable, I don't really feel compelled to buy any more bourbon in the immediate future.

I was thinking of picking up 2-3 of the more affordable single malts soon. I was considering trying Lag 16. It should be a bit toned down from the 12, but many seem to think highly of it. I was considering picking up the Lag 16 with Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 to see which Islay wins, though that is a bit one sided for buying three bottles. I do seem to like the peat though.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Criticisms?

You're making me thirsty

One quick suggestion I'd make is to start saving for a bottle of the Laga 12 if you enjoy it so much! They release new editions every year and you can find them on one of the very reputable British whisky websites. Before I was as broke as I am now, I'd buy whisky through www.thewhiskyexchange.com They're really good about shipping to the US, although it's not cheap. As a cheaper alternative for the time being, why not try the Laphroaig 10 yo cask strength? Laphroaig at cask strength is my favorite whisky in the world, and this one doesn't disappoint! It's also quite affordable.

macallan 12 is where it's at...best single malt i've had...i actually like the macallan 12 better than some of the 15 year scotches i've had

smokey and sweet come to mind when trying to describe the flavor

Originally Posted by Nizdar

Click to expand...

I was hoping I could get an opinion or two on what single malts to buy next. I went from remembering scotch as horrid stuff I could barely sniff to absolutely loving it after trying it a month ago.

Background:

-I have tried Oban and Glenrothes at a couple tastings, and enjoyed them. Would like to try Oban 14 again.

-Glenkinchie, distiller's edition was my first single malt. I liked it alright, but I think it was too spicy for my taste.

-Glenfiddich 15 was perfectly nice and drinkable, but a bit boring to me.

- Highland Park 12 was fabulous, maybe my favorite scotch so far. The fact the JW Black is 35$ and this is 42$ at my liquor store is basically insane. The only scotch that approached the HP 12 was...

-Lagavulin 12, cask strength. A bit more expensive that I wanted to go, but quite the experience. At around 113 proof, this stuff was strong, but the flavors are really enjoyable.

-I also tried some Knob Creek bourbon, and while it was perfectly drinkable, I don't really feel compelled to buy any more bourbon in the immediate future.

I was thinking of picking up 2-3 of the more affordable single malts soon. I was considering trying Lag 16. It should be a bit toned down from the 12, but many seem to think highly of it. I was considering picking up the Lag 16 with Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 to see which Islay wins, though that is a bit one sided for buying three bottles. I do seem to like the peat though.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Criticisms?

I don't understand how you found Glenkinchie spicy but love some of the more peated whiskys. That said, it doesn't seem like you have tried a sherry monster. Look for something by Abelour, Glenfarclas or Macallan, the higher proof, the better. That will offer you a completely new taste you might enjoy.

Originally Posted by ama

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I don't understand how you found Glenkinchie spicy but love some of the more peated whiskys. That said, it doesn't seem like you have tried a sherry monster. Look for something by Abelour, Glenfarclas or Macallan, the higher proof, the better. That will offer you a completely new taste you might enjoy.

Well, I am awful at coming up with adjectives to describe what I am tasting. That said, spicy is different that smokey/peaty, no?

Originally Posted by Nizdar

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Well, I am awful at coming up with adjectives to describe what I am tasting. That said, spicy is different that smokey/peaty, no?

It is, but Glenkinchie is one of the most mild whiskys you can buy. The Distiller Edition does have a little more spice from the orloso (I think) treatment that it get at the end of its maturation, but nothing that I would think comes close to being overbearingly spicy.

Originally Posted by ama

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It is, but Glenkinchie is one of the most mild whiskys you can buy. The Distiller Edition does have a little more spice from the orloso (I think) treatment that it get at the end of its maturation, but nothing that I would think comes close to being overbearingly spicy.

Well, I suppose it would fall under the "I don't quite know whiskey yet, but I know what I like" category. I really wish they sold affordable 100ml bottles so I could try more whisky. The prices and selection in the right NYC liquor stores are great, but the bar prices are awful.

Originally Posted by Nizdar

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Well, I suppose it would fall under the "I don't quite know whiskey yet, but I know what I like" category. I really wish they sold affordable 100ml bottles so I could try more whisky. The prices and selection in the right NYC liquor stores are great, but the bar prices are awful.

Got you covered: http://www.masterofmalt.com/drinks-by-the-dram/

Originally Posted by ama

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Got you covered: http://www.masterofmalt.com/drinks-by-the-dram/

You win the prize for the most useful response I have ever had on a message board. I thank you, sir.

Originally Posted by Nizdar

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You win the prize for the most useful response I have ever had on a message board. I thank you, sir.

thanks!

Let us know what you end up getting or feel free to ask any questions. I've tried quite a few of those and I know that there are other people around here that probably have as well.

Try Caol Ila or Talisker, I should think, considering your enjoyment of HP and Lagavulin. Better still, get the Caol Ila Distillery's Edition to get nice winey overtones.

Right now best bang for buck is the McClellands Islay I get for $20 a fifth. As a matter of fact I'm going to get a couple right now.

Ardbeg

EDIT: And Talisker 10