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Single malt whisky lovers: Islay or Speyside your preferred taste?

dug777

dug777

Lifer
As a crude generalisation, I prefer the general (and sometimes extreme) peaty madness of some of the Islay ones to the smoother Speyside taste.

You?

Enjoying a nice Bowmore right now 🙂

Edit: not to suggest that I don't love a Speyside single malt, because I do. Sometimes you feel like a smoother drop :thumbsup:
 
Islay of course :^)

While Islay is my favorite, much depends on mood. They all have their place at different times.
 
It definitely depends on my mood. I've only had Lagavulin and Laphroaig, but I might give Bowmore a try at some point. I have just been enjoying Macallan so much that I haven't really cared about venturing out as much. Oban is probably my second favorite.

I also like using Speysides for mixed drinks actually (Rusty Nail being my favorite), and I don't care about the blasphemy of doing so.
 
Originally posted by: Descartes
It definitely depends on my mood. I've only had Lagavulin and Laphroaig, but I might give Bowmore a try at some point. I have just been enjoying Macallan so much that I haven't really cared about venturing out as much. Oban is probably my second favorite.

I also like using Speysides for mixed drinks actually (Rusty Nail being my favorite), and I don't care about the blasphemy of doing so.
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Bowmore's very sweet. It's sherried like Macallan. Not my favorite, but it's pretty decent.

Rusty Nail? I've never had one, but I find Drambuie straight all but undrinkable.
 
Very much a mood thing. I couldn't imagine drinking Laphroig on a regular basis, but sometimes it really hits the spot.
 
What's your favorite blend? Some bars don't have the best selection, so I'll fall back on a blended scotch. For commonly available I like Johnnie Walker Black. For a blend not often in bars I prefer Famous Grouse. Famous Grouse is one of the best values in scotch. Even their lowest end blend is exceptional. I'll take both of the previously mentioned scotches, as well as Chivas Regal to The Glenlivet. While Glenlivet isn't bad, I think it's a little too widely available for it's quality.
 
Originally posted by: lxskllr
What's your favorite blend? Some bars don't have the best selection, so I'll fall back on a blended scotch. For commonly available I like Johnnie Walker Black. For a blend not often in bars I prefer Famous Grouse. Famous Grouse is one of the best values in scotch. Even their lowest end blend is exceptional. I'll take both of the previously mentioned scotches, as well as Chivas Regal to The Glenlivet. While Glenlivet isn't bad, I think it's a little too widely available for it's quality.
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I'm strictly JWB or Famous Grouse on blended. I've tried others, but years ago I just settled on JWB and never had a reason to look for others until I tried Famous Grouse after reading about it in an Imbibe magazine, but still I don't find FG too interesting by itself.

I enjoy Glenlivet and it's my go-to for Rusty Nails. By itself it's not terribly interesting, but certainly not as bad as Glenfiddich. Aberlour is another nasty one that I can't stand, but some people seem to like it. To me it tastes like paint remover with no character, and even their sherry cask release has no hint of the sherry quality whatsoever. Maybe I've just had bad bottles.

 
Originally posted by: lxskllr
What's your favorite blend? Some bars don't have the best selection, so I'll fall back on a blended scotch. For commonly available I like Johnnie Walker Black. For a blend not often in bars I prefer Famous Grouse. Famous Grouse is one of the best values in scotch. Even their lowest end blend is exceptional. I'll take both of the previously mentioned scotches, as well as Chivas Regal to The Glenlivet. While Glenlivet isn't bad, I think it's a little too widely available for it's quality.
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I find Chivas quite rough, but often pick up a bottle for camping/fishing trips as it seems generally appreciated.

I've usually found Talisker or Laphroaig at bars, so I haven't had to voyage into the blended realm.

Closing off the evening with a Glenfiddich (just the 12yr), which is also very widely available, but one I enjoy 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Descartes

I'm strictly JWB or Famous Grouse on blended. I've tried others, but years ago I just settled on JWB and never had a reason to look for others until I tried Famous Grouse after reading about it in an Imbibe magazine, but still I don't find FG too interesting by itself.

I enjoy Glenlivet and it's my go-to for Rusty Nails. By itself it's not terribly interesting, but certainly not as bad as Glenfiddich. Aberlour is another nasty one that I can't stand, but some people seem to like it. To me it tastes like paint remover with no character, and even their sherry cask release has no hint of the sherry quality whatsoever. Maybe I've just had bad bottles.
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Aberlour's standard bottle Isn't that great imo, but I really dig the Abunadh(sp?). That one has an undisclosed age, and is cask strength. It has a kind of dry sherry character that I find similar to The Macallan 18yr.

Glenfiddich is much better than it used to be. Years ago it was an undisclosed age, but averaged around 9yrs old. The flavor improved greatly by going to the 12yr standard. It still isn't a favorite, but it's perfectly acceptable.

 
Depends on whether I am feeling adventurous with my palate.
I like the Finlaggan Old Reserve Islay that goes for $18 at Trader Joes.
 
I voted speyside, but recently i have been drinking Highland Park from the Orkney islands.

It's an Island malt, but i wouldn't classify it as Islay.
 
Highland Park's excellent. I don't think it gets the recognition it deserves. It peaks at 12yr. If you see it older, don't bother. It'll just be more money, for a product that's inferior to it's younger sibling.
 
I generally lean more towards the peaty, but I can't seem to finish my bottle of Laphroaig its pretty strong. I really like Oban. Second was the Dalmore Cigar Malt which doesn't seem to be available any more but was a great deal for $30 a bottle.
 
I do Speyside.

I drink Glenlivet 12 year like crazy, with a bit of Glenfiddich thrown in on occasion. For my birthday I got a bottle of 15 year Glenlivet but I have not yet opened it.
 
For me, Glenfiddich 15 yr is the best value in scotch. $50 for a 15 year is excellent, and it's good stuff.

Laphroaig tastes a bit too much like iodine for me, but it doesn't stop me from stocking a bottle at home for those occasions where I want something a little different.

Other than that, Scapa 14 yr is a decent drink too. I also like Yakuza, but it's not technically scotch.
 
Just picked up an Australian peated single cask single malt, will be interested to see how it turns out 🙂

Bakery Hill peated malt, for those who are interested. Mixed reviews out there...

EDIT:

Had a Balvenie out at the pub the other night (not sure which one unfortunately, will check when I next go back), and it was superb. Smooth and incredibly sweet/almondy nose 🙂
 
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