NWRBAR: single malt selections

originally posted by Levi Dalton:
The cheap, geek "Scotch" drink is Irish whiskey, especially Knappogue Castle, as was already noted. Or Rittenhouse Rye (the 100 proof bottling).
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I'm more interested in rye lately. Is the Rittenhouse American?

But it would be Bruichladdich 15yr, Springbank 15yr,
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Well, yeah.

or Balvenie 15yr for me if somebody else was buying.
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Eh.
 
I think of Islay as sort of the southern Rhone of single malt, but don't care, I like that peat. Bruichladdie is a lot of fun and singular.

I would put Bowmore Legend in for the Pepiere - Ardbeg would be the Guindon CdlL.

High marks too for Highland Park.

Ledaig is a new one for me and I'll have to check that out. Mull is a cool place.
 
While the booze masters are in the house, any suggestions for high-quality, reasonably priced lowland Scotch?
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Bill Buitenhuys:
Two that I enjoy that are less peaty but decently complex are Royal Lochnagar (Highland) 12yr and Highland Park (Orkney) 12yr. Highland Park has decent peat (being an island malt) but it isn't overwhelming. The peat has lots of heather notes which is quite nice. Lochnagar is a well rounded Highland malt. Good dry front end, a touch of sweetness on the finish. Caveat is that I haven't bought a bottle of either in a few years.

Just checked online prices:
Royal Lochnagar $35-40
Highland Park: $33-38
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I like those two, as well. Lochnagar's not available on this side of the country, though. As an aside, it's the main malt in Johnny Walker Blue Label, which is much more commonly found on the aforementioned bottle service tables and goes for several times as much bling.

I'll also support Ledaig (though only if you pronounce it properly- it approaches something like "Laychick"), Abelour, and Springbank 15. Old Pulteney used to be a decent dram for the $, though I think it's recently changed ownership and I've heard grumbling.

I take issue with the Lowland slam, but I just drank a Fleurie last night and am currently looking for the perfect man-bag, so what do I know. Unfortunately, they've mothballed the only two that are specifically worth seeking out- Rosebank and Littlemill.

As for rye, Rittenhouse (American made, yes) is good stuff for not a whole lot of scratch. It's owned by Heaven Hill, a fairly big multinational; but if it's any consolation, HH is American, private, and family-owned.

The intricacies of bourbon and rye corporate ownership is beyond me (perhaps Hoke can chime in), but I believe Old Pogue Bourbon is independently owned, and would meet my definition of artisanal- they specialize in one product, produce high quality in small quantity, are family-owned and operated for multiple generations, etc. Kentucky Bourbon Distillers have a broader range, but I've found them all to be very good, and I think they're still independent. Particularly good are their Black Maple Hill offerings- both the Bourbon in various ages, as well as their brilliant (and quite expensive) rye. One of the trickiest ownership knots to untangle is Buffalo Trace, who assumed control of Ancient Age. But some of the brands under that house are also favorites; in bourbon Blanton's, Van Winkle, and Rock Hill Farms are all good quality, and in rye I find Sazerac (and especially the 18yo) among the best.
 
I have the urge to try the various Potrero Hill products, maybe because I'm there a lot, but I find that the urge passes.
 
Yeah, the whole ownership scene in single malts is highly depressing. Coca Cola pretty much owns them all.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
I have the urge to try the various Potrero Hill products, maybe because I'm there a lot, but I find that the urge passes.
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Well, if you haven't watched all three seasons of Deadwood, pick up a bottle of the 19th Century Rye to get in the mood. It's a good swearin' whiskey. Try the Hotaling's if you're feelin' fancy.
 
Cornelia likes her Scotch, and I enjoy a thimble-full some nights before bed. Our favorite is Lagavulin, but it's god-awful pricey. Laphroaig at Costco last purchase was under $30, and a nice nip. I go for the peat and smoke.
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
Cornelia likes her Scotch, and I enjoy a thimble-full some nights before bed. Our favorite is Lagavulin, but it's god-awful pricey. Laphroaig at Costco last purchase was under $30, and a nice nip. I go for the peat and smoke.
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When I lived in SoCal, I was buying Laphroaig 10yr at just under $30 from Hi-Times. A great deal, IMO. Since I drink a decent amount of Scotch, it helped.
 
Nice call on the Highland Park 12. Had it this weekend. I think it's higher in my market than everyone else's from the sound of it, though.

Had some Sazerac for the first time. Whew, I'm wondering if Rye is for me. Didn't care for it.
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
Cornelia likes her Scotch, and I enjoy a thimble-full some nights before bed. Our favorite is Lagavulin, but it's god-awful pricey. Laphroaig at Costco last purchase was under $30, and a nice nip. I go for the peat and smoke.
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Here's another vote for Lagavulin (16 y.o. - do they sell a younger version?), though admittedly I haven't sampled as widely as some here. In spite of my taste for Lagavulin, I find Laphroaig is too smokey/peaty for me. I also like Springbank 10, haven't tried the 15-y.o., though I wouldn't turn a glass down.
 
My favorite Kentucky bourbon is A H Hirsch, but even their starter blend is expensive and tough to track down. Woodford Reserve (Labroux and Grahm) is a solid bourbon. I like Basil Hayden because it is still only 80 proof.

Red Breast is a great Irish Whiskey that is relatively affordable. Little bit of peat, but nice smoky flavor.
 
originally posted by Steve Guattery:
Here's another vote for Lagavulin (16 y.o. - do they sell a younger version?), though admittedly I haven't sampled as widely as some here. In spite of my taste for Lagavulin, I find Laphroaig is too smokey/peaty for me. I also like Springbank 10, haven't tried the 15-y.o., though I wouldn't turn a glass down.
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Lagavulin does, but my Scotch contact had to order it from the UK. It's a 12 yr. old, labeled as "Special Release". Cask strength, 56.4%. We tasted it next to the 16 and it blows the doors off that bottling. Including shipping, it was ~$95.
 
Sipping on some 12yo Hakushu from Suntory and it's really not too bad. Well-balanced, good top notes, slightly sweet for my palate, but not at all cloying. I like this better than the Yamazaki.
 
originally posted by Bwood:
Nice call on the Highland Park 12. Had it this weekend. I think it's higher in my market than everyone else's from the sound of it, though.
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Me, too.
And mine, too.
Best, Jim
 
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