Whisky...

Tiger

Tiger

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Well I'm not really a big drinker these days but had a tipple of some 'Auchentoshan' at my god daughter's christening and was pleasantly surprised that it twas rather nice. Thinking of treating myself to a bottle of whisky for the occasional nip over the festive season and to celebrate moving in day.

My brother recommended Ardbeg Uigeadail and I thought I'd see if you guys had any recommendations? Maximum budget is £50. So over to you lads and lassies what would you recommend?
 
not a whisky Drinker myself, but i play with two ex distillery managers and both say Caol Ila which is an Islay Malt is the best drop going.
 
All about personal taste. What most people don't really appreciate when they have a taste of Bells or Teachers when they are young and thereafter claim "I don't like whisky" is the shear variety of single malts. I'd say go to a specialist shop have a chat and buy a few miniatures of different styles (Islay, Speyside etc). You will probably find some that you really like and some less so. Then try a bottle of one you like and let the adventure begin!
 
Agree about 'personal taste'!

If you want a Single Malt that has a bit of everything that is great about Whisky (and is therefore criticised be some as 'a bit bland'!) then Royal Lochnagar is a great example. :thup:

Lagavulin - one of the more powerful Islays - used to be my 'off to bed' tipple. Never particularly enamoured with Caol Ila, but if you want a 'sample' of it, try Johnny Walker Red as it makes up a sizable percentage of that blend - probably why I'm not keen on that either! :rolleyes: I've always preferred the toffee-ish after dinner style.
 
Tiger said:
Well I'm not really a big drinker these days but had a tipple of some 'Auchentoshan' at my god daughter's christening and was pleasantly surprised that it twas rather nice. Thinking of treating myself to a bottle of whisky for the occasional nip over the festive season and to celebrate moving in day.

My brother recommended Ardbeg Uigeadail and I thought I'd see if you guys had any recommendations? Maximum budget is £50. So over to you lads and lassies what would you recommend?
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I would pop along to your local supermarket. You'll be able to get a decent malt for £30 tops.

Sainsburys have Auchentoshan for £27. If you liked it, I'd start there.
It also has Highland Park for the same price. One of my fav's

I'm not an expert,,,,, but I do like my malts!
 
The Islay whiskys are usually a bit peaty.
Auchantoshan is a smooth whisky so I would stick to what you like, Glenkinchie would be good to try.

I can't remember if it is Tesco or Asda who do a well priced own brand. Check it has an age statement on the label [generally 10 or 12 years old] one does the other has not. The one without is not so good. The do Highland, Islay and Speyside own brands you can try three for around £65 to gain further knowledge'.

At all costs avoid Tobermorey. [Mull]
 
patricks148 said:
not a whisky Drinker myself, but i play with two ex distillery managers and both say Caol Ila which is an Islay Malt is the best drop going.
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I'm in complete agreement with your friends. My absolute "got to have in the house" Whisky is a nice bottle of Caol Ila..

However, far be it from me to be controversial, but the best drop I have ever tasted was a Japanese Whisky called Hibiki by Suntory. I believe that the Worlds best Whisky was recently crowned, and that was another Japanese Whisky (I forget the name). The Scots have got a serious challenger in front of them with the Japanese...:whistle:


Found it... Here's a link to the article I read - http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/11/11/food/denied-dram-japans-winning-whisky/#.VGIafvmsVV0

Don't ask me why I was reading the Japan Times...:confused:
 
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Macallan is one I really like amongst others!

Would also recommend Glayva, whisky liqueur, smooth as you like..... Always have a bottle of that in along with various Malts
 
I would suggest you purchase one of these taster sets that have a number of different Whiskies. You can decide which type suits your taste.


Personally I prefer a bottle of Bushmills and for Scotch a Laphroaig.
 
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Aberlour is very good, wouldn't break the bank either.

As suggested, it is all down to personal taste, what I like might not be to your taste. Speyside malts are as good a starting point as any, a bit smoother imo, but again it's all subjective.
 
Fyldewhite said:
All about personal taste. What most people don't really appreciate when they have a taste of Bells or Teachers when they are young and thereafter claim "I don't like whisky" is the shear variety of single malts. I'd say go to a specialist shop have a chat and buy a few miniatures of different styles (Islay, Speyside etc). You will probably find some that you really like and some less so. Then try a bottle of one you like and let the adventure begin!
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Spot on. My personal choice of the two you mention would be the Ardbeg but it is a completely different animal to the Auchentoshan which I wouldn't give house room. The Islay malts, such as Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Lagavulin are all distinguished by their particularly peaty & smoky taste, which those who, like me, love them rave about and others cannot abide.

Old Skier said:
If your not a regular you might go down the Irish route as it can be less harsh and have less burn due to the distilling process.
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Some would say less flavour; it really is horses for courses. As one whisky sage once said, "There are no bad malts, just different ones."

If you ever get the chance to do a whisky tasting night, try it, it really can show you what a variety of malts there are out there.

if you get the opportunity
 
Tiger said:
Well I'm not really a big drinker these days but had a tipple of some 'Auchentoshan' at my god daughter's christening and was pleasantly surprised that it twas rather nice. Thinking of treating myself to a bottle of whisky for the occasional nip over the festive season and to celebrate moving in day.

My brother recommended Ardbeg Uigeadail and I thought I'd see if you guys had any recommendations? Maximum budget is £50. So over to you lads and lassies what would you recommend?
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http://www.malts.com/index.php/Choosing-Whisky/A-World-of-Flavour/The-Single-Malt-Whisky-Flavour-Map

If you like it why not go with it, or something similar.
 
Liverbirdie said:
Yes, get a bottle of Glayva in anyway. It is a prince amongst liqeurs.
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Hmm Glayva.

thing is with whisky as I was told by a massive sweaty sock in Pitlochry one year is. My mother asked me to bring her a bottle of whisky back from Scotland years ago. I went into a shop in Pitlochry and was just lost. There were hundreds of bottles. Anyway this massive Scottish guy could see I did not have a clue, and asked me what I was after. I told him it was for mother. He asked what other drinks she liked which were Drambuie and southern comfort. He asked what I was looking to pay. He showed me two bottles. One in a presentation tin and one just a plain bottle. He said the one in the plain bottle was far superior and was two quid cheaper. But tourists liked the presentation tin. He said there are thousands of whiskys and there is one that is very bespoke for your taste. It's just that a lot of the time you can pay a lot of money supping foul tasting whisky before you find your Xanadu.

for the record me mam loved her whisky which lasted a week.

PS, for gods sake don't ask if it should be supped with or without water coz it will proper kick off with the whisky connoisseurs.
 
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