# Recommend me a Scotch! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 18, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935 "2017-05-18T16:48:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/21 "2017-05-18T21:59:02Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > [https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/bruichladdich/bruichladdich-octomore-5-year-old-scottish-barley-whisky/](https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/bruichladdich/bruichladdich-octomore-5-year-old-scottish-barley-whisky/) Ah! Whatever your opinion on Brexit, the slide of the pound vs. the dollar has made importing whisky directly an appealing alternative. Check out “The Whisky Exchange” as well: [https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com](https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com) ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/22 "2017-05-18T22:03:04Z")
It’s an ill wind as blows no one any good. 😛 Will have to check the other as well. The contents of my whisky cabinet is worth well over US$1500 - I could push it higher. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/23 "2017-05-18T23:11:19Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > It’s an ill wind as blows no one any good. 😛 > > Will have to check the other as well. The contents of my whisky cabinet is worth well over US$1500 - I could push it higher. 😃 Always room for one more! They do tend to accumulate, but the exploration is at least half of the fun. It’s always worth trying a new whisky. So, then, if you had to pick one whisky out of your cabinet that you would most prefer to have while stranded on a desert island, which would it be? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/24 "2017-05-18T23:36:09Z")
[My desert island whisky bottle of choice.](http://www.justluxe.com/lifestyle/dining/feature-1814161.php) ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/25 "2017-05-19T00:25:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [My desert island whisky bottle of choice.](http://www.justluxe.com/lifestyle/dining/feature-1814161.php) Hmm. A blended whisky. On the other hand, it is really, really big. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/26 "2017-05-19T00:47:50Z")
> [@SingleMalt](#): > > Hmm. A blended whisky. On the other hand, it is really, really big. It is a really decent everyday drinker for a blend, IMHO. (Though, I do understand it’s a joke on the size of the bottle.) I must say, I do like the Johnnie Walker Green when it comes to blends/vatted malts. But, well, given your username, I could understand disagreement. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Annoying\_Buzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Annoying\_Buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoying_Buzz)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/27 "2017-05-19T01:03:56Z")
Ardbeg 10 is one of my favorites, along with Laphroaig Quarter Cask. As a bonus, they’re both relatively inexpensive. I honestly don’t know too much about the Campbeltown and Lowland whiskeys. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/28 "2017-05-19T01:23:12Z")
Talisker Highland Park - if you can get the 18, worship it. The various expressions of Glen Rothes are quite nice and the wife’s favorite. But my Desert Island Scotch would be Cask-Strength Macallan. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/29 "2017-05-19T14:39:01Z")
Desert Island, never to change one’s mind? Kilchoman Machir Bay. Hands-down, my favorite. First Runner-up would be Ardbeg Auriverdes. Honestly, I’ve stayed mostly away from blends - Not that they’re bad, but because they don’t _change_ much. Consistency is wonderful, if I’m serving guests whom aren’t as ‘into’ Scotch as I am - I acn be sure I’m serving tehm something that’s quality, and that won’t offend or disappoint, but… There’s no adventure in it. As noted, exploration is where the fun lies - And while I have my preferences, I do go a-wandering. Hence this thread. 😉 I mean, between my mother and I, we could run a tasting of several flights of Islay whiskies, alone. Some day, probably not too long from now, I’ll start digging into Irish whiskies. Then eventually Canadian. Maybe even Japanese. Yes - The Japanese do whisky. They do it in their own (rather young) traditions, in their own way. Not to be compared with Scotch, because ‘apples and oranges,’ but still very much worth the journey, I expect. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/30 "2017-05-19T14:42:53Z")
I’m on an Irish kick right now. Must have added a dozen different bottles to the bar in the last month. Knappogue Castle seems to be the front runner, followed closely by Dubliner, Tyrconnel and Teeling. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/31 "2017-05-19T15:01:08Z")
I was gifted a bottle of Jameson’s recently, so that’s my entry point. Yes, I believe it’s a blend. But that actually makes it a stable entry point - unlikely to be wierd or experiemental. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/32 "2017-05-19T15:29:01Z")
Japan and India do some amazing whiskies. I haven’t explored world whiskies too much yet, but there are a couple that I found that are well worth seeking out. Japan: Suntory Yamazaki 12 year and 18 year. Honey and pears, very smooth dram. India: Amrut Fusion (NAS): Amazingly spicy on the palate, nice lingering finish. I really like this one. I’ve only tried a few Irish whiskies; I’m afraid that I find the triple distillation tends to smooth them out maybe a bit too much. Still, I have enjoyed the peated Connemara 12. Talisker is what I’ve been pouring recently, particularly the Distiller’s Edition (and the 18 year old is a must have, in my opinion). But for the desert island, nothing can hold a candle to the Scapa 16. That one is now discontinued, and I will miss it. I have a few bottles put up, and will be sorry to see those go. Of course, everything is my humble opinion. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/33 "2017-05-19T15:41:42Z")
Jameson is currently playing around with different expressions. The one finished in stout casks is quite nice. **SingleMalt** , that’s just what I wanted to know before I start trying the Japanese whiskies. Sounds like a bottle of Yamazaki is due to hit the shopping list. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/34 "2017-05-19T15:44:46Z")
India, you say? :dubious: OK, that’s new to me - the road grows longer yet. But what a journey! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/35 "2017-05-19T17:30:56Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It is a really decent everyday drinker for a blend, IMHO. (Though, I do understand it’s a joke on the size of the bottle.) I must say, I do like the Johnnie Walker Green when it comes to blends/vatted malts. But, well, given your username, I could understand disagreement. 😉 I do tip my hand here, don’t I? I have a friend who buys himself a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue every year for his birthday. It is certainly enjoyable, a very smooth whisky, but I find it lacks - for want of a better word - challenge. Mild, lightly fruity nose, soft, warm palate, short finish - everything feels and tastes “soft.” I can fully appreciate why he likes it; it is really easy to drink. Highland Park - the _other_ Orkney distillery - has a great line of whiskies. The 12, 15, and (indeed!) the 18 are all very good (the 18 is a must try, if you haven’t had the chance), and I enjoy the Dark Origins as well. I found the “Valhalla” releases to be quite good, but not worth the price (though I admit that I have only tried the Odin and the Thor). Now, if they would just knock about $100 off the price of the Ice… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/36 "2017-05-21T18:02:50Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s how I remember it, so it must be the one. Very raisin-y, maybe prunes, unmistakably sherry finish. Well, looks my memory was well off. It’s actually Bunnahabain 18. Granted, there was a bunch of Scotch I had been given for Christmas, but I should have at least remembered it was an Islay. Tasty dram–drinking it right now. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/37 "2017-05-21T18:47:18Z")
Bunnahabain is one of the 2 Islay malts I can stand, the other being Bowmore 17. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/38 "2017-05-21T18:59:15Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bunnahabain is one of the 2 Islay malts I can stand, the other being Bowmore 17. I was gonna say, it’s not the peat bomb most Islays are. (Sipping on Glengoyne 12 now). ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/39 "2017-05-23T17:37:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Bruichladdich Octomore-So peaty you’ll be pickin’ the clods from between your pearly whites. This is on the shelves locally, but the older imports - No benefits in Brexit there! USD$175 to $210. I’ll wait. 😛 > [@SingleMalt](#): > > Of the bunch, I would suggest a Longrow (NAS) and the Auchentoshan 12. Found the Auchentoshan 12 locally. It’s… _Friendly_. Superficial, polite, a bit warm and personable, but ultimately just a nice Scotch you met in passing, and won’t remember in a few minutes. I’d drink it at a baseball game. 😛 > [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m trying to remember what my brother got me for Christmas last year. It was a kind of cloudy bottle of Scotch, I believe unfiltered or something. It had a strange darker color that I’m not used to from Scotches. Really tasty and interesting. Unfortunately, I keep the bottle at my folks’ place. Looking online, the Aberlour A’Bunadh sounds about right. This, I found - Batch 47.\*\*\*\*\* USD$85. Holy, Holy, Holy GOD\*\*\*\*\*\* this is _ **incroyable!** _ :eek: 🆒 Soooo **MUCH** sherry! So _completely_ outside my expectations. It’s almost some other beverage, other-than-Scotch! Knocked Laphroig right off its perch as my mother’s favorite, and it’s going 15 rounds with Machir Bay for my top slot, too. Very thick, almost oily, it arrives in a fanfare, then sets up shop in your mouth and stays a long while - and it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome. It’s like an old, dear, exhuberant friend come to renew old connections. I’ve not been a fan of sherry - this could change my mind. \*\*\*\*\* Batch 56 is also available locally, but I got the older batch. Oddly, I found the older batch in a hole-in-the wall shop, instead of my internationally-known mega-shop. ( [http://www.statelineliquors.com/](http://www.statelineliquors.com/) ) \*\*\*\*\*\* Not blasphemy - A sincere paen of gratitude. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935/40 "2017-05-23T18:07:36Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > This, I found - Batch 47.\*\*\*\*\* USD$85. Holy, Holy, Holy GOD\*\*\*\*\*\* this is _ **incroyable!** _ :eek: 🆒) Glad you liked it! Unfortunately, it was just an accident that that’s the one I mentioned, as (in the later post), it turns out it was the Bunnahabain 18 I had. Also worth checking out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-scotch/786935.md?page=3)