Scotch whisky

[Johnny_L.A]

I went to a Renaissance Faire sometime back in the… late-80s? Someone shared a swig of 10-year-old Laphroaig. I fell in love with it. For many years, it was my preferred scotch. As I grew older, I got invited to fewer and fewer parties. For all intents and purposes, I stopped drinking. Sure, when I had a girlfriend we’d go out to Ye Olde King’s Head and I’d throw back a few pints of Guinness, some Jameson’s, and an Irish coffee; but even then, drinking was something I rarely thought to do.

So I’m watching a documentary on scotch. Laphroaig was mentioned. I think I may buy a bottle next time I’m at Trader Joe’s. But given my tastes have changed, what else might I like? I’m not in a position where I buy high-end stuff. What’s a good scotch for casual enjoyment?

[DPRK]

I just polished off a bottle of the recreated Mackinlay’s “Shackleton” whisky, and I really, really liked it. The only problem is that IMO they are pricing it way too high, therefore I cannot in all honesty recommend it for “casual enjoyment”. On the other hand, if/when they finally lower the price or you otherwise find it sold reasonably (I mean, Shackleton himself bought dozens of cases for the expedition, it’s not supposed to be some rare single-malt vintage)

[pmwgreen]

Trader Joes’s Islay Storm is the closest to Laphroaig that my local Trader Joes sells. It’s pretty good.

[jerez]

I used to like The Glenrothes, as someone who doesn’t know squat about whisky.

[Johnny_L.A]

@pmwgreen

Trader Joes’s Islay Storm is the closest to Laphroaig that my local Trader Joes sells. It’s pretty good.

Ar? I’ve never seen a Trader Joe’s that didn’t sell Laphroaig. (Except before Washington allowed stores to sell spirits.)

Perhaps I should get a bottle of Laphroaig and one of Islay Storm, and conduct some comparative alcohol analysis.

[pulykamell]

@Johnny_L.A

I went to a Renaissance Faire sometime back in the… late-80s? Someone shared a swig of 10-year-old Laphroaig. I fell in love with it. For many years, it was my preferred scotch. As I grew older, I got invited to fewer and fewer parties. For all intents and purposes, I stopped drinking. Sure, when I had a girlfriend we’d go out to Ye Olde King’s Head and I’d throw back a few pints of Guinness, some Jameson’s, and an Irish coffee; but even then, drinking was something I rarely thought to do.

So I’m watching a documentary on scotch. Laphroaig was mentioned. I think I may buy a bottle next time I’m at Trader Joe’s. But given my tastes have changed, what else might I like? I’m not in a position where I buy high-end stuff. What’s a good scotch for casual enjoyment?

The Macallan is always a good one if you want to try something a little different than your peaty Laphroiag. Monkey Shoulder is a very nice blend worth trying, as well. If you want to stay peaty, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Talisker are always good choices.

[Johnny_L.A]

I have to say, I haven’t had much scotch in recent years. Seems I’m preferring bourbon nowadays. I’ve been out of the loop re: whisk(e)y.

[digs]

Well, then pick up some Monkey Shoulder next time you’re at Trader Joe’s. It’s the whisky for bourbon drinkers… very smooth and well, friendly like a bourbon.

Or just buy some Maker’s Mark. TJs has the best price in town on it. It’s my sippin’ bourbon, but I’ve been making Old Fashioneds with it too.

See, if you buy some Islay Storm (I call it “Dollar Store Talisker”), you’ll have money left over for these…

[Gray_Ghost]

@Johnny_L.A

I went to a Renaissance Faire sometime back in the… late-80s? Someone shared a swig of 10-year-old Laphroaig. I fell in love with it. For many years, it was my preferred scotch. As I grew older, I got invited to fewer and fewer parties. For all intents and purposes, I stopped drinking. Sure, when I had a girlfriend we’d go out to Ye Olde King’s Head and I’d throw back a few pints of Guinness, some Jameson’s, and an Irish coffee; but even then, drinking was something I rarely thought to do.

So I’m watching a documentary on scotch. Laphroaig was mentioned. I think I may buy a bottle next time I’m at Trader Joe’s. But given my tastes have changed, what else might I like? I’m not in a position where I buy high-end stuff. What’s a good scotch for casual enjoyment?

What’s high-end to you? Moreover, tariffs have made Scotch Whisky a bit more expensive than it used to be. I think Laphroaig is fairly unique, even among Islay whiskies, which do way more of the iodine and smoke flavors than other areas of Scotland. I’d recommend Ardbeg’s basic 10 year as a comp: more smoke, less mercurocrome and bandaid. Less body. Should be around the same price.

A less expensive, but still enjoyable Islay-heavy blend is the “Black Bottle” brand, from Gordon Graham. Still 30 a 750, which isn’t bad, but not the 20 it was a few months ago. https://specsonline.com/shop/spirits/black-bottle-islay-scotch-original/

Lots of distilleries are putting out ‘No Age Statement’ (NAS) bottlings, and calling them various fanciful brand names like Fire or Ice or something else that evokes either Tolkien or Game of Thrones. These can often be cheaper than Scotch with an age statement on the label.

[Gray_Ghost]

Oh, and lots of Scotch distilleries are trying to capture that ‘bored with Bourbon or Cognac, and want to try Scotch’ market. The Black Bottle I mentioned upthread is much sweeter than either Laphroaig or Ardbeg, but still has that smoke and iodine thing. Laphroaig itself makes a version called Cairdeas, which is aged in newer ex-Bourbon casks and Oloroso Sherry casks. Anything to give it that sweet, lightly smokey flavor. This version is in cask strength: https://www.laphroaig.com/en/laphroaig-cairdeas-triple-wood-cask-strenght

[SingleMalt]

@Gray_Ghost

Oh, and lots of Scotch distilleries are trying to capture that ‘bored with Bourbon or Cognac, and want to try Scotch’ market. The Black Bottle I mentioned upthread is much sweeter than either Laphroaig or Ardbeg, but still has that smoke and iodine thing. Laphroaig itself makes a version called Cairdeas, which is aged in newer ex-Bourbon casks and Oloroso Sherry casks. Anything to give it that sweet, lightly smokey flavor. This version is in cask strength: Buy Laphroaig Càirdeas White Port & Madeira casks | Laphroaig

Just a note on the Laphroaig Cairdeas: Cairdeas is an annual limited edition release; the one in the link is the 2019 edition. They try to do something different for each year, and some are hits and some are misses. It is always released as cask strength. I have yet to try the 2019. Sounds promising.

For something that is similar in spirit, I agree with the Ardbeg 10 suggestion. They also have a quite decent NAS in that price range, the An Oa. Ardbeg does a lot of blending combinations, and several are highly regarded, like the Corryvrecken and Uigeadail (both cask strength, so a bit pricier).

I like the smokiness, but generally more in the background. I’m a fan of the Caol Ila 12.

[swampspruce]

Bruichladdich makes many fine affordable single malts. I’ve yet to have a bad one from them.

[Dag_Otto]

@SingleMalt

I’m a fan of the Caol Ila 12.

Seconded. It has such a long finish that it’s definitely a sipping drink. I can nurse an ounce or two for an hour.

[Yorkshire_Pudding]

Jura Origin was wonderful, but sadly has been discontinued. The 10 Year Old they’ve replace it with is far smokier…so if that’s your thing, go for it. If you do get a chance to lay your hands on a bottle of Origin though, I’d jump at it. It’s awash with honey-type flavours; absolutely nothing like the phenol-driven Laphroaig but, if you’re about bourbon these days, it’s likely to work.

But it’s like trying to find rocking horse shit, so perhaps not the most useful of recommendations.

Monkey Shoulder - very nice blend. Very obviously scotch-y, but very accessible and easy going.

[Saintly_Loser]

If you’re looking for a blended whisky with a bit more peat and smoke than most of them, my favorite is Teacher’s Highland Cream.

It’s not expensive at all, usually running a buck or two less than, say, Dewar’s.

But it’s seriously flavorful, with enough of that smoke and peat you’ll find in Laphroig to make an experimental purchase a pretty safe bet.

[Johnny_L.A]

In other news, Nuclear fallout exposes fake ‘antique’ whisky.

Rare bottles of vintage Scotch whisky are highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs, and command outrageous prices. As such, counterfeit single malts have become a problem. Enter an unusual solution: Fallout from nuclear bomb tests conducted during the 1950s and 1960s could help experts to detect fake antique whisky…

Then, they evaluated allegedly rare whiskeys from 1847 to 1978, and found that nearly half the bottles weren’t as old as they were supposed to be. One bottle, a Talisker with a label indicating it was distilled in 1863, was likely distilled between 2007 and 2014. A bottle of Ardbeg from 1964 was probably distilled after 1995, and a Laphroaig labeled 1903 dated to 2011 or later.

[Yorkshire_Pudding]

@Johnny_L.A

In other news, Nuclear fallout exposes fake ‘antique’ whisky.

I think…no, I’m pretty sure: I’m quite pleased with that. “Old = good = expensive” baffles me and - when taken to extremes - opens the door for some high-grade obscene money-slinging.

[Esprise_Me]

@Johnny_L.A

In other news, Nuclear fallout exposes fake ‘antique’ whisky.

That’s amazing! I assume this would work on vintage wine as well?

[Dead_Cat]

I don’t know a lot about scotch, but I’m slowly learning. For another (relatively) easy-drinking but flavourful option, I’d say Glenmorangie. The litre I’ve had in my drinks cupboard has been going down nicely over the years. Not a smoky one, though - it’s a Speyside.

[MikeF]

I’ll second Glenmorangie. Reasonably priced, as single malts go. They claim its the best selling scotch in Scotland. Please don’t point out that Bud Light is the best selling beer in America.