Single Malt Recommendations?

[MikeP]

I am somewhat concerned but I have developed a taste for and interest in single malt scotch. Concerned because like cigars, it can become an expensive hobby. But as cigars differ, all scotch whiskys have distinctive tastes often depending on the region of Scotland the distillery is located, etc. I've recently come in possession of a bottle of Laphroaig's 10 yr old whisky and found that I really enjoy its distintive taste. I was wondering if anyone had any single malts they would recommend but being conscious of cost?

[jgros001]

If you stay in the 10-12 year range, the cost can be very reasonable. My favorite Oban is about $40. Laphroig is very good - but the taste is disctinct. Oban and for example Glenmorangie are a lot milder in taste, imo. My best recommendation would be to go to an Irish bar and sample some. For me it is always straight with a drop of water. Any bar worth its salt should have at least 5 for you to try - maybe Macallens/Oban/Glenmorangie/Balmore/Balvinnie. Much better than buying an expensive bottle that you don't like.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Since you like Laphroaig, buy the 10 yr Cask Stregth. It's a heck of a scotch for the price.

The Doc

[PaulMac]

Originally Posted by Dr. Stogie Fresh

Since you like Laphroaig, buy the 10 yr Cask Stregth. It's a heck of a scotch for the price.

The Doc

Agree with this!
and if you like laphroaig, I would give some of the other Islay malts a shot.
Bowmore can be found relatively cheaply, Lagavulin is a bit more pricey. Ardbeg is harder to find depending on your state, but worth the search! Bunnahabhain is a good single, but is unpeated so very different than most islay malts. A good Caol Ila can knock yer socks off lol and Bruichladdich is kinda hard to find as well, and tends to be a bit pricey as well, but has some good stuff.

PaulMac

[knuckles]

A bottle of low-cost, single-malt scotch... that's a bit of an oxymoron.

If you like distinctive flavors, try a bottle of Lagavulin. Very nice smoky-cask flavors are present in each sip.

I have to plug my favorite go-to scotch, Isle of Jura. It continues to be my favorite.

[opus]

I love single malt scotch, but I have a question. I tried a botle of laphroaig 10 yo and it was the worst booze I have ever tasted. It tasted like bandaids mixed with a salve my Grandma used to put on chigger bites. The question is.....is this the normal flavor for laphroaig, or was this a spoiled or tainted bottle? I had to throw the bottle out and I am afraid to try it again. This was only about 4 months ago.

[Hoppy]

Dalmore 12 year old is a good inexpensive single malt. I pay $32.

[PaulMac]

Originally Posted by opusxox

I love single malt scotch, but I have a question. I tried a botle of laphroaig 10 yo and it was the worst booze I have ever tasted. It tasted like bandaids mixed with a salve my Grandma used to put on chigger bites. The question is.....is this the normal flavor for laphroaig, or was this a spoiled or tainted bottle? I had to throw the bottle out and I am afraid to try it again. This was only about 4 months ago.

if it tasted like smoke and iodine, it was spot on
tends to be very medicinal and have an oily texture for lack of a better term.
it definately defines a love it or hate it scotch, there is no middle ground lol

Paul

[PaulMac]

Originally Posted by knuckles

A bottle of low-cost, single-malt scotch... that's a bit of an oxymoron.

Not really, there are some hidden gems out there that are low cost. Auchentoshan Select and Speyside (formerly Drumguish) come to mind. Both can be had for under 20 bucks and while not knock yer socks off good, they are certainly decent drams for the price.

PaulMac

[Hammerhead]

Mike, I'm partial to McAllan, because they age in a sherrywood cask, but Glenmorangie and Dalwhinnie don't suck either.

You might try to get one of those little mini-samper sets. Usually they come in 'nip' size bottles which, when poured over ice, give you a real good idea of the difference between them since the serving size is not so much that you can't try all of them at the same time.

On average, most better scotch ranges from pretty much the same price, to just a few dollars more, as pretty much any other distilled spirit on the market. So if you save it for 'special occasions' (like every other weekend), you'll be OK.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a very affordable libation that really brings out the flavor of a cigar, buy a bottle of Yellowtail Merlot. It's awesome. I've had Merlots that are all over the map, but when slightly chilled, this one is super.

Keep us posted on what you find. I might be up for a little re-exploration myself.

[croatan]

For reasonably-priced single malts, I'm partial to Macallan (12 and cask strength), Glenmorangie (all of 'em, especially the one aged in a port barrel), and Glenfiddich. I like a whole lot of others, too, but I drink and stock these most consistently.

[Bigga Petey]

Originally Posted by PaulMac

if it tasted like smoke and iodine, it was spot on
tends to be very medicinal and have an oily texture for lack of a better term.
it definately defines a love it or hate it scotch, there is no middle ground lol

Paul

Yep.
I had a bottle of that.
I couldn't get it past my lips.
Gave it to one of my brothers.
He loved it.
Go figure.

[opus]

Originally Posted by PaulMac

if it tasted like smoke and iodine, it was spot on
tends to be very medicinal and have an oily texture for lack of a better term.
it definately defines a love it or hate it scotch, there is no middle ground lol

Paul

I think that was it. Definitely not for me. Give me Macallans any day.

[Lumpold]

Originally Posted by PaulMac

Agree with this!
and if you like laphroaig, I would give some of the other Islay malts a shot.
Bowmore can be found relatively cheaply, Lagavulin is a bit more pricey. Ardbeg is harder to find depending on your state, but worth the search! Bunnahabhain is a good single, but is unpeated so very different than most islay malts. A good Caol Ila can knock yer socks off lol and Bruichladdich is kinda hard to find as well, and tends to be a bit pricey as well, but has some good stuff.

PaulMac

Paul, I'm gonna take a picture of my Asda's (WalMart's) Scotch selection, off the top of my head, the only one they don't have is the lagavulin.... Maybe they don't have the Bruichladdich anymore, but I'm sure they did before Christmas. Or I might just write a list of what they have, and ask you to reccommend from that

[PaulMac]

Originally Posted by Lumpold

Paul, I'm gonna take a picture of my Asda's (WalMart's) Scotch selection, off the top of my head, the only one they don't have is the lagavulin.... Maybe they don't have the Bruichladdich anymore, but I'm sure they did before Christmas. Or I might just write a list of what they have, and ask you to reccommend from that

Oooh! Pics!
I love Scotch ****! lol