Ardbeg compared to laphroiag

I haven't had much of either, but I like Ardbeg, and don't care for Laphroig. Ardbeg is very peaty and smoky but doesn't beat you over the head with it. Laphroig has that medicinal/iodine flavour that I just don't like. I find it in Talisker and Lagavulin as well, so I usually avoid them.

If you like the Ardbeg, try the Caol Ila. Again, I haven't tasted much of this either, but it was very smooth, creamy but with a definite peaty ness.

Doug.

Laphroaig anytime. Ardbeg is more musty, and Laphroaig has a more pungent odour. Ardbeg rates very high in the hype/marketing strategy department, yes; flavourwise, I think its overrated. If they keep putting out crap like that vatted malt and that very young bottling, eventually their current rep., will eventually fade... And "malt lovers' will soon find another malt of the moment to get excited about.

the laphroaig 17 y/o festival bottle was amaizing and I really like the other older expressions but I can give the 10 a miss.

The older Ardbegs are phenominal IMO though I agree with you on some of the new expressions. They are going through a tough patch for a few years .. the older stocks are becoming used up and the newer whisky isn't really ready yet. I am inclined to give them a break until we can be sure what the new whiskys are going to be like..

I just hope my stash of 17y/o and LOTI will hold me over 'til then.

Andrew who is willing to buy any Ardbeg on spec.

I've been buying plenty of different whiskeys of late - finding anything above the magical 43% tastes like mouthwash.

Bought some Ardberg from Sainsburys a few months back - was so disgusting I took it back. Got my money back, too.

Same as Talisker. Mouthwash.

Same as Laphroaig 55.6% original cask strength. Had to blend it, but finally poured it away.

Have to agree with the Laphroaig - bought both 10 year and 15 year recently. Not impressed at all.

On a slightly different note, does anyone have a map of Scotland with all the breweries depicted on it?

Odie

Don't know of any breweries producing single malt, try looking for a distillery map on Google.

If your using Sainsbury's to supply you malts, your missing out on a whole world of nearly 100 distilleries that they don't stock. Get into Oddbins or Bottoms Up and check a few different ones. And by eschewing malts above 43% you're cutting off one large part of the wonderful world of Malt Whisky.

Two things you need for malt whisky drinking. An open mind, and an open palate.

I've been drinking single malts for nearly 40 years. Yet to taste a single one that could be described as mouthwash. Some perhaps rate as "ordinary", many as "nectar".

Roger

Yes It looks like Odie doesnt like malt whisky made from barley that has been dried with peatfire

MacDeffe

I hate to jump in late, but although I like both, I have grown to really love Laphroig. My wife can't stand it-says it smells like medicine, from across the room. I find it easily drinkable though.

Jeff

handy hint - if it tastes like mouthwash, drink mouthwash... much cheaper...

Research has found nothing to support the assertion that 43% is a magical figure for the ABV of whisky.

Please carry on with your dislike of the cask strength whiskies. It will keep the price down for those of us who appreciate the myriad qualities of such whisky. And I love the never ending discussions about whether Laphroaig or Ardbeg is the better. Both are brilliant but neither is the best. It leaves me free to continue exploring examples of the other 100+ distilleries.

You misunderstand me. I was not knocking these whiskeys.

They are simply not to my taste.

OD

Forgive me for my average understanding of English, but mouthwash doesn't really carry the "Not my Taste" feeling...

I would say OBAN and DALWHINIE are definitly not my taste.

In my very short and yet limited experience, one of the most important factor is the mood I'm in, what I've had to eat.... It makes a world of difference. Some days I'll swear this one is great, the next day it would not taste so good.

Bravo, nicely put. I am the same. Some days I do not want the frontal assault of an Islay malt, and go for a nice Speyside, or even a good Lowland.

Try Longmorn if you can get it.. one of the best Speysides

Roger

"Renko" skrev i melding news:d8q6af$gia$ snipped-for-privacy@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...

I bought my first Longmorn (15yo) a week ago. I agree, it's really something. Not peaty nor sherried, just a solid maltcharacter. And still so very powerful and so warm it's almost a burn undiluted. Malty, a little fruity, oak, a little camphor maybe, and a nice sweetness. And a long warm finish too. Lovely, highly recommended!

Gunnar

Very few Speysides have more than a trace of peatiness. Is your Longmorn cask strength?

Roger

"Renko" skrev i melding news:d8s4hh$pkn$ snipped-for-privacy@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...

No, it's 45% ABV. But even though I often drink even my Laphroaig Cask Strength without water, I found that I prefer a splash of water in the Longmorn 15.

Gunnar

Sounds reasonable to me :)

Roger