Some whiskys I've tried recently / Islay query

My notes on three whiskys I've sampled lately:

  1. Laphroaig 10: I wrote about this one here a few days ago. Smokey, peaty, phenolic, nutty, distinctive. Certainly not tame. Alluring, but a bit too phenolic for my taste.
  2. Lismore Single Speyside Malt: Very mild, very subtle, a tad sweet. The ethanol itself seems to be the main flavor component. Rather like a nice amber-colored vodka. Over- priced at a bottle though.
  3. MacCallan 12: Delicious carmel and vanila flavors. Almost candylike. I think this is now my new favorite scotch.

I think I'd like to try some other Islay scotch, but something a little less overpowering than Laphroaig. I see my local Trader Joe's has something called Finlaggan on the shelf; anyone here try that? If so, what's it like? Any other recommendations for a good Islay single-malt?

Reply to
Robbie Hatley
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"Robbie Hatley" wrote in news:vV4fh.21480 $ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net:

If you'll pardon a review from a beginner:

Finlaggan is Islay on steroids. Major notes of Iodine and Lighter Fluid. Laphroaig x 2.

I've also been sampling the local Trader Joe's. The MaCallan 11 is quite tasty and the MaCallan 14 is a bit over-mellowed. They are my current source for the Balvenie Double Wood at $33.

Try 'em all, but don't say you weren't warned on the Finlaggan.

Reply to
Bland Allison

Finlaggan is an independent bottling. A few years ago it was a young Lagavulin, though that may have changed by now. I'd try it in a minute. It should be inexpensive, too.

The finest 10-year-old Islay out there, in my opinion, is the Ardbeg, with all the kick of the Laphroaig minus a lot of the phenols.

There are a lot of Caol Ilas out there. The several I have tried were excellent. Peaty, smoky and gentle all at once.

Non-Islay Talisker is in the same ballpark, really one of the good ones. Good peat, and a peppery character.

And the Lagavulin 16 is a classic. Peat, smoke, a bit of sherry and a whole lot of class.

If the Laphroaig was your first Islay, you certainly got in at the deep end. Now you need to swim a few lengths of the pool. Try them all, at whatever clip you can afford.

bill

Reply to
bill van

That's my kind of malt. I wish it was available where I live.

Under-age Islays do tend to be fiery and a bit raw, but I've liked the three or four I've tried, though the McLelland's Islay -- a young Bowmore -- is a bit so-so.

bill

Reply to
bill van

Thanks for the info! I think I'll try to find this "Ardbeg" you mention. It's not at my local Trader Joes, but there lots of places around here that cary wines and spirits, so I'll probably find some.

I saved the above as a text file. I may print it and put it in my pocket when I go shopping.

Yep, not exactly the "smooth, lite, easy-drinking" stuff that avoids any unusual or startling aromas. :-)

Will do.

Reply to
Robbie Hatley

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carries more than I can afford!

Reply to
n_cramerSPAM

If you liked the 16yo you'll *love* the 12CS.

Jim

Reply to
Jim

FWIW, I divide Islay into 3 groups:

  1. The 'proper' Islays Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Port Ellen

  1. The middling Bowmore

  2. The 'not like an Islay at all' Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain

Curiously, this is almost a North-South divide but not quite. Now I'm not knocking group 3 (I love Bruichladdich and love what the owners have done/are doing) but if you buy them on the basis of tasting the Leapfrog then you're in for a shock.

I'd recommend that you try a Bowmore which has some of the classic peat but is more subdued than group 1.

HTH

Reply to
the man with no idea

Apart from the PC5 - that's a stonkingly good dram in a typically Islay-ish way.

Jim

Reply to
Jim

The thing with Bruichladdich is that they don't really have a 'standard' whisky

- they're constantly trying new things. In general though you're quite right - the Laddies tend not to be heavily peated.

I have to wonder if they're going to release a PC6 next year. Hope so - PC5 was very smooth for a 5yo.

Jim

Reply to
Jim

My original comments were based on my own observations, however I just found this on t'interweb (scotchwhisky.com):

The northern Islay distilleries - Bruichladdich (the 'ch' is silent) and Bunnahabhain ('Boona-hah-ven') are, by contrast, much milder. These draw their water direct from the spring, before it has had contact with peat, and use lightly or un-peated barley. The resulting whiskies are lighter flavoured, mossy (rather than peaty), with some seaweed, some nuts, but still the dry finish. Bowmore Distillery, in the middle of the island, stands between the two extremes - peaty but not medicinal, with some toffee, some floral scents, and traces of linseed oil. Coal lla ('Cal-eela'), although close to Bunnahabhain, produces a delicate, greenish malt, with some peat/iodine/salt balanced by floral notes and a peppery finish.

Now I'd say 6/8 taste predominantly peaty and 2/8 don't, hence I'd consider Bruichladdich to be not typically Islay-ish except in the sense that I consider, like you I guess, Islays are lurvly.

So, based on my observation and the site I'd still suggest the OP to try Bowmore.

Reply to
the man with no idea

Seconded that Ardbeg is well worth a try. Especially the older ones, alas they are fewer and farer between and certainly not cheap.

This is still on my 'to be fulfilled' list.

Ho yuss, one of my favourites.

Reply to
DoetNietComputeren

Me too. I'm back in Wisconsin after picking up the TJ's Macallan 11 (along with buying that and the Laphroaig for my nephew as a gift). I was also there last February and TJ's were then regrettably out of the Macallan, after I had picked up some splendid TJ Macallans about 20 months ago in SFO.

This Trader Joes Macallan 11 is twelve shades of woody--no sherry. It is creaking, dry, dusty, and potent--it tastes like an old staircase lined by rich tapestries--and when a 40% whisky comes off as potent, then it has (as some might say in southern California) cojones!

Reply to
Douglas W Hoyt

Since you're in Tustin you may want to try the Wine Exchange

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in Tustin and Hi Time
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in Newport Beach. Wine Ex has a good selection and Hi Time has a fantastic selection and both are often priced 10-30% below places like Bevmo!

Keeping in mind that Finlaggan is my best bang for the buck Islay (how can you go wrong for $17?), there comes a time to spend a little more with birthday/xmas type money! Aside from the recomendations already here, (and i find myself agreeing with about 90%, obviously an intellegent group!) if you want to step up a bit you might try the Ardbeg Uigeadail, Laphroaig 15yr (I have a bottle of Cask strength that'll probably get opened over the holidays!!), and the Aberlour A'Bunadh. The Uigeudail is a cask strangth and the A'bunadh is a sherry shocker. All are just a little bit of heaven that just seem to get better with each sip!

Enjoy! Bill P

Reply to
3patricks

What is this Trader Joe's you are talking about?

Gladys.

Reply to
Gladys

It is a very unconventional grocer that is slowly chaining out through the U.S. They sell their own branded products (which tend to be excellent, creative, and CHEAP cutting-edge cuisine; they have things like great cheeses from throughout the world at prices lower than those if you buy them in the country of origin). They also carry other commercial products that they either buy in bulk at great prices with the original label, or relable as their own (like the Macallan 11). Here's their website:

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Reply to
Douglas W Hoyt

I have both the Caol Ila 12 and the Caol Ila 18. Recommended. Abelour 15 is also a nice sherried malt. The a'bunadh batch #16 is also a great sherried kicker. My Macallan is a NAS Cask strength (in the U.S.) and is typical house style. Nice. Highland Park 12 is an Orkney but has a bit of smoke. Lovely malt. I have the 18 but have not opened it yet.

Reply to
mdavis

counterpoint. IMO: acceptable quality; quite limited selection; all frozen; different prepared food from Safeway, Giant, etc; cheap, yes; cutting-edge cuisine, hardly.

They have ordinary, young cheeses that would generally be low-end supermarket fare in the country of origin. They sell no cheese whatsoever that would interest anyone who patronizes a good local cheese shop, a specialty food store like Whole Foods, or by mailorder from places like Artisanal in NY.

Agreed.

-- Larry

Reply to
pltrgyst

I would like to try some of this Macallan 11 (and the 14), but the closest store to me is about 1500 miles away.

I travel to Chicago a fair amount - does anyone know if the Chicago area stores carry the Macallan?

Thanks! Gladys.

Reply to
Gladys

You should call in advance. Some TJ's do not carry alcohol, and others (like our local Madison venue that just opened) have beer and wine, but not spirits. And even if they do have spirits, any particular bottling may be sold out or unavailable. Just look at the locations on the website and give them a ring.

Reply to
Douglas W Hoyt

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