alt.drinks.scotch-whisky - POLL!!!

Talisker - probably my overall favourite Lagavulin - favourite from Islay Springbank - perfectly balanced Scapa - something different which I like for its subtle sweetness

None really, most malts have something to offer

Famous Grouse

Some own brand blends can be quite rough

Lagavulin 1979 Pedro Ximenez finish, blew my socks off!

As above

Islay

Neat

Night time

Jamesons, probably my favourite blend. I like Jim Beam as well.

No

Usually snacks. Dark chocolate also goes well

I really like Alsace Gerwurtztraminer, also Chilean reds and NZ Sauvignon Blancs. I love Matusalem Oloroso Sherry (25yrs old) but it's very expensive

margarita, gin and tonic

My Missus can't stand it!

Caol Ila 12 yo and Bruichladdich 10 yo are among my favorites

My least favorite is Laphroaig 10 yo, I find it very flat and it has a very short aftertaste. I'd still drink it if I was offered it though ;)

JW black

any supermarket brand eg. King George

Highland Park 18 yo

Caol Ila cask 55%

Islay - Highland - Speyside - Lowland, in that order

Straigth no ice, but I do add water when drinking cask whisky.

Eeekends, evening / night time.

Canadian probably, but I haven't tried Japanese yet.

Yes.

No.

I share it with friends.

Is this the distillery-released Caol Ila 12? I've been drinking Caol Ila for 20 years, and I had the distillery release for the first time this summer. It was a bit of a surprise.

A surprise? In a good or a bad way? I think all the distillery bottlings (12yo, 18yo and CS) are very nice, although the 18 was a bit of a disappointment in that you'd expect more from an 18yo whisky. The Cask Strength is excellent, powerful stuff!

The cask strength--now that sounds like the ticket. I think my 12 was missing a bit of punch--it was surprisingly tame. I tried it up against a Caol Ila 19 and a year-old Chieftains bottling and both of these had a bit fuller flavor too. But it's still a fine dram. I have a hard time ever finding negatives about a Caol Ila!

I'm having the cask strength right now, and in my opinion it's the best of the three. There is no age statement, but surely it's the youngest? Fresh and powerful, dry and warm, lots of peatsmoke, most obvious iodine, very little sweetness. The 12 yo is similar in style, but in a more moderate way all over. The 18 yo is sweeter and a little more fruity, less smoky, and oak is noticeable. Probably more complex, but not that pungent.

Generally I don't like much sweetness in a peaty Islay. (For instance, I find the sweetness in Laphroaig 10 a little disturbing). And generally I find peaty Islays are best young (Lagavulin 16 maybe an exception here). All the elements that make them what they are seem to dampen with age, while smoothness, sweetness and oak enhances. And cask strength is rock'n'roll!

Gunnar

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