Weather and drinking single malts?

On 2011-09-01, Joe Williamson (aka Bruce) was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:

Yep. But then the barrel of port becomes too inviting too. I love a cold winter's day, a pasta bolognese with a glass of port in the meat sauce (instead of red wine), and a glass of port to top it all off.

But after all that, I then don't want a SM. It's too hard being a drunk.

Not just you. A warm fire on a cold evening is a good thing, and a tasty single malt to warm the insides is better. Both is best of all.

I trust you've also explored the other great south Islay malts: Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Lagavulin.

bill

On 2011-09-01, bill van (aka Bruce) was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:

I wacky parsed that as "on a cold morning". I thought that was a bit keen, then I realised it was just my subconcious.

Morning is too early in my day for single malt, even a cold morning.

I'm not known as Bruce, though, unless everybody's either Bruce or Sheila.

cheers.

bill

You are not alone!

I also tend to favour something like a G&T in the summer months and then whisky when he nights start drawing in.

At the moment I'm making an exception to the rule with a nice 40-yo Glen Grant I received as a gift.

I've tried the Lagavulin -- VERY good. Not as medicinal as the Laphroaig but a nice peat smoke flavor. Liked the Ardbeg, but there were so many expressions available, didn't really know which ones to try.

I have NOT tasted Caol Ila -- have looked for it, can't find it anywhere near where I live (in southwest Virginia, USA). I may have to order myself a bottle of it.

Don't know the Glen Grant.

However, after sipping six or eight different Islays, I just got hold of a bottle of Glenkinchie. Holy cow, what a difference. Nose very flowery, overall lighter, lovely color, goes down so smooth.

My own guideline is that if I like a distillery's flagship product -- a

10-year-old for many malts, though there are exceptions such as Lagavulin's 16 -- the other expressions may be worth exploring. That's also easier on the budget. The older expressions, cask strength, single barrels, etc. tend to be much more expensive. So if I like the 10 -- and I very much like Ardbeg's 10-year-old -- I will explore some of the others as my budget allows.

It's very recognizably a south Islay, quite peaty but with less of the phenolic elements of Laphroaig and more of a nutty aspect. It's not always available here (in British Columbia), but I've seen quite a few different expressions in other places. I like the 10 and the 12, and I've had a cask strength that was wonderful.

bill

"bill van" skrev i melding news: snipped-for-privacy@news.shawcable.net...

South Islay? Laphroaig is the southernmost one, Caol Ila the 2 northest For the record the distilleries are from north to south; Bunnabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Port Charlotte (new), Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Port Ellen (defunct) , Laphroaig.

Anders

"Joe Williamson" skrev i melding news:2011090119471130446-joe@joewilliamsoncom...

Yes, a very nice smooth dram, one of only three remaining lowland distilleries (southeast of Edinburgh) I do like it Anders currently drinking Talisker - also very good

Joe Williamson:

I'm the same, not that we have many hot and humid days.