Single Malt suggestions

I do enjoy the Oban myself,as far as harshness, maybe it was what you were eating or smoking with it, , or maybe the bottle had been sitting in the sun a lot & just went bad or some thing, , with out tasting it or even smelling it I cant be sure, Maybe you should send whats left to me to check it hahahaha !!!!
As far as the Macallen it is one of the highest gold metal winning drams in the world, it won so many contests that after 5 years in a row of winning the same contest it didn't compete any more , I don't know what expression it was could have been the 12 maybe the 18 or the cask strength, I don't know, but I haven't had a problem with any of them at all. the cask strength is one of my top 10, top 5 even , when they get in the top 5 there is a hard time telling which is Best to narrow it down to a top 3 they in no special order would be A'bunadh by Arbelor 121 proof, Bowmore Dawn at 103 proof & the Macallen cask strength at 117 proof, to round out my top 5 the next 2 again in no special order would be Lagavulin 16 YO & the lest expensive single malt that I drink Spayburn 10YO

Penna state run over charging & under staffed uneducated shop has one or 2 cheaper single malts but IMHO they suck , I don't even want to name them but they are under 20 bucks a bottle , there is a Highland, Lowland & an Islay all from the same label & one that was finished in a wine cask, that is as a poor whisky as I have ever had the misfortune to taste .
Enjoy, Vince

when a bottle of wine is opened the air is good for it, allowing it to develop , but not good for a fine bottle of single malt, the taste will change a bit after the bottle is open a few weeks( none of mine ever last that long ) , I keep a small spray can of nitrogen to top off the bottle when I open it, , that keeps the 0xygen away from the whisky , you can get it in a wine shop, that is what it is made for , to keep wine fresh, but it works just fine with single malt . Enjoy, Vince

my pleasure ,Enjoy,Vince

I havent see the compressed gas for a few years, just never looked for it, maybe it isnt made any more, didnt sell well???? , I dont know, I have a can left in the case, If I can fins more I will PM you .
The 6 grape Porto is a really nice sip with a smoke , I hope you enjoy it, BUT if you dont ............... hahahaha Enjoy, Vince

Spider66 said:

I am just developing a taste for Scotch and was wondering if anyone has a suggestion for my next bottle. I have just finished a bottle of Glenmoragie 10yo, and thought it was pretty good. Other than this I have only tried Macallan 12yo, 18yo, and 25 yo (Which I thought was incredible!) I would like to stay under $100. I do have a bottle of Macallan 18yo now, but want something else to try. Thanks in advance for your help
~S

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If you like The Macallan you must also try Highland Park and The Balvenie (sister distillery to Glenfiddich). For anyone who felt a single malt was "harsh" you are probably refering to the alcohol. Try slowly "cutting" it with room temp spring water. Add a little at a time, be careful not to add too much. Cold water and ice will kill the aromatics/ taste much like chilling most red wines.

Any Bowmore fans try the Darkest Malt?? I had a bottle a while back and thought it the dryest malt I ever had. It had a very odd finish. After sampling it for a bit, I looked it up in Michael Jackson's book and his description for the finish was something to the effect " polished stone" I couldn't believe how accurate that was. Give it a try!!!

I enjoyed a bottle of the darkest , but fell in love with the dawn, a real taste treat for the Islay lovers in all of us , not overpowering like Laphroaig( but I do like it ) but more like a velvet glove over a sledge hammer . hahahahaha , a fine dram for sure ! IMHO.
Enjoy, Vince

vince said:

I enjoyed a bottle of the darkest , but fell in love with the dawn, a real taste treat for the Islay lovers in all of us , not overpowering like Laphroaig( but I do like it ) but more like a velvet glove over a sledge hammer . hahahahaha , a fine dram for sure ! IMHO.
Enjoy, Vince

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Did you find the finish dry?? When I read the review(jackson), I imagined what a polished river stone(not a polished quartz or gem stone) would taste/feel like rubbed on the tongue. I know this sounds crazy and not very pleasant, but it was just jackson's description of the finish.

I did notice the amount of smoke & enjoyed that, not as bold as Laphroiag or even Laguvulin 16 , but still enough to know it was right there, the dawn isnt quite as smokey but you do know your sipping an Islay Dram, for sure, i dont remember if I noticed the finsh you speak of, next time I will look for that ! Enjoy, Vince

Vince Itried they Speyburn that you talked about, and I thought it was great, I really enjoyed the flavor. Thank youfor the suggestion

Great Whisky at a Great price, it is my "go to " dram when I am in the need for a little Lubercation of the elbow to help me smoke a BIG cigar !
Sure the JW Green is great whisky along with the Macallen & Glen farclass, & glen morangie & all the others but at the price I havent found a better tasting Dramm yet, & Lord knows I will keep trying to find the elusive Fantastic whisky no matter what the cost ! , next on the wish list is the Belvinie 21 YO port wood finish @ 80 bucks a bottle , I hope this is not the one I am looking for hahahaha , I have my eye on a 29 YO Cragenmore @115 proof but the cost is almost $300.00 a bottle, dammmm thats a lot of cigars for just one bottle of whisky, , Oh well a champange taste on a beer income ! hahaha Enjoy, Vince

Oban

vince said:

Great Whisky at a Great price, it is my "go to " dram when I am in the need for a little Lubercation of the elbow to help me smoke a BIG cigar !
Sure the JW Green is great whisky along with the Macallen & Glen farclass, & glen morangie & all the others but at the price I havent found a better tasting Dramm yet, & Lord knows I will keep trying to find the elusive Fantastic whisky no matter what the cost ! , next on the wish list is the Belvinie 21 YO port wood finish @ 80 bucks a bottle , I hope this is not the one I am looking for hahahaha , I have my eye on a 29 YO Cragenmore @115 proof but the cost is almost $300.00 a bottle, dammmm thats a lot of cigars for just one bottle of whisky, , Oh well a champange taste on a beer income ! hahaha Enjoy, Vince

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Hey vince, that port wood is fantastic and well worth the $80

Pay day !!!!!

Oban.

SDDave said:

Oban.

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Oban is a Nice Light dram, not enough smoke in it for me, great in the summer with a light cigar, but I like a little more body to my whisky, Enjoy, Vince

I stopped at the state run monopoly, no service , stock boy mentality ,high price shop to pick up a weeee dram for the weekend, & there it was a NEW offering from Bowmore , an Islay single malt ( but with out a year statement ) called Legend
well it was on sale & only a Buck a bottle more than my usual Spayburn, so i got it , It is an Islay whisky! for sure , nice smoke & a bit of brine , grat nose 7 a wonderfull Honey gold color, the taste was just OK , nothing to write home about , it will never replace my Laugavulin or Laphorig , but you will new it is from the same area, , I will have a weee dram with coffee & a cigar some time Sunday afternoon & give it a second try, unless I find time tomarrow !, Hummmmm I wonder what the wife has planned for me , Maybe i might find so time for a second taste test !


Enjoy, Vince

second taste

well I was forced to sample a wee dram again today, different cigar, different coffee , different glass, added a touch of water, MUCH BETTER today MUCH<MUCH better !! Enjoy, Vince