Advice on whisky

[Skyring]

It was a great deal, I purchased 1 bottle, but here are the prices at the Highland Park Distillery at Kirkwall.

We toured Highland Park in April. Very atmospheric – in every way – but not terribly impressed with the free dram at the end. We went into Kirkwall and found a little bottle of Auchentoshan which provided the odd tipple in the days to come, including perhaps the best place I've ever had a dram, the two of us on a hotel rooftop garden way up the slopes overlooking Lake Como.

Perhaps the 21YO is a little nicer than the base grade stuff they serve to the tourists?

 

[Bindibuys]

If I remember correctly, you had to pay extra to try the older years. My husband commented that each year did taste different, his favs was the 21 & 18

 

[jasonking]

Bargain whiskies, many selections on ebay from GoodDrop.
Remember code "Christmas15" for 10% off (end 13/12/2015)

gooddrop_au | eBay

 

[ozshiraz]

Be nice to see this thread resurface re Favourites and places to pick up quality Scotch at $$ value.

I mentioned on the DanMURPHY wine thread about the TALISKER 10 there at the mo' - $69 for members & excellent value, saw this in a local Vic Country
supermarket recently @ $99.

The TALISKER STORM initially sounded like an overdone peat/smoke bomb but tried it couple of weeks back, very nice and well worth the $$ being a little cheaper than the T10, hard to pick out of the two.

Tried a lot of <$100 Single malts, can't beat the Taliskers really.

 

[jasonking]

My current favourite and discovery is Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2008. $85 duty free on cruise ship Carnival Legend.
The Pinot Noir of whisky. IMO cruise ship is much much cheaper than DF airport.

Haven't open my Talisker Storm yet so no opinion.

 

[ozshiraz]

It'll be good to go Jason

 

[ozshiraz]

An interesting one that Bruich Laddich, can't find it on DM's, @ 50% ABV I'm guessing.

Smoke / Peat in that one ?

Will put a B.Lad. on the short list.

 

[jasonking]

It'll be good to go Jason

Too many bottles of whisky and wine purchased still to crack open. Consumption lagging way behind purchases.
Current open bottles are Bruichladdich Bere and Nikka Miyagikyo 12YO.

 

[jasonking]

An interesting one Jason, can't find it on DM's, @ 50% ABV I'm guessing.

Smoke / Peat in that one ?

Unpeated and no alcohol heat even at 50%. Beautiful fragrance. I drank neat.
DM have the Islay Barley which is unpeated and similar for $108.
https://www.danmurphys.com.au/produ...otch-whisky-700ml?orgSearchTerm=bruichladdich

Sydney airport have it for $112 too expensive, just wait for 2009 to appear here.
Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2008 50% 0.7L - Bruichladdich - All Brands Heinemann Duty Free

 

[Cynicor]

Talisker Skye is my all time favourite "cheap" whiskey. Under $100 and amazing!

 

[juddles]

All, am not a big whisky drinker. Good Carribean rum is my tipple of choice. But my father enjoys whisky and has over decades tried (and failed) to educate me.

In any case, it appears to me that in the last decade or so many vendors have gone the way of marketing - in the old days Johnnie Walker had their red base level, their black label premium, and maybe one or two super - premiums. Now they have gone into the whole swag of marketing with every colour of the rainbow. Much fun if you collect the stuff - have never been good at that - I prefer to just drink it! With wine, a good solid heavy bottle with a cork will always "do it for me" much more than exactly the same liquid in a thin, light, screw-cap. Same with whisky.

Maybe that is not a sin. As with wine drinking, some of the pleasure involved is the bottle, the perceived product.

But as per wine, enjoyment is much in the individual's perception and taste. I have always enjoyed Glenlivet. Here in Colombia, Old Parr reigns supreme. And JW blue for those celebrating a productive day. But to me they are no better than a JW red.

As I said, my father failed

 

[ozshiraz]

Another (Skye) to try Cynicor, haven't sighted same in country Vic the Talisker Port Ruighe is also very tasty, so many whiskies, so little time !

 

[Skyring]

Talisker Skye is my all time favourite "cheap" whiskey. Under $100 and amazing!

Sometimes the Lagavulin 16YO is offered <$100. A nice drop.

Scapa is my favorite, but very hard to get.

BenRiach sherry finished for my wife. Likewise "tuff" to find. She has a better nose and palate for these things than I, so I can never buy anything cheap or ordinary.

Hard to go past a good Scotch for a quiet evening in. Needs quiet and time to appreciate the experience.

 

[jasonking]

All, am not a big whisky drinker. Good Carribean rum is my tipple of choice. But my father enjoys whisky and has over decades tried (and failed) to educate me.

What Carribean/South American rum would you recommend?
Any difference in experience for rum and agricole rum?
Just finished Bundaberg Black Barrel. Rum is produced from the "leftovers of sugar produce" so I am thinking of getting from "purer" source.

 

[Major]

What Carribean/South American rum would you recommend?
Any difference in experience for rum and agricole rum?
Just finished Bundaberg Black Barrel. Rum is produced from the "leftovers of sugar produce" so I am thinking of getting from "purer" source.

I recommend Gosling’s Rum | Exporters of Gosling’s Black Seal®, Gold Rum & Old Rum from that part of the World

 

[Major]

What Carribean/South American rum would you recommend?
Any difference in experience for rum and agricole rum?
Just finished Bundaberg Black Barrel. Rum is produced from the "leftovers of sugar produce" so I am thinking of getting from "purer" source.

I would not describe rum production as "leftovers"

It is made from molasses which is a by-product from the sugar mill

https://www.bundabergrum.com.au/explore/distillery/secrets-of-bundy-rum

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I've added a few bottles to my sipping collection

JP Wisers 18 year Canadian Whiskey - the first time I had this I wasn't impressed. Not sure why. Since then it's become a favourite of mine. Goes well with a small ice cube. Just enough of a burn to know you had it, but not over powering.

Dalwhinnie 15 year Scotch - if on special it's a decent buy. Not worth the money at it's usual of $80+. Not a "strong" whisky - double black is as smokey as I usually go.

Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Rum - prob the first rum I've really enjoyed. Not sweet like most rums. Reminds me of a good whisky. Just a shame it's so expensive. For a similar price for scotch you can do better, but if you want to try an excellent rum it's worth a go.

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Scotch - when on sale this is an amazing whisky for the price. i feel like alice when drinking this because it's like the bottle has a note saying drink me on it.

Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask Strength Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky - was lucky enough to try this on an EVA flight from London a couple of years ago. Never knew the Taiwanese were making such a fine whiskey. Bought a bottle on the flight, which came in a nice gift box and a 50ml freebie bottle. Will definitely be picking up a bottle on my way back later this month.

 

[ozshiraz]

Sometimes the Lagavulin 16YO is offered <$100. A nice drop.

Scapa is my favorite, but very hard to get.

BenRiach sherry finished for my wife. Likewise "tuff" to find. She has a better nose and palate for these things than I, so I can never buy anything cheap or ordinary.

Hard to go past a good Scotch for a quiet evening in. Needs quiet and time to appreciate the experience.

Laga16 , was the start of my liking for the Islay & Skye products, see it locally at big retailer round $82 at times, usually $106'ish.

 

[jasonking]

I would not describe rum production as "leftovers"

It is made from molasses which is a by-product from the sugar mill

https://www.bundabergrum.com.au/explore/distillery/secrets-of-bundy-rum

>>in a way, rum making is upcycling: The goal is to take molasses—something that is worth comparable pennies to sugar's dollars—and turn it into a prized and valued drink.
<<
The Story of Sustainable Rum Begins With What's Left Behind : TreeHugger

 

[ozshiraz]

So many whiskies discontinued, Glenmorangie produced BNJ, (BailieNicoleJarvie) a blend I was just getting a taste for when it ceased sales.

In the search for a Single Malt substitute (<$$) tried the BNJ and at low $40's thought it may have had the class to be a tippler at a reasonable $$,

Will it be revived ? - https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/latest-news/8379/bailie-nicol-jarvie-blend-could-be-revived/

Given the above article is 8 months old and it hasn't resurfaced the chances are getting slimmer.

Never had a blend that was near a moderate priced Single Malt, the BNJ was as close as it ever got for me, rarely buy blends now but would re-buy
BNJ tomorrow to re-evaluate if it was on the shelves.