What's your favorite single malt Scotch Whisky?

[Retro Red]

do you suggest a nosing glass for whisky? I have a decanter and the typical crystal glasses. I do wonder if I shouldn't pick up a few nice nosing glasses though. What do you think?

To quote from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society -
"The glass should be tulip-shaped, with a narrow opening. The Society nosing glass is best, then the sherry copita, brandy snifter and wine glass in descending order of desirability. The open-mouthed cut glass article that is traditionally called a whisky tumbler is not suitable at all. The mouth is for pouring the whisky into for the purpose of tasting. The tongue and palate, both of which are located within the mouth, detect the primary tastes: sweet, sour or acidic, salty, bitter or dry. The size and shape of the mouth are irrelevant, but prior to tasting they should not be encumbered by other flavours such as lozenges, tobacco, etc.

The nose is far and away the most important bit of kit when you are evaluating malt whiskies. Our most sensitive organ-there are a mere 4 primary tastes and 3 primary colours, but there are 23 primary aromas-it can pick up scents diluted to one part in a million."

Since the "nose" of the whisky is such an important part of enjoying & tasting a good single-malt Scotch, I'd recommed getting a good tulip shaped whisky nosing glass that'll help concentrate the aroma. Here's some websites with good examples.

http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/cat...?cat_id=S_GLAS
http://www.thewhiskysociety.com/view...6&product=2305
http://www.thewhiskysociety.com/view...6&product=2306
http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/noseglas.html

Hope that helps - enjoy!
.

[Bill]

To quote from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society -
"The glass should be tulip-shaped, with a narrow opening. The Society nosing glass is best, then the sherry copita, brandy snifter and wine glass in descending order of desirability. The open-mouthed cut glass article that is traditionally called a whisky tumbler is not suitable at all. The mouth is for pouring the whisky into for the purpose of tasting. The tongue and palate, both of which are located within the mouth, detect the primary tastes: sweet, sour or acidic, salty, bitter or dry. The size and shape of the mouth are irrelevant, but prior to tasting they should not be encumbered by other flavours such as lozenges, tobacco, etc.

The nose is far and away the most important bit of kit when you are evaluating malt whiskies. Our most sensitive organ-there are a mere 4 primary tastes and 3 primary colours, but there are 23 primary aromas-it can pick up scents diluted to one part in a million."

Since the "nose" of the whisky is such an important part of enjoying & tasting a good single-malt Scotch, I'd recommed getting a good tulip shaped whisky nosing glass that'll help concentrate the aroma. Here's some websites with good examples.

http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/cat...?cat_id=S_GLAS
http://www.thewhiskysociety.com/view...6&product=2305
http://www.thewhiskysociety.com/view...6&product=2306
http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/noseglas.html

Hope that helps - enjoy!
.

May I humbly add www.fantasyglassworks.com . I recently ordered an engraved wine glass for my sister from them and found than they carry the Glencairn glass which I promptly ordered for nyself. Thay also have in stock a classic nosing glass for single malt whisky.

In keeping with the thread subject, my admittedly neophyte palatte is partial to The Glenlivet. I just came by a bottle of The Dalmore 12 year old Scotch but haven't had a chance to savor it as of yet --hope it's good.

Slainte Lads 'N Lassies

Bill

[Pour1Malt]

P1M, a bit off topic, but do you suggest a nosing glass for whisky? I have a decanter and the typical crystal glasses. I do wonder if I shouldn't pick up a few nice nosing glasses though. What do you think?

As for the topic, I am adding the Highland Park 18 and the Lagavulin 16 to my list of favourites.

RRed nailed it pretty guid!

a brandy glass has the richt shape an many o' us malt snobbies used it until a' the new "malt" glasses were invented....

the best is the yin in my avatar... made by Glencairn.... used by Distilleries an malt snobbies a' o'er the world....

[Andrew Green]

"Glenfidditch 15 Solera"

Does anyone have tasting notes on the Solera?

I picked up a bottle of Glenfiddich 12 year for an upcoming birthday celebration with a couple of friends who happen to have very close birthdays. So in short, were gonna sit down, and enjoy ourselves a bit.

O'neille:
I typically drink whisky after eating something, or in the evening...typically with a pipeful of toasted Cavendish.

[Pour1Malt]

"Glenfidditch 15 Solera"

Does anyone have tasting notes on the Solera?

I picked up a bottle of Glenfiddich 12 year for an upcoming birthday celebration with a couple of friends who happen to have very close birthdays. So in short, were gonna sit down, and enjoy ourselves a bit.

O'neille:
I typically drink whisky after eating something, or in the evening...typically with a pipeful of toasted Cavendish.

frae Glenfiddich's wab sicht...

Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 Year Old

Matured in three casks: sherry, bourbon and new oak

Silver medal winner at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and International Spirits Challenge 2005.

The Glenfiddich Solera system is unique amongst Scotch whisky distillers. Fifteen-year-old Glenfiddich from three types of casks (traditional American bourbon, Portuguese sherry and new oak) is married in a large Solera vat, made of Oregon pine. The vat is always kept at least half full, ensuring a consistent quality of whisky is maintained whenever it is topped up. Then this beautifully balanced single malt is left to settle in a small Solera tun before bottling. The result? A full and fruity nose, with delicate honey and vanilla notes. The taste is elegantly smooth, with a deep flavour that reveals fruit, gentle spice and a touch of oak. The finish is long and satisfying.

ai agree wi' "delicate honey and vanilla notes..., gentle spice and a touch of oak." is is a nice yin.

[Andrew Green]

Ok, so I suppose the Solera is the next one on the to try list. Just grabbed a bottle of Bowmore 12yr. What can I say? I like Islay malts from what I have had, with Highland being more or less a tie. I like the stronger, more prominent characteristics of the regions.

Although I will add that Auchentoshen is a decent budget Lowland malt (my buddy had some, and preferred it to the more robust regions...to each their own).
Heh... enjoy!

[Warlock]

LOCH DHU!int:

[Pour1Malt]

LOCH DHU!int:

auld Loch Dhu eh?

sorry, but ya have been tak'en in by clever marketin'...

it is really malt frae Mannochmore Distillery...

but they filled it sae full o' chemical carmel colorin' that it is black...

look fur the real thing.... Mannochmore....

BTW if ya have an unopened bottle o' Loch Dhu- SAVE IT!

they arr worth money... Loch Dhu wuz sae rejected by the whisky world that it has become a collectors item...

[Steeplechase]

I just picked up a bottle of Scapa 14. It is my first Orkney, I find it to be quite good. Several of you recommend Highland Park, any of you had both? Which did you prefer?

[TimC]

I may not have the deep pool of knowledge that some have, but I know what I like - MACALLAN 12 year.

-Tim