???Favorite Single Malt???

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . In defense of non-single malt whisky, . . . I want a good reliable Scotch Whisky that does not challenge me to try to find each of the subtle flavors, but rather is just a good solid Scotch.

Andy

That's pretty much my position. I admit to being spoiled; I grew up on the Scotch I stole from my father. It had been distilled in the 1920's and 1930's when the distillers were still using a great deal of peat as fuel, and its flavor revealed that (see the "making Scotch" sequence in Mr. Roberts). Once I had adapted to that flavor, nothing less could satisfy me. This fact created a problem for me.

When my father died, not only was my supply of free Scotch cut off but I was unable to be satisfied with any Scotch I could afford to pay for, and I did not like any American beer I had tried. Deliverance from this situation came slowly. A tour of duty in Germany in the 1950's taught me what a real lager is, and on return stateside I eventually found a reasonable semblance in Hamm's and in Coor's. My father had also been fond of martinis, but I could not stomach them; juniper berries are toxic to me, and the mere idea of involuntary sobriety is apalling.

Eventually I found an acceptable inexpensive vodka (I presently use Burnett's) but the single-malt Scotch I have tried has always disappointed. Apparently no contemporary distiller can afford to use as much peat as was commonly used 70 or 80 years ago. So now I drink blends instead of single malts. Not only are their prices more acceptable ($10-15/75cl) but so are their flavors, because my expectations are different.

To each his own.


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[JRB]

Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Laphroaig all are extremely peaty scotches. As is "The Peat Monster", a vatted Islay malt from Compass Box. They have a great logo too...

[The Wizard of BC]

I posted this same answer on the other thread but here goes again.

Although not produced in Scotland and not properly referred to as "Scotch" My favorite Single-Malt Whiskey is Penderyn.
Distilled in Wales as the only Welsh Single Malt I find it wonderful. Not peaty and I don't have to try to discern the flavors. It just drinks well.

Among the true Scotches I prefer GlenFarclas.

[Streetcar]

My favorite single malt? Bah, you might as well ask me to pick who my favorite daughter is...

My tastes change with the season, with food and with occasions. Sometimes I really want the sherry tones of Aberlour or Dalmore, then other times I want to taste the peat and seaweed of an Islay. Current favorite is probably the Laphroiag quarter cask.

[kfreeouf]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will have a better starting point for my tastings. I agree with Steve's comment regarding not wanting to deal with "discerning" all the subtleties. Sometime's I really enjoy being analytical...other times I just want something that tastes good and goes down well!
Slainte!
Keith

[Cerebite]

I tend to buy and drink "what strikes my fancy in the store" crossed with "what I can afford/ choose to pay today."

I recently found Jon, Mark and Robbo's Malt Scotch Whisky. Technically it is probably considered a "blended" rather than a "single" but I found in in the Single Malt section [and priced like a good 10 -12 y.o.] Their business model is:
"...a master distiller, and ...both master whisky lovers, agreed that their world "needed" a scotch whisky that tasted exactly the way they liked and cut out all of the waffle that always seems to go along with whisky."

They make four flavors: Rich Spicy, Smokey Peaty, Smooth Sweeter, and Fresh Fruity. I have the first two in my cabinet right now and they are VERY GOOD and true to their stated flavors.

[Jock Scot]

Talisker for a "warmer",or to wash down smoked salmon and Jura to sit down in the evening by the fire with.

[Madadh]

I found a small distillery in Pitlochry, Pirthshire which produces Edradour. What Dewars produces in a week takes these lads a year to make. Most of what they produce goes to make the House of Lords private blend. I get a 10 year old bottle anytime I can.

[JakobT]

I found a small distillery in Pitlochry, Pirthshire which produces Edradour. What Dewars produces in a week takes these lads a year to make. Most of what they produce goes to make the House of Lords private blend. I get a 10 year old bottle anytime I can.

I'm also a great fan of Edradour, but it's very difficult to get hold of outside the UK. I'm also quite partial to Dalwhinnie, The Balvenie Doublewood, and Highland Park. "Peat monsters" like Laphroaig are a bit too rich for my blood.

[Nervous Jock]

Talisker, Balvenie or bunnahabhain