???Favorite Single Malt???

**thescot** · 3rd May 08, 08:04 PM

P. S. SouthernScot got me drinking a rusty nail once in a while, and for a sweet drink, it's pretty good.

But I still prefer it straight.

**ChromeScholar** · 3rd May 08, 08:34 PM

My favorite, hands down is Laphroaig. I also like Balvenie double cask.

**Steve53** · 3rd May 08, 08:39 PM

My favorite "cheap" whisky is Glen Salen Single Malt, 750ml bottle is < $20.00, and it's 80 proof.

Above, in bold, is from the Virginia ABC site, but from what I remember of reading the bottle label, it's a vatted malt, not a single malt.

**Beertigger** · 4th May 08, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

Lately I've been quite a Balvenie Double cask fan,

Havin' a wee dram of that just this moment, myself...

mmmm

**Rampant Lion** · 5th May 08, 08:30 AM

My personal fave is the Gledfiddch 21yr. The 18yr is very good too. I received a bottle of Macallan 12yr Elegancia as a birthday gift and I'm really enjoying it. The only problem is that it's sold exclusively in Duty Free shops (from what I understand).

**PiobBear** · 5th May 08, 10:03 AM

Anyone have any favorites they'd like to recommend?

Personally, it's Laphroig, with Lagavulin for special occasions (IMHO the best Scotch on the planet, and quite probably the solar system as well). The whisky of the Western isles is smoky, robust and peaty (the wife characterizes it as "licking an ashtray"), an acquired taste and not for everyone (which frequently means that I don't have to share).

I'm usually indifferent to Speysides, but if you haven't tried it yet, I would highly recommend A'bunadh, from the Aberlour distillery; "A 19th-century-style whisky matured exclusively in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry butts, then bottled at cask strength. Dark, luxurious and powerful...a true replica of the old days' malts." Now one of my all-time favorites, I've yet to meet anyone who'll turn down a glass of that.

Good thing about being a piper; you can freely express your undying love and affection for a sixteen-year-old without your wife getting unduly alarmed, and when she overhears you talking about "the auld bag", she knows that you're not referring to her.

**Jack Daw** · 5th May 08, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. MacDougall

Wow. I find myself wondering what kind of restaurant can afford to have that on the bar shelf!

At that price, etiquette should permit licking the inside of the glass.

**Jack Daw** · 5th May 08, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Cat

Ah, a man after my own heart! Pretty much any Scotch with the word "Macallan" in it is my favorite. I like the 18yr, but for my money, I think the 12yr is nearly as good and a lot cheaper! I do enjoy the occasional cask-strength, but I feel weird about putting water in my Scotch, despite knowing that's what one does with cask-strength. One of the best birthday gifts I ever got was a small bottle of Macallan 12yr from a random neighbor in my apartment building. And as for less-expensive drinkin', I loves me some Famous Grouse too! I also tried Dahlwhinnie 15yr and Glenkinchie 10yr a couple years ago, and there was one that I REALLY liked, but I can't remember which it was, so I guess I'll have to try them both again!

FWIW, I don't think Speyburn 12yr is all that bad, especially not for $17 a bottle!

I never tried Dewar's White Label until today...and I'll never drink that stuff again (they were out of Famous Grouse mini's!) It tasted ten times worse than the PBR I'm currently nursing!

Cat, I save the Mac 18 for very special occasions and nobody can force you to put water in scotch if you don't want to. I drink the Cask Strength carefully, but straight up. When I go to the Highland games filling my flask with Mac 12 is a must, unless i decide to change it up sometimes with an Aberlour, including the delicious a'bunadh.

**Alan H** · 5th May 08, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by PiobBear

I'm usually indifferent to Speysides, but if you haven't tried it yet, I would highly recommend A'bunadh, from the Aberlour distillery; "A 19th-century-style whisky matured exclusively in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry butts, then bottled at cask strength. Dark, luxurious and powerful...a true replica of the old days' malts." Now one of my all-time favorites, I've yet to meet anyone who'll turn down a glass of that.

I echo this confimation of the Aberlour A'bunadh.

I first bought the Aberlour 12 because it was inexpensive and Robertson recommended it as a n easy drinking whisky that "beginners" (which is me) would like. He was spot-on. I now have a bottle of Lismore 12 in the cabinet, a present from Piper George, and a bottle of J&B blended whisky. I have to admit that I quite like the J&B, and if there's a bit of whisky in my sporran it'll be the J&B..

BUT...I recently splurged for a bottle of the A'bunadh, and Oooohhhh, MY goodness, but that is just *fine*. You bet PiobBear, I'd not turn down a glass of that!

**Brasilikilt** · 5th May 08, 08:13 PM

Recently a friend of mine handed me a shot of Jura which was brought back from Scotland.
I have to admit that it was one of the most pleasing things I have ever drank!

I did buy a very expensive shot of Ardbeg which tasted as if it was distilled from a still smouldering chunk of peat!

I do however have a special place in my heart for the very cheap Lauders. I always seem to bring some camping with me and so it reminds me of good times out in the wild