Rating the Singles PART 2

**ThistleDown** · 20th February 10, 09:38 PM

Merlin, might you not have been better to have asked us to choose from amongst Highland and then Island and then Speyside, etc., and then from the winners to ask us to choose again? I've not seen Glenmorangie 10, for example, to choose rather than Macallan 10 or Balvenie or Clynelish or Highland Park. Nor the Islay malts one against the other. Makes it a bit hard, you see, because in each poll I feel like I am in someone's billiard room and the tray of their own personal choices is there for me to select from. I want to ask my host which is his least favourite, so I can do the polite thing and deplete his stock of that one.

Ah, but. Not knowing your personal favourites from this tray I will choose Ardbeg 10 and if there's not a drop left then I'll have a splash of your Bunnahabhain if you would not mind.

(It's Bruichladdich Wave that ThistleDown has been drinking this evening.)

**Merlin** · 21st February 10, 01:30 AM

Currently....my shopping list for this Tuesday looks like this:
Macallan 12
Ardbeg
Laphroaig
Lagavulin

I plan on holding my own private tastings of all 4.... with cheese and water and bread to clear the palate each time. Very subjective.... I will ask if those in the know have a preference to the order of the tastings.... please chime in.
It will be fair.... fair amounts but over a time period that allows each snort the chance to perform as the first snort of the day.
A full report will follow and the winner will find its way into my flask for the Irish Festival and the top 2 will make it each day into Scarborough Faire.
If the voting does not drastically change between now and Monday.... these are the winners.
I want to thank you all for participating because I hugely value your thoughts as I hold your palates worth very high and worthy of such a challenge.

Clan Gunn salutes you !!

**ForresterModern** · 21st February 10, 06:15 AM

It is as futile attempt to choose between seven lovely lasses as to who is the loveliest, especially knowing that right out the door there are plenty more pretty lasses who could be in the fray as well.

I abstain-----from voting, that is, not from imbibing and enjoying greatly and regularly.

**B R Gordon** · 21st February 10, 02:27 PM

These discussions or polls are getting very expensive. Every time that I think that I've only got a couple of new single malts to taste, these damn polls come out and there are two or three additional to try .

**Merlin** · 23rd February 10, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by B R Gordon

These discussions or polls are getting very expensive. Every time that I think that I've only got a couple of new single malts to taste, these damn polls come out and there are two or three additional to try .

LOL....same here....but I'm loving the scientific approach!

**ForresterModern** · 23rd February 10, 06:54 AM

Personally I am beginning to wonder if Merlin is in the whisky distribution business, what with all the sales being initiated by those wishing to try out the whiskies in question with each poll. I will be proved right when we start getting in to the expensive stuff soon.

**Merlin** · 23rd February 10, 12:59 PM

OK.... it's test time.
First up...the Macallan 12
Strong aroma... WOW. First taste..... definitely different from the Highland Park. Much sharper ....very sharp. Hmmmmm.... let me add a drop of water.
OK...I usually prefer my scotch neat. This one is much better with a drop of water. I understand the concept behind adding the water but I usually do without. Not with Macallan...for me.... it needs the water. Not too much...just enough to break the surface tension and allow the scotch to breathe. This one certainly got better after allowing it to breathe a bit.
A small snort left and I'll then try the Bunnahabhain. (They had no Ardberg so I'll add it to my list for next month)
OK...here we go:
Oooo... squatty bottle. I like squatty bottles. Good rich color.... very nice bouquet ..
Much smoother..... deeper oak flavor. These 2 could not be much more different.
I can see how one would prefer the Macallan at times but want the smooth wood flavor of the Bunnahabhain at other times. (How do you say that name anyways?) The Bunn is much duller taste....one I would prefer on a cold dark evening while the Macallan is one that I might like more at a pub or out on the town. It says SCOTCH! while the Bunn says... 'relax'.
Thanks for all the input.... lets start a 3rd list...I plan on doing this again next month.
Suggestions?

**Jack Daw** · 23rd February 10, 01:08 PM

Mac 12, yes; Ardbeg, no.

**Merlin** · 23rd February 10, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

Mac 12, yes; Ardbeg, no.

I plan on giving them both a run tonight. It's snowing out...I got no car and no place to be.... seems like a good night to test them thoroughly.

**Jack Daw** · 23rd February 10, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Merlin

Currently....my shopping list for this Tuesday looks like this:
Macallan 12
Ardbeg
Laphroaig
Lagavulin

I plan on holding my own private tastings of all 4.... with cheese and water and bread to clear the palate each time. Very subjective.... I will ask if those in the know have a preference to the order of the tastings.... please chime in.
It will be fair.... fair amounts but over a time period that allows each snort the chance to perform as the first snort of the day.
A full report will follow and the winner will find its way into my flask for the Irish Festival and the top 2 will make it each day into Scarborough Faire.
If the voting does not drastically change between now and Monday.... these are the winners.
I want to thank you all for participating because I hugely value your thoughts as I hold your palates worth very high and worthy of such a challenge.

Clan Gunn salutes you !!

Macallan 12
Laphroaig
Lagavulin

Ardbeg