Help with decision

[soundmangt4]

I recently ordered a 1 litre bottle of Caol Ila 12 year old, but have been emailed that it is no longer available.
So, I am not sure whether to simply buy the 70cl bottle of the same 12 yr Caol Ila (not such a great price as the litre bottle was on offer), or to try a litre of Bowmore 12 year old Enigma.

I have not tried the Bowmore, but have bought single cask Bowmore's before and really liked them, and I certainly enjoy sherried Islay malts.

Opinions please.
_________________
Rob Hughes
Scotch Malt Whisky Society member
www.smws.co.uk

[Innes]

Rob, Tesco currently has the Caol Ila 12 for £25.49 but i think the offer ends today so you will have to get down to Tesco today.

The Bowmore Enigma is certainly worth a try, i wouldnt have a preference between the 2 they are simply 2 different but decent malts. The 1 litre bottles are always great value, i wish they were more available outside duty free.

[Calder]

The Bowmore Enigma is a good malt, i would loved to have seen it bottled at a higher ABV perhaps around 46% as i think it would then be very good indeed. Bowmore certainly does mix well with sherry.

[Keith]

If you are looking at Bowmore have you tried the Bowmore Tempest 10 year old bottled at 55.3%, one of the best whiskies to come out of Bowmore in this price range for a long time IMO. It is £40 at TWE so not much more than the Enigma.

[JAB]

Yes i agree two toatally different malts!
MY own preference would be the bowmore, because this is my favourite islay malt!
recently i have got the taste for the 16yo darkest, but the enigma is also another good bottle!

The caol ila would probally be easier to purchase compared to the bowmore!

[soundmangt4]

Thanks for the replies, and I have decided to get the Bowmore Enigma, as it is only £2 more than my original order, and is a litre bottle which was what I was after.
I can buy Caol Ila at my supermarket, and was specifically after a couple of litre bottles to keep me going up to Christmas, so my order at TWE is now the Bowmore and 1 litre of Talisker 10.
Should keep me going for now!
_________________
Rob Hughes
Scotch Malt Whisky Society member
www.smws.co.uk

[JAB]

You wont be disapointed ENJOY

[soundmangt4]

I have another decision I need help and opionions on please. Basically the Scotch Malt Whisky Society have done their largest ever new outturn of single cask single malts, and I cannot decide which to buy.
The contenders are:
1. 16 Year Old Bowmore - £60.30
2. 20 Year old Bowmore - £63.40
3. 10 Year old Ardbeg - £57.30 (current favourite)
4. 16 Year old Caol Ila - £56.20
5. 20 Year old Caol Ila - £63.30

The can all be viewed here - www.smws.co.uk, go to shop, and then click 'new outturn'. Opinions welcomed, but please read the notes rather than simply going on the ages, as there is so much more to these single cask beauties than the age!
_________________
Rob Hughes
Scotch Malt Whisky Society member
www.smws.co.uk

[McKay]

The Ardbeg matured in the ex sherry cask would tempt me but i am sure they will all be good just a matter of personal preference.

[soundmangt4]

I had a rash moment, and ordered the ex sherried Ardbeg and the 16 year old ex sherried Caol Ila too!
The wife won't be pleased, but that's tough! It's my early Christmas present to myself!
_________________
Rob Hughes
Scotch Malt Whisky Society member
www.smws.co.uk

[Alastair]

Rob, if you cant treat yourself who can you treat.

[soundmangt4]

Exactly, and it nearly Christmas!
I like a choice in the cabinet, so now I will have a choice of 15 different single malts, 7 of which are single cask too! Shame a lot of them are nearly empty.
_________________
Rob Hughes
Scotch Malt Whisky Society member
www.smws.co.uk