Going to Exclusive Single Malt Scotch Pub 1st Week Nov.

[Quaich1]

The first week of Nov., I'm going to an exclusive single malt scotch pub for the 2nd time in Toronto. The first time I enjoyed an Ardbeg 27yrs., C.S., Laing, an Ardbeg 32 yrs. O.M.C. and a Bunnahabhain 1984 signatory.

This time I want to try once again some rarer drams. I've narrowed my choices down to the following and would like some advice about the final 4 to actually have. They are all pricey.
Which 4 from this list would you suggest and why?:

Bruichladdich 35 years CS, Laing

Highland Park 30 years, G&M

Port Ellen, 22 years, CS

Port Ellen 24 years, CS

Brora 30 years CS, DB

Glenfiddich 30 years, DB

Ardbeg 1977, DB

Balvenie 25 years, Single Barrel

Bowmore 30 years, DB

Believe me, I would love to try them all this coming trip, but 4 selections this trip is my maximum. I'm eager to hear your recommendations. Thank-you in advance.
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Joel]

Hi Quaich1

Personally i have had a few bottles of Port Ellen, both original distillery bottlings and independent bottlings mainly from Douglas Laing and i have never been disappointed, such a shame the distillery is gone for ever but a good reason to try it while you have the chance.

[chrisg]

It doesnt have the rarity about it like some of the others on your list from closed distilleries but the Glenfiddich 30 year old really is an outstanding whisky.

Which Bowmore 30 is it? Is it the Black Bowmore?

[Quaich1]

[Brummie]

It may be the Bowmore 30 that came in a ceramic decanter but was then replaced by a Bowmore 30 that came in the standard glass bottle, i know both of these and the Black Bowmore were very highly rated and i certainly wouldnt hesitate to try any of them.

If it is the Bruichladdich 35 1966/2001 40.5% from Douglas Laing i have read some very poor reviews of it, basically saying it is very woody, bitter and not enjoyable at all.

[Ben NV]

Being a Highland Park fan i would go for the Highland Park 30 years, G&M given the chance

[bifter]

I don't really have the first hand knowledge to recommend any, however these would be my selections:

Bowmore 30 years, DB
Port Ellen 24 years, CS
Ardbeg 1977, DB
Balvenie 25 years, Single Barrel

I'm an Islay fan so the chance to try a Port Ellen and the original Ardbeg would swing it over most of the others. I was going to say the Bruichladdich 35 years but on the basis of the comments above I changed my mind to the Bowmore. I was also going to say I'm with Ben NV on the HP but if it's the same as the one in the review below I might pass, and the same with the Brora, so ultimately it was the Balvenie that took my eye.

http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=0010000018264
http://malt-review.com/2012/05/15/brora-30-year-old-2009-release/
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

[Quaich1]