Question for William

[ralfy legend]

Was wondering Williams thoughts on the aldi and lidls special whiskys ? You know ben brackens 22 islay and 27 speyside then aldi glen marnochs, be nice to know his fav if tasted. Thanks.. R L.

[William]

Ralfy you just need to ask me if you would like to know my thoughts.

I have had a few of Aldi’s and Lidl’s offerings in the past; I haven’t yet tasted many from this festive season’s batch of releases.

In the past I have had Lidl’s Ben Bracken 12 year old single malt which was Tamnavulin IMO it was ok for the price, light, malty and a little spicy, as I said, ok for the price at the time but nothing great, I would have scored it around 77/100.

More recently I had the Ben Bracken 8 year old, I thought it was an improvement on the 12 they used to sell, honeyed, vanilla, sweet caramel, again ok for the price 82/100.

The Ben Bracken 28 year old was without a doubt great value for a whisky of this age, it had the familiar Ben Bracken honey, vanilla and malty notes and of course plenty of mature tannins, I rated this at 85. How it compares with this years batch of Ben Bracken releases I cant say as I decided to give their blends a go.

Lidl’s Glen Alba 22 year old Sherry Finish Blend is a very good silky smooth blend with a nice sherry touch 90/100

Glen Alba 25 year old Sherry Finish Blend, more sherried than the 22, 92/100

I recall Aldi’s Glen Orin 30 year old blend was superb, I rated this very highly, 92/100, I would have more of this if they were to offer it again.

I can’t fault any of Aldi’s NAS Glen Marnoch bottlings for the price, I would rate the Islay, Highland and Speyside around low 80’s/100. I recall a Glen Marnoch 18 Highland malt which was ok for the price which I rated 85/100
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[Quaich1]

That's an interesting retrospective regarding these whisky expressions from these establishments in UK. Aldi exists in Ontario, Canada here minus any alcohol products due of course to the monopoly of the LCBO who regulates all whisky and spirit selling in the province.
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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)

[James T]

That's a pity Murray as some of there older malts and blends these supermarkets offer are very good and the prices just cant be beaten.

[TheWM]

Your scores are very similar to what I would rate these at William - I'd be interested if you get a chance to have a go at this years Glen Marnoch as I rate this higher than any I've had previously.

[ralfy legend]

Wow thanks William, very informative and appreciated.