another newb who needs advice

[emjaydee]

It's hard to be a newby at anything when you are rising 70 years of age but here I am - a single malt tyro! I have always been a Johnnie Walker Black drinker but remember back when I was a young'n trying Glenfiddich and not being impressed. So, I guess I wrote off ALL single malts at the time -- my loss!
Anyhow, recently I tried some different singles (read, non-Speyside!) and was blown away by the Islays I tried, Bowmore 12 and Laphroaig Quarter Cask. Okay, you are all surely thinking, "Huh! Clearly a born peat-head!" and you are probably right. But, I also loved the Glen Garrioch 12 I tried for its incredible complexity as much as the Islays for their smokey peat.
Now, I need your advice...I want to buy some more Highland Scotch but there are so many distilleries there, I don't know where to start.
By the way, I did try another Speyside, The Glenlivet 12 and was as unimpressed with that drop as I remember being with Glenfiddich back in the day. Perhaps I am just not a subtle kind of guy.

[Kava]

As you are a Johnnie Walker Black Label drinker i would suggest trying some of the main component whiskies which go into JW Black Label such as Caol Ila and Talisker, the Caol Ila 12 and Talisker 10 are both excellent whiskies.

If you are looking for a good Highland region malt then have a look at the Dalwhinnie 15, Old Pulteney 12 and the excellent 17, Clynelish 14 which has a nice touch of peat, Balblair have some good stuff. Have you tried Highland Park, an Island/Highland malt, the 12 and 18 are both very good.

[Newby]

Something heavily sherried maybe if you're looking for non-subtle, like Glenfarclas 15?

I wouldn't take my advise though, as I'm new to all this!

[Quaich1]

Welcome to the Forum. Some other Highland Single Malts that might tickle your fancy are:

The Dalmore expressions. I particularly like the Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve.

Glenmorangie expressions. The Quinta Ruban is quite nice.

Tullibardine expressions. I particularly enjoy Tullibardine 500 Sherry Finish first fill 2013

Glencadam 10

Glencadam 12 Year Port Wood
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Mark]

The Glenmorangie 10 is a must try if you havent already tried it and is often found on offer in the big supermarkets.

Dalwhinnie 15 is a classic highland malt and another must try. The Oban 14 west highland malt may also suit your tastes.

[Alexppp]

Some very good suggestions above. There are so many different styles in the Highland region that you can only really go by trial and error. Balblair is always a Highland whisky I recommend but you may find it too light for example.

Also there still are Speyside whiskies you may like - for instance I would definitely recommend Benromach 10, which has a hint of smoke and is more robust than the Glenfiddich and Glenlivet expressions you've tried. Much like the Highland Park 12 it's a great all-rounder. Benriach also do a heavily peated range that differs from your average Speysider.

[William]

Hi emjaydee and welcome to the SMW forum.

Each of the individual Scotch whisky regional groups do to some extent produce many whiskies which are similar in their broad basic flavours. The region in which the whisky is produced should be considered but by no means should it be used as the only guideline. The final flavour of a whisky is determined more by the equipment used, the malted barley used and the methods used to produce each whisky rather than by the geographical location of where the whisky is produced. Any one distillery can produce different styles of whisky.

The character of the far North Highland malts tend to be light bodied whiskies with a spicy character and a dryish finish, sometimes with a trace of saltiness. Malt whiskies from the Central, Southern and Eastern Highlands are quite a mixed bunch. They are generally fruity and sweet but not as sweet as the malts found in Speyside. They are lighter bodied and sweet and just like other Highland malts they tend to have a dry finish.

There are some good recommendations above, I would say the classic Highland malt if there really is one would be the Dalwhinnie 15, a creamy smooth malt which has a little bit of everything, peat, honey, some sweetness and a little less saltiness, dryish finish. Myself and i would say most whisky drinkers rate the Dalwhinnie highly and it is usually available at a good price for a whisky of this age and quality.

Another good Highland malt is Old Pulteney 12 which is smooth, faintly salty with just a touch of sweet sherried fruit and little peat, dryish finish.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[Diademo]

[emjaydee]

I want to thank everyone for their great suggestions.

Kava, the Caol Ila is high on my list and I will be grabbing a bottle as soon as I learn the proper pronunciation (Cull eela?). My local store has two Balblairs in stock, the 2002 for about $CDN70 and the 1965 for $CDN3,233.46! I think I'll pass on that one for now.

Newby, afraid my province (which controls alcohol sales unfortunately) doesn't carry Glenfarcias so I'll have to either travel to another province or another country for that one.

Quaich1, you will appreciate the problems of dealing with a provincial vendor. Manitoba has the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, a Tullibardine Sovereign and a Tullibardine 225 Sauterne Finish. The Dalmores and Glencadams would require a trip to Ontario.

Mark, great suggestions! The Oban 14 is a bit pricey at $125 but hey, there's Christmas and I have grown kids.

Alexppp, the Benromach is not available but I did find locally a Benriach 12 Heart of Speyside. Is that what you are referring to?

Diademo, the lightly peated Glen Garioch sounds absolutely mouth-watering.

And William, thanks for being the generalist and succinctly summing up the situation. I have decided to go with the following for now (until I win the lottery!) and will report back my opinion for what it is worth:
1. Glenmorangie 10
2. Dalwhinnie 15
3. Caol Ila 12
4. Old Pulteney 12

So many single malts, so little time!

[Alexppp]

[raithrover]

Clynelish is always worth experiencing and another vote for Balblair - lovely stuff.

[GBrough]

Welcome, it is never to late to try new things. Based on your taste I would give Old Pultney 12 or Glenmorangie 10 a try as for Islay Caol Ila 12 or Ardbeg 10 would be a good one.

I love Islay whiskies myself, after trying Laphroaig 10 I was hooked and have never looked back. However Islay can get boring after a while which is why my collection varies from fantastic bourbons, rye's to highland malts.
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The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

[emjaydee]

I bought a bottle of the Glenmorangie 10 yesterday and had a dram in the evening...very nice! I wish I could describe the taste the way you guys do, but I can't define them yet. I would say it was fruity, maybe floral, wouldn't argue with honeyed. It had a pleasant nose and a nice long aftertaste.
It certainly was nothing like an Islay and maybe not quite as complex as my only other highland foray, the Glen Garioch. I am certainly happy with the purchase!('')

[GBrough]

Glenmorangie 10 is my favorite malt to kick back with.

You got what is going on with Glenmorangie 10, the fruity notes, slightly honeyed, some floral notes.

I don't like Speysiders as much as hHighlands or Islay Malts. If you want a good speysider I recommend Glenfarclas or Aberlour 12.
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The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM