Trying to find a Scotch whiskey I had before

[kdgarris]

I don't know much about Scotch whiskey, but I had one once at a local Scottish bar that I thought was truly excellent, but I've forgotten the name of it. I've tried a few since then, but I haven't stumbled across the right one yet.

I am posting here in case someone might be able to make an educated guess as to the variety of the mystery Scotch. I know it's a longshot because my information is very limited. The bartender served it to me when I asked for a recommendation. He said it was peaty, but not overly so. To me, it had an extremely strong flavor unlike anything else I tasted. I'm guessing it wasn't all peat flavor, though. To me it tasted very strong, warm and smokey, almost like I was drinking a cosy campfire. The two people I was with absolutely hated the taste, but I loved it.

All I know for sure is that it was a single-malt and not a blend, but I don't know anything else useful like what region it was from, etc.

There's also a PDF online that shows this bar's Scotch menu, but I wasn't sure if posting a link to it would be considered advertising, and might break forum rules.

Anyway, any guesses as to what I drank and enjoyed based on my vague description? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Crane]

Posting a link to the bar's Scotch menu would be fine. It sounds very much like it will be an Islay malt, perhaps from Ardbeg, Lagavulin or Laphroaig. If you post a link to the list i am sure the forum members will be able to pick out some possibilites.

[kdgarris]

Okay; thank you. Here is the link to the PDF that contains their Scotch menu:

http://www.macnivens.com/perch/resources/bar-menu-aug-2014.pdf

[Bookie]

Peaty whisky is often a love it of hate whisky for most people trying it for the first time. The bartenders description of

[opelfruit]

Crickey, was expecting to look at the menu and be able to put out 2 or 3 it may be....may be a struggle this.

My first thought was Caol Ila and that's on the list. Warming, oily and lightly peated.


If it was "peated, but not overly so" then it won't be Ardbeg, Lavagulin or Laphroaig. It also won't be Bowmore or Kilchoman - still too much peat. Bunna isn't enough peat.


There are some highlanders (Island whiskies) that have peating that it could be:

Talisker 10 (Island)
Highland Park 12 (Island)
Springbank 10 (actually a Campbell Town whisky)
Dalwhinnie 15



.............so this is the problem; these are all whiskies I would recommend for someone trying the first time as a good solid bet for a decent whisky. It'll be one of those 5.



Caol Ila 12
Talisker 10
Highland Park 12
Springbank 10
Dalwhinnie 15


As it was more like a "cosy campfire" I'll punt at Caol Ila.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[GBrough]

I will venture with Caol Ila 12, It could not be Laphroaig, Lagavulin, or Ardbeg because there is too much peat going on there. I have had bowmore 15 and I loved it but it was a touch too peaty for the style you describe, I have not had Kilchoman yet and plan on ordering a bottle in the next two weeks.
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The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

[kdgarris]

Thanks for the suggestions. I believe that establishment will let me do a flight of a number of different varieties, so I should be able to find the right one and still be able to walk out of the bar.

Also, to clarify, there was nothing light or subtle about the flavor - whatever flavor it was was very pronounced. Either the bartender's idea of "not overly so" is different than mine, or the strong, smoky flavor wasn't solely due to peat.

[Quaich1]

Slightly peaty, seaweed, coastal and a slightly higher 46.3%abv characteristics of Bunnahabhain 12, would not be inconsistent with your tidbits of info, especially if you have not tried alot of single malts and also if it was imbibed neat. To my taste buds, your description is also not inconsistent with Bowmore18. I concur that The Caol Ila 12 is also a possibility. Part of the joy might be drinking your way through the list.


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

[opelfruit]

[kdgarris]

In case anyone is curious, I tried some of these suggestions on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, a flight of whiskeys was not available as I had been told, so I could try "only" 3 that night:

Caol Ila 12
Talisker 10
Bowmore 18

They were all quite good, but none of them were the one I am looking for. I am wondering if I misunderstood the bartender at the time, because what I was served that night definitely had a much stronger smoky taste than these 3 did, I'm next going to try some from the "too much peat to be the right one" list to see if I can find it. Thanks again for all of the suggestions!

[kdgarris]

I got a scotch sampler for my birthday, and I have finally identified the mystery scotch. I am pretty sure it was Lagavulin 16 year. It is truly excellent, I think!

[Crane]