Whisky Forum - Decisions - a Whiskey smorgasbord

d3lerium · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:06 am Post subject: Decisions - a Whiskey smorgasbord

Afternoon lads,

I have a wedding come up in October in Scotland (im from Australia by the way) and have started to think about what beverages might be appropriate for the occasion.

I have decided that I want to give my guests a chance to sample a good solid range of Whiskeys at the reception. within this selection of whiskeys I would like to cover off every region in Scotland.

I would like to ask everyone what they think is a quintessential whiskey from each region that people should taste to get a good feel of how the different regions differ in styles and flavour.

Any responses would be much appreciated.

Chris

Big Mac · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:24 am Post subject:

I am sure we could suggest a number of whiskies which will take your wedding guests through the different styles and flavours of Scotch whisky, do you have a figure in mind for the price of each bottle if we were to sugest one each from the Campbeltown, Islay, Lowlands, Highlands. Speyside and the Islands whisky regions.

Brummie · Master Of Malts Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 661

Chris without knowing your budget I would suggest:

Auchentoshan 12 (Lowlands)
Glenfiddich 15 (Speyside)
Dalwhinnie 15 (Highland)
Glenfarclas 15 (Speyside)
Highland Park 12 (Island)
Caol Ila 12 (Islay)

To be tasted in the order listed. I havent included a Campbeltown whisky as it is a very small region now days but have included 2 Speyside malts as it is a huge whisky producing region. If you were felling bold you could substitute the Caol ila with a big peaty whisky such as Ardbeg 10 of Lagavulin 16.

Is it your wedding? If so congrats and dont try to drink all these before the speech.

opelfruit · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:06 pm Post subject:

Whisky Dog · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Apr 2014 Posts: 708

If you want to go slightly more expensive i would recommend all of these as being outstanding whiskies

Talisker 18
Highland Park 18 & 25
Glenfiddich 18
Glenlivet 18 & 21
Glendronach 18
Auchentoshan 18
Laphroaig 18
Bunnahabhain 18
Macallan Sienna

Quaich1 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:22 pm Post subject:

Good suggestions all around. However, an Islay dram conspicuously absent from the list and that I would highly recommend is Lagavulin 16. Also, if Glenfiddich 15 is one of your choices, I would go for the Distillery Edition.

Very Happy

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

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

d3lerium · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:17 pm Post subject:

d3lerium · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:21 pm Post subject:

Samson · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:59 am Post subject:

d3lerium · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:09 am Post subject:

I just discovered a site called Master of Malt and they seem to carry an extensive collection of samples, also they are happy to deliver to Australia. So I have just made an order for the following to road test. Hopefully I have grabbed what was discussed here, I will let you know how I fair up.

Ardbeg 10 Year Old
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
Auchentoshan 18 Year Old
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old
Caol Ila 12 Year Old
Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old
Glenfarclas 15 Year Old
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
Highland Park 12 Year Old
Highland Park 18 Year Old
Kilchoman 5 Year Old 2008 - Single Cask
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Laphroaig 18 Year Old
Springbank 12 Year Old Green
Talisker 18 Year Old
The Macallan Sienna - 1824 Series

Big Mac · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:31 am Post subject:

opelfruit · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:45 am Post subject:

You're not messing about are you Very Happy

MoM is excellent and when you decide on your final selection they may be a good place to buy from as I tend to find them one of the cheapest places around and fantastic service.

When sampling them don't do too many at once, maybe 3 or 4 at a time, try to sample each region by itself so you don't get any palate confusion and start with the weakest abv as the alcohol will effect your ability to get the more subtle notes out of the lower strength whiskies.

Try to use a brandy glass or large bowl, narrow neck wine glass so you can get the nose better - don't use a tumbler - if you have a glencairn then even better. Rinse between samples, both glass and mouth Smile

Enjoy.

NB; you may well end up falling in love with whisky after this so be warned!
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

d3lerium · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:17 am Post subject:

opelfruit · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:38 am Post subject:

Absolutely different, terrior if you will.

Islay, as you know is peated. Moss based peat so very medicinal/iodine rich and sweet.
Island, smokey heather based peat. Distinctly differ from Islay.
Highland, can be coastal tangy such as Balblair, Clynelish or Putley but also more heathery sweet and smokey like Dalwhinnie. Fruity.
Speyside, honey sweet often, sherried in a lot of them. If peated then usually woody.
Campbeltown, slight salty peat, coastal, sweet and sour.
Lowland, lighter more delicate, floral.

Obviously, these are generalisations as you can get a lot of crossover between Highland and Speyside style.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."