Recommendation based on my previous (in)experience?

[k2snowboarder627]

Hello all! As I am sure you can tell, I am new to this forum and new to the world of Single Malt Whisky. Since first trying it about 2 weeks ago, I have tried Glenmorangie 10 YO Original, Glenfiddich 12 YO, Laphroig 10 YO, and The Macallan 12 YO. So far, I would have to say that my favorite is The Macallan, followed by the Laphroig, Glenmorangie, then finally the Glenfiddich. My question is whether or not anyone has any recommendations based on the following:

I feel like brands from the Highlands or Speyside are most often recommended for beginners, and while I like the brands I have tried from the Highlands, I didn't care for the Glenfiddich much. I really did enjoy the smoky/peat flavor that the Laphroig provided, but I wouldn't mind something that is a little lighter for now.

I have done quite a bit of research, and have found that quite a few have recommended the Caol Ila, Ardberg, and Lagavulin (although it sounds like the Lagavulin is a little more "robust" than the Laphroig?).

I appreciate any recommendations, and for the time being would prefer to keep the bottles around or, more preferably, under $100 USD (90-95 EUR?). Also could be important to note that I have started out drinking it with one ice cube (I know, I know, blasphemy to some), but have purchased whisky rocks and plan on transitioning to either a splash of water or neat over a short period of time. If any other information would help, let me know.

Thanks!

[Mark]

Hi and welcome to the SMW forum.

Going by what you have said, I think you would like the whiskies from Ardbeg, the Ardbeg 10 (£35 - £40 in the UK) is packed with in your face peat smoke and the Ardbeg Uigeadail (£50 - £55 in the UK) i think you may love, the Uigeadail is a absolutely outstanding peaty sherried whisky and a favourite of mine and many whisky drinkers.

Others to look at are Lagavulin 16 (peaty), Lagavulin Distillers Edition (peaty and sherried) and the Laphroaig Quarter Cask which i would rate above the Laphroaig 10.

Away from Islay i would say have a look the Talisker 10 year old, Highland Park 12, the Highland Park 18 year old may be within your budget depending where you are buying in the world but the the HP 12 a go first and if you like it then move on to the 18.

As you also enjoyed the Macallan I would say have a look at the Glenfarclas range, the 15 and 17 olds are both excellent but i would say the excellent 17 to start if you can get hold of it. Also Glendronach has a fantastic range where the 15, 18 and 21 year old are all superb whiskies.

Cheers

[James T]

Welcome to the forum,

I will 2nd Marks suggestions. If you liked Laphroaig 10 then the Quarter Cask is a must try. You should like Ardbeg 10 and the Uigeadail is brilliant.

As well as the Glenfarclas 15 & 17, Glendronach whiskies i will add the Balvenie 15 Single Barrel Sherry Cask which should just be within your budget if not the Balvenie 12 & 17 Doublewood is worth a try.

[William]

Welcome to the forum k2snowboarder627, here are a few excellent whiskies in no particular order which are worth looking at, that are not too expensive, some are already mentioned above

Ardbeg 10
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Lagavulin 16
Lagavulin 12 Special Release
Lagavulin Distillers Edition
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Bowmore 12
Kilchoman Machir Bay or 100% Islay
Port Charlotte Scottish Barley or The Peat Project
Talisker 10
Highland Park 12 & 18
Ben Nevis 10
anCnoc Cutter
Glenfarclas 15 & 17 if you are in the US
Benromach 10
Benriach 15 Pedro Ximinez Sherry Wood Finish
Benriach 17 Septendecim
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel Sherry Cask
Glenlivet Nadurra 16 year old
Aberlour a'bunadh

I could go on but that should be enough to keep you going for now. Do let us know what you go for and what you think of it.

Slainte
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[k2snowboarder627]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I have quite the list developing and appreciate the additions. I am somewhat surprised to see that Caol Ila has not been suggested, that seems to be a fairly popular recommendation elsewhere from what I have seen.

One clarification though...for the time being I would prefer not to try anything that is more smoky/peaty than the Laphroig. While I enjoy that flavor, I think I am looking for something that is a little lighter than that for right now.

Again, thank you for all the recommendations.

[Samson]

[opelfruit]

The Dalwhinnie 15 yr may be a good one to try also. It's a highlander which carries some fruit but it also has a smokey whiff to it and a nice heather note. It's usually very easy to get hold of as its part of Diageos standard lineup and well within your budget. It's one of the whiskies you should really try as a beginner as it's got a lot of complexity to explore for a very good price.


I cannot recommend enough getting samples, certainly at this stage. Either find a good specialist where they offer samples before you buy or try masterofmalt and just outlay on load of samples. It'll cost money up front but in the long run it'll save you buying bottles that you won't drink.


......and get a good glass. Something with a large bowl and narrow neck. Try the same whisky side by side with a tumbler with rocks if you want and play around having fun to see if you can spot the difference in the whisky without rocks and in a good glass......you will be surprised.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[ralfy legend]

Talisker. Highland park. Dalwhinnie u must try,...

[opelfruit]

......left field, but Hakushu 12yr is wonderful. It's a lightly peated Japanese whisky and one of my all time favourites, it may be under your budget too but you'd have to check. Easily one of the best 12yr old you'll ever get your hands on....It would be compared to 16-18yr Scotch in terms of maturity and complexity due to the climate in Japan.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[Bookie]

For a more gentle peat style Williams suggestion of anCnoc Cutter is good or the anCnoc Flaughter or Rutter if you can still get them. Highland Park 12 and Talisker should also be good selections for you. Benromach 10, Balvenie 15 Single Barrel Sherry Cask, Glenfarclas 15, Aberlour 16 and Glendronach 15 should appeal to any Macallan fan.

[GateToWire]

For lighter with good smokey flavor I would recommend the Ardbeg 10yr or the Caol Ila.

The Highland Park 12yr is a great all arounder. It's got some good flavors with some peat and some spice.
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Mike

[Xosder]

Also relatively new myself. Macallan 12 was the first bottle i emptied last summer, so I get where youre coming from. Ive gone a bit more expensive in my tastes now, and getting ahold of some variations in the US can be a challenge, but I'd recommend trying Oban 14 based on what youve mentioned; ive even seen it at Costco for around $50 so you should be able to track it down.

Im really enjoying Yamazaki 12 right now, but it feels a bit like jumping on the popular bandwagon.

Also, while its not Scotch or single malt, if you like Macallan 12, Id highly recommend you try Angel's Envy bourbon.

[k2snowboarder627]

Thank you everyone! I will be doing some research at the local stores to see what is available and at what cost and will start to try some new brands. I have also been to masterofmalt as opelfruit recommended and have considered purchasing some samples but since I am so new to this I would prefer to wait until I know if there are opportunities around me to sample some new brands. Since the Macallan is almost gone and I'm sure the Glenmorangie won't be far behind, I'll be purchasing a new bottle soon and will let you know what I think in case that changes any recommendations.

Thanks again!