Favourite malt

Celtic Indian · Favourite malt

Recently I have acquire a taste for Scottish single malt whisky.When I was younger the smell of whisky used to give me the dry bolk.But as I've aged I've gained a fondness and taste for it.It started a couple of years ago when a friend introduced me to a Islay single malt at a wedding.He had a drop of water in it,which I've been told is the way to drink it as the water releases the flavours.Since then I've been getting to know my malts with great enjoyment.

Oran Mor in Glasgows Byers Road has a vast selection of malts and I often visit there to try different brands.My particular favourites are the smokey,bonfirey tastes of Talisker,Ard Beg,Laphroaig and Caol IIa.Islay and Island malts are my favourites.

I'm not a particular fan of Auchentoshan (although this distillery being 5 mins away from me)as it's a bit sweet for me.

I found that some Highlands are a bit bland along with the Speysides like Glenfiddich,The Glenlivit and The MacAllan.

However,I've only touched the surface and I looking forward to trying lots of different brands,and getting to know them.

So.What your favourite ? why ? And how do you take yours ?

Cymro

Like you I've also developed a taste for whisky fairly recently. I actually like Glenfiddich to be honest. An easy whisky to sit and enjoy. Also, the only Welsh malt is a very nice one - Penderyn. My wifes cousin who's Scottish and loves his whisky is a big fan of it so it's not just be being biased! Very Happy

I like a whisky with two ice cubes and a small dash of water.

Also drank quite a lot of Oban whisky which is nice but difficult to drink given that it's quite heavy.

Celtic Indian

azzuri

Highland Park 12, neat... Very Happy

agentmancuso

I used to drink Highland Park quite a bit when I was younger, that and Cardhu were my main introduction.

Nowadays I'd mainly go for Islay too, though Isle of Jura was a favourite for a long time, and Talisker is always interesting.

I finished a bottle of Laphroaig and a bottle of Glenlivet on Friday night - only the last two fingers of each I hasten to add..

And I don't put anything in it.

Reluctant Hero

I got a bottle of Glenlivet for my birthday a couple of weeks ago - haven't opened yet.

My favourite is probably Laphroig, still have half a bottle in the cupboard.

The Antiquary is probably my favourite blended whisky - beautiful.

http://www.antiquary.co.uk/antiquary-brand/12.htm

agentmancuso

I've never tried that. Has to be better than Highland Fusileer..

Reluctant Hero

Just trying to think of a few other malts that I like and Dalwhinnie and Glen Ord spring to mind. Although, I can't remember if I liked Glen Ord because of the taste, or the fact that I used to live quite close to the distillery!

azzuri

William_Cleland

I've always liked Glenfiddich. Not a snob (connoisseur if you prefer Wink

) in single malts terms, however. I usually just buy a blend like Johnnie Walker or Bell's. Convincing people outside Scotland that it is sacrilegious to put anything in it can sometimes be a problem in my experience. Smile

azzuri

I'm from Kilmarnock, and even I can't stand JW, it's horrible stuff. The best of the blends (for what that's worth) is Famous Grouse, in my humble opinion...

William_Cleland

Don't drink whisky for the taste personally. Smile

Even though it is probably unpatriotic to say so I quite like some of the American ones when I am looking for something palatable. I won a 40 ouncer of Jim Beam in a half time draw at a Rangers Supporters Club in North America one time and definitely enjoyed slowly polishing it off over the next few months.

babykitten

Cragganmore is one of my favourites.

You can't go wrong with Highland Park 12yo. I've managed to convert people to whisky drinking with that one.

Cardhu (the real one) sticks in the mind, as do Bruichladdich, Arran and Glengoyne. I really like Auchentoshan too. Glengoyne has a good distillery tour and is quite accessible for central belt, particularly Glasgow.

Teachers is a nice blend, but for deluxe blends I like Chivas Regal and Dimple (one of the first I bought).

Basically I like them all. I've got 40 odd bottles, but pride of place is my 18yo Highland Park, which I got at Whisky Live in exchange for an £8 bottle of cheap stuff in their "whisky amnesty"!

If I'm in a pub with a decent selection I try to pick something I've never tried and to be honest I like them all!

agentmancuso

Cymro

Was given a bottle of Famous Grouse Malt last christmas which I'd never seen before. I'd completey forgot about it till I saw this thread

agentmancuso

You mean it's still there at the back of the cupboard? PDT_Aliboronz_24

Cymro

Yup, not for long though....
Wink