If you have one, share your opinion on your Annandale drams. Got them at weisshaus.de for like 50% off. Reviews incoming, though first impressions are stunning.

This was a recommendation from this sub, so I was happy to find a deal on this at my local shop. I really like the 10, so this was a must-try.

Nose: Like the 10, you got the sea spray. It’s reminiscent of a very damp, wooded area. I think camping next to the ocean. Then there’s the sterile, medicinal notes. Some sweetness up front that breezes into the medicine.

Palate: PEAT. The sweetness hangs in with some spun sugar. Alongside the peat, you get tobacco, burnt wood, and charcoal. Strangely, little smoke? It’s very smooth and mellow.

Finish: This is where the smoke comes out, alongside that super dry, burnt oak. It goes in smooth, but it’s goes out a bit rougher. There’s some pepper, spice, ash heaps, and then you circle right back to the sea spray.

Overall: Solid. It’s like the 10 kicked up a bit with the 52.2 ABV. It’s a great balance of peat and oak. Complex smoke that’s kind of in and out. Good dram. Not in any way disappointed.

I’d give it a 91/100. Tied with the 10 for me.

Next, I’m going to pour some Lagavulin 8.

Hey!

So i figured i would give my personal thoughts on some scotches I have tried, and then see based on the ones I have tried, what you guys would recommend! I sadly have tried only a few scotches, but here we go!

TLDR RANKING AT THE BOTTOM

1.) Balvenie 15 yr single cask

My first scotch. I got it for my wedding from a friend. It was good! I would probably appreciate it better now that I have tried many different kinds of scotch. But even then, I remember it being quite good. I don't remember any notes at all, but it was indeed good and would drink again.

2.) Johnny walker red

This is the first scotch i actually "tasted". At first it was okay. Then after trying another glass I found it hard to get down. Then the 2rd glass (these are glasses spread across multiple days/weeks lol) i couldn't get passed even the first sip. It was great in some cocktails though. But ya it makes me sick to drink by itself

3.) Monkey shoulder

Tried this at a friend's place. I could get through the glass, but i wouldn't be able to do another. It's better than Johnny walker red though, but i would only drink it in a cocktail.

4.) Balvenie carribean cask

First whiskey that I really appreciated. Really strong hints of burnt vanilla. Very warm to me. I enjoyed it a lot, but also I feel there was something better out there for me. But very good.

5.) Glenlivet 12

Got a glass of this at a nice restaurant a month ago. Absolutely, undeniably the best liquor i have ever tasted. In fact, it was so good i questioned if they accidentally gave me the wrong drink. Like genuinely 0 bite to it. Just smooth, scotch. Man it blew me away. I still am slightly worried i got the wrong bottle poured for me haha. Delicious.

6.) Glenfiddich 12

Reminds me of my experience with Johnny walker red. It was good the first few glasses, but now I find it a little hard to drink. Its not bad though. But its just very not worth it to me haha.

Best to worst in order:

1.) Glenlivet 12 by far 2.) Balvenie carribean cask 3.) Balvenie 15 yr 4.) Monkey shoulder / glenfiddich 5.) Johnny walker red

Sonwhat would you recommend??? I love trying now things as well. But also something that is identical to what I love is always welcome 😂.

Edit: forgot to add budget.

I can save 100$ a month for whatever I want. But I wouldn't want to spend more than 5 or 6 months not spending any money lol. So pretty much anything under 500-600. But obviously im looking for more like the sub $100 range. But I'm here for the party so if something is super worth, and I should just not spend my spending money for 6 mo ths and save up, then I guess I'll do that and throw 600 lol.

I love the Laddie 16 along with the Octomore series. Bruichladdich is one of my favorite distilleries and have wanted a black art for Some time now. I understand that the 4.1 is the best one but our options are limited without forking out a metric tonne of cash. Can someone help me research the best option between these 4 please? Lately I prefer rich sweetness but do love me some peat. Any advice?

This was a standout from the MANY drams I sampled on a trip to speyside in the summer, particularly in the Quaich Bar in none other than the Craigellachie Hotel.

Picked this bottle up on a Black Friday deal….. among others.

It’s unlike any other whiskies I’ve tried, particularly Speysides. On the nose it’s complex, don’t know where to start. Banana, vanilla, custard, pineapple, mango, copper. I’m probably influenced by the description of the worm tub condenser, but I really do get copper, proper synesthesia if I close my eyes. Everything is bronze. Rich vanilla ice cream like Häagen-Dazs. The wee foam banana sweets a la shrimps and bananas. Madeira cake.

More copper on the palate. Dirty, almost farmy or industrial like Springbank. Intense flavours, it’s punchy for a non cask strength, very concentrated. Lemon or grapefruit, slowly mellowing out to more melon, then becoming nebulously Caribbean, can’t put my finger on mango or pineapple. Copper throughout, again synesthesia, feel like taste, smell and colour become one when I close my eyes, I’ve shrunk to the size of an atom and am standing in the middle of a 2p coin straight from the mint. Maybe not straight from the mint, it’s a wee bit dirty but not in a bad way if that makes sense. Like licking a coin as a child not understanding the horrific implications…. Maybe that was just me.

Pretty long finish, medium would be underselling it. Only noticed this when considering the finish: it’s not massively thick and mouth coating in texture, but the flavour is BIG and lingers for ages. Some whiskies for e.g. Octomore (only tried 14.1 and 14.2), I feel the liquid physically coats my mouth and causes the flavour to linger because my taste buds are covered in it for ages. This feels different, more watery in texture (in the least negative way possible) but the flavour lingers due to its intensity alone, like it’s leaving a trace when the liquid is long gone. That could be absolute nonsense but it’s what my senses are telling me. I must say though (I should never have been allowed Octomore because it’s spoiled me), important to note that it is still somewhat mouth coating and in no way actually watery. Final notes of banana or melon before it fades away. Delightful.

This is among my favourite whiskies, certainly considering value for money. Paid £45 and wouldn’t be too fussed paying the full £50. The intensity of the flavour is what stands out for me, which I’d say is my most important characteristic, and what makes me lean more towards peaty whiskies. I don’t get that intensity of the likes of Wee Beastie at such a low price with any Speyside or Highland drams I’ve sampled. However, this is comparable in overall experience to my favourite (core range) bottle Port Charlotte 10. It has that concentrated, unique taste that puts a fat cheeser on my face.

89/100

Cannot wait to try the 17 and 19 if I ever get the chance.

https://i.imgur.com/ypsJ0IR.jpeg

Was cleaning out my grandpas bar and found this. The bottle was already opened. These may be dumb questions, but I know nothing about scotch, so here I am. According to the internet, scotch loses its taste/changes flavor if opened. Is this worth anything, or should I just pour it out?

TL/DR: Inexperienced drinker, tell me what to buy and I'll buy it. (Under $50 available in USA)

As a fairly new legal drinker, I am trying to slowly build up a sense of what I like/dislike in a drink.
I was always fond of scotch when raiding my parents' liquor cabinet as a child, so I figure this is a good place to start.

Rather than spend hours reading through this sub, I think it would be fun to play a little game.

Here is my goal (assuming enough of yall play along):

At the beginning of each month, I'll make a post asking what to buy. Yall can throw out your best picks, what your favorite is, your heartfelt recommendation, etc etc.

After two or three days, whichever suggestion has the most votes ill go buy, and then starting next month I can follow up on my experience/review.

Hopefully, this doesn't end up in me getting bamboozled, but whatever, it's part of the fun.

Preferably, recommendations need to be under $50 and I can source it in Oklahoma or Texas (or using the internet).

Edit: Ardbeg*

I never cared for Macallan 12 or Glenlivet 12, and a recent “blended whiskey” I had that had Scotch in it (High West Campfire) ended up being a drain pour for me.

I came across a list of smoky/peated Scotches and decided to give Ardbeg 10 a shot at $59.99 a bottle. Quite frankly I loved it.

So now I’m trying to understand how to lean into this flavor profile but maybe get something a little better?

Hey , So I was cleaning my grandpas bar and found this can some one tell what year is it ?

This trilogy of Sherry Bomb blends from LBD holds a very special piece in my heart. All three have been aged in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, 19, 20 & 21 years respectively.

It's almost impossibe to choose a favourite, and if you can get your hands on any of batch 3 I thoroughly recommend it (only a tiny portion of it is grain).

If I was to favour any, It would be batch 2, however I believe this is down to sentimental reasoning and events that happened around the realease.

To put it bluntly, if you like Edirngton malts and are a sucker for a sherry bomb 💣 I cannot recommend these enough.

I have a glencairn, which I love, but have been thinking about buying a copita. I’m wondering if there is a noticeable difference in taste/smell between the two or does one just have a stem?

As the title says. I've never had anything from those distilleries and the price is practically the same. They both are from mackillops choice and cask strength if that makes any difference.

Nose: Grapefruit, Burnt Matchstick, Leafy, Nutmeg, Sea Air, Timber Shavings, Malt, hint of Almonds.

Palate: bitter cherry, chewing an old wooden ruler, tobacco on finish, old spice, cigarettes, almonds, hinds of aniseed.

Length: Long.

With adding a little water you get sweetness but less of the interesting flavour. Prefer without.

Overall: One of my favourites of all time. Love the brand. One day want to have there in the Orkneys.

CR12

Nose: Mandarin, White Pepper, Vanilla Custard

Palate: Green Apple, Light Spice, Oregano, Biscuits, Liquorice, Hint of Toffee, Creamy, Nougat, Fudge. No peat or smoke.

Length: Medium Long

CR13E

Nose: Vanilla, Coconut, Burnt Butter

Palate: Mandarin, Vanilla, Oak, Black Pepper, Caramel, hint of Coffee. No peat or smoke.

Length: Medium Long

With a little water more caramel

Overall: Both lovely. Good blended malt+grain. Added colour. Good value. 13 Bourbon has more personality.

A good daily drivers. Girlfriend prefers the 12 Bourbon. I think I agree.

Not a Scotch, but I’ve tasted Redbreast 21 and I am blown away. Soon as you open the cork it is like walking into a bakery, the smell of freshly baked pastries wafting in your nose. As you take your first sip, it is as if the liquid has been shaped by those bakery aromas. It is the richness of those golden crusts with a gentle sweetness that also reminds you of delicate buttery shortbreads. The viscosity is also very fulfilling. All in all it is an amazing dram.

And I am wondering if I’ve found the perfection for my taste buds or are there any other Scotch alternatives with similar tones worth trying?

I spent a while trying to compare the two, ardbeg is more iodized and medicinal va loch gorm is sweeter in my opinion. Loch Gorm seemed more bearable to me because of the 46 avb it takes. In the end, between the doubts, the recommendations and the price, I decided on Kilchoman Sanaig. Did I do it right? Thank you

Hi folks,

I'm looking for a small favour. I managed to get an Springbank CS 2024 (2nd batch) on ballot and I'm going to split it with friends. Im wondering could anyone tell me how to get the label for the second release off the US TTB databade as I want to print it and stick on the wee bottles. This is an honest request I'm not to any shenanigans!

I tried searching for labels on it but not sure how it comes up...

Bought this bottle of Clynelish today, I've seen sedimentation in new bottles of this brand and others but never like this