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Help Me Choose My Next Bottle of Scotch (3 Viewers)

detroitdad

detroitdad

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The bottle of Lagavulin 16 that @gopherblue so generously gifted me is about gone. I would like to replace it with a different bottle. Branch out, try something different.

I've only tried a few different scotches. Lagavulin 16 is my favorite by a mile. I love the smokey, peaty flavor.

@ChaosRock has already given me a start by recommending Port Charlotte 10y or Port Charlotte Islay Barley.

I know we have a ton of members with a shit ton of knowledge. So help me compile my list.

Port Charlotte 10y
Port Charlotte Islay Barley

I'd like to keep it in the $75.00 range
 
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Glenlivet 14 or 15. The 15 goes down a little easier, the 14 is more flavorful and has a tiny bit more bite... 15 is French Oak and 14 is Cognac Cask, or so the label says. Can’t say I’m enough of an expert to know.

Obviously these are not cheap bottles. But then neither would the Lagavulin 16 be. I also like the Glen 12-year, but the older the better here. They also have an 18 and a 21. Sky’s the limit.

To me, it’s worth it for when you want a really smooth drink. Glenlivet to me is the standard against which I compare others... It’s how I expect Scotch to taste, and which I use to define how others differ. It’s hardly an exotic choice, but part of why I cite it is that as such a large producer, I think Glenlivet is able to keep its prices down and deliver higher quality at lower cost than some others.

But at these price points, better keep a couple cheaper bottles around if you want anything to last!
 
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Taghkanic said:
Glenlivet 14 or 15. The 15 goes down a little easier, the 14 is more flavorful and has a tiny bit more bite... 15 is French Oak and 14 is Cognac Cask, or so the label says.

Not cheap bottles, but then neither would the Lagavulin 16 have been. I also like the Glen 12-year, but the older the better here. They also have an 18 and a 21. Sky’s the limit.

To me, it’s worth it for when you want a really smooth drink. Glenlivet to me is the standard against which I compare others... It’s how I expect Scotch to taste, and which I use to define how others differ.

But at these price points, better keep a couple cheaper bottles around if you want it to last!
Click to expand...
We opened a very old bottle of glenlivet a few months ago.... I hate scotch, it was good, but still not my cup of tea lol
 
While we're at it, the Glenlivet 18 is also excellent. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

Always prefer bourbon myself though.
 
For a little less (about $50-$60 for 750), I’m a fan of Basil Hayden’s. Something I don’t have to feel quite as stingy with as the next tier up. Also available in a giant magnum bottle, in some places, which gives you a good 15-20% “free” ml.
 
detroitdad said:
The bottle of Lagavulin 16 that @gopherblue so generously gifted me is about gone. I would like to replace it with a different bottle. Branch out, try something different.

I've only tried a few different scotches. Lagavulin 16 is my favorite by a mile. I love the smokey, peaty flavor.

@ChaosRock has already given me a start by recommending Port Charlotte 10y or Port Charlotte Islay Barley.

I know we have a ton of members with a shit ton of knowledge. So help me compile my list.

Port Charlotte 10y
Port Charlotte Islay Barley
Click to expand...
One of my absolute favorite peated whiskies: Longrow Peated. Not a peat monster, but lovely peat and wispy smoke.

Oban 14 is a good choice too.

Or:

Talisker 10
 
If you like Lagavulin 16, which is one of my personal favorites as well I'd look for something elae in the Islay region. The Glenlivit recommendation are not comparable imo. Great distillery, not the same flavor profiles as a Lag 16 as they are from the Speyside region. Any @ChaosRock recommendation is going to be solid and I'd definitely agree Port Charlotte would be a good alternative. Our scotch tastes are pretty similar if it matters.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Laphroaig distillery as I find them pretty compatible to Lag. Their Quarter Cask packs a nice smoky punch, whereas their 18 year is a lot more refined. The Quarter Cask can be had for $50/bottle usually whereas the 18 is going to be a bit more.

Talisker is another good distillery if you want more earth and salt flavorings to go with the smoke.
 
Taghkanic said:
Glenlivet 14 or 15. The 15 goes down a little easier, the 14 is more flavorful and has a tiny bit more bite... 15 is French Oak and 14 is Cognac Cask, or so the label says. Can’t say I’m enough of an expert to know.

Obviously these are not cheap bottles. But then neither would the Lagavulin 16 be. I also like the Glen 12-year, but the older the better here. They also have an 18 and a 21. Sky’s the limit.

To me, it’s worth it for when you want a really smooth drink. Glenlivet to me is the standard against which I compare others... It’s how I expect Scotch to taste, and which I use to define how others differ.

But at these price points, better keep a couple cheaper bottles around if you want it to last!
Click to expand...

I don't want a "smooth" drink lol........ For example. My preferred bourbon flavor profile is cask strength bottles. I love me anything in the 110 to 136 proof. With limited scotch experience I love SMOKE!!!!
 
Payback said:
If you like Lagavulin 16, which is one of my personal favorites as well I'd look for something elae in the Islay region. The Glenlivit recommendation are not comparable imo. Great distillery, not the same flavor profiles as a Lag 16 as they are from the Speyside region. Any @ChaosRock recommendation is going to be solid and I'd definitely agree Port Charlotte would be a good alternative. Our scotch tastes are pretty similar if it matters.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Laphroaig distillery as I find them pretty compatible to Lag. Their Quarter Cask packs a nice smoky punch, whereas their 18 year is a lot more refined. The Quarter Cask can be had for $50/bottle usually whereas the 18 is going to be a bit more.

Talisker is another good distillery if you want more earth and salt flavorings to go with the smoke.
Click to expand...

The Quarter Cask is crazy. Easily the smokiest whisky I’ve ever tasted
 
Taghkanic said:
For a little less (about $50-$60 for 750), I’m a fan of Basil Hayden’s. Something I don’t have to feel quite as stingy with as the next tier up. Also available in a giant magnum bottle, in some places, which gives you a good 15-20% “free” ml.
Click to expand...

I'm not looking for a bourbon or whiskey. I'm looking for a bottle of Scotch. I hate Basil Hayden. Its "meh" and kind of one tone too me. Now Basil Hayden "Rye" (I think its Rye, or Dark) I really enjoy. What keeps me from buying it is the price point. If I'm going to spend that. I'm getting ECBP
 
You could always make your own:
1598209968188.png


:ROFL: :ROFLMAO: :LOL: :laugh: :LOL: :laugh: :ROFL: :ROFLMAO: I kid I kid. I simply have never had a scotch I liked very much.
 
detroitdad said:
I don't want a "smooth" drink lol........ For example. My preferred bourbon flavor profile is cask strength bottles. I love me anything in the 110 to 136 proof. With limited scotch experience I love SMOKE!!!!
Click to expand...

When I say “smooth,” I mean not harsh in the way many cheaper options are.

But if I just want a high alcohol content, I’m not reaching for my higher-end stuff... I’m not looking to get wasted off that, just to experience the taste. To each his own, I suppose.

Also, I had a veddy British girlfriend for several years who loved all the peaty stuff (also all foods which were rich, expensive and kind of gross... Sweetbreads, caviar, foie gras, brains, aquavit, etc.). After several years of that, honestly I can’t stand the smell of peat anymore. Glenlivet has just a hint of it but not like Laphroaig etc.
 
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Taghkanic said:
For a little less (about $50-$60 for 750), I’m a fan of Basil Hayden’s. Something I don’t have to feel quite as stingy with as the next tier up. Also available in a giant magnum bottle, in some places, which gives you a good 15-20% “free” ml.
Click to expand...
This was going to be my recommendation even before knowing the budget. Speyburn 10 or 15 is also insanely good value and a 1.75 L bottle can be had for under $100. Had some Speyburn 10 last night to celebrate a friend's promotion and I was really surprised at how smooth it went down.

A couple glassful's each of these also made everyone really splashy which made for a fun cash game. There was over $300 on the table for our 0.10/0.20 game in which we almost never get over $200 on the table for a 6 handed game.
 
Taghkanic said:
But if I just want a high alcohol content, I’m not reaching for my higher-end stuff... I’m not looking to get wasted off that, just to experience the taste. To each his own, I suppose.
Click to expand...

I don't look to get wasted either lol. I just like what I like :) I like to enjoy a drink that has a nice bite too it. Whether its smoke, barrel proof, ect...
 

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