Best of 2014

As in a whisky that put a smile on my face on a consistent basis?

If so.....Then I'd say the Balvenie 15 yr Single Barrel.

I don't think I've had too many that were released in 2014, and I probably had some that I've enjoyed in other years as well.

I would say that Caol Ila Cask Strength was one one of the best Scotches I tasted this year. I bought it in 2011, but opened it in August. Runners up would include Bowmore Laimrig (2013 edition) and Amrut Peated CS that I tasted at Spirit of Toronto. The George T Stagg I tried there was also phenomenal.

I would also give a thumbs up to the Laimrig. I also very much enjoyed the BenRiach 15 yr. old PX Finished.

Has anyone had the HP Dark Origins? If so what's the verdict? I'm tempted, but at 100 bucks I'd like a few more opinions./

Like @Nozinan, I haven't been drinking a lot of "current" bottlings. In fact, I don't know if ANY of my bottles--open or closed--was a 2014 release. Maybe the Benriach 17 Solstice or the Charbay R5?

I just took a spin through my tasting journal and the best whisky I drank this year was Laphroaig 10 CS batch 5. This series is becoming my absolute benchmark, to where every bottle I rate is held up against that standard and every bottle I consider buying must pass the "do I really want this instead of another Laphroaig CS?" test. Very honorable mention goes to a Cadenhead's "pure malt" Islay 50 ABV% that I found collecting dust in a shop of Coleraine, Northern Ireland. I've mentioned that bottle elsewhere a few times--and at least once recently--so I'll just say: old, young, zippy, fun! I think the Benriach 17 Solstice is also quite good, but I haven't yet done a serious study.

This wasn't the original question, but these were my 2014 disappointments:

*Hakushu 12 (lightly) peated. The peat was an underdelivery of what was promised.

*Charbay R5. Bleh. This bottle might just prompt me to begin posting reviews here on Connosr. If I do, the tagline for this one will be something like "warm flat somewhat hoppy beer." Good on ice, though.

*The Laddie 10. It was totally good and all, but the fervor over its retirement generated expectations in me that were not met. I nice whisky in its own right, but disappointing in context.

Personally I found 2014 disappointing, for new releases by distilleries of which I was aware, especially relative to 2013. {Auriverdes, Taghta, Cairdeas, Devil's Punch Bowl III, Arran17, Glenfarclas18 etc.}-- these were all disappointments relative to the previous year's {e.g. Ardbog, Loch Gorm, Ealanta, Laimrig etc.}. I agree with the awarded Sullivan's Cove, but it's adding nothing since that was my top choice of 2013.

But to answer the question, I would say my winner among those new 2014 releases that I tried was Teeling Silver Reserve 21yo. Fantastic. Among more readily available and affordable malts, it was Highland Park's Dark Origins. From my point of view, it is worth the $75 paid. I also loved the Octomores 6.1/6.2, but it was my first Octomore so I can't compare to previous editions. Others might vote for the Kilchoman Port finish, but I didn't get my hands/lips on it-- anyway, it's maybe too scarce to qualify as a broad release for nomination. Actually, if the question were to include limited releases, I also got my first taste of a Glendronach single cask (a 23yo PX) this year, and then that could be my winner.

@BlueNote

The Dark Origins is not bad - Highland Park signature honey with a hearty dose of red fruit. A bit more rough and youthful than the regular 12 year old.

For $100, I think it is too much. Don't these go for around the $60 mark?