Best.....!?

I'll play, at least for query #1, and being realistic with what's available, recent, affordable:

1. Laphroaig 10 CS

2. Springbank 10 (the 100 Proof version if I can fudge my parameters a little)

3. Ardbeg Corryvreckan

4. Kilkerran WIP #7 CS Ex-Bourbon

5. Talisker 18

@RikS, this is an omnibus sort of question, combining about 5 prior Connosr Discussions and about 12-15 of the old Connosr lists. You also seem to want to define the whisky universe as Scottish malt. I will play the game using malt whiskies, and ten which would be my probable selections for the Desert Island (I had 6 or 8 different Desert Island Lists on Connosr 1.0).

1) Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured

2) Ardbeg Uigeadail, L 10 151, L 11 028, or other first quality release

3) Ardbeg Supernova, any release

4) Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, any of the batches

5) Talisker 57 Degrees North

6) Talisker 18 yo

7) Aberlour A'bunadh

8) Macallan Cask Strength, North American Release

9) Old Pulteney 17 yo

10) The Laddie Ten, for something more barley-oriented

If I were considering all whiskies maybe 4 or 5 of 10 would be malt whiskies.

@Victor i know... It's a shamelessly phrased question. Yet grateful for the inputs! At the moment I'm having a frustration moment with the intermediate sherry.... Here in the UK it's not available and commands £100... Whereas amazon in Spain has it for €45, equivalent to £40!

I just need to find someone doing the trip that could bring me a bottle or two!

@RikS Before I answer you need to enlighten me. What is an Oogie? I'm very partial to the Islay region with the Highlands a close second. So, my preference are Lagavulin 16 for its powerful earthy peat smoke and robust flavour. Followed by Laphroaig (10, 18 and PX cask). Again, I like the full bodied peaty, smoky, salty flavour. Third is Ardbeg (10 and Uigeadial) for all the reasons mentioned. I have not yet tried Corryvreckan, but it is definitely on my to do list. These three expressions are always in my cabinet. My Speyside favourite is Balvenie. I've got a wide range of their malts. Although, not as peaty as Islay they do have the full body that I'm partial to. Finally, my preferences for the Highlands are Pulteney, Talisker, Oban and Highland Park.

@RikS, @MadSingleMalt, @PeterG7, et alii, OK, here's my 2.0 List: Ten Desert Island Whiskies of all types list, in no particular order. Order of preference for me at any given time is always a matter of mood and state of mind:

1) Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured Single Malt

2) Ardbeg Uigeadail, L 10 151, L 11 028, or other first quality batch

3) Ardbeg Supernova, any or all releases

4) Talisker 57 Degrees North, a narrow choice over Talisker 18, because, like @MadSingleMalt, I more often crave power over beauty. 57 North is also beautiful

5) Aberlour A'bunadh; one of the things I like about A'bunadh is the variety within the batches. The batches are not all desirable, but most are quite good

6) Pappy Van Winkle 15 yo, 2010 release or prior, from the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Pappy Van Winkle 15 yo from Buffalo Trace is also very good, but the earlier stuff I like better, decisively better. Would I pay over $ 300 for a bottle of this? No. But then again I don't have to.

7) Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye; I can't believe that this is the only Rye on this list, but, all things considered, when I have a hankering for rye whiskey, I could drink Thomas Handy and never get tired of it

8) William Larue Weller wheated bourbon; wheated bourbon becomes quite righteous in the 65-70% ABV category. Even the lighter ABV versions are fabulous. One of my favourite releases was under 60% ABV. Imagine that, under 60% ABV and still worth drinking ! For all you alcohol-sensitive whisky brothers and sisters out there who refer to everything above 50% ABV as 'high ABV', please forgive me my occasional ABV teasing. I like 'em strong. The higher ABV the better. It is an ongoing void not having yet tried any 80% ABV whisk(e)y! I know that there is some out there...one day I shall get a taste

9) George T. Stagg, most releases, with 2010 being my favourite

10) Jameson 12 yo Special Reserve; I had to have at least one light whiskey on the Desert Island!

N.B. this list reflects my comments from a previous Connosr Discussion that if I could have whisk(e)y from only three distilleries, that those distilleries would be: 1) Buffalo Trace, 2) Ardbeg, and 3) Amrut. 7 of these 10 listed are produced at these three distilleries.

Given my modest experience with whisky, especially with older and more 'sought after' bottlings, shall we say, I think I'll put forward a list I thought of recently after watching an Acquavitae vlog covering a similar topic; this is basically 5 malts that I would always like to have around that are available and affordable. I'll throw in a couple of other non Scots whisk(e)ys as well for variety . . .

Ardbeg 10 (for solid Islay peat)

Springbank 10 (for the funk - mainly - but it's also a good all-rounder)

Benromach 10 (excellent all-rounder)

Ledaig 10 (more coastal peat flavours but not typical Islay)

Arran 14 (for a lighter, fruitier expression)

OK I think I need a sherry forward malt so will add Glenfarclas 15 in the mix as well but could swap with the Ledaig at a push.

For some non Scots expressions I'd probably have to pick out Wild Turkey 101 given the criteria and I am really digging the Lot 40 rye at the moment as well. I have to add Talisker 18 as well as an indulgence/special occasion bottle. . . and I'll add a Corryvrekan as well to round up to ten

See, this is why I was hesitant to reply; love the topic, but it's so hard to nail whiskys down and then stick to any kind of criteria - there's a whisky for every mood and occasion after all!

@PeterG7 hi Peter, just a quick for uigeadail. And thanks for chipping into the discussion!

@Victor gotta get my hands on some amrut... I have the intermediate and fusion on my list.

And I'm just about to squeeze the last drops outta my Talisker DE. I have a full 10... So, do I go to the 18 or the 57 is the question... Hmm...

Ignoring availability for a moment I’d say I would always like these on my shelf (in no particular order):

• Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
• Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength
• Lot 40 12 Year Old Cask Strength
• Springbank 12 Cask Strength
• Ardbeg Uigeadail
• Wild Turkey Rare Breed
• Glenfarclas 105
• Redbreast 12 Cask Strength
• Talisker 57 North
• Caol Ila 17 Unpeated Cask Strength

As far as best value-for-money (a topic I know @Nozinan loves) I’d say:

• Lot 40 (43% regular release): it’s about $37 which is a very good price in Ontario for a whisky of this quality.
• Highland Park 12 Viking something: $70 for a single malt that’s pretty reliable, has a little bit of everything, and carries an age statement is good vfm in my book.
• Wild Turkey Rare Breed: it’s around $60-$65 and is better than a lot of much more expensive whiskies.
• Jameson Black Barrel: $50 for a whisky that’s very flavourful and rich despite the 40% ABV.

My favourites and what I would like to have around might vary, but: HP 12 HP 18 Old Pulteney 17 Redbreast 21 Octomore 7.3 Macallan Edition No 1 Lagavulin 16

@OdysseusUnbound

I'm pleased as punch to see that I was somehow involved (either sampling or muling) in 60% of your top 10 picks.

My "must haves" for a cabinet of 10 based on reasonable availability (to me):

• Aberlour A'Bunadh

• Redbreast 12 YO CS

• Any Caol Ila peated CS

• Ardbeg Uigeadail

• Bowmore Tempest V

• Old Grand Dad 114

• Stagg Jr Batch 8 (64.75%)

• Lot 40 Cask Strength rye

• Wiser's Dissertation or Legacy (or both)

• Forty Creek Heart of Gold

I may change my mind tomorrow.

You are right, I am wary of the VFM comparisons, especially when it's a hypothetical list. I prefer to judge a whisky by it's quality, and then, only then, comment on price. For instance:

• Lot 40 CS is great, and wow, only $70. Or, it's great but why did they raise the price by $30 for the same quality?

• OGD 114 is a great whisky... I am amazed it's only $25, and I would easily pay $50 or $75 at the KGBO if I didn't have any.

• JW Blue may be good, but I can get the same quality experience for a lot less money.

@RianC your list is almost exactly what I would say too - all accessible core bottlings which offer something tasty any day of the week. I don't think I could add in an American or Canadian whiskey due to my severe lack of exposure to them.

@Hewie - I think that list of 5-6 malts has kind of cemented over the last few years. They're whiskys that always offer (me) a rewarding experience but don't cost the earth/attempt to be taken the piss out of by the producers. I don't have 'go-to's' per se but if I did it would be those.

If I were to offer two more top five lists they would be top five I've tasted and top five most desirable.