lsen started a discussion
6 years ago
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Help a noob build up her cabinet
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nooch replied
I say go with what you like rather than focusing only on regions. I tend to gravitate towards what I like rather than limiting myself. Unfortunately, the challenge is that it's hard in Canada to try samples. I'm often relegated to reading reviews exhaustively and hoping I buy a good bottle. Benromach 10 is fantastic. If you want to try something sherries glenfarclas 15 is great.
6 years ago 0
NamBeist replied
@lsen There is no road to travel. Do whatever you like. You could try some sherry cask based whiskies for example Amrut Intermediate Sherry. Please read the reviews on Connosr. I and many others are fond of Amrut and its expressions. It is Indian whisky and it is quite good. I would advise you to consider the following whiskies too: - Ardbeg Uigeadail - Springbank 10 yo and 12 yo Cask Strength - Glenmorangie Nectar d'or and Quinta Ruban - Compass Box The Spice Tree - Redbreast 12 yo - Balvenie 15 yo
Maybe you can visit a tasting session or buy samples. Just have some fun!
6 years ago 0
ajjarrett replied
Here are my few cents worth, since you asked for suggestions. Don't forget the loveliness of Irish Single Pot Still whiskeys. I lean towards the following (in no particular order):
Redbreast 15yo, and the 12yo Cask Strength. Yellow Spot
- Note* NamBiest mentioned the 12yo Redbreast.
I didn't see in your post, one partcular Highland SMW, which I thoroughly enjoy, and that is Glengoyne. Since you mentioned Totalwine, I would look for the 12, 15 and 18yo. However, since you mentioned you might stay away from the whiskies, which have ex-sherry maturation you might want to avoid the 18yo since there is more than just a 'hint' of ex-sherry cask maturation; although it isn't a sherry bomb, e.g. Dalmore.
6 years ago 1Who liked this?
cherylnifer replied
There is nothing like trying before buying, but in the absence of that, the opinions of Connsr members can be quite valuable. Check out the cabinets of several members, and research reviews here, plus on other whisky review sites. Tasting notes vary, but I think that you will be able to determine which whiskies generally rate highly among a majority, and those that do not. No guarantees all those whiskies will tickle your fancy, but I have always been willing to trust those members with far more define tasting and nosing skills than I. Education, an open mind, and adventuresome spirit will take you far.
6 years ago 0
BlueNote replied
It sounds like you actually know quite a bit and have tried a fairly wide variety of whiskies. I am at a loss to understand how you could like Glenlivet 12 and find Highland Park 12 and Port Charlotte unpleasant and tasting like sawdust and regurgitated biscuits.
6 years ago 0
Hi, I'm looking for recommendations to build up my stock of whiskys. I started off with blends like teachers, ballantine's and jw black. Then moved onto cheaper single malts like Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie. Then I went to Japan and got introduced to their whiskys and brought a number back while buying ones that I could find here. Now I've forayed into Islays- Lahproaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin. It's been an interesting past couple of years and my palate has developed quite a bit. I like drinking several drams at a time and comparing them. Even if it's just the 3 islays side by side I can now taste differences in the type of peat. I'm kinda at a loss on where to go from here though.
For instance. I liked Glenlivet 12 as it had a nice pear/apple nose though the palate was a bit thin. So I tried the 15 and 18 hoping age would intensify these flavors. But it added other notes that result in a different experience. I guess if I liked a product but found the intensity lacking then I'd want a barrel proof version not a different aged version?
I'm wondering how I should go about building my cabinet. Should I go by regions- Islay, Speyside, Highland, Lowland, Island, Cambeltown, Japanese, India. That will allow a range of flavor profiles.
I just don't know where to go from here. Maybe I should try sherry finishes but I used to drink cheap cooking sherry in college and I'm afraid it might invoke some bad memories. I've tried some malt whiskies like Highland Park 12 and Bruichladdich Port Charlotte and they have an unpleasantness to them. Like sawdust or regurgitated biscuits. Maybe the more experienced here can offer suggestions based upon what I've already tried. I'd like to keep it at the $100 pricepoint and I'm confined to places like Bevmo or TotalWine .