Lidl whisky

Swedish law prevents stores from carrying alcohol beverages with an ABV of over 3.5%. What whiskies does your lidl have?

They do a number of single malts under the Glen Alba name including a 25yo and maybe even a 33yo but not sure, as well as some own brand blends and a blended malt I believe.

Malt-review.com rates the Abrachan blended malt quite highly and the Western Gold 6 year bourbon as good for mixing, the Ben bracken 12 not much going on.

Aberfoodblog.com also rated the Abrachan but does qualify that JW Black is better but maybe not the £10 difference better. Same page reviewed the Aldi Glen Marnoch Islay single malt at £18 rated as a must have tasting notes go medicinal iodine and smoke.

Not tried any of them yet but probably should, always seems to be a named distillery catches my eye and blow my budget elsewhere. I did buy a bottle last Xmas from Lidl Ben Bracken 28 Speyside £50 not got round to it yet but need to try before end of summer so I know if it's worth buying the limited Xmas release this year.

@IainVH I had bought the Ben Bracken 12 some years ago. Not too bad. I tried to trace its origins. Some info showed that Lidl had bought some amounts of Tamnavulin and bottled the Ben Bracken. I might be mistaken though...In any case I never bought a second bottle.

The British "Whisky Magazine" had their "World Whiskies Awards 2016" recently and they gave a bunch of awards to the Lidl drams. I'm always slightly suspicious of those magazine awards, but they went as follows: Ben Bracken 22 years old was awarded best Islay single malt in the category "21 years and older"! And Glen Alba 22 years old was awarded "Best Scotch" blend (again in the 21 years and older category). I heard they're a bargain as well, so I guess they're worth checking out...

Very average qualith. Lots of e150. They are good value if you consider the ages but having tried several they just aren't that good compared to younger good single malts at the same price point.

Thanks for your replies gentlemen. Bit of further reading required by me I think. Wasn't aware of the fact that Lidl issue some limited editions at Christmas. Does anyone else have experience of these and their quality? As regards the 'all year round' whiskies they have on offer I may come to the conclusion that for the money other options will be better, even if they are younger. Thanks again and cheers!

Lidl is arriving in Australia next year. We do have Aldi and currently have tried two expressions from their licensed range. A blend named Highland Earl, this was not to my liking one bit. It tasted spirity, young and grainy. I also tried their Glen Orrin 30 yr old blend, for a 3o year old the price is very nice. Although, it tastes tire and oaky.

I've read positive things about their peated expression, I'm yet to see it here.

I would probably be skeptical of whisky from lidl. In Sweden lidl is a low-price chain. However it might be my mistake, perhaps the whisky is good!

We have Aldi in Australia and they are quite similar in the form of releasing Aldi bottlings of whisky.

Well, Aldi just did a high profile roll out this week of the "Cheapest 18 year old single malt in Australia" - and correct they are: $70.

Rumour has it, it's a Dalmore

@Frost the bottle I have says its from Clydesdale Scotch Whisky Co. Which from the net is owned by Whyte and Mckay who did own Tamnavulin and that is where the aged stock for special releases probably comes from. Would point to anything coming out possibly having similar profile to Dalmore if Patterson is involved in the blending of the barrels.

@Pete1969 interesting info. Would be nice if it's Tamnavulin, as it's not too easy to come around in these parts.

Well opened Ben Bracken 28year old Speyside last night. Chill filtered and 40% ABV not a bad whisky by any means but can get A'bunadh for less which is where my money will go this year.

Nose was lovely typical Speyside palate dried fruit and slightly spicy with bit of a vegetal taste.

Finish was quite short no issues with being over Oaked even with the age, probably mid eighties, will give it a few weeks to open up and let you know how it develops but it just lacks a bit of punch on the plate and finish due to the low alcohol content.

Finished off the Ben Bracken 28 last month it got better as it oxidised retained a grass/hay aroma but the fruit became more prominent just let down by bottling at 40ABV. I was not going to bother with the Lidl this year but while picking up some bits in Aldi the worst attempt at a Tantalus caught my eye. Contained a Glen Marnoch 28 bottled at 43.4ABV and only £40 so early Xmas present to myself bought I now await my bollocking off the wife. From the web reviews so far seems to be a steal and quite highly rated so may be worth the grief.

P.S. Double dog house this week when wife was rooting for Xmas decorations she found my Octomore 6.3 hidden at back of the cupboard and the usual how much was that, when did you buy it debate started. At least she will be in bed when I finish work at 3am but her day off tomorrow now wondering how long I can pretend to be asleep.

I bought the Ben Bracken Islay 22 year old from Lidl for £49.99, the Glen Alba 22 blend for £29.99, and just bought the Glen Marnoch 28 year olf from Aldi for £39.99. Will crack them over Christmas and come back to this thread. Whisky buddies tell me they are excellent for the price.