Recommended Campbeltowners

@lucadanna1985 Thanks for starting this discussion! I'm very interested in the answers of knowledgaeble connoisseurs as well!

@drinix it's interesting indeed, because Serge Valentin, for example, rates the standard 10 yo higher than most other espressions in their range (excluding vintages and single casks of course), so the cheapest bottle could also be one of the best...

The Hazelburn CV was my favourite dram from the Manchester whisky festival I attended last year. I see its had mixed reviews here (and elsewhere) but I love it. Its very gentle and subtle but if you like (at least some of) your whiskies unpeated and delicate then I suggest you give it a go. Perhaps not a traditional Cambletowner though.

@lucadanna1985 I've noticed that as well. Springbank 10 collects plenty of favorable reviews and rates throughout the whisky blogosphere. That's why I may go for it pretty soon. In addition it's probably the malt that mostly resembles Talisker 10 that I ever tried :). The 3x20cl gift pack with the CV expressions from Springbank Distillery may also be a good starting point.

@drinix We had the same idea, I was going to buy it to replace my bottle of talisker 10! :)

@lucadanna1985 hehe great ;)!

When my old dad passed away last December, my wife--bless her--showed up with a bottle of Springbank 15. I've been nursing it, and have toasted my old pops with every dram.

It's oily and complex; you'd swear there's bacon fat in there, drizzled over grilled veggies. There's very mild smoke, and it's bit less sweet than the 10. The 10--an excellent dram, well worth every dollar--jumps out at you more, and has more vanillas and roasted nuts, more toffee/caramel (although there's not a ton of that candied stuff in the 10 either). The 10 is a vivacious and vibrant whiskey, the Springbank character with verve. In fact, I was bowled over that such a young and affordable whisky could have so much going on. But the 15 is more even refined and complex, as you'd expect. It's grownup whisky, a dram to sit and ponder for a while. And the way the glass smells half an hour after being emptied...ahh...

Springbank is definitely unlike any other distillery.

Ch

@Charlie-Davis thanks for sharing...I bought the 10, it was the last bottle left in in the store, I will be toasting with you this evening! slainte!

@lucadanna1985 eager to hear what you think of the Springbank 10.

I agree with Charlie Davis about the 15. Terrific whisky. If you ever get a chance to try the 18, though, well, do it -- there's nothing else like it.

For peatier stuff, give Longrow CV a chance. Very good and not a budget buster.

If you want something completely different -- and less expensive -- go for a Kilkerran Work in Progress. The 2009 is likely sold out all around, but the 2010 is slightly more stunning anyway. Oilier and more flavor too. Very good, and only six years old (the 2010).

@two-bit-cowboy I gave it a first try yesterday and I'm quite happy with it...it has a taliskerish character, but with a milky note that I thoroughly enjoyed...also the spices on the nose and palate were quite good! I had guessed some of its features from the 12 claret wood, but there the high strength and the wine treatment puzzled tha taste, though in a positive way...now I have it in a purer form! It's definitely my cup of tea...

@lucadanna1985 Longrow cv is glorious, also if you can source a mcphails bottling of Glen Scotia from Gordon & Mcphail in Elgin you wont be doing yourself any harm at all. Also the hazelburn mentioned earlier. Enjoy!

@whiskynig the only glen scotia I've noticed here is a 15 yo from 1992, bottled by Murray McDavid and finished in rum casks...it comes at a strength of 46% and the price it's ca 80 euro...any suggestions?