The Distillery "Ambassadors"

What you're talking about is pretty academic. If that's what floats your boat, go for it. You might want to read this recent article from the highly recommended (at least by me) My Annoying Opinions blog to get yourself clear on what exactly this character is that you're pursuing:

myannoyingopinions.com/2015/10/…

For me, I just go for the most enjoyable stuff to drink and the most enjoyable price to pay.

I think that you'll be missing out on some spectacular whiskies in favor of, as OlJas puts it, an academic approach. Begs to question, how do you like to drink whisky? I like good flavour and mostly the core expressions are not the best tasting ones from any given distillery. At least thats my experience

@bourbondrinker - Go for the GOLD! Find the expressions with a narrow cut, good wood, and timely selection. Core expressions are, not always, but often, available and affordable. Finding better expressions at the right price is my M. O.

You have a wealth of knowledge and experience available to you through the Connosr community. This site is an excellent pre-filter. Only you can determine what your preferences will be, but the information shared on these threads will seldom lead you astray.

I don't think the core /entry expressions are an effective way to find the best examples of a distillery. Depending on affordability, I would look for well-reviewed high quality examples, higher ABV (usually means less diluted flavour). Some good examples are :

Aberlour - A'Bunadh blows away the 10 or 12 Amrut - get anything 50% or higher Springbank - go for the 12 YO cask strength

Some exceptions apply. Talisker 10 is a great whisky. Caol Ila 12 is a good start (but I prefer the CS).

If price is an issue, my personal philosophy is drink less of better stuff.

sounds good @OlJas

@paddockjudge @Alexsweden @Nozinan . Hey guys I get the message loud and clear from all of you, and you're right! That's how I shifted from blends to single malts in the first place anyway...I guess i got carried away from the "bombarment" of new (to me) distilleries, new expresions and developed a need for chasing new tastes. Thanks to all of you!

@bourbondrinker

This is a natural (though possibly pricy) development. When I first got into whisky I bought widely. Unfortunately I couldn't open bottles as quickly as I could buy them. And with time my tastes developed and I have a clearer idea of what I like.

Turns out I like a lot of different styles. The bolder ones seem to be more to my liking, and I prefer, where possible, cask strength or close to it. There are exceptions, but not to many.

The result is I have many bottles waiting, some very patiently, for their turn. And there are some that I will likely never get to because there will always be something better. I'm thinking specifically of my Aberlours 10,12, 16 and 18 (I've opened an 18 before), Glenlivet 18, some Glen Breton, etc... At the same time I have some open bottles that will sit for a very long time.

Because I drink no more than one or two drams most weeks, sometimes none, I tend to reach for something really good. The other stuff is a rare choice.

What will I do with the dozen or so bottles I'll likely never want? I can't trade them because I believe you should never trade something less valuable than you are getting.

I opened a half bottle of Livet 12 I have been given, that was for a friend who was getting into scotch, and I serve it to her when she comes over. I'll likely do the same with the Livet 18. The others? any takers?

@Nozinan, I'll be over in a few weeks to clean out your bottom shelf.... after I help to cclean up your top shelf.

@paddockjudge I knew I could count on you!

@bourbondrinker, glad to be able to provide some input.

I think Nozinan makes a great point in pointing to reviews here on the site. I always consult connosr, aswell as other sources like ralfy and serge before purchasing. That helps me ascertain whats good and what is not. You don't need to spend a fortune to get amazing whisky, you just need help to find the gems.

@bourbondrinker, glad to be able to provide some input.

I think Nozinan makes a great point in pointing to reviews here on the site. I always consult connosr, aswell as other sources like ralfy and serge before purchasing. That helps me ascertain whats good and what is not. You don't need to spend a fortune to get amazing whisky, you just need help to find the gems.

Livet 18 is worth taking it slowly... just don't put any water in your glass it'll destroy it! @Nozinan

are you online now?@Alexsweden

I agree with you to an extent. I do most of my purchasing of core expressions of as many distilleries as possible. I think that is an excellent way to get the lay of the land. It can help you understand the general styles of different distilleries.

It is fun trying as many distilleries as possible and core expressions are much more affordable. However I wouldn't ever limit myself to these bottlings. The more you determine what you like - what styles and distilleries you like - then you can delve more into those by getting older, rarer, more expensive bottles.

You don't have to choose between exploring core expressions of many distilleries and splurging sometimes on better bottles. You can do BOTH!

@OCeallaigh

Fair enough, nothing stops one from attempting both, but there are a couple of potential obstacles.

One is financial. Some people cannot afford to buy a lot of different bottles and do one at a time.

The second is volume. I'm sure I could get through a lot more bottles if they were all 250 cc. With the disclaimer that I am not in this post advocating about healthy limits to consumption, I know from a personal scheduling standpoint that with the exception of a few planned tastings per year, I'm lucky if I can get in one, maybe 2 drams a week, and that's when I'm healthy (currently fighting a cold and envious of what I'm reading).

For people who have limited opportunities who want to explore good whisky, once they have gotten used to drinking something like a Livet 12 or entry whisky, I would recommend focusing on premium (not necessarily expensive), craft -presented whiskies. Make each opportunity count!

Yes, and there are a good number of those good quality, craft presented whiskies that don't cost much more than the 'Livet 12 or 'Fiddich 12. Good point @Nozinan.

Not really no - most, if not all, OB's are tinkered with to create a particular flavour profile that remains consistent during a 5-10 year period, which tends to lead to 'standards' that don't allow particular elements to 'jump out', if you get my drift. And surely that is what distillery character is all about..?!

Also - whisky just isn't meant to be 'controlled' in that way. It is far too dependent on it's water source, barley, malting process, casks and all the little variables that occur during distillation & maturation.

They are usually also too low in ABV% to really grip the palate - alcohol carries flavour, and the lower the ABV the lower, generally speaking, the 'power' of it's flavour.

I must admit, my goal for a very long time was to try something from each distillery in the form of an age statement core product. It was y starting point and the template for the distillery.

I've shifted gears to be more "strategic", this is from my own experience and partially from reading reviews from reliable sources (not marketing fluff).

For example, I've passed on the Arran 10 yr and never tried it. In it's place I've purchased the Cask Strength 12 yr & Arran Napoleon Cognac Cask (ABV 57.7%). I'm confident they will bring me more pleasure than the 10 possibly ever can.