Your favourite 18 year old Scotch?

Well that is super hard. The 18's are, generally speaking, my favorites. Off the top of my head, I'd give my top marks to Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist (the 2008 bottling is 18) and Yamazaki 18. Follow them up with Talisker 18 and Oban 18. Behind them, Laphroaig 18 and HP 18. And though it is a year shy, you've got to throw Old Pulteney 17 into the mix. All of these are excellent.

On the other end of the spectrum, Glenmorangie 18 was not very good to me, nor was the Glendronach 18 Allerdice.

For me this is a fairly easy one, Yamazaki 18, Kirin Fuji Sanroku Single Malt 18 and Bunnahabhain 18. Which one of the three is my number 1?... Depends on the day!

Talisker 18 yr, I love the 10 yr and then have a dram of the 18, liquid heaven. Every chance I get I have a family member bring a one over from the UK.

I didn't had a lot of 18 years old so far but the Yamazaki is a sure bet. Right now, I have a bottle of Tomatin 18 that is very good, very sherried. These days, I tend to buy younger whiskies or no-age ones with great reviews.

I would be very pleased to taste the Talisker 18 since the 10 is on my top ten list.

@JoeVelo the 18 yr old Talisker is pure gold my friend! VERY lovely!

I like the 18 Year Okd Caol Ila a lot. There is also a Lagavulin Dist. Edit. 1995 to 2013 that is about 18 Year Old. Splendid whisky as well... Macallen 18 y Sherry Oak. Springbank 18 y. There are loads of awesome 18 y. o. whiskies.

I'm convinced that Highland Park 18yo. is one of the all time great Whiskies, however it does need to be taken at a leisurely pace and needs time in the glass - The shallow cut peat with heather roots, foliage and what amounts to a compost imparts a perfume unlike any other in the World of Whisky: To say that the H/P18yo. is the most sophisticated of Whiskies is truly an understatement!

Slainte!

For me it would be a toss up between a Macallan 18yr sherry oak, a Laphroaig 18yr, or even a Glenlivet 18.

I second @A'bunadhman's recommendation for the Highland Park 18, although granted, my experience with 18yo whiskies is currently limited to the Glenfiddich 18 and the Highland Park 18...

Macallan Sherry Oak Gran Reserva 18 YOand the Highland Park 18 YO in the dumpy bottle will always be remembered.

Of the recent and current ones, the bottle of Glenlivet 18 YO that I currently have opened is really good. I remember the Nikka Taketsuru 17 YO (nearly 18) and the Hakushu 18 YO being excellent drinks when I was last in Japan. For some reason, I find the Yamazaki 18 YO being a little imbalance.

Airigh Nam Beist is absolutely magical. The Talisker is beautiful as well.

Haven't tried Yamazaki, but maybe I'll have to...

Highland Park 18 or Glenlivet 18. Tough call. Both are outstanding. If I had to choose I would go with HP 18 by a hair. Though I'm really starting to love Glenlivet 18.

For specifically 18 yr olds, I would go with Macallan 18 (if we're truly only doing Scotch). Otherwise, if we're going into whisky, I'd also agree with Yamazaki 18 (just let that first breath go and sit for a bit before tackling). I'd put it above Glenlivet 18 (I believe this has more to do with what type of dram profile you like, though).

IF we get into 17s and other varietals, this could be a long discussion.

Laphroaig 18

As Victor recommended, the longer I had the bottle, the better the whisky tasted.

Great suggestions out there! I had the Laphroaig 18 down as my next purchase but seeing the love of the HP18 I might have to rethink as I have enjoyed the 12. I know there are some big Aberlour A'Bunadh fans here so would be interested in opinions on the Aberlour 18. This is also something I want to try this year but as I'm sure you all feel the same.... So many 18's to try and only so much money to spend.

I tried the Aberlour 18. I liked it at first but it became bitter and off putting about 6-10 months after opening, despite being sprayed with Private Preserve.

But I was able to revive it by blending it with 2 parts Dalwhinnie, 1 part A'Bunadh (38), and a wee little bit of Glenlivet 12 YO.

All were so-so on their own but made for a pretty good blended malt.

I have to say I think the Aberlour is the best 18 year old I ever had. But I've only ever had one othe 18, a Glenlivet. if you go to "All Things Whisky" there is an older post that discusses at least half a dozen 18 year olds (and a 32 year old).

The 2008 Nam Beist for me is by far and away the best whisky ever - I've had a bottle sitting on a shelf tempting me for nearly two years now as I know I'll probably never afford another.

I also love Bowmore 18 but that seems to receive mixed opinions overall. Having said that everyone raves about Highland Park and Macallan 18yo but I think they're two of the most overrated distilleries out there, (not saying they're bad, in fact I really like them - just not worthy of the hyper-attention they get). Laphroaig 18 is great too.

Caol Ila 18 anyone? I have seen forums where this gets absolutely slated, but I love it.

1st- Yamazaki 18.
2nd - Nam Beist. 3rd - HP 18 (after it has been opened for over a couple months)

Forgive me, I havent' tried the Talisker 18, but will soon.

Now, off to a new discussion... 10-12 year olds

@Nemesis101 Yeah, the Caol Ila 18 is quite special. It hasn't been available round here (Calgary) in years, but I managed to nab a couple from back in 2008 or so that were still gathering dust.

One other here mentioned Bunnahabhain 18. Since the Burn Stewart rebranding and bump to 46.3% this is one of the best 18s out there.

Older bottles of Talisker 18 and Mac 18 were delicious. As were older Springbank and Longrow 18s.

At the top though, I'd have to agree with the masses...the '08 Airigh Nam Beist. Gone, but not forgotten.

Glenmorangie 18yo

Had no idea the early Beist was an 18. Argh. Now I'm even more upset it's gone daddy gone.

At any rate, I like Talisker 18, Glenfarclas 17, Highland Park 18, Tomatin 18, and Glengoyne 17.

The Macallan 18 is quite nice, but overpriced. It is nearly flawless in terms of being so smooth and delicious, but less interesting perhaps by way of raw "charisma" than some of the others I have listed.

@rigmorole I think that's a spot on assessment of Macallan 18.