Whisky advice sought

[karohemd]

*looks at whiskeylover, sue_b and suzerain hopefully*

The lovely bottle of Bowmore Legend I have is slowly but surely running out which means I will have to find a replacement.

I like smooth but strong tasting Single Malts. I'd like to taste the flavour, not burn my throat.

Any recommendations? My maximum budget is about 25 quid, maybe 30 if it's really good.

Comments

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

The Whisky Shop have a lot of good stuff (or did when I last needed to buy some nice whisky, anyhow)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link!
The first question is which one, not where, though.

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

As far as I remember they offer little reviews of each one, which should help with the decision... I can't, I don't drink whisky often enough.

[omentide.livejournal.com]

Abelour (?sp) is gorgeous. Possibly above budget, though.

Jura is also nice. Not too smokey.

[whiskeylover.livejournal.com]

Aberlour 10 y.o. is a very pleasant but quite mild Speyside whisky, while Isle of Jura is rather sweet. Aberlour will set you back approx 20 quid.

If you're looking for a smoky and peaty replacement for Bowmore (even though the 'Legend' is a comparatively mild Bowmore) one of my top suggestions would be the Ardbeg 10 y.o., which is now being offered at supermarkets across the country for between 18 and 23 quid. Check on the bottle, that you get the non-chill filtered version.

Alternatives are Lagavulin 16 y.o., which is also rather nice but a bit more expensive (and in my opinion the price difference to Ardbeg is not justified), keep away from the Distiller's edition of this though- overpriced and too mellow, Laphroaig 10 y.o., which is considerably harsher than Bowmore, with more hints of seaweed and tar, but in my opinion not as much body as any of the above. Having said that, the cask strength Laphroaig is really not bad, but also considerably more expensive. Caol Ila is a personal favourite, also from Islay, but lighter than the others. Difficult to find in the shops though.

My advice would be the Ardbeg 10 y.o.- don't be tempted into buying the Ardbeg 1977 or the 16 y.o. just because they are more expensive- as far as I'm concerned, the additional aging did not really work in favour of Ardbeg, as it takes away some of the bite that makes it so exceedingly pleasant.

Enjoy

[whiskeylover.livejournal.com]

Or (having re-read your original post) if you are looking for a whisky that's different in style to the Bowmore, try a Longmorn or a Strathisla (not quite as common, but I find them far preferable to the most popular of that region, the Macallan). Clyneleish also do exceedingly nice whiskies. Of the classic malts, Cragganmore and Talisker are also gorgeous (and here the distiller's edition is very good).

So, my advice list would be:

Ardbeg- strong, smoky, peaty but nevertheless very rounded

Talisker- perhps slightly smoother than Ardbeg, also round, earthy taste, quite heavy

Cragganmore- slightly lighter than the above, nevertheless complex

Longmorn- more of an aperitif or breakfast whisky, while there is a lot of depth and complexity of flavour, it is not as punchy as the others.

Any further questions, don't hesitate to ask. If you want to get into serious whisky, have a look at www.smws.co.uk- if anything takes your fancy there, tell me, I can order it for you (as a hint as all their listings are done on numbers not names, Bowmore is No.3)

Suggestions

[sue-b.livejournal.com]

My three are

Glendronach 15 yr old - sherry cask matured highland whiskey and certainly slides sweetily and very smoothly.
&
Lochindaal 10 yr old - Islay whiskeys are generally smokey - but this is very drinkable and smells wonderful
&
Highland Park - This one I am going to have to take Malcolm's word on because a bottle never lasts long enough in my house for me to get a taster. Last bottle went in an evenings drinking - I had a very hung over and delicate Malcolm the following day as did my best mate with her husband.

If in doubt about a whiskey - get a miniature and taste it that way.....

BTW all of these are below 25 quid and readily available from off licenses

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

Glendronach - it's darker than Macallan & Glenlivet, but not peaty like the Islays.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for your recommendations everybody!

[whiskeylover.livejournal.com]

Hmm- now, how many bottles are you going to get? ;)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

We'll see :o)

[suzerain.livejournal.com]

well, if you're looking for a subtle malt, I'd heartily reccommend Glen Ord. it's not too peaty, and it's got a soft texture. otherwise, Talisker if you're wanting a subtle islands malt instead of a throat-burning feeling...

one southern malt that's rather malted but otherwise very nice is Royal Lochnagar - probably closer to £30, but if you're lucky, it's sometimes found for £25...

suz.
(goes for glen ord usually)

[borange.livejournal.com]

hmm well after spending a night drinking various malts

and being scottish and all ;op

1) Glenfiddich - easiest to find and nice ( various years but usual is 25 year special)

2) Talisker - find the older ones if you can tho any will do :)

3) Lagavulin - 16 year old ( hmmm had 3 or 4 of these today ;o)

4) Laphroaig

people have mentioned Isle of Jura - in a word - MINGING absolutley horrible stuff
(well ok not quite but it tends to sit on the shelf with bells and Grouse in Scotland.....)

Highland park was also mentioned - ok(ish) older years better tho