Which three Scotch Whiskies for your drinks cabinet

[Rugby]

I've started tinkering with Scotch in the last couple of years and read an article recently saying that you should have three decent bottles in the cabinet. At the moment my picks are Lagavulin 16yr old, Lapraoig 10yr old and Caol Ila 12yr old. What three bottles would you have in your cabinet?

 

[AviatorPJ]

I've started tinkering with Scotch in the last couple of years and read an article recently saying that you should have three decent bottles in the cabinet. At the moment my picks are Lagavulin 16yr old, Lapraoig 10yr old and Caol Ila 12yr old. What three bottles would you have in your cabinet?

I suggest you diversify. These three are all Islay malts. I'd keep Lagavulin 16 yr in and look around for one significant highland or a speyside or lowland

 

[Boris spatsky]

I love Islay. My 3 are Ardbeg Corryvreckan, lagavulin 16 yr and Laphroaig 18 yr.

 

[777]

<looks up at the shelf>

Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Lagavulin 16 year
Nant Homestead Reserve

... that's this month's selection anyway.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I had a bottle of Yamazaki 18 but i drank it...

 

[zig]

Not so much peat for me....
Glenmorangie
Highland Park
Macallan
Redbreast - this is Irish Whisky, not a Scotch Whiskey

 

[carwashhair]

Geez, just 3? I've got a Lagavulin 16yo, glenmorangie 12yo nectar d'or, Ardbeg 10yo, balvenie 21yo portwood and a glenfarclas 15yo. And then there's the glenfiddich and johnnie walker green for guests.
Pressed to pick 3, it'd be the balvenie, the glenfarclas and the Ardbeg.

 

[doctau]

My shelf currently has: Laphroaig 10yo, Laphroaig PX cask, a Glennorangie, and a Jameson bottle with pen marks in it changed to say "James' own". I may have accidentally left some malted barley soaking in water, and then spilt it on my father-in-law's still. Oops

 

[amaroo]

The Macallan 18 .... 25 when I'm out on the town with limited self control

 

[juddles]

Always have a bottle of Johhnie Walker Red - for ¨special¨ guests

 

[Longers]

Laphroaig 10yo, Highland Park 12yo, have a nice Chivas 18yo as blended option

 

[bismarck]

Dalmore 15 y.o is a personal favourite.

 

[Geegeela]

I suggest you diversify. These three are all Islay malts. I'd keep Lagavulin 16 yr in and look around for one significant highland or a speyside or lowland

Here's a bit more for your thinking.

Not all single malts from Islay are for peat freaks » The Spectator

 

[AviatorPJ]

Here's a bit more for your thinking.

Not all single malts from Islay are for peat freaks » The Spectator

The Craigellachie mentioned in the Spectator article - which I have yet to enjoy - is touted as a wonderful Speyside malt. Point in question. And why I suggest some diversification in rugby's drinks cabinet from a sole reliance on the three - all be they delightful - peated Islay malts.

PS. This discussion could go a little OT - but closer to home - if we considered some of the current Tasmanian malt offerings ... Cheers, PJ

 

[AviatorPJ]

Always have a bottle of Johhnie Walker Red - for ¨special¨ guests

Don't forget the diet Coke.

 

[artemis]

Yamazaki 12 yo, Balvenie 15 yo, Macallan 18 yo.

But this is just chance, rather than by design...

 

[Princess Fiona]

Not adding anything of significance to the thread right now but as a public health warning :
Do not go to the hotel bar and drink a bottle and a half of single malt between four people and expect to function in the morning
I attempted this feat last night and it was an abysmal failure

 

[Steady]

I like the Glenmorangie offerings but there are also some very good ones from Tassie

 

[Febs]

I like my whisky just a bit, so picking only 3 is a bit difficult, but a fun challenge nonetheless.

Seeing as you said Scotch (as opposed to Irish, Australian, Japanese, American etc...) I guess I'd go with the following if we're talking about easy to find, standard offerings:
- Lagavulin 16
- Aberlour A'bunadh
- Balvenie 15yo single barrel (the older Bourbon barrel one, not the newer Sherry one)
(Bit of variety - smoky, sherried and sweet. )

...and these if we're talking something a little more unusual, and not limiting it to Scotch:
- SMWS 121.61 (a 10 year old, 61.1% Arran which tastes unlike any Arran I've had before it. Phenomenal whisky - heavily sherried, syrupy, intense, but incredibly smooth.)
- Ardbeg Alligator (still my favourite Islay malt, sadly quite difficult to come by these days)
- Starward / New World Whisky Distillery Single Cask #1 (an Aussie whisky distilled and aged 5 minutes from Tullamarine airport. I've given this one to plenty of people and they're always amazed at what a 3 year old Aussie whisky can do. 105 bottles made and I've got 3 of 'em. )

Cheers,
Febs.

 

[Longers]

I like the Glenmorangie offerings but there are also some very good ones from Tassie

Slightly OT, off to Tassie this week, any recommendations re Hellyers Rd produce ?