Whisk(e)y? What Colour/Brand takes your fancy?

[tuapekastar]

I tried Scotch as a teenager and did not like it at all. Jump forward to about 2008, and I discovered a bottle of Macallan 12yo in a cupboard, and recalled that I had bought it DF at LHR in 2000. I still don't know why.
A little bit was missing so I must have tried it back then, and since forgot about it. Anyway, long story short I tried it again and it was 'OK'. That's now finished, along with subsequent DF purchases (Macallan Elegancia and Macallan Select Oak). The latter two are/were made specifically for the DF market, and I'll likely purchase another Macallan DF upon return from NZ after Easter.

So I don't know my Islays from my Speysides, but I have enjoyed the Macallans I have bought. (I did sit down with a scotch-loving mate in York a couple of years ago and we finished 5 of his single malt bottles, with him explaining what/where from each one was. That was quite good! (I hasten to add that these were nowhere near full when we commenced)!

 

[wafliron]

I'd count myself as a novice/eager student at drinking Whisky. And at a dram a week, not a fast drinker (sadly). But it means the following army is always ready for disposal

Ardbeg 10yo
Glenfiddich 12yo
Highland Park 12yo
Balvenie Goldencask 14yo
Johnnie Walker Green Label 15yo
Balvenie Portwood 21yo

Thoughts on Above:
Highland park 12yo is an outstanding single malt entry point (really shows up the Glenfiddich 12yo as a basic single malt);
Ardbeg 10 really is a lovely entry into Islay peat;
Johnnie Green is an interesting blended malt and worth having before it disappears forever;
Balvenie Goldencask just doesn't do much for me - pretty lightweight and not nearly as multifaceted as the
Balvenie 21yo Portwood, which is just a divine spirit and my pick of the bunch.

Thanks for sharing.

I'm going to have to buy a bottle of the Highland Park 12, given that Glenfiddich 12 (and sometimes Glenlivet 12) tend to be my "go to" entry-point single malts. Looks like the Highland Park is a little pricier though (according to Boozle - which, if anyone here isn't using, you should be!).

I must be one of the few people here who don't really like Ardberg - for some reason both varieties I've tried give be pretty severe heartburn, as well as not really liking the taste that much.

 

[cove]

Tomorrow we are driving to Albany and we expect to visit the whiskey maker down there. Has anyone tried Limeburner?
We are taking the olds and they drink whiskey so let the good times roll.

 

[carwashhair]

Thanks for sharing.

I'm going to have to buy a bottle of the Highland Park 12, given that Glenfiddich 12 (and sometimes Glenlivet 12) tend to be my "go to" entry-point single malts. Looks like the Highland Park is a little pricier though

It's a bit pricier (anything less than $65 should be snapped up, $70 is about right), but for the smallish additional outlay, I think it delivers a lot more.

As for the mention of Corio Whisky above, i've heard things about this drink - and not one of them positive! Seems like Australian Whisky is coming along in leaps and bounds compared to what came before.

 

[wafliron]

It's a bit pricier (anything less than $65 should be snapped up, $70 is about right), but for the smallish additional outlay, I think it delivers a lot more.

Definitely going to try it out - I've already setup Boozle to alert me to when it's on special at a local bottle shop!

 

[sweens]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Bought a 700 mil bottle of Glenlivet 12YO at Dans today $44...SYD DF price $60 for 1 L about the same?

 

[opusman]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Bought a 700 mil bottle of Glenlivet 12YO at Dans today $44...SYD DF price $60 for 1 L about the same?

Almost $3 cheaper, can't really complain about that!

 

[Febs]

Lots! www.timeforwhisky.com is my blog.

Generally enjoy Speyside and Islay malts above most others, though I love a good Bourbon (Basil Haydens, Pappy van Winkle are great) and also my world whiskies.

Best drop I ever tried though was this:
http://www.timeforwhisky.com/2012/12/tasted-glenfiddich-40yo.html

$3,300/bottle though...not an everyday dram!

Cheers
Febs.

 

[bossreggie]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Those of you who have been to drinks with me will be aware of my fondness for whisky.

I am very much in the 777 camp with my love being the very peaty drops, generally from Islay.

Relatively speaking, my drinks of choice are quite inexpensive. Lagavulin and Laphroaig are my top choices. I do prefer the 1/4 cask with Laphroaig.

One of the things I love about England, is that I can just go to my local Waitrose and purchase both of these. In fact, over here, Laphroaig 1/4 cask is £33, the same price as Glenfiddich 12 Y/O. Lagavulin is around £40. These are cheaper than duty free prices in Australia. Actually cheaper than at LHR duty free. Not that anyone buys duty free alcohol at Heathrow.

Now for the part which will upset Whisky purists. I have my whisky the same way regardless of what type it is. I never change and I don't expect I ever will.

I only drink out of a whisky tumbler. Seems obvious, but not everywhere has them. I have actually sent my assistant out to purchase one for me when I've been somewhere that doesn't use them.


My glass has to be completely full of ice. I have a double, and I also like a small amount of coke. I'm very fussy with this as well. It has to be a new bottle/can with every drink. I will not have post-mix or an open bottle. Some have seen the small "discussion" I had in Brisbane when the bar didn't have new bottles of coke and I sent out for them. Needless to say, I won.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Those of you who have been to drinks with me will be aware of my fondness for whisky.

Now for the part which will upset Whisky purists. I have my whisky the same way regardless of what type it is. I never change and I don't expect I ever will.

I only drink out of a whisky tumbler


My glass has to be completely full of ice. I have a double, and I also like a small amount of coke. .

:shock: :shock: I was with you up until the coke part.
Maybe we should stick to TeKoko to avoid an argument

 

[bossreggie]

:shock: :shock: I was with you up until the coke part.
Maybe we should stick to TeKoko to avoid an argument

I know Princess. A lot of people find the way I like my whisky to be totally wrong.

For my 40th. As all my friends know how much I love Whisky. I received a number of 40 Y/O bottles of whisky. Including Glenfarcas, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Glenfiddich etc. To be fair, I did try all of these 'neat', however I reverted to my usual way.

When I go to a new restaurant or hotel and I order my whisky. it is not uncommon to see that I am probably drinking my whisky in a manner that is not considered correct.

It's a matter of taste. I like things how I like them. Remember I also love my steak rare!!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I know Princess. A lot of people find the way I like my whisky to be totally wrong.

For my 40th. As all my friends know how much I love Whisky. I received a number of 40 Y/O bottles of whisky. Including Glenfarcas, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Glenfiddich etc. To be fair, I did try all of these 'neat', however I reverted to my usual way.

When I go to a new restaurant or hotel and I order my whisky. it is not uncommon to see that I am probably drinking my whisky in a manner that is not considered correct.

It's a matter of taste. I like things how I like them. Remember I also love my steak rare!!

Ok, but promise me you'll try a Highland Park with a splash of spring water when our paths cross again ?

 

[wafliron]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Relatively speaking, my drinks of choice are quite inexpensive. Lagavulin and Laphroaig are my top choices. I do prefer the 1/4 cask with Laphroaig.

As do I (prefer the Quarter Cask). Seems we're in the minority based on my very informal survey of Laphroig drinkers though.

One of the things I love about England, is that I can just go to my local Waitrose and purchase both of these. In fact, over here, Laphroaig 1/4 cask is £33, the same price as Glenfiddich 12 Y/O. Lagavulin is around £40.

Jealous! My experience down-under is that Lagavulin is damn hard to even find (although it's gotten a bit easier recently), let alone for only a little bit more money than Glenfiddich 12.

Now for the part which will upset Whisky purists. I have my whisky the same way regardless of what type it is. I never change and I don't expect I ever will.

I only drink out of a whisky tumbler. Seems obvious, but not everywhere has them. I have actually sent my assistant out to purchase one for me when I've been somewhere that doesn't use them.

My glass has to be completely full of ice. I have a double, and I also like a small amount of coke. I'm very fussy with this as well. It has to be a new bottle/can with every drink. I will not have post-mix or an open bottle. Some have seen the small "discussion" I had in Brisbane when the bar didn't have new bottles of coke and I sent out for them. Needless to say, I won.

Upset - no. A bit confused - yes But then again I'd hardly call myself a whiskey "purist". If you don't mind me asking, what "path" did you take to end up with this preference, particularly the small amount of coke? i.e., I can't imagine the first time you drank whiskey you had it this way, you would have developed the preference over time.

 

[bossreggie]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Wafliron.

When I was younger I used to enjoy a 'scotch & coke' as my drink of choice. That was before I discovered my love of wine. As I got older I began dining out at better restaurants and I quite often had a drink to end the evening. I never enjoyed brandy so I began tasting single malt whisky.

I did not really enjoy it 'neat' so began having ice. A friend of mine was at dinner with me one night with his wife and I asked him to join me for a whisky after dinner. I ordered Lagavulin which was my favourite. I ordered it with plenty of ice but he found it a bit 'smokey' He poured a small amount of coke in it to take away the smokey taste and I tried it. I really loved the taste and the rest is history!!

Give it a go some time. You may just like it!!:shock:

 

[wafliron]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Interesting. I must admit to being a bit sceptical, but I'm going to have to try it now Is there a particular measure of "a small amount" that you use? And thanks for sharing!

 

[Princess Fiona]

BA has opened a new Galleries Lounge in GLA and is serving an 18 yr old Glenlivet
Shall be sampling a dram in a couple of weeks ( in the interests of quality assurance purposes of course )

 

[samh004]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Relatively speaking, my drinks of choice are quite inexpensive. Lagavulin and Laphroaig are my top choices. I do prefer the 1/4 cask with Laphroaig.

Now for the part which will upset Whisky purists. I have my whisky the same way regardless of what type it is. I never change and I don't expect I ever will.

I only drink out of a whisky tumbler. Seems obvious, but not everywhere has them. I have actually sent my assistant out to purchase one for me when I've been somewhere that doesn't use them.

My glass has to be completely full of ice. I have a double, and I also like a small amount of coke. I'm very fussy with this as well. It has to be a new bottle/can with every drink. I will not have post-mix or an open bottle. Some have seen the small "discussion" I had in Brisbane when the bar didn't have new bottles of coke and I sent out for them. Needless to say, I won.

I can't remember if I filled your glass to the top with ice when you came round for a drink, but I do remember it was Laphroaig, because that's all we stock in the whiskey department!

 

[whatmeworry]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Similar to bossreggie, I like whiskey with lot of ice with a splash of coke or none at all.

I still love Jameson Irish Whiskey on the rocks after a mature age student at Uni introduced it to me 16 years ago after spending my adolescent years drinking with that cough called JW Red. These days my standard whiskey is Canadian Club and if price dictates Jameson. The only single malt I have tried is Glen Moray. I don't think anybody has mentioned it yet, but at BWS and Dan Murphy's usually has it on sale for only ~$35 and ~$40 for the 12yr old. I have heard Craig Ferguson (When he was a drunk) recommend Highland Park on his show. So usually I listen to Scots when it comes to Scottish whiskeys. Also another Scot in BRE told me never bother with young blended whiskeys like JW.

 

[Deleted User]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Been a long day here today, just settled down with a nice double JW Platinum, touch of water & two cubes of ice...perfection

Sometimes the small things in life make it all worth it

 

[Febs]

Re: Cheap Duty Free Liquor Airports - the JW Black Index

Anyone else here a fan of Aussie whisky? I'm fond of a few of them, especially Overeem.

I also recently tried a new Melbournian whisky (Starward), and met the CEO and founder. Very nice whisky - even more so considering the age!
Time for Whisky.com: A coffee with David Vitale (CEO and Founder, New World Whisky Distillery)

Cheers,
- Febs.