The Great Whisky (Whiskey) Thread!
 

***

If this already exists, feel free to put a link to the proper thread...I searched and found a bourbon thread but alas , no whiskey thread which makes me think my search-fu failed....

But, in case there is not already a whiskey thread:

This thread shall be dedicated to all types of Whiskey.

I will try to make some sort of index up here, as more information is added.

*This is a work in progress...

Whisky / Whiskey
"A type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash"
Each of the subcategories will be defined and include recommendations at different rough price points. Please feel free to post up a recommendation and I will try to get a rough price estimate....

Scotch

Map of Scotch Regions

Spoiler!

http://www.acespirits.com/lib/yhst-4...region-map.jpg

There are very strict rules as to which whiskies can be called Scotch. To be called scotch firstly and foremost, the whisky must be made in Scotland. Second, it must be made according to a manner prescribed in detail, by Scottish law. For more see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_whisky

Single Malt Scotch

To be a "single malt scotch" the whisky must be a "scotch" (duh!) and ALSO be made of ' only water & malted barley at a SINGLE distillery via batch distillation' (see here: LINK)

Blended Scotch

Must be a scotch (see above)..but: Most whisky is blended. It is easier and cheaper to make better tasting whisky than if you attempt the difficult talk of making a single malt. Master blenders do tastings and come up with blends of many different whiskys to achieve a result that they feel is desirable.



Bourbon

Bourbon whiskey is a type of American whiskey: a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name is ultimately derived from the French Bourbon dynasty, although it is disputed whether Bourbon County in Kentucky or Bourbon Street in New Orleans inspired the whiskey's name.[1] Bourbon has been distilled since the 18th century.[2] The use of the term "Bourbon" for the whiskey has been traced to the 1820s, and the term began to be used consistently in Kentucky in the 1870s.[1] While bourbon may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the American South in general, and with Kentucky in particular. As of 2014, the distillers' wholesale market revenue for bourbon sold within the U.S. is about $2.7 billion, and bourbon makes up about two-thirds of the $1.6 billion of U.S. exports of distilled spirits.[3][4] (Wikipedia)


American Rye Whisky

In the United States, "rye whiskey" is, by law, made from a mash of at least 51 percent rye. (The other ingredients of the mash are usually corn and malted barley.) It is distilled to no more than 160 U.S. proof (80% abv), and aged in charred, new oak barrels. The whiskey must be put into such barrels at not more than 125 proof (62.5% abv). Rye whiskey that has been so aged for at least two years and has not been blended with other spirits may be further designated as "straight", as in "straight rye whiskey".<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference">[1]


Irish Whiskey

</sup><sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"></sup>Most Irish pot still whiskey is distilled thrice, while most (but not all) Scotch whisky is distilled twice. Peat is rarely used in the malting process, so that Irish whiskey has a smoother finish as opposed to the smoky, earthy overtones common to some Scotches. There are notable exceptions to these rules in both countries! (Some Irish whiskeys use peat, many Scotches do not)

Japanese Whiskey


Japanese Whiskey production first began around 1870. They started out by trying to emulate Scotch Whisky. Areas of Hokkaido are known to have climates similar to Scotland, and the difficulties of single malt production make it such that mainly Japanese whisky is blended.

I really REALLY like certain whiskeys and I cant stand others...I never really knew how much I liked whiskey until I found two things:

1) The right kind of whiskey for my tastes

2) The right way to drink it


For me, I like lighter single-malt Scotches - generally of the "Speyside" region....

My go-to Is Glenlivet 12 year old (cheap and decent) but I like to splurge on 18/21 on occasion.

I would love to branch out and try more Speysides to get a couple more 'daily drivers' in my stable...


Oh also, I find that I like mine on the rocks with just a TINY bit of water.

What say you??

How do you like your whisky? WHat are your favorites?

SPeyside Scotch:


http://www.acespirits.com/lib/yhst-4...region-map.jpg

I've found that the brand only helps the taste on the first 2 cups. After that I don't give a shit if it's high dollar or always save.

That could very well be true... a full 16 oz of of good whiskey, and then I probably wouldnt care all that much what I drank after...

But I cannot stand the really smokey or 'peaty' Scotches like some of the Highlands....maybe I just havent found the right ones, but I don't think i could pound 16 oz of that.

Its always a good idea to have 2 bottles around. Start with the good stuff, get a buzz then switch to cheaper.

If the gap is too big its hard to bridge.

I REALLY wish I liked scotch, or any whiskey whatsoever. But, it is the most sickening alcoholic drink out there. When I drink it, even mixed with coke, I get an immediate gag reflex. It's just terrible. I can down vodka, tequila, no problem. Why am I so unmanly?

I honestly think the taste of whiskey is coveted because gunslingers and all the cool cats back in the wild wild west drank it, so, people just thought it was cool to continue to drink it. But now that culture isn't really coveted, so I don't really have a good answer as to why whiskey is popular.

I usually start with the cheap stuff and then go to my sipping whiskeys

Thats EXACTLY how I was until I tried a glenlivet 18 on the rocks with a little water added...and then I suddenly just "got it"

That would be my suggestion....give a couple of lighter ones a try , on the rocks with like a tablespoon maybe of pure water added

I used to love scotch, but I've become a bourbon drinker.

As for scotches, I like the Islays. I've realized that I want my booze to slap me in the face. A lot of the highland/speyside scotches are way too subtle for me.

In all honesty, a lot of the more high priced bourbons are the same way. Four Roses is too sweet and subtle. Some of the Woodford is the same way. I like to taste what I'm drinking.

My current nightly drinker is Evan Williams 1783.

Hmmm Youll have to recommend me an Islay to work my way up to...

Every Islay I have tasted (not many, admittedly) tastes like a combination of lighter fluid and liquid smoke

That's pretty much the flavor. Laphroig is the classic and most popular. They're usually described as very medicinal, smokey, and peaty.

hmm maybe ill try again with a bit more water

Islay. All day.

Of course I also like very hoppy beer. I think the preferences are related.

Hmm well this is anecdotal....but I love hoppy beer...and I cant stand peat (so far)....

I live in the heart of hoppy beer land.......surround by yummy hoppy beers....

I'll have to give Islays more of a chance, but I am skeptical....

Templeton Rye

Last time I bought a bottle a drank 4/5th of it on the rocks that night.

Simply delicious.

I'm more of a craft beer guy but when I do partake is usually JWBL.

http://www.apetogentleman.com/wp-con...lker-Blue1.jpg

I wouldn't add water. Seriously (unless you're drinking neat and just adding a couple of drops to wake it up).

Temper the speed at which you drink it. Slow. Slow. Slow. Tiny sips. Be in the right frame of mind and place for drinking it (I suggest a table with one other person in a darkly lit bar/restaurant perhaps after a nice, intimate dinner or sitting at home next to a fireplace with a book). One drink, when you first start drinking islay scotches, might take you 30 minutes to an hour to drink (I wish they still did for me). They're intense and can create an atmosphere unto themselves.

Once you acquire the taste, though... it's dangerous.

OOOh. Yes. Excellent.

I really like JWBL too, its a great blend.

Heck I will even drink the lesser JWs......love em.

If you haven't tried Glenlivet 18/21 I bet you would like them

That could be a commercial.

I feel like i need to go now, and do this.

Dude seriously a bottle would last me 5 years but I may pick up a bottle for a good customer of mine to try. :thumb:

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T_d_VJbYAfc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nice tactic!!!!

That sure would win me over!

Macallan is the scotch of scotches.

Out west, the cheapest place to get it is at Trader Joe's. it's $34.99 for the Macallan 10 year (fine oak). I've found the 12 year (sherry casks) at CVS for $42.99 which is probably 15-20 dollars cheaper than anywhere else.

The best whiskeys I've had recently are Noah's Mill (kentucky bourbon), Westward Bourbon (Portland, OR), and Strannahan's (CO whiskey).

Stranahan's is THE. SHIT. PERIOD.

It's floral, complex, with a citrus finish that just cascades throughout your palate. I cannot recommend it enough.

The best thing to start doing is checking out if bars around town have a whiskey flight. After that, find the smallest town you can. Go to the diviest bar you can. And start ordering them with three ice cubes. You'll find your taste will adjust really quickly.

I like Scotch a lot, but I do prefer bourbons. To me, it isn't a one-or-the-other. I'm bi-whiskual.

My father-in-law is on the Johnny Walker Platinum lately. He'll pour me a finger or two before he heads off to bed.

The other night we spent the night at their house. When we woke up and were having breakfast I said, "Paul. I hope you don't mind, but I finished off the Johnny Walker last night after you went to bed."

I think he had a small heart attack.

You gotta work up to the peat, though. You can't go zero-to-Laphroaig.

That is some good stuff for a rye. My problem it is so limited and hard to find. You feel like an old prospector striking gold when you find a place that got its hands on some.

Yeah, I tried scotch once at a social gathering with my Texas socialite ex-girlfriend's family, and I ended up discretely tossing it down the drain (which I felt very bad about when I found out the cost).

I tried it again with same ex-girlfriend on a really nice date night at a great restaurant as we waited on our food, and I fell in love with Laphroig. It just had a whole mystique to it (we were dirty hippies at that time, and I think I felt like a cultured badass drinking it). Anyway, it stuck and became my drink of choice for years afterward.

Seriously? I feel like that's at literally every liquor store I go to.

I don't do ryes straight. Not only is the grain itself so potent, but the whiskey tends to be 90 proof or higher. It's for this reason that I only use Ryes in my old fashioneds and manhattans.

oh, and while we're at it... let me turn you onto something AMAZING.

barrel-aging cocktails.

You buy a barrel, such as... this one:

http://redheadoakbarrels.com/aging-b...aging-barrels/

http://redheadoakbarrels.com/wp-cont...ch-300x300.jpg

You mix up your cocktail (vieux carre, manhattan, old fashioned). You fill the charred new oak. You wait five weeks. You pour it into a bottle.

And you will never be able to drink it freshly mixed again. It's magic. But I use the higher alcohol ryes because aging cocktails not only smooths flavor out, it also reduces the ABV, so I still want my cocktails to have some punch.

You and I see eye to eye on Bourbons and I have pretty much made Evan Williams 1783 my daily drinker over Buffalo Trace.

I might add that a few drop of water in the 1783 really opens it up like you stated in latter posts. If you haven't tried give it a go It really is quiet amazing.

I am not a big scotch drinker but a good friend is and have partaken from his personal stash many a time.

This one is a favorite for me.
http://cdn.gauntleys.com/productimag...in-12-46.3.jpg

If I ever go back to drinking again it is strait to Scotch. I am a Scotchaholic.

You are doing it wrong.

The Flavor Map
Its a pretty good guide for the taste you are seeking.
http://silouanthompson.net/images/Si...lavour-Map.jpg

nice , thanks!

Really? I know of a few liquor stores in Lawrence that seemingly always have it in stock.

Saw a bottle for $39.99 on Sunday.

On that chart, I think I prefer delicate yet rich....

Glenlivet 18 is my #1 right now...

Funny the Bunnahabhain 12 is right there too, but I thouight it was an Islay & assumed it would be smoky....That might be my next 'cheap' bottle

I had started drinking scotch doing the Glenlivet thing for a while drinking the 15 year on occasion and enjoying it and then my brother had me taste some Laphroaig and I asked him what the **** was that? Medicine?

Then I gained a taste for peaty smokey stuff and the other stuff was too tame.

I was able to get a couple Dalwhinnie 15 for $30 a bottle a few years ago, that was a steal even though its a bit milder.

Love scotch, and pick up JWB at Sam's for $30. Thats a good deal.

Had some Templeton Rye last week, Sams is carrying that now. It wasn't bad but I prefer Scotch.

Sams Club has it for around $30.

Macallan 18 is my scotch of choice and Four Roses is who I turn to when I want a good bourbon.

Nice LMAO

We need BigOlChieffan to chime in on this, that guy knows his stuff.

Big fan of scotch, but can't drink bourbon the same way. Love the really peaty scotches, but the wife doesn't like it when I drink them. Something about it smelling like I've been chewing on tree bark all night.

bourbon all day. really loving Jeffersons Reserve.

I try to stay away from Bourbon, it puts me in weird, fighty-type of mood.

With that being said, I do enjoy a glass of Markers from time to time.

I've tried and loved all of the scotches on the smokey end of the spectrum except Ardbeg and the Caol ila. Love the peat.

I never post, just lurk, but I felt inspired to chime in on this one. I acquired a taste for Scotch a few years back and my wallet certainly regrets it. But I have sampled quite a few different offerings and have a decently well rounded bit of knowledge.

Based on what you've said about your tastes, I would recommend two in particular. One is the Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, and the other is Cragganmore 12. Both are Speysides with a rich flavor. I personally find the DoubleWood to be the best Balvenie and that includes their much more expensive offerings.

Personally, I love Islay whiskeys. I even go nuts for Octomore which I do not recommend unless you really want a heavy peat flavor. One that I would recommend you try is Bruichladdich's Laddie Ten. It has a great flavor profile, but not an overwhelming smoke or peat flavor. It would be the one I would suggest to anyone wanting to try an Islay, but who is on the fence about that style. Another choice in the same boat is Talisker's Amoroso Cask Distillers Edition. The only issue is the Talisker is about $80+ a bottle (by me -- NJ) and the Laddie Ten can be had for under $50 (think I paid $46 last time).

As far as something more American, High West did a small batch distillation called Campfire. It is a blend of rye, bourbon, and an Islay. Sounds bizarre, at least I thought so when I read the label, but it is absolutely delicious.

This is probably one of the few topics I love to talk about because there is so much out there and I'm always interested in trying something new.

The following is a list of some other Scotches (not already mentioned) that I stock regularly at home. Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions if you think I might like something else.

Ardmore Traditional
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte
Caol Ila 12 year
Dalmore 12 year
Dalmore 15 year
Lagavulin 12 year DE
Lagavulin 16 Year
Laphroaig 10 year
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Oban 14 Year
Talisker Storm

Edit: That was ridiculously long for a first post. Apologies.

I should come over to your house and we can have a tasting. I have a bottle of Clan McGregor and some Dewars that I can bring. PM me.

Train whistle roller coaster
Is the best part of whiskey
I love it

I power bombed a fool into oblivion after three bottle of jack Daniels back when.

Good times.

I tend to flip back and forth between Glenlivet and Chivas. I like burbon and a good crown royal as well. I'm pretty much an exclusive whiskey drinker. I'll have other mixed drinks from time to time but a good whiskey on the rocks is what I prefer. That and the occasional manhattan.

I also love a good cigar with my scotch. Not sure how many cigar smokers we have on here but I feel like the two pair nicely.

Holy shit, thanks every one!


I really appreciate the tips....I'm going to use your posts as a textbook....I wanna buy the 1st round to show my appreciation. Hopefully someday...

@indian chief: wow! Dude...... Thanks for tips. I will take them to heart.

I like Scotch - I'm mostly a bourbon man these days. I like Talisker & Highland Park and any of the 'rarer' J Walker blends if you're buying but it doesn't have to be a single malt to suit me, I love JW Black and my more or less daily pour is the 'Black Bottle' - an Islay blend that's worth looking for.
I learned to drink Scotch back in the 70's when blends were about all the bartender had on hand. My old favorite from those days was Teacher's Highland Cream. It's gone thru a few changes since then (all those 'single malts' used to be blended up into these good older blends, until they got to be too desirable and sold on their own - the old blends lost some magic, I'm sorry to say).
But if you're looking to make my favorite Scotch cocktail, try a big pour of Teacher's or your fave w/a smaller pour of Drambuie (1 part Drambuie to 3 parts scotch) This is a Rusty Nail, one of Humphrey Bogart's favorites - and mine. It's always tied up w/'end of a hunting day' in my mind - once the guns are cleaned and put away, you pour a Rusty Nail.

If you like a Manhattan, make one w/blended scotch instead of bourbon for a Rob Roy, if my memory serves (my memory sucks these days)

If you'd like to try a good alternative to Scotch or Bourbon - try a glass of good Irish whiskey. I like Bushmill's 'Black label' - a great, older blend. There are fancier bottles, but you'll never go wrong w/the 'Black Bush'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bottle

http://http://www.teacherswhisky.com/default.aspx?ReturnURL=/our-whisky/teachers-highland-cream/default.aspx

http://www.bushmills.com/

God, come to Iowa and the shit is everywhere.
I used to like Templeton, but that stuff gives me Whiskey face.
Now the only thing I can drink is Bourbon and it must be Cedar Ridge.

This thread makes me feel like I have to turn in my man-card. Liquor gives me a sharp pain in the pit of my stomach that feels like somebody is driving a nail through my gut. The only alcohol I can tolerate pain-free any more is the lightest of beers.

Isn't the distillery still in Iowa? Im not a huge fan of Rye Whiskey but that one is good. If you want rye whiskey face get ya some Old Grand Dad 100 proof.

Ditto. Started drinking single malts around 2000, but they have become very expensive. I now have to save up for a special bottle once or twice a year and drink them infrequently to make them last longer.

In the past 3-4 years I've switched to bourbon as my everyday pour with my cigars, as they are one-fourth to one-half the price of single malts. They're not as complex as most of my single malts, but they're good and smooth and go well with the smokes.

When I was young, an older friend of mine once told me that if you manage to get a taste for Scotch, you have a drinking problem. Why I took that to heart was the fact that this guy was full blown alchy...

At any rate, it's only been in the last 10 years or so I have really started to enjoy Bourbon's and Scotches, with Scotches coming in the last few years. One thing I have noticed is that over the last few years I can really tell the differences between the two. Whereas, when I was young couldnt even get the glass under my nose.

I'd say I'm partial to bourbon's at the moment if not for the fact that scotch does tend to get pricey. Anything out of the Buffalo Trace distillery and I'm good. My first taste of bourbon, was Pappy...it was so smooth it converted me from a gin/vodka exclusive drinker.

I knew you would have some quality input, well played sir.

Tomatin 15yr and Balvenie Carribean Cask. Both under $60 and very good.

I love Lagavulin. Love how the peat/smoke kicks you in the nuts.
Also give Dry Fly a try, out of Washington, lovely stuff.

I drink a fair amount of bourbon, usually sticking to bottles that offer a great quality-to-price ratio, like Eagle Rare or Four Roses Small Batch. I splurge in bars on special occasions; a neighborhood bar right near me in Philly has an incredibly deep bourbon selection (including various Pappys, Willets, and A.H. Hirsch) that will steal away my paycheck if I let it.

I have not explored Scotch nearly to the extent that I want to someday. I need a Scotch-loving friend to introduce me to some brands at his cost, heh. I do enjoy peaty-ass Laphroaig, but I might like less-peaty regions better than Islay. Won't know until I try.

I whole heartedly recommend Glenlivet 12 as a very inexpensive non-peaty 'test driver' (speyside single-malt)

You should be able to get a bottle for less than 40..maybe 30ish?

Then the 15 or 18 I think are going to be more rich and still not peaty....

I have seen really good deals on 15 at 'beverages and more' and places like that.... (maybe 40-50ish?)

I think the 18 should be able to be had for around 60-65 if you catch some kind of deal, maybe 75ish regular price (to me it is wonderful!)

But for the bang for the buck I really like the 12 (on the rocks) ...I havent found anything I like better (in that low $30 range) but there are some close ones...

I love me some Lagavulin.

Im a craft beer enthusiast. Ive yet to develop a palate for spirits. Perhaps once a year ill do boilermakers. For that it's Jameson's.

Actually jamesons is a very enjoyable spirit on its own....on the rocks after it melts a little...I could sip one right now ..good stuff

8-)

Its just that for around the same price you can get get a little better IMO (aforementioned glenlivet 12 being better IMO....)

Next time you go for some Jamesons, try a glenlivet 12...and this is coming from a guy who is like 50% Irish

Noted.

Also I am hoping to edit the OP so we can get some other recommendations at the different price points..

I'm sure theres lots of $30 options, and dont get me wrong...I will drink Jameson and smile

My brother got my a bottle of Jameson 18 year for Christmas a few years ago.

We drank the entire bottle that evening. Great stuff.

It used to be.
However it was a very coveted Rye Whiskey and they flooded the market.
Templeton Rye refers to rye whiskey originally made in Templeton, Iowa during the prohibition era as a way for farmers in the Carroll County area to supplement their income.[1] Amber in color, it was considered to be of particularly high quality and was popular in Chicago, Omaha, and Kansas City speakeasies.[2] It was said to be the mobster Al Capone's drink of choice.[3] More recently "Templeton Rye" has been introduced as a brand of whiskey that its producer claims is based on a prohibition-era recipe. Distribution outside of Iowa began in August 2007.[4] Templeton Rye is distilled and aged at Lawrenceburg Distillers[5] in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and is shipped to Iowa by tanker truck. It is then bottled at an Iowa facility. Lawrenceburg Distillers is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGP Ingredients,[6] a corporation headquartered in Atchison, Kansas.

Like I said I think I burned out on that "Whiskey Faced Rye"
For a serious Iowa Bourbon it is impossible to beat Cedar Ridge.
I love it neat.
http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1...exrxo1_400.jpg

I'm not a hard liquor drinker at all, but while travelling this past summer I had the chance to try some high-priced Scotch that was being sold in the Taipei airport (duty free shops). I believe it was called Glenfiddich. They had several different bottles open giving out free samples. I started with the lower priced bottle, but after a few I asked to try the highest priced bottle they had open. I don't remember the particulars, but they wanted over $200 for it (of course, it was in a airport). The first few I tried burned a bit going down, but that last one didn't burn at all. It was really smooth.

Bowmore Legend is a very good entry point into the peaty Islay single malts at round $30 (used to be able to get it for $20).

Highland Park 12 yr and Laphroaig 10 yr are very different but both remarkable at the the next price point, about $10 north.

I love Talisker and Lagavulin but not enough to indulge very often.

That's a damn fine first post...

I have trouble w/memory since I had a stroke some years ago, so some of this may be repeated - well, here it comes again.

For Bourbon, the best buy I know these days is W.L. Weller 12 year. Pappy Van Winkle ran the Weller distillery years ago, and the fellow who bottles Pappy and other Van Winkle bourbon was using 'prime' bottles of Weller for many years. I'm sure they've used that old stock up and they're bottling other whusk now - nevertheless, Weller 12 year is a great balance of price/quality. It's a 'wheater' bourbon (they use a lot of wheat in the mash instead of all corn/rye) and I happen to like those - YMMV - but it's good whusk.
The bourbon market has changed a lot in 20 years, stuff I'd have recommended years ago is no longer marketed by the old name - there's a lot of 'bottle A' now sold as 'bottle B' for twice the price - with just a nicer label, the same juice in the same glassware. Hence my recco for Weller 12 - if you can find it.
I happen to like the flavor profile of Wild Turkey. Unlike the 'wheater' above, it's a rye heavy bourbon. Their 'better' labels can get pretty spendy for not a ton of improvement to MY tastebuds, I've tried most of their spendy stuff over the years. I still buy WT 101 and I buy Wild Turkey Rare Breed. The Rare Breed is a little higher in proof - and I really like the taste. Buy it @ Costco if you can, best price I've found on it day in, day out.
A lot of bourbon ownership has changed in 20 years. That doesn't mean the whusk has changed all that much, most of the new owners have had the good sense to let things go along as they were before, if anything they're just upgrading the marketing appeal (fancier bottles & labels, same bourbon inside). But the folks who own Buffalo Trace should be mentioned here - they've swapped a lot of non-bourbon stuff around and wound up owning almost all the good bourbon labels I like besides the Wild Turkey line. They've improved the juice in the low-end products they bought (stuff like Rebel Yell) while maintaining good quality in their higher end stuff. They sell very little whiskey that I don't like - that's saying something.
Bourbon has become a lot more fashionable than it was in the 70's when I started drinking this stuff. It used to be a drink for old men and rough necks, then the marketing guys came up w/the idea of 'single barrel' and other higher end releases - next thing you know the 'good' whiskey got better (and spendier) the 'decent' whiskey had fewer gems hidden in there - that stuff got diverted to the good whiskey top shelf. That's ok. I stockpiled quite a bit of the stuff I like back when it was cheaper, with bad luck it'll outlast me and there'll be a big party when I kick the proverbial bucket. With good luck I'll drink it all first, and all y'all can buy your own.

I was in SF a little bit ago, while I was there I had Baterhouse Bourbon.

Man I love it, cant find it anywhere.

Anybody ever had it?

I picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 16 a while back on sale. I'm saving it for a special occasion. Not a huge whiskey guy but I've been working on acquiring a taste for it. Love me a rusty nail at this point.

Any recommendations for something a bit lower priced that I can "practice" with before I break into the Lagavulin? I just want to be able to appreciate it fully.

In order of increasing price:

Bowmore Legend (similar peatiness, but less complex)
Laphroaig 10 (peaty and complex, but the iodine and phenolics can be off-putting to the uninitiated. You could hate Laphroaig and still love the Lagavulin.)
Highland 12 (not as peaty as the the other two, more complex than Bowmore, and not as phenolic as Laphroaig. A very well balanced Islay.)

From what I understand lagavulin 16 is an Islay about 60$ a bottle. $55 at Costco, here.

It's going to be peaty and Smokey....and rich....

I'm not super up on Islay scorched to recommend one, but if you're working your way up..and want something with no peat, glenlivet 12 is really drinkable and a good starter. It's a speyside though. I like mine with ice, but no added water. After the ice starts melting.....man is it good. And closer to 30$ so very affordable.

I'm looking for a lightly peated entry level bottle too....I just like my scotch without peat so far.

I know others will disagree...but try some with & without to see what your preference is.