Rep Your Whiskey (Whiskey R)

[Duderonomy]

Kilgoretrout74 said:

Laphroaig's single malt Scotch is a smokey stunner. Especially the 18 year old.



Interesting… I haven’t tried their 18yr, but had been researching the current ‘state’ of Laphroaig with a view to finding an expression that would in some way resemble the Scotch I used to drink in the ‘90s. Seems the cask strength is decent enough, but a lot sweeter than the core range, but everyone who drank any of the big names (Laph, Talisker, Oban, Laga, HP, Mac, Jura, Bowmore etc) in the ‘80s-‘90s agree that these brands are shadows of their former selves unfortunately and that the closest you’ll get to a decent one is through independent bottlers. Went to London a couple of weeks ago and picked up this:

It’s a three-quarters Laphroaig to one-quarter Coal Isla blend at 54.5% ABV, with some ageing in Sherry casks. I’m a big fan of peat + Sherry cask Scotch, but have to admit it’s drowned the Laphroaig profile - as I remember it* - a bit. But in a good way! Beautiful drink, really opens up with some water.

*it could be that no Laphroaig tastes as good as it used to these days, and if I really want a trip down memory lane I’d have to buy an old bottling (which luckily aren’t impossibly rare or prohibitively expensive).

 

[Duderonomy]

Open:
Ledaig 18yr
Signatory 100 Proof Secret Orkney (Highland Park 14yr)
Craigallachie 17yr
Bunnahabhain 12yr Cask Strength (‘22 edition!)
Port Charlotte 10yr

Unpoened:
1 x Ledaig 18yr
2 x Bunnahabhain 12yr Cask Strength (‘22 edition)
2 x Bladnoch 10yr
2 x Port Charlotte

I’d say that Port Charlotte is better than the Ledaig 18yr (in fact I’d say PC is the best 10yr on the market - better than Springbank).
The Signatory 100 Proof range is marvellous value. About £50 a bottle, the Secret Speyside 14yr (M) is Macallan at less than half the price of an official bottling, higher ABV, non-chill filtered and natural colour. They also have an “exceptional cask” series that’s supposedly very, very good. Apparently some distilleries are shocked to see their spirit being sold so… affordably.
@Nzshadow - if you’re a fan of sherried Scotch, the Bunna 12 CS is very good. The ‘21 not exceptional, the ‘23 higher ABV and rated much better, but should you see a ‘22 it’s the best of the series - grab it! I’d say it’s in the top 1 of this profile. Most of the 100 Proof range is also affordable sherried stuff.

 

[billbradley]

recent pick ups

 

[RAJ]

Heavy into the whiskey game atm. Two go-tos

 

[billbradley]

I'm a big fan of that Nikka Coffey Grain. I haven't seen a bottle around for a while though.

 

[ketan]

hadn't seen this ever before recently in my local shop and it's quite nice (a bit peaty) and good value - definitely stocking up the next time i go in.



Dun Bheagan