Laphroaig
 

Oh man is this stuff good. My dad turned me on to it a few years ago and as scotches go, its the best. I've gone out of my way to try a host of other single malts, including all the big names in islay malts and this is my favorite hands down. Sipping on some cask strength right now and its disappointing to see less than an inch left in the bottle. Might be a while before I can get another bottle around here.

Bowmore 12 and Laphroig 10 are a couple of my favorites. Macallan 18 in hand...

Great whiskey.

Laphroaig 10 and Laphroaig cask strength in my liquor cabinet right now... my very favorite single malt. My dad turned me onto it as well!

The 10 is definitely one of my favorite Islay (pronounced "eye-lah" btw) single malts. Some even prefer it over the 15. Although, I'd have to say my personal preference would be the Bowmore 15, then Lagavulin, then Laphroaig. If you want a change from the peaty Islay stuff, try some of the Highlands singles (Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Macallan Cask, Dalwhinnie 15, etc.).

As with all good singles, it's usually best to swirl in a tiny splash of purified room-temperature water to release the aromatics/volatiles, etc. Enjoy!

if you enjoy the big peaty Islay malts like Laphroaig ... you might like Laguvulin, Ardbeg and Bowmore. Laphroaig is amazing- and none too subtle. god bless the Scots....

12 and 21 year old Balvinie for me...

a fine dram, but a speyside. our poster clearly enjoys an islay....

Ardbegh is like drinking scotch in a forest fire. SMOKY!

I'll take Macallen.

I got a coupke of bottles of Port Charlotte a while back - 61.6% PLUS 40PPM PEAT. Essentially a very heavily peated Bruichladdich. Should be great!!

Laphroaig is damn good, but it lacks some of the subtlety of the higher end single malts. It's like an Austalian shiraz compared to a French bourdeaux. Both extremely good at what they do, but one packs a hell of a punch whereas the other's strength is in its subtleties.

However I would venture that Laphroaig is the absolute best value for single malts out there, at least of the ones I've tried.

You damn name droppers. I'm big time on the mend from my eye issue & trying to behave myself.

mmmm still have a little 17 year old Glenburgie left and the special treat is 24 year McDuff.

Speedy:)

Well, thats harsh. :)

If you were going to compare an Australian truck driver shiraz to the old world wonders of France, like for like? Shiraz to Rhone, Cabernet to Bourdeux?

By the way, great to see that Canada can make a decent syrah. Voted second best in the world by the Frenchies in the Syrah du Monde (Shiraz of the World) competetion a few weeks back. Well done Canada.

http://www.syrah-du-monde.com/pages/20_result/index.en.html

There is no "e"in whisky. Everyone else uses it, but not the Scottish.

Lagavulin, Talisker, Balvinie; all good, smokey. peaty single malts. Laphroaig strikes me as artificially so. Still on my very short list of favorites, but I have to more "in the mood" for it than some of the more subtle ones.

All of these are way more complex than Laphroig, there is no doubt. Laphroig is like being hit in the face with a shovel full of damp Scottish dirt.

How in the world do they get that Talisker to smell and taste you just stuck your head under the lid of your bbq grill? It's amazing. As I type I'm drinking Dewars. When I have cause to celebrate I spring for a bottle of 15 Balvenie. Joe, how can you like the 12 after drinking the 15 and 21?

FYI if anyone is close to a "BevMo" beverage store, you can sign up for their card/membership (free) and get decent discounts. Am currently sipping some Glenfiddich 18 (pleasantly surprised) I picked up for $46 + $10 off + additional 5% off (ordered online prior to in-store pick-up). ;)



Rick & Joe:
We should get together soon for some grub, a bit o' Scotch, and maybe a dog-rocket (see-gar).