Single malt scotch fans?

JDaniel · JDaniel's Garage

Anyone else here into single malt scotch? When I'm not behind the wheel of my p-car I'm often found behind a bottle of Lagavulin. Mmmmm, it's like a glass of campfire. Peaty, smokey, it's too bad there's alcohol in it 'cause I could drink it all night.

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

I've liked both single and blended for a some time. Got a bottle of The Dimple Pinch in the cabinet and had some very nice Glenlivet recently. Don't really have a favorite but stuck with Dewars for a while

What do you prefer?

tabs52 · 03:57 AM

Getem all jacked up on Whiskey then we'll turn the mad dog loose. Jesus is gona be here soon an I bin faithful, an I bin so good except for drinkin but he knew that I would. I'm full of Whiskey I can't stand up.........

Several years ago a local department store went BK, I had the oportunity of buying some first class Single Malts for a good price. So I bin drinkin em...... McCallans 18 year old and Glenmorange 18 year old. I also bought a bottle of McCallans 25 year old and a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue label. Also I scored some Remy XO Cognac.

Ian Morton · 11-07-2002, 08:31 AM

McCallans and Glenmorange is British - how does it feel that you're drinking GOOD STUFF from the nation that you're racist against?

Isabo · 11-07-2002, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tabs52

Several years ago a local department store went BK, I had the oportunity of buying some first class Single Malts for a good price. So I bin drinkin em...... McCallans 18 year old and Glenmorange 18 year old. I also bought a bottle of McCallans 25 year old and a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue label. Also I scored some Remy XO Cognac.

I think someone has only a little superficial knowledge. The connoisseurs will have seen it and for the rest it doesn't matter.

tabs52 · 11-07-2002, 01:02 PM

If the United States didn't support the British the whole place woulda sank into the Alantic long ago...........

I'm RACIST against the British? What a repugnant thing to say, almost like saying U own a Brown car.....

I have 2 Airdales....British Dogs

I like the Avengers...British TV show

I like Madona.................... Just having her on your shores is like owning a Brown car......

I will be the first one to admit that I havn't tried very many Single Malts so I am no expert when it comes to them. But I was able to buy what I did for about $40 a bottle.

Ian Morton · 11-07-2002, 01:32 PM

U.S. supported Britain? Don´t make me laugh...

We discovered gravity
We invented electricity
We invented aeroplanes
We invented radio
We invented television
We invented World Wide Web

and millions more......

It´s the other way round.

JDaniel · JDaniel's Garage

Yeah, and I like single malt scotch too

The McCallan is not one of my favorites, it's too wine-sherry tasting. It's good, just not #1 on my list. I prefer an Islay... something with a bite.

Isabo · 11-07-2002, 02:36 PM

I like Macallan even if it is overmarketed in Italy and has become a bit of a poseurs drink. Islay is good, but on the whole I prefer Speyside whiskies. The Irish also make valid contributions to the art. However, it's cold and damp tonight so I think a shot or two of Lagalvulin would be the snort of choice.
Years ago there use to be a whisky bar on Lake Garda that would write off your tab if you requested a malt they couldn't supply. The malt would have to be listed in a reference directory they had for your tab to be written off.

tabs52 · 11-08-2002, 12:40 AM

Yeah but look what the British did with it......Lucas Electrics.... better known as the Prince of Darkness. Need I say more!

Rot 911 · 11-08-2002, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tabs52
I'm RACIST against the British?I like Madona.................... Just having her on your shores is like owning a Brown car......

Hey TABS, Madonna is American! I never ceased to be amazed at your lack of knowledge in so many different areas.

tabs52 · 11-08-2002, 11:08 AM

Not only is she American she's from the Motor City........Detroit. However she married a Brit and lives in LONDON....... thats in Britain you know.........

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

TABS--What does that mean? It sounds like you were saying
"Hey Look! I like the British.....I like Madonna! SEE!?!?! "

What is the quote you first were mentioning?? I'm kind of off here. What's that from?

Late.

11-09-2002, 01:47 AM

Lagavulin (sp?) is one of my favorites. I've tried many: Oban, Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, Dalwinnie, etc. Liked most, but always return to Lagavulin. 'Drank it in NYC last year while off duty during the recovery; it was very soothing. It took me back to the motherland...where the dreaded Campbell's slaughtered a good part of my clan at Glen Coe. Gotta get back.

Interesting though, scotch is cheaper when purchased here.

Isabo · 11-09-2002, 05:36 AM

Lagavulin - spelling? I'd have to check the label but even then I wouldn't know how to pronounce it! - "A rose by anyother name"

JDaniel · JDaniel's Garage

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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Reviewed by 16 Epinions users - Write a review

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Read Review of Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Author's Review About the Author

Was that my smoke detector going off?
Apr 19 '01 (Updated Apr 19 '01)

Author's Product Rating

Pros
Smooth, smoky, peaty delight. Heavenly.

Cons
Bah!

The Bottom Line
One of the best Scotch whiskies around. Try it, you'll be surprised!

Full Review

"Smoke in a bottle". That's how a friend of mine, nowadays a whisky-nerd just like me, described the 16 y.o. Lagavulin to me after his first taste of the stuff. "I swear that you could smell the smoke in my apartment the whole day once I had opened the bottle!", he went on to describe his virgin Islay experience.

And no, my smoke detector didn't actually go off when, intrigued by my friends surprise, I bought and opened a bottle for myself... The smoke did however stay in my unaccustomed nose for quite a while after my first tasting.

Lagavulin is distilled on the island of Islay, which is a very small but a very distinctive whisky region, in fame and prestige easily rivalling larger regions. An Islay whisky will usually lure you in with salty smokiness, and enchant you completely with tastes that fail to sound as inviting as they are when experienced "live"; peat, salt, medicinal notes - the rough rugged tastes of a rough rugged island.

Notably Lagavulin is a "parent whisky" to Laphroaig, the latter having been born in a tumultuous splintering off from the Lagavulin distillery - the battles and disagreements that formed the birth pains did pay off though, as the countless of Laphroaig lovers around the world will attest. With the new name on the island adding it's flavour to the Islay experience, Lagavulin continued making it's own unique brand the old way, which, quite rightly has earned it a position as one of the six Classic Malts.

Each Classic Malt represents a whisky from a different area in Scotland, Lagavulin being from Islay, Talisker from Isle of Skye, Oban from Western Highlands, Dalwhinnie from Central Highlands, Glenkinchie from Lowlands and Gragganmore from Speyside. They each have something special to "say" for single malt Scotch.

(A side-note: A huge minus for Epinions - they don't have Talisker listed, despite it being one of the Classic Malts, one of the best known, and best loved single malts in the world! It's almost like having a category for luxury watches and forgetting about Rolex. Embarrassing.)

Tasting recommendations

As always, those among you, dear readers, who thought about ice while reading any of the above should avoid going outside for a while. A bunch of angry whisky deities are just itching to zap you with a lightning bolt. Quality Scotch should always be drank warm.

And in the case of Lagavulin, for an unforgettable tasting experience, I would suggest that you warm it up a bit more than usual. If you want to do it really right, and I do recommend this, use a brandy glass, and warm it over a candle flame. To avoid staining the glass, while holding it above the flame slightly tilted, keep rotating it. Kind of like barbecue over an open fire… Warm it until the liquid inside is a bit warmer than body temperature, enjoying the mouth watering aroma while you are doing this.

If you do warm it like this, you can skip adding the drop of water (which is usually used to "open up" the flavours), and drink it straight. In fact, this is what I did for this tasting.

Tasting Notes

Aroma:

Very smoky and peaty. There's a hint of marine saltiness too, though the dominating peat smoke is likely to have you looking for it for a while…

Flavour:

Deep, warming, smooth smokiness with soft peat dominating - the peatiest whisky around. There's faint saltiness, and a wonderful hint of sweetness in the finish. The aftertaste lingers for what seems like an eternity, which is a very good thing in the case of such delight as Lagavulin.

Conclusion

One of the best single malts around, a must for anyone who... er... well, for everyone! Lagavulin is more accessible and less complex than it's "offspring" Laphroaig, which some people consider too harsh. Laphroaig is actually smokier of the two, though with it's peatiness Lagavulin may fool your nose to conclude otherwise.

A delight definitely worth it's price!

Recommended
Yes

Spirit Rating: A must - sensational

Isabo · 11-10-2002, 02:10 AM

"However, it's cold and damp tonight so I think a shot or two of Lagalvulin would be the snort of choice."

Laphroaig is the grown-ups alternative to night nurse or Vick's medinight! I love it too under the right circumstances!

What's the view on cask strenght? I've tried Springbank and a couple of others and I can't make up my mind if it's marketing hype or a serious choice. Offering it to novices and poseurs is a hoot! Worth the price just for their reaction.

tabs52 · 11-10-2002, 08:44 AM

I do like the British.......and Madona oh well the Brits can keep her and make her the Queen for all I care. I just don't like BROWN cars.

The quotes were lyrics from Tom Waits songs.......about drinking.

My Gawd J Daniel U make that Lagavulin stuff sound so enticing I am going to have to buy a bottle. Come to think of it I've tried maybe 5 different Single Malts over the years but never have kept track of them. There are so many I just lose track and get confused especially after drinking them....

I think maybe a better way to warm them is to just hold the glass of scotch in you hand and let body temperature do the warming. Hmmm lads

Isabo · 11-10-2002, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tabs52

I think maybe a better way to warm them is to just hold the glass of scotch in you hand and let body temperature do the warming. Hmmm lads

[/B]

I agree.
The way I was taught to add water was a teardrop at a time. and then drink it the sameway.
I hate clowns who drink fine wines, spirits and coffee as if they were quenching a fire in their throat with tap water.

JDaniel · JDaniel's Garage

Yes I like the Laphroaig too, but it's hard to get where I am. I look in liquor/package stores whenever I'm abroad.. sometimes I find it and sometimes I don't. It's like Absinthe... tough to get in some places, easier in others.