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Worst malts. Two "Ls" come to mind.
The first is "Littlemill". Sue and I shared a miniature at Christmas. Neither of us got past the first sip. Nearest adjective that I can think of is 'puke'.
The second is "Laphroaig". I know its an Islay. I know that its worshipped by the 'great and the good'. I know that its endorsed by Prince Charles. Etc, etc, etc.
But I just can't stand it. All that I get from nose/taste is hospital, hospital, hospital. With maybe some turps thrown about for good measure.
But what of good malts? What drams should I seek out in the whisky bars of Edinburgh?
See you this enhances (or not) traditional malts.
Eek! No malts in my cabinet at the moment - have run out so had to drink Grouse last night. Not bad so long as the water's a bit chilled but it just ain't the same.....
The only malt I have which is so-so is "Glen Marnoch", which I was given, but for a £10 Aldi bottle I guess it's not bad.
Dr Galah
Strange you should ask about "wood finishes", as I've just completed a survey questionnaire for Glenmorangie on the subject. To be honest, I don't think that any of that distillery's finishes (eg Sherry, Port, Medeira) is a patch on standard Glenmorangie 10yo or 15yo. However, my wife totally disagreed.
However, I have found one 'gem'. Forgive me if I've mentioned it before.
Waitrose does an own-label Speyside Single Malt. Its a 21yo (1981) malt matured (not just finished) in Port Casks.
This is wonderfully full bodied dram. Nose of plums. Palate of fruit cake/spices. Gorgeous.
At the risk of upsetting my friend "Slainte", I'm going to quote Jime Murray's Whisky Bible:-
"An almost unique whisky for which Waitrose deserve enormous credit in adding to their own-label portfolio. A real dram for whisky lovers to learn a little more about the world's greatest spirit. I can see droves of European malt whisky lovers taking special flights to get hold of this one".
Now the price - £40? £50? £60? No, a mere £21 !!!! And its in store now.
Of course, I can't guarantee that you'll like it. However, no one that I know had been disappointed.
Dr Galah
Out of interest, are you a real "Dr"? If so, in what area? Possibly ornithology, given the budgie?
PS My spelling's bloody awful. Look at Madeira above)
I'll let you know what I think of it.
my moms birthday today,shes 74 and she wanted a bottle of glenmorangie,great taste my mom....
right confesion time...
im not drinking a malt right now,im drinking cognac,not just any cognac,hennessy x.o.,£80 a bottle and worth every penny....
Slainte
Have you any idea what the "Waitrose 21yo Port Wood" is? My first guess was "Balvenie", but they denied it outright. I'd love to know.
Are you in the whisky trade?
Ta....
Slainte
Forgive me if I've asked this question before, but I post on more than one whisky related website.
When I went to "Whisky Live" in 2001, I sampled a Glengoyne limited edition bottling. It was a cask strength expression, which had either been matured or finished (can't remember which) in barrels made from Scottish Oak.
I know that this particular Glengoyne is hard to find now, but I know a retailer that still has stock. Is it worth buying, or just a gimmick?
MKites
When does the "Milton Keynes Malt Klub" (MKMK) have its first tasting?????
Tim, any ideas as to what/when/how? Who and why are already sorted!
Good questions.
At one end of the spectrum, I suppose that there are quite large clubs with committees and treasurers. But that all seems a bit OTT.
I got chatting to some lads at "Whisky Live" who had a much smaller and informal arrangement.
Once a month, four blokes each chipped in £x and one person was tasked to buy a particular malt with the money.
Then, they got together as a group and sampled the chosen dram (a bit like an Ottaker's book circle, except fun).
Presumably, they just went 'round the houses' in rotation.
Inevitably, there were 'left-overs' after each session. So each member took home an opened bottle every four months.
In fact, it could be even cheaper at first - we could use our existing bottles!
Spent a lovely morning looking around the whisky shops of Olde London Town.
I could have spent a fortune, but resisted as I know that there will be better deals in Edinburgh.
Was offered tastings at several places, as was going to a Budget Dissemination Event at The British Library in the afternoon.
Duty stamps were discussed. In the not too distant future, all malts will carry a paper stamp signifying that excise duty has been paid. Retailing of unstamped bottles will be an offence.
Of course, when this new duty comes in, chances are you'll be impounding case-loads of unstamped malt. Which will be handy for the MKMK!
:-)
The primary legislation will simply be an enabling provision. Customs will then introduce secondary legislation at its leisure, following consultation with the industry. 2006 is indeed the year being touted.
Word is that there will be a six-month transitional period, for retailers to clear their shelves of unstamped stocks.
My guess is that six months will be fine for the likes of Sainsbury. As you'll know, supermarkets tend to work on low margins and high stock-turn. Where they do stock single malts, they tend to be well-known label and expressions under £30.
The picture may be a little different for the 'single-shop' whisky specialist outlets.
They tend to work more on high margins and low stock-turn. So, some bottles do 'shelf-sit' for a considerable time. Logic dictates that the real 'dust gatherers' will be the most expensive malts.
An example. The other day, I saw a "Glengoyne Scottish Oak" malt on sale for £45 in an independent. This was a limited edition bottling from 2001, which the distillery sold out of in a a matter of months. So, that bottle's been with the retailer for 3 years. I'll have to rescue it before 2006!!!!
No seriously, I've no idea what Customs is going to say about unmarked stocks still unsold after the six-month transitional period. A real poser, cos its hard to prove whether duty was ever paid on them.
Last year I came across a couple of superb malts in New Zealand (Milford Sound and Dunedin). Unfortunately, they are likely to be last of breed because international business men shut down the distilliaries in 1992 (BOO, HISS). To ensure they could not start again, they stripped the plant and shipped it out to Fiji. NZ has a Scottish background and some of the finest barley and water in the world. It is not to be belittled.
Anyway, the good news is that there is still some of the stuff around and I have been told that there is an importer in Scotland due to take on some of this NZ malt in the next few months. I am waiting for details and can post it when it arrives.
Now for a run (hic)
A lot of people seem keen on "Caol Ila". I've an opened 12yo in the house, but seldon take a dram. Far too medicinal tasting.
As to New Zealand malt, I'm sure that its very nice. However, I'll stay fairly blinkered and stick with Scottish expressions.
One of the wonders of whisky, as with so many other things, is that there is so much choice. This enables everyone to find something to their taste
right ,tonight a gordon and mac` ardbeg 1975,a delicate ardbeg,smooth,not thenormal ardbeg smoke or salt,infact herbs and sweetness,still fantastic.mmmm.
hope your all drinking well
slainte mhath
Good to have you back. I'd heard that some of the older "Ardbegs" were positively 'mellow'. Sounds like you've found one. Envy !!!!!
We might open the G&M "Ardmore 1985" tonight. I got a half bottle at Royal Mile Whiskies in London, to celebrate our 19 years married this week.
Looking forward to seeing what offers there are in Edinburgh Airport Shopping.
Last time that we flew up to Scotland, I got a 1 litre bottle of "Dalmore" (Dark Isle variant) plus a 1 litre bottle of cask-strength "Macallan". Only £44 for the two.
Incredible value.
Slainte - You've still to kiss and tell as to where the Waitrose Port Wood was distilled. Come on, spill the beans!
I will be happy to be proved wrong about Edinburgh so that my next trip can be more fruitful.
Time spent at the malt shop in the Royal Mile would be my preference anyway.
"Royal Lochnagar Reserve" is crazy money. It normally retails down here for about £180. Never tasted it, but would be highly surprised if it was worth that.
Is any bottle of whisky really worth more than £30?