Bearman 3,786 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 On the "Cool" thread Futtocks posted as one of his Cool things was Islay single malts. I' m a big fan, my favourite being Lagavulin. Because of this my favourite blended used to be White Horse because Lagavulin was the base single malt. White Horse is rarely seen these days as it appears to be export only. My Son in Law brought me a bottle back from India recently and I was very disappointed as there didn't seem to be any Lagavulin in it. I tend to stick to Bells in the blended whisky range as I find Grouse a bit sweet. I sometimes buy the Aldi 8 year old blended which came out tops in a recent tasting test. The best value Islay I have found is the Tesco Islay single malt which they sell for about £16/£18. Quote Ron Banks Bears and Barrow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gingerjon 9,912 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 I do love a good Islay malt but if I had to have a Desert Island bottle it would be either Highland Park or The Glenlivet. Quote Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bostik Bailey 180 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 Whisky is like women, no good ones no bad ones, just varying standards Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnoco 6,487 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 Jamesons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ckn 11,607 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 My wife bought me two bottles of Laphroaig for my birthday, the cask strength version at 57.2% (this year's 005 batch) One gets opened tonight! I treat myself to a bottle of the Laphroaig 18 year old every time I get the first payment in from a new customer or a brand new contract. My mum sent me a bottle of Talisker and one of my friends bought me a nice Bowmore, decent stuff but not quite Laphroaig. I have a standing instruction with good friends and family I know are likely to send presents "whisky, must say Islay on it somewhere". Quote “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime" - Mark Twain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
my missus 385 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 Mmmmm whisky Quote We zap and maim With the bravery of being out of range We strafe the train With the bravery of being out of range Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bearman 3,786 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 My wife bought me two bottles of Laphroaig for my birthday, the cask strength version at 57.2% (this year's 005 batch) One gets opened tonight! I treat myself to a bottle of the Laphroaig 18 year old every time I get the first payment in from a new customer or a brand new contract. My mum sent me a bottle of Talisker and one of my friends bought me a nice Bowmore, decent stuff but not quite Laphroaig. I have a standing instruction with good friends and family I know are likely to send presents "whisky, must say Islay on it somewhere". Wow cask strength! Do you cut that with water? I've found that a little goes a very long way. Quote Ron Banks Bears and Barrow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ckn 11,607 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 Wow cask strength! Do you cut that with water? I've found that a little goes a very long way.1 cube of ice per finger of whisky. That's the formula I was given by the distillery master distiller. His view was that cask strength is wasted without water, I just prefer the stuff slightly chilled by the melting ice. Quote “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime" - Mark Twain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan 2,826 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 Jamesons. I was going to say should we start a "whiskey" thread as well as "whisky" I prefer Irish - I prefer Bushmills - I have a bottle of Black Bush which I drink very sparingly, and a bottle of Bushmills 10 year old single malt which I only drink on special occasions - the last time was 13-06-13 when my new grandaughter was born. I went to Cuba a few years ago and got the taste for Havana Club Siete Annos rum - but it's an absolute fortune in the UK. Quote “Few thought him even a starter.There were many who thought themselves smarter. But he ended PM, CH and OM. An Earl and a Knight of the Garter.” Clement Attlee. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kier 167 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 My wife bought me two bottles of Laphroaig for my birthday, the cask strength version at 57.2% (this year's 005 batch) One gets opened tonight! I treat myself to a bottle of the Laphroaig 18 year old every time I get the first payment in from a new customer or a brand new contract. My mum sent me a bottle of Talisker and one of my friends bought me a nice Bowmore, decent stuff but not quite Laphroaig. I have a standing instruction with good friends and family I know are likely to send presents "whisky, must say Islay on it somewhere". Was that the "quarter cask" whisky they brought out? I had a bottle of that a few years ago - wonderful stuff. Quote www.fatalerror.co.nz - A Musical by Lattimer & McRae Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ckn 11,607 Report post Posted August 13, 2013 Was that the "quarter cask" whisky they brought out? I had a bottle of that a few years ago - wonderful stuff. No, quarter cask is the stuff you get in most supermarkets along with the standard 10yo. Cask strength is only available in special stores or from the distillery, I get mine from the distillery website. They used to sell it more widely but it was criticised too often by people who know nothing so it was restricted to specialist and distillery only. It's a genuine meaty hit of a whisky that certainly hits hard if you're not used to it. If you like your Islay whisky though you should enjoy it, it's far harder hitting on the peaty side and a proper sipping whisky. That said, the 18yo is by far and away the best whisky I've ever tasted, it's not a cheap purchase but a very worthy reward for myself for hard work. Quote “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime" - Mark Twain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bearman 3,786 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 Gordon and McPhail sell a range of cask strength whiskies. Their website is interesting too. For anyone that hasn't tried cask strength they really do give a big whisky hit. Quote Ron Banks Bears and Barrow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnoco 6,487 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 I was going to say should we start a "whiskey" thread as well as "whisky" I prefer Irish - I prefer Bushmills - I have a bottle of Black Bush which I drink very sparingly, and a bottle of Bushmills 10 year old single malt which I only drink on special occasions - the last time was 13-06-13 when my new grandaughter was born. I went to Cuba a few years ago and got the taste for Havana Club Siete Annos rum - but it's an absolute fortune in the UK. Good shout. I prefer 'whiskey' but do like whisky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futtocks 12,301 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 My favourite Islay whisky is Caol Ila, but I found out recently (confirming the suspicions of my tastebuds) that they also supply Sainsbury's own brand Islay single malt, which is only about £20. Ker-chinggg! Mind you, I'd still splash out occasionally on one of their special expressions, like the Distillers edition, finished in Moscatel casks. I've also been impressed with Penderyn, a fairly new Welsh whisky company. I've found it in Waitrose and in one of the really big branches of Sainsbury. Anyone in central London should visit the Aladdin's cave that is Milroys of Soho. Quote "Men will be proud to say 'I am a European'. We hope to see a day when men of every country will think as much of being a European as of being from their native land." (Winston Churchill) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futtocks 12,301 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 I went to Cuba a few years ago and got the taste for Havana Club Siete Annos rum - but it's an absolute fortune in the UK. I don't buy it very often, but I do like Angostura Rum. Quote "Men will be proud to say 'I am a European'. We hope to see a day when men of every country will think as much of being a European as of being from their native land." (Winston Churchill) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ckn 11,607 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 My favourite Islay whisky is Caol Ila, but I found out recently (confirming the suspicions of my tastebuds) that they also supply Sainsbury's own brand Islay single malt, which is only about £20. Ker-chinggg! Mind you, I'd still splash out occasionally on one of their special expressions, like the Distillers edition, finished in Moscatel casks. I've also been impressed with Penderyn, a fairly new Welsh whisky company. I've found it in Waitrose and in one of the really big branches of Sainsbury. Anyone in central London should visit the Aladdin's cave that is Milroys of Soho. On that, anyone near London Bridge station, there's a proper pub, not one of the fancy ones, called The Britannia about 5 minutes walk away that does 80+ different types of whisky. Here's their whisky menu: Quote “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime" - Mark Twain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiny Tim 627 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 Visiting a friend a while back he produced a bottle of cask strength Talisker I think it was, even with water twas powerful stuff but very drinkable. Dalwhinnie is a firm favourite, I visited the distillery a few years back for the tour and a few different bottles to bring home. Also a big fan of Cardhu. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longboard 1,356 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 Wow cask strength! Do you cut that with water? I've found that a little goes a very long way. I go for having a small glass of water alongside the whiskey, although some bar staff find this a difficult order to understand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timtum 181 Report post Posted August 14, 2013 A quick note for the discerning customers amongst you, that the supermarket own label whiskies usually change supplier each year. My mate works for HMRC and lets me know which is which - although a taste challenge is no hardship! Islay own labels are great - there are only eight (?) distilleries there so the odds are good! Bunnahabhain (spl) is a fave as it is much easier drinking than the others.... Just been having a discussion half an hour ago on the merits of Islay whisky with the bar owner in the little village near here who once threw me out for being a rugby league fan. He has mellowed.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
808tone 19 Report post Posted August 15, 2013 Visiting a friend a while back he produced a bottle of cask strength Talisker I think it was, even with water twas powerful stuff but very drinkable. Dalwhinnie is a firm favourite, I visited the distillery a few years back for the tour and a few different bottles to bring home. Also a big fan of Cardhu. Bottom of your post is a caveman saying big brother is watching you...anyone care to explain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jackie Slytroosers 2 Report post Posted August 15, 2013 My wife bought me two bottles of Laphroaig for my birthday, the cask strength version at 57.2% (this year's 005 batch) One gets opened tonight! I treat myself to a bottle of the Laphroaig 18 year old every time I get the first payment in from a new customer or a brand new contract. My mum sent me a bottle of Talisker and one of my friends bought me a nice Bowmore, decent stuff but not quite Laphroaig. I have a standing instruction with good friends and family I know are likely to send presents "whisky, must say Islay on it somewhere". Nothing is like Laphroaig - beautiful stuff. My favourite. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ckn 11,607 Report post Posted August 15, 2013 Bunnahabhain (spl) is a fave as it is much easier drinking than the others.... My friend's wife can't pronounce it but loves it, she calls it "Bunny Heaven" Quote “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime" - Mark Twain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futtocks 12,301 Report post Posted August 15, 2013 I had some Japanese whisky* a year or so ago. It was okay, but a little bland. Mind you, it was their bottom of the range blend, and some of their whiskies are very well thought of. *I think it was Yamazaki, but can't remember definitely. Quote "Men will be proud to say 'I am a European'. We hope to see a day when men of every country will think as much of being a European as of being from their native land." (Winston Churchill) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futtocks 12,301 Report post Posted August 15, 2013 Anyone tried Big Peat? A vatted whisky containing Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Port Ellen sounds very interesting. Quote "Men will be proud to say 'I am a European'. We hope to see a day when men of every country will think as much of being a European as of being from their native land." (Winston Churchill) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiny Tim 627 Report post Posted August 17, 2013 My favourite Islay whisky is Caol Ila, but I found out recently (confirming the suspicions of my tastebuds) that they also supply Sainsbury's own brand Islay single malt, which is only about £20. Ker-chinggg! I went to Sainsburys today and got a bottle of their own brand Islay on your recommendation. I am now sat here enjoying a generous measure so wanted to say thank you, it's rather nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
