UKH

£60-65 not peaty or Islay in character.

Spent an evening picking Islay whiskies for my father in law only to be told that whilst he's quite happy to drink my Islay whiskies when visiting he prefers Balvennie / Cardhu / Dalwinnie.

Having wasted a few hours I thought I'd turn over to the UKC collective. Something worth the money in that range. For what it's worth I was going to pick the distillers choice Caol Ila or Ardbeg Corryvreckan.

If I can't find something then the Balvennie Carribbean 14 is probably favourite.

In reply to Philip:

Bruichladdich are my favourite, not peaty unless you go for the Octomore or Port Charlotte stuff

In reply to Philip:

I'm no expert, but I like Glen Farclas 105 or 15 year, I also got a sample of 'Starward' a while back its Australian I think, we thought it was pretty good though.

In reply to Graeme Alderson:

Used to be mine but I don't like the new standard and since the master distiller left I've not been impressed with the older blends. Avoiding Islay altogether this time though, dare not risk the wrath of wife not sister in law if I ill-advise them on the purchase.

In reply to Philip:

Have a look at Benromach. 

In reply to Philip:

Arran 14 or 18 y.o. £48 and £75 respectively. 14 yo much better value.

In reply to Mike-W-99:

Thanks, forgotten about that one. Might get the 15yo for myself - just for research purposes

In reply to Philip:

Unless it has to be Scottish how about Nikka Coffey still? 

In reply to Philip:

I have a lovely bottle of Glendronach 12 year Sauternes finish. Not tried any of their others but this one is a great, light Speyside type.

In reply to Philip: I'm not a big whisky drinker but am gradually improving my liking for whisky, don't like really strong peaty stuff. Over Christmas I had the opportunity to try some Springbank 12yo at a friends house which was spectacular...not sure how easy or cheap it would be to get mind you.

 

In reply to Ian W:

Have the Arran whisky's changed - got a bottle recently and it def not as I remembered it.

But then I thought the same of Highland Park, hmm

In reply to Philip:

Balvenie Caribbean cask is a solid choice. Glendronach is a good option if he likes sherry casked and you can find a bottle of the 15year old.

In reply to Philip:

Had an 18 year old Bowmore at the distillery some years ago and even though my taste is much more towards Bruicladdich Octomore and Ardbeg Uigedail, the Bowmore was lovely - like liquid Christmas pudding.

Dave

In reply to subtle:

Not that i'm aware of, but then again, I havent had many bottles from them. i had a 10yo about 8/10 years ago, and bought a 10yo and a 14yo when up there this summer. First impressions were good back when i first got some, and i just think its really good stuff, given i normally much prefer Islay. It is obviously still a very new enterprise (given its a distillery), and so there cant really have been much development of the older ones.....

Interestingly, they are opening a second distillery on the island later in 2019, based in the south to take advantage of the "peatier" water down there.......now if that stuff bears any resemblance to their current product, but with an Islay slant to it, it will be really nice.....

In reply to Ian W:

 

The process water is unlikely to have much effect the flavour of the finished whisky, and the reducing water will almost certainly be de-mineralised anyway.  The only 'Peatiness'  that matters is how much is added during malting, and that will be done off the island.  That said, if they are talking about the peatiness of the water in their PR it could be a clue that this is the style that they are aiming for at the new site. Let's hope so anyway!

 

In reply to Ian W:

I had an 8 year old Arran when it was the oldest available.  It was poor. Good to hear things have improved.

My advice is always look for light coloured whisky and go for 15 year old max: too many distillers add caramel and ruin the flavour and any older than 15 and it doesn't improve according to most of the tasters who put out rated books. A Springbank would have been my suggestion or a Macallan. 

In reply to Philip:

Slightly cheaper at ~£46, but I'd put in a vote for the Tomintoul 16 year. One of the best drams I've had at (or above) that price point for a very long while.

The bottle didn't last long is all I'll say...

In reply to MarkJH:

Thats definately the stated intention; I hope it is lighty peated as whilst that style of whisky is my favourite, I really dont like the ones that are clearly chemically induced, some have such strong flavours that it is clearly artificial.

The danger for me is that Arran becomes what I call a "touristy" whisky, with all kinds of flavours from cask types or whatever, and loses a unique identity. I would level this accusation at Jura whisky; there used to be only a few versions, whereas now there is a whisky in every flavour niche in the market. A bit like Merc or BMW - they used to have a small range of clearly defined models with precise market positions; now they cover every possible market niche, often with more than one model. you try going into a BMW dealer and asking to see a 4 door 2 litre saloon.........

In reply to Offwidth:

You credit me with too much; I might have shit taste..........

But it does fit your description here. Light coloured, and without too many additives, and a clean flavour. Both the 10 yo and their "Lochranza Reserve" fit the bill, both taste really nice (to me) and cost about the same (£25 - £28 from memory).

In reply to Philip:

Any of the Glenrothes bottles are worth a try. Sherry casked and no caramel coloring added as many of the bigger brands do. 

In reply to Philip:

It's a blend, but Shackleton is really nice and has an interesting story behind it.

I'll second Glendronach and also recommend Fettercairn.

In reply to Philip:

Although I prefer a peatier whisky myself, Glengoyne is my go to when buying for people who don't like peat or where I don't know their preference.  Quite complex and more full-bodied than something like a Dalwinnie or a Glen Farclas, but not peaty.

In reply to Philip:

I'd definitely look at something Indian or Japanese.  Amrut Fusion (Indian) is very nice.  Pretty much anything from Nikka is also well worth while.

In reply to Offwidth:

It's always nice to see how well something ages. I tried the current Kilchoman stuff when it was first released as a hound dram. Horrid. Nice to taste it improving as they release older versions.

As for the addition of caramel, it's something that'll put me off buying a bottle as I feel there's no need for it but I don't believe it has any effect on the flavour. 

 

In reply to nathan79:

Well  the tasting experts I've trusted say different about caramel and I genrally agree with their scoring. Also whiskys do change over time . Talisker used to have far more peaty character it's now often dulled and sometimes caramelled. Standard Laphroaig isn't as medicinal as it once was. Standard Caol Isla 20 years back was up with my favourites but the new stuff is nothing like as good. Edradour used to have an amazing distinctive cream soda finish.... now gone.

In reply to Philip:

Penderyn Whiskey has a mellow flavour.

In reply to jenks580:

Just been given a bottle of that... not yet tasted. Will report back.

In reply to Philip:

I would go with a Highland Park

In reply to Removed User:

Decent Highland Park is getting rare and expensive, the last couple of bottles I've had have been disappointing and that's being kind. 

In reply to Offwidth:

I'm no fan of Laphroaig generally, but I tried a dram of a vintage 10yo a friend found in his late fathers stash. It was much less phenolic than the 10s of 5 or 10 years ago. The more recent ones I've tried were much friendlier to my palate.

In reply to Mooncat:

Decent anything is getting rare. There isn't enough for the demand, hence all the triple woods, weird finishes, etc.

Things that were only £100 ten years ago are now over £300.

I've switched to armagnac as a evening drink now and save the whisky for rarer occasions.

Going with the Balvennie Carribbean 14. Thanks for the suggestions, might try one or two as a cheap bottle for myself.

In reply to Removed User:

Highland Park is a shadow of its former self. The old 12 year old was my standard, reliable whisky. The "Viking Honour" version is no way near as good. It's a real shame, but then everyone seems to have oversold their whisky and are having to make changes.

I've found some of the Aldi and Lidl own label stuff to be excellent for the money, but then probably not good for a present!

In reply to Philip:

As you're after none peated I'd suggest something from the east coast, not necessarily Speyside but heading that way.

Trying to think through some of the ones I've had in the cupboard over the years I'd suggest Dalmore, Balblair, Clynelish, Glen Keith & Tomintoul. Speyside generally the older they are the better, I find some of the <12yo bottlings from many a bit fiery. The 14yo Oban is quite nice and is none peated. 

My personal preference though is for peated and agree with Bruichladdich as being among the best. Sadly not had a bottle for a while.

In reply to jenks580:

Tried it last night, surprisingly smooth.  Certainly one I'd recommend for whisky fans but probably not special enough  for the OPs requirements (unless they have welsh links).

In reply to nathan79:

Maybe nice for you but I see such trends as risking trashing certain whiskys.. there are plenty of other choices for those that don't like strong character. I much prefer the old differences. I agree with Philip that toning down and gimmicks sell, as people are buying more for the image than the taste  (especially in the huge Chinese and US markets) and most distilleries are owned by very big concerns who don't care as much as they sbould. People should try and support the smaller players:

https://thewhiskeywash.com/lifestyle/independently-owned-scotch-distillerie...

A full list here: also shows the independants and closed distilleries 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_whisky_distilleries_in_Scotland

In reply to Offwidth:

My statement was neutral regarding the taste.

 

The worst trend for me us the proliferation of non-age statement whiskies. Marketing nonsense that seems to be aimed at charging more for a younger whisky. I frequently by 7,8 and 9 year old that don't hide their age (at a better price than equivalent age NAS too).

Big corporations owning treasured brands is generally a worry, some of them at least seem to do it the right way and change little at the coal face. 

An example is Glendronach. When I last visited the distillery they'd recently been taken over by Brown-Forman and claimed little would change at the distillery itself. Aside from a couple of new, younger releases they've thankfully been true to their word. I doubt this has been the case for many other takeovers.

In reply to Philip:

Aberlour a Bunadh fits the bill and is right on budget. Wonderful stuff and, at cask strength, gives you a full litre out of a 70ml bottle!

In reply to Philip:

For un-peated in that sort of style (Balvennie / Cardhu / Dalwinnie), I'd suggest Glengoyne, Clynelish or Suntory Hibiki

In reply to nathan79:

Agree with that. I am worried about  LVMH as they look after two of my very favorite brands Ardbeg and Glen Morangie but havent yet messed them up (unlike Diageo with Caol Ila).

In reply to Macleod:

+1 for Glengoyne.

In reply to Tigger:

Agreed with the 15 year old, not such a fan of the 105

In reply to Philip:

Glen Morangie with the Port Wood finish.

Bladnoch wonderfull with a hint of lemon.

 

In reply to BnB:

Current RRP is £80, just 2 years ago it was £35. It's nothing but profiteering from the new owners.

Anyway, seems a bottle at only £60 doesn't get me free postage - never noticed before. So to save £5 I better something for me too.

In reply to Philip:

£35 might have been a loss leader. It was certainly compelling value at the time. And I seem to recall a lower concentration back then, which would account for some of the hike. It is a big uplift all the same.

In reply to BnB:

Loss leader for whom? I was talking about the official price not some Sainsbury's special.

http://www.edinburghwhiskyblog.com/2018/05/28/would-you-ever-pay-80-for-abe...

 

In reply to Philip:

Tried a Glen Elgin 12 recently, lovely drop!

 

In reply to Philip:

I’m merely pondering whether the “old” price around £35-£40 was set by the producer lower than its “true” price, whatever that may be. I always felt it was quite astonishingly cheap at £35 and that £50 would have been a reasonable price then. £80 seems steep but you can find it for less.

As for the matter of soaring whisky prices in general. That’s mostly a factor of rising wealth levels in Asia and the popularity of whisky worldwide. If you ran a business and could sell all your product for twice as much in another country you wouldn’t want to damage your premium brand by selling it for half as much locally. For the cost-conscious Brit, the Aberlour 10 is still a nice dram for £25.

In reply to BnB:

Spot on: the idea we can have some kind of peoples 'socialist' style whisky pricing is pretty weird. We were lucky for decades that it was brandy that was way overpriced and great whisky was fairly cheap. The most expensive whisky is very rare or actually not so great (think old Glen Fiddich in ceramic containers), so good value is still easily possible.  Some climbers will moan about paying more for anything.

In reply to Philip:

As s fan of Bunnahabhain, I much prefer lightly peated. However, a recent non peated whisky I bought and really enjoyed was Edradour 10 year old. Not expensive and has a nice smooth creamy taste. The 12 year old was ok but not as smooth.

In reply to Philip:

Agreed, a crazy price for this now, i have stopped buying it, a good (if slightly sweary and tongue in cheek) read here about the Aberlour increase

http://www.edinburghwhiskyblog.com/2018/05/28/would-you-ever-pay-80-for-abe...

They recommend a few alternatives, i can recommend Tamdhu Cask Strength as a replacement, around £55 if you look hard enough, its better than the Aberlour too.

In reply to Philip:

plus one for Edradour.  personally, I tend to keep Macallan in for 'non-peat' whisky. 

Though if Dalwhinnie is your father-in-laws taste, have you considered a bottle of cold tea?

 

In reply to Philip:

Glengoyne is an un-peated malt, distilled not far from Loch Lomond using air dried barley and stream water from the Campsie Fells. Worth a visit if you're around that way. And definitely worth adding a bottle or two to your collection

In reply to Philip:

I got a bottle of 12 year old Aberfeldy for Christmas which is still sealed. Where does this fit in this debate? Also have an unopened Jura Superstition which has sat in a cupboard for about a year! I assume its at least a bit briny veering towards the Islay dram?

In reply to Philip:e 

Connoisseurs Choice Allt-á-Bhainne 1996 was very nice if you like a subtle lighter scotch but price has climbed nearer £80 now I think

 

 

if in doubt: Ask Ralfy!  https://www.youtube.com/user/ralfystuff/videos 

In reply to Offwidth:

Depends which one you choose, they produce about 15 different whiskies, so choice for all.

Went with Dailuaine 16 to in the end.

Ticked the boxes for reviews, flavour, price and unusualness.

Now for the more challenging task of finding something 40 years old for next year for me

In reply to allanscott:

Aberfeldy is very much in the Highland, erring towards the Speyside style, its a pretty nice one i find. Not had the Jura superstition but from what i know its lightly peated, so expect a little smokiness, 

In reply to Philip:

The question is are you happy with ANY 40 year old or do you want one casked in the year of your birth and bottled now, or one bottled in your year of birth, those choices could span anywhere from £400- to £40,000 !