Lagavulin is like sucking dirt through a garden hose- in a good way. others you may like in a similar style are Talisker and Laphroaig. the Balvenie Double Wood is a current fave, and you can't go wrong with MacCallan, the 10 y/o is a reasonable value. in a sherry-wood style, look for Abelour, or the Singleton. JW Black is as good as most single malts, IMHO, and is fairly rich and smokey, but not peaty. and for an everyday dram, you just can't go wrong w/ Dewars on the rocks.
I've been drinking Scotch for well over 20 years, and I went through a single malt phase that probably lasted more than ten of them. I recognize all of the names menitioned here, and I've had many, many more...........though none of them really stand out. Recently though, I had an epiphany of sorts...................I'm happy to just have a glass of Dewars on the rocks.........or maybe with a splash of water or even soda.
ol' reliable i call it (not really)... but it is my go to value scotch and one of my overall favorites. definitely not an islay whisky as the smokey and peat flavors are minimal at best... much sweeter and smoother.
well then don't drink anymore islay whisky... problem solved. speyside is mouch more mellow and smooth.
Indian? lol On a side note, Black Label is much more expensive in Michigan. I pay 80+ for a 1.75L bottle. I think it was $55ish at Specs when I lived in Houston.
I am off to the UK tomorrow, and am taking a list from this thread, hopeful that I can smuggle...errr..buy some Scotch in the Duty Free area and bring it home to papa ! DD
My wife bought me a single malt in duty free once (either Amsterdam or London........can't remember which) that had been aged in Cuban Rum barrels. I wish I could remember the name of it........it WAS good. Of course, it wasn't until after she got it home that she realized it wasn't allowed here because of the embargo. As fast as I could, I properly disposed of it.
I've mentioned it before, but doubt I can take credit for that. You have good taste though my friend.
I've really enjoyed a Macallan 18 year, as well as the lagavulin but I only had that once and that was years ago. Bars only have JW, chivas and glenfiddich or levit. Not a lot of speyside single malts found easily.
On a brief search, it seems that BenRiach offers a 15-year-old that's finished in rum barrels. I've had a sample of the BenRiach 12-year-old before, and it was decent, but this sounds awesome. I'm going to look for it.
i've been drinkin scotch for a few years.. originally i drank crown and jack.. but eventually scotch took over.. first it was just simple stuff like johnnie red.. but then i started drinkin black label.. normally i drink Chivas.. if you really want good scotch though.. i suggest: These two are amazing!!!!!!