I found the base had Ardbeg Islay Single malt scotch 10 year old.
After trying a wee bit, I think is is better and cheaper then
Lagavulin 16 year old Single malt Islay...

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I'll give it a try next week! Thanks for the tip!

The Ardbeg 10 is certainly more authentic: 46%, non-chillfiltered, natural color, while the Laga 16 has only 43%, is chillfiltered, and has caramel color added.

The only thing the Laga has over the Ardbeg 10 is the sherry cask influence, which does add something. So if you decide you really like Ardbeg, spend a bit more (still less) and get the Ardbeg Uigeadail, at 54.3% and with a percentage of sherry casks in the mix. My favorite Ardbeg.

May have to check that out.

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I Cor. 10:13 "1611KJV"

I've not tried Ardbeg, but I did recently reacquaint myself with a bottle of 10 y.o. Laphroaig (aka "Leapfrog") after a very long absence (>20 years!) It was every bit as satisfying as I remember Back in the day, their advert ran, "The line between love and hate is about 1/3 of the way down the bottle". True enough. The smoky, peaty character is something you either like or don't. (Some poor souls have been known to run screaming from the room.) As to the smokiness, I used to smoke a pipe and the tobacco I liked was a Virginia-Latakia blend (McLelland 5125 I think) and when I opened the Leapfrog, that tobacco came immediately to mind.

Haven't had Lagavulin for an equally long time, but I remember liking it as well. Ardbeg, as I recall from back in the day, was on the extreme end of the smoky/peaty scale.

BTW, for lovers of single malt whisky, you might enjoy this old (1996) CBC Ideas audio programme entitled, "Whisky: the Water of Life" where they sent - not exactly against his will, I suspect - then freelance contributor Paul Kennedy to Scotland to do a feature on the Scotch whisky industry. It's 55 minutes well spent, preferably with a wee dram to accompany it.

For some years now, Laphroaig, or Laffy as especially European fans tend to lovingly call it, has run their “Opinions Welcome” advertising campaign.

You can find many of the results on Youtube. Whether you like Laffy or not, there is some pretty entertaining stuff.

And then there is poetry:

Och, I'll have to check that out ("oot"). I'd not heard of Elvis MacGonigall (born Richard Smith) but - perhaps not coincidentlly, given that he's also a comedian - there was a William McGonigall, who was known for appallingly bad poetry! Elvis' contribution on Laffy is definitely not in that category, though.

"... the nectar that the angels choose..." Ah, yes- the whisky lost to evaporation during the distillation process is known as "the angels' share."

The heavenly Islay malts aside, I was recently given, as payment for an audio/video project I worked on, a bottle of Glenlivet Enigma, which I am nobly restraining myself from opening until the video editor has done her work.

I bought a bottle of Balvine recently, and it is very nice, but Lagavulin is still my favorite, (BUT, don't ever waste your money on the 8 yr old Lagavulin as it is horrible).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Highland, Lowland, Speyside or Islay. Depends on your mood. Kinda like redheads, blonds brunettes or silver. They are all good in their own way ;(

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Forum consigliere

You’re not alone with your opinion. The young Lagavulins that have appeared since 2016, first the 8-year, then the Game-of—Thrones 9-year, and most recently the Nick Offerman 11-year, have repelled many fans of the 16-year standard and distiller’s editions. The “themes” are certainly marketing gimmicks, but there’s a bit more to the whisky.

If you have 15 minutes, in this video Ralfy Mitchell (who is to scotch fans what Roy Jinks is to S&W ) offers some perspective on that.

I've been looking for a "value" priced Islay. I've got about an inch of Laphroaig and a similar amount of Caol Ila that will last until Thursday.
Suggestions appreciated. I like the smoke but "Leapfrog" while drinkable, is a little too smoky for me.
I'd like to stay under $50.


TIA

A friend gave me a bottle of Bowmore for helping him out with some issues with a Norton Commando. I am not a big Scotch drinker, but I did develop an affinity with that one. That and some of the Glenmorangies are the ones I have the most contact with. Another friend, who keeps those dangling in front of me, is known appropriately enough as “Petey”.

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Not in jail.

I did some chainsaw work for a guy from work. He rewarded me with a bottle of something called Laphroaig Quarter Cask. No idea why cuz Im not a Scotch guy. Tasted like iodine mixed with cough syrup. Ended up mixing it with Sunny D orange drink. Still had a aftertaste

If you can find it, you should try Sheep Dip Islay. Vatted, but don’t let that scare you off.

You might also enjoy the Ardbeg Uigeadail (aka "oogie") if you get the opportunity.

I tend to drink either the "oogie" or Laphroaig Quarter Cask when I have an Islay malt.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

When the Laphroaig/Ardbeg/Lagavulin level of smoke is too much (Caol Ila and Kilchoman are a bit less, but not by much in most bottlings), I usually recommend Bowmore. The 12-year is medium smokey, and should not be much above your 50 limit.

Jura used to have a lovely version called Superstition, also medium smoke; discontinued last year, but can still be found.

And with significantly less smoke, but other interesting characteristics, there are other island malts like Talisker 10 and Storm, and Highland Park 12.

All of these could be had in the 40s until recently. The tariff dispute apparently has had some effect. What prices you can find these at depends on local conditions like taxes. Also the fact that smoke has become really fashionable has helped jack up prices.

Went to Total Wine last night in pursuit of Bowmore or Ardbeg.
The scotch "expert" sold me on Creag Isle. I think it's an overrun from another distillery. I haven't tried it side by side with Caol Ila but so far it tastes fine and was only $35.00.

There are lots of decent independent bottlings. If it’s a smoky whiskey, it was usually distilled at Caol Ila. They are the big dog on Islay in terms of capacity; most of their production goes into Johnnie Walker and other Diageo blends, and they’re the only Islay distillery that sells signifcant numbers of barrels to independent bottlers.

Sheep Dip is a good choice, unfortunately I haven't found it in Oregon, but did find it in Redding, Ca. while travelling through.

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Kevin in Oregon

Thanks,


It's definitely smoky.

For anyone interested in smoke, and wanting to expand their horizon, it’s worth noting that peat smoke isn’t just an island thing anymore.

Quite a few traditional Highland/Speyside distilleries have released peated editions. Benromach, BenRiach, Glendronach, Ardmore, Tomatin. Even Speyside classic Balvenie has its Peat Week bottling, which I find delicious.

The smoke from highland peat is quite different from the maritime island peat.

Unfortunately, as mentioned above, peat smoke has become “a thing” and prices are accordingly. I still remember how back in the 80s/90s most people considered peaty scotch non-potable and fit only for taming in blends. Ardbeg distillery was actually mothballed during the 1980s.

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Try the Edradour if you can find it. Smallest distillery in Scotland, a couple of miles before Pitlochry on the the Highland Line road. Only place I have ever been able to find it in the US was in a liquor store in Frederick Maryland of all places, but it sells well in the House of Whiskies in Edinburgh and Terminal 5 at LHR. Dave_n I still have a bottle of their cask strength to sample.

You nailed it!!!

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I Cor. 10:13 "1611KJV"

STCM SW, you must be in the Spokane area if you have several choices of quality scotch at the exchange. Our local Army base is more of a convenience store. They have about 6 feet of shelving dedicated to liquor. I like Canadian whiskey, the Seagram's Crown Royal is usually in stock.

The liquor store on Naval Base Treasure Island had their own label of scotch which was neutral grain spirits with scotch flavoring and brown food coloring. The same applied to all their labels.

Don

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U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

"STCM SW, you must be in the Spokane area if you have several choices of quality scotch at the exchange."

Yea, the AF Class 6 has more then some of the stores in ID.
And when they put something on sale, it's a lot lower.
Get the Stepson his Makers Mark 46 bourbon for less then $38.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I can't explain it but, I suddenly feel a thirst coming on!

I like the peaty goodness. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is my favorite just wish it was cheaper.