@steviebee, love Islay whisky. Ms Dipper and I are going for a week later in the year so I’ll have to plan some walking distillery routes.
The Master of Malt website has this to say about Nikka
“The award-winning Nikka Whisky From The Barrel blend is absolutely full of flavour. Bottled at 51.4% ABV. The blend combines both single malt and grain whisky from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, which are then married in a huge variety of casks, including bourbon barrels, sherry butts and refill hogsheads. A huge depth of flavour in this stunning Japanese whisky. We can’t recommend this enough”.
I’ve always liked it, but was reading about it on…Master of Malt, the reviews I think, and there seemed to be some ‘controversy’ about it. Some said it was the equivalent of a fair US rye, but
it’s still a favourite of mine, I have to say. Wouldn’t trade a Lava 16 for it tho!
I wonder, is Ben Nevis a blend of some sort? I’ll have to Google it.
@Dipper
Good taste!
I do love the Ardbegs (Supernova will live long in my memory…just wish I had bought more than one bottle and could afford the…Hypernova, is it?)
Lava 16 has long been a cherished sup.
Laphroaig was my introduction to the peaty beauties. Love it, of course.
OK, so this is my final nightcap. Have to be up for work at 6, but…whatcha gonna do…
Lavagulin Offerman Edition, Caribbean Rum Cask. Bought in an ‘ooh…what’s that’ frenzy. It’s OK.
Jeez, I gotta. I’m the only one on shift till 9.30. And all the stuff must be sorted and scanned by then, ready for opening at 10.
Have a good night yourself!
Hi Stevie
I too have become a bit of a whisky junkie. I think my addiction (sorry for the use of that word but couldn’t think of another) coincided with me moving to Scotland when I was 40, that was 16yrs ago.
Always interested in whisky but maybe didn’t understand it. Since then I have really enjoyed the eduction I have gone through via friends I’ve made, and also with so many distilleries within a easy drive from my home it became a really easy addiction to get my fix.
As a preference for my palate I very much enjoy a peated and sherried whisky, so Islay region being my favourite, followed closely Campbelltown.
Although I have my favourites I’m always open to new experiences when it comes to whisky. My closest distillery is about 4 miles away, it’s called Deanston and is a highland whisky distillery, their whisky is brilliant (& great value). As a unique whisky, try their Virgin Oak, quite different to any other I find.
The Macallan was probably the first malt I ever tried, mainly because my name is similar, Callan. It’s still one of my favourites along with Glenfarclas and Old Pulteney. My “everyday” tipple is Jura. I’m a bit of a lightweight and don’t like very peaty malts like Laphroag and Talisker for example. Recommendations always welcome!
Yes excellent malt although priced quite high these days. You also mentioned Glenfarclas which I currently have as a 15 year old and doesn’t disappoint. The most interesting and my favourite at the moment is 16 year old Lagavulin but from your post I don’t think it is for you. Cheers. Graham
That’s correct Martin, no colour and non chill filtered.
They are part of the Distell group which includes Bunnahabian, Tobermory and a particular favourite of mine Ledaig. The Ledaig 18 is possibly my favourite malt, and it reasonably priced which is a bonus.
@Man2wolf, for Island Whisky you may like the Isle Of Arran 10 YO. It’s not a peaty whisky - more of a highland signsture. The distillery describes it as:
Nose
Luscious citrus fruits
Palate
The initial rush of rich vanilla sweetness gives way to a touch of cinnamon which adds a spicy edge to the soft and sweet texture. The classic Arran citrus notes have rounded with age and reveal new depths of character against a background of sweet oak.
