So, back several years ago, I bought a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 year old single barrel Scotch.
I have nearly run out...and Sam's Club has stopped carrying it. Which means MY price has jumped by nearly $15/bottle. This boosts it nearly out of my affordability range.
I really like that particular Scotch. What I liked most about it was the smoky, earthy flavor it has. I save that mostly for celebratory drinks, since it was $45/bottle when I bought it.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonably priced replacement? I already know I don't care for blended Scotch, and prefer a longer aging process.
Help?
5 hours ago
Glenlevit 12yr is a good standby.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation. I have realized that I tend to have fairly expensive tastes in whiskey...but at least I don't drink often, or a whole lot at once, so the cost is stretched over a long period.
DeleteHave you tried the Dalmore?
ReplyDeleteNo, I hadn't. I may, when the income goes up a bit.
DeleteThere are so many different variations of whiskey that recommending one based on "well I liked the Glenfiddich 15" is quite difficult for me. What did you like about it? The smoothness? The hint of peat? Spice? Smoky? Fruity?
ReplyDeleteReviewing others tasting notes, Glenfiddich is supposed to be a smoother, less smoky, more spice, less fruity scotch whiskey, but since I don't keep my own tasting notes (I really should) I can't recall off the top of my head what else might taste like that.
Now you say you don't like blended Scotch, but I have to recommend you try two if you haven't before, The Dimple Pinch: A 15 year blended, very tasty, almost no peat/smoke taste, quite smooth and fruity. Chivas 12 year blend is sweeter than Pinch, with more vanilla notes.
If you must go with a single malt, you have plenty of options in the 10 to 12 year range: http://scotchaddict.com/best-scotch-whisky-gifts-50.html
Another thing to consider is a bourbon whiskey option. A Knob Creek 9 year currently graces my shelf, and while not as lively on the tongue as Maker's 46, it is much more alive than any Jack Daniels or regular Maker's Mark. Lots of bolder flavors in bourbon, the virgin charred oak barrels get are sold off to Scotland to make scotch, which is why it takes a longer aging process to get the color and flavor profile. If you haven't tried Maker's 46, I really recommend it as I found it very good. I keep a bottle of Jim Beam Black (8 year) in the house for cooking.
Whatever you decide on, please share your tasting notes, what you like, dislike. As generally women are considered to have a more sensitive palate than men, at least in the world of spirit tasting.
What I liked was the smoky, earthy flavor (I guess you'd call that peat). Don't care for overly sweet, and really don't like the blended varieties that I've tried. Glenfiddich 12 yr isn't bad, but it's not great. I'm thinking I'm going to have to wait until our household income rises before I look for a good Scotch that's to my tastes.
DeleteI do love my bourbon. My favorite so far is Buffalo Trace, followed by Woodford Reserve, then Old Charter (Jim Beam is undrinkable, and Maker's Mark is not far behind, by my tastes). Buffalo Trace is very smooth, and has a flavor that is strong enough to nearly drown out the alcohol burn. I can't really describe it very well, but I like it well enough I keep an unopened bottle in the house (two is one, and one is none, y'know). It's good straight or on the rocks.
I also rather like the flavor of a good rye whiskey. Kinda tangy, a little sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. And incredibly good over ice in the summer. I've been drinking JP Wisener's, for that.
I have found I just don't care for most Canadian whiskeys, and don't like Jack Daniels as anything other than a barbecue sauce ingredient. I can't tell you why, other than there's just something subtle in the flavors that just...aren't quite right for my palate.
The last thing in my whiskey cabinet is Irish: Jamison's, Paddy's Devil's Apple (for when I want sweet), Irish cream, and pumpkin spice Irish cream (the last two for cocoas and dessert coffees after the kids go to bed).
Ok, if you like smoky/earthy/peaty and not the sweet fruity then Dimple Pinch and Chivas are out.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried either of these, but based on the published flavor profiles and price range by people with better taste than I: Highland Park 12 or Talisker 10.
I agree that Jim Beam is best as an ingredient for marinades and bourbon ball cookies around the holidays so my wife doesn't use my good stuff (like she did a few years back, although the bourbon balls were amazing that year). Makers 46 is a completely different beast than Makers, so don't let the branding turn you off from trying it. The french oak staves and higher alcohol content make it much snappier, more lively on the tongue. None of that dull, flat, lifeless taste you get from Jim, Jack, or regular Makers.
Of course waiting until you can get something you know you like verses potentially wasting 45 bucks on a bottle you won't like is probably the smarter course of action.
My son enjoys Bourbon, but doesn't really know which :) I suggested he head to a well stocked bar and do a taste test of various varieties before he plunks down serious money for a bottle..
ReplyDeleteI recommend Buffalo Trace for bourbon. Do NOT go with Jim Beam.
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