Other whiskies for an Islayphile

[robbi@laurenson.com]

Hello folks,

I really find myself drawn to Islay malts, but have had less than satisfying experiences foraying into the other regions. I found Cragganmore 12 to be just OK, but wouldn't buy another bottle. Dalwhinnie 15 I actually slightly disliked. Balvenie doublewood I did like and would buy again, as with Auchentoshan 18 Oloroso finish. MacAllan Fine Oak was downright distasteful.

What would you recommend in terms of branching out? I tend not to like the chardonnay-like tastes, too much bitter oak for me. I do like the floral and grassy notes as well as vanilla and caramel sweetness. Leather, old books also work for me. Tobacco notes are fine as long as it's cigar leaf, not dry cigarette type tobacco.

Thanks!

[Ganga]

It sounds like you should explore some of the sherry matured whiskies: Macallan CS and 12, Aberlour a'bunadh, Glenfarclas range. Also, I would recommend that you try some of the Highland Park range as it will sow some of the caramel sweetness along with some smoke.

You might also try Talisker. It does have some of the peat with a load of spices.

The Lowland whiskies have more of the floral/grassy nature.

[MacDeffe]

Looks like Old Pulteney, Balblar, Tomatin, AnCnoc might be a thing to explore, maybe even Springbank/Longrow

These can be vanillaed and floral with a sweet edge and are not bitter. For sherried whiskies go read Ganga's post above

Steffen

[MacDeffe]

Longrow is a peated malt distilled at Springbank, in case you didnt know!

Steffen

[robbi@laurenson.com]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've done some reading on this, and I think I'll put Talisker, Aberlour a'bunadh , AnCnoc and Old Pulteney on the list of next acquisitions.

Looking forward to expanding my repertoire. After all, .

Cheers,
Robbi

[MacDeffe]

Good choices Robbi, those four will also give you a good variation. Let us hear your thoughts, nice to know if our advice has been good or crap

Steffen

[dramtastic]

If you can find any still floating around then I recommend The Cask of Yamazaki Heavily Peated 1993. It has it's own Japanese sublties that make it slightly different from an Islay.
Also Yoichi 12 with it's sweet peat, smoke and hints of sherry.