Most underrated single malt?

[DavidUK]

Clearly this cannot be made into a poll, however I would be interested to hear members opinions of what are the most underrated whiskies, that is, those you think are excellent but do not seem to be mentioned nearly as much as those such as Ardbeg10,Lagavullin 16,Glenlivet18,A'Bunadh etc etc?

I'll start with Cragganmore 12 and Clynelish 14 both of which I think are hugely underrated, and I'd also say that the Caol Ila 12 doesn't get the credit it deserves.

Thoughts gentlemen?

[DavidUK]

Hmmm.....yes, Cardhu doesn't seem to get mentioned much but it's supposed to be very good, although I haven't tried it myself.

The Glen Moray no age statement is very cheap. Is it any good?

[Ganga]

I'd like to point out that Clynelish 14 and Cragganmore 12 have some pretty fierce defenders.

The Tamdhu 10 really seems to be glossed over. Nice little malt that gets less attention than the devilish Drumguish.

[Dubois]

Mortlach...

[Deactivated Member]

Without doubt the Deerstalker Braeval. Cheap as chips, and its a Braeval...need i say more?

[Reggaeblues]

Interesting Nick's assessment of Glen Mooray! I';ve had some great samples from single casks sent to me by a mate there, including some bourbon barrells that were every bit a match for the Gkenlivet Nadurra..one had a nose to die for, and they recently did a 700 bottle run of a Portwood finish that was grrreat.

But the everyday NAS is...OK. As has been said here, Cardhu is excellent for an "easy drinker."

My vote would go to Old Pulteney 12 as one of the best underrated "high street" bottlings.

[dramtastic]

Don't know I'd call these underated but I don't read much about them and I've been impressed by what I've tried so far. Would like to try more from the following

Ardmore
Bladnoch
Balblair
Scapa

[MacDeffe]

Well this is a very subjective discussion

I have Cardhu and Scapa on my list of overrated distilleries

A lot of distilleries is considered underrated due to the fact that they are relatively unknown. This for sure has a great correlations with the amount of marketing fundings thats pumped into their brands

For me there's a lot more overrated distilleries than underrated. A lot of distilleries I think is considered good only for the reason they have a lot of marketing behind them and is therefore betterknown

Here's a few distilleries I really like and I am seldom disspointed when finding a bottle

Glen Elgin
Caperdonich
Old Pulteney
Balblair
Tomatin

/macdeffe

[MacDeffe]

Well I am specific thinking on the Cardhu OB getting 90 in Jim Murrays Bible which I think is hugely overrated

Apart from that I think almost all production is sold in Spain and maybe also Italy, so that's probably where its advertised for logical reasons

But you're very right, hard to find anything from Cardhu, I've seen a rare malt bottling but never tried it, could be fun to experience how the distillery really is, as I often find OB's from the big companies aren't doing the distilleries any favours as representant

MAcdeffe

[charlano]

Yes I know you mentioned single malt, but what comes in my mind in therm of underrated scotch is blends in general. We always talk of single malt but there is some really nice blends out there too. Like all the JW expressions, Chivas Regal and many other. Recently I bought a bottle of really cheap Grant Familly reserve for doing some drinks and I was quite happily surprised to note that it was quite enjoyable for its price tag. I drink it more neat than in drinks.

Of course I prefer SM because of their unique character and richness but when I hear of underrated scotch, blends come in mind.

[The Third Dram]

Clynelish... Very classy juxtaposition of coastal and Highland characteristics, as well as quite a unique flavour profile.
Glen Elgin... The 16YO CS, in particular, is an absolute cracker.
Longmorn... Really liked the 15YO. Think I like the 16YO even more.
Mortlach... One that should be in everyone's collection.

[dramtastic]

I would agree with Longmorn but I thought it was relatively well known so didn't put it on my list.

[Willie JJ]

I would agree with Longmorn but I thought it was relatively well known so didn't put it on my list.

That's the problem with this question. Folk have completely different ideas about what underrated means. The last time we went through this I think almost every malt under the sun got mentioned sooner or later. The game needs tighter rules.

[dramtastic]

I would agree with Longmorn but I thought it was relatively well known so didn't put it on my list.

That's the problem with this question. Folk have completely different ideas about what underrated means. The last time we went through this I think almost every malt under the sun got mentioned sooner or later. The game needs tighter rules.

Agreed Willie.

I was actually quite hesitant to post a reply because as it was posed I'm
not really sure I understood the question.

[Willie JJ]

I would agree with Longmorn but I thought it was relatively well known so didn't put it on my list.

That's the problem with this question. Folk have completely different ideas about what underrated means. The last time we went through this I think almost every malt under the sun got mentioned sooner or later. The game needs tighter rules.

I can tell your girls are grown up Willie.
When you have a 4yo and an 11yo, tight rules are meaningless - they change to suit the player

I assumed we weren't asking the kids Nick. My mistake.

[Wave]

I also agree with Glen Elgin, quickly becoming one of my favorite Speysides. Also Benromach and Dailuaine, their 16 F&F is stunningly good!


Cheers!

[corbuso]

For me:
-Ardmore
-Glen Garioch
-Longmorn
-Strathisla

[Drammed]

Mortlatch
Longmorn

[Ganga]

Willie, can Macallan, Springbank, Lagavulin and Ardbeg ever make the underrated list?

[dramtastic]

Willie, can Macallan, Springbank, Lagavulin and Ardbeg ever make the underrated list?

I could personally put one of those on an overated list.

[Ganga]

I've had some less than stellar experiences with these distilleries. Then again, some truly outstanding ones as well.

[lockejn]

I vote for Old Pulteney and Speyburn.

I wouldn't say Clynelish is underrated - it just seems to be very polarizing. People either love it or hate it. I love it.

[Maccy]

This is a very interesting thread and I agree that there can be so much differing opinion here.

Great!

What about Glenfiddich!!!

[Muskrat Portage]

I'm very fond of Longmorn 15, which I notice doesn't get bandied about much on these forums. It's difficult to find over here, which is why I have a spare in the "tickle trunk". (Which hides somewhere in The Lair.)

Musky

[DavidUK]

This is a very interesting thread and I agree that there can be so much differing opinion here.

Great!

What about Glenfiddich!!!

Yes, I'd agree that the Glenfiddich range is somewhat underrated, especially when one bears in mind the considerable number of awards they have won

[Drammed]

Old Pulteney 12

[Willie JJ]

Willie, can Macallan, Springbank, Lagavulin and Ardbeg ever make the underrated list?

I guess not, but taking those four out of the list of the underrated won't help much. I suppose most of the stills without a marketing organisation behind them tend to be underrated, or even ignored. What about Inchgower for example?

[jazz lover]

Longmorn 15
Strathisla 12

[Kernow]

Glenfiddich Caoran reserve , i really like this.

[slojo]

My vote goes to Ardmore Traditional Cask.

Can usually be found for a smidgen over £20 - great quality whisky at that price. Dangerously drinkable though

[DavidUK]

The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

Tamdhu (NAS)
Cragganmore 12

[lexvo]

Glen Scotia. I have tasted a 1992 Ultimate botteling a few times and I think it is very nice.

[slojo]

The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.

That really does surprise me, I must say. What kind of whisky do you usually like?

[DavidUK]

The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.

That really does surprise me, I must say. What kind of whisky do you usually like?

There are none so far that I really don't like apart from the Ardmore TC. I guess my favourites are any Aberlour,Edradour 10,Quarter Cask, Caol Ila 10,Old Pultenay 12,Cragganmore,Clynelish 14