The best 12 years old whisky

by **Lugarteniente** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:14 pm

My prefered is -now- the Highland Park 12

by **Admiral** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:51 am

I voted Macallan, but please understand I mean the sherried version, not the Fine Oak.

Cheers,
Admiral

by **Aidan** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 5:23 am

I am going for the Cragganmore. I just not a Macallan fan.

EDIT: Actually, I should have voted for other. There are a few I'd prefer to these, but do they have to be distillery bottlings?

by **nicholtl** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:19 am

That's a pretty good shortlist, and just tonight I had my 2nd-ever taste of Highland Park, and realized it wasn't half bad. The 1st time I tried it, I found it sharp and medicinal. Not this time round...

However, I'd still have to vote for Macallan. To me, it's simply the 12-year old scotch by which all others are judged by.

by **bamber** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:37 pm

I said HP, but I can think of a few I prefer to any on that list: Elijah Craig 12yo, Wild Turkey 12yo, Redbreast 12yo and Lagavulin 12yo

by **hpulley** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:14 pm

I don't own any 12yos at the moment. Lagavulin 12yo CS has to be one of my favorites, though. The latest batch is just too darned expensive though, gone up from $75 last year to $121 a bottle this year.

Harry

by **Don** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:52 pm

I hit the send button before I should've.... I prefer the Macallan's 12 year old, sherry oak barrel finish. Their European marketed Elegancia 12 year old is fine as well. The definitive Highland Scotch. Don

by **Nock** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:35 am

Well, to be totally honest I have yet to try the Balvenie Double Wood, 12yo. However, of the other 12yos you mention I have to go with Highland Park. Wow what a whisky. In many ways that was my "gate way" whisky to the more peaty malts (finally arriving at Isla :twisted:

)

HP will always have a special place in my heart (and an empty bottle in my liquor cabinet :wink:

)

by **Admiral** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:20 pm

(finally arriving at Isla )

If Mr Picky were here, I'm sure he'd quickly point out that Isla is a locality in Speyside, whereas the peaty whiskies tend to come from Islay :wink:

Cheers,
Admiral

by **Deactivated Member** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:09 pm

Mr Picky tries very hard to overlook typographical errors, or even sloppy spellings like "Laphraiog" or "Coal Ila", but still wishes everyone would learn the difference between "compliment" and "complement".

by **PeatPirate** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:53 pm

Hi all,

The Macallan 12 Y sherry oak is one of my all time favourite 12 Y old whisky's. Till three days ago that would be my answer without any doubt. Three days ago I tasted the Lagavulin 12 Y CS, and that's the best!!!! Wow what a whisky.

Other nice 12 Y old stuff in my opinion:

Caol Ila 12 Y OB (a bit underrated?)

Inchgower 12 Y Cooper's Choice ( a deviant dram, a salty, fruity speysider)

Bowmore 12 (last batch 43 % ABV)

Greetings from the Dutch Lowlands,

PP

by **Nock** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:12 am

Admiral

sorry about the Isla - Islay thing :oops:

I usually take such pride in getting things right . . . oh well.

At least Mr Picky was kind enough to over look it.
I would hate to be on the receiving end of that reproach :wink:

Nock

by **Admiral** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:56 am

Nothing to apologise for, Nock.

Rather, perhaps the Scots should apologise for coming up with such widely different locations having such subtle differences in spelling or pronunciation!

Cheers,
Admiral

by **The Fachan** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:21 pm

Hi there,

I am going to go out on a limb and it will need to be a big one to support me and say Strathisla 12yo.

Ian

by **Admiral** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:20 pm

Don't get too lonely out on that limb, Ian! :wink:

Strathisla 12 is indeed a pleasant and unsung malt, but IMHO, it falls short of being in a "best" category.

Cheers,
Admiral

by **Deactivated Member** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:10 am

Well, my bourbon bias is showing, but if you can't be biased in a poll, where can you be?
My favorite all-time 12yo would be/is the Wild Turkey 12yo, which was sold only outside the U.S. during the last few years of its existence. The Old Rip Van Winkle Old Time rye, also extinct, would run a close second.
Among extant bottlings, I think the W.L. Weller 12yo is both a great value -- under $20 for 750ml -- and a great bourbon.
From my Scotch 'holdings', I enjoy both the Highland Park Ornkney Islands and The Dalmore about equally.

by **MacLover** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:59 am

I love Macallan but for the best 12 YO have to go with the Lagavulin CS.

by **mar_mcdo** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:19 pm

I'm a big fan of HP, but prefer the 18. my fav 12yo though has to be doublewood, fantastic whisky!

by **MGillespie** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:32 pm

The Balvenie Doublewood is the best on this list...but I would also add the Strathisla 12Yo as my choice for a very good 12YO...

Mark

by **JWFokker** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:25 am

Balvenie Doublewood, but only because Talisker doesn't make a 12.

by **Admiral** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:19 am

Talisker used to make a 12yo.

And what a bloody good dram it was, too!

Cheers,
Admiral

by **Deactivated Member** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:33 pm

Admiral wrote:Talisker used to make a 12yo.

And what a bloody good dram it was, too!

Cheers,
Admiral

Would love to have tried that.

I'm torn between the HP12 and Old Pultney. Will probably go for HP as I think I could drink more of it at one sitting...........or.....hmm.......er............scratch that - may have to think again

The Glenturret 12 was pretty good and Knockando is alright too. Dalmore is excellent . Don't forget about the 'Fiddich Caoran reserve....nah only joking :twisted:

by **JWFokker** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:30 pm

Yep. Don't forget the Dalmore 12. I've heard good things about the Cigar Malt too, though I've yet to try it myself. Personally, I like the Dalmore because it's a bit more distinctive than a lot of whiskies I've tried and very good in it's own right. Then of course, there's the fact that it's only $30 in the US, which makes it a hell of a deal.

by **hpulley** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:33 pm

I used to enjoy Dalmore 12 OB but last time I had it (admittedly a year ago) I didn't like it, not sure if it was a naff bottle or a naff sherry cask that caused my dislike. The LCBO has now delisted it so it is no longer available here.

Harry

by **jeffk** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:11 am

I just came home with a bottle of HP12 and am surprised at how nice it is. It's got a thickness to it that I didn't expect, but very much like.

by **Frodo** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 6:47 am

For me, Connemara 12 by a landslide!

by **Iain** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:44 am

Err... Ben Bracken 12 might not be the best 12. But it's an excellent "Glenlivet" and it costs UK£11.99 at Lidl in the UK!

by **Badmonkey** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 7:09 am

Highland Park is the one for me, but if we're using age as the sole criterion, then Elijah Craig 12 runs a close second.

If we restrict the poll only to single malt scotch, then these days my #2 might be Scapa. I need a bigger budget to run a proper comparison, though.

by **Sándor** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:45 pm

Ian Logan wrote:Hi there,

I am going to go out on a limb and it will need to be a big one to support me and say Strathisla 12yo.

Ian

Hehehe... I love it to see how taste differs. I do not really like the Strathisla for its thin body. But then, opinions are like, well, ahum :lol:

.

Lovely distillery though

!

Kind regards,

Sándor

by **Sándor** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:50 pm

I voted the Highland Park 12 for its diversity and overall sublime balance. I also love the Bunnahabhain 12. And on top, I have an old bottling of The Macallan 12 (somewhere in the seventies I think). Phew, that is something unbelievable: Not to compare with the "current" 12 year old sherry finish!

by **Danny** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:33 am

Cragganmore, Highland Park

by **cowboyweaver** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:53 am

I would only rank the distillery releases of 12 year olds because they are the most reliable and studied before their release. And I have a problem with rating to high the designer/boutique whiskys that use to much flavoring from cask swapping. You might as well start adding artificial flavorings. That said Glenmorangie Madeira and Ardbeg Uigeadail ain't half bad. BBQ sauce anyone? or how about 4 alarm chili seasoning? Black Cherry or Godiva chocolate? Olive and garlic extract to those seaside malts?

1. Laphroaig 12 - is King Kong of 12's
2. Talisker 12 - sadly unavailable for 20 years, Godzilla
3. Cardhu 12 - sadly unavailable for 5 or so years
4. Highland Park 12 - heather
5. Cragganmore 12 - complex
6. Bowmore 12 - balanced
7. Springbank 12 - 175th anniversary was nice, but pricey
8. Glen Elgin 12 - balanced
9. Balvenie 12 DW - honeyish
10. oh, where is Brora when you need it, and why no Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Longrow too!

And as for the sherry flavored highland whiskies, why pay the price when Remy-Martin VSOP is very reasonable in comparison? Get the REAL stuff. Macallan 12 is a clean spirit but cant hold a candle to its French neighbor. I just can't seem to cross that line, it ain't worth it!

by **Mr Ellen** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:19 am

Laphroaig 12 ?? Have I missed something or...?

____________
Anders

by **cowboyweaver** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:06 am

oops, Lagavulin 12, Ive done that twice now!

by **clicker7** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:44 am

Definitely, Highland Park 12 (Balvenie DW 2nd).

I have been enjoying 3-4 drams a night the last 2 weeks; But always finish off my tastings, and end the night with a dram of Highland Park 12.

It is just so full, smooth, sweet, smoky, and satisfying.

Best,
Joseph

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