Care to help me pick my next bottle?

[Nock]

So I am itching to pick up a new bottle of something I haven't tried before. I have narrowed it down to a few options but I thought I would get the opinions of the wonderfully experienced members of this forum.

Here is the relevant data:
I am currently board with malts like Glenmorangie and Oban (just finished a bottle of each), and I can't stands malts like Auchentoshan. I love the heavy peated malts (Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin) but that is all I seem to have on hand at the moment. I want a little variety . . . which would you pick?

what I have open:
Talisker 10yo
Laphroaig 10yo
Laphroaig 10yo CS
Laphroaig 15yo
Highland Park 18yo
Bowmore Legend
Bowmore 15yo
George T. Stagg

(I have three Ardbegs and two Lagavulins in the closet . . . but I am waiting on those for the moment )

This list above is what I have narrowed the field down to along with what I would pay locally. I think that there are times when price does make a difference. Maybe you think the Talisker distillers edition is great, but not worth $70 when you have a Clynelish in the running for about $46.

This is all just for kicks and giggles but I am curious to see what you have to say.


Nock

[irishwhiskeychaser]

Talisker Distillers Edition might be a choice just to contrast against your Talisker 10.

[Aidan]

I'd go for one of the first three, but only because I am not a big fan of the last two on the list. I'd probably go for the Cragganmore, if it was me.

[ryoma]

Well, I don't care for heavy peated single malts! So much for different tastes.

I have voted for the Aberlour a'bunadh. I have it open and it's just gorgeous and I think it would bring something new to your collection.

[Aidan]

Which batch is it from? The a'buhadh, that is.

[Bullie]

I would opt for the Aberlour, since it's quite the difference to the opened bottles in your cabinet. A heavy sherry influenced whisky, with a distinct speyside character.

[Drrich1965]

I voted for Springbank. Medium peated, so not a total departure from your current joys, but different enough to take a stretch. I think you can get that bottle much cheaper...www.binnys.com. Even with shipping, much less. Also, the 100 proof 10 is nicer...

[Deactivated Member]

I vote a'bunadh. I have no idea if you will like the sherry thing, but you seem to prefer more intense drams, and it certainly qualifies. Different from anything else you've mentioned.

Hopefully you will eventually learn to appreciate subtler malts--you are missing a lot. I was a peat fiend once, too.

[Deactivated Member]

I, too, used to be a peat fiend. I voted Clynelish because I hadn't spotted Edradour. Please mentally transfer my vote. Edradour 10 is a wonderful heathery dram quite unlike anything else I've had - although it is a bit subtle, I suppose.

[Frodo]

I voted Springbank, but Clynelish would be a close second. Springbank because you would get to see why people rave about it, and Clynelish because it is closest to what you seem to like (on the heavy side of medium smokey with a slightly different flavour profile).

[Aidan]

I think Springbank is a wonderful distillery. I'm also a fan of their Longrow.

I think, for such a renounded distillery, it is talked about very little on these pages.

[jimidrammer]

Finally. a poll where I've actually tried them all. I voted Aberlour also, but they are all worth a try eventually. Here's my personal rundown:


ABERLOUR A'BUNADH - Rich sherry, sweet mint and spice

CLYNELISH 14yo -Fruity, nutty, a little peat

SPRINGBANK 10yo - Salty, coconut, caramel apple

CRAGGANMORE DISTILLERS EDITION 12yo - Honey, vanilla, spice

TALISKER DISTILLERS EDITION 12yo -Fruity, wood, spice and smoke

EDRADOUR 10yo - Buttery, caramel, cooked fruits

[pouranother]

I would choose the Springbank, to me malty,little pear, salty, excellent mouth-feel,rich and a hint of smoke at the end. My only concern $65 for the 10, seems kinda high. I hate to bring this up I paid $35.

[Deactivated Member]

I voted Springbank...because you would get to see why people rave about it....

I've tried Springbank 10 several times, and I have no idea why people rave about it. My bad, I guess. But I have a feeling that Nock wouldn't get it right off, either.

[Bullie]

As for the Springbank, I would rather go for a 10yo 100Proof version.

[GreyArea]

I've voted for the Aberlour, but you might also want to consider a Glenfarclas 105. Similar enough to be alike, different enough to be distinctive.

Both are cask strength sherry monsters.

Jim

[Wave]

Definitely the ABERLOUR A'BUNADH. Batch #'s make very little difference as they're all great!
At 60% +/- alc/vol with little or no extra spring water added it's surprisingly smooth.



Cheers!

[Nock]

Thank you all for your opinions and taking the time to vote. I decided to go with the clear majority here and just picked up a bottle of Aberlour A'bunadh!!!

It is batch No. 16 at 59.6 ABV

Thanks again

Nock

[TreacleSponge]

ohh, I was too late to sway your decision... and I was the only one to vote for Edradour I picked it cos it's sooo very different from anything you've got open atm, with that lovely chewy custardy taste