10-12yo Grand Final (standard common bottlings)

by **Marvin** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:56 pm

Gentlemen, chose your weapon.

by **Paul A Jellis** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:01 pm

Talisker - by a long 'nose'

by **TheLaddie** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:13 pm

Ardbeg. The others cannot compeat :wink:

by **Mustardhead** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:51 pm

I voted for the Talisker. It is a whisky with staying power. It's been in my half-dozen favourites for at least 20 years. The quality of other malts has risen and fallen in that time (Macalland and Laphroiag spring to mind) but Talisker keeps going and it tastes as good now as it did in the 1980s.

Highland Park is also a favourite but the 12 just doesn't have the same luxurious quality of the Talisker.

I've only been drinking Ardbeg for three years or so, nowhere near long enough to come to a decision

Lovely stuff but a bit 'raw' to make it as a favourite.

Balvenie is okay. To me it isn't anything special, just a very nice Scotch but it isn't going to get into my top 20. I'd rather have a Macallan or Glenlivet or Glenmorangie or something.

Springbank isn't something I drink often enough to be able to offer an opinion on. Maybe I need a bottle or three to remind me...

by **The Fachan** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:21 pm

Folks,

Balvenie for me, I dont think there is anyone out there who produces whisky to such a high standard and so often as David Stewart.
Extremely skilled and one of the nicest people in the industry.

Ian

by **Lawrence** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:50 am

I voted Balvenie 10 also. The others are a very close second.

by **hpulley** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:22 pm

Obviously there was no need to ask me... everyone knows already.

Harry

by **Di Blasi** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 5:53 pm

Nice to see Ardbeg the clear winner in this competition!

by **Reggaeblues** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:59 pm

Let's face it these are all wonderful, desirable drams, but if I had to choose one "desert island dram" which would i miss most?

Yup, it begins with 'A'...and is an anagram of "badger"(as i have learned on this forum...)

by **Dubois** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:13 pm

That's a tough one!
Ardbeg Ten on first, very closely followed by Highland Park 12.

by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 1:12 pm

T 10 then HP 12 & S 10

Won't be buying the Ardbeg or Balvinie again neither my bag.

by **lexvo** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:49 pm

Of these, for me first Ardbeg 10 then Talisker 10.

by **Jan** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:02 pm

After tip toeing around this poll for a few days, I ended up voting Talisker. But all are worthy candidates (Have not had the Springer 10 though) - and Talisker came out on top by the sligthest of margins....

This whole series of polls has turned out to be a fun idea Marvin!

How about a similar competition for teenaged malts?

by **Rankles** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:51 pm

Not had the Ardbeg, and I hate the Blavenie, although I love the 12 and 15. Voted for Highland Park, I'm on my second bottle and it's ever awesome.

by **vitara7** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:53 pm

ardbeg 10yo has it

by **Admiral** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:00 pm

I went with Talisker.

Ardbeg 10 is a great drop, but there are better Ardbegs out there.

It's much harder to find alternative expressions of Talisker, and the 10yo stands up pretty well against some of its stablemates.

Cheers,
AD

by **Quaichuser** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:53 pm

Of the five listed I'd chose the Highland Park. Being new to the group I was wondering why the Balvenie 10 was listed over the 12yr old Doublewood. That has long been a favourite in this household.

by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:43 pm

Quaichuser wrote:Of the five listed I'd chose the Highland Park. Being new to the group I was wondering why the Balvenie 10 was listed over the 12yr old Doublewood. That has long been a favourite in this household.

The reason the Balvenie 12 is not list (I presume) is because the 10yo is the entry level bottling for Balvenie where as in the case of Highland Park the entry level bottling is the HP 12.

by **Jan** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:21 pm

Actually this is the end poll of a series.

Balvenie got included here by winning the speyside part and then one of three "semifinal" polls.

But actually only in this, the final poll is Balvenie specified as the 10yo - the two other polls just stated Balvenie and I think some voted thinking the 10 and some thinking it was the 12yo.

Does not matter that much in my opinion - both are fine drams. If you have not tried the 10yo yet, you should really give it a go.

And byt the way: welcome to the forums, Quaichuser :wink:

by **Quaichuser** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:12 am

[And byt the way: welcome to the forums, Quaichuser :wink:

[/quote]

Thanks, I'm a long time imbiber but only found this site recently. Have been warmly welcomed, it's like talking with old friends.

by **Ardbeg311** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 11:17 pm

Couldn't pass up an opportunity to vote for my beloved Ardbeg. Bottle after bottle it always delivers for me.

by **Onefortheditch** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:21 am

Talisker 10

by **badams** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:47 am

1. Ardbeg
2. Talisker
3. Highland Park

but I might pick Johnnie Walker Swing over Ardbeg and Redbreast over at least Highland Park!

---------------
these are the cream of the crop!

by **Elagabalus** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:22 am

Balvenie 10

by **Ann-Helen** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:54 am

balvenie 10 yo

by **les taylor** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:29 am

I saw this Thread and thought Marvin was back for a minute.

by **kljostad** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:52 pm

Even though my stack of opened whiskies recently turned 30 bottles, Ardbeg 10 is still one of my favourite. And after tasting Almost There, I guess that will not change any time soon.

by **Steve Rush** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:06 pm

As much as I like the Balvenie 10 my vote would have to be for the Ardberg 10. For what it delivers as a 10 year old is just sublime and stands up to some of the other big boys of the 16 yr* mark and upwards.

* Excluding Lagavulin 16yr as in my mind that's the real daddy of this range but hey that's a whole different topic.

by **pkt77242** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:56 am

Talisker. This is a sentimental fav for me as it was the malt that helped me get serious about whisky. The highland park might be better balanced but IMHO Talisker has the best flavor of any of these malts. Lots of pepper with a dash of salt, a little underlying sweetness, and a heavy dose of smoke and earth. I think I need to go have a glass right now.

Sean

by **Mark** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:59 pm

I voted for the HP 12 but Ardbeg and Talisker where a close 2nd and 3rd for me.

I was surprised the Balvenie made it to the final poll.

Mark

by **CelticHorns** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 4:07 pm

My choice is Ardbeg with close second HP 12. I just think that Ardbeg offer a bit more in terms of flavors and aromas. I appreciate Ardbeg 10 as a digestif or at night cap. Highland Park 12 is for me an afternoon dram.

by **Dangerous_Dave** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:53 pm

I voted Talisker, beating Highland Park by a whisker. Ardbeg shouldn't even make the final vote IMHO.

by **Reggaeblues** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:53 am

C'mon Dave! Live dangerously! Ardbeg puts hairs on your chest!

Seriously, there's a reason we all love it. It ain't just peer pressure. It was my standard long before I discovered this forum!

But I'm with you on Talisker 10. For me it comes a close second to Ardbeg.

but be aware folks. Arran have just standardised their 10yo...and it's NCF and 46%

Had a mini the other day. Very impressive...

by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:31 am

Reggaeblues wrote:.......but be aware folks. Arran have just standardised their 10yo...and it's NCF and 46%

Had a mini the other day. Very impressive...

Arran standardising a bottling :shock:

by **les taylor** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:52 am

It's funny how tastes change when this poll first came out I tiptoed around it like Jan and did not vote at all. I Probably would have voted Talisker then. But now it's definetely HP12.

10-12yo Grand Final (standard common bottlings)