Big Sherry

by **ScotchPalate** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:08 pm

I want to add a Big Sherry to my collection. A big sherry, that is, that is not cask strength (55-60% ABV) and that doesn't have too much spice. **Going on taste, not value

by **Deactivated Member** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:12 pm

That's a very limited choice.
Are you really so restricted in what you can purchase or are you only considering those two?

MT

by **les taylor** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:16 pm

The age statements of both expressions are different!

by **ScotchPalate** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:17 pm

Damn it

! I should have added an other option.

If you have a suggestion (as long as it isn't a Big ABV or Big Spice) please share

by **ScotchPalate** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:19 pm

Yes, thank you, Les. The ages are different :roll:

by **les taylor** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:20 pm

Go on add one now you'll just have to count the votes.

by **Deactivated Member** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:21 pm

From the two you have suggested, I would normally go for the Macallan, so long is it is one of the pre-1986 issues and a "Classic Label".

Other considerations that immediately come to mind would be some of the Bruichladdich Sherries, which I have oft raved about on the forum.
I would also consider some of the Glenfarclas bottlings.

MT

by **Deactivated Member** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:24 pm

Sorry SP, I have just realised you wish to exclude high ABVs, this would exclude the 'Laddies which are generally around 56-58%

MT

by **Leither** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:34 pm

Glenfarclas 15, or even the 17 if the 15 is not available to you. Full sherry attack without the spice for me.

The 15 says 'A rich gold-amber with a luscious, unctuous oily oak character delicately peated. Finish gloriously sherry sweet, gently smoky-long and distinguished.'

The 17 says 'Colour: Rich amber
Nose: Complex, with distinctive butterscotch, sherried fruit and peat smoke aromas.
Flavour: Big, full-flavoured, with excellent balance, develops slowly, full of sherry sweet malty tones, and a touch peat smoke.
Finish: Long lasting and smooth, with a hint of spice and sherry sweetness.

by **peergynt323** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:24 pm

Just add water to A'bunadh, Glenfarclas 105 or Infinity. When sherry gets older as in Macallan 18yo, it tastes less sweet and more like caramel, toffee, raisins and stuff like that.

Or you could always go for *cough* Macallan 12yo. But A'bunadh with water is more than worth the $30 and it will last longer.

by **ScotchPalate** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:30 pm

Thanks, peergynt323!
That's good advice.

by **Drrich1965** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:29 pm

I am sure I am in the minority, but I like the Aberlour 15 Sherry finish better than the every popular A'bunadh. A darn good whisky with more balance than the Abundah, IMHO.

by **Choochoo** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:59 pm

The Aberlour 15 is good, but has never struck me as anything overly special. The Mac 18 is probably a bit better, and it's a nice status item to have (even if you're not into that type of stuff).

You could also try a Glendronach, which I like, and has a lot of sherry in it. Glenfarclas is a good choice as well.

by **lbacha** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:17 pm

I tried Glendronach last weekend and was quite suprised by the sherry in it. I'm not sure what the bottle costs but it was very enjoayable.

Len

by **Deactivated Member** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:52 am

Len, was that the new 12 or the old 15? The 15 was monstrously sherried; I haven't tried the 12.

G&M's 15yo Mortlach was a goody, too, but I'm not sure what's available now for Mortlachs.

by **Wave** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:48 am

MrTattieHeid wrote:G&M's 15yo Mortlach was a goody, too, but I'm not sure what's available now for Mortlachs.

Not sure either what's available in a Mortlach now ...at least in AZ, but I'll let you know after I come back from the land of the sun next weekend! :mrgreen:

Cheers!

by **ScotchPalate** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:08 am

I must say, I'm alittle surprised to find that so many prefer the Aberlour 15 (Sherry Finish) over the Macallan 18 (Sherry).

by **Choochoo** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:17 am

lbacha wrote:I tried Glendronach last weekend and was quite suprised by the sherry in it. I'm not sure what the bottle costs but it was very enjoayable.

Len

In my parts, Glendronach 12 or 15 go for $40-$60. And for some reason I've seen the 1968 25yo Glendronach at a few local stores for $85 - I think someone must have made an error on that price though.

In general, I find the glendronach to have a fruity/cherry quality to it that's different, in a good way, from other sherried malts I've tried.

by **The Dazzler** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:37 am

From these two I would opt for the 18yo Mac for the more heavy sherry influence however you can pick up two bottles of the Aberlour 15yo, (a stunning dram) for the price of one Mac 18yo. This comes down to quantity over quality, in my opinion you should seek a bottle of the Macallan. To confuse things the 15yo Aberlour is to be fased out and therefore a stash of this could be beneficial.

Slainte

by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:33 pm

SP don't be too worried about the high abv in the a'bunadh it is actually quite smooth to drink straight and you can always add a drop of water to bring down the abv too. I think it is great value for money.

by **Lawrence** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:46 pm

I voted for the Aberlour 15 since I really like it. What more can I say?

by **Admiral** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:02 am

There's a pretty massive price difference between the two options you listed, at least in this part of the world.

Going purely by palate & taste alone, I would vote for the Macallan, but if you have to take finances into account, it's a different story:

Aberlour 15 - $85
Macallan 18 - $185 ! :roll:

Cheers,
AD

Big Sherry

Big Sherry (not too much ABV or Spice)

Big Sherry