Favorite All Around Whiskey

[davesumner]

I know that this is a tough one.

I'm an American and so Scotch is pretty expensive for me on the East Coast and I can't afford Single Malts to drink all the time.

I'm also not a big fan of Blended Scotch, but I do like a few blends.

Anyway, I'm more of a Bourbon guy and I find that I commonly pick up Buffalo Trace and Elijah Craig the most. Elijah Craig is a little woody and dry but it's still a good whiskey for the price. Buffalo Trace is an excellent value as well for the complexity and character it brings.

As far as Scotch on the regular bases, Grant's, Teacher's, Glen Garrioch and Dewar's are my regular's.

[Elagabalus]

I feel your pain. Sadly, I too cannot afford to drink SMS all the time. I've been drinking Johnnie Walker Green Label for a while now, or should I say regularly. At 59 bucks CDN for a bottle, it's not too taxing on the wallet, and still a bit "higher up there" than the grain/malt blends like the ones you
ve' mentioned.

Actually it is more expensive than Aberlour 10, Aberlour 12, Balvenie 10, and about 1 dollar cheaper than Balvenie 12. So I guess I could afford to drink SMS everyday, just not the ones I want to.
Lagavulin DE, Aberlour A'Bunadh etc.

[davesumner]

I keep a bottle of JWB on my shelf almost all the time. It's $40.00 including tax where I'm from. I also have a bottle of Talisker that is almost empty now.

I try to keep a good stock of cheaper single malt scotches in my cabinet, but I only drink them occasionally.

I prefer my scotch on the rocks, so JWR is just fine for everyday drinking for me. -- I've never tried Green.

[Red_Arremer]

Favorite All Around Whisky... hmm

Laphroaig 30 is way up there on my list . Complicated nose, fascinating taste incredible depth, really ideal balance, endless finish, and a ton of drinkability. If you can still find a bottle of this pick it up ASAP because it's been discontinued and is disappearing fast!

Longmorn 16 c/s Raw Cask from Blackadder is also jarringly great . You get that great swell of Longmorn honey with a hefty body and an unreal sparkle on the palate. I've never had anything else like this.

I recently tasted an incredible 26 year old Brora from Duncan Taylor that might rank up there as well.

I'm surprised more people aren't chiming in on this thread. It's an endlessly appealing topic.

[IainB]

Generally Redbreast 15yo, or if unavalable Jameson 18. Then again, I'm biased.

[Les Paul]

HP 12 for me.......

[UUNetBill]

This is a tough one, as I tend to change drinks based on mood, weather, position of the stars, etc.

I would have to honestly say I don't have a 'go-to' bottle at all. . .I sometimes stand in front of my admittedly modest cabinet and just twiddle my thumbs until something jumps out at me (figuratively speaking) and says, "Drink me!"

That said, I usually end up with a Mac, a'bunadh, Compass Box, or a Stranahan's Colorado (seasonal, as it's getting cooler here.)

I've heard a lot of people saying good things about the Old Pulteney 12; I need to grab a bottle and see if it's a good daily drinker. . .

[Gov]

For me, Old Pulteney 12

[dcb]

my daily is Laph 10. or a bourbon or rye.

[Reggaeblues]

I don't have one daily dram. And it certainly would not be A'bunadh. too much sherry and too strong for an everyday. that's not to say it isn't great - I usually have a bottle open, but it tends to be "for special occasions..." or when in the mood for a full on sherry attack.

Also, anything by Lagavulin is a BIG favourite, but not everyday. too much of a good thing, familiarity breeds contempt etc.

there are times when i like to get seriously meditative with a whisky..eyes closed, totally focussing on the nuances etc. in which case the SMWS bottles get a dusting off, or that rare sample awaiting its moment.

But for everday, meaning the dram on the sideboard when cleaning the kitchen, or posting on this forum, or...

then yes, time for the low ABV, supermarket bought easy drinkers. Pulteney 12 is great in this respect, and very distinctive. I also Black bottle, Laphroaig 10, Talisker 10, Ardbeg 10, Glenmo 10, etc...

[cathach]

Jemmy 12 or Black Bush; both sterling whiskies I could live with happily

[lincoln imp]

Generally Redbreast 15yo, or if unavalable Jameson 18. Then again, I'm biased.

Iain is the Redbreast 15 much better than the 12?
I love the 12 and if i find a 15 i would probably get it.
Cheers
LI

[lincoln imp]

Like others have said this is a tough question to answer as we all have different tastes.
I class a good all rounder as a quality dram at a reasonable price that you can drink at any time of day and any time of year.

For lower end bottles Glenlivet 12 or 18, Cragganmore 12, HP 12
jw green label ( vatted ) etc ( too many to list )
A top class all rounder has to be Talsker 18, smooth and smokey. For the money there are not many others that offer the same quality.
I also drink Strathisla at any time of the day

[The Scotch Chix]

Our daily used to be Highland Park 12 ($49 at Bevmo). Now we are on a bit of a fruity kick and pick up the Glenlivet 18 at Costco for our every day whisky ($42). Have you tried Woodford Reserve Bourbon ($29 at Bevmo)? It is a bourbon that thinks it is a scotch.

CA Scotch Chick
http://www.scotchchix.com

[talisker10]

I am torn between Talisker 10 (obviously) and Laphraoig CS. I guess as a daily dram the Lap would win out since it's cheaper ($52 vs. $63).

[hook55]

Makers Mark for Bourbon Whiskey, And as far as SM Whisky I will have to say Glenfiddich 18y.o. although the 15y.o. is very close.

[dramtastic]

I think a good transitional whisky for a bourbon drinker would be Balvenie Double Wood. Oak, Vanilla, buttery, smooth long finish. If you can get it for a reasonable price give it a try.

[Reggaeblues]

There are paople who swear by one whisky. "JW Red" , or "Glenfiddich", or "J&B Rare" or whatever..or the adventurous drinker who just had his first Laphroaig and can taste the entire history of Scotland in one sip. But more often than not, these are folk who have one, max two, of everything in their drinks cabinet = brandy, gin, vodka, tequila, Martini, and whatever they consider the "best" whisky.

Mine was Lagavulin 16. But back then, the only other whiskies i'd tried were Oban and Glenfiddich, with Laphroaig and Macallan soon to come...

the more whiskies one tries, the more one's horizon expands, and the harder it is to name a "favourite all-rounder".

Michael Jackson called HP12 "The Greatest All-rounder..." but I don't agree. not that i don't like it...it's all down to taste.

I guess my favourite everyday, inexpensive "All around whiskey" would be a blend of Ardbeg 10, glenfiddich 15, Pulteney 12, Talisker 18, a good sherried Macallan, Lagavulin 16, Glenmorangie 'old' Portwood...and preferably bottled at 46%!!

Now THAT would be something!

But then I suppose I'd bet bored and want to savour the extremes: "Gimme the Port! gimme the peat!"

Variety is the spice of life, and the joy of whisky

[The Third Dram]

I know that this is a tough one.

You do happen to mention Buffalo Trace (while intimating that you find the heavier char aspect of the Elijah Craig a little too drying) and Glen Garioch, however. And this leads me to believe that you might really like Balvenie 15YO Single Barrel, which is bottled at a slightly higher proof than most Highlanders, and has a lovely clean, crisp, honeyed flavour spectrum. Hook55's recommendation of the 15YO (French Oak Reserve, I'm guessing) and 18YO from Glenlivet is also an excellent one.

Lots of choices... That's for sure!

[randall fairbrook]

ardbeg 10...my all around all satisfying -i can drink it every day - favorite smsw

teachers - fav blend

buffalo trace - fav bourbon

old overholt - fav rye (and super cheap too)

[borgom]

Probably Ardbeg 10 at the moment. A year or two ago I would have easily said Laph 10 but due to it's now lighter profile it's no longer close.
I do drink some bourbon and Wild Turkey Rare Breed is my favourite so far. I also really enjoy Mellow Corn.

[LeoDLion]

I dont have one single malt that I have all the time, it changes. Right now I have open bottles of Balvenie Doublewood, a Glenlivet Nadura, a Williamsom bourbon. I also have various bottles that I have furtherd matured in 5-liter oak barrel between 8-9 months. The original whiskies that was used in further maturation are the cheaper variety and some are blends such as McCleland, McCormack, Queen Anne, Scot Leader, etc.

[lancj1]

I am not experienced enough yet, as one poster indicates your horizons widen with each new bottle you try. I love Talisker, 10 and 18, I am nearing the end of my JW blue, a blend which I found to be exceptional and which I may never buy again, and I am now trying my first bottle of Bunahabain, which I think is very good too. To my palate, those whiskys are quite similar - complex, light peat/smoke, pepper, long finish.

Its nice to have a favourite though, just so hard to pick one !

[kyorke1]

Definitely a difficult question, with my experience I would say that it’s a toss up between the HP18 and the Talisker 18. I love HP’s honey sweetness followed by its long smoky finish. This could quite easily change as I try new stuff though.

A daily drinker for me would be the Laphroaig 10.

[Megawatt]

For a daily drinker I'd say Alberta Premium 25.
For a weekend sipper, probably Talisker 18.

[bankerjoe]

I am really new to Whiskey, so this is tough for me. I know very little about American stuff (I have only had a couple bourbons, and not much else), but I seem to gravitate to Scotches. I haven't had too many blends, only single malts. That said, I love peat. Anything with smokiness I seem to love, and the more the better.

That said, in my limited experience, I have to go with Bowmore Darkest or Lagavulin 16. The more smoke the better.

[Dubois]

Any HP...

[triguy42]

Favorite all around right now would be Ardbeg 10yr. Intensity, character, depth, balance. But out of 100+ open bottles of SMS anything intense and smoky makes the daily cut. At the moment Laphroaig 10yr is my choice, but my tastes vary day to day. It depends on mood, weather, etc. Some days Macallan CS, Oban 14yr, delicate-but-powerful Talisker 18 or 20yr, etc. But when I want something that I can put my nose into and just sit and reflect it almost always goes back to an Islay malt.

[LagaDrinker]

For me I think Macallan 10 at the moment

[vivbao]

Not all that experienced but I have the memory of a Talisker 10 that just won't quit. The Laphroaig QC is a current fave.

[Stewart]

Famous Grouse 18: mature and balanced with some maltiness. Minor notes of spice and dried black fruits. Barest hints of smoke and liquorice. Johnnie Walker Black comes in second...just a nice symphony of flavors for everyday use, like the interplay of lots of Scottish pipes and drums.

I haven't found a favorite single malt yet, but like others here, I think highly of my bottle of Talisker 10!

[UUNetBill]

Agreed - it's difficult to pick a favorite - my choices are influenced by my moods, the weather, what I had for lunch, what I'm having for dinner, and probably the moon and tides, too. That said, I usually have to buy replacements for:

Macallan 12 and 18
Ardbeg 10
Aberlour a'bunadh
Balvenie Doublewood
HP 18
Lap QC



But like kids, they all have a special place in my heart (stomach?)

[Novice Scotch Fan]

Since I started drinking it six months ago or so, my all round favorite that I never seem to tire of is Teachers. Its cheap, and its interesting.

For weekends, I move to the single malts but dont have a steady go-to. Keep trying them but none have snagged my palate as a steady.

[lpkchri1]

I've always had an affinity for Talisker 10. Other favorites are Laphroaig 10, Laphroaig 15, and JW Green Label.

[peergynt323]

Talisker 18yo. I know a lot of people echo Highland Park, but I'm not a big fan of their OBs. Runner up would probably be Caol Ila 12yo. I prefer that one to either of the other official Caol Ilas.