Some advice welcome

[reivax]

Hi,

I would like to buy some bottles in the near future and would like to get some that are different enough so that I can choose a strong or light flavour following my mood ...

My own list so far would be to go for Glenmorangie 10yo or Bowmore Doublewood 12yo(light), Hidhland Park 12yo (medium) and Lagavullin 16yo or Talisker 10yo(strong).

What do you think ? Do you have other recommendations or do you think the choices above are reasonnbly accurate. I'm not a real connoisseur yet, so any comment is more than welcome.

Cheers

[Admiral]

Bowmore "Doublewood" ?? Light???

Is it possible you meant Balvenie Doublewood?

[hpulley]

For me, a light malt is usually a nice lowland like Bladnoch or Rosebank.

Talisker is a good strong malt as is Lagavulin. Ardbeg is another favorite.

In your mediums there are some lighter islays as well, Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich.

Harry

[jsf]

i'm no pro, but i'll give you some of my thoughts.

your short list is reasonable, but i agree with harry that you're missing the real light category -- lowlands (like auchentoshen and those he mentioned) and some others.

also, consider other characteristics rather than just light, medium, and heavy. of course, this will come naturally as you get to know malts better, but for starters, consider whether you like the following (or like them when the mood is right), which come from the short list you gave: spiciness (glenmorangie), smokiness (talisker, lagavulin), sweetness (balvenie (and macallan, which you didn't list, is an obvious one)), exceptional balance (lagavulin, highland park), peatiness (lagavulin). the list could go on.

jsf