NEW vs OLD

by **bartok** » Wed Feb 27, 2002 6:42 pm

Hi everybody- In the quest for value in singlmalts I have found three in which I prefer the younger expressions. Laphroig10 over Laphroig15. The 15 was perfumey.Bruichladdich10 over Bruichladdich15. The 10 tasted cleaner and fresher . Highlandpark12 over Highlandpark18. This was a tie compared to the previous two but why not save the $25. only an opinion.

[This message has been edited by bartok (edited 03 March 2002).]

[This message has been edited by bartok (edited 03 March 2002).]

by **bartok** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 8:27 am

one more- I find the Glenfarclas10 better than the Glenfarclas12.Which is some what suprising since its 40 proof. The only other 40 proof single malt I have tried{officially} was the Bowmore12.Which I found kind of harsh.The Bowmore15 was much more enjoyable.Has anyone any thoughts on the other Bowmores?Such as the 17 or the darkest?

[This message has been edited by bartok (edited 03 March 2002).]

by **Opi** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 8:03 pm

The best way to compare as many Bowmore bottlings as possible for low cost is the Bowmore family drum (200ml each of Legend, 12yo, 15yo, 17yo and 21yo, all at 43%abv).
I came to the conclusion that the 17yo is much like the 12yo but more rounded up. The 21yo has a good hint of oak (not surprising at that age) but has been warmer in the finish. The Legend is a good start up and it´s pleasing to find a young but matured Islay. You can discover a maturing line from the starting point Legend up to the 21yo bottling. The Mariner (15yo) expression falls out of this row because the producer looked for a strong malt to stand against the other southern Islays, so they created the Mariner.

by **BruceCrichton** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 8:34 pm

A few more to add:

Bowmore Legend beats the 12 year old hands down.

Macallan 10 (and 12) is better than the 18yr old and the £100 release they have just made.

And Balvenie 10 is better than both 12 and 21 yr old bottlings. The 10 Yr old is like warm honey and the 12 yr old double wood is like adding make-up to a swan - totally pointless and counterproductive.

by **bartok** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 4:58 am

greetings- thanks for the input. I am somewhat disappointed that the Bowmore15 falls outside the normal line since I liked the direction it was going. I saw two unopened bottles of Bowmore17 and Bowmore darkest at the bar up the street,so in order to promote singlemalts I might have to stage a small tasting. Which year was your Macallan18? Mine was an 82 and I thought it was about the same as my Macallan12. Certainly not worth the added cost even though I got a decent deal on mine. $73. Thanks for your thoughts on Balvenie. I enjoyed my 12 more than the 15 but since the 15 was a singlecask I didnt feel that I could compare them. I was going to buy the 12 again when I finished my current bottle but now I am going to buy the 10 and compare the two. thanks again.

by **BruceCrichton** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 8:05 pm

Macallan 18 was from 1983.

I had Bowmore 17 at the Dufftown whisky festival (where Fiona keeps it in stock at www.dufftown.co.uk) and it was excellent and beat the 12 year old hands down. I think the 12 year is sherried and tries to be all things to all men too much.

As for Balvenie, try and get the 3 miniatures gift pack which consists of 10, 12 and 15 year old. The 10 yr is available in most supermarkets for under £25 and that's the one I would make a bee-line for.

Glenturret, if you have the cash, takes of with age. 12 Yr is excellent, 15 is better 9apparently) and 18yr is nectar from the gods.

Norwegian connoisseur Per Lovlie assures me that Talisker is rotten at 8 and 12 yr old but brilliant at 10 (I agree with the 10 yr but have never had the 8 or 12)

by **bartok** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 11:55 pm

sorry about the Talisker8, heard it was good and would still like to find one. On the subject of old bottlings, have you ever had any of the older bottlings of Balvenie?I recently found a 12 year old(called founders reserve)that predates the new line and I am curious what to expect. Thanks for the info on Glenturret.

by **BruceCrichton** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 12:07 am

I've only had the 10 Yr old Founder's reserve and the 12 Yr old doublewood. This is a bottling of Balvenie that i don't know of.

To digress slightly, get Ben Nevis blended instead of Ben Nevis 10 Yr old malt. The blend beats it hands down.

by **Xavier** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 11:22 am

About Ben Nevis :

I agree that te Dew is an excellent blend and maybe better than the offical 10 YO bottling, but I haven't tasted this version yet.
However, I certainly recommend the recent 9 YO Signatory bottling, a beauty !

Xavier

by **BruceCrichton** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 7:20 pm

Another whisky that is better new than old is Talisman. I'm cheating a little here because Talisman is made by the same people who make Antiquary 12 yr old which I have no time for as a blend. The much cheaper Talisman gets my vote every time.

Also 10 yr old Laphroaig is better than the independently botlled 'Leapfrog' 12 Yr.

Superb at 11 yr old as opposed to unaged (8Yr I presume?) is Cameron Brig single grain whisky although it should be pointed out that the 11 yr old is cask strength at a whopping 64%. (Whatever the strength of the whisky, I always have whisky neat).

The bottling was from Cadenhead's in the Canongate section of the royal mile.

by **BruceCrichton** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:18 am

For those who visit Edradour distillery, I find that 'House of Lords' 12 yr is nice but not as smooth as the 'Deluxe' which I assume is 8 yr old.

However, 'Clan Campbell' is excellent at 12 yr old and comparable withJohnnie Walker Black Label and superior to Antiquary and Chivas Regal which are all the same age. Clan Campbell standard unaged is rotten and tastes like creosote. Definitely worth the extra time and money for this one.

by **bartok** » Sat Mar 16, 2002 7:21 am

thanks Bruce- I usually bring a bottle of Johnny Black to my family functions and was always curious about Chivas.I guess I'll keep bringing the Johnny Walker.

by **BruceCrichton** » Sun Mar 17, 2002 8:00 pm

Chivas Regal 12 Yr old is disappointing.

For a deluxe, you can do far worse than Glenmorangie's 'Baillie Nicol Jarvie' Whisky which is a minimum of 6 years old.

BTW when did I mention Chivas Regal?

by **BruceCrichton** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 7:37 pm

My mistake.

I've never had Chivas 18 yr old.

by **jonno** » Sun Mar 24, 2002 10:44 am

Hello Everyone

I feel I must chip in with a few comments.
Bowmore 15 : One of the best, most balanced whiskies available, IMHO. Bowmore 21 yo Ok but try Glen Garioch 21yo as well.
Balvenie : nicer than Glenfiddich (same recipe) but the 17yo Islay Cask Finish what a waste of time.
Has anyone tried Glenmorangie Malaga Wood finish. What did they do with it? Take it on holiday with them??

Cheers!

by **MrAndySais** » Sun Mar 24, 2002 11:14 pm

I have Glenmorangie 15y.o., Sherry wood, Port wood, cask strength and Madeira Wood which I like best of what I know from Glenmorangie.

Cheers,
Andy