Something neutral but not boring- any suggestions?

by **arnehd** » Thu May 10, 2007 8:46 pm

I just bought the Glenfarclas 105 , which I tried at the store and really liked. I love the a'bunadhs and am a big fan of the smokey/peaty Islays (mostly Ardbeg, but the Laphroaig 10CS rocks also). These really stand out and now I'm looking for something in the medium price range , which isn't finished (no sherry, port, madeira etc. ) but still has something to it. I find the Glenmorangie 10 rather boring , so ist there something more on the neutral side ( a higher alcohol amount can't hurt either) which you can recommend? And original bottlings would be great! I'd really appreciate your help.

by **Ryguy** » Thu May 10, 2007 9:02 pm

It seems as though you enjoy some of the same things as I do. I am far from a professional, but I would recommend the Lagavulin 16 or Oban 14, these are two of my favorites for sure, and both are fairly reasonably priced here in the US, not sure about where you are, but I would imagine it's close.

by **Deactivated Member** » Thu May 10, 2007 9:05 pm

"Neutral, but not boring." Hmmm. I think we need to define better what you mean by neutral.

by **TheLaddie** » Thu May 10, 2007 10:38 pm

Cragganmore CS should fit the bill.

by **Reggaeblues** » Thu May 10, 2007 10:53 pm

Springbank mebbe? Highland Park 18? Bunnahabhain?

...if by neutral you mean not too sweet, not too smoky, not too dry, not too sherried, just nice n' round and deep.

by **Ganga** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:30 pm

Balvenie Double Wood
Auchentoshan Three Wood

Is it me or are these "suggestive"? :oops:

by **Deactivated Member** » Fri May 11, 2007 12:02 am

No comment on that, but he did say not finished.

by **Ganga** » Fri May 11, 2007 12:26 am

True, true.

Then we'll stay with a theme and say the Balvenie 15, Balvenie New Wood 17 and the Auchentoshan 21.

Neutral and not finished eliminate many possibilities. Glenfarclas, Macallan, et al although not "finished" in sherry casks are definitely not neutral. Islays...not neutral. Basically, they need to be bourbon or new wood casks to have a chance using both qualifiers.

by **TheLaddie** » Fri May 11, 2007 12:34 am

Reggaeblues wrote:...if by neutral you mean not too sweet, not too smoky, not too dry, not too sherried, just nice n' round and deep.

Sounds like a song lyric...

by **Admiral** » Fri May 11, 2007 4:48 am

Try Clynelish 14 or Bunnahabhain 12. Maybe even Highland Park 12?

Cheers,
ADmiral

by **Scotchio** » Fri May 11, 2007 8:58 am

Taking neutral as meaning balanced, complex but not in your face I'd suggest Sig Glen Scotia 1992 12yr old, creamy, beautifully peated and delicately fruity.

by **Frodo** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:32 am

I'd go with Admiral's recommendation of Highland Park 12, but the 15 is like a more forceful 12. I refrained from recommending the 18 because of the price tag, but this expression is loved by many on this board.

by **Iain** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:51 pm

I'd think "neutral" can only mean a standard vodka brand such as Smiroff, Absolut etc. But I can't think of any way of making it "not boring"!

Would you describe Scotch grain whiskies as "neutral"? I haven't tried any in a long whiles.

by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:16 pm

The JW Gold I'm drinking at the moment probably fits the bill :wink:

by **Wave** » Fri May 11, 2007 10:13 pm

I know exactly what arnehd means. "something more on the neutral side" ...as opposed to a'bunadh & Laphroaig 10CS! With that said I'd go with the lightly peated Bruichladdich 12yo or the Glenlivet Nadurra 16yo, specially if the CS version is available there.

Cheers!

by **Ann-Helen** » Sat May 12, 2007 7:23 am

what about Strathmill 12yo F&F ?
Or maybe Glen garioch 15 yo.
Both whiskies are Round and easily enjoyable ,Glen garioch has a bit peat lurking about.
Just great

by **Drrich1965** » Sat May 12, 2007 2:18 pm

Ann-Helen wrote:what about Strathmill 12yo F&F ?
Or maybe Glen garioch 15 yo.
Both whiskies are Round and easily enjoyable ,Glen garioch has a bit peat lurking about.
Just great

Glen Garioch is a good suggestion, but perhaps even too much peat to be fit into the neutral chatagory. Still, it comes close and is a good choice. Glengoyne fits the bill for me, a very clean, malty dram without a great deal of "adornement." I had a wonderful Tomatin 11 1989 from Cadenhead which was very clean, simple, yet rich and elegant.

by **Ann-Helen** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:39 am

I don`t think Glen garioch 15 yo actually is neutral but it is a whisky I think one should try.

by **Deactivated Member** » Sun May 13, 2007 1:52 pm

Where are you, arnehd? Are you taking this all in? I'm still waiting for you to define what you mean by "neutral".

by **arnehd** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:08 am

First I'd like to say sorry for not having been here for while, first my internet connection broke down , afterwards being kind of busy otherwise , it kind of slipped my mind , I only remembered yesterday, when coming back to the 105! Then of course thanks a lot for taking the time to answer my question . I'm just going through them now. More later... But really a big thanks to all of you!

by **arnehd** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:51 am

Ok , neutral was maybe a little awkward in describing whisky (right, it's really more appropriate for describing Vodka, and I wouldn't want to waste your time talking about that) . I just meant unfinished (even though I love what sherry finishing can do ) and a not a peaty/smoky punch in the face like I get from the Islays ( the only punch in the face I really enjoy) . I am just looking for -well I really do not what I'm looking for. But something new to broaden my horizon , whatever that may be.
There are some great sounding recommendations here : The Cragganmore CS , Sig. Glen Scotia and Glen Garioch etc. I will shurely give them a try when the time and money is right! So thank you again!
Prost , arne
MrTattieHeid, sorry I have not got a better explanation for the term neutral, but as said above I shouldn't have used it to beginn with!

by **Deactivated Member** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:51 pm

No sweat, arnie.

How about a Glenlivet Nadurra?