Forget taste... which has the best aroma?

[Scotched]

I love the peaty Islay whiskies. Laphroaig and Lagavulin especially... But when it comes to aromas, for me, there is nothing better than Highland Park. Its exactly as it says on the 'tin'. Bonfire smoke and teasing heather honey...


What gets your taste buds going?

[orangedogofglory]

Everytime I pull out the cork on my Laphroaig 15 its like I get a punch in the face. But in a good way, like Fight Club.

[Scotched]

Everytime I pull out the cork on my Laphroaig 15 its like I get a punch in the face. But in a good way, like Fight Club.

I adore the 15... Its strangely under-rated by aficionados though... I don't understand why? Its the 10 but enriched by the extra 5 years. The harsh corners have all been smoothed out. A luxurious drink.

[Sherbs]

Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish is quite nice aroma but I am not a huge fan of the taste. So I nose that and drink my laddies

[Scotchio]

I loved the aroma of my last Caol Ila, a wee dram 12yr old, not especially complex but really lovely with that distinctive caol ila peat note and a rich grassiness

[Drrich1965]

When I nose Lagavulin, I remmember what (and why) I feel in love with the hobby in the first place.

[Di Blasi]

The first time I smelled the Ardbeg Ten, I didn't want to remove my nose from it's locked position on the bottle! Same with Lagavulin, whenever I smelled it in a glass! This was all way back when whisky was new to me, I just loved the smell, and I couldn't understand what it was, or why it was, or what made me enjoy it so much. But my vote here goes for the Longmorn, since it has also become a favorite, just more recently. And the few various bottlings I've had have been favorites.

[Mr Fjeld]

I just can't decide on which one I like most because they all offer something fairly special and lovely - but I did vote Clynelish 14 because it took me by storm a few months ago!

Ardbeg Ten: Smoke and smell of bicycle innertubes
Bruichladdich 10: Fantastic intense overripe pears
Clynelish 14: oh so lovely almost melted sweaty marzipan
Balvenie 15: almonds!
Highland Park 18: smoke and heather honey
Caol Ila 12: smoke and peppery oilyness
Glenmorangie 10: lovely undefined spicyness
Aberlour 15 Sherry Finish: honey, toffee, cinnamon.
Laphroaig 10 CS: full smoke attack and medicinal with plenty of licorice.
Cragganmore 12: the oak married to the fruityness.

Well, these are some of my favourites.

[Deactivated Member]

When I nose Lagavulin, I remmember what (and why) I feel in love with the hobby in the first place.

Don't think I can pick a favorite, but it was Lagavulin's nose, reminding me of Highland peat fires, that got me revved up, too.

[Deactivated Member]

Everytime I pull out the cork on my Laphroaig 15 its like I get a punch in the face. But in a good way, like Fight Club.

Now there's a new member with a distinctive name (whatever it means)! May we call you "odog"?

(Not sure I can agree about there being a good way to get punched in the face, though....)

[shoganai]

I'm going to withhold my vote for the time being, but the best whisky I ever smelt was a D&M Longmorn 31. It was like a ripe fruit salad dressed with honey.

The Balblair 26 I recently tried smelled pretty damn good too.

As does Highland Park 18.

And Lagavulin 16.

And Laphroaig 15.

And Ardbeg 10.

And Glenlivet 18.

I don't think I could pick a single favorite distillery.

[Drrich1965]

I'm going to withhold my vote for the time being, but the best whisky I ever smelt was a D&M Longmorn 31. It was like a ripe fruit salad dressed with honey.

.

That D and M Longmorn did have a mighty fine nose. Perhaps a bit of dryness from the oak on the mouth and finish away from greatness, but what a nose.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

No competition .... Laga 16yo ...

I've said it before ... if I walk out of ther room, when I come back awhile later I can just get that leathery toasty smoke ..... it fills the room like no other whisky.

[Dubois]

I would go for Highland Park.
As for the Islay's I would choose for Laga 12

[Steve Rush]

I would have to agree with others that indeed Highland Park is particularly pleasing on the nose. Even with a bottle of the 12yr I get a whole flow of different notes, from the smell of a just unwrapped bar of Fry's Chocolate Cream, Toffee Apples and the smell of a freshly baked bakewell tart. The list goes on as it's an ubundantly pleaseing dram both on the nose and indeed on the palate.

I have also noticed over the last few years that there are whisky's that offer a lot on the nose and very little on the palate. Glenfiddich 12 for example. Once you have a glass that has had the air get to it for five minutes or so there are an abundance of things going on nose wise. Then you take a sip and often wonder were the nose and taste from the same dram.

[Deactivated Member]

Balblair 38 is superlative on the nose - as is Glenrothes 72.
For my money though, HP25 just encapsulates everything that's good about SMW.

[Ganga]

I'm curious about those that voted other. I did. Knockando is just one of those noses that I like. I drift off into field full of long grass and flowers and don't want to leave. Now I will say that the palate leaves me wanting something more but the bouquet is top notch even in the 12 yo.

[Quaichuser]

Of the group, the Lag always does it for me. I can just sit and sniff it without having to taste it. What it does to the senses is incredible. Many times I will put my DE in a snifter to do just that.

I do drink it eventually though.

[orangedogofglory]

Everytime I pull out the cork on my Laphroaig 15 its like I get a punch in the face. But in a good way, like Fight Club.

Now there's a new member with a distinctive name (whatever it means)! May we call you "odog"?

(Not sure I can agree about there being a good way to get punched in the face, though....)

I somehow missed your direct question to me. odog is perfectly fine - in the other post on what you drank last night I reference how the name is derived from my dog. It's a slightly tongue in cheek name, but meant as a good spirited reference to the little guy.

Something about the Laphroaig... not a punch in the face that hurts, its just intense. While the drink is quite enjoyable, the very first time I pulled that cork I though "this will be a challenge." It was rather exciting.

[shoganai]

I'm going to withhold my vote for the time being, but the best whisky I ever smelt was a D&M Longmorn 31. It was like a ripe fruit salad dressed with honey.

.

That D and M Longmorn did have a mighty fine nose. Perhaps a bit of dryness from the oak on the mouth and finish away from greatness, but what a nose.

Agreed. My notes indicate that I found the taste & finish to be a bit of a letdown after the super-high expectations set by the nose. Good, but not quite as good. I spent considerably more time sniffing this one than any other whisky.

[ccrank.freeserve.co.uk]

Lagavulin 16 does it for me eveytime. Liked the aroma of Glenfiddich Toasted Oak and was looking forward to the taste Oh dear! bit of a let down .

[bond]

How could u even think of having non-Islay options ?

[killerwhale]

I think many Islay whiskies do 'it' for me. I won't choose one but many.... as soon as I smell them I know and the bigger, the better...

[Sherried Malt]

The aroma coming out of a glass that's had Springbank 32 yo in it is AMAZING! It fills the entire room. I'd buy a bottle just for that... Lucky it's a great whisky too!