Best "barrel" for Scotch

M_Six · 06-15-2014, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINeely

I'm sipping on some Doublewood right now. Their 17 is also excellent but my favorite of theirs is the Caribbean Cask.

Had the CC a few bottles ago. I agree, it's excellent.

As an aside, I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago and was sitting in the lounge at the Park Central having drinks with my nephew. A neat Doublewood there was $20. Today we were in a restaurant in Champaign, IL that has a very large whiskey/scotch/bourbon inventory and whiskey specials every Wednesday. A neat Doublewood at this place was $7.50. Quite a difference.

upstatedoc · 07-22-2014, 01:57 PM

Had a Macallan 18 while in the city over the weekend. Different than the 17. Not better though. Don't see how they can charge $45 more for a bottle of the 18.

bkM3 · 07-22-2014, 02:30 PM

i started off with macallan, glenlivet, etc but now i mostly drink stuff from the islay region. i love lagavulin and i find the laphroig to be excellent for the price.

bkM3 · 07-22-2014, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Had the CC a few bottles ago. I agree, it's excellent.

As an aside, I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago and was sitting in the lounge at the Park Central having drinks with my nephew. A neat Doublewood there was $20. Today we were in a restaurant in Champaign, IL that has a very large whiskey/scotch/bourbon inventory and whiskey specials every Wednesday. A neat Doublewood at this place was $7.50. Quite a difference.

i doubt that restaurant in IL had a view of central park lol

Joekerr · 07-22-2014, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Had a Macallan 18 while in the city over the weekend. Different than the 17. Not better though. Don't see how they can charge $45 more for a bottle of the 18.

Yes, I generally agree with your thoughts on the 18 yr - I do think its very good, but not really worth the premium they put on it. Actually, from a price point, I like the Macallan 12 yr most, though the 15 is pretty good (but IMO, not THAT much better than the 12 - hard to say though). The Macallan 12 in my mind is worth the premium over the 10 yr though.

Oldest scotch I've had was a glass of Macallan 30 yr...had that when I was 29 so I could say I've tried a scotch older than myself...that was really the impetus. I have to say that it was extremely smooth, but I can't imagine what a bottle of 30 yr would run.

Recently I've been enjoying a bottle of Highland Park 12 yr...I wonder if my tastes are changing. I see it as a happy marriage between the softer / fruitier / sweeter Speyside scotches I'm accustomed to, and the peaty scotches of Islay (though nowhere near the smoke / brine of a real Islay scotch).

I don't mind it, starts a little on the softer side but somewhere in the middle there's a little smoke. Not bad at all.

LOL I just re-read my post. I'm such a snob.

upstatedoc · 07-22-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joekerr

LOL I just re-read my post. I'm such a snob.

2011CrazE89 · 07-22-2014, 03:19 PM

Remind me never to go out drinking with you guys. Picking up that tab must suck.

i dunno · 07-22-2014, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Recently I've been enjoying a bottle of Highland Park 12 yr...I wonder if my tastes are changing. I see it as a happy marriage between the softer / fruitier / sweeter Speyside scotches I'm accustomed to, and the peaty scotches of Islay (though nowhere near the smoke / brine of a real Islay scotch).

I don't mind it, starts a little on the softer side but somewhere in the middle there's a little smoke. Not bad at all.

LOL I just re-read my post. I'm such a snob.

HP is my favorite. I always keep a bottle of the 12 around.

Red Bread · 07-22-2014, 04:15 PM

Highland Park is very approachable. It's usually what I start people on who claim to not like Scotch. I generally prefer Lagavullin and Oban, but the HP still manages to disappear fairly frequently.

M_Six · 07-22-2014, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkM3

i doubt that restaurant in IL had a view of central park lol

The Park Central had no views either.

I have The Balvenie Caribbean Cask and a Dalmore 12 at home now. The Balvenie Doublewood was ok, but more peaty I think than the CC. The Dalmore is nicely mellow.

i dunno · 07-22-2014, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Highland Park is very approachable. It's usually what I start people on who claim to not like Scotch. I generally prefer Lagavullin and Oban, but the HP still manages to disappear fairly frequently.

I haven't tried oban yet. I just know that its on the pricier side. lagavulin and islay scotches in general are too peaty for my tastes. its like drinking a camp fire.

M_Six · 07-22-2014, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i dunno

I haven't tried oban yet. I just know that its on the pricier side. lagavulin and islay scotches in general are too peaty for my tastes. its like drinking a camp fire.

That's how the Doublewood hit me. Not too strong, but missing that sweet vanilla/toffey note that the CC and Dalmore have.

Joekerr · 07-22-2014, 05:17 PM

I have a bottle of Auchentoshan that I am looking forward to opening up...in fact, I may just do that this weekend.

I love buying scotch in the States...so much cheaper. Everything is ridiculous up here.

UncleWede · 07-23-2014, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joekerr

I have a bottle of Auchentoshan that I am looking forward to opening up...in fact, I may just do that this weekend.

I love buying scotch in the States...so much cheaper. Everything is ridiculous up here.

So what you're saying is you smuggle across the border?????

Still haven't found anything I like better than that Aberlour Abundah (sp?) cask strength offerings. My b-day is coming up, I've been wanting to try some Oban. . .

Joekerr · 07-23-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

So what you're saying is you smuggle across the border?????

Still haven't found anything I like better than that Aberlour Abundah (sp?) cask strength offerings. My b-day is coming up, I've been wanting to try some Oban. . .

Ssshhhh....

UncleWede · 07-23-2014, 11:21 AM

When we went fishing in BC, I *MIGHT* have done something similar before crossing north.

Joekerr · 07-27-2014, 10:03 PM

So I cracked open the Auchentoshan Springwood over the weekend...I have to say it was pretty good. I would say it leans more to the fruit side, without being sweet, and has a slightly crisper finish. Definitely not peaty.

I liked it. I would buy another bottle again. I think it may only be available at Duty free though.

UncleWede · 07-29-2014, 09:57 AM

For my birthday this coming weekend I went and sat myself down in front of the display case last night. I went in planning to pick an Oban, but once I read the label that the new Hibiki 12 spent some time in barrels that previously help plum wine, I was hooked. I asked a few store clerks, their eyes just kinda glazed over. I finally picked the bottle and went to the cashier who had high praises for it.

Quite smooth, with a bit of the peat I enjoy, but just that subtle hint of sweet plum wine (maybe it's all in my head) made this a nice choice. My first non-Scotland Scotch purchase.

M_Six · 07-31-2014, 10:19 PM

Finished The Balvenie Caribbean Cask last night. Into a Dalmore 12 tonight. The Dalmore has deeper color and a smoother finish. So far it's my favorite.

JasonCSU · 08-01-2014, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

For my birthday this coming weekend I went and sat myself down in front of the display case last night. I went in planning to pick an Oban, but once I read the label that the new Hibiki 12 spent some time in barrels that previously help plum wine, I was hooked. I asked a few store clerks, their eyes just kinda glazed over. I finally picked the bottle and went to the cashier who had high praises for it.

Quite smooth, with a bit of the peat I enjoy, but just that subtle hint of sweet plum wine (maybe it's all in my head) made this a nice choice. My first non-Scotland Scotch purchase.

It's my birthday this weekend too, so I ended up getting both Glenlivet 15 and Glenfiddich 15 to help celebrate.

upstatedoc · 08-01-2014, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

It's my birthday this weekend too, so I ended up getting both Glenlivet 15 and Glenfiddich 15 to help celebrate.

UncleWede · 08-04-2014, 12:40 PM

For some reason, not 1 but 2 of my gifts this weekend consisted of a USC shirt wrapped around a bottle of Jack. And while I scolded my wife that it would have been much more appropriate for it to read "Old No. 48" instead of Old No. 7, the black birthday cake had the Jack label on it.

I also got a Vikings mug

07-22-2014, 01:57 PM	#68
upstatedoc I'll get back to you 7528 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: blue streak Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: not downstate iTrader: (2)	Had a Macallan 18 while in the city over the weekend. Different than the 17. Not better though. Don't see how they can charge $45 more for a bottle of the 18. __________________ 2018 Stinger GT 2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/ Countermeasure enthusiast.
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07-22-2014, 02:30 PM	#69
bkM3 Captain 45 Rep 646 Posts Drives: 06 M3 Vert 6MT Carbon/Black Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (1)	i started off with macallan, glenlivet, etc but now i mostly drink stuff from the islay region. i love lagavulin and i find the laphroig to be excellent for the price.
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07-22-2014, 03:19 PM	#73
2011CrazE89 Moved on 128 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2011 Z430i & 2015 MB C300 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Remind me never to go out drinking with you guys. Picking up that tab must suck.
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07-22-2014, 04:15 PM	#75
Red Bread Major General 4457 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Highland Park is very approachable. It's usually what I start people on who claim to not like Scotch. I generally prefer Lagavullin and Oban, but the HP still manages to disappear fairly frequently.
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07-22-2014, 05:17 PM	#79
Joekerr Banned 7914 Rep 1,923 Posts Drives: 2017 Audi S6 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	I have a bottle of Auchentoshan that I am looking forward to opening up...in fact, I may just do that this weekend. I love buying scotch in the States...so much cheaper. Everything is ridiculous up here.
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07-23-2014, 11:21 AM	#82
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18326 Rep 9,410 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	When we went fishing in BC, I MIGHT have done something similar before crossing north.
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07-27-2014, 10:03 PM	#83
Joekerr Banned 7914 Rep 1,923 Posts Drives: 2017 Audi S6 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	So I cracked open the Auchentoshan Springwood over the weekend...I have to say it was pretty good. I would say it leans more to the fruit side, without being sweet, and has a slightly crisper finish. Definitely not peaty. I liked it. I would buy another bottle again. I think it may only be available at Duty free though.
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07-29-2014, 09:57 AM	#84
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18326 Rep 9,410 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	For my birthday this coming weekend I went and sat myself down in front of the display case last night. I went in planning to pick an Oban, but once I read the label that the new Hibiki 12 spent some time in barrels that previously help plum wine, I was hooked. I asked a few store clerks, their eyes just kinda glazed over. I finally picked the bottle and went to the cashier who had high praises for it. Quite smooth, with a bit of the peat I enjoy, but just that subtle hint of sweet plum wine (maybe it's all in my head) made this a nice choice. My first non-Scotland Scotch purchase.
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07-31-2014, 10:19 PM	#85
M_Six Free Thinker 18627 Rep 7,512 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Finished The Balvenie Caribbean Cask last night. Into a Dalmore 12 tonight. The Dalmore has deeper color and a smoother finish. So far it's my favorite. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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08-04-2014, 12:40 PM	#88
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18326 Rep 9,410 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	For some reason, not 1 but 2 of my gifts this weekend consisted of a USC shirt wrapped around a bottle of Jack. And while I scolded my wife that it would have been much more appropriate for it to read "Old No. 48" instead of Old No. 7, the black birthday cake had the Jack label on it. I also got a Vikings mug
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