Appreciated all the input.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cavalera403
If you like the sweet stuff I would look into the Dalmore Cigar Matl (no age statement) or the Tomatin 18
The Aberlour Abunadh I really enjoy as well but when you are up in that 60+% range I do find that if I add a little more water than normal to bring it back down into at least the low 50% to high 40% range you get a bunch more flavor without killing your taste buds with the alcohol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kermitology
Tomatin 18 is awesome.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainYooh
What you are describing are balanced Scotches. Have a look at the taste map below; it's good and pretty useful for a beginner. Anything in and around the centre sector of the map would be balanced. Anything in the NE sector would be peaty, smoky and rich, so avoid it, if it's not your thing. Anything in the NW sector would be smoky and peaty with shallow taste, so avoid it as well. Stay on the south site of the map. Auchentoshan and Glenlivet Scotch would both be in your taste preference region, I think. If you're looking for cheaper stuff, try Glenmorangie 12 (something like $40 at Costco).
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So after considering a bunch of options here's where I'm at. I went through my entire (smallish) scotch cabinet yesterday and rank them as follows.
1. Balvenie 14 Carribean Cask
2. Aberlour Abunad'h
3. Balvenie 17 Sherry Cask
4. Balvenie 12 Doublewood
5. Balvenie 12 Signature
6. Glendronach 12
Note that I would have ranked the Balvenie 15 signature and Jura Superstition somewhere fairly high but I'm fresh out of both. As a result I went out and got another bottle of the Carribean Cask today. Here are the ones I'm considering getting:
1. Glemorangie "Signet" - I wish this was a bit cheaper, as it's over 200 bucks, but the description makes it sound deep, sweet, rich and complex with very little earthiness. It's also described as an "experience".
2. Tomatin 18 - Just based on reccomendations above and the fact that it's an 18 y/o for around 100 bucks which seems reasonable if the quality is as reported. That said, the reviews I'm reading aren't as glowing.
3. Glenfarcas 105 Cask Strength - On the basis that I really like the Abunadh I'd like another cask strength offering but most of them are heavy peat things and that doesn't appeal. This one reportedly is a good option.