Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleF
Lol, you make it sound like it beat you up and ran off with your bottle of Lagavulin or something. 
I've heard the exact comments regarding Alligator and Supernova, but most reviews say 10 yr (Not sure if regular or Blasda) and Uigeadail are very unique and/or a must have for a collection. Any suggestions on where I could go try this out for myself before grabbing a bottle other than scotch tastings? Buchanans seems to have it for like $19 a 1 oz shot ($106 for a full bottle of Uigeadail at KWM, I'd rather risk the full thing vs trying 1 shot prior to purchase; 10 yr is $78). Or a bottle to try around, but preferably below $100?
Yes, I am aware that LV bought and owns Ardbeg and prices have increased due to costs of advertising and there are also criticisms of certain products they advertise. |
I wouldn't pay too much attention to some of the reviews, they are an integral part of the marketing campaign. Most of the review sites are funded/sponsored by the distillers, so their impartiality is questionable at best. Regardless, reviews of Scotch are always subjective anyway. You need to either form your own opinion or follow a reviewer whose taste preferences you share.
Go to KWM and talk to Andrew. Since he's taken over the ownership of the store, he offers tasting samples of most spirits. Within reason, of course, and not for too rare/expensive stuff. He did let me taste some of the more expensive Japanese malts (and I am not what you'd call a frequent/regular buyer there). You should be able to try Uigeadail before coughing up $100.
As for the rest of your post; this is a bit of a nostalgic point for me. None of the original Islay distilleries are independently-owned by the family companies that used to own them and time will tell if the new owners keep the tradition or turn the traditional methods of Islay single malt distilleries into the run of the mill alcohol production. I've visited all of them last summer and was amazed at how "old-time" in a good way some of them still are. Bowmore, which is owned by Suntory, maintains the entire process of aging and sampling just as they did for the last 5 decades. I've asked the foreman what is their involvement and he said that it's pretty much limited to one annual visit, which is largely ceremonial. The rest or the interaction is purely based on consumption demand forecasting/marketing/sales to Japanese customers. Very similar arrangements at Lagavulin which is owned by Diageo. Practically, no new lines/brands other than some limited editions/series. Lagavulin 16 is a fixture in the single malt universe one of the most recognized and loved full-bodied-full-flavoured whiskeys in the Scotch world and they wanna keep it that way. Laphroaig distillery (Jim Beam-owned) is now doing a few "things" to increase revenue and including introduction of "non-aged" product lines and we'll have to see how it's gonna work out for them. But, again, they do keep the traditional distillery operation and aging processes and they keep producing aged whiskeys. Ardbeg and Bruichladdichis are walking away from all that towards "hip & trendy" brand. Not a complaint, just a nostalgic whine.