Do you warm up on lesser stuff before drinking the good stuff?
 

Still novice whisky drinker here, totally dedicated to Islay, and love the massive peat monsters like Ardbeg Uigeadail and Supernova 2010, Laphroaig Cask Strength, etc. Also like the basics like Laphroaig 10 yr and to a lesser extent the Ardbeg 10.

I used to bounce around in an evening, but have recently been experimenting with picking one and sticking with it all night. I found with the Laphroaig Cask Strength that this was a fantastic way to really get intimate with a whisky. Spent a long evening recently on a 4 dram dive into a fabulous Islay fantasyland.

However, I noticed with this method that the first dram is a bit rough. It really gets sensual once I have a good buzz going; just incredible. However, the first one almost feels a bit wasted, as it primarily serves the purpose of getting enough of a buzz on to really enjoy the later drinks.

For example, I have been working exclusively on Uigeadail tonite. Never started it from stone sober before, and I must say at first all I could taste was the alcohol! Usually I come to it already buzzed on a dram or two of Laphroaig 10 or Quarter Cask. At that point the Uigeadail is supremely fantastic.

So, my question is, does anyone else warm up on a drink of a lesser (but also milder) whisky before diving into one of these peat monsters?

Seems like a tough choice: start cold with the good stuff but make the investment such as to not pollute the palate with other flavors, or start with lesser stuff to warm up and then move on to the good stuff only when primed and ready to fully enjoy.

What say ye?

With non-Islay whiskies, I always start with the best, when the palate is fresh. This way I can get the most out of the best. However, with Islays, I usually hit those after I have already had a Speyside or one of the island expressions. I rarely start off with a big Islay whisky.

Thanks thats very helpful! Makes sense, since the big Islays can overwhelm anything else. Get a good buzz going with a drink of something else, then build into it.

I find that the base Laphroaig 10 is great for this. Reasonably cheap, definately a true Islay experience, but a bit course so there's nothing subtle to miss by not yet being inured to the alcohol and the smoke.

I have found that I really enjoy both the Uigeadail and the Supernova when I work my way into them.

Am I correct that you favorably compare Lagavulin 12 to Uigeadail?

Definitely. They are both high ABV, big smoke/peat, and sherry finished.

Awesome, its next on my list :-)

just got the 2010 bottling of laga 12
 

yeah its great. has the same savoryness of Arbeg Uigeadail. distinctly Lagavulin for sure. very peppery and spicy too, more so than the Uigeadail, althought not quite as buttery. thanks for the recommendation!

Life's too short to drink anything but the best.
When I'm going to drink drams from different distillers, I usually go from lightest to heaviest. If I hit an Islay peat monster early, there's no going back to tasting anything light and floral. It will all taste like a salty peat bog.
Cheers!