Introduction / Salty Whisky
 

Hello everyone,

I'm brand new to single malts, and only an occasional drinker. My first bottle of this elixir was a Glenfiddich 15yr Solera. My initial impression was "wow, this is different, but is it a good kind of different?" I worked my way through the bottle pretty slowly, and when it was out I decided that I would try some different styles of single malt.

Earlier today I picked up two bottles from opposite ends of the single malt spectrum, a Glenlivet 12yr and a Laphroaig 10yr, to compare the two and figure out which style I preferred. The Glenlivet 12 was nice, easier to drink than the Glenfiddich 15, but not too different.

After a short dram of the Glenlivet, I opened the Laphroaig 10yr and was absolutely blown away by the scent of the cork. Smoky and delicious, like a summer barbecue. Eagerly, I poured the dram and sniffed the glass for a long while before taking the first sip. My first sensation was of salty seawater on the tip of my tongue, followed by the smoky flavor I had anticipated. It tasted remarkably like the crust of charred meat, but with a certain sweetness, like a slice of deliciously charred bacon. Each successive taste contained less of the salty flavor and more of the smoke (so this is what peat tastes like!). When the glass was empty I continued to sniff the glass, which by this point smelled like the last dying embers of a fire.

It should be obvious by this point that I'm absolutely enamored with the Laphroaig. My only regret is that I wish the salty sensation had lasted a bit longer. I know that Laphroaig is regarded as one of the peatiest islay malts, but is there such a thing as a genuinely "salty" whisky?

Welcome to the forum!

Laphroaig
Lagavulin
Old Pulteney
Bruichladdich
Oban
Bowmore
Springbank
Love the briney ones!

Salty, smokey, peaty are different flavours and any combination of them can be found in whiskies. Clynelish is a good example if you want to try something "salty"...however it is not peated and neither I can remember on any smokiness in it.

Funny you should mention Clynelish
 

Funny you should mention Clynelish, farr. I just picked up a bottle of Clynelish 14yr today, along with a Springbank 10yr. The Springbank was okay, and definately had some salty tones, but I much preferred the Clynelish. Subtly salty, and light, the Clynelish was a great dram, and contrasted well with the Laphroaig I mentioned in my original post.

Thanks to TheEtherMan for the numerous suggestions as well! I nearly picked up a bottle of Old Pulteney 12 to go with the Springbank, but the fellow I spoke with at the store introduced me to the Clynelish instead. However, Old Pulteney 12 is still on my short list!

When talking to one of the bartenders where I first tried Ardbeg 10 he said the first thing it made him think of was salt and the ocean.
One of my favorites, but if you're already liking Laphroaig 10?, then you may like another of my favorites, Laphroaig Quarter Cask.