Best Scotch EVER

[Beist]

So I'm sipping a glass of Balvenie 12yr DoubleWood, and I'm thinking: I remember when I bought this bottle I had heard so many good things about the liquid inside... then upon tasting it... Meh... Not bad, but not great. About what I shouda expected for the price ($46ish)

But having had a few sips now, it's got me thinking...

What is the best Single Malt Scotch you whisky.com'ers have ever had the pleasure of tasting??

Did you own the bottle? How much is/was a bottle of this special dram? Was it young? Was it uber old? What'd it taste like? Tell us the story if you'd like...

I'll go first

For me there are three which are close to my heart, and as much as I'd like to pick a #1, it's too close to call, so in no particular order...

Ardbeg Uigeadail ($100) I've had a few bottles (but I shared the crap outta them ) It's like being at the best camp fire ever, and there's an Angel there, peeing on my tounge. Laugh if you want, but it is that good. I (like my DoubleWood) had heard many good things about this Scotch, and no in depth description did it justice. It's that good. Anyone else tried it?

Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine WMDII ($80) I have four unopened bottles currently, and have assisted in killing several more. No real peat at all. Just fruit. Red fruits. Strawberries. Lot's and lot's of em... There's some raspberries there too, but they're in the background playing with the cherries. A great summer drink. Bought it after I heard/saw the story on youtube. Was far better than I expected. Too bad it's at the end of its run *sniff sniff*

So that's me. Let's hear yours.

And while we're at it: What is the worst you've tasted?? I mean the absolute worst?? I will never again taste a drop of the Bowmore 12yr. I found it just awful. But that's just me (Loved their 10yr Tempest though).

[nitehawk55]

At this time I have aprox 27 different single malts waiting in my cupboard in the cellar that I am going to be consuming over time . A bottle lasts me a month or 2 though but I'm keeping track of what I like and taking notes . So far I've had Glenlivet 12yr , Aberlou a'bunadh , GlenDronach 12 yr and am currently just started in a 12yr Highland Park which I will admit I'm really enjoying . I have also purchase a few good books on Scotch , one being M. Jackson's complete guide to single malt Scotch which is a great read and I have to chuckle at some of his reviews and his descriptions of certain malts....he is a true artist at unusual discriptions of taste .

For many years all I bought was Stathisla 12yr but it is no longer available....at least in Ontario and I don't know why .

Anyway , I'm on a quest for a suitable replacement and it will probably take some time and I'm realising now that it is foolish to just stay with one as there is so much out there to discover and enjoy

[Jojo]

Beist - I have to admit it would be pretty hard for me to to narrow down one whisky as the best I've ever tasted. However, I can tell you my "wow" first impressions of many whiskies include: Macallan Cask Strength, Glenomrangie D'Or, Balvenie Portwood 21 yo, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Macallan 18 yo, Glenfiddich 15 yo (Solera), Aberlour A'Bunadh, Dalmore 15 yo and Glenrothes Vintage 1985.

nitehawk55 - I also enjoy Highland Park 12 yo - and love that it's reasonably priced just like Strathisla 12 yo! Have a few drops left in my Strathisla bottle, may toast to you tonight! I'll see if I can find out what the deal is regarding availability in Ontario.

[michael]

Originally Posted by Beist

What is the best Single Malt Scotch you whisky.com'ers have ever had the pleasure of tasting??

Springbank 21
Also, BALVENIE PORTWOOD 21 YEAR
and I have a love for the MACALLAN CASK STRENGTH

Originally Posted by Beist

Did you own the bottle? How much is/was a bottle of this special dram? Was it young? Was it uber old? What'd it taste like?

Yes, I all but the Springbank, which will undoubtedly break the bank when I decide to purchase.

[powderhound]

Ha, just shows you taste is so subjective, I love Balvenie 12 and Bowmore 12 as well :P

I love Oban 14, as much for getting me interested in single malts as I love it for the taste.

I also love Laphroaig Cask Strength and the 10 year.

But if I could only drink one more single malt ever, it would be Oban 14.

There are lots of top tipples in my list and for the standard price range the Balvenie Doublewood is one of my tops.

But my two favs so far (that I have owned) are the Oban Distillers Edition and the Coal Ila Cask Strength (which needs a few drops of water).

Originally Posted by powderhound

Ha, just shows you taste is so subjective, I love Balvenie 12 and Bowmore 12 as well :P

I love Oban 14, as much for getting me interested in single malts as I love it for the taste.

I also love Laphroaig Cask Strength and the 10 year.

But if I could only drink one more single malt ever, it would be Oban 14.

I also like the Oban 14 and Balveneie 12 too. This are always I buy for any parties here.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label sets the standard for excellence, by delivering the best in blended scotch whiskey. Blue label is hand-selected from the rarest casks from across Scotland. The Blue label was created by Jim Beveridge, who remains committed to maintaining the Johnnie Walker tradition of creating the worlds greatest whiskies. Blue Label delivers unmatched quality and taste, mixing the finest of young and old whiskies to deliver a taste that is unrivaled by any other brand.

Be the best by drinking the best. Keep Walking!

[Dale]

Originally Posted by JohnnieWalkerProject

Johnnie Walker Blue Label sets the standard for excellence, by delivering the best in blended scotch whiskey. Blue label is hand-selected from the rarest casks from across Scotland. The Blue label was created by Jim Beveridge, who remains committed to maintaining the Johnnie Walker tradition of creating the worlds greatest whiskies. Blue Label delivers unmatched quality and taste, mixing the finest of young and old whiskies to deliver a taste that is unrivaled by any other brand.

Be the best by drinking the best. Keep Walking!

It also sets the standard for marketing hype and extraordinary price for what you get, especially compared to single malts in JW Blue's range... Yawn...

[505Gibbs]

The best I remember :
Glenfiddich 15 yr Solera Reserve
Balvenie 12yr from about 15 years ago
Laphroaig 40 yr[I was lucky to buy it BEFORE it went thru the roof] - unlike any Laphroaig you can imagine almost sweet and very smooth!!

[Hunter]

Update

Favorite Single Malt is tough but I have established a pecking order in my young love affair with Scotch Whisky.
Talisker is now my favorite
Oban 14
The Balvenie 15 year
Laguvulin 16
Macallan 15 triple cask
Dalwhinie
Cragganmore 12 year
Laphroaig 10
Glenlevit 12
Glenfiddich 18
Speyburn 10
Glenroths Single Reserve
Glenmorangie The Lasanta last, I have had blended Scotches that I liked better.

As I have had time to enjoy a few more Scotchs I have found my tastes gravitate to the smoky, peat, pepper Scotchs with the exception of Oban which I love.

[BigRich]

Highland Park 30 Year Old is pretty hard to beat from recent memory.

[BourbonDrinker]

Originally Posted by Dale

It also sets the standard for marketing hype and extraordinary price for what you get, especially compared to single malts in JW Blue's range... Yawn...

Yeah, keep on walking...

[Legion]

Apart from those one can find at most reputable stores, and some already mentioned here, I've been fortunate to recently come across Hazelburn 12, Duncan Taylor's NC2 bottling of Macallan 18, and a 19-year-old Rosebank bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Connoisseur's Choice line. Needless to say, all of them were promptly added to my collection, and all can be considered new favorites. Best of the three? The Macallan, although it is a difficult choice.

[scottyg354]

Johnny Walker Gold was the first blended scotch I fell in love with, compare to Johnny Blue I would take a bottle of Gold any day (plus half the price isn't too shabby either). MacAllan 18 is another scotch the I instantly fell in love with. Glenlivet 18 was decent.

[dirtysnkrs]

interesting discussion, slightly sidetracked a few times by 1) esoteric arguments about whether Speyside warrants its own appellation (term slighty misused I know...), and 2) an adbot (johnniewalkerproject).

notwithstanding my observations at least partly afforded by the luxury of arriving the party late, here are my lists:

Best:
Ardbeg Supernova (but have to build into it with lesser Ardbegs)
Lagavulin 12
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength

If only one Scotch from here to infinity:
Lagavulin 16
Laphroaig 10
Ardbeg Uigeadail

Worst:
Anything blended
Anything other than Islay (Talisker excluded)

[ScotIrishLass]

First post here. I'm quite new to the world of single malt whisky, but I can say with absolute certainty that I'll be enjoying it for the remainder of my days. The first scotch I tried was Glenfiddich 12 (was an impulse buy brought on by conversation with a fairly sophisticated coworker) - it was very difficult to drink and I recall making a face. I put it away and didn't touch it again for many months until after I made a friend in a scotch drinker. Now this fellow has a tendency toward inexpensive scotch, so it's a wonder I ever became fond of it, but there's something about drinking with a friend that makes it more enjoyable.

Anyway, it did not take me long to polish off that initial bottle and I was quickly out looking for something else. I have tried only a dozen different single malts and enjoyed every one of them. So back to the original topic, favorites, I am quite fond of Lagavulin 16, Glenmorangie Nectar D'or, Auchentoshan Classic, & The Yamazaki 12. I have much research to complete, but for now it is Glenfarclas 25 that tops my list. I look forward to trying many more single malts and hope I don't go broke in the process!

[TZ3]

Originally Posted by ScotIrishLass

First post here. I'm quite new to the world of single malt whisky, but I can say with absolute certainty that I'll be enjoying it for the remainder of my days. The first scotch I tried was Glenfiddich 12 (was an impulse buy brought on by conversation with a fairly sophisticated coworker) - it was very difficult to drink and I recall making a face. I put it away and didn't touch it again for many months until after I made a friend in a scotch drinker. Now this fellow has a tendency toward inexpensive scotch, so it's a wonder I ever became fond of it, but there's something about drinking with a friend that makes it more enjoyable.

Anyway, it did not take me long to polish off that initial bottle and I was quickly out looking for something else. I have tried only a dozen different single malts and enjoyed every one of them. So back to the original topic, favorites, I am quite fond of Lagavulin 16, Glenmorangie Nectar D'or, Auchentoshan Classic, & The Yamazaki 12. I have much research to complete, but for now it is Glenfarclas 25 that tops my list. I look forward to trying many more single malts and hope I don't go broke in the process!

Hi all, first post here and I have to agree with SIL that having scotch with like-minded pals enhance the whole complexion of tasting altogether.

Still in the budding yrs of exploring the world of whisky, currently the short list goes like this:-

JW Green, black, double black, swing, Gold labels
Bowmore 15, and a dram of Bowmore 1982
Highland Park 12
Glenmorangie 12
Glenfiddich 12 & 15
Glenlivet 12
Macallan 12
Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21

Personal frequent-poppers are the Bowmore 15 and Glenmorangie 12.

Looking forward to many more years of discovering new scotch.

[annaowen]

great post!

[arunvinud]

Best scotch whisky which I have ever had was Blue Label.I am from India and it's very expensive here.It costs you around 5600 INR.I use red label regularly.It is quite cheap compare to others.I would suggest red label for regular use.

I'm in love with a lass called Caol Ila. I guess I'm a sucker for the Islays, because I like that newbie, Jura as well....

But Caol Ila I could drink all day.....

[jwise]

New favorites include anything Aberlour, especially the 16yr, 18yr and of course the A'Bunadh.

Dalmore 15yr is exceptional.

Glenrothes 1972 is spectacular.

Ardbeg Uegedail or Ardbeg Day (although not availiable)


although if I'm not in savoury mode;

The Balvenie 21yr Portwood - outstanding.

[drakoskl]

The best for me so far is the octomore 10! Excellent dram! I also enjoy the abunah , macallan 18 sherry , glenfarclas 30, laphroaig 10

[LostBoyScout]

The suspense is killing me on trying some Uigeadail. I know it'll be up my alley, as I'm a big fan of Lagavulin 16, Ardbeg 10, and of course Talisker and Laphroaig's offerings (sipping on some Talisker DE 2000 right now).

So at the moment it's Laga 16 but I have a pretty good feeling it'll be Uigeadail soon.

That being said, I echo the notion that there can't reaaally be one to rule them all. If it weren't for different moods calling for different drams, we wouldn't need these silly collections so many of us have (mine is rather small compared to some I'm sure, but still takes a few minutes to paw through before deciding some days).