My First, Glenlivet 12 yo, My Second, ?

I recently decided to start tasting single malt scotch and, after some research, bought a Glenlivet 12 yo and enjoyed it.

The Glenlivet 12 yo was what you could call on the fruity floral side of tastes and for my second I was looking for something different.

I decided I wanted to try a scotch with a peaty taste and therefore started looking into the Islay region. I am limited by the local availability of single malt scotch.

The three I have chosen as 'finalists':
Highland Park 12 yo
Bunnahabain 12 yo
Laphroaig 10 yo

I am looking for some guidance here and was wondering if anyone had a preference or could help me make a final decision.

If there is another suggestion below I have listed the other single malt scotch that is available to me. Older malts from each distillery are available but out of my current price range.

Scotch yr
Ardmore NA
Aberlour 12
Balvenie, The 12
Craggenmore 12
Dalmore, The 12
Glenkinchie 12
Glenmorangie 10
Glennfiddich 12
Macallan 10
Mcclelland 12

[scotchdrinker]

I have not had any of the Islay you are asking about but from the reading I have done these would be my choices in order of preference.
Highland Park 12 yo
Laphroaig 10 yo
Bunnahabain 12 yo


The other list you have below that are non Islay and non peaty. From the ones on the list these would be my recommendations.
Glenmorangie 10
Glennfiddich 12
Macallan 10

Any other questions let me know.

I think I have settled on the Highland Park 12 yo. It should be different enough from the Glenlivet 12 yo. From reviews and tasting notes I felt that the Bunnahabhain might be too similar (in the fruity floral taste) and that the Laphroaig might be to 'intense' and love or hate for just starting out.

Thanks for your help

Highland Park 12 is not an Islay. It's from Orkney.

However, it is one of my absolute favorites, and one of the best all-around single malts that I've had.

Great sweetness like a speyside, yet a wonderful layer of peat smoke like an islay.

It's a wonderful "middle ground" as you work your way towards the full-force ardbegs & laphroaigs to get the ultimate smoke.

-shiftdelete

That is why I chose it, it seemed some what in the middle.

I did not taste any smoke... I have nosed and tasted it neat and with a few drops of water but am yet to get any smoke (as tasting notes say I should).

I have only tasted it once though (while a little distracted).

Any advice?

[buckeyede06]

That is a good list there. I have many of those and those are some real good Scotchs and not too expensive. It doesn't have to be 20 years old and 100 bucks to be good. Actually 10 year olds get really good reviews (Glen, Mac, Laph, ..etc) I would stay away from Laphroig if you don't like peaty tasting Scotch. I like it for being different but you have to be in a special mood for that!

I have some more reviews here if that helps!

http://someofthefinerthings.blogspot.com/

I think the first looks much better than the second..

Keep it up, practice 24/7 and youll work for cipsoft o.o

[powderhound]

If you want to try peaty, not too expensive but very good try the Laphroaig 10.

Add just a slight amount of water, and let it sit for a few minutes - this really lets out the sweeter flavors.

Otherwise, it is VERY peaty, you can taste iodine and seaweed, but the sweetness of the malt really balances it out. It's one of my (and my wife's) favorites!

Another good Islay peaty single malt that won't break the bank is the Bowmore 12, it is peaty, but has a crisp, clean tast to it.

[jwise]

As it has been noted, the Highland Park is not an Islay, but an Islands (Orkney island, to be exact). The Islands are in the very northern end of Scotland, while the Islays are from the islands in the southwestern region.

like you, I was wanting to try something a bit peatier/smokier, and the HP 12yr was highly recommended. The bottle I purchased came with an 18yr sampler bottle, and did not break the bank.

While it was indeed peatier than anything I had tasted previously, I didn't really get the "smoky" flavoring that some characterize it with. However, it did have a nice sweet flavoring, and I did enjoy it quite a bit. I would highly recommend the HP 12yr. Great whisky!

For a much stronger Islay flavor, I went with the Bowmore Legend. Now THAT has some gusto! Definite 'smokiness' and VERY peaty! So much so, that I might have this bottle around for a LONG time to come!

If you want to try something vastly different than either the Glenlivet or Highland Park, try the Aberlour 12yr. It is a very reasonably priced malt with a GREAT flavor! It is double-casked in sherry casks, which not only give it a darker color, but a LOT of flavor has been soaked up in the whisky.

It is one of my favorites...

Others I would recommend on your longer list include the Dalmore, Cragganmore, and Balvenie 12yr (Doublewood).