Single Malt Whisky

So, I'm a big fan of Single Malt Whisky, and wondered if there were any fellow fans around here. If so, what are your favourite drams, and what style of malts do you like best?

Generally speaking, I'm more into the sherry casked, fruity/honeyish type ones than the real peat monsters (though I rather like them too).

My favourite 5 at the moment would be

Auchentoshan 21 Year Old
Highland Park 18 Year Old
Balvenie Doublewood
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old
Laphroaig 10 Year Old

No one at all likes Whisky? That's actually depressing.

I'll cheer you up!

I'm not a big fan of whiskey/scotch/bourbon - but I have absolutely no clue what makes 'single malt' different! What does that mean...is there much of a change in taste?

Absolut Vodka, and most red wine ftw.

I'm more of a blue label johnny walker fan myself.

When I got back from Iraq, I had a bit of disposable cash, so I explored the wild world of brown liquor. Now, I'm not down with a lot of the lingo, but of the 30 or so bottles I went through, I discovered Langavulin 16 yr and Bushmills 16 yr. These, for me, are as good as it gets. Any cheaper and it just doesn't cut it. Any more expensive, and it gets so smooth that its like not even drinking booze. I want a bite in by scotch, damn it! Bushmills 21 yr. tasted like whiskey schnapps to me. For cheaper booze, I'll turn to Red Brest or Basil Hayden if I have the cash. Also, there's nothing wrong with Glenlivet 12 yr, especially if you buy the big-ass bottle.

I love whisky. Strategy games, whisky, cigars, and classical music = best evening ever. :)

Originally Posted by Haruhi Suzumiya

I love whisky. Strategy games, whisky, cigars, and classical music = best evening ever. :)

Holy crap, that sounds amazing. Wanna be my new BFF?????

Originally Posted by EmotionallyTonedGeometry

When I got back from Iraq, I had a bit of disposable cash, so I explored the wild world of brown liquor. Now, I'm not down with a lot of the lingo, but of the 30 or so bottles I went through, I discovered Langavulin 16 yr and Bushmills 16 yr. These, for me, are as good as it gets. Any cheaper and it just doesn't cut it. Any more expensive, and it gets so smooth that its like not even drinking booze. I want a bite in by scotch, damn it! Bushmills 21 yr. tasted like whiskey schnapps to me. For cheaper booze, I'll turn to Red Brest or Basil Hayden if I have the cash. Also, there's nothing wrong with Glenlivet 12 yr, especially if you buy the big-ass bottle.

Lagavulin was my first ever Whisky. Good way to start, though it's a bit of a peat monster. Bushmills is the opposite extreme, I didn't try that until Xmas (we had dinner at my friend's parents house and it turns out he's a whisky drinker) - you're damned right about it too; it's fantastic.

I'm with you on the Glenlivet - for a standard bottling, it's actually really really nice.

Being a fan of the Lagavulin, have you tried Ardbbeg Uigeadail? It's reasonably priced for a cask strength, and it does the peat monster thing beautifully, but with a hint of sherry as well. Very, very nice dram. Heh, you might want to try Bruichladdich's Octomore too, though that was too much for me.

You know, I should have guessed you would have been into Whisky - what is it with Whisky and Philosophers/fans of Philosophy?

Originally Posted by KaylRyck

I'll cheer you up!

I'm not a big fan of whiskey/scotch/bourbon - but I have absolutely no clue what makes 'single malt' different! What does that mean...is there much of a change in taste?

Absolut Vodka, and most red wine ftw.

Awww thanks for cheering me up

Most whiskys are blended - it means they take several different whiskies, often from several distilleries, and blend them into one. A single malt means it's from a single distillery. So you're basically getting just the one flavour. You get more idiosyncracies, more specific flavours, more variance between brands, and a more pure expression of flavour (in my opinion). Blendeds can be nice, but single malts are better.

I love Red Wine too - I'm a big fan of strong, bold Shiraz in particular.

Originally Posted by RighteousRob

I'm more of a blue label johnny walker fan myself.

I've never actually tried Blue Label. I know people dig it a lot, so I'd be keen to try if I get the chance.