Scotch Q&A

[GreekGodX]

Anyone have any opinions on the Macallan 18yr old?? I was able to try some over New Years, and it was awful The price is high and I'd be very disappointed if I had to pay for a whole bottle. The oaky taste was way too over powering and not very smooth for an 18 year old.

I'd much rather have Glenlivet 12 or 18 yr old, Dalwhinnie or Belvinie. Those are my favorites right now. Any other suggestions?

[captain53]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

Anyone have any opinions on the Macallan 18yr old?? I was able to try some over New Years, and it was awful The price is high and I'd be very disappointed if I had to pay for a whole bottle. The oaky taste was way too over powering and not very smooth for an 18 year old.

I'd much rather have Glenlivet 12 or 18 yr old, Dalwhinnie or Belvinie. Those are my favorites right now. Any other suggestions?

I am not a Macallan fan myself. Here is a lesser known one that I recently tried and thought was very good for something in the lower Single Malt price range:

http://www.isleofjura.com/index2.cfm

Here is another better known excellent choice for a lower price range Single Malt:

http://www.laphroaig.com/

[GreekGodX]

Originally Posted by captain53

I am not a Macallan fan myself. Here is a lesser known one that I recently tried and thought was very good for something in the lower Single Malt price range:

http://www.isleofjura.com/index2.cfm

Here is another better known excellent choice for a lower price range Single Malt:

http://www.laphroaig.com/

See I like 12 year old Macallan a lot more. Not my favorite but I like it. So the 18 y/o really shocked me. I thought I would love it but not the case. My wallet is very happy with my taste buds

I'll have to give both your recommendations a shot. I've actually heard of Jura before, but didn't pay it any attention because I never heard of it.

[captain53]

At first taste the Jura did not do much for me but as I further tasted it I found it pretty good.

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

See I like 12 year old Macallan a lot more.

I agree actually. I had the chance to try the 18 year in an airport bar in a state where liquor was a lot cheaper than Michigan. It was about $12 for a shot of the stuff. I was really let down. I thought the 12 was much better. I'd never claim expertise in the field of scotch, but I drink a lot of single malt and know what I like. I wouldn't spend the extra $75 for a bottle of the 18. I'll take the 12. Now glenlivit 18 year is dramatically better than glenlivit 12 in my taste, and the 18 is at least affordable for a nice scotch around here.

[GreekGodX]

Originally Posted by BigCat

I agree actually. I had the chance to try the 18 year in an airport bar in a state where liquor was a lot cheaper than Michigan. It was about $12 for a shot of the stuff. I was really let down. I thought the 12 was much better. I'd never claim expertise in the field of scotch, but I drink a lot of single malt and know what I like. I wouldn't spend the extra $75 for a bottle of the 18. I'll take the 12. Now glenlivit 18 year is dramatically better than glenlivit 12 in my taste, and the 18 is at least affordable for a nice scotch around here.

I agree on the Glenlivet. For the extra money, you are getting a lot more in terms of taste in the 18 y/o.

[SD Beerman]

Balvenie doublewood is a great sipping scotch and not too crazy pricey....

Originally Posted by SD Beerman

Balvenie doublewood is a great sipping scotch and not too crazy pricey....

One of my favorite Scotchs. I always have a bottle behind the bar.

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

Anyone have any opinions on the Macallan 18yr old?? I was able to try some over New Years, and it was awful The price is high and I'd be very disappointed if I had to pay for a whole bottle. The oaky taste was way too over powering and not very smooth for an 18 year old.

I'd much rather have Glenlivet 12 or 18 yr old, Dalwhinnie or Belvinie. Those are my favorites right now. Any other suggestions?

None of the Macs are cheap compared to scotches of similar age. Did you have the Fine Oak or the regular version of it? Regular version is aged only in Sherry casks, and the Fine Oak uses Sherry and Bourbon Casks. It's been a while since I've had the regular, but I remember it as being quite good. The Fine Oak 18 was very smooth, but a bit underwhelming for my tastes.

It could have been an off bottle, or you just may not like that style. Try one of the younger versions and see what that's like. You should be able to buy a dram at a decent bar.

I found the Balvenie somewhat similar in style to the Macallan. Glenkintchie, Glen Ord, Arran Island are also quite nice. Actually there are lots of great whiskies. The best part is getting to sample lots and lots to find out what you like.

If you find there's something you don't really like, try it again a year later to see if your tastes have changed. Mine have over the last few years. Your mood and what you've eaten recently can also affect the taste of your dram.

Hope this helps.

[GreekGodX]

Originally Posted by kayaker

None of the Macs are cheap compared to scotches of similar age. Did you have the Fine Oak or the regular version of it? Regular version is aged only in Sherry casks, and the Fine Oak uses Sherry and Bourbon Casks. It's been a while since I've had the regular, but I remember it as being quite good. The Fine Oak 18 was very smooth, but a bit underwhelming for my tastes.

It could have been an off bottle, or you just may not like that style. Try one of the younger versions and see what that's like. You should be able to buy a dram at a decent bar.

I found the Balvenie somewhat similar in style to the Macallan. Glenkintchie, Glen Ord, Arran Island are also quite nice. Actually there are lots of great whiskies. The best part is getting to sample lots and lots to find out what you like.

If you find there's something you don't really like, try it again a year later to see if your tastes have changed. Mine have over the last few years. Your mood and what you've eaten recently can also affect the taste of your dram.

Hope this helps.

It was the Fine Oak. I'll give it a shot again in the future. It is good to know some of the stuff to look for as for me it's intimidating staring at all the bottles of scotch with some of the price tags.

Thanks for the help. I'll keep checkin in here