I have had the previous editions back to the first release and yes, they are awesome.

Unfortunately I did not buy two 2010 versions so don't have that in the lineup, but 2009, 2014 and 2019 are represented.

A solid smooth drink but with plenty of flavor. This one will be a repeat guest.

666th reply. Muhahaha.

Yea, you know that had to happen right in the middle of 2020.

In reply to SpiderDude

I'm interested to hear from some of you if you have certain scotches that you consider to be staples in your liquor cabinet. What are those certain bottles that once you run out, you're almost certain to pick up another and keep it in stock?

For me, it's become the Uigeadail. After having almost finished my first bottle, it's hard to imagine I won't replace it. The complexity is astounding and the flavor profile is spot-on to my tastes for what I enjoy. Also it's a bit of a niche whisky, and I don't know of anything that can really come close to matching the character of that one (unless there's one I'm unaware of...please advise if so).

For me..

Glenmorangie 10 - It's light and has that beautiful sweet orange flavor.

Aberlour A'bunadh - The pinnacle of sherry finished scotches.

Dalmore 12 - 2nd best sherry finished scotch. Different enough from the A'bunadh that both stay.

Bruichladdich Classic Laddie - Perfectly balanced. Never gets old

Glendronach 12 - Had it 2 hours before my son was born. It always stays and I can't wait to have a pour with him.

I haven't found a peated scotch at a decent price point that I couldn't live without. Working on it.

In reply to mazag08 The A'bunadh and Dalmore are both on my list to try. I haven't explored as much with sherry finishes, other than Macallan. I also like the Glenmorangie and love it for the value, but don't necessarily find it irreplaceable.

Highland Park 12
Lagavulin 16
Glen Moray 15

In reply to Scotts Tot

FlyFisher09 said:

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The A'bunadh and Dalmore are both on my list to try. I haven't explored as much with sherry finishes, other than Macallan. I also like the Glenmorangie and love it for the value, but don't necessarily find it irreplaceable.

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A'bunath is a favorite of mine, i think it is great if you like sherry. That flavor just lingers on and on... and it packs a susprise punch.

I usually am rotating a couple sherry and a couple peaty choices. But I do more peaty during the winter. The closest go to I have is Obans 14, but not as much anymore because they have gotten over priced, imo.

In reply to Cyprian

Cyprian said:

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FlyFisher09 said:

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The A'bunadh and Dalmore are both on my list to try. I haven't explored as much with sherry finishes, other than Macallan. I also like the Glenmorangie and love it for the value, but don't necessarily find it irreplaceable.

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A'bunath is a favorite of mine, i think it is great if you like sherry. That flavor just lingers on and on... and it packs a susprise punch.

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No lie. People pay double that for bourbon that doesn't nearly deliver as much.

In reply to Cyprian

Cyprian said:

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I usually am rotating a couple sherry and a couple peaty choices. But I do more peaty during the winter. The closest go to I have is Obans 14, but not as much anymore because they have gotten over priced, imo.

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Try the little bay.

My staples:

Aberlour A'Bunadh: my favorite. Delicious flavor and tons of sherry to balance out the high ABV

Balvenie: rotates between the 12 Double Wood and 14 Caribbean Cask. I've had a couple drams of the 15 and 21 and they're incredible but haven't pulled the trigger on buying a full bottle

Lagavulin 16: obviously

Highland Park 12: new one for me but it's so good. Light and fruity with some oak and peat in the finish.

It looks like I'm in the minority that prefers Balvenie 15 to A'bunadh for a cask strength sherried scotch. I appreciate them both, but the Balvenie gets my vote.

My other staples are the Ardbeg special finishes like Drum or Grooves, and I usually have a Longrow around as well.

In reply to jh0400 It's very close for me. I'd give the A'bunadh 9.7 and Balvenie 15 a 9.5

My staples are:

Balvenie 14
Balvenie 17
Glendronach 12
Glendronach 18
Oban 14
Lagavulin 16

My staples:

Talisker 10
Macallan 12
Oban 14

And I'm considering keeping The Dimple Pinch around for a blend. I love that whisky.

My staples:

Deveron 12
Oban 14
Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel Sherry Cask
Balvenie 17 DoubleWood
Dalmore Cigar Malt
Dalmore 15
Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

I picked up these Heathrow exclusives awhile back. Waiting for a special occasion to open them up.

Those GlenDronach Cask Bottlings are the best liquors of any variety I've ever had. Nothing else has even come close. I've had the 1992, 1994, and 1996. Definitely follow up when you open it and let us know what you think.

Edit: thinking back, my GlenDronach bottles were all sourced through Royal Mile Whiskies in Edinburgh. It looks like your Heathrow bottle was sourced through World of Whiskies, which I would think should have similarly high standards. Interested to hear wht you think.

Aberlour A'Bunadh
Balvenie 15 Sherry Cask
Glendronach 12
Glendronach 15
Balvenie Caribbean
Glenmorangie Spios

All this Aberlour talk has me in A'Bunadh mood tonight, cheers!

I'm big into Bunnahabhain right now. the 12 year is just such a wonderful drink. in fact, my buddy has the 18 year and to our palates there definitely wasn't enough of a difference for the price difference.

It Irish, but one one my favorites. Haven't seen it for months and found a small store with 5.

In reply to betadawg1

betadawg1 said:

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It Irish, but one one my favorites. Haven't seen it for months and found a small store with 5.

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One of my all time favorites.

Heard they were coming out with Blue Spot but haven't seen it anywhere.

Heard that too. Opened one Red tonight and still as good as I remembered. Also tried the 2 Green Spots finished in wine casks and both were pretty tasty.

Any Japanese whisky fans here? They learned the trade from Scots, just isn't technically from Scotland. I got the Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky fairly recently, it is very tasty. I have had Japanese whisky before, but that was my first bottle purchase. Based on that success I bought a Hibiki Suntory today. Wish me luck?

In reply to Cyprian

Cyprian said:

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Any Japanese whisky fans here? They learned the trade from Scots, just isn't technically from Scotland. I got the Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky fairly recently, it is very tasty. I have had Japanese whisky before, but that was my first bottle purchase. Based on that success I bought a Hibiki Suntory today. Wish me luck?

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I've had hibiki and yamazaki both were really good. You should be just fine !

My staples:

Springbank 10 - such a unique and delicious scotch. Really want to try the 15 and 18 year. I think I tried the 18yr one time and it was fantastic.

Lagavulin 16yr - love pear, this is the classic and what I use as my comparison for all other peated scotches. Talisker 10 or uigeadail being two other go to peated scotches.

Tons of others I like but those are the 2 I always like having on hand.

Correct me if you think I'm wrong.

Glendronach 12 = Slightly drier Dalmore 12

I'm glad you guys have a dedicated scotch thread.

My go to is Glenfiddich Solera 15 then Glenlivet 12. The Macallen 12 is smooth as glass. I'm not a big fan of the The Macallen 18.

I finally picked up a bottle of JW Blue today. I left it in the dram for roughly 30 minutes before putting my nose to it. After 30 minutes, it smelled like 1970's EasTex Dragway funny cars and tastes like a camp fire. It's weird that it bites my nose and not my tongue but, my taste buds aren't letting go of the peat. It's a bit disappointing right now. Maybe after a few drams it will grow on me. Maybe an ice ball or water to tone it down a little would do the trick.

I tried my first JW Red back in the 90's, on a trip to Cairo, and I haven't touched JW since. That red stuff is gasoline. /shivers

I wouldn't pay more than $75 for Johnny Blue.

And I always laugh when I hear people at places like top golf get so excited to order it. Congrats on wasting your money at what you think is the pinnacle of fine scotch, but instead is very average.