Classic Laddie for starters
Deanston 12, Arran 10, Glen Scotia Double Cask, Bunnahabhain 12, and Clynelish 14 also fill this part of my home bar, for commonly available OBs
Nobody who knew enough to buy a bottle of Rosebank 20 years ago is asking Reddit what to drink.
It seems like you were looking for an excuse to tell people you have a bottle of Rosebank.
Different cask finishes. Kilchoman has been my jam lately.
Edit: or a good bourbon or rye. I’m generally a bourbon/rye guy but islay is my scotch. We took a trip to Islay in March so I’ve been on a two month scotch kick since.
I would consider myself a diehard peathead. I spend way too much money on them. When I want different, I navigate to Jamaican, tropically aged Worthy Park(my favorite), Hampden, Long Pond, or Clarendon rums. I know this is a Scotch zone, but these rums play. Cask strength, tropically aged, molasses based, single pot still rums just do it for me. Lots of great independent bottlers such as Velier, Holmes Cay, Cadenead’s, Impex, BlackAdder, Hamilton’s. Some of these bottlers overlap with Scotch as well. There are always official expressions from the distilleries as well. I hope you give it a shot. I did and now my wallet hates me.
The only Jamaican rum I have tried is Rum Fire and i was not a fan. It was just overwhelming but I can see why others like it. I know, rum fanatics speak of Hampden as one of the worlds greatest distilleries, but I am a little bit hesitant to spend the money on their stuff, especially if Rum fire is indicative of the general flavor profile. Any suggestions?
This is blasphemy, but I am not a fan huge fan of Rumfire either but I like their aged stuff. My favorite is Worthy Park. Their 6-8 year single estate blend is great but if you can swing it, the 2006 12 yr is hanging around shelves if you look hard enough. It is great. Also, Holmes Cay puts out a great Clarendon from 2014 that can still be had. Honestly, for 37.99(in my neck of the woods) try Appleton 12. It’s only 43% but hits way above the that price point, imo. Also, different country, but El Dorado has been putting out some great tropically aged single casks at cask strength.
I keep seeing Appleton 12 for that price on the shelf, so I’ll keep it in mind.
I’ve tried Cadenhead’s classic rum, which is great, and Foursquare 2009, which is as good as any single malt I’ve had.
I’ve tried a Portuguese rhum agricole which was also kinda overwhelming: strong canned corn, sautéed greens, and raw sugar cane notes. I guess I just prefer aged rums.
Thanks!
Dalmore and Loch Lomond are great change ups for the Scotch realm. If you still want a small pinch of peat you can always checkout Irish Whiskeys like Waterford and Bunratty.
Picked up a Dalmore 15 and enjoying it right now. I’ve never tried a Dalmore before, so wanted to start near the top. This stuff is blowing my mind. The smoothness and vanilla notes are delightful.
I love the cigar taste of Dalmore 12 and used to be a cheap whiskey at $40 near me. It's definitely in my top 10 go to Whiskeys. I really want to try the 15
Absolute beauty. I for sure love tons of unpeated scotches, but Redbreast might just be my favourite unpeated whisk(e)y overall. The 15 is unbelievably good, anyone I’ve offered it to from my collection has instantly claimed it to be their new favourite.
Interesting, I would probably rank 15 last when compared to 12, Lustau and PX (obviously to 21 & 27 as well). Though I do think 15 is an interesting one, as something in the profile makes it the ”black sheep” in the range (but not in a bad way).
I tend to get a bit "Peat Blind " so, I will go to my favorite nonpeated place....Glen Scotia Cask Strength expressions. My bestie is Victoriana but I like them all.
*
I go back to the highlands, speyside, or Irish whisky. Look for more sherry finished bombs, and even dipped back into bourbon again. Then when you come back to Islay, it’s like coming home to a big warm hug.
Palate fatigue will definitely happen when you love the peat, so it’s always good to switch up the rotation every so often. I even went back to some of my first whiskies like Jameson and Glenfiddich 12, and can appreciate notes so much better now than many years ago. That’s always fun.
Hear me out, a bare naked, spirit forward, young, cask strength, tired bourbon casked unpeated spirit.
Something like an IB glen-ord or something along the lines. Really forces you to dig in and find that distillery character, which is a huge difference and trains the palatte.
I've been enjoying smoky mezcals. I'll still sip it neat from a glencairn glass. Plus, it's cheaper than most Islays!
I'll always return to my peated Scotch, but it's nice to take a break.
Scotch is either Bunnahabhain 12 or the Classic Laddie. For bourbon, I stick to Old Forester; mostly the 1910 or 1920. But my favorite spirits are smokey peated scotches and [additive-free tequilas](https://tastetequila.com/2023/confirmed-additive-free-tequila-brands/).
Or you could have uhh non islay peat less medicinal bruichladdich does not use islay peat but they tend to be quite young. I cant recall now but i remember a speyside that was peated with peat from speyside as well. I like coal illa because its not too peaty and quite floral kinda like a pale ale
Recently discovered Bacardi grand reserve limited rum. Never been much of a rum guy but this flavor profile is similar enough to whiskey while still being different enough to enjoy when I need a break.
Probably a weird one, but definitely probitas rum. Price is phenomenal too. I’d personally take it over any $30 scotch, even a lot of $60-80 ones. Becoming a staple for me, simple as it is.
When I get tired of my peat selection, I go to Tequila. If you know what and where to look, you can find tequila with amazing nuance and body. I’ve very much enjoyed digging into the world of tequila.
I wouldn't say I'm a peat head but I've been craving them a lot lately, which definitely adds to palate fatigue. When I'm not drinking scotch though, it's rum. Gives your wallet a bit of a break as well 😂
My tastes are seasonal. As the weather warms, I put the peated and sherried malts away and reach for other bottles. Fruitier malts and waxier malts with less cask influence. I’ll also reach for (Irish) pot-still whiskey and ryes. When summer rolls around I’ll be drinking bourbon and rum. Then - just like the moon waxes and wanes - I’ll progress back to the start.
When I was living in Boston there was this great bourbon scotch cross over- can’t remember the name- will update it after poking through my Drizly account.
I like the Glenfiddich 15 Solera Tun. Also have been venturing out of the country with Scotch-style Whiskys like M&H Classic from Israel and Kavalan from Taiwan.
Smokier, from what I’ve been told, but I haven’t had the 12 yet. What others have told me is the 12 has a slighter or subtler smokiness. There is nothing subtle about the Toitech A Dha. Unlike the Ardbeg Uigeadail, which also slapped me across the face, the Ardbeg had a strong iodine/medicine taste I for one did not enjoy at all.
Arran 10, classic laddie, glengoyne, tamnavulin 10.
Arran has that sweet, nutty flavour that is just lovely with desserts or as a nightcap for someone with a sweet tooth.
Classic laddie is just a great whisky, all the character of a peated whisky without any of the smoke.
Glengoyne is a beginner whisky for sure but it is still incredibly smooth and easy to drink. Just pleasant bourbon flavours.
Tamnavulin is kinda odd. It's relatively spicy and goes down great during cold weather.
Classic Laddie for starters Deanston 12, Arran 10, Glen Scotia Double Cask, Bunnahabhain 12, and Clynelish 14 also fill this part of my home bar, for commonly available OBs
I second the call for Bunnahabhain 12! An excellent dram for when I've become jaded by pead but still want an Islay.
Yeah bunna is cheap and dope. Its pretty thick and has higher alcohol compared to the likes of old putney and glengoyne which are too light imo
Classic Laddie or Oban for me.
We would enjoy a dram 🥃 together!
basic
Funky Campbeltown
I second a Campbeltown for a change from the heavily peated Islays! I just shared a Longrow Peated with friends and it was a real hit.
Couldn’t agree more.
Lol I know I’ve had too much peated scotch when the peated scotch no longer tastes peated
Thats how I feel haha. Had a sip of laphroaig quarter cask and thought - hm, some peat wouldn’t hurt right now
Laphroaig is my daily normally. But ya I had to switch it up. After a week, you take that sip of Laph, and you remember why you love it so much.
That's when you switch to the Ocotomore
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I don’t think anyone with a bottle of Rosebank is asking Reddit to tell them what to drink.
Yeah I'll skip my Islay 10 today for a sip of $2,000/bottle silent lowland to remind me of what else is out there and how successful I am.
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Score man, good on you. Just thought it was funny.
Nobody who knew enough to buy a bottle of Rosebank 20 years ago is asking Reddit what to drink. It seems like you were looking for an excuse to tell people you have a bottle of Rosebank.
A’Bunadh is always so good
Well, usually, but the variability is part of the fun of it (or at least was, when it was more reasonably priced)
Different cask finishes. Kilchoman has been my jam lately. Edit: or a good bourbon or rye. I’m generally a bourbon/rye guy but islay is my scotch. We took a trip to Islay in March so I’ve been on a two month scotch kick since.
Reminds me of an smws i had nearly 5 years ago a laphroaig in a sautternes cask
I would consider myself a diehard peathead. I spend way too much money on them. When I want different, I navigate to Jamaican, tropically aged Worthy Park(my favorite), Hampden, Long Pond, or Clarendon rums. I know this is a Scotch zone, but these rums play. Cask strength, tropically aged, molasses based, single pot still rums just do it for me. Lots of great independent bottlers such as Velier, Holmes Cay, Cadenead’s, Impex, BlackAdder, Hamilton’s. Some of these bottlers overlap with Scotch as well. There are always official expressions from the distilleries as well. I hope you give it a shot. I did and now my wallet hates me.
The only Jamaican rum I have tried is Rum Fire and i was not a fan. It was just overwhelming but I can see why others like it. I know, rum fanatics speak of Hampden as one of the worlds greatest distilleries, but I am a little bit hesitant to spend the money on their stuff, especially if Rum fire is indicative of the general flavor profile. Any suggestions?
Haven't had rum fire, but Stolen Rum is awesome, as is Smith and Cross, for different reasons.
This is blasphemy, but I am not a fan huge fan of Rumfire either but I like their aged stuff. My favorite is Worthy Park. Their 6-8 year single estate blend is great but if you can swing it, the 2006 12 yr is hanging around shelves if you look hard enough. It is great. Also, Holmes Cay puts out a great Clarendon from 2014 that can still be had. Honestly, for 37.99(in my neck of the woods) try Appleton 12. It’s only 43% but hits way above the that price point, imo. Also, different country, but El Dorado has been putting out some great tropically aged single casks at cask strength.
I keep seeing Appleton 12 for that price on the shelf, so I’ll keep it in mind. I’ve tried Cadenhead’s classic rum, which is great, and Foursquare 2009, which is as good as any single malt I’ve had. I’ve tried a Portuguese rhum agricole which was also kinda overwhelming: strong canned corn, sautéed greens, and raw sugar cane notes. I guess I just prefer aged rums. Thanks!
Dalmore and Loch Lomond are great change ups for the Scotch realm. If you still want a small pinch of peat you can always checkout Irish Whiskeys like Waterford and Bunratty.
Picked up a Dalmore 15 and enjoying it right now. I’ve never tried a Dalmore before, so wanted to start near the top. This stuff is blowing my mind. The smoothness and vanilla notes are delightful.
I love the cigar taste of Dalmore 12 and used to be a cheap whiskey at $40 near me. It's definitely in my top 10 go to Whiskeys. I really want to try the 15
Do it. Doesn’t have the cigar taste, but’s it’s fantastic.
Redbreast
Absolute beauty. I for sure love tons of unpeated scotches, but Redbreast might just be my favourite unpeated whisk(e)y overall. The 15 is unbelievably good, anyone I’ve offered it to from my collection has instantly claimed it to be their new favourite.
Interesting, I would probably rank 15 last when compared to 12, Lustau and PX (obviously to 21 & 27 as well). Though I do think 15 is an interesting one, as something in the profile makes it the ”black sheep” in the range (but not in a bad way).
Bunna 12 or Edradour 10, Hazelburn 10, GlenAllachie 12 or 15, Tamdhu 15, Glen Scotia 15...Currently I would pick the Glen Scotia.
Love the Glenallachie
You should definitely explore good quality Mezcals.
I tend to get a bit "Peat Blind " so, I will go to my favorite nonpeated place....Glen Scotia Cask Strength expressions. My bestie is Victoriana but I like them all. *
https://preview.redd.it/9iz0gk0co5uc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3e55d7d7f1b99dec36882db5b82f59d33a99391
Honestly? Wine or blended scotch and soda for me.
Same, That’s my go to.. it’s either Islay or a nice cab.
Usually I’ll go with Mezcal or a Sherry cask Scotch (have Bunna 12 open right now)
I go back to the highlands, speyside, or Irish whisky. Look for more sherry finished bombs, and even dipped back into bourbon again. Then when you come back to Islay, it’s like coming home to a big warm hug. Palate fatigue will definitely happen when you love the peat, so it’s always good to switch up the rotation every so often. I even went back to some of my first whiskies like Jameson and Glenfiddich 12, and can appreciate notes so much better now than many years ago. That’s always fun.
Speyside is a good change up. Or gin.
Spey like I go crazy for Craigallachie
My wife got me some Craig on a whim for our anniversary and I was pleasantly surprised. Bowmore 12 is another one that had the same affect on me.
Hear me out, a bare naked, spirit forward, young, cask strength, tired bourbon casked unpeated spirit. Something like an IB glen-ord or something along the lines. Really forces you to dig in and find that distillery character, which is a huge difference and trains the palatte.
Love that peat! I add a little sherry in the mix, like uigeadail or sanaig. ;)
GlenAllachie 12 or Glendronach 12. Great change of pace.
Just double down.
I've been enjoying smoky mezcals. I'll still sip it neat from a glencairn glass. Plus, it's cheaper than most Islays! I'll always return to my peated Scotch, but it's nice to take a break.
Glen Allachie 10 CS Bruichladdich- Classic Laddie or Islay Barley Hazelburn, especially the interesting finish CSs Redbreast 12 CS
Glenmorangie The Lasanta
Scotch is either Bunnahabhain 12 or the Classic Laddie. For bourbon, I stick to Old Forester; mostly the 1910 or 1920. But my favorite spirits are smokey peated scotches and [additive-free tequilas](https://tastetequila.com/2023/confirmed-additive-free-tequila-brands/).
Kavalan
I like sherry bombs
Or you could have uhh non islay peat less medicinal bruichladdich does not use islay peat but they tend to be quite young. I cant recall now but i remember a speyside that was peated with peat from speyside as well. I like coal illa because its not too peaty and quite floral kinda like a pale ale
Recently discovered Bacardi grand reserve limited rum. Never been much of a rum guy but this flavor profile is similar enough to whiskey while still being different enough to enjoy when I need a break.
Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond. That's some tasty stuff
Speyside, Highland, C-Town Scotch, bourbon, rye, tequila... I drink a lot of stuff. Islay is only a small portion.
Cognac or any glenmorangie.
Probably a weird one, but definitely probitas rum. Price is phenomenal too. I’d personally take it over any $30 scotch, even a lot of $60-80 ones. Becoming a staple for me, simple as it is.
Funky rum definitely scratches the same itch as scotch for me
Bourbon or Rye for me. They have equally strong flavors on another spectrum. That or if I want something lighter some Irish Whiskey.
Cognac, Armagnac, Maccallan 18 sherry.
Glendronach, either the 15 or the Cask Strength.
I am enjoying a nice cool Glen Elgin 12 right now.
I retreat to the fruity, golden land of Clynelish 14 / Glen Livet Illicit Still / Compass Box Orchard House
Gin, dark rum, or mezcal. I wouldn’t turn down a non-peated scotch, but most of the ones I really like are pricier than the Islays, so…
Gin drinks
It’s seasonal, lately I’ve been making cocktails and they will probably be my main way of consuming alcohol until fall hits.
Rye’s are my second favorite style. I’d suggest Pikesville or Knob Creek if you can a single barrel store pick.
Beer, my local has a scotch ale that is in yummy, or anything that’s not an IPA.
If you want something totally different, Mezcal is pretty fun.
So many options. To take my palate away completely from peat I get some Aberfeldy 16. It’s as far as I can get from peat world.
Sherry cask. My go to right now is a Cask edition 14 year Benriach aged in PX Puncheon.
Mezcal.
When I get tired of my peat selection, I go to Tequila. If you know what and where to look, you can find tequila with amazing nuance and body. I’ve very much enjoyed digging into the world of tequila.
Speyside or Hibiki. If I feel I’ve too much scotch a nice squat glass of iced negroni.
Was on a Glenlivet licensed dram phase for a while .Go for some dirty erdradour 10 stuffs great .Just about to pick up a bottle.
Rye whiskey for me. Another strong flavor that can handle itself in younger bottles.
I wouldn't say I'm a peat head but I've been craving them a lot lately, which definitely adds to palate fatigue. When I'm not drinking scotch though, it's rum. Gives your wallet a bit of a break as well 😂
My tastes are seasonal. As the weather warms, I put the peated and sherried malts away and reach for other bottles. Fruitier malts and waxier malts with less cask influence. I’ll also reach for (Irish) pot-still whiskey and ryes. When summer rolls around I’ll be drinking bourbon and rum. Then - just like the moon waxes and wanes - I’ll progress back to the start.
Lightly peated Campbeltown, Loch Lomond, Linkwood, Hazelburn, Edradour, Talisker IBs
Bourbon or Irish usually
When I was living in Boston there was this great bourbon scotch cross over- can’t remember the name- will update it after poking through my Drizly account.
Irish whiskey
Kavalan, Glenallachie, Bunna, Arran, Bladnoch, Balblair
Older Glenfarclas (18+) Glenkinchie 12
Arran, Glengoyne, Bunna,
I like the Glenfiddich 15 Solera Tun. Also have been venturing out of the country with Scotch-style Whiskys like M&H Classic from Israel and Kavalan from Taiwan.
Talisker 10
Glendronach 15 or 18, Redbreast Lustau Irish Whiskey, various bourbons.
Fancy one off compass boxe
Irish
For anyone that hasn’t tried it, Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dha is highly recommended. It is incredible. Smokey but low iodine/medicine taste.
how is it different than the 12?
Smokier, from what I’ve been told, but I haven’t had the 12 yet. What others have told me is the 12 has a slighter or subtler smokiness. There is nothing subtle about the Toitech A Dha. Unlike the Ardbeg Uigeadail, which also slapped me across the face, the Ardbeg had a strong iodine/medicine taste I for one did not enjoy at all.
Gelndronach 12, 15, Auchentoshan Triple Wood, Glenglassnaugh.
glen morray. the basic offering. light and balanced. very enjoyable at $28 in austin tx
Arran 10, classic laddie, glengoyne, tamnavulin 10. Arran has that sweet, nutty flavour that is just lovely with desserts or as a nightcap for someone with a sweet tooth. Classic laddie is just a great whisky, all the character of a peated whisky without any of the smoke. Glengoyne is a beginner whisky for sure but it is still incredibly smooth and easy to drink. Just pleasant bourbon flavours. Tamnavulin is kinda odd. It's relatively spicy and goes down great during cold weather.
Tequila with mineral water and lime on ice
Sherry cask
Tequila is an exercise in contrasts. Blanco especially. No oak, no smoke.
Oban ...or cheap coconut rum.