Absolute perfect timing for this Scotch School! Wife & I are heading to Gleneagles resort near Edinburg Scotland next week! Great reviews and Sláinte Julie, Phil and Bill Becher🥃🥃🥃
I've had to explain to people several times that there are two main reasons why Octomore seems unlike other Islay malts and even perhaps less peaty than Laphroaig or Ardbeg: it is malted with Aberdeenshire peat, which is very different from Islay peat (mainly due to the different plants it formed from), and they use very narrow cut points, deliberately avoiding some of the compounds others like to include. Like other commenters: Laphroaig 10 was what made me fall in love with whisky (and I know at least 14 other people for whom it was 'love at first sip') and I have never been out of stock of it since July 1982.
Laphroaig was my gateway to single malt scotch whisky, too. Delivered a paper to the Royal Air Force in 1995 and we retired to the fighter bar. They had their own unit labeled whisky which was Laphroaig. I absolutely loved it from the first sip. (FWIW, it’s generally considered an acquired taste…) I remember saying, “it’s like drinking dirt, but it’s fantastic!” My wife: “is someone asphalting a road around here?” Laphroaig is a kick square in the plums and that’s what I appreciate about it!
This was great. As someone that feels like I may be around the same point in my Scotch journey as you, it was interesting and informative to see your thoughts on all of these. Well done on this and a shout out to Bill on providing such a great line up! ❤"Scotch School" ❤🙂
Highland Park was my very first scotch and it is amazing. There are now 5 CS versions and so far #2 is the favorite so if you see it grab it. The other one I think you’d like is the 18 year. Enjoy the journey! 🥃
There are certainly no rules to single malt tasting, but one of mine is ALWAYS put the Laphroaig last. Last. Although my long-time favorite, Laphroaig basically mugs your taste buds rendering everything afterward hopelessly distorted! That’s also why I love it. Laphroaig lingers to the following morning, so be warned… 😊
Laphroaig was also my gateway! My dad had a bottle of Laphroaig 15 and then I got a bottle of the Madeira Caideas release that year. Oddly enough the 10 year isn’t my favorite, I think it’s a brand that is better with age/finish but still great . Love these videos and can’t wait to see what’s next !
Such a great video! These are 4 of my favorite Scotches ever, and I just had to pour some of my Laphroaig CS (batch 13) while watching it 😛 The HP CS (batch 3) I have is insanely good, no argument there. One note: other than the Lagavulin 16, they’re batched, so my bottles, including Octomore 13.4, will be a bit different from your samples. It’s part of the fun.
As someone who had a pet peat log as a child, I am glad that you have ventured into this realm. You should get the Lagavulin Distillers Cut. I am so proud of Julie for trying these and liking the Octomore. Seems like just yesterday I gave her the Ardbeg Scorch and received a very unimpressed response.
Lagavulin 16 is a good go to Scotch whisky, you really can't go wrong with it as it is so approachable. The Distillers Edition is probably a touch better overall. Laphroaig is an acquired taste for sure ... it took me 4 years to finish my last bottle of 10 Year. I'll drink and try every Octomore I can find - but at least in Oregon they are a rare find. Cheers!
Say "Sláinte" before taking that sip. Highland Park to me also has a bit floral, like a heather or lavender whiff to start. The smoke at the end is the tiniest touch of peat. Laphroaig has been described as "bandaids & hate". Pine tar and medicine. 😺 #TeamMavis
I like Highland Park, but haven't had the cask strength yet. Yes on the Laphroiag 10 cask strength... love it. Band-Aids and a "Mermaid's Bathwater." Lagavulin 16 is the classic Islay, but I actually prefer the 8-year (higher ABV and way less expensive). Octomore - the Mac Daddy of peat. There are three or four releases each year. The ones marked .1 are usually straight-forward bourbon-barrel maturation. The .2 and .3 are typically wine or sherry finishes. Kudos to Bill! 🎉🥃
Thanks for the recommendation on that Lagavulin 8. We've heard that a couple times now. Sounds like a good bottle to target for our next Scotch purchase.
Purchased and finished a local single barrel of Machir Bay this summer. Absolutely loved it. What an exciting flavor profile. Based on that, we’ll check out your other recommendations, for sure.
After trying different bottlings of Laphroaig, it's not one that hits my profile. HP is a really good offering though we have yet to try the CS. May need to put the CS on our list. Cheers
Islay is my favorite scotch, especially laphroaig cask strength. I get smoked apple pear on palette. Not for everyone lol, great review ty
lagavulin 16 is one of the best whiskies available today
Absolute perfect timing for this Scotch School! Wife & I are heading to Gleneagles resort near Edinburg Scotland next week! Great reviews and Sláinte Julie, Phil and Bill Becher🥃🥃🥃
I've had to explain to people several times that there are two main reasons why Octomore seems unlike other Islay malts and even perhaps less peaty than Laphroaig or Ardbeg: it is malted with Aberdeenshire peat, which is very different from Islay peat (mainly due to the different plants it formed from), and they use very narrow cut points, deliberately avoiding some of the compounds others like to include.
Like other commenters: Laphroaig 10 was what made me fall in love with whisky (and I know at least 14 other people for whom it was 'love at first sip') and I have never been out of stock of it since July 1982.
Laphroaig was my gateway to single malt scotch whisky, too. Delivered a paper to the Royal Air Force in 1995 and we retired to the fighter bar. They had their own unit labeled whisky which was Laphroaig. I absolutely loved it from the first sip. (FWIW, it’s generally considered an acquired taste…) I remember saying, “it’s like drinking dirt, but it’s fantastic!” My wife: “is someone asphalting a road around here?” Laphroaig is a kick square in the plums and that’s what I appreciate about it!
This was great. As someone that feels like I may be around the same point in my Scotch journey as you, it was interesting and informative to see your thoughts on all of these. Well done on this and a shout out to Bill on providing such a great line up! ❤"Scotch School" ❤🙂
Julie hit the bandage with the Laphroiag. Water can bring out the underlying notes. Octomore 8.3 and new 15.3 the highest level of peat ppm. Slainte!
I am dying laughing watching this! 😂😂😂
Bring on the scotch!! 🥃
😂🥃👍
Highland Park was my very first scotch and it is amazing. There are now 5 CS versions and so far #2 is the favorite so if you see it grab it. The other one I think you’d like is the 18 year. Enjoy the journey! 🥃
There are certainly no rules to single malt tasting, but one of mine is ALWAYS put the Laphroaig last. Last. Although my long-time favorite, Laphroaig basically mugs your taste buds rendering everything afterward hopelessly distorted! That’s also why I love it. Laphroaig lingers to the following morning, so be warned… 😊
Single malt (Scotch and 'world') offers such a wide bandwidth of flavors. Sometimes challenging, rarely dull. Slainte'.
😂 Thank you! Great review ❤
I’m not a scotch drinker, but I am interested, and this made me wish I had a bottle of scotch on my shelf. Been eyeing that Highland Park for months!
Laphroaig was also my gateway! My dad had a bottle of Laphroaig 15 and then I got a bottle of the Madeira Caideas release that year.
Oddly enough the 10 year isn’t my favorite, I think it’s a brand that is better with age/finish but still great .
Love these videos and can’t wait to see what’s next !
Such a great video! These are 4 of my favorite Scotches ever, and I just had to pour some of my Laphroaig CS (batch 13) while watching it 😛 The HP CS (batch 3) I have is insanely good, no argument there. One note: other than the Lagavulin 16, they’re batched, so my bottles, including Octomore 13.4, will be a bit different from your samples. It’s part of the fun.
As someone who had a pet peat log as a child, I am glad that you have ventured into this realm.
You should get the Lagavulin Distillers Cut.
I am so proud of Julie for trying these and liking the Octomore. Seems like just yesterday I gave her the Ardbeg Scorch and received a very unimpressed response.
The dead zone on the top of her mouth is still recovering.
Lagavulin 16 is a good go to Scotch whisky, you really can't go wrong with it as it is so approachable. The Distillers Edition is probably a touch better overall. Laphroaig is an acquired taste for sure ... it took me 4 years to finish my last bottle of 10 Year. I'll drink and try every Octomore I can find - but at least in Oregon they are a rare find. Cheers!
WHISKEY CHEERS 😎
I love the Ardbeg 10!! Have a Port Charlotte by Bruichalattie which is more meaty than Ardbeg, which has more fruit sweetness.
Say "Sláinte" before taking that sip. Highland Park to me also has a bit floral, like a heather or lavender whiff to start. The smoke at the end is the tiniest touch of peat. Laphroaig has been described as "bandaids & hate". Pine tar and medicine. 😺 #TeamMavis
I like Highland Park, but haven't had the cask strength yet.
Yes on the Laphroiag 10 cask strength... love it. Band-Aids and a "Mermaid's Bathwater."
Lagavulin 16 is the classic Islay, but I actually prefer the 8-year (higher ABV and way less expensive).
Octomore - the Mac Daddy of peat. There are three or four releases each year. The ones marked .1 are usually straight-forward bourbon-barrel maturation. The .2 and .3 are typically wine or sherry finishes.
Kudos to Bill! 🎉🥃
Thanks for the recommendation on that Lagavulin 8. We've heard that a couple times now. Sounds like a good bottle to target for our next Scotch purchase.
Next on your list and single-malts to try: Kilchoman Machir Bay, Sanaig & Loch Gorm…👍
Purchased and finished a local single barrel of Machir Bay this summer. Absolutely loved it. What an exciting flavor profile. Based on that, we’ll check out your other recommendations, for sure.
And of course, Port Charlotte 10 yo. Enjoy and remember that’s it’s okay to add a bit of water to the dram…cheers.
I don't get how people can like licorice or oysters but I'm also the guy who likes Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength as one of my top 5!
Slainte! I like the 92 proof Laga 8 better than the 86 proof Laga 16 (my least favorite). My favorite Islay whisky is Ardbeg Uigeadail!
After trying different bottlings of Laphroaig, it's not one that hits my profile. HP is a really good offering though we have yet to try the CS. May need to put the CS on our list. Cheers
Add about 10 ml of water to that Laphroaig and see if that doesn’t open it up.
Don’t worry about what to call it. This is America. We do what we want! Just don’t spell “scotch whisky” with an “e!”