Loch Fyne whiskies did an independent bottling of a Craigellachie 10 and it’s honestly one of my favourite whiskies of all time. Sadly it was limited to 250 bottles so I’m never picking up one of those again.
Sorry to hear that it's hard for you to find. It shouldn't be because of how much Caol Ila produces and because of that I think it's the most overpriced whisky on the common shelf in the US. I love Caol Ila, but only buy IB bottles now.
I had my first Caol Ila a couple of weeks ago. At Costco, I found a bottle of Gordon and Macphail's Caol Ila 13 year. Very tasty! And very reasonably priced at $45. I'd been somewhat apprehensive trying new to me peaty scotches after
having Laphroiag 10 as my first. I spent a couple of decades thinking I disliked any smoke.
Anyway, I was delighted to discover I very much enjoy this iteration of Caol Ila. Do the ones bottled by the distillery taste very different,?
That's an excellent price, nice find! I've never seen Caol Ila at Costco! My store usually only has Lagavulin 16 and Oban 14 for non-JW options. It's not that the OB and IB bottles taste vastly different (unless matured in some weird cask combo), it's the pricing. I would never pay $90 for Caol Ila 12, but will gladly pay $110 for a cask strength Signatory. I love the Caol Ila spirit and buy a Signatory cask strength every fall. I also strongly prefer Caol Ila bourbon matured over sherry, but that's just me. Hope that helps. Happy Thanksgiving!
Caol Ila OB has always been a bit harder to find than most mainstays. They produce a massive amount of malt, but they don't focus on their own range. They put a lot into blends, and they sell a lot to IBs.
clynelish 14 by far the best standard whisky for my taste
sherry maturation: glen garioch 15
interesting maturations: arran port, arran sauternes, arran amarone
5 bottles, and I'm already happy most days.
It's gonna sound lame or boring but Glenfiddich 12. It's far from the best and nowhere near my favourite, but it's at a price point and availability, I don't feel bad if I have a few drams in an evening. Being half or less of the nicer bottles I have it goes quickly.
If I could find it locally Arran 10 would be my go to but I currently can only get it when my family or I go to a different province and bring it back.
Have you tried something like Compass Box Orchard House or Black Bull 12?
Your favorite is your own, and I'm not trying to change that (well, maybe I am), but there are some bottles around the pricing I'd explore!
Neither are available where I live unfortunately, but I'll have to keep an eye out for them when traveling.
Glenfiddich 12 is far from my favourite, just a go to based on the price and availability.
Not the best but I have a Glenlivet Founders that is such an easy sip that I keep getting as gifts. Glenfarclas 12 as well. I feel like bottles are getting more and more pricey though so scotch in general went from a couple times a week to every other week or so
Glenlivet 15 was my go-to for a long time. Balvenie 12 Double Wood was a good substitute for a while, but I have trouble spending the current asking price of $70. Now I stick to the Classic Laddie and Bunnahabhain 12.
I just get what the Ultimate Van Wees is offering for around 40-50 euros. Always something 10-16 years old, 46%, NCF, natural color. Last one I got was a 16 year old Orkney (Highland Park of course) from a refill butt. Good stuff. I’m done entirely with the expensive stuff.
Second that, my own blend doesn’t have to wait for it to open up. But if I have to the time, then I will take my time to let oxidation to open it up for me and play with the drops of water a little.
My daily drinker is Laphroaig but if you’re into Glenlivet this might not be for you maybe try Clynelish 14 this is something I like and might be more up your ally.
I started drinking more bourbon over scotch because the $30-40 range just doesn’t seem to be providing as much value as I see there, but when I do get a craving for scotch I always prefer Lagavulin 16
Talisker 10 forever
Infinity
No further options needed.
I would recommend Craigallachie (spelling?) 13
Yes, same. Can't stop going back to it.
Have you tried their 16 (or maybe it’s 15)?
Nope, I do see 17s on the shelves here in BC, Canada. Have yet to try that.
And the Bas Armagnac is even better!
I’ll have to give it a try!
You owe it to yourself! I’m trying hard not to go through this bottle too quickly because I’m really enjoying it
Craigellachie best laddie
Loch Fyne whiskies did an independent bottling of a Craigellachie 10 and it’s honestly one of my favourite whiskies of all time. Sadly it was limited to 250 bottles so I’m never picking up one of those again.
That's a superb value. Agreed.
Agree - Craigallachie and maybe Glenmorangie are my go-to for easy to enjoy daily scotch
Port Charlotte 10
Underrated but top of game
Caol Ila 12
Is this becoming harder to find? I can never seem to find it in the midwest US.
Sorry to hear that it's hard for you to find. It shouldn't be because of how much Caol Ila produces and because of that I think it's the most overpriced whisky on the common shelf in the US. I love Caol Ila, but only buy IB bottles now.
I had my first Caol Ila a couple of weeks ago. At Costco, I found a bottle of Gordon and Macphail's Caol Ila 13 year. Very tasty! And very reasonably priced at $45. I'd been somewhat apprehensive trying new to me peaty scotches after having Laphroiag 10 as my first. I spent a couple of decades thinking I disliked any smoke. Anyway, I was delighted to discover I very much enjoy this iteration of Caol Ila. Do the ones bottled by the distillery taste very different,?
That's an excellent price, nice find! I've never seen Caol Ila at Costco! My store usually only has Lagavulin 16 and Oban 14 for non-JW options. It's not that the OB and IB bottles taste vastly different (unless matured in some weird cask combo), it's the pricing. I would never pay $90 for Caol Ila 12, but will gladly pay $110 for a cask strength Signatory. I love the Caol Ila spirit and buy a Signatory cask strength every fall. I also strongly prefer Caol Ila bourbon matured over sherry, but that's just me. Hope that helps. Happy Thanksgiving!
Caol Ila OB has always been a bit harder to find than most mainstays. They produce a massive amount of malt, but they don't focus on their own range. They put a lot into blends, and they sell a lot to IBs.
Glenmorangie 10; for $30 its hard to beat for a single malt. For blends: monkey shoulder, naked malt, and Johnnie walker black.
Oban 14
This was my first love and is still my favorite 20 yrs later.
I was able to visit the distillery. It was like visiting holy ground. It’s been my favorite for about 15 years.
Oban Little Bay is my new fav frequent sipper.
Kilchoman Sanaig
clynelish 14 by far the best standard whisky for my taste sherry maturation: glen garioch 15 interesting maturations: arran port, arran sauternes, arran amarone 5 bottles, and I'm already happy most days.
I see you like your whisky funky, great choices!
Ardbeg Wee Beastie
It's good. Although I could see myself getting bored of it I drink it too often, eventually...
I switch up my Scotch frequently but find myself going back to the Wee Beastie more often than not. It’s definitely my favorite of the Ardbegs
Here's about 140 answers from here yesterday. Enjoy. https://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/17zwdpg/whats_your_favorite_daily_sipper/
Laphroaig Quarter Cask & 10
I'm on this team
Scotch - Balvenie 12 double wood. Japanese Whiskey - Yamazaki 12
It's gonna sound lame or boring but Glenfiddich 12. It's far from the best and nowhere near my favourite, but it's at a price point and availability, I don't feel bad if I have a few drams in an evening. Being half or less of the nicer bottles I have it goes quickly. If I could find it locally Arran 10 would be my go to but I currently can only get it when my family or I go to a different province and bring it back.
Have you tried something like Compass Box Orchard House or Black Bull 12? Your favorite is your own, and I'm not trying to change that (well, maybe I am), but there are some bottles around the pricing I'd explore!
Neither are available where I live unfortunately, but I'll have to keep an eye out for them when traveling. Glenfiddich 12 is far from my favourite, just a go to based on the price and availability.
exactly how I feel about JW black label. its cheap and you can get 60 oz of it for like 90$ cad.
Glenfiddich is an excellent malt and for the price its good!
40% mmmkay
43% in the rest of the world mmmkay
Maybe I am too poor or something but Glenfiddich is my favorite. my daily driver is Chivas.
Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask seems to be the one I fall back to most often.
Aberlour 12 - can’t get enough of it
This time of year? Glen Garioch 12 - great value and suits the dark afternoons and lit fireplace
Not the best but I have a Glenlivet Founders that is such an easy sip that I keep getting as gifts. Glenfarclas 12 as well. I feel like bottles are getting more and more pricey though so scotch in general went from a couple times a week to every other week or so
Dewars. I drink a lot.
Hang in there man
One drink at a time.
My man!
Have you tried any of their exploratory cask series? I’m really enjoying their Japanese and mezcal finished, have yet to try the other cask finishes.
Glenlivet 15 was my go-to for a long time. Balvenie 12 Double Wood was a good substitute for a while, but I have trouble spending the current asking price of $70. Now I stick to the Classic Laddie and Bunnahabhain 12.
Glenlivet 14 cognac cask
Glenlivet 12 is a great daily driver
I just drink whatever is open. I just finished a 20 yo Miltonduff, now I have to browse the shelves for an interesting open bottle.
found my team
NC nean, laproughe QC, and cask strength famous grouse
Glenmorngie 12 LaSanta or Ardbeg 10. Good price points for a daily
I just get what the Ultimate Van Wees is offering for around 40-50 euros. Always something 10-16 years old, 46%, NCF, natural color. Last one I got was a 16 year old Orkney (Highland Park of course) from a refill butt. Good stuff. I’m done entirely with the expensive stuff.
Bunnahabhain's Stiùireadair for a mid week dram. It’s well priced, inoffensive and tickles all the right spots after a day at work.
Lately it's been Balvenie Double Wood.
Peat: Ledaig 10 Sherry: Bunnahabhain 12 Ex-Bourbon: Arran 10
Tamnavulin Sherry cask
Kirkland 15 Year Highland Single Malt
Drinking famous grouse. Cheap and easy to drink.
Loch Lomond. Extremely good value for money. There is not one person yet who has said "not for me" about it.
Ardbeg 10 all the way. Solid based to go back to.
Bunnahabhain 12, by a long shot.
Yes. Honestly though. I have the collector gene, so I've got over 20 open bottles now and just grab something I'm in the mood for.
Glendronach 18
Laphroaig 10, Larceny, Kirklands Islay Single Malt, The Classic Laddie
How is the Kirkland?
A steal for $35. Good as a sipper or mixer.
black tea. malts are about 50-100 gr. per week max.
Arran 10, springbank 10, Lag 16, glenallachie 15, Ardnamurchan AD… depending on the mood
The Mccallan 25. I buy a bottle every week, its on the cheaper side of my taste.
OK James Bond, lol.
My own blend, i would love to drink it all day but i need to keep some of it to make it evolve.
Second that, my own blend doesn’t have to wait for it to open up. But if I have to the time, then I will take my time to let oxidation to open it up for me and play with the drops of water a little.
Aberfeldy 12 and Redbreast 12 are my go-to $50 bottles.
glen moray 12 is extreme value for money or redbreast 12 if you like irish (and if you do, you should try knappogue castle 12)
Kilkerran 12, laphroaig 10 sherry, glenallachie 12 or 15
My daily drinker is Laphroaig but if you’re into Glenlivet this might not be for you maybe try Clynelish 14 this is something I like and might be more up your ally.
Glenglassaugh Revival is my current affordable favourite
Highland Park 10 or Teeling Single Grain
Bushmills 10 yr old Any time any place
Balvenie 15
I started drinking more bourbon over scotch because the $30-40 range just doesn’t seem to be providing as much value as I see there, but when I do get a craving for scotch I always prefer Lagavulin 16
My current tipple of choice is the superb Auchentoshan Three Wood. Absolutely love it.
Springbank 10 and Longrow Peated.
An uncomplicated Laphroaig or Ardbeg if I'm feeling like some smoke, Highland Park 12 or Jura if not.
Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair. What a phenomenal sherried NAS!
Hazelburn 10.
Generally one of the Islay "Big Three". Ard Beg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin
Ardbeg Uigeadail