Great price, over $100 anywhere else.
One for the peat fanciers, this Islay benchmark is big and powerful. Iodine and smoke dominate sweet spice aromas while vanilla and oak character develops on the palate. Mouth coating and muscular, this brute finishes long, dry and smoky.
Origin: Scotland
Alcohol Content: 43 %
Iodine? You're not really selling it to me.
iodine, seaweed, asphalt, disinfectant, fresh bandages, wet charcoal, airfix glue… Welcome to the world of Islay malts. Disgusting to most people, irresistible to the fans.
As mentioned by Serapis below, Islay malts are not for the uninitiated.
I'm not really a scotch drinker, but at this price I'm tempted
Would not recommend to non scotch drinkers. This one is very heavy handed Islay whisky - tastes like you have a cigar AND whisky in your mouth at the same time. Well it's gotta be, being the preferred drink of Ron Swanson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoXdC2zDi0s
Better starting with the milder Highland scotches then working your way towards the Islays as you learn to appreciate it
Lot better getting something like this and saving $10
https://www.liquorland.com.au/lle2e/Product/68826/Glenmorang…
Lot better getting something like this and saving $10
But check Dan Murphy's if you've got one close, the Glenmorangie 10y is $64.95 at my local store, and $68.99 in the generic DM online store.
I usually preferred the 'Glen's single malts.
I did one time tried the Laphroaig 10 yo, in the beginning it was shocking experience, like drinking betadine mouthwash.
But as I sip into it, I accepted it more and more.
If you are a beginner, try something like Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich. They taste very similar, subtle, a bit of hint of sweet.
Whiskey/Wine tastes different each time you drink, depending on what you have been eating/drinking, the room temperature, etc.
@fm:
For those who enjoy Laphroaig and Lagavulin I would also recommend Ardbeg 10 yo as the "heavy artillery" of peat. It's full strength at 46% content and is a great way of keeping warm in winter. And yes, I always have it neat :)
@fm: if you want an entry level single malt I'd suggest Monkey Shoulder. Typically ~$45 and a very gentle intro. It is classified as a single malt despite saying blended on the bottle.
@fm:
I'd probably start someone on the Highlands (Glenmorangie, Dalwhinnie, Old Pultney) then move them on to Speysiders, maybe some sherried ones (Glen Elgin, Glendronach, Longmourn, Linkwood, Mortlach, Glenrothes etc..). Springbank are doing great stuff too.
As for Islay I don't know.. I think when someone's already into whisky, one day (when they're on their third or fourth) it might just click. It took me a lot of tries before my palate learned to appreciate peated whisky.
I disagree that it is heavy handed.
Have some Ardbeg if you want to taste a heavy handed Islay Whisky.
Lagavulin is smooth as well as being smokey.
Mouth coating and muscular, this brute finishes long, dry and smoky… Nothing better than reading homo-erotic stories on OZbargain late on a Thursday night.
This is Duty Free price, great find for a great drink.
Australian duty free ?
yep
is a nice drop, if you like Highland park 12 yo, you probably like this.. interesting if you lookup ralfy reviews on youtube he recommends adding a teaspoon of this to ordinary whisky's to give them a better taste.
How does it compare to Ardbeg ?
it is MUCH smoother than Ardbeg and not as smokey but still has a strong complex flavour.
The smokiness is obvious yet subtle.
I recommend it and I have both Ardbeg and Lagavulin in the cupboard.
IMO, Ardbeg 10YO is not as complex but is an easier "starter" Islay. The Lagavulin 16 packs a bit more of a punch at first sip but doesnt have as satisfying of a finish (to me at least). I would either get the Ardbeg 10YO or a Laphroaig 10YO and save a bit of $. For $85, I recently picked up a bottle of Bruichladdich "Port Charlotte" and was blown away by how good it was. If you want to step it up a notch, there is always the classic Ardbeg Uigeadail which is my all time favourite (but pretty pricey).
Bear in mind that the above are all pretty heavily peated scotches so make sure you are going into them with your eyes open otherwise you might be dissapointed.
Ardbeg 10 is probably the best value for money whiskey there is IMHO. When i take a glass outside on a cold day and see it cloud up it just reminds me these guys aren't compromising their vision to win brownie points in developing markets.
The old Laphroaig 15 yo was one of my favourite laphroaig expressions. I still have part of a bottle left and am unlikely to buy another (given they're now $300 a bottle!)
If you have a chance to try a dram of an Octomore by Bruichladdich) I recommend it. It's a peaty punch to the head, but its not just a novelty, they've packed some real complexity into it.
This is a great price for a quality 16 year old
It's a good drop, although not for the weak. It's literally a Bushfire in a Bottle.
literally?
My favourite and best. Absolutely delicious :)
Bought one today at Dan's as they have to price match. Thank-you this Scotch is the best.
Please and thank you.