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Best single-malt Scotch...

I have to give credit to Redwiki for the inspiration to start this thread. Yes, certain malts better compliment certain music or certain moods. Of the fifteen or so different malts in my cabinet right now, my favorites are: Aberlour "Antique", similar to the popular Macallan, but not as syrupy; a bit drier, light hearted and less complicated; great with Mozart and Brubeck. Mortlach "Limited Edition" cask strength. Powerful, smoky, mysterious. Great with Bartok, Berg and late 'Trane. Loch Morar 25 yr old. Incredibly complex and intense, with a hint of honey and flowers. Great with Poulenc, Stravinsky and Bill Evans. Any other single-malt aficionados out there?
frogman
satch
329 posts
 
Went recently to a whiskey festival in Leiden, Holland. Their special offer was a (small) bottle of special Highland Park, 16 years old. Ater (too much) tasting I decided to buy a bottle. It still sits in my cupboard waiting 'till that special occasion. Anyway, the festival was so nice, I'm going to attend another one in Brussels, Belgium in three weeks. I wonder what I end up buying this time.....
gslone
274 posts
 
For me it's Oban.
edesilva
768 posts
 
Oh dear god... No water for cask strength whisky? Its wrong in my book--the intense alcohol content blows away your taste buds; you get much more flavor from a light touch of water. Don't ask me, ask the Scots...

Then again, I was recently in a shop that specialized in a lot of private label bottlings and ended up seriously confused. They had a bunch of stuff at about 90 proof labeled "Cask Strength," which is total BS. Cask Strength generally clocks in at about 70-85 *percent* alcohol, which means 140 to 170 proof, if I do my math right. I'm thinking a bunch of "cask strength" bottlings are pre-watered down in any event.

I was seriously bummed leaving that place... I thought I'd totally scored when I found a private label bottling of a 35 year old Macallan for about $299, but when I opened the box to look at it, the bottle was clearly not aged in sherry casks... just new oak. Its *not* the same.

That store, however, will always find a soft spot in my heart. About 10 years ago I wandered in there and picked up three fifths of an Adelphia bottling of 32 year old Springbank at cask strength for only $180 a bottle. Its gone now, but that had to be the damn finest dram that ever touched my palate...
cbird1
21 posts
 
Springbank 21 +,Balvenie 21+, Balmore 21 +, Talisker 30 a surprising depth and finish compared to it's younger brethren, and for those nights I want a cigar but don't have time-Lagavullin...all are complimented by an s.e.t., single driver, vinyl experience.
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Edsilva,

Where was that shop!

The only placse I know like that are in London, Cadenhead's comes to mind, and another one in Kensington too but I always forget it's name. FWIW 'Cask stregth' IS NOT the same as 'single cask' which is what you are describing, ie straight from the cask. They don't usually run as high as 75% EtOH though, but can be up to about 70%.

I agree with you on the water as well, and yes, the Scots would laugh at you if you drank single cask without any!
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