Best single-malt Scotch...

I didn't get a response earlier so I'll ask again ... are your local liquor stores stocking Lagavulin? No luck in Indianapolis, no luck in the Chicago suburbs either. I've been reduced to begging my friends and relatives flying in to pick up a bottle or two Duty-Free.

Went to a fellow audiophile's house to listen to his all-Gryphon electronics & Dynaudio Confidence 5 speakers system. He was very generous & opened a bottle of Dalmore Single Malt 12 yr old Scotch. Tasted pretty good to me. I don't know if this Scotch is well-known or known at all! I wasn't aware of it BTW.

Prefer Speyside scotch, The Macallan 18 (which I prefer to the 25), Glen Elgin, Dalwhinnie 15, and the Balvenie Founder's Reserve. Enjoy Irish malts just as much, especially - when I can get it - Jameson Gold. Also enjoy Midleton, Redbreast (pure pot still), Knappogue Castle and Bushmill's 16 yr old single malt.

Well, it's been two trips to London (and Cadenhead's) since I last posted and it seems I'm running out fo scotch again.

I must agree with the recomendation for the 1986 double matured lagavulin! I don't like the regular one of their's...to smokey for me, but the double matured! I also like the 1967 Glenlivett cellar collection. That was really nice! I won't list the single casks...to many and too few known.

As for blends...I don't agree with some on the Johnie Walker Blue. For me it's to bland, I prefer the gold if I go that route.

After all this time and all this scotch, for me it still Macallan 18 or 25 or single casks when i've got them! I need to start a record of the ones i've had so I'll remember the next time I'm in London!

Cheers!

Had a bottle of 25yr Talisker recently. Unbelievable!!! Very tough to find as only 3000 bottles released. A friend tasted it at Talisker before release. Felt lucky to find a bottle. I'm usually an Islay guy, the older the better. But this Talisker is definitely worth seeking out.