Best single-malt Scotch...

Lagavulin 16 is (or should I say was until stocks ran dry!!)my personal favorite but is a an acquired taste. Each time you drink the more you appreciate it - just like good music. Used to buy in Duty Free for around 50$ !!!
Macallan 25 is a much smoother Scotch - don't try both in the same sitting.

Brought back to the U.S. a 21 year old Talisker from Skye that was incredible. On vacation and spent time at the bed and breakfast that was next door to Talisker's offices. The B&B was also owned by the owner of Talisker. Free tastings upon checking in. Absolutely delightful!

Yesterday I hosted a group of audiophiles for a whisky tasting. We tried a number of special cask strength bottlings that have recently been released in Canada. These included:

Convalmore 24
Blair Athol 27
Brora 20
Brora 30
Port Ellen 24
Talisker 20

We started with a normal-strength Clynelish 14 that was thought very nice at first, but was handily shown off by the later drams.

The "winner" was a tossup between the Port Ellen and the Brora 20. Very different whiskies, each of which had as much to offer. The Brora was rich, full and warm, while the Port Ellen was more complex but austere. The other two top picks were the Convalmore and the Talisker. A number of them benefitted from adding a drop or two of water.

The disappointment of the batch was the Brora 30. It was over the hill and had started to fall apart, both in the nose and on the palate.

Three we didn't get to because it became just too much of a good thing was a flight of three Caol Ila bottlings - a 12, an 18 and an undated cask strength. We're saving those for a later date, possibly to comapare with a Lagavullin 12 cask strength that was also set aside.

Mixed with a generous helping of music, it was a memorable afternoon and a perfect way to kick off the Christmas party season!

CAIG Pro-Gold!

For me, Macallan 21 year old. Light color and fantastic taste, with a very smooth peaty finish.

For a little less money, the 18 year old is a VERY close second, just not quite as smooth.

For something completely different, the Talisker as mentioned above, is a strong, very peaty, whisky. Nothing else like it!

Depends on your mood, maybe what your listening to. Talisker for Wagner, Macallan for Baroque music?

Regards!