Best single-malt Scotch...

Hi Learsfool. I currently have a bottle of Lagavulin 16, and Laphroig 10 in my cabinet. I love the Lagavulin. But I have to be in then mood for it. I thoroughly enjoy the Lagavulin. The Laphroig, well, let me put it this way: that bottle was a wedding present, and I've been married 12 years. I "get" the Islay malts, but it's just not my preference. I much prefer the Highland malts, and to a somewhat lesser extent the Lowland malts. Strictly a personal preference dependent on mood. Kind of like Mahler. Sometimes I think it's music from the Gods. Other times, depending on my mood, I find it trite and self-indulgent. But, I never tire of a good Highland malt. Prokofiev?

Regards.

Learsfool: i much prefer Lagavulin to Laphroig. The former is more complex and nuanced IMHO. Laphroig was the first Islay malt I had, decades ago, so it has some sentimental value to me! However, I don't buy it much anymore. I remember a liquor store owner in South Carolina (who was also the mayor of the town) who insisted on pronouncing it "Lap-frog." No relation to Frogman, I presume!

My other go-to malt is Talisker. Out here in the middle of the Pacific, there are fewer choices than on the mainland.

Hi Cpdunn - I too probably prefer Lagavulin, but lately it has been so much more expensive than the Laphroig, so I have gone with the latter. My brother is a big fan of Talisker, I don't think I have actually tried that one.

Frogman, I'll have to try some HIghland ones again sometime. It was long ago now that I decided I greatly preferred the Islay ones and haven't ever gone back.

The beauty of single malt scotch: hundreds of choices and they are all different.There literally is no wrong or bad malt
btw as I have stated previously; Laphroig is a acquired taste. That said, I have to disagree with the statement that Lagavullin is more complex. They are both complex, but with different layers. I just love the seaweed finish on the 10yr Laphroig. (btw I hate the 15 yr version).

cheers

The 10 year old Laphroig is definitely an acquired taste. However, afterwards most other single malts are bland by comparison.