Most underrated single malt?
Most underrated single malt?
Clearly this cannot be made into a poll, however I would be interested to hear members opinions of what are the most underrated whiskies, that is, those you think are excellent but do not seem to be mentioned nearly as much as those such as Ardbeg10,Lagavullin 16,Glenlivet18,A'Bunadh etc etc?
I'll start with Cragganmore 12 and Clynelish 14 both of which I think are hugely underrated, and I'd also say that the Caol Ila 12 doesn't get the credit it deserves.
Thoughts gentlemen?
I'll start with Cragganmore 12 and Clynelish 14 both of which I think are hugely underrated, and I'd also say that the Caol Ila 12 doesn't get the credit it deserves.
Thoughts gentlemen?
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Hmmm.....yes, Cardhu doesn't seem to get mentioned much but it's supposed to be very good, although I haven't tried it myself.
The Glen Moray no age statement is very cheap. Is it any good?
The Glen Moray no age statement is very cheap. Is it any good?
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Mortlach...
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Without doubt the Deerstalker Braeval. Cheap as chips, and its a Braeval...need i say more?
-
- Double Gold Member
- Posts: 1945
- Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Interesting Nick's assessment of Glen Mooray! I';ve had some great samples from single casks sent to me by a mate there, including some bourbon barrells that were every bit a match for the Gkenlivet Nadurra..one had a nose to die for, and they recently did a 700 bottle run of a Portwood finish that was grrreat.
But the everyday NAS is...OK. As has been said here, Cardhu is excellent for an "easy drinker."
My vote would go to Old Pulteney 12 as one of the best underrated "high street" bottlings.
But the everyday NAS is...OK. As has been said here, Cardhu is excellent for an "easy drinker."
My vote would go to Old Pulteney 12 as one of the best underrated "high street" bottlings.
- dramtastic
- Cask Strength Gold Member
- Posts: 3476
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:07 am
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Don't know I'd call these underated but I don't read much about them and I've been impressed by what I've tried so far. Would like to try more from the following
Ardmore
Bladnoch
Balblair
Scapa
Ardmore
Bladnoch
Balblair
Scapa
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Well this is a very subjective discussion
I have Cardhu and Scapa on my list of overrated distilleries
A lot of distilleries is considered underrated due to the fact that they are relatively unknown. This for sure has a great correlations with the amount of marketing fundings thats pumped into their brands
For me there's a lot more overrated distilleries than underrated. A lot of distilleries I think is considered good only for the reason they have a lot of marketing behind them and is therefore betterknown
Here's a few distilleries I really like and I am seldom disspointed when finding a bottle
Glen Elgin
Caperdonich
Old Pulteney
Balblair
Tomatin
/macdeffe
I have Cardhu and Scapa on my list of overrated distilleries

A lot of distilleries is considered underrated due to the fact that they are relatively unknown. This for sure has a great correlations with the amount of marketing fundings thats pumped into their brands
For me there's a lot more overrated distilleries than underrated. A lot of distilleries I think is considered good only for the reason they have a lot of marketing behind them and is therefore betterknown
Here's a few distilleries I really like and I am seldom disspointed when finding a bottle
Glen Elgin
Caperdonich
Old Pulteney
Balblair
Tomatin
/macdeffe
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Well I am specific thinking on the Cardhu OB getting 90 in Jim Murrays Bible which I think is hugely overrated 
Apart from that I think almost all production is sold in Spain and maybe also Italy, so that's probably where its advertised for logical reasons
But you're very right, hard to find anything from Cardhu, I've seen a rare malt bottling but never tried it, could be fun to experience how the distillery really is, as I often find OB's from the big companies aren't doing the distilleries any favours as representant
MAcdeffe

Apart from that I think almost all production is sold in Spain and maybe also Italy, so that's probably where its advertised for logical reasons
But you're very right, hard to find anything from Cardhu, I've seen a rare malt bottling but never tried it, could be fun to experience how the distillery really is, as I often find OB's from the big companies aren't doing the distilleries any favours as representant
MAcdeffe
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Yes I know you mentioned single malt, but what comes in my mind in therm of underrated scotch is blends in general. We always talk of single malt but there is some really nice blends out there too. Like all the JW expressions, Chivas Regal and many other. Recently I bought a bottle of really cheap Grant Familly reserve for doing some drinks and I was quite happily surprised to note that it was quite enjoyable for its price tag. I drink it more neat than in drinks.
Of course I prefer SM because of their unique character and richness but when I hear of underrated scotch, blends come in mind.
Of course I prefer SM because of their unique character and richness but when I hear of underrated scotch, blends come in mind.
- The Third Dram
- Triple Gold Member
- Posts: 2466
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:38 pm
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Clynelish... Very classy juxtaposition of coastal and Highland characteristics, as well as quite a unique flavour profile.
Glen Elgin... The 16YO CS, in particular, is an absolute cracker.
Longmorn... Really liked the 15YO. Think I like the 16YO even more.
Mortlach... One that should be in everyone's collection.
Glen Elgin... The 16YO CS, in particular, is an absolute cracker.
Longmorn... Really liked the 15YO. Think I like the 16YO even more.
Mortlach... One that should be in everyone's collection.
- dramtastic
- Cask Strength Gold Member
- Posts: 3476
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:07 am
Re: Most underrated single malt?
I would agree with Longmorn but I thought it was relatively well known so didn't put it on my list.
- dramtastic
- Cask Strength Gold Member
- Posts: 3476
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:07 am
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Willie JJ wrote:dramtastic wrote:I would agree with Longmorn but I thought it was relatively well known so didn't put it on my list.
That's the problem with this question. Folk have completely different ideas about what underrated means. The last time we went through this I think almost every malt under the sun got mentioned sooner or later. The game needs tighter rules.
Agreed Willie.
I was actually quite hesitant to post a reply because as it was posed I'm
not really sure I understood the question.
Re: Most underrated single malt?
I also agree with Glen Elgin, quickly becoming one of my favorite Speysides. Also Benromach and Dailuaine, their 16 F&F is stunningly good!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Re: Most underrated single malt?
For me:
-Ardmore
-Glen Garioch
-Longmorn
-Strathisla
-Ardmore
-Glen Garioch
-Longmorn
-Strathisla
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Mortlatch
Longmorn
Longmorn
- dramtastic
- Cask Strength Gold Member
- Posts: 3476
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:07 am
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Ganga wrote:Willie, can Macallan, Springbank, Lagavulin and Ardbeg ever make the underrated list?
I could personally put one of those on an overated list.
Re: Most underrated single malt?
This is a very interesting thread and I agree that there can be so much differing opinion here.
Great!
What about Glenfiddich!!!
Great!
What about Glenfiddich!!!
- Muskrat Portage
- Triple Gold Member
- Posts: 2482
- Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:47 am
Re: Most underrated single malt?
I'm very fond of Longmorn 15, which I notice doesn't get bandied about much on these forums. It's difficult to find over here, which is why I have a spare in the "tickle trunk". (Which hides somewhere in The Lair.)
Musky
Musky
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Maccy wrote:This is a very interesting thread and I agree that there can be so much differing opinion here.
Great!
What about Glenfiddich!!!
Yes, I'd agree that the Glenfiddich range is somewhat underrated, especially when one bears in mind the considerable number of awards they have won
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Old Pulteney 12
-
- Double Gold Member
- Posts: 1089
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:19 pm
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Longmorn 15
Strathisla 12
Strathisla 12
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Glenfiddich Caoran reserve , i really like this.
Re: Most underrated single malt?
My vote goes to Ardmore Traditional Cask.
Can usually be found for a smidgen over £20 - great quality whisky at that price. Dangerously drinkable though
Can usually be found for a smidgen over £20 - great quality whisky at that price. Dangerously drinkable though

Re: Most underrated single malt?
The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.
- Novice Scotch Fan
- Gold Member
- Posts: 668
- Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:22 pm
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Tamdhu (NAS)
Cragganmore 12
Cragganmore 12
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Glen Scotia. I have tasted a 1992 Ultimate botteling a few times and I think it is very nice.
Re: Most underrated single malt?
DavidUK wrote:The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.
That really does surprise me, I must say. What kind of whisky do you usually like?
Re: Most underrated single malt?
slojo wrote:DavidUK wrote:The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.
That really does surprise me, I must say. What kind of whisky do you usually like?
There are none so far that I really don't like apart from the Ardmore TC. I guess my favourites are any Aberlour,Edradour 10,Quarter Cask, Caol Ila 10,Old Pultenay 12,Cragganmore,Clynelish 14
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Lagavulin 12 Yrs
Re: Most underrated single malt?
lockejn wrote:Dubois wrote:Lagavulin 12 Yrs
I'm not sure I've ever seen anything but outright praise for this one. . .
Not as much as the 16 Yrs...I wonder why ?
- dramtastic
- Cask Strength Gold Member
- Posts: 3476
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:07 am
Re: Most underrated single malt?
Dubois wrote:lockejn wrote:Dubois wrote:Lagavulin 12 Yrs
I'm not sure I've ever seen anything but outright praise for this one. . .
Not as much as the 16 Yrs...I wonder why ?
16 v 12 was the subject of a fairly recent poll. Here is the result.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12639
Re: Most underrated single malt?
tried a Tomatin 18 at a festival yesterday. I thought it was very good!
Re: Most underrated single malt?
DavidUK wrote:slojo wrote:DavidUK wrote:The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.
That really does surprise me, I must say. What kind of whisky do you usually like?
There are none so far that I really don't like apart from the Ardmore TC. I guess my favourites are any Aberlour,Edradour 10,Quarter Cask, Caol Ila 10,Old Pultenay 12,Cragganmore,Clynelish 14
I found the same. It becomes more drinkable the longer its been open I think. I even had it straight recently as opposed to spicing up Pepsi.
- dramtastic
- Cask Strength Gold Member
- Posts: 3476
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:07 am
Re: Most underrated single malt?
kyorke1 wrote:[quote="DavidUK"The Ardmore TC is the only whisky I've ever had which I wasn't able to drink. Maybe there was something wrong with it, but it was dreadful.
I found the same. It becomes more drinkable the longer its been open I think. I even had it straight recently as opposed to spicing up Pepsi.[/quote][/quote]
Totally the opposite here, I find the Ardmore very moreish. Seems like it's a love or hate it proposition which I find a bit strange because it reminds me a lot of Talisker 10.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests