Which one should my next purchase be?

[drinix]

Dear Malt-lovers,

a very good friend of mine gave me as a present for my birthday a 40 Euro gift-coupon to spend at a local whisky-store in Vienna.
I would like you to help me out with the purchase.
I listed in the poll the options and I would like you to pick one. The options are basically based on their price (40-45 Euro) and the price in other stores (i.e. if there's a whisky I want that costs less in another store, I'm not gonna buy it in this one). In my cabinet there at the moment one Blend (JW Black), 4 Islay Malts (Ardbeg 10 & Corry, Laga 16 and Bowmore 6yo Chateau Margaux Finish Murray McDavid), 4 Speysiders (Glenfiddich 12 & 15, 'Livet 12 and Aberlour 10) and 4 Highlanders (Old Pulteney 12, Glenmorangie Original, Talisker 10 and Highland Park 12). As I'm quite new to Whisky, you can note that my collection is quite basic. My idea is to start trying, if possible, the signature malts of different distilleries in order to determine if I like the profile. I should also point out that a part from the whiskies I own I haven't tried a lot of other malts (Laph 10, Glenfarclas 15, Oban 14, Dalwhinnie 15, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Bushmills Single Malt and Macallan 12 Fine Oak). Until know I really liked all the whiskies I bought (the only one that let me a little down was the Glenlivet 12, I expected more from it). However, I'm not sure in which direction I want to go next. That`s why I'll let you decide!

Thanks a lot in advance!

Drini

[dramtastic]

i haven't tried all the whiskys on your list, but I rate Laph QC quite highly so it gets my vote.

[Dubois]

Go for Caol Ila 12 yo !

[johan brugge]

I'd go for the Laph without a doubt. If you like iodine and salt mixed with woody sweetness ... go for it. They call it on this forum 'liquid heroine'. And they're absolutely right.

[kyorke1]

As a big Caol Ila fan myself, I have to say the 12. Laph close second.

[Holysinner]

No bad choices there, but my vote goes to the Redbreast, for the same reasons as C57. I can't imagine you won't enjoy it very much.

I know it doesn't make much sense to compare prices between continental Europe and the US, but relative to my local prices the Laph QC and Caol Ila would be the best deals, and are both excellent, so those would be next on my list.

I haven't tried the Clynelish, Dalmore, Glendronach, or that expression of Macallan, though.

[hyperfuji]

how about a laphroaig 10

[matteo]

For me Clynelish because is different, oily, soapy, different from the other.
I tried both version of Flora & Fauna 14yo (normal ABV and Caskstrenght) and they are very good drams. I found that the normal ABV is quite well balanced.

[jazz lover]

Redbreast 12

[The Third Dram]

For me Clynelish because it is different...

And, for my tastes at least, quite excellent. Individuals' takes differ rather substantially when it comes to the Clynelish 14YO, so it's worth keeping that point in mind. In terms of complexity and overall aroma/flavour delivery, however, this bottling represents a truly unique expression of that north Highland mix of coastal elements and drinkability.

Redbreast 12 Year Old, once again in my book, just gets nipped by the Clynelish. But it's a stupendous whisky, and great value, as well.

[DavidUK]

I voted Glenfarclas, but do yourself a favour and go for the 15yo.

2nd Clynelish

I love Caol Ila but this is too similar to Lagavullin if you are looking to broaden your horizons. QC is ok, but very overrated IMO

[drinix]

Thank you all very much for your votes!
I'll let you know which one will be my choice. Anyway it might take a while since my cupboard is currently full .

Although the Laphroaig QC is currently the most voted option, I think I might consider buying the Redbreast 12, as it really would broaden my scope and I think it's a type of dram more suitable to this time of the year.

I will anyway sooner or later buy most of the whiskies I mentioned .

@Ganga: aren't the Glendronach 12 and the Glenfarclas 15 also heavy sherried malts?

[Drammed]

I voted for the Clynelish 14 although the Caol Ila 12 is very good indeed.

[dramtastic]

I would personally call the 'farclas 15 nicely sherried, not heavily.

[The Third Dram]

To expand minimally on Nick's point regarding the sherried aspect of the Glenfarclas...

It's not just about the intensity of that portion of the flavour spectrum that is directly related to the use of ex-Sherry casks. More importantly, it's about the inherent capacity of the distillate to 'stand up to' such a cask maturation regimen.

For me, most of the whiskies from the Glenfarclas range that I've tried work really well in this regard.

[drinix]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask a question to all of you that voted for Clynelish 14!
As I'm quite enjoying the Old Pultney 12, during these hot summer days (I have to say I prefer it to the light speysiders like 'fiddich 12, 'livet 12 and Aberlour 10, since I find this dram more refreshing with it's light salty notes), I would like to know if one could say that the profile of Clynelish is similar to the one of Pulteney?
Or maybe is it more appropriate to compare it to the Glenmorangie Original (sweeter than the Pulteney)?

Let me know your thoughts!

Cheers,

Drini

[matteo]

For me Clynelish because is different, oily, soapy, different from the other...

As I just said is DIFFERENT...I cannot compare to any other whisky that I tried...but I'm at the beginning of "my whisky wisdom journey"...

[irishwhiskeychaser]

As you have a decent selection of Islay and Highland and spey side I say take a walk on the Irish side and give the Redbreast a go. It will add a new dimention to your whiskey tasting.

Other wise I'd say Laphroaig for Islay

[drinix]

I went for the Clynelish 14.

I was really intrigued by this one. Although many voted for the 1/4 cask, I didn't want to buy it for two reasons. First of all I'm quite satisfied with my selection of Islay whiskies, hence peat & smoke, for the moment. Second as I'm new to this world, I would like to buy always the signatory expression, a part from the cases where I know it's certainly no good, of the distillery as first malt. And since I've never owned a Lappi 10 yet, I'm going to buy that one first.

Cheers.

[steveblack]

Good choice there with Clynelish 14.

I had tried the 4 top voted ones you listed and I like the Clynelish 14 the best followed by Laph QC and CI. In fact Clynelish among the best I SM whisky I have tried (From among 40).

[franklin78]

I think you can go with Macallan 10 because would be very nice for a gift.