Top 5 Islay Scotch Whiskies! Affordable and Available
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- This episode, I compare and review five of my favorite smoky, peaty, Islay whiskies. These are all affordable, under $100, and widely available. I also give you my top Islay Scotch pick and my recommendation for a sixth bonus Islay Scotch. Cheers to all my Smoky Scotch friends! Check out the gear I use: whiskyriffs.com/gear.
The guitar sounds are from my 2016 Fender American Professional Stratocaster.
I buy a lot of my whisky from Flaviar. If you want to support my channel and also enjoy a Flaviar membership, please use my link to get (and give) a free bottle: fbuy.me/v/kevin_14516
I also use Craft Whisky Club to get special edition bottles of whisky. You can help support my channel by using this link: www.craftwhiskyclub.com/en/co...
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:13 - Guitar Riff
01:26 - Top Pick at end plus a bonus Scotch!
01:44 - Top Islay #1
03:52 - Top Islay #2
07:34 - Top Islay #3
10:25 - Top Islay #4
12:50 - Top Islay #5
15:48 - My Top of the Top Five
17:00 - My Bonus Islay Scotch!
19:02 - My Recommendation
19:51 - Blooper
Whisky Riffs is a channel focused on reviewing whiskies while listening to guitar riffs.
RELATED EPISODES
Laphroaig vs Ardbeg vs Lagavulin | Islay Blind Tasting: • Laphroaig vs Ardbeg vs...
Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated: • Port Charlotte 10 Heav...
Ardbeg Corryvreckan Islay Single Malt Scotch: • Ardbeg Corryvreckan Is...
Lagavulin 8 vs 16 Islay Single Malt Scotch: • Lagavulin 8 vs 16 Isla...
Ardbeg Uigeadail Islay Single Malt Scotch: • Ardbeg Uigeadail Islay...
FOLLOW ME
* Twitter: / kevinhoctor
* Personal Website: kevinhoctor.com
FOLLOW WHISKY RIFFS
* Twitter: / whiskyriffs
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* UA-cam: / whiskyriffs
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VIDEO EQUIPMENT
* Primary/B-Roll Camera: Sony ZV-1
* Secondary Camera: iPhone 11 Pro
* Editing: Final Cut Pro X on an M1 MacBook Pro
* Key Light: Sokani X60 v2 COB LED Light
* Diffuser: Selens Hexadecagon Softbox 65cm/26in
* Secondary Light: Elgato Key Light Professional Studio Light
* Wireless Audio: Rode Wireless Go
* Vocal Microphone: Rode lavalier microphone
MUSIC GEAR
* Guitar: 2016 Fender American Professional Stratocaster
* Amp: BOSS Katana 100 MkII
* Looper: BOSS RC-10R
* Guitar Microphone: Earthworks SR-25
* Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd gen)
* Vocal Microphone: Shure BETA85
DRINKING GEAR
* Norlan Glass: www.norlanglass.com
* Glencairn Glass: www.glencairnwhiskyglass.com
Laphroaig blew me away the first time I tried it, and made me realise just how versatile whisky can be. It's nectar, and captures the area it's produced in perfectly.
Same here, Kane. I was blown away by the variety of scents and flavors I was finding in that 10 year. Cheers!
It only gets better the older it gets❤️❤️❤️
Laphroaig is colored and Chill Filtered, but I still prefer it to Ardbeg 10
Laphroaig QC was my turning point in Scotch drinking. Now I am a Peat Head.
@@UsedBrain4U same. There's something about unpeated whisky that just tastes and feels off putting to me now.
I'm partial to a bit of bourbon now and then, but when it comes to scotch, it's heavily peated all the way for me.
I also was introduced to Scotch with a bottle of Laphroaig 10 and my second bottle was the Lagavulin 16. When I was introduced to the Laphroaig, I was impressed with its flavor and peat tase. I enjoyed it tremendously. That being said, a friend who introduced me to the Scotch stated if I loved the peat of the Laphroaig that I should try the Lagavulin. Once I did, I was hooked. I wasn't much of a drinker except for wine with dinner but now I have become a Scotch man. I enjoy my Scotch and have excelled in trying several others and have introduced various Scotches to my friends and Sons. It has become more pleasurable to me sharing my Scotches with my friends and sons to create fine moments and memories.
Well said! Moments and memories are often more important than what's in my glass. I love that we have similar stories: Laphroaig 10 awakening my interest in discovering flavors in whisky and Lagavulin 16 being served to me by a friend as "the good stuff" during his daughter's wedding. Thank you so much for watching and sharing! Cheers!
I am Japanese and live in Kyoto. Kyoto is one of the leading sake producing areas in Japan.
The area where this sake is made is called "Fushimi". This "Fushimi" is also famous for producing one of the most famous waters in Japan. In the same place as this famous water system, there is Suntory, which is famous for Japanese whiskey, and "Yamazaki" is made. I get the well water from a shrine near my house, make a water split for my favorite Islay whiskey, and drink it. My favorite brands are Finlagan, Bowmore and Ardbeg. Mizuwari made from Islay whiskey and well water in Kyoto is the best.
Great water makes a huge difference in the creation of spirits. We're luck to live in San Francisco, which has a fantastic water source for the US. Thank you for sharing! My wife and I have made it to Australia, but not all the way to Japan yet. It's on our travel list as the world slowly opens up again. Cheers!
Yamazaki is good i bought one when i went to japan. I do not have japanese spring water but i do have Nikka Tonic :)
Japan has a unique way of drinking, cocktails. It is a cocktail called "MIZUWARI". I mix whiskey with water, and I use well water from a shrine near my house, and I can make the most delicious MIZUWARI cocktail. Scotch or bourbon is delicious.
Finally someone who appreciates both Scotch and guitars! Love the idea for the channel.
Thanks for finding Whisky Riffs, Darren. Cheers!
Caol Ila is one of my favorites as a base 12 year old malt. Tastes completely different to other Islay whiskeys with the distillery down by the water. Love Lagavullin and of course the medicinal whiskey Laphroaig. I wonder how the CV-19 immunity is on Islay currently 😉😉😂.
If only whisky was the cure for viruses… I'd be the healthiest person on the planet! 😂 Cheers!
What a tremendous presentation. I loved the tone and style and of course, the content. Beautifully explained and delivered. I only wish I had the skills to be able to discern those flavours in the same way. Top stuff.
Thank you so much! Tasting notes are hard for me, but I always keep notes from other sources around so I can reference them. Sometimes I find smells or tastes after reading someone's notes and sometimes I just find new words for the notes that I'm finding. It's just about practice. Cheers!
Kevin really does a nice job explaining. I’ve watched a lot of other Whisky guys, but he just does it better.
Love the guitar based background, adds more to the satisfaction of the definitions of good old whiskey
Thanks, Nathan. Cheers!
Not fond of the guitar. He needs to work on his bends and vary the rhythm.
@@Dex619 There's always room for improvement in every skill. Cheers!
Kevin, I’m a relative amateur in the whisky game (as well as in the guitar game), and I cannot thank you enough for the treasure trove of information you have on your terrific channel!
Thank you so much for those kind words, Sebastian! I've learned not to let the label "amateur" limit my ability to enjoy what I like. Please let me know if I can ever answer any questions or review a specific expression for you. Cheers!
Wow, 65k views, congrats and great work Kevin!
Thanks so much, Rob! In addition to teaching me guitar skills, your channel has inspired me to play on camera. I also wouldn't be able to record my riffs with this level of quality without the Earthworks SR-25 mic that I won from your giveaway. You're a big part of the existence of Whisky Riffs. Cheers!
So well done - thank you. Very academic yet passionate review. I’ve had the first five and couldn’t agree more, especially with the assessment of the Uigeadail and Port Charlotte (so underrated!). Also want to throw in a plug for Laphroaig Lore - it’s kinda an Uigeadail for Laphroaig lovers. Incredibly complex yet faithful to their core profile. Thanks again for some excellent content
Thank you so much, Ben! I agree that Lore is great, but it was over the $100 mark for this episode. I followed up some more expensive Islay (ua-cam.com/video/sAcLr7k3Z34/v-deo.html). Thanks for watching and for agreeing about PCHP 10. Cheers!
I just stumbled across your channel and this vid has brought back some great memories.
Before I retired I was an MD of a company that supplied many of the Distilleries in Scotland & Ireland and I had the pleasure of visiting most of them several times over.
On my last visit, I had the honour of being invited into the Laphroaig vaults by the Distillery Manager (where they keep every Laphroaig that has been produced). It was an experience that I will never forget, as was the Hangover which lasted for several days afterwards.
PS just a wee tip, keep your Laphroaig etc chilled in the refrigerator and drink it whilst eating strong dark chocolate (85%+), it adds a whole new dimension to the experience.
OMG! I'm so jealous of your career experience. That's so cool! Thanks for the tip on the chilled Laphroaig. We had a chilled Dalwhinnie expression on our recent tour of the Highlands (ua-cam.com/video/0vgmmLMHXV0/v-deo.html) and it was quite interesting. Cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs Many thanks for your comment, visits to the Distilleries were always a highlight and made up for the times that I was visiting Oil Refineries & Chemical Plants.
The Highlands & Speyside are littered with Maturing Sheds where the Casks of Malt gently mature before bottling, some of them are in the most wonderful setting and if you get the chance are an interesting visit.
The chilling & Dark chocolate tip was courtesy of the chief Electrical Eng for Beam Global who own Laphroaig these days. Enjoy👍
Great video! I had my first Islay whiskey today and it is a real game changer. I’ve never tasted anything like it before. So I am on a new journey to learn more about them. These suggestions you made will be a big help. I didn’t get any fruit yet, just oak and smoke and pepper, but it has me really curious. I loved the video because you seem really passionate about this category of whiskey, and I get the difference. It’s kind of like the “other “ whiskey, and that’s not a bad thing. Nice.
Thank you for the kind words. I didn't get fruit either when I first started tasting whisky and those were pretty basic bourbons that had a lot of sweetness. The Laphroaig 10 that opened me up to complex flavors helped, but it still took years to appreciate all the subtle nuances of the various types of even Scotch expressions. Cheers!
When I first tried the Laphroaig 10 (40%), I was blown away and amazed at how flavorful it was. It instantly became my favorite.
Then I tried the cask strength Laph 10, and I realized how watered down and bland the regular 40% was compared to it. Now the cask strength is my new favorite.
Luckily, the Laphroaig 10 is 43% ABV in the US. I'd still rather have it at 46%, but that's how they push some of us to buy the CS instead. Cheers!
I got the cask strength laphroig and can only taste bandaid. Its way too intense for me. Love smoke but not bandaid.
@@BabyKale-b think about it this way: this is an old mariner medicine.
@@Soldano999 makes sense, thats exactly what it taste like
It would have been a better horizontal comparison to have the 10 cask strength in this lineup against the others (except Laga 16)
Great reviews!
Laphroaig 10 yo was also my introduction to Islay that started me on my journey. To me, this whisky probably responds to a few drops of water more profoundly than the others that you reviewed…it brings out many more flavors as well as heightens the intensity of the smoke. As mentioned by another commenter, the darker color is due to added colorant, most likely e150, that can add a bit of artificial caramel to the finish.
I really loved to hear what you said about Port Charlotte….fantastic whisky that flies under the radar of many whisky lovers. I think I would have used the Islay Barley Heavily Peated NAS version as the PC exemplar of the brand, but that’s only a matter of personal preference. I would have also used the Lagavulin 8 yo as the representative of Lagavulin, even though the 16 yo is much better known, because it’s significantly more affordable and provides more bang for the buck. For the additional, “extra credit” bottle, I would have used Caol Ila 12 yo instead of Ardbeg Corryvreckan because the CI would better represent a more gentle introduction to peated whisky from Islay.
…and then there’s Kilchoman Machir Bay, but that’s not as widely available. It was started relatively recently as a tiny effort in the barnyard of a farm and may be the most elemental of all Islay whiskies.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree that the Lagavulin 8 is excellent and I have included it in a past review. The Caol Ila 12 and the Machir Bay also have reviews. I really love the Kichoman Distillery, one of the best tours we had on Islay, but I don't tend to reach for their drams as much. But flavors are personal and we all benefit from the wealth of variety of whisky styles and types. Cheers!
I was at Kilchoman a couple weeks ago and while I didn't prefer their Machir Bay, I picked up a bottle of their 100% Islay. I've been thoroughly enjoying it--possibly one of my all-time favorites.
@@mikemaixner1 I need to try their 100% Islay. Cheers!
Laphroaig 10 was my first. It was basically like drinking a campfire.
I enjoyed it very much.
Excellent list, I keep all of these in my collection at all times, couldn't agree more! Love that you mentioned the Laphroaig cask strength which is my favorite, #2 is the Bruichladdich 10 yr old heavily peated!! Well done my brother!
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you and I have found common expressions to love. Cheers!
This is good info you gave. I’m mostly swimming around in the Speyside pool, although I’ve tasted Highland Park 18 and really enjoyed it. I’m basically working my way through the other regions, culminating with Islay.
Thanks, Lance! I love the Speyside pool and have lots of new bottles to review after my recent visit (ua-cam.com/video/0vgmmLMHXV0/v-deo.html) to 8 Speyside distilleries. Cheers!
Lagavulin 16! From bold to subtle, it has so many interesting notes. Looking forward to trying some of the others on this list. Cheers!
That's a great expression, Erik. I definitely recommend trying the Port Charlotte 10 HP. If you try any of them, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Cheers!
You’re really going for that Ardbeg sponsorship! lol Good stuff, Kevin. The production quality on these is going way up!
Hah! I'll take any sponsorships from any brands. Thanks for noticing the production improvements, Tommy. Cheers!
Every offering from Ardbeg is exceptional
First time finding your channel. I love your descriptions and effort towards defining these whiskeys. Subscribed and can’t wait to watch more!!!
Thank you Drew! I appreciate the subscription and your kind words. It really means so much. Let me know if you have any questions about an expression or want a review. Cheers!
I rewatched this tonight. Probably my favorite of all of your “episodes”. Keep it up!
That's so kind of you, Dennis. Cheers!
Great reviews. I think my favorite of the 5 is the Port Charlotte 10. The complexity and the ABV and the price are all in the right wheelhouse for me. Liked and Subscribed.
Thanks for the like and subscribe. I'm right with you regarding the PCHP 10, it ticks a lot of boxes for me.
Port Charlotte 10 is indeed a great Whisky, very complex but round 😋
Hello from Germany. Wow, this selection is near to my favorite Islay Whiskys. My absolute favorite is the Uigeadail followed by the Lagavulin 16Y. Conversely to your choice. In my ranking comes now the Kilchoman Machir Bay. After that the Laphroaig Quarter Cask followed by a Single Malt from unknown distillery, The Ileach Cask strength. I don't know if you can buy it in the US, but here in Germany its sometimes in big supermarkets for a amazing low price, because its a very powerful Whisky with 58 vol.% Alcohol. Very delicious. Thats my ranking of my most favorite Islay Single Malt Whiskys. I love them all.
Hello, Bernd! I have not tasted the Ileach Cask Strength, but I was only including expressions directly from the Islay distilleries for this episode. The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. with all their special bottlings could probably be its own episode. ;) Cheers!
I love Islay whiskies and a few years ago my wife took me to Islay for my birthday. We had distillery tours at Ardbeg, Bowmore, Lagavulin and Laphroaig. That weekend I tasted many Islay whiskies and there wasn't one I didn't like, however I always come back to the Laphroaig 10. I love that it attacks the senses and is so different to anything else. This was the best birthday present ever, we even stayed at The Islay Hotel which had just been voted the Whisky bar of the year.
Hi, Craig! That sounds great. We would have enjoyed staying at The Islay Hotel back in 2018 during our Islay distillery tour. Instead, we stayed at the Bowmore Cottages, which were nice but too quiet. My wife scheduled our trip as well, so it looks like we both have the best partners. Cheers!
Excellent video! Love the presentation with the guitar in the background. Loved the content. Subbed. Looking forward to more!
Thank you so much for the kind words and subscription, Chris! I'm so happy you like my format. Cheers!
My all time favourite is Lagavulin 16,I once had a distillers edition and that was fantastic so smooth! ,the Peaty Smokey ones are the best.
Funny you should mention that, Simon. ;) ua-cam.com/video/sAcLr7k3Z34/v-deo.html
Try Lagavulin 18 year old Double matured 1991.
Islay are my favorite style by far, and out of your six, Port Charlotte and the Corryvreckan are the two I have yet to try, although I will grab a bottle of Port Charlotte at my first opportunity, and will keep an eye out for the Corryvreckan. Absolutely spot on with your reviews, particularly that Lagavulin 16. My girlfriend refers to these as "liquid bandaids," so I laughed when you used bandaids as a description. Another favorite of mine is Ardbeg An Oa, smoky, sweet, deep richness with that peppery, spicy bite.
Thanks, Ron! Let me know if you like the PCHP10 and the Corryvreckan, if you get to taste that one as well. Cheers!
Thank you for the great, infomative video. I have had each and every one of these, I think I'm probably partial to Ugedail (AND paired with chocolate covered raisins just like you mentiond in the profile notes!). I'm looking at scotch videos again because I'm going to Islay in May (during what seems like an amazing festival!) and always looking for refreshing takes on these great peated whiskies. You have a way of speaking that is natural, engaging and informative - thanks again!!
Thank you so much for watching and for the compliments! My wife and I are heading to Scotland in April and will be staying through mid-May (ua-cam.com/users/FindingGinaMarie). I haven't decided if we're visiting Islay again, but do enjoy your trip! It's a great place for Scotch. Cheers!
Cool video! I love that strat color combo. Just wanted to sing the praises for Peat Monster by Compass box, It has climbed to my top list over Lagavulin second only to Springbank 10. Its a brilliant blend of Ila's and Highlands, I never thought I could like a blended malt over a single but the blender John Glaser is an absolute genius. I recomend you try it if you haven't!
Thanks! When those American Professional Strats came out in 2016, I fell in love with that dark neck and green body. I'm also Peat Monster fan. I think I still have a bottle, but I'll have to dig into my cabinet to see. I should buy another. Thanks for the reminder. Cheers!
Oh my word The Coryvrenken is absolutely heavenly. Wins hands down
Sitting here drinking a Coryvrenken while he flavour profiles it. I think I’ve reach peak middle aged man.
Corryvreckan, chaps, Corryvreckan.
Anything from Ardbeg is exceptional. I love the uigeidail, Corey, the 10 and the wee beastie
A very nice list, and especially the Ardbeg selections. I've had all 3 of those and they are tremendous scotches. My wildcard addition would be the Caol Ila 12, which matches very well to the Lagavulin 16 but at a more reasonable price. All in all, can't go wrong with Isla Scotch!
Thanks, Vlad! I have a follow-up episode about Caol Ila 12, if you're interested. Cheers!
Was lucky enough to try Caol Ila, once this covid mess settles down I'd like to visit Islay and try it again.
Toally agree - Coal Ila and Port Askaig sit next to the Port Charlotte and Bunahabbin on my shelf
Yes, the Caol Ila 12 definitely bears comparison to the Lagavulin 16. Both superb whiskies.
Great video, Kevin! What a nice color Uigedail have! Just ordered Ardbeg 10, can't wait!
Thank you, Lucas! Some colors are slightly modified by E150A, but still great expressions.
I haven’t tried the Ardbeg 10 but I love the Wee Beastie. I also love Laphroaig 10 and the way you described the Ardbeg is exactly how I’ve described the Laphroaig to people.
The Ardbeg 10 and the Wee Beastie are pretty close in taste. I actually prefer the Wee Beastie sometimes. Cheers!
Very nice review. I basically agree with your choices but I would change the Laphroaig 10 for the Quarter Cask. My latest discovery of the list, 3 years ago, was the Port Charlotte and it has become one of my favorites ever. It has such a good bang for the buck! Lagavulin was the dram that my older brother used to make me discover the world of peated whiskies and I fell in love with them since then. And Uiegedail has also become one of my Top-3 choices (that I can pay). Keep up the good music and good reviews!! Sláinte from Barcelona (Catalonia).
Thanks, Roger! I would agree about the Quarter Cask, but my history with the 10 year compelled me to include it. Cheers!
Lagavulin 16 was my first Islay whisky, and from there my peaked collection has exploded. I’ve yet to find a peated scotch I don’t enjoy! Some of my favorites from my collection are the Octomore 11.3, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan, and any Lag expression (11, 12, or 16). I eventually want to try and get my hands on the Laphroaig Lore as I’ve heard from the grapevine that it has a phenomenal blend for the price:
65% 15 y/o first fill bourbon
21 y/o bourbon barrel
10 y/o first fill Oloroso (full maturation)
11 y/o virgin European oak
9 y/o QC (full maturation)
8 y/o first fill bourbon
I really love the Lore and I've gone through a couple of bottles. I thought I might have had a dram left, but no. My recent experience with the second batch of the Traigh Bhan was eye opening (ua-cam.com/video/ab3XC_W6EhM/v-deo.html). It was a flavor roller coaster for me. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Great list! I have had the opportunity to try most of these (not the Corry yet) and have enjoyed each - quintessential available and affordable Islay Scotch's. I will always have at least 1-2 of these on the shelf at all times. We're planning a trip to Islay this Summer and can't wait! Cheers!
Thanks and best wishes regarding your Islay trip. We loved having Rabbie's drive us around to the distilleries from Edinburgh (www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/2-4-day-tours/islay-the-whisky-coast-4-day-tour). Feel free to let me know how your tour goes. Cheers!
Fine review. Laphroaig 10 was my intro to all Scotch ! Quite an initiation but I stuck with it and have tried 60 or 70 since. Have enjoyed all of those presented but have not experienced the Port Charlotte. Really love the Lagavulin 16 and the Uigeadail. Thanks for the show.
You're a superstar if you could start with Laphroaig 10 and come back for more. Thanks and cheers!
The "medicinal" flavor makes Laphroaig 10 a perfect component for the Penicillin cocktail! Nothing else can create that ideal combination of taste and aroma!
I have quite a few friends that would not be happy if I served them a dram of Laphroaig 10 because of that. Cheers!
Great video, thank you. I couldn't agree more. Laphroaig 10 was my first Islay whisky too. I fluctuate between Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Port Charlotte as my favorites. Right now, I like the NCF and 46% presentation of Ardbeg 10, but Laphroaig probably wins for its overall character. And I also have trouble choosing between the Lagavulin 8 and 16 year, since both have their own characters.
Thank you and I agree on all your points. I want different brands on different days - but I almost always love a Bruichladdich expression. ;) I think the Lagavulin 8 has a great flavor profile (from a very old episode ua-cam.com/video/W2KLgQub0CE/v-deo.html). Cheers!
I like the Lagavulin 8 better than the 16. It has more of a spicy kick
Great video - thanks for the walkthrough. I actually love Talisker 10 for Islay whiskeys. All of these whiskeys are the classic and distinctly Scotch whiskeys for me.
Thanks for the compliment! I didn't include Talisker because their distiller is on the Isle of Skye, but I do love it and have a review of the 10 (ua-cam.com/video/TjyktLz_m5w/v-deo.html) and the 18 (ua-cam.com/video/RjWti4P7_zs/v-deo.html), if you want to check those out. Cheers!
Dude! Awesome video. I’m in the process of exploring from bourbon to scotch. Your video helps me very much! Thx 😊
I'm so glad I could help you! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers!
The Lagavulin 16 is my absolute favourite. Perfect balanced - I love it!
The 16 is an old favorite for me, have you tried their 8 year?
I have tried the 8 and it's great
@@jaronburstyn1997 I think the 8 year is a great expression. Cheers!
The 8 is 43apv but the 16 is 40apv or am I wrong
@@jaronburstyn1997 The Lagavulin 8 is 48% ABV (96 proof) and the 16 is 43% ABV (86 proof) in the US.
5 great whiskies, haven't tried that version of Port Chorlotte...yet. My favorite of the 5 is, without a doubt The Corryvreckan. My absolute favorite Islay whisky is the Port Askaig 10yo 10th anniversary 55.85%abv. Other good stuff is Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2010, Lagavulin Destillers edition, Laphroaig Cairdeas 2013 Port wood (The Brodir is also good), Bunnahabhain 12yo, Kilchoman Port wood.....and many others. Cheers!! P.S The Corryvreckan wirlpool is located north of Jura ;)
Thanks for your list! I have to try Port Askaig again, since I’ve only had it in samples and not the special bottling you mentioned. I have a video about the 2019 Lagavulin Distillers Edition and I’ll add the rest to my to do list. I do see that the Corryvreckan is north of Jura, thanks. I just went with the more general location given on the Ardbeg site of “north of Islay”. I’ll do more homework next time. ;)
Hasn’t most, if not all, of the versions of Port Askaig been revealed to be Caol Ila?
Wow - this is exactly my top list, couldn’t agree more! Great video!
I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks and cheers!
I love whisky specially the peated ones. One the 6 whiskys reviewed I have tried 50% - the Laga16, Ardbeg 10 and the Laphroaig 10. I agree with the nose and palate.
Greetings from Scotland - just caught your top Islay reviews and the Cull Ila follow on - first I have to say great pronunciation - second - great reviews - massive fan of Arbeg 10 and Bunnahabhain 12 - the others are in my wallet's pain zone - in Scotland whisky is shockingly expensive - tax on Scotch - in the country of its origin - currently stands at around 70% - more than any other alcoholic product - this means that £3 in every £4 spent on a bottle goes to the HM Treasury in excise and VAT (our sales or purchase tax) - and our specialist whisky shops seem to charge a premium for the pleasure of buying a bottle from them - I check on Amazon and various supermarkets where you can get deals of up to £10 - £15 off a decent bottle - I'll be looking through your back catalogue with a wee glass - lang may yer lum reek!
Thank you for the pronunciation compliment! I do try to lookup the correct way to say Scottish names, even if I don't always nail the accent. ;)
My wife and I just got back from a tour of 9 Highland distilleries (I'll talk about that more in an upcoming episode or two) and I did notice that most of the prices were higher than I'd pay here in San Francisco. That didn't stop me from buying six distillery/travel-exclusive bottles and bringing them home with me.
Let me know if there are any whiskies you'd like reviewed. Slàinte mhath!
I've just watched your Burns Night Glenfarclas tasting and Islay whisky tour - I'll catch up with your Islay tour - I should have said most Scots have difficulty pronouncing any whisky with a Gaelic name - only a wee bit more than 1% of Scots are Gaelic fluent - roughly 58,000 out of a population of 5.5 million - interested to hear about your distillery exclusive bottlings - for Burns Night I like Robert Burns Single Malt - the only whisky officially endorsed by the World Burns Federation - drinking a Burns on Burns Night - ye cannae get better than tha' - an honest decent young malt perfect to accompany the traditional haggis neeps and tatties - 43% NCF NC NAS - at a wee bit over £30 a bargain - from Arran Distilleries - an independent distillery - and their Arran 10 - 46% NFC NC £ 37 - is well worth trying - cheerio the noo!
One of the best burgers I've ever eaten was in Edinburgh at the Rose & Crown. It was topped with cheese and haggis and was way too filling, but very delicious. Also, I do have an Arran 10 episode: ua-cam.com/video/dS2RMxngyMw/v-deo.html. I didn't know the Robert Burns Single Malt was from Arran, but now that I do I'll need to look at acquiring a bottle. Cheers!
Appreciate the link - great review - liked the video insert of Jammy Dodger biscuits - the expression Jammy Dodger in Scotland means someone who has undeserved good luck or fortune - as in - he's a right jammy dodger - he's a right lucky bxxxxxx - Rose Street in Edinburgh has an interesting history - a famous house of ill repute in the 1790s - the owner Miss Burns was obliged to leave Edinburgh by the authorities - Burns wrote a short poem critical of her detractors - I think she raised a court case about her expulsion from Edinburgh - many literary connections and many great bars - Rose St is favoured destination for a pub crawl - 10 + pubs - how far can you get - the next day - do you remember how far you got - all the best
It's always good to have an insider view of Edinburgh. Great stuff! Thanks.
Just found this channel, whisky with music, can't go wrong. I loved your review.
A great introductory Islay is the Kilchoman Sanaig. Sweet, smooth, peaty and affordable.
Welcome and thanks! I need to deep dive into Kilchoman again. I did a recent tasting of three expressions, but they were only 50ml bottles. Cheers!
Excellent reviews . On the back of your recommendation, I've bought the Port Charlotte and will sample it over Xmas . Cool channel. Many thanks.
Thanks for the compliment and for watch, Mark! Enjoy the PCHP 10 and let me know what you think. Cheers!
Lagavullin 16 is maybe my favorite (affordable) whiskey ever… and I am primarily an Irish Whiskey drinker.
Worth noting, there are a number of unpeated Islay that I also really enjoy: Bunnahabhain 12 or 18, and Bruichladdich Classic Laddie.
I love the Classic Laddie (ua-cam.com/video/xIr4Mcbm8aI/v-deo.html) and I have a couple of episodes planned: one for the unpeated Islay expressions and a deep dive on Bunnahabhain. Cheers!
My favourite too, but not that long ago it was £10 a bottle. I would not pay $100 for a whisky.
Laga FTW!!
It's always on my list and in my cabinet. Cheers!
Nice one. Love your humour. Cheers.
Thank you so much! I’m glad it was entertaining. Cheers!
Loved the vid - it shows the passion you have for scotch.
I have a few of them but the two bigger beasts from Ardbeg are monsters, for sure. Great picks!
Thank you very much, Andy! Cheers!
Lagavulen 16. Nectar of the gods.
I completely agree. A friend of mine introduced me to Lagavulin 16 at his daughter's wedding many years ago. He pulled me and a handful of close friends aside and said, "Let me pour you a glass of the good stuff!" I've been hooked ever since. Cheers!
You inspired me for a nightcap by my fire pit in the first hint of an autumn night. Glad I found your channel.
Whisky by a fire pit on an autumn night. That sounds fantastic. Thanks for watching and commenting! 🥃
first time watcher here. like the video overall, but some of your cuts are really abrupt. it's kinda painful. your tasting notes and approach is really excellent. something small - you mentioned there is unpeated port charlotte... not true. bruichladdich releases are always unpeated, port Charlotte is always moderate to heavy peat, and octomore is always mess your life up peated. also.. uigeadail is NOT cask strength. not even close. and the color is largely from e140. corryvreckan isn't cask strength either. you'd do a lot of justice to spend a little bit of time doing some research.
Hi Nathan, thanks for watching and for the feedback. I do make mistakes and do try to do my research… but then in the heat of recording some facts get scrambled. Cheers!
Just love the blues guitar riffs in the background. I am a Scot and massive lover of Islay Single
malts, I have bought and tasted all those you have mentioned. My own choice would be Ardbeg Corryvreckan, it
is just magical, a bit pricy at £64 but worth it. Remember that tastes change on the palate but for me I can
detect almonds and violets after a few mintes. A huge number of Scots do not like the creosote smell, it is something
you will grow to love. I have a stomach problem and now have to greatly limit my alcohol intake. If anyone wants an
Islay malt but wants to avoid the smoke and peat, can I suggest a Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old, inexpensive and my all time favourite, nothing short of perfection IMO.
Thanks for the enjoying my riffs, Robert! I'm sorry to hear about your health issues that limit whisky intake, but I appreciate your suggestions and tasting notes. The Bunnahabhain 18 was one of my early bottles of Scotch to own, alas it and my 12 year bottles are long gone. I do still have a Bunnahabhain Cruach-Mhòna, which does warrant a review. Cheers!
Very nice selection. I have all of them in my private selection and all of them are really great Islay Whiskies. I agree that the Port Charlotte 10 is a masterpiece. It's highly complex but very balanced and round 😋👍
Another great Islay Whisky and recommendation is the Caol Ila Moch
Thanks for the tip on the Caol Ila Moch, the malts.com website doesn't even show it, unless you know the direct link to it. I reviewed the 12 (ua-cam.com/video/fYJY7Rv-nqI/v-deo.html) and thought that was it. Cheers!
Hi, I really enjoyed your video. I tried 4 out of 5, never had Port Charlotte but thanks to you it is now on my list. Christmas is coming, I have on my shelf Lagavulin 16 and Ardbeg Corryvreckan, it will be a tough choice 😉. Liked and subscribed.
Thanks, Cristian! You aren't the first to tell me that you've never tried the Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10. That's one reason why I included it. And that is a tough choice, so I say… BOTH! ;) Cheers!
Hello Kevin. I just found your channel and love what you are doing! Also, I love all of these bottles. I would have a really hard time picking my top out of this list. Likely? I would pick Uigeadail . But I would need to do this blind to actually share my real favourite. Great video, subbed and I will try to catch releases as I can. Cheers!
Thank you very much for the kind words and the sub! My “favorite” Islay keeps changing, but right now I’m just loving anything from Bruichladdich. I have an older Islay Blind Tasting episode that showed off how much of an expert that I’m not. ;) Cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs I will have to check it out. I love blinds for ensuring we are honest, but if naming whisky, I am rarely right! Cheers!
In hindsight, I should have known just by the color. I’m going to blame the pressure of the red recording light. 😂
@@WhiskyRiffs no doubt!
Have tried all of them Totally agree with you.Lagavulin 16 is my ultimate favourite. Hands down.
Lagavulin 16 is a classic. Cheers!
Great video! I have only tasted Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg 10 (which I both own, and soon I will also receive the Port Charlotte), which also both love!
Laphroaig is my favorite though, I can pick out so many distinct facets from the nose of that one. Besides the things like peat, smoke and band-aid it also reminds me of leather, bringans back memories of walking into a shop selling horse saddles and other equioment made of leather. I just love these peated whiskeys, and need to try all these!
Thanks! That's what hooked me on the Laphroaig 10 years ago - the variety of scents and flavors from a pour. Our home had an open floorplan at the time and my kids could smell it from upstairs. I'd always hear, "Dad, are you drinking that stinky stuff again?" 😂
Excellent video! Thank you! I have 4 of those as my favorites, never really could figure out or appreciate Laphroaig. Now I know why! Iodine! LOL!. I agree 100% on the Port Charlotte. Your descriptions are great! Luckily we have a cabin close to a duty free zone in Switzerland (we're in Austria) so I can buy at great prices and have a couple on stock at all times. I have not tried the Corryvreckan, it is now on my to-buy list. Have been researching my family tree, I have an ancestor from Islay so my love of Islay whiskys comes honestly! ;-) Keep up the good work, this is the first of your videos I have seen, but will be watching more. Happy new year, all the best in 2022!
Wow Carson, you've got Islay roots? That's cool. Thanks for the compliment and for watching. Happy New Year! 🎊
These are all ones I wanna try. Bought a bottle of Ardbeg Wee Beastie earlier this year and I just love it! The taste of smoked meat is intense and I like how it just lingers long after. I also get a pine resin taste that really helps create that mental image of sitting by a camp fire.
I love the Wee Beastie! If you enjoy the younger flavors, a Lagavulin 8 might hit you better than the 16 (and save you some $$$). Cheers!
You have probably already tried the 10 year old Ardbeg by now, if not I think it's a little bit better than the Wee Beastie.
Agree with all your choices! We have tried and like them all, and Uigheadail is perhaps our favourite. Another that we have really enjoyed is Bruichladdich Port Charlotte MRC01... when I first found it, the owner of the specialty liquor store claimed that it wasn't supposed to be available in Canada, but was specifically intended for the South Africa market and was shipped to him accidentally. Of course, when I went back a year later, he still had some - so perhaps it was just a good story. Really liked your comments, thanks!
Hi John, thanks! In my recent review (ua-cam.com/video/9WJ3N8zXXI4/v-deo.html), I was glowing about the MRC: 01 too. The Cask Exploration series is great. Cheers!
This is a great review thank you I love all those whiskeys have not tried the Port Charlotte yet that is next on my list thank you keep up the work this is awesome
I'm so glad you've enjoyed this episode, Jay! Let me know if you ever have a whisky you'd like reviewed that I've missed. Cheers!
Hi, I came across your vlog. I'm in Scotland. I thought this was strange an American talking about our whisky. But I must say I really enjoyed it, in a strange way.
Scotch is beloved all around the world. I do my best to spark interest in this gift of Scotland to others. Cheers!
I agree and love every selection you made except one. The Port Charlotte. I would toss the Charlotte and include Caol Ila in it’s place. An absolute lovely and subtly different peaty scotch. My favorites are Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Caol Ila as my top 3 with Laphroaig bringing up the rear.
Thank you for the wonderful tasting!
For some reason, I’m not a huge fan of the Caol Ila 12 flavors. But most anything bottled by Bruichladdich hits me just right. It’s great to have so many choices. Cheers!
Outstanding video. I absolutely love the Lagavulin 16. Great on a cold evening while on the patio with a fire enjoying a Padron, Bolivar, Hoyo de Monterey, etc. I’ll also try your suggestions. Thanks.
Thanks! I reviewed a few more Islay expressions in my newest episode: ua-cam.com/video/sAcLr7k3Z34/v-deo.html. Cheers!
Very nice selection, those are pretty much my favorite islays . The corrvrecken really stands out to me and one you didn’t mention caol Lila is great too.
Thanks for watching. I did a follow-up episode for Caol Ila (ua-cam.com/video/fYJY7Rv-nqI/v-deo.html). Cheers!
Awesome guitars and loved your whiskey selection. Had all of them though Lagavulin 16 is my all time favorite
Thank you so much, Anil! Cheers!
My intro to malt whisky was at an Indian restaurant, after the meal I decided to finish the evening with something special. A Lagavulin 16 year old, I have been hooked ever since and I am trying as many as I can. Laphroaig, Talisker, springbank and Ardmore for example . I am definitely going to take your advice and try the Ardbeg. Thank you for the video, much appreciated.
That's brilliant! I love hearing people's "intro" stories. Thanks for watching and sharing. Cheers!
Enjoyed the video very much; you did those Scotch choices a solid. Subscribed.
Thanks for the sub! Let me know if you ever want a whisky reviewed. Cheers!
I've only tried the Laphroaig & absolutely loved it! I'm a big peaty, smoky scotch fan. I really want to try all of the Ardbeg choices on your list. I've tried Bowmore, Talisker & Loch Lomond & enjoyed those as well. I have been lucky enough to have visited Scotland twice, once I went through the Famous Grouse distillery & loved tasting all the single malts they use for their blend. Great video!
Thank you so much! After trying some Ardbeg expressions, I highly recommend Port Charlotte. There's a lot to love in the Bruichladdich peated lineup. It's great that you got to tour distilleries in Scotland. That's so much fun. Cheers!
Just found this video. I am a long time Bourbon and Rye fan and am just starting to explore the peated Scotch. I bought a bottle of Laphroaig 10 earlier this week and really enjoyed it. I am planning to pick up the Ardbeg 10 tomorrow. I may just use this video as a checklist!
Well done! You've found a path between Bourbon, Rye, and Islay whiskies. If you've seen enough of my videos, you'll know that Bourbon was my safe order for years - Maker's Mark specifically. After much practice (such a hard job 😉), I found much to love in all the variations of whisky. Cheers and thanks for watching! 🥃
Great presentation, I got introduced to laphroaig 10 this holiday season and I'm hooked...
Welcome to the Laphroaig camp! If you get a chance to try their Quarter Cask or Lore, please do. They are quite good. Cheers!
Great review. I started drinking whisky a couple of years ago. Fell in love with Islay whisky's the moment I drank Lagavulin 16y.
It was the first bottle I finished and now I always want one on my shelf.
I don't really like the Laphroaig 10 because of the iodine.
Just bought the Ardbed Uigeadail and Corryvreckan for myself as a Christmas present. Can't wait to try them.
Thanks for sharing. My introduction to Lagavulin 16 was at a wedding for my friend's daughter. He pulled a select few of us aside and offered us a glass of "the good stuff". I've loved it ever since. Cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs thank! I'm drinking the Corry and Oogie right now and I mùust say I'm more of a fan of the Corryvreckan. The Oogie has a bit of that iodine taste that I don't really like, although it's not that strong as the Laphroaig.
i just bought my first smoky scotch, Laphroaig, and i'm very pleased. for some reason i expected it to be very harsh, but it's very pleasant! much different than the bourbon that i'm used to. whisk(e)y is a truly versatile liquor.
I was shocked at how much I liked Laphroaig on my first tasting. It hits some people very wrong, but not me. Well done for experimenting with different types. The world of whisky is massive right now and full of flavor gems. Cheers!
I think you are spot on with the recommendations. I am fortunate to have had all these whiskeys.
Brilliant, thanks! I have a Caol Ila 12 review coming because a few people said I should have included it. Cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs Caol illa is another one of my favorites. Springbank 13 is another comparable one too
That was enjoyable, you covered that well . Yep like many in their 60's Laphroaig was their first contact with peated single malt whisky. These days I like the CS over the 10 y.
60s?! Who said anything about being in their 60s?! I've got over 5 months left in my 50s. 😂 And I agree that the Cask Strength expression is better. Cheers!
I have all of these in my collection, great inexpensive choices.
Great collection! Cheers!
Ardbeg Uigadal does it for me with the right balance of flavour notes . Love the existing 10 year of this with that sherry cask influence of dark chocolate raisin and cherry notes with the 56 % ABV.
Those are my same reasons for loving Uigeadail: the higher ABV and sherry cask notes. Cheers!
Working my way through scotch, ardbeg wee beastie has quickly become my favorite. It's definitely not as refined, but man does it hit you in the mouth with the smoke.
The Wee Beastie was one of my early reviews (ua-cam.com/video/PMNESkivoEE/v-deo.html) and I still love it. Cheers!
I love watching your videos! Ardbeg 10 is probably my favourite but i need to check out Port Charlotte. :)
Thank you! Let me know what you think about the Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated. Cheers!
Excellent video. I'm more of of a highland whiskey drinker myself but have been looking to expand my palette in Islay whiskeys. I have in my collection the Lagavulin 16 which I absolutely love. Both of the Ardbeg whiskey's are on my list as well. Have you considered doing a video on Islay whiskeys with a higher age statement? I appreciate the complexities of them a little more and would love to hear your opinion of a more premium offering and their value of their price point. Great channel. Just found you and new subscriber.
Thanks, Elliot! I just arrived in Edinburgh and am heading to the Speyside region on a four-day whisky distillery tour. I'm hoping that it rivals our Islay tour of a couple years back.
I am planning a higher-end Islay shootout. Since they are harder to acquire, it may take me some time to publish this one. Cheers!
just found this channel, I like it, easy understand. good job. from Hong Kong
Thanks for discovering Whisky Riffs and for watching! Cheers!
Well presented video - happy it pushed to me. I like the presentation style.
Thanks, John! Cheers!
I love Port Charlotte!! It’s a great middle of the road between iodine and campfire smoke. Love it!!!
Thank you for sharing! It's always good to hear from someone who has similar whisky preferences. Cheers!
Nick offerman is who got me started on scotch, I tried lagavullen for the first time watching the sun set on the Isle of Skye and every time I drink it it takes me back to that moment. That's special and I'll hold it forever.
Years ago, a good friend pulled a select group of us aside at his daughter's wedding to share a dram of "the good stuff". It was my first taste of Lagavulin 16 and I was hooked. Cheers!
Bought my first Islay whiskey in the Laphroiag 10, wow immediately fell in love on the first sip. I'm new to whiskey in general so I can't exactly get the same notes but I do get the smoky, ashy flavor profile reminiscent of a freshly used bbq grill; surprisingly smooth as well. I wish it had a longer finish but the aftertaste lingers in the throat for quite a while so I suppose that makes-up for it. Thanks for the recommendations! Will definitely get the cask strength and other Islay recommendations.
Thanks for sharing and welcome to the diverse world of whiskies! Laphroaig 10 is a dramatic entry to Islay, but it was mine too. Why not dive right into the deep end. Let me know if you find more favorites. Cheers!
I somehow knew what was coming at the end!!!! An experience indeed! The only one I've not had is the Port Charlotte, but it's next on my list. Thank you, my exploration has just begun, but I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track now!
You're welcome, Nathan. Enjoy the PCHP 10 when you get a chance to taste it. Cheers!
Wonderful video of each expression of scotches. Thank you!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!
Love your generous pours haha
Thanks, Josh. It's a good excuse to have some whisky left for later during editing. ;) Cheers!
Great presentation. I have only started to explore whiskeys, but I love Laphroaig 10 and will definitely go for p.Charlotte next. Cheers!
Thanks! If you’re already at Laphroaig 10, you’re doing well! I hope you enjoy the PC10. Cheers!
I totally agree on the no 1 choice. Found this Whisky a couple of months ago and think it's quite underrated.
Another PCHP10 fan found! Cheers!
Great video and list, you’ve earned a new subscriber
Thank you for the compliments and for subscribing! Cheers!
Wonderful review enjoyed while waiting for a flight at CLT
Thank you very much! I hope your flight was enjoyable and you've enjoyed a dram or two while traveling. Cheers!
Super informative! Many thx for presentation. I am really diggin’ that 30 year old monitor on the table behind you.
Thanks, Steven! That's my original 128K Macintosh from March 1984 and it does still work. Cheers!
Lagavulin 16 is my favorite. Years ago, my first taste of scotch was Laphoraig 10. At the time I was blown away and thought wow this is wonderful drink. Of course Laphoraig 10 no longer works for me now after all these years but it was my first love (of scotch) 😀
Thanks for sharing! I've had a similar journey with Laphroaig 10 opening my palate to new flavors and Lagavulin 16 becoming a favorite of mine after that. Cheers!
Never drank Scotch until last week when I randomly got a chance to taste Lagavulin 16. I liked it, so did some googling to find something similar, and the next day bought a bottle of Laphroig 10. Also liked it.
@@farklestaxbaum4945 An impressive way to enter the world of Scotch, Farkle. Cheers!
Very helpful, thanks for sharing
Thank you for the compliment and for commenting! Cheers!
All great choices. I'm also a big fan of Laphroaig Select. Only 40 proof, but a sweeter smoke without the bandaid phenol of most Laphroaig. An excellent introductory Islay.
Thanks, Mike! The Select is a great budget Laphroaig expression, but just too tame to make my, somewhat sentimental, top 5 list of affordable Islay. It's great as an introduction, as you stated. Cheers!
Appreciate the video. I think my all-time favorite Islay single malt was the Laphroig 15 year, which I don’t think they make any more. It had a lot of the complexity and smoky peatiness of the 10yr, but with a markedly toned down iodine/medicinal note. And I am going to be picking up a bottle of the Port Charlette asap! My current fav is the Bruichladdich Islay Barley which is unpeated, actually. So am predisposed toward that distillery. Thanks again.
You’re very welcome. The Laphroaig 15 isn’t an expression I’ve ever had the pleasure to taste. If you’re a Bruichladdich fan, I think you’ll really love the PCHP10. It’s always being replaced when a bottle goes empty in my whisky cabinet. Cheers!
What a line up. All of them are absolutely excellent 👍
Thanks for watching and your compliment! Cheers!