There is a lot of batch variation with A’bunadh. The first few were glorious, then they became quite variable. I haven’t tasted any of the more recent batches, so can’t comment about them.
1997 Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky Double Matured, Distiller’s Edition
LOVE the huge smoky peat…burnt clutch, ambesol…smooth cherry wood, salt rock.
Been digging this Edradour 14 made for Spec’s here in TX. My favorite scotch under a bill so far.
generous friend shared some 2013 Caol Ila Feis Ille edition last night.
The First Edition 1988 24 Year Clynelish
This is from a bottler I’m not familiar with, First Editions. That doesn’t bother me a bit, though. This is bottle 16 of 60. 48.8% And it’s liquid dynamite. Killer nose is full of sea air, toffee and old wood. Tastes even better—marvelous chocolate almost coffee crisp thread weaving through a very present salt-filled toffee, smoke and heather portrayal. And it stays with you for a long time. 9+ very glad I bartered for this with a friend. It’s really, really good. Pinch-yourself good.
That sounds great, Mike! I love Clynelish. Sounds like First Editions may have split a single barrel with someone(s).
Edition Spirits was started by the sons of Stewart Laing and has been rolled-up into Hunter Laing & Co, Stewart’s new whisky company formed following the break-up of Douglas Laing.
Good info, thanks Mark
Are there any other first editions that stand out? We seem to have many options here.
1998-2012 Cragganmore - Distiller’s Edition
I have had most of them.
Glen Grant is supple but more ‘simple’.
Glenmorangie that I have tried tended to to have a a more smoother and sweeter mouth feel esp if they were matured in Sauterne casks.
Abelour A’Bunade is I recollect is bottled at Cask Strength -60%. Needs a bit of water to tame it but I quite like it. Its powerful but smooth and enjoyable.
Highland Park is one of my favourite whiskies. Most go for the 12 yr old which often retails for approx half price of the 18 yr old. But I absolutely love the 18 year old. Its a reference standard whisky for me. I would urge you you to try one.
Cragganmore DE
a little catching up.
Linkwood 25 year (Gordon & MacPhail)
Strong heathery nose and maybe a whiff of brine and even smoke. This is stern stuff for Linkwood, I’d like a touch more roundness, but quite active dans la bouche and plenty of flavour. Only 43%. 6-7
Glenfarclas 25 year
I think this is Connoisseur’s Choice, but not sure, will correct if/when I find out. I’ve been one of those rare few who hasn’t taken to Glenfarclas in the past, maybe finding it just too polished and with not enough real interest. But that’s not the case here. This is lovely, with equal parts salt, sweet and velvet definition going down the throat. Has class and sublime-ness about it. 9.
1975 Benrinnes 34 year (Signatory) I do like Benrinnes, but this is an aggressive version of this malt, for sure. Herbs and some grassy and peppery spiciness too. Bites in the front and then expands in the middle, replays with glints of toffee, I think. I like how authoritative it is, but I also am more used to some subtlety and different levels. Call it an 8.
1966 25 year Aberlour (Lombard)
I picked this up on, I believe, Gavin Smith’s recommendation. He sure recommended right. This is about as distaff a cousin to the A’Bunadh as you’re going to get. You will think you’ve died, gone to heaven, come back down to earth for a brief visit and gone back up to heaven. This has a fantastic fruit-edged nose to tints of butterscotch and brine. And it’s a dream in the mouth, just swaddles it and cozies right up to the cheeks in such a gentle yet quietly dramatic way. I won’t be sharing this with that many people. 10, one of the best I’ve had in a long, long time.
David, sorry I didn’t provide any thoughts to your question about choices on malts. I agree on Brian’s take on Glen Grant–if it’s under 30 years, don’t bother. Glenmorangie can be enjoyable, but you’d be best to try all the finishes and decide if any one of them takes your fancy. HP 18 is probably the best of your lot—IIRC, the malt is made with a blend of years, but 18 is the lowest year, can sometimes have 22-23 year stuff in there. Haven’t had the A’bunadh in about 3 years now, I used to like the previous batches, though I think my last one clocked in at 64.7% or so ![[mouth-drop.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/c/cb6e7b1a33d9283fbdd244c98735e5d3be11476b.gif "[mouth-drop.gif]"){kind=small}
I’m another who’s not overly impressed with Glenfarclas, independent of price. That said, for the money, I think they’re quite nice. I hate how they water down to 43% (or is it 40%), though. I just can’t bring myself to spend north of ~$75 for a watered-down malt, for better or worse. Like you, I enjoy the Glenfarclas 25 a lot, but I’m still not a buyer at American prices (I would strongly consider buying at the ~$100 price it’s sold for at the Costcutter in Dufftown, though).
1966 25 year Aberlour (Lombard)
I picked this up on, I believe, Gavin Smith’s recommendation. He sure recommended right. > This is about as distaff a cousin to the A’Bunadh as you’re going to get. > You will think you’ve died, gone to heaven, come back down to earth for a brief visit and gone back up to heaven. This has a fantastic fruit-edged nose to tints of butterscotch and brine. And it’s a dream in the mouth, just swaddles it and cozies right up to the cheeks in such a gentle yet quietly dramatic way. I won’t be sharing this with that many people. 10, one of the best I’ve had in a long, long time.
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The part in bold is music to my ears — I don’t understand the apparent popularity of the A’Bunadh — for me, it’s fire water that cannot be tamed before it reaches a state of listless dilution. Aberlour is one of my favorites, and this '66 sounds sublime. I know you’ll savor it well!
Just getting into the scotch thing - Highland Park 18, great night cap following a Pax 2.0 Alder Springs.
Where in Florida? Depending on the bottle or age you are looking for, it is pretty easy to find in South Florida. If you are in Broward county, there is a great shop in Cooper City that has an INSANE selection of single malts. Feel free to drop me a PM.
Compass Box The General- very nice.
Just starting to really explore Scotch. I’ve been drinking Lagavulin 16 lately, which is my favorite thus far. I think next in the queue is Highland Park 12.
back from a quick trip to scotland, where i didn’t have near enough time to explore. hit the pot still in glasgow - where I asked for two pours - one fruity and floral, one peaty but not too heavy. the very nice man behind the bar brought out lots of things for me to smell first before i chose - ended up with a linkwood 15 via gordon & macphail and a benriach 12 aromatics fumosus - both of which i really enjoyed.
in edinburgh, went in royal mile whiskey and picked up two blair athol’s - the regular bottling, which is 12 years and sherry finished, and a royal mile single cask 16 year old (no sherry). fascinating to compare the two, and really depends on my mood which one i prefer - though i lean to the more elegant and nuanced 16 year old rather than the more aggressive and sweet 12 year old.
Does anyone have any insight into the John Barr Excellence bottling? I came across a bottle distilled in 1972 and bottled at 29 years. It seems that they make mostly inexpensive whiskey. It seems to be limited to less than 300 bottles. The price was less than $200, which seemed good for the age.