Talisker probably safe. or Oban.
Have to admit, Caol Ila and Ardbeg is a bit of an odd pair.
Peated Bunna can be great. So, of course, can non-peated Bunna, but peated seems more relevant in this case.
I’ve had decent ardmore as well, but prefer caol ila and bunna.
Agreed. I think his profile is probably along the ~ smoother integrated vector, so sherry cask, 18yr under, and if peated, well integrated.
I used to be a big scotch fan, and have visited Islay, but really can’t keep up with all the Ardbeg options.
Good call on Talisker and Oban. Will add.
Thanks - Scott. Wasn’t on radar. Will add!
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If this were the case, I would expect Lagavulin 16 to be in his wheelhouse — it’s basically exactly what you just described.
Springbank would be another good option, although not as peaty as most everything else mentioned thus far. Even moreso Longrow — their 18 yr is great, but not cheap.
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Well, don’t let Ardbeg put you off Scotch!
I hear ya’ with Ardbeg ---- they have sooooo many bottlings, and nearly all are NAS — without knowing better, that strikes me as Trying to Make Money from Marketing, as opposed to Put Quality in the Bottle. That said, I remain a fan of their Corryvreckan, notwithstanding the fact that I haven’t bought a bottle in at least a decade — so I guess I’m not that big of a fan. 
… and cue Mark’s entrance any moment to comment on Ardbeg and GlenMonsanto … LOL!
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Thanks, Brian.
That’s what I thought, but He mentioned not liking the medicinal flavors in Lagavulin. Will add Springbank and check Longrow.
Ardbeg - I will say, I loved the visit here. Might be more marketing, but the colorful graffiti contrasts beautifully with the old distillery!
Bruichladdich - power
Kilchoman - less iodine
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Lucky dawg about getting to visit Ardbeg! The one time I went to Islay, my group and I had to settle on tasting a few Ardbeg at their restaurant, as their tasting room/distillery was temporarily closed to visitors when we were there.
The way Lagavulin lands on your friend’s palate simply does not resonate with me — I would never say “medicinal” about Lagavulin. Laphroaig? Sure! — all day long, and twice at night! But Lagavulin? Not at all. … good ol’ YMMV, I suppose. 
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My friend (different) and I visited every distillery on Islay, except for CI which was closed. Our trip was 3 days… Was an experience
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Niiiice!!! My visit was only two days, and I assure you Day 2 bore witness to exactly 0 sober minutes.
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Is it easy to get around? (No trains, right? So everyone hires drivers?)
Since Mark no longer participates on WB, I will do it for him. Modern Ardbeg is not worth the glass it’s bottled in. The older stuff is nectar of the gods.
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No trains.
Hire a driver — 1000%!!! Sobriety doesn’t last long on Islay.
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I hadn’t seen any posts from him in a while, but did not know this was the case; that’s unfortunate. Hopefully he changes his mind sometime in the future and rejoins.
I think that’s a typo shouldn’t it be peat favourite?
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Ha!!! Well-done. 
Speaking of honeyed note on Islay malts I get that a bit on Bunnahabhain
; and yes Bismore is great. No discounts here as far as I know.
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Long time no new stuff, but 3 arrived today (including, Sarah, the Ardbeg Smokiverse—when I taste, will post my thoughts! For now, I will only say that I implicitly trust the store owner this came from as someone who would not stock bad product). For now, the one I Jonesed for.
1996 G&M Longmorn 28 year Cask Strength Connoisseur’s Choice
54.8%. I think I’m having kittens. Unbelievable elegance to this dram. The nose catches your attention with sea breeze, sweet smoked herbs and gingerbread/graham cracker. The palate is smooth for almost 55% and the label notes are not wrong–I do get some pear and I do get some citrus and most of all I get a whisky that has a conversation with the top, bottom, sides and back of my mouth all at once. I could be happy never running out of this–as it is, I’ll have to be judicious. The stuff is super-difficult to find now. Easy 10.
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Longmorn … so underrated. Nice pull, Mike, and thanks for posting!
Don’t know the extent to which U.S.-based shopping is available to you, practically speaking, but this is currently up for auction with K&L:
1985 Longmorn 29 Year Old Hunter Laing’s “Old & Rare” Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky — $280 + vig.
I’d consider that to be a fair price, Brian—that’s about what I paid for my bottle. But at the moment, choosing to buy anything from US-based and, even more, getting it across, is a difficult proposition for me. Much thanks for finding it
Longmorn is probably my favourite house, a tick above Clynelish
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