What whisk(e)y are we drinking? (Part 2)

xeresod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118619006#Comment_118619006

There's a "contact organiser" button on the bottom of the event page

irish_goat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118613997#Comment_118613997

Bushmills 10 for £24 in Sainsburys at the minute.

Beanstalk

Going to open one of these lighter sips tonight and can't decide...which would you choose?

Nikka Days

Bushmills 10

Teeling Single Grain

I've only had the Bushmills 10 before but it was once and a while ago...

Beanstalk

IMG_20220212_204758_Bokeh.jpg

Went for this again just to see. All honey and vanilla

Mundo7976

My first foray

DARK-KNIGHT

Im looking at scotch have had monkeyb shoulder, aberlour..

Thinking of trying something peaty, what would you suggest? Im nervous about buying a full bottle incase I hate it.. Any advice?

Electric Nitwit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118623196#Comment_118623196

Are you in Dublin?

The Celtic Whisky Shop have loads of miniatures and I'm almost certain they had Laphroaig (though it's been a while since I was in there)

Or can anyone take a delivery for you in the north? If so...

https://drinksbythedram.com/collections/tasting-sets/products/islay-whisky-tasting-set

Black Sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118623196#Comment_118623196

If you’re on the fence then best try a sample or two if you could. Or visit a decently stocked bar.

Something like Highland Park 12, Talisker 10 or Lagavulin 16 would be good options to get something peaty but still approachable.

There are even more gently peated highland options as well.

Laphroaig, Ardbeg… Some people take to them like a duck to water, but it’s far from a sure thing.

Beanstalk

My dad shared some Slane whiskey ysterday and I have to see I was pleasantly surprised! Muted nose but a bueatiful sherry bomb nonetheless. Are they selling their own distillation yet? Would be interesting to see a few more varieties of it.

DeniG2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118623196#Comment_118623196

When I was getting into peated whiskey I started with some scotch blends that have a hint of smoke, like John Walker Black, maybe The Glenlivet12 etc. The peat content is low enough so chances are you won't dislike it and bin it. I then started looking into the PPM of scotch whiskeys and started at the lower end so as to 'acclimatise' to the taste. I wouldn't recommend going straight to Islay whiskeys just yet, I bought a bootle of Speyside whiskey, Benromach 10 (PPM around 12-14) and then worked up from there. Now I barely get a hint of peat of Benromach and find Ardbeg relatively mild. Someone here said, enjoy the journey, don't rush it, your taste buds will evolve and whiskeys that once offended you could become your favourite. Here's an example of some scotch PPMs:

• Ardbeg - 55
• Laphroaig - 40
• Lagavulin - 35
• Caol Ila - 30
• Talisker - 25
• Highland Park - 20

Cazale

Remember too that the ppm relates to the malted barley before it's milled etc and not the final spirit. If you excuse the pun there can be a bit of smoke and mirrors going on and factors like how long or how many times it's distilled or when the cuts are made can have a huge impact on how smokey/peaty it is. A starting point of 40ppm might produce a more peaty whiskey than 55ppm. I remember trying an Octomore with a ppm of over 250 and actually being nervous about it. There was no denying it was heavily peated but it wasn't far removed from the Ardbegs of this world either.

Over the past few months I've complied a massive list of tasting notes from a number of sources. Here's an excerpt on peat for those interested.

Peaty (also called phenolic) – these scents are abundant in Islay malts and range from wood-smoke to tar, iodine to carbolic. Almost all phenols are imparted to the malt during kilning. The different types of phenols and how they contribute to aroma and flavour are listed below.

• Phenol – medicinal, antiseptic, TCP
• Guaiacol – burnt, smoky (discernible in taste only)
• Syringol – burnt, smoky (discernible in aroma only)
• Cresol – medicinal, earthy peat, tar
• Xylenol – Sweet, medicinal
• Peaty – Burnt
• Tar, Soot, Ash
• Peaty – Smokey
• Wood Smoke, Kippery, Smoked bacon, Smoked cheese
• Peaty – Medicinal
• TCP, Antiseptic, Hospital

What’s the difference between peat & smoke in whisky?

• Nose
• Smokiness is obvious to discern on the nose; it’s the same smell we associate with something burning, whether it’s wood, textiles or anything else.
• Peatiness, on the other hand, can come across as a dank earthiness, e.g. moist, damp topsoil or fertile potting mix.
• In many Islay malts, peatiness can also have a note of iodine or rotting seaweed.
• Smokiness is more carbon-based, whereas peatiness is more organic.
• Palate
• Smokiness on the palate typically has an ashy or charcoal flavour.
• Similar to the smoke of a cigar or cigarette.
• A drying and sooty experience.
• Peatiness on the palate usually manifests itself, again, in a more organic way.
• Finish
• Smokiness on the finish leaves a dry, ashy aftertaste, whereas peatiness can leave a moist after-note, and usually also a green bitterness (e.g. over-boiled vegetables or unripe fruit).
• In a good whisky, the bitterness of the peat on the finish is offset by the sweetness of the malt, or the sweetness contributed by the oak, and so balance is maintained.
• Good Caol Ilas and good Laphroaigs achieve this balance nicely: bitter peat and sweet malt in a happy marriage.

Peated whiskies are generally compared using a measure of phenol parts per million (PPM). This refers to the quantity of phenols in the malt itself rather than the contents of the finished whisky.

• The seaweed, tar and iodine aromas found in malt whiskies from Islay are partly due to decomposed marine vegetation and sea salt in the island’s peat.
• The peat on the Orkney Islands is composed almost entirely of heather so imparts a floral-like smokiness.
• Highland peat varies according to location but contains more decomposed trees so tend to impart a more wood fire-like smokiness.

xeresod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118628638#Comment_118628638

For the price it's a lovely drop...I keep forgetting that and always have a nice surprise when I go back to it!

Cazale

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118630814#Comment_118630814

As someone who did two science degrees and hated/dodged chemistry as much as possible whilst doing them I'm not going to get into a chemistry debate. Shudder the thought! It's probably worded clumsily but it gives an idea of the subtle differences for the amateur whiskey enthusiast.

Black Sheep

Remember also that if you did jump in at the deep end that’s ok too. My friends and I began with Ardbeg and it didn’t “turn us off” peaty whisky. If anything it was so extreme at the time it piqued our interest. If you could access samples I would definitely put something like Ardbeg 10 down as one.

FortuneChip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512842#Comment_118512842

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512512#Comment_118512512

A bit of an adventure ordering from MyBooze.eu, but collected my order from Customs today 😂

Bottle of Teeling Single Malt

Tullamore DEW rum cask

Eagle Rare 10

Copper Dog blended Scotch

So, I probably wussed out on getting one of the more authentic types of Scotch, but otherwise excited for the weekend

Black Sheep

Did customs picking it up negate any savings in the end… And, if they did, will the company pay anything?

I think we have all been there.

FortuneChip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118635412#Comment_118635412

Still worked out about 60/70 cheaper than Irish retail, but the company also gave me a voucher that matched the full customs & excise charge.

I'll be keeping any future orders smaller.

Black Sheep

As you would expect, really.

The Nal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118644125#Comment_118644125

Where did you pick that up?

Black Sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118645094#Comment_118645094

Won a lottery to buy it at RRP from Master of Malt a while back.

9320

I would be a very occasional whiskey tippler but a mate bought me a bottle of Old Pultenay 16 year old (traveller exclusive)

And I've flown through it, absolutely love it. Would anyone have an idea of which Irish Whiskey might come closest to it in terms of that Christmas Cake style flavour?

Tried to link to it but not working.

APPEARANCE

Amber

AROMA

Rich and warming. Full-on spicy fruitiness tempered by honeyed vanilla and a faint floral fragrance. Comforting chocolate notes hint at the indulgence in store.

TASTE

Packed full of juicy spices and mouth-coating Christmas cake richness. Hints of fresh green apples and seductive sweet toffee lend this whisky a long, delicious finish.

odyssey06

@9320 Have seen 'christmas cake' in the tasting notes for Knappogue Castle.

There was a tasting set of 3 different Knappogues (12,14,16) in some places like Celtic Whiskey shop a while back, if you don't want to take the plunge on a whole bottle. Out of the set the 14 year old was my favourite. I've had the Old Pulteney 12 and liked it a lot. If that helps.

PHG

Got my hands on 3 bottles of a Redbreast 16 made exclusive for Sweden today

https://www.systembolaget.se/produkt/sprit/redbreast-single-cask-16-years-old-4101701/

1 bottle for the Brother and 2 for myself.

Really excited with this!!

Black Sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652951#Comment_118652951

To be honest, the closest would be other Highland distilleries.

If there is a particular reason to want an Irish distillery as an alternative then realistically you will have to just try a bunch. Nothing springs to mind as having the maritime or saline quality regularly associated with OP. I think any attempt at any easy comparison would be spoofing.

“Christmas cake” Sherry finish tasting notes are ten a penny and sometimes you wonder is just a lack of imagination of the part of some reviewers.

9320

Thanks - main reason for seeking an Irish Distillery was just to buy local, might try the Knappogue so.

Justin10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118653281#Comment_118653281

Out of interest, how did you manage that?

Enjoy, very jealous.

PHG

I live in Sweden and it was released today. I was surprised they let me buy the 3 and had the gf on standby in work to go to one of the off licences it was at just in case

Quackster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118653724#Comment_118653724

OP 12 is regularly on offer in the major UK supermarkets so if you're up North at any stage, it's well worth looking out for. Right now it's only £25 in Sainsbury's.

Similarly for other comparable whiskies like Highland Park and Talisker.

ZV Yoda

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118654251#Comment_118654251

Sounds like your girlfriend is a keeper!

ZV Yoda

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118653724#Comment_118653724

I have a bottle of Knappogue 16 here. I don't think the Christmas cake description is true. I'd say fruity/sweet, but it lacks the sherry/caramel finish I associate with "Christmas cake". If that's what you're after, I highly recommend a Dalmore 12 (if you can find one). I got a bottle in LMulligan a few weeks ago, but looks like it's sold out now.

http://www.lmulliganwhiskeyshop.com/Dalmore-12-year-old-p/dalmore12.htm