What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

mik_da_man · 02-09-2018 01:19AM

It's made in Pot Still, but not called Pot Still Whiskey...

Anyway... @ 2011abc

For the cheapest place to buy whiskey it really depends on what you are after.
Duty free can be cheap, but then Spain can be cheaper again, but what you can get is limited.
If you're not traveling then some supermarket deals can be good. Otherwise NI if it's close.
But again totally depends on what your after

For the mixing whiskey, it's a common enough practice in whiskey circles, can be quite interesting making your own blend

the beer revolu · 02-09-2018 09:11AM

odyssey06 wrote: »

Pot stills yes.
https://www.whisky.com/information/knowledge/production/details/the-scottish-pot-stills.html

Single malt Scotch whisky means a Scotch whisky produced from only water and malted barley at a single distillery by batch distillation in pot stills.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_whisky

Talisker single malt is distilled using five pot stills and is also used as the backbone of Johnnie Walker.

Completely understandable confusion.
All single malt is distilled in pot stills but (stupidly) this does not make it pot still whisky.

Pot still whiskey uses a portion of unmalted barley in the mash and is then distilled in pot stills. This is particular to Ireland, as far as I know.

EagererBeaver · 02-09-2018 10:11AM

Exactly. Irish and Scotch whiskies are almost universally distilled in pot stills. This does not not make it "pot still whiskey" which, as mentioned above refers to whiskey made from a mixed malted/unmalted mash and is specific to Irish whiskey.

Anyway, as I said, I've not heard of people making homemade blends but understand that it must happen. Can only imagine what the snob poster (I can't remember which one of you it is) who refuses to drink anything other than single malt (through some misguided notion of quality or, more likely, complete ignorance) would say of the practice.

the beer revolu · 02-09-2018 10:40AM

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Exactly. Irish and Scotch whiskies are almost universally distilled in pot stills..

I'm afraid that this part isn't correct.
Irish single pot still whiskey and any Irish or Scottish single malt is exclusively distilled in pot stills.

Lots and lots of Irish and Scottish whisky is distilled in continuous still, mostly from corn (often referred to as grain whiskey) This is used in blends,mostly. Paddy, Powers, Jameson would all have corn whiskey in their blend.
Even Middleton could have continously distilled corn whisky in it as it is just labeled as Irish whiskey.

gozunda · 02-09-2018 05:43PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

I'm afraid that this part isn't correct.
Irish single pot still whiskey and any Irish or Scottish single malt is exclusively distilled in pot stills.

Lots and lots of Irish and Scottish whisky is distilled in continuous still, mostly from corn (often referred to as grain whiskey) This is used in blends,mostly. Paddy, Powers, Jameson would all have corn whiskey in their blend.
Even Middleton could have continously distilled corn whisky in it as it is just labeled as Irish whiskey.

By 'corn' - are referring to wheat or American style 'corn'?

Jameson is produced from a blend of grain whiskey and single pot still whiskey, which uses a mixture of malted and unmalted or "green" Irish barley, all sourced from within a fifty-mile radius around the distillery in Cork. The barley is dried in a closed kiln fired by natural gas (formerly anthracite coal). This is in contrast to the traditional method used in some Scotch whisky distilleries, which fire the kiln with peat, adding a distinctive peat flavour.

https://irishwhiskey.com/a-beginners-guide-to-how-irish-whiskey-is-made/

Which?

mik_da_man · 02-09-2018 08:26PM

EagererBeaver wrote: »

Exactly. Irish and Scotch whiskies are almost universally distilled in pot stills. This does not not make it "pot still whiskey" which, as mentioned above refers to whiskey made from a mixed malted/unmalted mash and is specific to Irish whiskey.

One thing we can thank the British rule for!!
During that time there was that there was a charge put on malted barley, so to get around this charge the distillers used unmalted or "Green" barley, so they could produce larger volumes without paying the extra charges.
Thus we have Single/Pure Pot still Whiskey

L1011 · 02-09-2018 09:45PM

In North Wales and hit the Tesco Extras to see what was on offer. Bought far too much...

JW Black for £28.50

350ml bottles of Chivas were a tenner (actually a tenner in Holyhead and 9.60 or so in Bangor weirdly), so I bought 4... works out the same as one 700ml here

Tamnavulin Double Cask for £22. Its NAS and I think quite young but this is a distillery where the product isn't that commonly sold direct - its used in blends.

Famous Grouse Smoky Black, formerly Black Grouse - £15. This is quite a nice product, actually nearly all the Famous Grouse derivatives are good when the basic blend is bloody awful, and £15 is an excellent price.

The Irish selection was tiny - Jameson standard and Caskmates Stout, Bush (white), Tullamore and all as dear or more than in ROI.

Wailin · 02-09-2018 11:07PM

Just about to tackle this, wish me luck! Smells very interesting

EagererBeaver · 02-09-2018 11:22PM

Wailin wrote: »

Just about to tackle this, wish me luck! Smells very interesting

A classic for anyone interested in peated Scotch.

If you're not into peat, it'll be, ah, interesting to say the least.

Useful.Idiot · 03-09-2018 12:34AM

I'm mad to try Lagavulin so I can compare it to Laphroaig and see who the intense peat king is. Or maybe they're equally delicious. Pic from the wkend:

EagererBeaver · 03-09-2018 12:41AM

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

I'm mad to try Lagavulin so I can compare it to Laphroaig and see who the intense peat king is. Or maybe they're equally delicious. Pic from the wkend:

The answer is Ardbeg. The Uigedeal bottling could be used as rocket fuel.

Useful.Idiot · 03-09-2018 12:54AM

The Ardbeg 10 seemed relatively tame to my palate but yes definitely very interested in the Uigeadail!

Wailin · 03-09-2018 01:07AM

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

I'm mad to try Lagavulin so I can compare it to Laphroaig and see who the intense peat king is. Or maybe they're equally delicious. Pic from the wkend:

From what I gather it's neither....Ardbeg is.

Edit: as eagerbeaver said above

EagererBeaver · 03-09-2018 01:26AM

As far as I'm aware, another of the Islay malts, Bruichladdich, or at least one of its expressions is "scientifically" the most peaty. Having never tried, I can't say if that translates to the taste.

Of the flagship expression from the big 3 Islay malts - Ardbeg and Laphroaig 10 and the above mentioned Lagavulin 16, I'd say the Ardbeg nips it. Then when you get into other expressions like the Uigedeal it goes absolutely mental.

the beer revolu · 03-09-2018 07:52AM

gozunda wrote: »

By 'corn' - are referring to wheat or American style 'corn'?

https://irishwhiskey.com/a-beginners-guide-to-how-irish-whiskey-is-made/

Which?

Maize /corn on the cob.

intellectual dosser · 03-09-2018 09:10AM

picachu wrote: »

Go up north for value - its worth it if you are buying two or more bottles

be interested to hear what the JW green is like

I tried this over the weekend and really enjoyed it. Smoother than what I'd associate Scotch with.
I dont have a great nose yet for describing/comparing, but I'll say this won't be my last JW Green.

irlirishkev · 03-09-2018 12:17PM

2011abc wrote: »

Oh and if it's not another annoying noob question ,how many millilitres do most drink when 'tasting' at home ? Irish spirits measures 35/35.5ml(?) I tend to have a bit less but might repeat the experience 2-4 times ...

35ml (ish) for me.
I had to buy a measure a while back as I noticed all my bottles where emptying rather quickly

irlirishkev · 03-09-2018 12:22PM

I finished a bottle of Ardbeg recently, so I fancied some non-peated scotch for a change, and something I hadn't had before.

I opted for Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. I've had the standard expression before, and enjoyed that.
This is 10 years in cask, 2 years in Port Pipes, resulting in a deep ruby colour.
Had a drop yesterday afternoon, and was thoroughly impressed. Big nose, powerful fruity flavours and a medium to long finish. Very drinkable.

€64 for 70cl in The Whiskey Shop on Clarendon Street.

2011abc · 03-09-2018 04:38PM

How does that shop compare with Celtic?

irlirishkev · 03-09-2018 04:40PM

2011abc wrote: »

How does that shop compare with Celtic?

Smaller, and not as much variety, but still a good stock.
Staff just as helpful and knowledgable though from what I could tell. Was my first time popping in. I'd be happy to go in again!

killbillvol2 · 03-09-2018 05:04PM

irlirishkev wrote: »

I finished a bottle of Ardbeg recently, so I fancied some non-peated scotch for a change, and something I hadn't had before.

I opted for Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. I've had the standard expression before, and enjoyed that.
This is 10 years in cask, 2 years in Port Pipes, resulting in a deep ruby colour.
Had a drop yesterday afternoon, and was thoroughly impressed. Big nose, powerful fruity flavours and a medium to long finish. Very drinkable.

€64 for 70cl in The Whiskey Shop on Clarendon Street.

I picked up a bottle of that last year and it didn't last very long. Loved it.

Wailin · 03-09-2018 05:20PM

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

I'm mad to try Lagavulin so I can compare it to Laphroaig and see who the intense peat king is. Or maybe they're equally delicious. Pic from the wkend:

Btw, how did you find those glasses? From what I've read, they are ridiculously light and very easy to break, even heard of them breaking from dropping ice cubes into them.

L1011 · 03-09-2018 05:37PM

Use a rocks glass if you're putting ice in. Glencairns, clones and twin wall glasses are simply not designed for it. IKEA do exceptionally solid cheap rocks glasses. they're bigger so larger cubes that take longer to melt fit also

Wailin · 03-09-2018 05:55PM

I don't use ice or 'rocks' in whiskey, just referring to how flimsy those particular glasses are. They look nice but if they break that easy then are pointless.

L1011 · 03-09-2018 06:02PM

They break easy if mistreated. Hand wash, no ice. Rocks glass = sightly posher wide short tumbler but yes, don't use those weird reconstituted stone "rocks" in those glasses either

Useful.Idiot · 03-09-2018 09:22PM

Wailin wrote: »

Btw, how did you find those glasses? From what I've read, they are ridiculously light and very easy to break, even heard of them breaking from dropping ice cubes into them.

They're nice yeah; good to have in the collection. Probably more lookers than anything. Decent for nosing. They're light but feel very nice in the hand. They're delicate tasting glasses not tumblers. There's even a warning in the instructions advising not to put ice in them as you're only meant to drink from them neat. Don't know if I'd say they're worth the price if you're looking for value.

blondeonblonde · 03-09-2018 10:04PM

irlirishkev wrote: »

I finished a bottle of Ardbeg recently, so I fancied some non-peated scotch for a change, and something I hadn't had before.

I opted for Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. I've had the standard expression before, and enjoyed that.
This is 10 years in cask, 2 years in Port Pipes, resulting in a deep ruby colour.
Had a drop yesterday afternoon, and was thoroughly impressed. Big nose, powerful fruity flavours and a medium to long finish. Very drinkable.

€64 for 70cl in The Whiskey Shop on Clarendon Street.

+1 on the Quinta ruban. I'd only ever had a dram of it when I was over in Speyside. It's beautiful. Couldn't find it here though, so nice to know where to get it.

blondeonblonde · 03-09-2018 10:07PM

EagererBeaver wrote: »

The answer is Ardbeg. The Uigedeal bottling could be used as rocket fuel.

Lagavulin 16 is a lovely drop. It's more smokey than the Ardbeg for me, doesn't hold back on the peat either but i don't find it as harsh as the Laphroaig.

Ardbeg Uigeadal is fantastic too, cask strength so needs water but has such a complex finish that goes on forever! Not for the fact hearted though!

L1011 · 06-09-2018 09:39PM

Shop around the corner from work has Red Bush - tempted to buy a bottle just because I've had the entire range otherwise. It can't be worse than the honey liquer!

gozunda · 06-09-2018 10:16PM

L1011 wrote: »

Shop around the corner from work has Red Bush - tempted to buy a bottle just because I've had the entire range otherwise. It can't be worse than the honey liquer!

The honey liquer is awful to drink as it is but makes for a good hot whiskey imo ...

What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

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