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I've recently (2 or 3 months) developed a taste for single malt. It looks like there's plenty of potential to get expensive.
So I had a look around at the supermarket own brands, they seem a lot cheaper, but are they any good? I notice one supermarket even does region specific own brand stuff, ie highland, speyside, islands etc.
Being a complete whisky punter, I have no idea about anything, just what I like and what I don't.
My drinks cabinet currently contains Glenmorangie 10yo and Isle of Jura 10yo. I like both of these a lot. My favourite to date is Macallan 10yo (Fine Oak I think).
I had some Balvenie 12yo but didn't like it, too rough round the edges, like a harsh Jack Daniels to me.
Also, are there any decent easy to read (ie not too full on afficionado level) books about it all?
So I had a look around at the supermarket own brands, they seem a lot cheaper, but are they any good? I notice one supermarket even does region specific own brand stuff, ie highland, speyside, islands etc.
Being a complete whisky punter, I have no idea about anything, just what I like and what I don't.
My drinks cabinet currently contains Glenmorangie 10yo and Isle of Jura 10yo. I like both of these a lot. My favourite to date is Macallan 10yo (Fine Oak I think).
I had some Balvenie 12yo but didn't like it, too rough round the edges, like a harsh Jack Daniels to me.
Also, are there any decent easy to read (ie not too full on afficionado level) books about it all?
In reply to tommcdonna: I drank a bottle of Asda smartprice two days ago and I kid you not I still have an arsehole like the flag of japan, complete gut rot, I had to take a dump sat on a branch by a disused railway line though I could see the cars on the M61 Im not sure they could see me - I can thoroughly recommend it
In reply to Fawksey:
I was thinking less 'smartprice', more 'finest' or 'taste the difference' ranges
I was thinking less 'smartprice', more 'finest' or 'taste the difference' ranges
In reply to es: Im never quite sure wether to look upon you as lover or mother?
In reply to tommcdonna:
so long as ts mixed with coke, who cares? (the liquid or the other kind, it shouldn't make much difference)
so long as ts mixed with coke, who cares? (the liquid or the other kind, it shouldn't make much difference)
In reply to tommcdonna: I can't help you with the cheaper stuff I'm afraid although I'm sure I've seen DougG recomending some of the supermarkets own brand stuff that was basicly relabeled well known brands.
Looking at your current tastes though, I'd deffinately recomend Cragganmore as one to look out for as it's my current fav and I started out with very similar tastes to you. I'm also a huge fan of Talisker but this may be a bit peaty for you, one to try before you buy a bottle. I've got a few other really nice bottles at home at the moment but can't for the life of me think what they're called!
Hmmm I really fancy a malt now and I'm stuck offshore for another 8 days
Looking at your current tastes though, I'd deffinately recomend Cragganmore as one to look out for as it's my current fav and I started out with very similar tastes to you. I'm also a huge fan of Talisker but this may be a bit peaty for you, one to try before you buy a bottle. I've got a few other really nice bottles at home at the moment but can't for the life of me think what they're called!
Hmmm I really fancy a malt now and I'm stuck offshore for another 8 days
In reply to Dave80:
I will have a small double of Ardbeg for you now, leaving one in the bottle for another day.
Black bottle is a good blend of Islay malts, good value and tastes better than some at £10 dearer.
My normal blend is Cream of the barley, ran out of that at weekend.
Asda own brand single malts at about £15 are not bad either, their Islay is better than Morrisons, or was last time I had it a couple of years ago.
I shall be trying something new this weekend, not sure what.
I will have a small double of Ardbeg for you now, leaving one in the bottle for another day.
Black bottle is a good blend of Islay malts, good value and tastes better than some at £10 dearer.
My normal blend is Cream of the barley, ran out of that at weekend.
Asda own brand single malts at about £15 are not bad either, their Islay is better than Morrisons, or was last time I had it a couple of years ago.
I shall be trying something new this weekend, not sure what.
In reply to tommcdonna:
I reckon some are worth a try...Morrisons 10 yo Islay I reckon is Ardbeg watered to 40% and very good. Ardbeg 10yo is a tad iodine to me so i like some water in it anyway! Tesco's 10yo I reckon to be Coal Ile watered to 40% and a little young but ok. Sainsbury's vatted Islay is very good. Don't know Asda's own. Best for me is the Morrisons Islay. I don't much bother with the Speyside or Highland own brand stuff.
I reckon some are worth a try...Morrisons 10 yo Islay I reckon is Ardbeg watered to 40% and very good. Ardbeg 10yo is a tad iodine to me so i like some water in it anyway! Tesco's 10yo I reckon to be Coal Ile watered to 40% and a little young but ok. Sainsbury's vatted Islay is very good. Don't know Asda's own. Best for me is the Morrisons Islay. I don't much bother with the Speyside or Highland own brand stuff.
In reply to normie boy:
Cheers for the suggestions all! Sounds like some are worth pursueing when my current stash runs dry.
Anyone recommend me a book on the subject? See OP for criteria
Cheers for the suggestions all! Sounds like some are worth pursueing when my current stash runs dry.
Anyone recommend me a book on the subject? See OP for criteria
In reply to normie boy: No no no, Morrison's Islay single malt is Laphroaig, my dad and I both did a blind taste test and couldn't tell the difference. (Unless it's Ardbeg in 2008, that was 2006 or 2007 we tried it.)
In reply to tommcdonna:
Another vote for Stewarts Cream of the Barley - a good and inexpensive blend.
Tesco's blended is OK - and great for hot toddies.
Another vote for Stewarts Cream of the Barley - a good and inexpensive blend.
Tesco's blended is OK - and great for hot toddies.
In reply to tommcdonna: The Single malt that Netto sell for under a tenner is a highland, but I've no idea which distillery. It's sold as 'McCauley's Single Malt' and is very nice. Recommended if you're on a budget or want some post-pub scotch.
In reply to tommcdonna:
>Anyone recommend me a book on the subject?
Malt Whisky Companion by Michael Jackson is good, but a bit train spotter'ish. Lots of tasting notes on a huge range of malts but not much background.
Raw Spirit by Ian Banks is the other way. Lots of interest and asides, but not much in the way of tasting notes.
>Anyone recommend me a book on the subject?
Malt Whisky Companion by Michael Jackson is good, but a bit train spotter'ish. Lots of tasting notes on a huge range of malts but not much background.
Raw Spirit by Ian Banks is the other way. Lots of interest and asides, but not much in the way of tasting notes.
In reply to tommcdonna: I keep a bottle of Aldi 6yr malt on my boat for drownings and similar emergencies - it's drinkable, but completely characterless- called Glen somethingorother, but clear as day, the picture on the label is of the view down the Pass to the lakes at Llanberis
In reply to dread-i: Still Life with Bottle by Ralph Steadman is ace. Great illustrations, and lots of current and historical info on various distilleries and whiskies, as well as the characters responsible for them. Not really a whisky guide though.
In reply to BrianT:
What does TimTG post as in the suttys rules threads, where the malt has to be reduced to under £20? Can't find them, and they have some good suggestions, along with Doug G.
What does TimTG post as in the suttys rules threads, where the malt has to be reduced to under £20? Can't find them, and they have some good suggestions, along with Doug G.
In reply to tommcdonna:
Nobody who would be qualified to comment would disgrace themselves by sampling it.
Nobody who would be qualified to comment would disgrace themselves by sampling it.
In reply to tommcdonna:
Supermarket Islays are particularly good - there are after all only a few possible sources they could come from, each of which is known to be good in its own right!
Look out for the Tesco/M&S 12 year olds, which usually taste like Bowmore, and are cracking value (although you often get cheap Bowmore directly as well)
As an aside, I had the pleasure to try some of my Dad's Ballechin (heaviy peated Edradour - comes from Pitlochry, tastes like south coast Islay) at the weekend. Stunning!
Supermarket Islays are particularly good - there are after all only a few possible sources they could come from, each of which is known to be good in its own right!
Look out for the Tesco/M&S 12 year olds, which usually taste like Bowmore, and are cracking value (although you often get cheap Bowmore directly as well)
As an aside, I had the pleasure to try some of my Dad's Ballechin (heaviy peated Edradour - comes from Pitlochry, tastes like south coast Islay) at the weekend. Stunning!
In reply to tommcdonna:
Sainsbury's sometimes - generally in the pre-Christmas months - sell a claret finish Speyside single malt under their own name, and that's very drinkable indeed. Don't know where they source it from but when I see it again I shall definitely be buying some more.
T.
> So I had a look around at the supermarket own brands, they seem a lot cheaper, but are they any good?
Sainsbury's sometimes - generally in the pre-Christmas months - sell a claret finish Speyside single malt under their own name, and that's very drinkable indeed. Don't know where they source it from but when I see it again I shall definitely be buying some more.
T.
In reply to Pursued by a bear:
If you go to a Distillery and hear how much of their produce they sell to "others" not to be bottled as their own name you might get an idea.
> (In reply to tommcdonna)
Don't know where they source it from but If you go to a Distillery and hear how much of their produce they sell to "others" not to be bottled as their own name you might get an idea.
In reply to tommcdonna: Probably allready in the thread...
Supermarkets own brands are generally excellent but read the label VERY cavrefully. Whisky labeling is very precise and legally regulated.
Buy the single malt ones, must be from the area described and from a single distelery
I've had good tesco islay and highland
usually £15-16 compared with 25 for the equivalent branded. Apparently on the web there are some educated guesses what your buying.
Supermarkets own brands are generally excellent but read the label VERY cavrefully. Whisky labeling is very precise and legally regulated.
Buy the single malt ones, must be from the area described and from a single distelery
I've had good tesco islay and highland
usually £15-16 compared with 25 for the equivalent branded. Apparently on the web there are some educated guesses what your buying.
In reply to tommcdonna: The Co-op quite often have Jura at 1/3 off, which brings it down to about £16.
Also agree with the statements above about supermarkets Islays - some very drinkable stuff.
Also agree with the statements above about supermarkets Islays - some very drinkable stuff.
In reply to tommcdonna:
http://www.whisky-pages.com/stories/supermarket-scotch.php
Though I'm not sure how much I'd trust the opinion of someone who wtites stuff like this:
"Asda, Islay Pure Malt 10-Year-Old (Scotland)
The nose is deceptively light, with floral and fresh peat notes. Pink elastoplast. More assertive on the palate than the nose might lead you to expect. Robust body, black pepper, chillis, with lingering tarry, phenolic notes kicking in late. 40.0% ABV, 70cl, £13.98, Asda. "
http://www.whisky-pages.com/stories/supermarket-scotch.php
Though I'm not sure how much I'd trust the opinion of someone who wtites stuff like this:
"Asda, Islay Pure Malt 10-Year-Old (Scotland)
The nose is deceptively light, with floral and fresh peat notes. Pink elastoplast. More assertive on the palate than the nose might lead you to expect. Robust body, black pepper, chillis, with lingering tarry, phenolic notes kicking in late. 40.0% ABV, 70cl, £13.98, Asda. "
In reply to Chris Harris:
Oh, and it's worth reiterating that a "pure malt" is not a single malt, but a blended, or vatted malt whisky (as opposed to a blend of malt and grain whiskies, like Grouse, etc.).
Not necessarily a bad thing - in fact a blend optimised for flavour (without the restriction of coming from a single cask/distillery) can be extremely tasty. Try the Jon, Mark, and Robbo's ones: the Smoky Peaty One compares favourably with a 15 year old Laphroaig
> (In reply to tommcdonna)
> http://www.whisky-pages.com/stories/supermarket-scotch.php
>
> Though I'm not sure how much I'd trust the opinion of someone who wtites stuff like this:
> "Asda, Islay Pure Malt 10-Year-Old (Scotland)
> http://www.whisky-pages.com/stories/supermarket-scotch.php
>
> Though I'm not sure how much I'd trust the opinion of someone who wtites stuff like this:
> "Asda, Islay Pure Malt 10-Year-Old (Scotland)
Oh, and it's worth reiterating that a "pure malt" is not a single malt, but a blended, or vatted malt whisky (as opposed to a blend of malt and grain whiskies, like Grouse, etc.).
Not necessarily a bad thing - in fact a blend optimised for flavour (without the restriction of coming from a single cask/distillery) can be extremely tasty. Try the Jon, Mark, and Robbo's ones: the Smoky Peaty One compares favourably with a 15 year old Laphroaig
In reply to Chris Harris: Oh, I don't know. Islay malts are often medicinal - in their aroma, not necessarily in their effect. My other half can't stand them* as she can't get past the initial germolene-type taste. From germolene to pink elastoplast is a small step...
T.
* except Bowmore, which she'll happily drink.
T.
* except Bowmore, which she'll happily drink.
In reply to Pursued by a bear: Fair point. I'll pop downstairs and have a sniff in the First Aid box......
In reply to Chris Harris: Followed by a sniff of a bottle of medicine, perhaps? After all, the sun's always over the yardarm somewhere in the world...
T.
T.
In reply to johnSD:
I like the ASDA Islay malt, but went looking for some Black bottle; http://www.whisky-pages.com/notes/distillery.php?id=black in Sainsburys last night as nowhere else seems to have it round here. The didn't have it either so I tried a bottle of this;
http://www.whisky-pages.com/notes/distillery.php?id=sing
Reading the blurb about stuff being produced that was barely drinkable came to mind when I tasted it, nik nik shake head feeling. Said it was reduced from £27 to £17, should have got the stores cheapest.
I like the ASDA Islay malt, but went looking for some Black bottle; http://www.whisky-pages.com/notes/distillery.php?id=black in Sainsburys last night as nowhere else seems to have it round here. The didn't have it either so I tried a bottle of this;
http://www.whisky-pages.com/notes/distillery.php?id=sing
Reading the blurb about stuff being produced that was barely drinkable came to mind when I tasted it, nik nik shake head feeling. Said it was reduced from £27 to £17, should have got the stores cheapest.
In reply to Alasdair Fulton:
No fella...I'm certain it is Ardbeg and I'm more certain it's not Laphroiag!
No fella...I'm certain it is Ardbeg and I'm more certain it's not Laphroiag!
In reply to alasdair19:
I agree the Tesco single malt brands are excellent and a bargain compared to 'named' ones. I particularly like their Speyside.
I agree the Tesco single malt brands are excellent and a bargain compared to 'named' ones. I particularly like their Speyside.
In reply to tommcdonna:
The supermarkets buy barrels from the Scottish distilleries and then sit on them for years until they have matured. At that point they bottle them with their own labels.
You can do the same. In fact a mate from work has bought his own barrel as an investment which never leaves the distillery. At the time it cost him £800 but that was 4 years ago and once it reaches maturity he can distil as many bottles as he wants or sell it on to be re-labled by somebody else.
The question you have to ask yourself is are you buying a whiskey because you like the taste or are you buying a whiskey because you have been seduced by sophisticated marketing and Brand Loyalty?
Personally I buy both types of whiskey both from the distillery and independently bottled by whoever.
> I've recently (2 or 3 months) developed a taste for single malt. It looks like there's plenty of potential to get expensive.
>
> So I had a look around at the supermarket own brands, they seem a lot cheaper, but are they any good?
>
> So I had a look around at the supermarket own brands, they seem a lot cheaper, but are they any good?
The supermarkets buy barrels from the Scottish distilleries and then sit on them for years until they have matured. At that point they bottle them with their own labels.
You can do the same. In fact a mate from work has bought his own barrel as an investment which never leaves the distillery. At the time it cost him £800 but that was 4 years ago and once it reaches maturity he can distil as many bottles as he wants or sell it on to be re-labled by somebody else.
The question you have to ask yourself is are you buying a whiskey because you like the taste or are you buying a whiskey because you have been seduced by sophisticated marketing and Brand Loyalty?
Personally I buy both types of whiskey both from the distillery and independently bottled by whoever.
In reply to The Lemming:
From experience I would very much doubt that to be the case. What most likely is the case is that they do a deal with a major distiller for a large run of stock bottled for them with BOB (buyer's own brand) labels. Often their blends will use younger malts than the distiller would bottle under distillery names. Given that very few distilleries actually have bottling plants there is no way a supermarket would invest in such a facility.
Oh, & before DougG comes to batter down your door & hurl you off a cliff - it's whisky, not whiskey, from Scotland.
> (In reply to tommcdonna)
> [...]
>
> The supermarkets buy barrels from the Scottish distilleries and then sit on them for years until they have matured. At that point they bottle them with their own labels.
> [...]
>
> The supermarkets buy barrels from the Scottish distilleries and then sit on them for years until they have matured. At that point they bottle them with their own labels.
From experience I would very much doubt that to be the case. What most likely is the case is that they do a deal with a major distiller for a large run of stock bottled for them with BOB (buyer's own brand) labels. Often their blends will use younger malts than the distiller would bottle under distillery names. Given that very few distilleries actually have bottling plants there is no way a supermarket would invest in such a facility.
Oh, & before DougG comes to batter down your door & hurl you off a cliff - it's whisky, not whiskey, from Scotland.
In reply to Mike C:
I'm sure you're right. I can't see tescos and all investing significant sums in whisky for any lengthy time.
My take is that they buy big amounts at knockdown prices and water it down a tad to take extra margin and/or take it a tad younger than the real brand too.
Take my assertion that Morrisons is Ardbeg. I reckon they've bought a chunk from the distiller at the same age as the real brew and watered it from the 46% which Ardbeg sell at to the standard 40%. Their extra margin is quite a bit then. All Morrisons is doing is saving me from adding my own water!
Tescos however, i reckon, are buying their islay from Coal Ile and both taking it younger and watering it down similar to morrisons. The younger brew at 10yo, is much more iodine than the 12 yo Coal Ile and really nowhere near so good but passable imo.
I'm sure you're right. I can't see tescos and all investing significant sums in whisky for any lengthy time.
My take is that they buy big amounts at knockdown prices and water it down a tad to take extra margin and/or take it a tad younger than the real brand too.
Take my assertion that Morrisons is Ardbeg. I reckon they've bought a chunk from the distiller at the same age as the real brew and watered it from the 46% which Ardbeg sell at to the standard 40%. Their extra margin is quite a bit then. All Morrisons is doing is saving me from adding my own water!
Tescos however, i reckon, are buying their islay from Coal Ile and both taking it younger and watering it down similar to morrisons. The younger brew at 10yo, is much more iodine than the 12 yo Coal Ile and really nowhere near so good but passable imo.
In reply to normie boy:
Aye, selling at 40% whilst some distillers bottle at 43-46% is another way of keeping the price down (less duty to pay too).
It's Caol Ila btw, not Coal Ile, translates as "Sound of Islay".
Aye, selling at 40% whilst some distillers bottle at 43-46% is another way of keeping the price down (less duty to pay too).
It's Caol Ila btw, not Coal Ile, translates as "Sound of Islay".
In reply to tommcdonna:
After three or four glasses it all tastes the same to me.
After three or four glasses it all tastes the same to me.
In reply to all:
Missed this thread, sorry.
Ridge - screaming has just abated
Dave80 - Nope, wasn't me that recommended supermarkets' own brand stuff, I've never tasted it, nor do I know what they are.
http://www.whiskymag.com might have some info if you're prepared to rummage around.
Meanwhile, £39.99 for a bottle of 18-y.o. Highland Park in Aberdeen Airport the other day.
Missed this thread, sorry.
Ridge - screaming has just abated
Dave80 - Nope, wasn't me that recommended supermarkets' own brand stuff, I've never tasted it, nor do I know what they are.
http://www.whiskymag.com might have some info if you're prepared to rummage around.
Meanwhile, £39.99 for a bottle of 18-y.o. Highland Park in Aberdeen Airport the other day.
In reply to DougG: Ah my mistake Doug.
Unfortunately I can't buy any drink on my way through Aberdeen Airport to Stavanger as I'm going offshore. I've not noticed any great deals in Stavanger for the way home but then again I've got plenty bottles to keep me going at home. Still I'm sure they'll evaporate soon enough when I'm home.........
Unfortunately I can't buy any drink on my way through Aberdeen Airport to Stavanger as I'm going offshore. I've not noticed any great deals in Stavanger for the way home but then again I've got plenty bottles to keep me going at home. Still I'm sure they'll evaporate soon enough when I'm home.........
In reply to Dave80: If you drink enough of the stuff, you won't tell the difference between expensive stuff and cheap stuff, hell why not just drink meths!!
In reply to :
"out for the Tesco/M&S 12 year olds, which usually taste like Bowmore, and are cracking value"
How can anything that tastes like Bowmore be cracking value? 'Orrible stuff.
"out for the Tesco/M&S 12 year olds, which usually taste like Bowmore, and are cracking value"
How can anything that tastes like Bowmore be cracking value? 'Orrible stuff.
In reply to tommcdonna: Went to Netto yesterday, intending to buy a bottle of their own-brand single malt (McCauley's £9.99) but ended up buying Laphroaig at £16.99, which is £9 cheaper than Morrisons.
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