Whiskey Review and Recommendation Thread

[El Diablo]

***,

I like your taste in scotch. The Dalwhinnie, Macallan, and Talisker are three of my favorites.

Balvenie 12yo DoubleWood or Balvenie 21yo Portwood (depending on how much you want to spend, both are excellent) should be your next one. These are very smooth w/ just a touch of sweetness.

You would also enjoy the Highland Parks and Isle of Juras quite a bit.

And if you want to explore a little peatier taste, before jumping to the very peaty Lagavulin and Laphroaig, I'd suggest you try the Oban or Caol Ila.

But, I strongly recommend one of the Balvenies for you next, I am sure you will love it.

[El Diablo]

matt,

Maker's is probably my most common "everyday" Bourbon and I agree w/ your review. For a slight step up and slightly smoother, I also agree that Knob Creek is a good choice, but I think I slightly prefer Woodford Reserve. Some of the other bourbons I mention that are excellent are quite a bit pricier, but for not much more of a jump, the Elijah Craig 18 is great, an incredible value.

[MEbenhoe]

ElD,

I haven't tried many scotches, but one I have tried and loved, and my clear favorite thus far is Macallan 12. Based off this, can you make any recommendations for others I might like?

[El Diablo]

Wookie,

"How Red Breast (Irish) stacks up against the other premium Irish whiskeys."

Not familiar w/ Red Breast.

"Your thoughts on how Blanton's compares to Eagle Rare 17, Elijah Craig 18, and Booker's."

Blanton's is probably my favorite of the bunch. It has a nice kick, and a deep, rich flavor, but is not overpowering. It is 93 proof compared to Booker's 120+. The Booker's has a similar great flavor, but I just find it a little too strong (I'm a BIG fan of cask strength, but over 110 proof or so, it becomes VERY tough to not have a bit of harsh, alcohol taste to the liquor). The Elijah Craig is an incredible value, but I don't think it quite stacks up to the Blanton's and Booker's. It's a lot sweeter style and does not have the depth/complexity of flavor that the other two have. I definitely recommend it, but not over those two. The Eagle Rare is sort of like a mild version of the Booker's. I like it, but definitely put it a notch down from the Blanton's/Booker's.

"Your thoughts on how the Highland Park Scotches compare with similarly priced/aged Highland Scotches."

Very well. Highland Park is one of my favorite scotches and is vastly underrated.

"Your favorite Scotch for $70 or less."

Impossible question to answer. Here are 5 of my favorites in that range from klwines.com.

Caol Ila 18 $69
Talisker 18 $69
Laphroaig 15 $59
Highland Park 18 $59
Macallan Cask Strength $59

BTW, Balvenie Scotch 12 Year Double Wood $33 - is imo the best scotch value around.

"If you'd ever reach for a Canadian whiskey over an American one (which, and why). "

Can't really think of any reason to do that.

[El Diablo]

M,

See the ones that *** listed + my recommendations to him.

[johnnycakes]

[ QUOTE ]
the Elijah Craig 18 is great, an incredible value.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree. Had this for the first time about a month ago at the Bourbon Festival in Bardstown KY. Was very surpirsed at how good it was.
(I didn't think it'd be bad. Just was surprised it was so good.)

[matt2500]

El Diablo:

I wish I could get the Elijah Craig. My local liquor store doesn't stock anything better than the Knob Creek, but I'll have to hunt out a store that sells the really good stuff and try some of the better ones.

[El Diablo]

matt,

bevmo prices.

Blanton's $50
Booker's $50
Eagle Rare 17 $47
Elijah Craig 18 $38
Woodford Reserve $27
Knob Creek $20
Maker's $19

I haven't had the Eagle Rare 10 ($30) or Elijah Craig 12 ($20), but the Elijah Craig 18 is a solid step up from the Woodford at not a big premium. I bet the Elijah Craig 12 is a really good value for $20 and will try to taste some soon.

[Blarg]

Rocking thread, El D. Thanks for the price guidance, too. That's important for a lot of us.

[matt2500]

Yeah, I can't use Bevmo - they won't ship to Washington state. Drat, that Booker's looks good, too.