10 Best Scotches

[DavidT]

The Independent recently ran an article on the 10 best scotches. Those named are:

Johnny Walker Black
Lagavulin 16 Year
Glenrothes 1985
Old Pulteney 12 Year
Clynelish 14 Year
Auchentosan 18 Year
Compass Box Asyla
Highland Park 18
Bailie Nicol Jarvie
Talisker 10

It was nice to see both Clynelish and Old Pulteney on the list, as they are from the east coast of the northern Scottish Highlands, a region that is often overlooked. It was also a pleasant surprise to see Bailie Nicol Jarvie on the this, as BNJ is a blend and not a single malt. Unfortunately, BNJ is not available in the U.S. If you are ever traveling in Britain, I would suggest seeking it out.

Here is a link to the article: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-sty...

[foodieseattlelady]

Johnny Walker, Compass Box and Bailie Nicol Jarvie are blends of single malt and grain alcohol. They are not single malt.

Aside from that, this is purely subjective. From the looks of it, the primary criteria was to choose from scotches that were widely available. If they had gathered a group of collectors, I'm sure the list would look completely different and include the likes of Black Bowmore, Ardbeg 31 and various other single malts that are either no longer available or in extremely limited distribution.

[PeatPete]

Its an interesting point, but I have seen many "top 10" lists for whisky online, and very few of them include rare or ancient whiskies, even when the lists are made by people who have access to just about anything. Makes you wonder if in a lot of cases the only thing that the incredibly exclusive whiskies have got going for them is that they are.... incredibly exclusive?

[StriperGuy]

Generally you don't want whiskeys aged more then about 20 years. They often don't benefit after that point.

[HaagenDazs]

This is one of those articles which has no real meaning and no real winners or losers because tastes are so different and the pool from which the "best" scotches are pulled from is so large. Granted, there are some good choices here, but I think there are lots of people that would have their own favorites they would like to add.

[BeanBoy]

I have recently been ooing and awing over a bottle of Ardmore whiskey.
http://www.ardmorewhisky.com/index.aspx

It is a single malt, JUST released this year by a distiller that was only producing spirit to be blended into Teacher's Whiskey.

Good, drinkable peaty, under-priced stuff. But very hard to find as they've only released a few cases this year.

If you see it, BUY it (But only if you don't live in the SF Bay Area!!! ;).

You won't be sorry.

[DavidT]

Who is selling it in the SF Bay Area? How much does it sell for?

[BeanBoy]

I've seen it at Bevmo. They have a bottle of it every now and then. I might check some of the other specialty places.

It sells for about $30 at Bevmo, seen it only 2x there in the past 6 months.

[DavidT]

Thanks. I will keep an eye out for it, but don't worry, I will not try to corner the market!

[BeanBoy]

good luck in your search. Hope you like it. If you don't, don't come seeking revenge. :P

[wolfe]

as BNJ is a blend and not a single malt.

Aye laddie as is Johnny Walker Black, JWB.

[DavidT]

I presumed EVERYONE would know Johnny Black was a blend!

[wolfe]

Not me. I had to look it up. Never presume. Paraphrase Spencer Tracy "Deck Set".

[DavidT]

The Compass Box Asyla could also be considered a blend as well, although I believe it is a blend of single malts only (I could be wrong about that). The JWB and the BNJ are blends that do include grain whiskies as well as single malts. The BNJ is reputed to have a higher proportion of single malts than many other blended whiskies.

[wolfe]

Asyla link. I would say never believe but that is not the same as presumption.

http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/home....

[ESNY]

I've never had the Asyla, but i'm a huge fan of compass box in general. In the past I've had Peat Monster and am currently loving the bottle of Flaming Heart