I bought a bottle of Glenlivet 15 to try out some scotch, its ok, I didn't really like it at first, but now being more than halfway through the bottle I believe I've overcome the taste acquisition for scotch. I'll be reading through this thread for suggestions, and posting up what I think of the scotches I try as I go along.
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I tried some Macallan 12 yesterday, it has a nice not over powering smokey flavor and I also got quite a bit of dark cherry flavor as well. Nothing great, but I might add a bottle to my rotation if I think about it when shopping.
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I am really a big fan of the Macallan 12. I think it has some very good flavors. I can see where you are coming from with the dark cherry flavor. I normally associate it with citrus, but I can see that. If you like the Macallan, I'd also recommend you try Balvenie Doublewood 12 yr. At least to my relatively uneducated palate, I find it to taste similarly to the Macallan and it is a few bucks cheaper.
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Which Macallan 12yr? They have a sherry and oak cast variety.
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My post referred to the sherry. I've never had the oak.
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I just about killed my Glenlivet 15 this week. I'm hooked on scotch now. Went out and bought a bottle of Jura 10. It has a very unique aroma that I can't quite place. Also a unique taste. Quite enjoyable for being as young as it is. I'll have to track down Jura Superstition which I've read about here a bit and see how that is as well.
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Oak cask.
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Yeah the sherry cask does not seem to have hardly any smokey taste to it. That's why I asked. I have yet to try the Oak cask, but it's on the list.

On another note to the above poster, Jura is consistantly winning awards for young scotches. They have a 5 year that blows a lot of 20+ yr scotches away.
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I love my Jura 10. I need to hunt down some Superstition to see how that is in comparison.
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Well someone had some Glenlivet 12 at a poker game I was at so I had to give it a try. :-) This will be one of the next bottles I purchase. Not much on peat and this tastes like a great place to start.
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I picked up a bottle of Jura yesterday. I haven't tried it yet...maybe later tonight.
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I like Dalwhinnie, Lagavulin 16, Glenrothes, Macallan 12...

Do you think I'd like Balvenie 12?
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Hey Mean D.

I'm not overly familiar with the Glenrothes, but if you like the Macallan 12, I think you will enjoy the Balvienie 12. Certainly not identical but I thought they had some similarities in taste profile.

:-)
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Thanks Ian, you have not steered me wrong yet. :-)
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The wife surprised me this morning for our 12 year anny with a bottle of Grey Goose vodka (my favorite) and a bottle of Sheep Dip. It is a a blend of 14 dif scotches...having a glass now...very nice...however a little overpowering over the Hoyo churchill I am smoking...I should have had a Tat.
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That Glenlivet 15 yr is good!!!! :-)
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I just picked a bottle of the Doublewood Balvenie 12 yr. I will try some tonight.
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Balvenie 17yr Sherry Cask
Talisker 175th Anniversary
Laphroaig Malt 86 10yr

Gary Vaynerchuk does a review on these sms. He's a wine guy but I thought the video was interesting.

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2008/07/25...e-episode-509/
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Kayaker, Great thread!

Just dove into the Single Malt world with two bottles Macallan 12yr and Glenfiddich 12yr. I defiantly preferred the Macallan, the Glenfiddich I thought had too much burn or bite. I did like the flavors of the Macallan, I had them both neat with a small splash of spring water.

What are some suggestions to try next? I have tasted the Lagavulin 18 yr?? Mithstrike and Extremeblzr gave me some...not so sure I am a big fan of that one REALLY Smokey, maybe too much so for my beginner palate.

Extremeblzr also gave me a bottle of some Colorado Whiskey, Shanahans...VERY good! Hints of cinnamon.
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Hey Kirk,

Glad you could make it to a new slope. :-)

If you want an nice comparison, pick up a small bottle of Glenlivet. Around here it is always price pointed the same as the Glenfiddich but I like it more.

If the Lagavulin is too much peat and smoke for you, try one of the Islay Malts that have fewer PPMs. Bowmore is a nice balance of smokey along with the richness and sweetness from the Sherry casks. Bruichladdich would also be nice.

If you want to try something that is quite smooth and tasty, try Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, or Scapa. If you want something bolder with a hint of peat, try Highkand Park.

Let us know if you pick up something else and what your impressions were.
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