Fix crappy booze?

Beer Baron said:

In reply to Stampie :

Get one of these little Glenlivet sampler packs. They're <$20 and good stuff. Give you an idea of aging practices and flavor profiles you like.

Again I listened to what you told me and I'm taking my homework serious yet I choose to do it differently. 

I bought this. 

Your Glenlivet sampler was right next to it but my thought process was I could try the Balvenie double wood right next to the known quantity of the Caribbean cask from last night. 

Last night I did a little tasting. First up I tried the Balvenie 17 year Doublewood.

Damn that's good. I'd put it even with the Dalmore that Floating Doc gave me. Really wish I could taste them side by side. Looked up the price for a bottle and oh hell no I'm not paying $160 for a 750ml. 

I did compare it to the Caribbean cask and it validated my thoughts from the evening before and how much better the 17 year was. Maybe tonight I'll try the 12 year Doublewood. 

In reply to Stampie :

I didn't recommend the Balvenie sampler, because we don't get them around here. But samplers like that are really great ways to try things. I found one a while back that was like "coastal" sampler or something like that with stuff from three different distilleries.

Balvenie 17 is going to be pricey for me to keep around regularly.

I think the Quality/$$ curve on Scotch goes where - there is a big rise in quality from $30 up to ~$70. It rises steadily, but tapers off from ~ $70 - $110. That is the range that I considre the "sweet spot" where I buy pretty much all of my sipping malts (whether from Scotland, Ireland, India, or Japan). Above ~$110, you start paying significantly more for marginal or dubious increases in quality. Above $200, I'm not sure you're getting anything extra. Often you're just paying for age on whisky that passed its peak.

You seem to be leaning towards Sherry cask. Look for some Aberlour, particularly the A'Bunadh. It is pricey at ~$100, but I think earns that price. I think you will love it and it will be likely to best the Dalmore.

I've also heard great things about "Dalmore Cigar Malt" and need to track down a bottle of that.

Hopefully you enjoy the Doublewood. For me that is my first answer if I want to sip "just a nice Scotch".

Regarding Islay / peated Scotch - I think Laphroig is the most polarizing. It is my least favorite Islay. I think it tastes like it sounds: gargling bog water. Ardbeg is nicer, but I really need to be in the mood. Lagavulin is lovely; it puts me in mind of a driftwood bonfire on a beach.

In reply to Beer Baron :

The Balvenie 12 Doublewood was good. All I could tell different was a little more harsh finish than the 17 Doublewood.  I think I'm going to see what my local store stocks before I go much further. Doesn't make sense to fall in love with something they can't get.