The Ten Best Scotch Whiskies

The Belfast Telegraph ^ | 22 January 2009 | Chosen by Charles Maclean

[Daffynition]

Take a load off with one of these wonderful scotch whiskies.

[1]Johnnie Walker Black Label Perfectly rounded, deep and full, this is the blended Scotch most admired by blenders. If I had to take only one whisky to a desert island, it would probably be this one. 40 per cent ABV

[2]Lagavulin 16 Year Old The prince of the Islay malts, this is deep and dark, with notes of fruitcake and sweet seaweed. A voluptuous texture and a fragrant, smoky finish. For drinking with poetry, late into the night. 43 per cent ABV

[3]The Glenrothes 1985 A big, rich Speyside, with notes of dried fruits and peel and some spicy or tannic dryness. Drink with roast Aberdeen Angus beef. The last remaining drops of this vintage have now been bottled. 43 per cent ABV

[4]Old Pulteney 12 Year Old An elegant malt from Wick in the far north of Scotland, this has a lightly "maritime" character and goes well with fish and seafood. The distinctive bottle features a traditional Wick herring drifter. 40 per cent ABV

[5]Clynelish 14 Year Old A North Highland malt, from the coast of Sutherland. Fresh and heathery, with waxy notes reminiscent of a High Church. Drink from the deep freeze in chilled glasses with dessert ? you will be amazed! 46 per cent ABV

[6]Auchentoshan 18 Year Old A triple-distilled Lowland single malt, from a distillery overlooking the River Clyde. Refreshing, even invigorating, and light in style, this makes an excellent apéritif. 43 per cent ABV

[7]Asyla An uncommon (and uncommonly good) blended Scotch, from the Signature Range of the artisan whisky maker Compass Box. Sweet and delicate, this is ideal as an aperitif. 40 per cent ABV

[8]Highland Park 18 Year Old bA distinguished, rich, complex and slightly smoky malt from the Orkney Islands, to accompany coffee, dark chocolate and cigars. A most satisfactory balance of sweet and dry, with dryness winning in the finish. 43 per cent ABV

[9]Bailie Nicol Jarvie An entirely different creature ? light in style, clean and zesty. Easy to drink, this is a blended whisky from the Glenmorangie distillery in the Highlands, named after a character in Walter Scott's novel, 'Rob Roy'. 40 per cent ABV

[10]Talisker 10 Year Old From the Isle of Skye, this is THE malt to accompany haggis (and many other dishes). Sweet and lightly smoky, but watch out for the chilli-pepper hit in the finish. Robert Louis Stevenson regarded Talisker as "the king of drinks". 45.8 per cent ABV

[livius]

Well, it’s not your fault. You were inspired by the rest of us...look at all the responses this post has gotten!

[Centurion2000]

I have a bottle of Lagavulin myself. Bought it to celebrate Bush's election. It's 8 and a half years old now. Still a little under half full. The scary thing is my son is nine. I'm getting old :)

I'll take another shot from it when a real conservative wins a Presidential election.

[Jubal Madison]

Ma'am - I referred to the “boys” in post because I have not had the pleasure of being in the company of a female scotch drinker. If you are a member of the fairer sex, please accept my apologies, I meant no disrespect, it is only one of my redneck colloquialisms. JM

[meyer]

Laphroaig or die.

+1 - can't think of anything better, though there are others that are quite good!

[DesertSapper]

All look delicious. However, I’ve recently found Jim Beam Black and I’m enjoying it greatly. Maker’s Mark is pretty tasty too.

[livius]

I’m another female Scotch drinker. We’re a small but select group. And we’re lots of fun.

[dblshot]

“...barfing my guts out. Since the incident where I imbibed too much Scotch, I am a Gin or Whiskey man.”

I got the drive heaves on gin when I was 16 and still can’t stand the smell of juniper berrys.

[Twotone]

“Where is Oban?”

Absolutely! We recently visited Scotland, including the town of Oban & went to the distillery. I also really like the Dalwhinney 15 yr old I brought home. Mmmm...

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Kelvin Arms is a lot cheaper than McCormicks and they let you smoke cigars in there too.

Darn, I just gave up cigars... ;^)

Thanks!

[martin_fierro]

Over here, you suckup.

[Chickensoup]

Nothing like scotch with womenly Chickensoup.

[andy58-in-nh]

My regular favorite is Lagavulin 16-year. It is an Islay malt sent from Heaven. But as long as you've raise the Macallan flag, I have to admit that the finest, most perfect Scotch whiskey I have imbibed (and I've imbibed a lot of them) was a 25-year old Macallan than a dear friend of my family gave to my father. (I remember it was marked as having been bottled in 1966). He kept it in his bar, awaiting a special occasion, that alas, never came.

My father died before having the opportunity to share it. So in his stead, I took the inherited bottle and shared it with three of my friends on the occasion of our 25th college reunion. The first glass I offered as a toast to my father and imagined him looking on down, approvingly.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Thanks but it didn’t bother me in the least. My husband turned me into a scotch drinker - of course my favorite will always be an ice cold beer, but scotch is nice too.

[Jubal Madison]

Indeed - you are a small group. My lovely bride only rarely partakes, she orders her beverage by umbrella style, but since I dearly love the woman I overlook this lack of knowledge.

[D Rider]

Caol Ila; 18 year (Nectar of the Gods)

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Ok, all you boys take a look at this: we're talking whisky and watching incredible football skills...what more could we want?

[StAntKnee]

I can’t help but notice that the only thread getting any traction today is the one on Scotch whisky.

I’m thinking the rest of the FR world is in the same deep funk as I am.

I’m thinking that the entire administration and pre-administration is like that wonderful bunch of episodes on Seinfeld: A SHOW ABOUT NOTHING.

I’ll drink to that.

Cheers.

[livius]

LOL! Certain things can be overlooked. My late husband - and in fact, every man I’ve met since - hated Scotch, so I guess one just has to adapt and savor this delightful beverage in solitary splendor.

[bcsco]

Haven’t done any new sampling lately. I’ve settled on Woodford, Basil Hayden & Elijah Craig. Elijah being my go-to because it’s the least expensive.

I’ll probably get back into sampling other brands this spring, when I can sit on the porch and enjoy the weather along with the batch...

[count-your-change]

And we can’t forget the Whiskey Rebellion that was put down in New England.