[Once a year, my lovely wife hijacks wine tasting for her beverage of choice, scotch. Here's her report.]What an amazing range of scotches. There were 24 in all, ranging from Chivas (Chris, I’ll be leaving it at your house soon) to Aardberg Mackilliops and Laphroig 15. Thanks to everyone for sharing them with our thirsty crew. And special thinks to Drew for helping us make our way through them, and to Dinah, Chris, Greg and Joe for giving informal help. Dinah has posted her photos and commentary. Dinah also sent some links to some websites with maps of the various distilleries.
Here’s the list, arranged as we did from Light/Mid/Mid-High/High, blatantly unscientific categories that roughly track heaviness, peatiness and smokiness. Based on my informal survey over the course of the evening, there were some standouts in each category.
My sense is that folks were actively tasting scotches they didn’t usually drink, which was great. What it meant, though, is that there were few votes for some wonderful scotches (like my favorite Laguvulin) because so many drinkers already knew what those tasted like and didn’t want to waste precious tasting time on familiar flavors. So this is extremely unscientific.
Light:
Penderyn- not really a scotch, but a Welsh whiskey that was a surprise hit, especially with those who aren’t really scotch enthusiasts but were happily supportive while waiting for next month’s wine. Definitely worth checking out.
Glenmorangie – 10 year
Glenmorangie – 12 year (Burgundy Wood)
Little Mill – a few fans for the scotch and many fans for the squat green bottle.
Middle:
Dalwinie –This was the winner in its category, along with it’s rhyming partner, Balvenie. Both experienced scotchinistas and newbies liked it.
Balvenie – again, much praise. People really loved these two scotches.
Bruichladdich WMD – this is the yellow submarine scotch and it also received rave reviews.
Highland Park 12 – also much praised for its distinctive flavor.
Murray McDavid – my favorite of the non-peaty scotches because of it’s warm, almost sweetness at the finish. Nice peachy color too.
Glenlivet -18 year – I only had a bit of this left from last year and it was quickly and happily finished off.
Oak Cross – had several fans.
MacCallan 18 year - the absolute winner (you’re welcome, Steven). Actually, this is a terrific scotch and well-loved. It arrived after the serious tastings ended, though, and so didn’t receive as many votes as it deserves.
Mid-High:
Eradour – much praised by all.
Glen Scotia – also had some fans. A quieter scotch than some.
Oban – this is a terrific, well-known scotch and I suspect it was somewhat overlooked on Saturday because people were trying new things.
Springbank 10 year - one of the only independent distilleries left drew some votes. It didn’t work for me, which means I don’t have indy cred.
Bowmore 12 year. Not many votes, but I think it was overlooked because of . . .
Bowmore- 18 year by Trader Joes. Solid and a good price, I’m told.
Chivas – the only bottle not even opened. I’m so proud of all of you.
High:
MacKillops (Caol Ila 1990) – this is a small label that buys up good scotches each year. This one was from Islay and it was the clear winner in the high category, with special praise from Hoof and many others.
Aardberg – tasted just like a campfire, which for me is a big complement (and yes, I do set my marshmallows on fire before eating them). Others liked it too, so I’m not the only freak.
Lagavulin – not many votes, but it remains my favorite scotch.
Bowmore – big flavor, well loved
Compass Box (Peat Monster) – this one had strong reactions on both sides. People either loved it or hated it. Monsters do that.
Laphroig 10 year – The granddaddy of peaty goodness.
Laphoig 15 year – Dinah said she ate it with the smoked oysters and it was divine. Surprising consensus was that it is a bit less peaty than the 10 year.
Thanks again to all who purchased or shared the golden nectars with us. Those who brought some to share, please feel free to skip next month’s wine levy as a small token of our appreciation.
