I've done the whole JD, Bells, Jamesons drinking but now I'm starting to build up my knowledge of single malts.

Sainsburys' have an offer on The Glenlivet 15 year Old French Reserve - down from £35 - 20.

Any connoisseur's on here that can advise on some decent whiskys up to £45 and if the above is any good?

That one is a bit spicey/peppery and its matured in cognac barrels, its ok for that price, i bought a bottle from there as well.

My favorite is Glenmorangie Lasanta its smooth and very nice with a sherry kick to it fit as.

Tesco's own 12 yo Speyside is nice too slightly smokey peaty and fruity and only about 16 quid and is good, oh yes bottle of 10yo Jura is another slightly smokey one tastes like a bit of aniseed if you like that sort of thing, the above 3 are all under £45.

I have tried loads of the stuff, it can be a expensive hobby as well, i keep a bottle of Famous grouse and Grants for slapping Irn-Bru with when i want mixers yum, bells is foul!

This one is an aquired taste ....Laphroaig, awesome (imo) but most people hate the smell of though (as is the same with most Islay malts)

Isle of Jura (I've got a bottle of Superstition on the go) is good

Highland Park is OK

The Balvennie is good too

One to avoid, Glennfiddich...it's pish

My general rule of thumb, just buy them when they're knocked down to the early £20 mark (Morrison's tend to have a few on offer all the time). That way, you get to try a few, without breaking the bank

I was thinking of the Isle of Jura, sure I saw it reduced a few months ago before I decided to take up my little hobby.

Any idea how long they last when opening - and by last, I mean still to a decent standard flavour wise, not just drinkable.

Anybody had a Japanese Malt? I'm hearing good things

Laphroig is really nice, a little peaty but not too much. Well worth a try.

Not tried that Japanese stuff.

Laphroaig is very heavily peated and smokey not my cup of tea dont like most island stuff too peaty for me but its subjective all this malt lark.

An opened bottle will last years maybe slightly change due to the air getting in but if stored out of sunlight in a cupboard in its box preferably and not laid flat with the cork getting into the liquor it will definitely last years with no ill effects.

A slight aside, Philth
try before you buy, as it's rarely on offer and at £35, a little pricey for me, but the Welsh whisky Penderyn is good (a bit toffee flavoured). Have a snifter of it at Wetherspoons to see if you like it

Brilliant, thanks robmac, was holding off cracking The Glenlivet open until Christmas, put I may have a couple of nudgers this weekend to see how it is.

I have a Laphroaig at home, but due to sentiment, I am saving that for a certain occasion.

The Singleton of Dufftown is currently £20 at Sainburys too, may pick one of those up this weekend.



Lefty - Cheers matey, I'm in town tonight pre match, so I may nip to 'spoons to try a single.

All tips appreciated gents

it really does depend on your tastes

as a rule I drink Chivas Regal on nights out, if I get into a serious "drinking mode" then Glenlivet and Auchentoshan are also really nice (as I say, for my tastes) Old Puteney is my absolute favourite, but it's just won World Whisky 2012, so it's gone mad price wise.

If you ever get chance, stay in Ardrossan at The Bay Inn and do the whisky tour, it doesn't involve leaving your bar stool, but you'll tatse the best of the malts available anywhere.

Dont drink Bowmore its the spawn of the devil, i bought a bottle and took it back claiming there was something contaminating it It tastes like someone had a bonfire with the barrels and all the smoke and bits of burnt wood got into it, but thats how its supposed to be, Auchentoshan is rather good though sweet, sherry and oaky bit sour but is nice, as you can gather i like my sherry cask whisky.

What a funny coincidence, i was only talking about this this week.

Has anyone been to the Bushmills distillery? I love Bushmills and would like to go. There is also the Bushmills hotel next door to stay. Only down side is they dont seem to take bookings for Sat night??

Dalmore spey dram I think its called?!? Its all I drink now if I'm having whiskey.. My old man got me onto it a few years back very nice. Not a massive whiskey drinker but I've had my fair share of varieties

fp

everyone is different so are all single malts so if you want to get have a bit of knowledge then do this www.maltwhiskytrail.com/ or join this www.smws.co.uk/

everyone is different so are all single malts so if you want to get have a bit of knowledge then do this www.maltwhiskytrail.com/ or join this www.smws.co.uk/

Talisker for me. Lovely stuff.