Great Scotch picks

Niranjan Prasad5th June, 2015Ardberg 10 years

The Ardberg 10 yo is a stunning whisky, comparable to brands selling in excess of $150 (e.g., JW Blue label)Tasting notes from various sources are fulsome in praise! I can vouch for the strong peaty surge of taste, and I can faintly taste vanilla and a tease of something tangy for an infinitesimal moment.

Laphroig 10 years

Part of the triumvirate of heavily-peated southern Islay malts, alongside Ardbeg and Lagavulin, Laphroaig was founded in 1810 by brothers Alexander and Donald Johnston .All throughout, you will be hit by a peaty buzz. In the background, several flavours jostle iodine, wood, sugar and spice! See a master review!

Lagavulin

The distillery of Lagavulin officially dates from 1816, constructed by John Jonston and Archibald Campbell on the island of Islay, Scotland. Lagavulin, for many the definitive single malt, is arguably the most intense, smoky and rich whisky of all.The taste is a prodigious peat flavour with a small tinkling of fruit in the background ... see an expert review.

Highland Park, 12 years

Talisker, 10 years

Talisker distillery is an Island single malt Scotch whisky distillery based in Carbost, Scotland the only distillery on the Isle of Skye set on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillins. The distillery was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, and built in 1831.The taste is a powerful peat, with a hint of sea-salt and burst of pepper! An ideal warm-up! Some expert tasting notes (1, 2)

The Black GrouseMade at the legendary Glenturret whisky distillery Tasting notes from various sources are generous in praise! I can taste peat, wood, hints of fruit, and malt. Some reviews (1, 2, 3)

The Famous GrouseNestled at the foothills of the Highlands near the scenic town of Crieff in Perthshire, Glenturret is Scotlands oldest, most visited whisky distillery. The taste has solid wood oak, and then flavors like fruit and citrus twinkle on the palate! See a review (1, 2)!

Black Bottle WhiskeyBlack Bottle is a blended Scotch Whisky bottled by Burn Stewart Distillers. Here is the word from the experts - Rich and punchy, peat smoke wafting over plumes of fresh blossom and fruit. Other flavors ... herbal, cloves, wood smoke and green tea. Cloves, nutmeg, citrus fruits and newly-planed wood ... ... see an expert review. (1, 2, 3)

Monkey Shoulder Whiskey An interesting blend of 3 great whiskeys Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Kininvie Monkey Shoulder is made by William Grant & Sons Ltd..Pleasant nose, creamy malt, hint of apple and cinnamon. Sweet and mildly spicy. ... see an expert review. (1, 2)

Jameson Irish WhiskeyOriginally distilled in Dublin, Jameson's is now one of many whiskeys produced in Irish Distiller's highly versatile Midleton distillery in County Cork. The nose offers an interesting combination of floral, orange, toffee, Sherry and spice notes.Initially citric in the mouth, along with classic Irish oiliness, more profound notes of Sherry develop, along with fudge, vanilla and spice. ... see an expert review. (1, 2, 3)

Vat 69As the story goes, William Sanderson was encouraged by his son to get into the blended whiskey business. He prepared 100 different blends and barrelled them, and in 1882 invited some experts to sample. The consensus was that cask No. 69 was the best, and thus VAT 69 was born. The taste starts with spice and syrupy sweet, and the peat and wood flavor comes through. ... see an expert review. (1, 2, 3)

Glen Moray ClassicThe Glen Moray distillery is a distillery in Speyside, Scotland Being in the Laich OMoray the distillery benefits from the regions milder climate as it is afforded protection from the Cairngorm and Monadhliath Mountains.The taste is a blend of herbs, lemon, spice and toffee/honey! A great buy! Some expert tasting notes (1, 2)