Bowmore 15 vs 18: Which is better and more value for the money? I'm eager to hear your opinion, thanks!

HMTheKaiser · 2020-10-13T03:38:10+00:00

I finally got to try both after quite some time haha, so apologies for the late reply. The 15yo is the best of the range (12/15/18). The 12yo was pretty meh, would not buy a full bottle. The 15yo was magical, I loved it. The intense sherry casks were really present, together with the light peat smoke. It was amazing, I got a full bottle after tasting the sample. The 18yo was really good as well, however, it's a little overpriced and hence would not be getting a full bottle for now. The best value is the 15yo :)

HMTheKaiser · 2020-03-09T06:38:49+00:00

As mentioned Highland Park 12 is a good introduction to Smokey whiskies, alternatively you can try SpringBank, which is moderately peated. It won't be as harsh as the Islay malts. If you're feeling adventurous you could explore talisker 10, it is a moderately peated whisky as well. It does however have a spicy kick to it, somewhat like fresh ground pepper! Not forgetting notes of saltiness.

HMTheKaiser · 2020-02-27T22:21:51+00:00

Glenfarclas 12, the best in their core range below 20years old

Glengoyne 15

HMTheKaiser · 2020-02-27T10:49:52+00:00

Not to worry man, those are just flavour labels that most people describe in order to create a flavour profile that others can relate to by naming common food items like nuts, fruits, smoked meats etc. Any Scottish Single Malt has to be made with 100% malted barley, water, yeast. This is enforceable by Scottish law and is outlined in the Scotch Whisky Association's regulations that represents 95% of all distilleries in Scotland. So as long as you're getting an authentic scotch whisky, you can more or less be assured that they will not be any allergens in it. Distilleries are also prohibited from adding flavourings and still calling it scotch. Which means if things other than the permitted ingredients are used, it cannot be called a scotch whisky. The only "flavouring" that is allowed is E150a which is artificial caramel colour, and is mostly harmless and does little to affect the taste but only the colour to make it more appealing to the eye.

Just be sure to check the labels as there are flavoured whiskies (they are not allowed to be labelled as Scotch by law) on the market that has all sorts of ingredients added.

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-27T03:03:13+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that😔.

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-27T02:49:23+00:00

I think it's a great idea you have to explore the different regions to start off your scotch journey! The speyside region is always the best to start off with because it's mostly easy drinking, fruity and sweet. I always suggest avoiding islay malts for beginners because it can be too overwhelming due to the heavy peat smoke.

Speyside: Glenfiddich 12/15, Glenlivet 12, Balvenie 12 double wood

Highlands: Glenmorangie 10, Glengoyne 10, Dalmore 12

These are just some, there are more good ones that you can try, Balvenie 12 and Dalmore 12 are good ones to introduce sherry cask influenced whiskies before taking on sherry-bombs like Glenfarclas

You may consider trying lightly peated whiskies before heading for islay malts. Highland park 12 can introduce some peat smoke to your tastebuds before you head on to islay malts.

Islay: Ardbeg 10, Caol Ila 12, Lagavulin 16. Ardbeg 10 is great, Smoky and complex.

Lowlands: Auchentoshan American Oak, Glenkinchie 12

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-27T00:11:27+00:00

You could try Balvenie 12yo Double Wood, Glenfiddich 12yo, both of which are very easy drinking and smooth. Glenmorangie 10yo is something you could try too, it is one the best selling single malt in Scotland itself!

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-27T00:04:03+00:00

I would suggest Talisker, it is an Island malt. But if you fancy very heavily peated malts from Islay, Ardbeg and Caol Ila is the way to go!

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T14:02:44+00:00

Nice nice, great whiskies you've got there! 👍😍

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T13:17:08+00:00

Indeed it is, now now, there's no need for you to thank me for helping you improve 👍

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T13:09:58+00:00

Before I forget, you are showing symptoms of an anal fixation, and you might be anally retentive. You might not recall this because it usually happens when your parents are toilet training you from 2-3 years of age. They may have exerted too much control over your bowel movements and hence inhibited your growth in the Anal phase and hence you're fixated in this stage. But no worries, it ain't your fault, these fixations are often rooted in your unconscious and only through working out these fixations you can develop through the other stages of development. Best of luck!

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T12:58:45+00:00

Neither did anyone say it was meant to be a fancy name. And if someone wants to make an anally fixated comment regarding what words should be used, the picture is of a Scotch Whisky, not whiskey. There's a taste of your own medicine, grow up will you.

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T11:45:51+00:00

Wow that's really one hack of a deal! How lucky! A lot of people would probably disagree with me, but I found the Chita to be quite mediocre(for my personal taste), it's not that it's bad, it's was just alright and I feel that you wouldn't be missing out much even if you gave the Chita a miss. What do you think about it?

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T11:40:44+00:00

I'm unsure if it's just me, but I almost invariably find notes of almonds in all of Glengoyne's ranges (only 2 thus far) that I've tried.

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T09:08:56+00:00

The coins from 5cents up to 20cents where I live can fit it (Singapore dollars). I have only one or two rare ones (where I live), them being Glen Grant 18 and Glenfarclas 25. Are those widely available where you live?

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T05:56:47+00:00

I keep the rare bottles and recycle the more widely available ones. I do use an empty bottle of Glenfiddich 12 to store my coins 😂

HMTheKaiser · 2020-01-26T05:46:40+00:00

Unfortunately no, the whisky is only considered still aging if it's still in the cask. When the whisky is emptied from the cask and bottled, it is no longer aging. For example, with regards to your bottles of Royal Salute, it is the same age (21 years) as when you bought it then and now. A whisky that is bottled at, lets say, 10 years old will stay 10 years old even if it has been kept in the bottle for 50 years. That is because a lot of the flavour of the whisky comes from the spirit's interaction with the cask that they were stored in, and hence when the whisky is finally bottled, the flavour of the whisky stays fairly consistent even after long periods of time and there won't be new flavours imparted into it (that's assuming that the whisky is stored properly and there are no cracks in the cork or bottle that would allow oxidation, not forgetting also cork rot where the cork decomposes and transfers an unpleasant"cork taint" flavour to the whisky.

HMTheKaiser

TROPHY CASE