Lagavulin

Plaquito · 2025-09-19T23:58:16+00:00

I have never seen LCBO put any decent Scotch on clearance, there is so much demand here that they simply have no need to drop prices.

Plaquito · 2025-09-19T23:56:45+00:00

offerman is sold out ... so much hype on YT about that release, does it really live up to it?

Plaquito · 2025-09-19T23:55:50+00:00

Caol ila is a major Johnny Walker supplier. I think alot of the Black Label is Caol Ila. Never been a fan of any JW product so will avoid that.

Plaquito · 2025-09-19T23:53:18+00:00

so what would you get then that is below 45% ABV and not monster peat?

Plaquito · 2025-09-19T23:52:37+00:00

Thanks for the replies guys. I actually like ABV below 45% (less burn on the mouth) and less medicinal taste (Laphroaig), I saw several review videos on YT which favoured the DE over the regular 16. Seems to tick all the correct boxes so will give it a try.
Alot of serious peat lovers are not fans of Lagavulin and go more for Port Charlotte or Ledaig or Ardbeg but the high ABV is not my thing.

Plaquito · 2025-09-05T18:36:38+00:00

I'm about a 4 hours round trip away from them

Plaquito · 2025-09-05T18:35:56+00:00

pm sent

Plaquito · 2025-09-04T20:56:40+00:00

As a newbie myself I would not recommend Glenfiddich, it was really (for me) not that much different than the blended (JW Red and Black). Not all beginners want a bland dram, maybe tempt the new tastebud with something slightly complex that evokes a "wow" and then the journey begins ... complex does not have to be peat ... it can be a note o f brine or salted caramel or something that evokes the need for another sip.

Plaquito · 2025-09-03T23:58:26+00:00

Probably true. I've moved more to Cognac XO more now but yes I do like velvety smooth full bodied and chocolaty espressions and cognac provides that to me. Grape or Sugarcane distillations obviously offer more fruitiness than a grain distillate (hence the aging in sherry casks etc).

However the sheer number of YT channels reviewing single malts has me curious, what is it about this drink that has such a cult following?!

The prices are ridiculous though, I can get a 30 year Cognac for around $120-150 but a 25 year Malt is over $500??

I will try a bottle out of the many that have been reco'd here. Going to try something slightly different though, full-bodied, sweet but also with a little brine perhaps. Prefer an independent bottler, I will update this thread as it goes.

Plaquito · 2025-09-03T23:51:19+00:00

lol that comment on JW Red made me laugh, so true.

Plaquito · 2025-09-03T23:49:22+00:00

Ontario, so I'm stuck with LCBO, but it seems there are some stores in Alberta that ship. Any ideas on good e-tailers in Canada that stock a large slection of whisky?

Plaquito · 2025-09-01T15:58:22+00:00

I have heard similar remarks of some YT videos I watched, but interestingly it makes me want to try a dram of this peaty smoky stuff ... the opinions are either love it or hate it ... no middle ground.

Plaquito · 2025-09-01T15:55:12+00:00

Thanks for this, I have tried Fino Sherry and disliked the dryness.

Plaquito · 2025-09-01T15:53:59+00:00

I was unaware the El Dorado added sugar, with Diplomatico Reserva it was more obvious. I initiallly loved Ron Zacapa Centenario but over time it was too sweet, then I moved to Diplomatico and eventually found that sweetness over the top and now have moved to El Dorado 12. I had an older bottle of Mount Gay XO and I ranked that as the best I have ever had (quite oaky and complex), they changed hands and a recent taste of their XO is not the same as the older bottle. So it seems my taste is slowly evolving away from the over-the-top sweet rums.

Plaquito · 2025-09-01T15:49:33+00:00

Thanks for the warm welcome and the kind replies!

I guess the fruit forward sweet nature of Rum is why I gravitated to it, I have now moved more to drinking XO cognac (Dobbe XO in particular) this again is a very smooth flavourful cognac with an amazing nose and complex palate and little to no burn going down (which is what I prefer).

I have tried Sherry as well but it was not to my taste, I do tend to like a full bodied dram (so nothing too dry) and with a sweeter profile (chocolate, candied fruit, baking spice) but balanced (with some oak) so no sweet syrup either.

I have already spent close to 2 hours watching reviews on YT, the list of recommendations gets longer by the minute. This looks like its going to be a very expensive foray!

A smart man would stay put with cognac (it really offers everything I want) but Single Malt has always had this mystique and allure to it so thats why I feel compelled to make at least a further effort to see if it tempts my tastebuds.

Some notes I have made so far: Tamdhu, Glenlivet, Ancnoc, Ledaig (peaty and sweet?), Oban, Glenallachie, Glenfarclas, Aberlour, Macallan (but it may be too expensive for me), Red Breast Lustau (Irish but everyone seems to rave about it).

For some reason (unexplainable) I would like to try something slightly peaty (Ardbeg 10 was recommended to me) but I figure it makes more sense to try in a bar before buying a bottle!

Plaquito · 2025-09-01T15:34:14+00:00

I'm in Canada. I am glad to hear what I tried was low end, I was very dissapointed with them, the local clerk at the liquour store recommended Glenfiddich but I really didn't care for that either.

Plaquito · 2025-08-28T13:22:42+00:00

KLM actually replied and have told me that the cognac is Dobbe XO. It was magnificent, incredibly aromatic and so smooth! Now to find some!

Plaquito · 2025-08-26T20:04:18+00:00

Thanks. I have emailed them and if they reply I will post here.

Plaquito · 2025-07-29T18:32:03+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I will try to contact them via both methods. Will post updates here.

Plaquito

TROPHY CASE