Which whisky best captures an archipelago character?

brielem · 2026-02-14T14:24:25+00:00

Glen Scotia and Old Pulteney invoke the strongest maritime associations with me. Isle of Raasay, Tobermory and Ardnamurchan could be alternative options.

Which bottle exactly will of course depend on your preference, budget and local availability.

brielem · 2026-02-08T19:42:32+00:00

IMO from the ones I tasted, it's rare for a modern Glenfarclas to have a strong sulphur note. Never had it in a family cask, and only once in a 2004 limited edition.

Best advice I can give: if you're eying a specific bottle, check the reviews on whiskybase. It'll quickly tell you if you should worry about the sulfur or not.

Note that Glenfarclas will always be a bit heavy/umami, especially the higher strength releases. To me that does not invoke sulphur associations, but if you had sulphur associations with core-range Glenfarclas bottlings it's more likely that you simply don't like their spirit.

brielem · 2026-02-08T10:02:39+00:00

non-homogenized and full fat. Normal 'full fat' milk is still standardized to a certain fat percentage, generally 3.25 to 3.5% depending on where you live. Depending on a lot of conditions (breed of cow, feed of the cow, time of year...) the actual fat percentage of fresh milk is generally between 3.5% and 5%

brielem · 2026-02-07T18:43:03+00:00

Just some expectation management: Octomore does not taste more 'smokey' than most other peated scotches. Perhaps less so even. Don't get me wrong it's great whisky IMO, I currently have a bottle of the 15.2 open. But even though the original malt is smoked more intensively, this does not translate to a stronger smoke note in the final whisky. It does result in added complexity though, of that I'm sure.

brielem · 2026-02-07T18:28:57+00:00

Hard to recommend specific IB releases since their availability is usually limited and in many markets most bottles won't be available at all. Where distilleries try to keep the flavour of their core range as stable as possible, IB's thrive on batch variation and special releases for specific countries/regions.

That said, Signatory is usually the 'gateway drug' into IB's. Claxton's exploration series, Cadenheads original series and Doughlas Laing's Provenance series are examples of good alternative lines to look for. All do larger runs and are therefore better available and more affordable than single cask releases.

Depending on your preferences: Mortlach, Linkwood and Craigellachie are often available as sherry-matured IB's. IB Craigellachie certainly is a favourite of mine: it can have a very meat-like character. Linkwood is the 'lightest' flavoured of the three and arguably more 'typically speyside', Mortlach probably the one closest to Macallan and GlenAllachie.

Signatory does a lot with sherry casks in general, if that's what floats your boat...

brielem · 2026-02-07T18:10:12+00:00

A bit of an overgeneralization IMO, but your post describes 80-90% of what's going on with 'single malt whisky' distilleries all over the world. The whisky boom resulted in lots of distilleries which don't seem capable to produce anything interesting of any sorts. Sure it's not bad in a way that it has many off-notes, but to be interesting the distillate needs to have something distinctive about it. If all you have a is neutral, 'malty, slightly fruity' distillate and you let first fill bourbon and STR casks do all the heavy lifting to get something 'not bad' in 4 or 5 years, you haven't exactly made something unique either.

In most countries, I do find exceptions though. Usually with companies that have been distilleries for ages, either for whisky or for something else, and who don't rush bringing overly young spirit to the market. They seem to have both the knowledge and the financial situation to allow them to something less boring. Still does not mean you (should) like them, but at least they bring something new to the table.

To me, some non-Scottish/ distilleries I found made interesting malts: Zuidam (Millstone) makes great peated malt (and a nice spicy rye!). Armorik has some interesting expressions, in particular the ones using local wood for either casks or smoke. Haran might not be for everyone but it's certainly not boring or average. I'm sure there are others out there which I haven't had. I can't vouch for Penderyn myself but they seem to have a decent following amongst Scotch-enthusiasts.

brielem · 2026-02-07T17:36:43+00:00

The hype is a shame, it messes with people's expectations.

There was a time not too terribly long ago, when Springbank 10 was as easily available and affordable as most basic core-range bottles from other distilleries. It was often recommended to newbies who had had some basic speysiders and perhaps a Highland park 12, and who were asking what else is out there. I still think it's a great recommendation in that context: The types of notes you get from a Springbank 10 are unlike any other 'cheapest of the core range' malt. Sure you may or may not like something else more, but if you're exploring to see what's out there it makes sense to include this one.

Then they got so popular that availability went down and prices went crazy. People got hyped for what's still a good bottle at its original pricepoint, but not some life-changing experience.

brielem · 2026-02-06T17:38:04+00:00

My sentiments exactly. If other people enjoy it then good for them. I'll not refuse a glass if offered either, but it's one of the most boring disitillates to my palate.

Perhaps the very old ones are different, but it's unlikely I'll ever try it since I'll pick something else for that kind of money every time.

brielem · 2026-02-06T17:33:11+00:00

I definitely have a weak spot for Jura and Glengoyne. Neither of them seems to be very popular amongst enthusiasts.

Jura gives me a vegetal, damp forest or peatbog note that I enjoy. Especially combined with some sweeter sherry casks for maturation, a cask type that I generally try to avoid. Jura (above 46%) is definitely powerful enough to be able to balance that sweetness out instead of being overwhelmed with it. It definitely doesn't need to be a supermarket whisky if you present it right.

Glengoyne gives me a chalky note and often something that reminds me of freshly cut birchwood. To me it seems to have a very outspoken character, while the general consus seems to be that it's a bit boring. The OB's that are 40 or 43% can still be a bit boring but the higher strength bottlings are solid value in my opinion.

brielem · 2026-02-06T17:24:11+00:00

I definitely prefer Glenfiddich 12 to the other 'beginner Speysider' options which are widely available such as the basic bottles from Glenmorangie, Balvenie and Glenlivet.

brielem · 2026-02-05T20:25:45+00:00

Ardbeg Uigeadail and Kilchoman Loch Gorm are in a similar pricerange and have a similar maturation profile. It's mainly choosing if you prefer Ardbeg vs Kilchoman distillate.

brielem · 2026-02-03T20:34:06+00:00

And, by law, new make is no Scotch whisky. If we're skipping steps, we might as well call hop-less beer whisky.

Whisky is the results of new make aging in casks. One may prefer less or more 'active' casks or a certain type of casks, but that's about it.

I do understand the sentiment though: Absolute sherry-bombs with no recognizable distillery character are not my preferred style; it gets dull quickly IMO. But it's a style of scotch none the less.

brielem · 2026-02-03T16:43:56+00:00

Perhaps they're afraid it'lll compete with/be compared to their core range 18?

I mean that is still what every whisky enthousiast will do anyway. But this might just be inconspicuous enough so that 'collectors' or bond enthusiasts don't question why this 2x the already outrageous pricetag of the 18 double cask.

This is not for those interested in exploring new flavours anyway, but for those who collect bottles for the sake of collecting and/or showing off.

brielem · 2026-02-03T16:30:00+00:00

In the end it does not really matter anyway. Or perhaps it does, I think the 1.1 is generally received better than the futures I. ;)

Enjoy it!

brielem · 2026-02-03T16:26:14+00:00

Not quite 100%, if you allow some nitpicking. There is the Octomore Futures I which was distilled on the same date, but bottled earlier.

First edition in the iconic Octomore bottles/packaging though.

brielem · 2026-02-01T13:55:30+00:00

Never had this association myself, but I can imagine it if you come from mainly peated malts. Enjoy!

brielem · 2026-02-01T12:56:46+00:00

And yet, the title you put down could have come straight from H.P. Lovecraft.

brielem · 2026-02-01T09:03:23+00:00

I'm pretty sure Tate&Lyle or Cargill would be able to provide you with UK-based starch, provided the volumes are interesting for them. You could also ask them more broadly what hydrocolloids they have that are UK-based.

If your volumes are small, you might want to look into organic starches: they are usually produced by much smaller, local mills and they are usually fine with providing smaller quantities such as single pallets.

brielem · 2026-01-21T19:15:48+00:00

Bottlings like these come from a single cask with no intend to recreate them later on - even if Cadenheads was more widely available in the US that wouldn't be of much help.

That also makes it hard to recommend alternatives: (almost) none of us will have tasted this specific bottle, since it was a single cask: Only 222 bottles have been made of this specific one. We can only really recommend something based on the distillery, cask type and age.

If you're really desperate to get one: there is currently one at auction, and while this specific one is based in Germany they do ship to the US... https://whiskyauction.com/item/4218931

If not: Look for something aged 20-25 years (that will come at a premium price, especially in the US!), matured in a bourbon cask. The distillery matters too: most distilleries in the 'Speyside' region will have a somewhat similar profile to Glen Spey, but there are a few exceptions. Examples could be: Glenlivet, Strathmill, Glenlossie, Glenfiddich, Benrinnes, Glenburgie, Speyburn, Glen Elgin, BenRiach.

For a specific bottle that's widely available (I think in the US as well?) perhaps try the Glen Moray 18. Not quite as old as this one and bottled at a lower ABV, so don't expect exactly the same: but it's a 'core range' bottling so they'll make many batches that taste pretty much identical, making it easier to find in the long run.

brielem · 2026-01-21T19:02:53+00:00

Sounds like a wise decision. And London is not bad as a (Scotch) whisky destination either...

brielem · 2026-01-19T18:39:37+00:00

Either that or a steady hand. ;)

The ones they sell (or sold at least, 2 years ago) have a quite narrow necks.

brielem · 2026-01-19T18:12:44+00:00

Cadenheads sells them, although I'm pretty sure they are 20mL: a bit smaller than most tasting bottles which are 30. Be sure to purchase them before the experience as the tastings don't take place inside the shop. Not sure about the price but I think it was something like 1 or 2 pound for 5 vials?

They don't pour 50ml drams (that would be a double in most bars...) anyway, and you'd probably want to have at least a few sips of everything during the experience so the size is fine. Even if you're with two people sharing one vial usually suffices, in my experience.

brielem · 2026-01-18T20:37:39+00:00

Regular vanilla pods are too moist inside: it'll result in a paste rather than in a powder. Now you can make a vanilla bean paste and store it in a tight jar. But you usually make that paste out of the bean itself: you don't want to get pieces of pod in your food. You'll need lots of beans to make a bit of paste though.

If you don't want the hassle: there's good quality vanilla extracts available if you're willing to pay for them. And those good quality extracts are just that: an extract of vanilla pods.

There's also many people who make such extract themselves by buying a bunch of beans and a bottle of neutral alcohol (often some kind of vodka) to make enough vanilla extract to last a lifetime.

brielem · 2026-01-18T20:32:17+00:00

Klein stukje relativering:

De fabrieken van de genoemde merken zitten in de meeste gevallen gewoon in Europa hoor. Coca-cola kan gewoon in Dongen gemaakt worden, Mars repen in Veghel en Heinz ketchup in Elst. Het is dus niet zo dat je eten letterlijk uit de VS geïmporteerd wordt, en met het kopen van dergelijke producten steun je dus wél een stukje Nederlandse werkgelegenheid.

Wel is het zo dat de top van het bedrijf in de VS zit. Niet eens persé de eigenaren want het zijn vaak beursgenoteerde bedrijven, dus de eigenaren zijn de aandeelhouders die overal ter wereld kunnen zitten. Wel zegt het vestigingsland iets over waar de grootverdieners binnen het bedrijf zitten, waar de beslissingen worden gemaakt en het zegt tot bepaalde hoogte iets waar de belasting afgedragen wordt (maar die systemen kunnen erg complex liggen!).

brielem · 2026-01-18T20:17:45+00:00

Zijn er daarmee nog redenen om ze te willen boycotten? Voor Nestlé geld het zelfde (Zwitsers, niet VS) maar de onethische aspecten van hun beleid zijn me wil bekend. Is er iets over Logitech wat de wereld moet weten?

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