On Jan 8, 10:44*pm, wrote:
Based on recent discussion here, this article from a recent issue of
the FT might be of interest. *This is a bit narrower group of products
(Speyside) from which the author is choosing, but it should give you
some ideas. *I've enjoyed several- the Glenlivet and Glenfiddich, and
I actually have the Aberlour and Macallan 18 in my cabinet at home at
the moment (and a Macallan 12). *The Aberlour is a relative bargain.
All are good in their own way to my ignorant palate.

http://tinyurl.com/33vox6

Interesting choice of "best" malts, but I see that the authors palate
tends to run similar to mine in a preference for younger whiskys. He
did miss some obvious better choices, at least by generally accepted
standards.

Glenfiddich 12 y.o
- What's interesting is that, to my knowledge, Glenfiddich doesn't
market a 12 y.o. Apparently (and possibly wrong on my part), they have
released an overaged Special Reserve 10 y.o...but its not available
(in HK at least), and Michael Jackson makes no mention of it in his
book. I have tasted a range of Glenfiddich whiskys at a nosing, and
was not really impressed with any of them, especially when compared
with some of the others on this list. If anything, I would have
selected the 15 y.o cask strength for its smooth, dusty and full
creamy taste.

Singleton 12 y.o.
--Also not widely available worldwide, as its a fairly new distillery
(est 1974, first release in 1986) and most of its stock goes to Japan
(where there is a rapidly developing whisky distilling business with
some excellent brands). However, it does seem to get good reviews, so
I might have to hunt down a bottle while I'm in the neighborhood.

Cragganmore 12.y.o.
-- Easily the best aged whisky produced by this distillery. I've had
it once, and my tasting notes only have a big smiley face drawn in. I
assume I liked it.

Glenlivet 12 y.o.
--This is their 'whiskey for the masses', and IMNSHO not even close to
their best. Too much of a backfire and a long burning aftertaste. I
much prefer the 18 y.o. In fact, Glenlivet is probably one of two
Speyside malts that I think generally improve with age.

Balvenie Doublewood 12 y.o.
--This is the other. In fact, this particular bottle is my all-time
favorite whisky, and my birthday is coming up in September. A real
'whisky drinker's whisky' (WTF that means)...nice smooth tones, creamy
finish, absolutely sippable, glass after glass.

Strathisla 12 y.o.
--Tasted this one in the distillery about 8 years back. Not bad, but
it tastes SO much like Chivas that its just too hard to appreciate its
own special characteristics. Sort of like tasting cumin and not
thinking about chili.

Aberlour 10 y.o.
--Hmmm. He didn't get to taste the Aberlour A'bunadh. I have a bottle
that I've been nursing along for about 10 years...its just too
precious to drink away. Yes, I know that I can always get another now
that its being released more often and is more available, but its like
a 1970s Stratocaster....this is an early release. Yum....but not for
every day or every palate. Very sharp.

Cardhu Special Cask Reserve
--Uhh, I guess. Even Michael Jackson gives it a rating somewhere
between Budwiser and Drano.

Glenfarclas 21 y.o.
--I pulled the chief taster of Glenfarclas over to my table and
presented him a dram of Aberlour A'bunadh, Balvenie Doublewood and
some rotgut cheap Thai whiskey that I got in Bangkok as a gag. He
actually preferred the Thai rotgut, and thought the single malts were
blends. Granted, he was a bit toasted at the time, but it left me with
the definite impression that much of Glenfarclas' reputation might be
smoke and mirrors. We had just completed a nosing of eight of their
offerings, including the 10, 12, 17, 21, 25, 30 and incredibly
expensive 40 y.o. malts. There was a definite deterioration with age,
and the consensus was that the 40 y.o. (at $3,000 per bottle) was a
bit overpriced. The sense was that the only real value was the 10
y.o....and that the 21 y.o. was to peppery and had a chemical
aftertaste.

Macallan 18 y.o.
--Not enough info, as the 18 y.o. varies greatly by year. We did a
Macallan nosing, and I found that I preferred the 15 y.o. over the
more popular 12 and 18 year olds. But they are all excellent...you
can't go wrong with Macallan, unless you want to avoid the crowds.

Just my 2-cents.

--riverman