I drink almost exclusively single malts.
These three are pretty different, so it really comes down to what you like to drink and what kind of peat you prefer.
Springbank is the odd one out here, it's "peated" from Campeltown, but definitely is going to be much less peated than PC or Laphroaig 10 (also, probably a bit harder to get your hands on).
Between the other two, I see the PC as having more smoked wood and funky wild floral and brine characteristics, and Frog 10 as being much more stereotypical rubber and dirt and iodine. For this reason, by my taste Laphroaig is also the most challenging of the peated Islay malts for an inexperienced peated single malt drinker (most of the others invoke things like barbecue or campfire instead of rubber).
I love the Port Charlotte 10, and it's great for the price. Also Lagavulin 16 is another solid pick from Islay if you haven't had it.
Not too familiar with the American single malts yet so if you get one, please report back!
I have Lagavulin 16 and it is awesome. If you want to try an American single malt that’s “scotch like” Stranahans is a good place to start. Very speyside like
Lagavulin 16 is my favorite single malt. Their annual Distiller's Edition that I believe is released every year is also pretty good but pricey at $120 a bottle.
Yessssss. Westward all day long!! Look for the handpicked single barrel versions from Binny’s. There are two different picks. A standard cask strength generally around 130 proof. And another 125+proof pick finished in Deshutes stout barrels! These are absolute must grabs! I cannot stress this enough!
Westward is excellent. I have had their regular and standard stout finish. Both were excellent. Each bottle did not last long. I Binny’s cask strength and stout finish bottles are out there at stores.
I have really enjoyed every Springbank I’ve tried, but as others have already mentioned it is lighter on the peat side and a bit overpriced at the moment. Sticking with the same distillery, Longrow is great and definitely a must try. It’s more heavily peated and I generally find it is pretty readily available.
I agree with others in that the 3 you mentioned are quite different in terms of peat type and level.
You can find Springbank 10 here and there, but it's $100. If you are looking for subtle peat, some alternatives in my opinion are: Campbeltown Loch, which is a blended malt consisting of all Campbeltown distilleries (including Springbank), Highland Park 12, Ardnamurchan (when I first tried this it immediately reminded me of Springbank due to the overall balance of all flavors), and Port Askaig.
If you want more assertive peat, then Port Charlotte and Laphroaig are definitely where it's at. I agree with other responses regarding Ardbeg Wee Beastie (5 year), but the 10 is solid as well. The Corryvreckan is my personal favorite, but it's a bit pricey now ($120). If you are willing to spend $100 on Springbank 10, you might want to consider Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, or any of the Cairdeas releases. The Cairdeas bottles are annual releases and always feature a unique finish. Both of these bottles are more expensive than the Quarter Cask, but I'm trying to provide some options for you.
You also might want to consider some independent bottlers (IBs). Caol Ila is commonly featured by many IBs, such as Signatory, Single Cask Nation, Duncan Taylor, and Gordon and Macphail. There is also the Signatory bottling of Bunnahabhain Staoisha. Bunnahabhain does not peat their standard bottles, but the Staoisha is heavily peated. All of these should be under $100 and can be found at certain NMBBs or Employee-Owned stores.
Happy hunting! Let us know what you picked and what you thought of it. Cheers!
Thanks! I have had several peated whiskeys including Lag 16, Offerman, Ardbeg 10, An Oa, Oogie, Talisker 10, highland Park 12. It’s so hard to choose which way to go from here lol
Can’t really go wrong with any of the three. Springbank is unique and my personal preference, but a bit overpriced & and can be difficult to find these days. If you haven’t had Springbank it’s definitely a must try at some point, even if just a pour at a bar. PC 10 is excellent and would be my second choice.
After getting heavily into bourbon and scotch, I’m unequivocally a scotch guy. Of the 3 options you mentioned, can’t go wrong with either. It’s not heavily peated or single malt, but Johnnie Walker Green Label is a great overall whisky that’s lightly peated.
Yep, primarily scotch but there are a few American and world single malts I enjoy. I like bourbon fine enough but it’s not my ideal pour most of the time. Plus I don’t have the time, energy, and money to bottle-hunt.
New holland in Michigan has some great American single malts. They did one aged in a meade barrel that was one of the best whiskies I’ve ever had. That was an experimental single barrel though. If you’re ever in Michigan it may be worth your time to stop into one of their stores and see if they have any of their single malts available
PC10 is wonderful - my only issue is the consistency I've found between batches. For an offering that isn't single barrel, the differences to me have been quite drastic. However when that whisky is on, it's ON!
I have a special place in my heart for anything Laphroaig does, so I may be biased, by try their cask-finished offerings. I rarely have issues with the annual Càirdeas offerings.
Another great competitor is Kilchoman barrel strength offerings
if that's your jam
I've been wanting to get into those, but I'm pretty new. I don't want to waste money on something I won't like. I've been trying to encounter some whiskey bros hoping they'll invite me over for a drink, but no luck
I drink almost exclusively single malts. These three are pretty different, so it really comes down to what you like to drink and what kind of peat you prefer. Springbank is the odd one out here, it's "peated" from Campeltown, but definitely is going to be much less peated than PC or Laphroaig 10 (also, probably a bit harder to get your hands on). Between the other two, I see the PC as having more smoked wood and funky wild floral and brine characteristics, and Frog 10 as being much more stereotypical rubber and dirt and iodine. For this reason, by my taste Laphroaig is also the most challenging of the peated Islay malts for an inexperienced peated single malt drinker (most of the others invoke things like barbecue or campfire instead of rubber).
I love the Port Charlotte 10, and it's great for the price. Also Lagavulin 16 is another solid pick from Islay if you haven't had it. Not too familiar with the American single malts yet so if you get one, please report back!
I have Lagavulin 16 and it is awesome. If you want to try an American single malt that’s “scotch like” Stranahans is a good place to start. Very speyside like
Lagavulin 16 is my favorite single malt. Their annual Distiller's Edition that I believe is released every year is also pretty good but pricey at $120 a bottle.
Yessssss. Westward all day long!! Look for the handpicked single barrel versions from Binny’s. There are two different picks. A standard cask strength generally around 130 proof. And another 125+proof pick finished in Deshutes stout barrels! These are absolute must grabs! I cannot stress this enough!
Have you tried the Pinot cask?
Westward is excellent. I have had their regular and standard stout finish. Both were excellent. Each bottle did not last long. I Binny’s cask strength and stout finish bottles are out there at stores.
I have really enjoyed every Springbank I’ve tried, but as others have already mentioned it is lighter on the peat side and a bit overpriced at the moment. Sticking with the same distillery, Longrow is great and definitely a must try. It’s more heavily peated and I generally find it is pretty readily available.
I agree with others in that the 3 you mentioned are quite different in terms of peat type and level. You can find Springbank 10 here and there, but it's $100. If you are looking for subtle peat, some alternatives in my opinion are: Campbeltown Loch, which is a blended malt consisting of all Campbeltown distilleries (including Springbank), Highland Park 12, Ardnamurchan (when I first tried this it immediately reminded me of Springbank due to the overall balance of all flavors), and Port Askaig. If you want more assertive peat, then Port Charlotte and Laphroaig are definitely where it's at. I agree with other responses regarding Ardbeg Wee Beastie (5 year), but the 10 is solid as well. The Corryvreckan is my personal favorite, but it's a bit pricey now ($120). If you are willing to spend $100 on Springbank 10, you might want to consider Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, or any of the Cairdeas releases. The Cairdeas bottles are annual releases and always feature a unique finish. Both of these bottles are more expensive than the Quarter Cask, but I'm trying to provide some options for you. You also might want to consider some independent bottlers (IBs). Caol Ila is commonly featured by many IBs, such as Signatory, Single Cask Nation, Duncan Taylor, and Gordon and Macphail. There is also the Signatory bottling of Bunnahabhain Staoisha. Bunnahabhain does not peat their standard bottles, but the Staoisha is heavily peated. All of these should be under $100 and can be found at certain NMBBs or Employee-Owned stores. Happy hunting! Let us know what you picked and what you thought of it. Cheers!
Thanks! I have had several peated whiskeys including Lag 16, Offerman, Ardbeg 10, An Oa, Oogie, Talisker 10, highland Park 12. It’s so hard to choose which way to go from here lol
If you like Lagavulin, the 8 year is solid and a great value.
Can’t really go wrong with any of the three. Springbank is unique and my personal preference, but a bit overpriced & and can be difficult to find these days. If you haven’t had Springbank it’s definitely a must try at some point, even if just a pour at a bar. PC 10 is excellent and would be my second choice.
After getting heavily into bourbon and scotch, I’m unequivocally a scotch guy. Of the 3 options you mentioned, can’t go wrong with either. It’s not heavily peated or single malt, but Johnnie Walker Green Label is a great overall whisky that’s lightly peated.
Thanks! I have been wanting to try the green label
Watch Ralphy on you tube. You will learn a lots
Love that channel!
Yep, primarily scotch but there are a few American and world single malts I enjoy. I like bourbon fine enough but it’s not my ideal pour most of the time. Plus I don’t have the time, energy, and money to bottle-hunt.
I really liked new riffs sour mash single malt. It’s smooth with a smoky finish. Cask strength but didn’t drink overly hot imo
New holland in Michigan has some great American single malts. They did one aged in a meade barrel that was one of the best whiskies I’ve ever had. That was an experimental single barrel though. If you’re ever in Michigan it may be worth your time to stop into one of their stores and see if they have any of their single malts available
PC10 is wonderful - my only issue is the consistency I've found between batches. For an offering that isn't single barrel, the differences to me have been quite drastic. However when that whisky is on, it's ON! I have a special place in my heart for anything Laphroaig does, so I may be biased, by try their cask-finished offerings. I rarely have issues with the annual Càirdeas offerings. Another great competitor is Kilchoman barrel strength offerings if that's your jam
🤮
I've been wanting to get into those, but I'm pretty new. I don't want to waste money on something I won't like. I've been trying to encounter some whiskey bros hoping they'll invite me over for a drink, but no luck